News
Young, Gifted
and Green
707 may appear to be a new kid on the block
offering ethical waste management solutions,
but dig a little deeper and there’s a mine of
knowledge and experience in this fresh,
forward-thinking operation.
Matt Miles, Chairman (left) and Graeme Rose of 707,
with a prize-winner at their launch stand at last year’s
Recycling and Waste Management Show
T
he credit crunch – and now the owned by overseas corporations keen to
recession – has shunted the utilise the landfill sites they own. outsource the collections to several small
environment and sustainability off 707’s customer service number will not companies, all local to the client’s various
the front pages of late. For many, it confront the client with a ‘press 1 for a branches. The client gets a superb
seems, green issues are still perceived as nervous breakdown’ automated telephone centralised service, our suppliers get a
an expensive luxury, like organic milk. Of answering system, but a bonafide human good local contract and we get to support
course, those of us with greater green being on the end of the line. As Graeme local small businesses.”
knowledge have long known that a explains, “The waste and recycling The company has also invested in
commonsense and an environment- industry is multi-faceted, serving a wide some outside expertise, bringing in an
friendly approach to business invariably range of ethical marketing agency to help 707
results in real monetary savings. industries and convey its message and image in a
Such an ethical approach is integral to organisations vibrant, creative and maybe less
new waste management solutions outfit in the public predictable manner. Readers will be able
707. This won’t however detract from the sector, some to judge for themselves when 707 attend
financial and service benefits that they problems can the Sustainability Live show at the NEC in
promise their customers. be quite May.
Effectively an outsourced waste technical. The company’s most recent investment
management company, 707 – which Automated has been their coup of bringing in David
launched at the Recycling and Waste phone Adams as their General Manager. Formerly
Management Show at Birmingham’s NEC systems have Senior Manager at Greenstar, David had
in September last year – will be serving never been in such faith in Matt and Graeme’s vision
national clients from all sectors with the that he’s relocated to Tunbridge Wells,
various recycling and waste management customer’s home to 707’s head office, to work for
needs. The team, headed up by Chairman, interests and them. The perfect match for 707, with a
Matt Miles and Managing Director, it’s not a passion for recycling – and coincidentally,
Graeme Rose certainly have ‘form’ in the
Graeme Rose, MD of 707
route we’ll be along with Matt and Graeme, cycling –
industry. going down.” David has high hopes for 707’s future
Matt was at the forefront of ‘greening’ Understanding that it makes little sense prospects.
the waste handling industry before most to have phone lines jammed with straight- “Between
had even considered recycling, forward enquiries, the company has Graeme,
environmental management and carbon invested in a net-based system, new to Matt and
footprints. He has built and managed the waste mangement business. Clients myself, we
several successful waste companies, will, in the next few months, be able to have a
including Polkacrest, Heron Environmental log into their own accounts online, track wealth of
in Kent and 3b in Northern England. collection services and view latest billing knowledge
It was when 3b was in its embryonic information. Graeme continues, “People of the waste
stage seven years ago that Graeme joined are used to checking their bank account management
the company as a director. Together, they and mobile phone accounts online. Why industry. We
grew it to a turnover of over £6 million. not offer this service to busy Facilities all believe in
From an early age Graeme had a Managers, who in most cases would best
fascination with the environment, probably prefer to check such information practices,
graduating with a degree in Environmental onscreen? We think it can only save us customer
Management before moving into the and the client time, money and service and
waste management industry. He believes frustration.” environment-
David Adams, 707’s new
business should be fun, professional and As has been well documented, small friendly
General Manager
above all ethical, which is very clear in the businesses – the lifeblood of the UK – are solutions.”
model for 707. getting little support from the banks during “Given our combined years of
The new company’s approach utilises a challenging time. 707 hopes to put experience, we are still a remarkably
modern technology, while harking back to business the way of these SMEs. As young management team,” he continues.
traditional values of customer service and Graeme highlights, “These small but “That means we’ve got the energy and
building trusted relationships with local dedicated, highly responsive businesses enthusiasm to try some different
suppliers. Many Facilities Managers will would not ordinarily get a sniff of working solutions. Whatever the client needs us to
complain about the customer service they for a large retail or leisure chain. We can handle, we’re up for the challenge.”
receive from the larger, nationwide waste go in, offer one point of contact and a For more information visit the 707
management companies – predominantly dedicate customer care service and website at: www.707.co.uk
12 news Building & Facilities Management – March 2009
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