Mar 6, 2023 |
As a business owner, you’re inundated on a daily basis with the numerous risks and liabilities that come with business ownership. As your business grows and your footprint increases, those risks are multiplied. One area where security often falls short is storefront safety initiatives. From preventing foot traffic from absconding with valuable assets to protecting employees and customers alike, having the right strategies in place is essential–and bollards are an important part of any comprehensive plan. In this article, we’ll discuss why bollards should be included as part of your company’s overall approach to mitigate risk and increase efficiency while protecting both property and personnel against unexpected accidents or intentional incidents.
The Importance of Storefront Safety
At times overlooked, storefront safety is a real issue for many businesses these days. In fact, the storefront safety council sites that 24% of all storefront safety occurrences happen to retail stores accounting for one of the largest sectors of storefront damage. The council also reported that storefront safety incidents are taking place at a rate of 100 per day, injuring 16,000 annually and resulting in 2.600 deaths per year. Staggering numbers that made even more staggering when you think that these types of accidents are 100% preventable.
Aside from the safety implications, the cost savings you see upon installing bollards come from escaping costly repairs resulting from vehicles intentionally and unintentionally damaging your property, vandalism, costly and significant downtime to your business, and potential payouts to victims and their families. In 2022, 7-11 had a $91 million settlement for a storefront accident on one of its properties. This monumental settlement came in part because it was found that 7-11 had not done enough due diligence to protect its employees or customers from storefront incidents, such as implementing bollard protection.
What are bollards and how can they help protect your business from vehicle-related risks
Keeping your business safe from unexpected vehicle-related risks can be mitigated by the installation of safety bollards to your storefront. Powerhouse’s storefront safety bollard rollout programs are a reliable and efficient way to mitigate the potential damages caused by these types of events. Not only is this rollout program relatively simple to implement, but bollards drastically reduce the amount of risk associated with unexpected events should they occur. By preventing vehicular access on your premises, you can ensure the safety of clients and employees, safeguarding your business from harm. Whether it’s vandalism, terrorism, or an everyday auto incident, bollards protect against any threat. Providing premium bollard products and rollout services through it’s multi-site enhancement division, Powerhouse is committed to delivering the best in storefront safety and risk mitigation for businesses nationwide.
The Benefits of Installing Bollards for Your Storefront
Investing in bollards to protect your storefront is an essential risk mitigation and customer safety measure while providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional security solutions. Bollards are an affordable way of deterring ram raiding, vehicle theft, and break-ins, as well as any general public risk, such as accidental collisions caused by drivers or incidents involving mopeds. By installing bollards around the perimeter of a commercial property, you can be sure that both customers and employees alike will remain safe from potential threats.When choosing bollard placements, Powerhouse will diligently survey your properties to pinpoint high-traffic, high-probable ares posing the highest threat and need for bollard placement and create a custom installation plan that will diligently and quickly deliver a seamless rollout program according to your specifications.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Type of Bollard for Your Business
As a business owner, selecting the right type of bollard for your storefront can be an important decision. With the goal of mitigating risk around your building’s perimeter, bollards can help create a secure and safe environment. However, choosing the right size, shape and material is key for the most effective security. It is important to consider any potential risks, such as vehicle-related threats or pedestrian management needs when making this selection. Depending on the context of your property and specific security needs, your choice should reflect both aesthetic purposes as well as impact strength needed to stop high-speed intrusions. Security consultants with Powerhouse can help you select a product that meets your requirements while also helping manage expectations regarding installation costs and overall safety measures. Looking into all options upfront before implementing any storefront safety initiatives will ensure security goals are met with satisfaction in mind.
