Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of Facilities Management Services

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Making Air Travel More Accessible – A Spotlight on PRM Services with Michèle Hill

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Airports are known for their busy nature, with thousands of people passing through their doors every day, connecting people from all over the world. While a focus on providing core services such as cleaning and security is important, there are many passengers that intend to travel through the long terminal corridors who require additional support.

We sat down with Michèle Hill, Bidvest Noonan’s Contract Manager at Shannon Airport, to gain a deeper understanding of the People with Restricted Mobility (PRM) Service, some of the fundamentals that need to be in place, and what the aims of our PRM teams are here at Bidvest Noonan.

What exactly is a PRM Service, and what is involved when delivering it?

A ‘People with Restricted Mobility’ (PRM) Service is designed to assist individuals who have mobility challenges such as walking, standing, or climbing stairs. The service also assists those who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, or crutches. Support also extends beyond physical impairments and also includes accommodating those with visual and auditory impairments.

Providing a PRM service involves assisting those who need additional support at every stage along the passenger journey through the airport. This includes helping departing passengers from check-in, through security, to boarding the plane. It also includes assisting arriving passengers from the aircraft through immigration and baggage reclaim, and out to the arrivals hall.

All of this is designed to help passengers navigate the airport with ease and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable journey.

What fundamentals must be in place to deliver a PRM Service?

Knowing the terminal inside out in order to navigate it effectively, being aware of where all equipment and mobility aids are at all times, and having the appropriate training to assist passengers of all restricted mobility levels are some of the key basic elements I believe are required to deliver an effective PRM Service.

However, delivering an effective People with Restricted Mobility (PRM) service is not just about checking off a list of necessities, it’s much more than that. A holistic approach should be taken.

Recognising that navigating through an airport with physical limitations can be a source of stress and discomfort for individuals, and taking steps to alleviate those challenges is important. That is why our teams go that extra step to make each passenger feel warmly welcomed, by making an effort to personally greet them and learn their name.

This personable touch can often help ease any anxiety passengers might have and make the experience more relaxed for them. This can be really important if they are travelling alone.

What do our PRM teams at Bidvest Noonan aim to do?

Our PRM teams have one core focus, and that is to ensure passengers who have restricted mobility or other impairments have a seamless experience on their journey and get to where they need to be, all while enjoying their time at the airport. Providing them with the reassurance they need that all their needs are being cared for, is what makes the difference. No matter what disability or mobility issue the passenger may have, we make it our mission to remain adaptive, flexible, and accommodating to passengers throughout the airport.

Our Teams in Focus – DCU Cleaning Team

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“We always prioritise the needs of our customer because we understand by doing this, we create a remarkable experience and raise their expectations. We also recognise that without a strong team, none of this can happen.”-  Amanda Gomes, our DCU cleaning team’s manager. 

This week we want to highlight the great work our cleaning team at Dublin City University (DCU) does throughout the year. ‘Teamwork and quality are the key to success’ – is the motto of this diverse team.

This group needs to be adaptable during the summer months as the demand for residences rises in that season across DCU’s 3 campuses. Although their duties vary slightly between semesters and summertime, the main duties involve housekeeping and maintaining the common areas, ensuring they are both clean and tidy. Our DCU team plays a key part in keeping the campus apartments’ public and residential areas high in standards too. 

We asked Amanda what the biggest challenges are on site, and how the team overcomes them. She commented:

“Large footfall is always a constant challenge. Covid-19, students’ parties, building/ maintenance works, adverse weather conditions, and events are also some others to name a few. But we are always prepared, and ready to support our client, delivering the best service possible for the university.”

A huge well done to Amanda and our whole DCU team for their hard work and dedication in fulfilling their daily duties to the highest standards.

Bidvest Noonan finalists for the 2023 FM Awards

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Bidvest Noonan is delighted to be named finalists across many key categories for the 2023 Facilities Management Awards. This event is one of Ireland’s largest in the facilities services industry. It recognises and celebrates incredible work across services such as cleaning, security, facilities management, property management, and much more. This year, our business has five candidates in the final across five categories.

