Crate rental provider phs Teacrate has expanded with the opening of a second wash facility following increased demand set to create up to 20 new jobs. Located in Durham, the new wash facility supports the continued growth of Teacrate’s business in the food sector, providing crate rental, handling equipment, packaging products and a tailored wash service to customers. With the coronavirus pandemic accelerating hygiene practices to the top of the agenda, Teacrate has experienced a surge in demand from food and retail businesses for crate washing.

New data released by facilities services provider phs Group reveals one in 20 premises remain closed after 43% were shut down during the coronavirus lockdown. In London, the impact is even more pronounced with the city failing to attract people back in the aftermath of stringent COVID-19 lockdown measures. The new phs Index, published six-months on from the onset of lockdown, reports that 95% of organisations (businesses, governmental and non-governmental organisations) across the UK are now open following widespread closures; translating to one in 20 which are still shut down. However, Central London is lagging behind the UK with just 90% of premises open; equating to one in 10 which is still closed

Facilities services provider phs Group has bolstered its floorcare business with the acquisition of the floorcare and associated hygiene services division of workwear and industrial wiper rental services firm Lindström UK. With more than 50 years’ experience providing floorcare services across the UK, phs offers market-leading floor mats with a quality service across all sectors. It will acquire the floorcare business of Lindström which has traditionally provided spill and absorbent mats for industrial and commercial organisations. phs will take on all of Lindström’s floorcare customers, effective from September 21.

Workplace consumables provider phs Direct has launched a new partnership with industry distributor Cheeky Panda to offer an extensive new range of environmentally-conscious toilet rolls, tissues and wipes.

Leading hygiene services provider phs Group has launched a new service which will see Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as single-use masks, being managed safely amid warnings it is becoming the latest danger to ocean life. PPE waste collected from phs PPE waste bins will be diverted from landfill and converted into energy, ensuring it is disposed of both responsibly and sustainably.

Property and facilities management services firm phs Compliance has launched a new coronavirus surface swab test as part of a range of measures to support businesses reopen safely as lockdown measures ease. The new surface testing service alerts businesses if their premises are contaminated by Covid-19 and helps identify infected areas, enabling them to take action. The ability to swab test premises for Covid-19 is particularly important following reports infected droplets can contaminate indoor surfaces and remain there for several days, spreading the infection. The surface swab test is undertaken by expertly-trained testers at all workplaces, on everything from door handles and desks to machinery and is carried out in line with World Health Organisation guidelines.

Schools and colleges in England are being prompted to order their free period products now to help combat period inequality. Period product supplier phs Direct has announced that nearly 40% of eligible schools and colleges have ordered free products, funded by the Department for Education as part of the scheme to tackle period inequality. However, the clock is ticking for the remaining educational organisations to place their orders for this year’s budget allocation before the end of the autumn term.

Leading hygiene services provider phs Group has appointed a new head of human resources. Mike Winstone joins phs as Group HR director and will champion the firm’s people agenda. The permanent role with phs for Mike follows an eight-month stint as contract director, leading the delivery of phs’ contract with the Department for Education, supplying every school and college in England with free period products.

Leading infrastructure support service provider Amey has secured a deal to provide facilities and estate management services across Highways England’s extensive and growing operational estate. Starting on 1 November 2020, the five-year £40 million contract will see Amey provide maintenance, cleaning project and asset management across 40 Highways England sites including offices, regional operational centres, traffic officer outstations and one highway maintenance depot.

phs Group has appointed Emily Vernon as the new Managing Director of its horticulture services company phs Greenleaf. Emily takes the helm at Greenleaf following six years at phs Compliance and will build on the firm’s position as horticultural experts. With more than 8,000 customers nationwide, Greenleaf has over 25 years’ experience of providing horticultural services, including indoor and outdoor planting displays, artificial and live planting, living walls, grounds maintenance services and decorated Christmas trees. Greenleaf’s customers span a variety of sectors including hospitality, retail, FMs and the public sector. It also holds a royal warrant for the installation and maintenance of plant displays at Buckingham Palace.