When deciding on the look of your storefront security solution, our team will work with you to take into account both color and aesthetics. A great way to begin is to consider how the color and aesthetics chosen will blend in with the existing decor. Bollards come in a range of colors and styles so it is important to select one that will best suit your atmosphere while still fulfilling its duty when required. Additionally, throughout the selection process be sure to keep safety as your top priority. Different colors, materials, heights, sizes can all impact how secure an area is; if done correctly bollards can minimize risks without compromising a store’s aesthetic appeal. The most secure option often involves an underground installation or having specially designed bollards made; Nevertheless, a little research goes a long way in determining which color and aesthetic best fits a store’s needs. Powerhouse’s expert rollout team will keep these points in mind when deciding on what kind of security solution makes sense for your business!
Best Practices for Installation and Maintenance of Commercial Bollards
Throughout your rollout program with Powerhouse your team will keep best practices for the installation and maintenance of commercial bollards in mind. This means thoroughly assessing the environment and determining the appropriate size, type and quantity of bollards needed to mitigate risk. Generally, it is recommended that bollards be close together with no more than 36 inches between them, mounted flush with the ground surface, checked routinely for cracks or damage, and painted in a high-visibility color. When it comes to bollard installation, proper preparation is key – footing pads should be used when installing above-ground bollards; core drill holes need to be dug over four feet deep if installing below ground models; securing bolts should meet manufacturers’ specifications; and nuts should be tightened securely to ensure the integrity of the anchor system. As a result of following best practices on installation and regularly maintained thereafter, you can ensure your commercial property is secure with fewer surprises down the line.
Common Types of Bollards Used in Storefront Safety Applications
Storefront safety initiatives such as Powerhouse’s Bollard Rollout program to improve storefront safety is a great way to reduce liability and create a safe environment for customers and employees. Although an initial investment for your business, in the long run the savings could be game changing. The team at Powerhouse
Powerhouse’s unparalleled rollout capabilities keep you in the driver’s seat and your competitors on their toes. Powerhouse’s superior rollout reputation is built on the consistent, on-time delivery of rollout programs that are seamlessly completed according to specification. We get the job done quickly and efficiently without sacrificing quality. Our proprietary real-time data management system, Infinity, helps us manage programs to ensure consistency and compliance at each site. Powerhouse delivers best-in-class communication and reporting visibility throughout the program.
Trust the Powerhouse experts that have been perfecting the art of Rollout projects since 2004.
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Feb 13, 2023 |
As a business owner, you’re always looking for ways to reduce costs and increase efficiency. One way to do this is to consider using an Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) solution. IFM is the comprehensive management of facility operations and maintenance activities in order to reduce operational costs, improve operational efficiency and performance, and ensure compliance with industry standards. In short, an IFM program like the one we provide at Powerhouse increases organizational agility while moving your business toward a more strategic foundation.
What Are the Benefits of Using IFM?
When you use an IFM solution, you reap a number of benefits. Including:
- Cost savings – By utilizing an integrated approach to managing your facility operations and maintenance activities, you can save money on labor costs by consolidating tasks into one service provider. This also allows you to take advantage of economies of scale when it comes to purchasing materials and supplies.
- Increased Productivity – An IFM solution can help you streamline operational processes by consolidating all your facility operations under one roof. This can free up employees’ time to focus more on their core responsibilities instead of managing multiple vendors or overseeing multiple tasks at once.
- Improved Overall Communication and Collaboration- When you choose an IFM model, you can direct more of your company resources to what matters. Removing the burden of facility management efforts on company leaders allows them to focus on your business’s core purpose, enhancing collaboration and communication and ultimately delivering a better employee experience in the workplace.
- Improved Compliance – With an IFM solution, you can make sure that your facility meets all applicable local regulations for safety, health, and environmental compliance. This helps protect your business from costly fines or other penalties due to non-compliance issues.
- Enhanced Quality Control – An IFM solution provides a unified approach to quality control throughout your organization because all activities are managed through one vendor. This ensures that all aspects of the process are monitored closely for accuracy and consistency in order to meet the highest standards of quality possible.
- Enhanced Use of Technology to Leverage Actionable Insights- “Utilizing a Computerized Maintenance Management System, CMMS, allows for maintenance costs to be tracked by trade at the site level across the entire portfolio and provides full transparency to the client. Using the data can allow for better business decisions around annual budgeting and capital spend,” explains Paula Kirk, Executive Vice President of Facilities Maintenance-Powerhouse.