Client & Service Provider Partnership of the Year

This award recognises excellent collaboration between an FM service provider and their customer throughout the past twelve months. Our team at Shannon Airport has had a fantastic year, continuing a 30-years strong relationship with our customer. They have been shortlisted for the final. Having took home top prize for Covid-19 Response at the 2022 ICCA Awards, this award-winning team delivers outstanding services for our client every day. Some of the services delivered include Cleaning, Executive Lounge Operations, Mobility Assistance to and from the Aircraft, Airport Services Desk which includes looking after Lost Property, Left Luggage, Car Park attendants and Baggage Trolley Collection, Hold Baggage Screening, Vehicle Screening, Landscaping Services, and Building Maintenance.

FM Service Provider Team of the Year

This category recognises facilities management teams, who throughout the last year, have demonstrated extraordinary teamwork and shown examples of how they went that extra step to deliver for clients. Bidvest Noonan’s team at ESB 27 Fitzwilliam Street has been named a finalist for 2023. Our team provides a full range of soft services to our customer since 2018, delivering all Security Services, Cleaning Services including Daily Office Cleaning, Reception, as well as Carpet and Window Cleaning.

FM Service Provider Professional of the Year

Our colleague Sharon Kane has been announced as a finalist in the FM Service Provider Professional of the Year category. This award recognises those who have made a positive impact and brought success to their company through their hard work and enthusiasm. As operations manager, Sharon has been integral to the mobilisation of several of our large contract wins over the past year. Sharon has also spearheaded Bidvest Noonan’s campaign of employing and supporting female operatives and officers in the industry.

Excellence in Sustainability

The ‘Excellence in Sustainability’ award recognises an outstanding sustainability initiative undertaken by a facilities service’s organisation throughout 2022. We were thrilled to learn our team at UCD has been shortlisted for their efforts to save on water consumption. Through the use of the Comac InAqua system, our team has committed to saving 500,000 litres of water each year. This is initiative is part of Bidvest Noonan’s goal of embedding sustainability into every facet of our business and working with clients to maximise our environmental performance.

Innovation in Technology & Systems

2022 was a huge success on the Technology and Innovation front for our business. This award recognises a company that has made the best use of a system or technology in Ireland’s Facilities Management sector. Led by Director of Innovation & Technology, Peter Smyth, our business has seen success through the implementation of our Dynamic Cleaning solution. This technology uses data from sensor technology and powerful web portal dashboard reports to eliminate inefficiencies, create cost savings, and improve quality by matching cleaning resources to areas of activity.  In addition to cleaning efficiencies, the system also provides powerful data-driven insights to create energy savings, environmental benefits, and improved building space management for clients.

We look forward to the event, taking place on March 2nd at the Crowne Plaza, Dublin

Rest in Peace Bruna Fonseca

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“We are devastated by the passing of our colleague, Bruna Fonseca. Bruna, who passed away in tragic circumstances during the weekend, worked as part of our team at Mercy University Hospital Cork. She was a valued member of our team and a friend to all who worked with her. 

Bruna will be sadly missed. On behalf of all at Bidvest Noonan, I want to express my deepest condolences to Bruna’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Cormac Sheils, CEO, Bidvest Noonan Ireland

Christmas message from our Group Executive team

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As the holiday season approaches, Decland Doyle, Group CEO took a moment to express his deepest gratitude for our teams and customers.

“As another year comes to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to express my utmost appreciation for our incredible people and customers. Although it has been an extraordinary and challenging twelve months, we have met every obstacle head-on and come out stronger than ever. – thanks in no small part to all your support! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Thank you for everything you do for our business and on behalf of the entire Bidvest Noonan family, I want to wish you a peaceful Christmas and all the very best for the new year”.

Bidvest Noonan scoops Best Diversity, Inclusion and Equity award at Fingal Business Awards 2022

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Bidvest Noonan has been awarded the Best Diversity, Inclusion and Equity at the Fingal Business Awards 2022, held at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport in Santry on Friday, the 18th of November 2022.

We are very proud to be recognised for our work in this area once again. People from all across our business have played a role in this success and especially those who are part of our EDI Council. We are proud of our achievements but we are also motivated to keep improving.