Dalkia PLC

Facilities services and energy management group Dalkia plc has switched its drinking water supply from bottled to plumbed in.

In the hot summer of 2006 problems started to occur when the bottled water companies Dalkia had employed were failing to deliver their contracts to meet the needs of many of its staff across the company’s offices and sites.

This was coupled with a growing concern of the increased environmental impact created by deliveries of the bottles and the plastic bottle refuse, which contributes to landfill.

Ian Skeggs, National Procurement Manager – Contracting, at Dalkia, says: “We were looking for a national service provider to fulfil a large and fairly complicated brief as we wanted to minimise our carbon footprint but give our staff a completely reliable water supply that would not run out.

“We were also worried about the increased health and safety issues where staff were having to carry and install the bottles and, as any business does, we wanted to keep our costs down.

“After carrying out research it became clear that plumbed-in point of use water coolers were the answer.

“We set about finding a service provider that could cope with the logistical demands of Dalkia both in terms of the spread of locations as well as the overall customer care.”

Following contact with some of the market leaders, Dalkia chose Premier Watercoolers to fit 50 dispensers across eight sites in the UK.

Skeggs says: “After having had a disappointing service from our previous providers, we were wary of choosing a company that promised lots of discounts and extras.

“When we discussed the situation with Premier, we felt their national pricing structure and administration process was consistent with the way we work.

“Throughout the process of installation, we were kept regularly updated on each site. The carbon emissions we produce have reduced and the ongoing level of customer care has been excellent.

“This is apart from the fact the contract has saved us up to 15% on what we were paying previously.”

The business relationship has also had an unexpected and additional benefit for both companies, as Dalkia now recommends Premier as part of its services management portfolio to it’s clients.

< back