- Reduced Risk – By managing all aspects of facilities management under one roof, you can significantly reduce the risk associated with running a business by minimizing potential liabilities related to contract disputes or regulatory violations that could arise from working with multiple vendors or suppliers simultaneously.
How does IFM differ from Traditional FM programs?
FM is the foundation of any organization operating out of a physical space. The people and processes keep your commercial building running smoothly, from the infrastructure to the assets and equipment in and outside of it. Its mandates typically include; electrical, plumbing, handyman, carpentry, HVAC, painting, emergency services, parking lot services, ADA remediation, general maintenance, and any combination of building and grounds maintenance, both scheduled and unscheduled responses to an unexpected event.
In a traditional FM program, organizations typically take one of two approaches. Hire a facility maintenance manager, boots on the ground at each location, overseeing facility needs themself for a specific location or two-create a facilities maintenance program with various vendors across each trade with a manager to oversee and coordinate for each of the organization’s locations. On the ground, this system can quickly spiral into a logistical nightmare, with managers over their heads, multiple service providers performing different tasks at different sites to different standards, skyrocketing costs, and a regional or executive director buried in paperwork and coordination efforts to keep multi-site organizations up to spec on their many facilities.
With both FM and IFM services, the goal remains the same – to maintain and enhance built environments. A true IFM approach shifts management from focusing on just hours and resources to focusing on performance or outcome-based management. This strategic approach allows facility owners to understand better the total cost of ownership, risk management, and process improvement – which translates to improved performance and effective management. The IFM approach is proven to be more effective and more strategic than traditional FM programs.
Powerhouse’s IFM approach consolidates all the FM efforts for a national, multi-site organization under one united team – a team that is integrated and performs the work collaboratively – as opposed to managing multiple vendors and contractors; you have one dedicated facility partner, one contract, one clear point of contact for all locations nationwide, one standard scope of service and a cost-saving, efficient organizational collaboration.
“Transforming to an IFM model allows clients to focus on their strategic goals by allowing Powerhouse to provide the tactical oversight and streamline their facilities management using our people, processes, and technology,” -Paula Kirk, Executive Vice President, Facilities Maintenance-Powerhouse.
Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) is an effective way for businesses to reduce costs while improving efficiency and performance in their facility’s operations and maintenance activities. It combats the old-school counterproductive approach of a traditional FM program by enhancing program transparency and efficiencies with streamlined structure and processes, comprehensive KPIs, and improved organizational decision-making for your organization across all your locations nationwide.
Should your Business Switch to IFM?
Is an IFM approach right for your business? The answer is yes if your business is in need of one or more of the following:
- Has multiple locations
- Prefers a centralized purchasing approach
- Desires a holistic approach to FM services
- Is looking to reduce costs of ownership over the lifecycle of your assets
- Prefers a simplified agreement with one supplier
- Has resources stretched thin at the regional or local level
- Is looking to reduce the cost of ad-hoc FM services
- Has multiple locations with a need for emergency services for natural disaster preparation, clean up, or restorative services
- Has a need for more streamlined compliance
- Desires more consistent and quality scope of service across all locations
If any of these needs align with what you want for your facility – the right choice for your business is clear – it’s IFM.
More and more Industries are transforming from a predominantly single FM outsourcing model to an integrated services model like the Powerhouse IFM model that meets all their facility needs. With one integrated approach, you improve overall customer experience, optimize how your space is used, and ultimately lower the total cost of ownership.
The real benefits of an integrated facility management approach do not take long to see. They repeatedly make themselves apparent. Whether it’s cost savings through economies of scale or increased productivity due to streamlined processes, there are numerous benefits associated with implementing an IFM solution in your organization.
