On Track for Success in 2005

 

As part of its long-term strategy to meet industry changes head on and to exceed client and associate expectations, SkyBlue recently took the decision to specialise and re-shape its business systems.

A major influence was Network Rail’s announcement last year, to take maintenance back in-house and to directly employ 85% of its workforce - effectively increasing competition in an already demanding sector.

Thanks to the changes made, SkyBlue has now been able to drop its rates in order to become more competitive. However as Andy Berry, Head of Rail Operations at SkyBlue is quick to point out, this hasn’t been to the detriment of the quality of service provided.

“2004 was ‘the year of the budget’ in rail, with clients intensely cost sensitive. Any compromise on quality was out of the question so we looked to reduce waste and improve efficiency to ensure rates came down.

“We are confident that our new business systems will also increase efficiency, by providing a much clearer picture of our capability UK-wide at any time.

“This will enable us to give a fast and accurate response to requests, to plan more effectively and deliver a better service.”

According to Andy, the whole industry is now looking further ahead:

“We now have a two year indication of activity levels and ‘hot-spot’ recruitment locations and are utilising the information to align our business systems to that long view, with 12-month, 15-week, four, three and two-week horizons.

“Our biggest challenge in the year ahead will be to find out more about the nature of each job from the client so that we can assign people not just with the right certification, but also with relevant experience.

“At SkyBlue it’s time to go beyond compliance.”