Want to learn more about Powerhouse’s IFM Model? Click below:
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Jan 27, 2023 |
A consolidated landscape management program is a great way to streamline and simplify the process of managing your company’s exterior space. It provides a comprehensive approach that saves time and money while also improving the efficiency and effectiveness of your landscape maintenance. Whether your business is in need of snow and ice management, parking lot services, pressure washing, striping, sweeping, or landscape maintenance and preventative services, or all of the above a consolidated landscape management program can set your business up on the right foot to maintain your commercial exterior spaces. In this article, we’ll explain the benefits of having a consolidated landscape management program in place and why it’s important for your business.
A consolidated landscape management program can help you save time by providing an all-in-one solution. 
Picture it as an easy button for exterior services management. Instead of managing multiple vendors or contractors for various services, such as lawn mowing, fertilization, weed control, irrigation, landscape enhancement projects, etc., across all your locations, you will be able to rely on one vendor to provide all of these services in one complete and customized package for your business. This helps reduce the amount of time spent managing each task individually and each vendor individually. Think accounts payable, invoices, work orders, customer service, contracts, and scopes of work. All of it for every service, vendor, and location are managed under one umbrella of a proactive exterior management program. Additionally, a consolidated landscape management program allows for better cost savings since all services are provided under one contract rather than multiple contracts with individual providers.
Another benefit of a consolidated management program-improved quality control.
When all tasks, scopes of work, and areas of service are managed through one provider and handled by the same team, week after week, year after year, there is significantly less room for mistakes or miscommunication between different providers who may not be familiar with each other’s work practices and methods. Having one point of contact also makes it easier to address any problems that may arise during the course of the project.
A good consolidated landscape management program helps ensure consistency and proactive customer care across all areas of your exterior space.
By using a single provider for all tasks related to landscaping, you can rest assured that everything from mowing patterns to fertilizer applications will be done according to standard procedures and guidelines established by your provider—and monitored for consistent results and proactive solutions every time. Imagine having an army of landscape service providers across all your locations trained to solve problems before you’re even notified there is a problem. That’s good, consolidated, consistent, and proactive service.
For any business, risk can be a scary word…but it doesn’t have to be.
Utilizing a consolidated landscape management program can be your risk mitigation strategy for your organization’s exterior spaces. Through proper, regularly scheduled services, you can check the boxes of risk mitigation knowing that you are assuming and accepting the reality of exterior space risk, avoiding risk by enacting a mitigation plan (your consolidated management program), controlling potential risk with your proactive services, and transferring risk by assuming insurance and liability coverage of your management provider.
Robert Blake-Ward, CEO of Powerhouse, describes the Powerhouse difference,
“We have a unique approach; we seek to elevate our customer’s exterior services programs. How do we accomplish this? It’s a combination of more than 500+ years of industry experience with our management team combined with long-term contracted partners in the field to ensure the mission is met. To ensure the service performance meets the standard – we utilize a strong combination of site verification and interface with our providers utilizing a proprietary portal so you can be assured your program is in the hands of experts. With a national footprint of more than 12,000 locations across all 50 states, our customers can benefit from our scale in markets across the US. I often ask customers what business they are in and tell them simply, “Let Powerhouse be the expert in delivering great exterior services while you focus on providing your end users a great experience.”
Here at Powerhouse, we realize the need for commercial businesses to protect their organization’s nationwide footprint. 
To maintain a standard of beautiful, regularly service properties for curb appeal and a seamless first impression at every one of their locations. That’s why our team at Powerhouse takes consolidated exterior management and kicks it up a notch by providing our customers additional value with access to our individualized, proprietary customer portal, a nationwide network of landscape contractors, and a team of highly-skilled exterior service subject matter experts from irrigation specialists to arborists, designers and lawn care experts rest assured that your organization in the best hands with Powerhouse.
Overall, consolidating your landscape management program can provide many benefits for your business, including increased cost savings, improved quality control, proactive service, increased consistency, and risk mitigation, across all areas of your exterior space. If you’re looking for an easy way to streamline and simplify the process of managing your company’s exterior space while saving time and money in the process, then implementing a consolidated landscape management program with Powerhouse Exterior Services is definitely worth considering.
Click the button below to learn more about our Exterior Maintenance Management Progam.
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Feb 14, 2022 |
Powerhouse has acquired Advanced Service Solutions, a Hammonton, New Jersey based national provider of both interior and exterior facility maintenance services.
“As we continue our growth strategy, we are always looking for opportunities to enhance our existing services and exceed our clients’ expectations,” said Robert Blake-Ward, Principal, Powerhouse. “Advanced Service Solutions has strong customer-focused teams and we are excited to compliment Powerhouse’s service offering with this acquisition.”
Advanced (www.advancedservice.com), founded in 2007 by Jeff Tunis, began as a locally based snow and landscape provider. The company grew through acquisition of businesses that complimented their service offering. They entered the interior facility repair space through the acquisition of Total Facility in 2019 and Coast Workplace Solutions in 2021. “We are excited by the benefits this combination will bring to our team members and the blended customer base,” said Tunis.
“We are excited to welcome Advanced to the family of Powerhouse companies. This acquisition will continue to strengthen our position as one of the top national facility maintenance services providers and will allow us to expand the range and depth of services for our clients,” Blake-Ward added. “Along with like-minded cultural values, Advanced’s operational platform mirrors the Powerhouse approach of creating raving fans.”
Click here to read the full release.
Jan 24, 2022 |
Powerhouse is excited to announce the promotion of Eric Brownlee to Chief Customer Officer of Exterior Services, powered by DENTCO. Brownlee is an industry veteran with years of experience leading customer focused teams. As Chief Customer Officer, his focus will be on educating, coaching, and mentoring a talented team of Exterior Service Management professionals that are known for creating clients into raving fans.
“As we have grown into the fourth largest exterior services management company in the country, our focus on exceeding our clients’ expectations is a must,” said Robert Blake-Ward, Principal, Powerhouse. “Eric has built strong customer-focused teams and we are excited to recognize Eric’s talent and skills with this new role.”
Prior to this role, Brownlee was the Senior Director of Exterior Services, powered by DENTCO with responsibility for expanding and cross selling the company’s business unit focused on external grounds upgrade and maintenance functions. This included oversight of field resources, related operations, opportunity identification and staff empowerment.
“I am excited to take on this new role,” said Brownlee. “I am focused on enabling my team to give our clients the confidence that their sites are well-cared for all year long with complete exterior services and maintenance. I want our clients to be raving fans of Powerhouse and my team and I are focused on enhancing our relationships with them.”
Brownlee holds two degrees from Ohio State University: an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Business Management and an AAS in Landscape Construction. He is a certified arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and the Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA). He is also a longstanding active member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).
Click here to read Brownlee’s full release.
Dec 8, 2021 |
Powerhouse is thrilled to announce the appointment of Maria Clavijo-Demchalk as Vice President of Operations, Facility Maintenance. Maria is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience leading operations and service focused teams. As Vice President of FM Operations, her focus will be on delivering Powerhouse’s vision, to have a positive and lasting impact on people, through leading a talented team of Powerhouse professionals that are known for an unparalleled sense of urgency.
“As we execute against our growth strategies, our operations need to be scalable with a focus on creating raving fans,” said Robert Blake-Ward, Principal, Powerhouse. “Maria has a strong ability to build customer-focused teams and enhanced operational efficiencies. We are confident that Maria is the right leader to increase our facilities maintenance productivity and profitability and we are excited to have her join the team.”
Prior to joining Powerhouse, Maria held leadership roles with FM Facility Maintenance and Vixxo. In her new role, Maria will provide outstanding service to clients giving them piece of mind and allowing them to focus on their core business needs
“I am excited to join Powerhouse and deliver on its core values of great service, honesty and integrity,” said Maria. “I am focused on making each of our clients a raving fan of Powerhouse and enhancing a strong and engaged service-focused team.”
Maria holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidad del Norte and a Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Florida International University. She is also a Certified Change Management Professional and Scrum Master Certified.
Click here to read Clavijo-Demchalk’s full release.
