The Client
Orbit Property Management is a leading niche commercial property firm with extensive professional expertise across all market sectors, acting for major institutional funds and private clients in both the UK and Europe.
Founded in 2004 by Managing Director Luke Mason, Orbit initially consisted of a team of three based in Mayfair, London, before subsequently merging in 2007 with a Birmingham-based practice. In 2009, wholly owned subsidiaries Orbit Facilities Management Ltd and more recently Orbit Facilities Services Ltd were added to complement the practice. The company now manages over 300 commercial properties, with a capital value of nearly £3bn.
The Challenge
The Property Management Team was managing a 150,000 sq. ft, 17-acre commercial warehouse and grounds in St Helens, in Northern England. The industrial unit had been occupied by Palmer & Harvey, a popular and well-known haulage and distribution provider who had recently been placed into high-profile administration, involving closures of almost 37 depots across the UK, and resulting in hundreds of job losses and many unhappy suppliers.
The administrators were due to hand back the property and terminate the lease, so Orbit Property Management was looking for security solutions to protect the property against disgruntled employees and suppliers, trespassers, squatters, thieves, arson and unauthorised occupation from the travelling community.
The Veritas Solution
As a trusted contractor for Orbit Property Management, Veritas was asked to provide a suitable and cost-effective solution for the project. Based on the unique risk profile of the site, we swiftly provided a range of options, including a vacant property alarm system, mobile patrols, caretaking and 24-hour security guarding.
Following our proposal, we were commissioned as the primary security contractors, and arranged a date for a suitable handover - including the installation of new security measures - with the Landlord and the Administrators.
An external vacant property alarm system was installed, along with concrete barriers, security gates and a two-man security team deployed in a caretaking capacity. The Security Officers took up occupancy in the building, enabling them to respond quickly and effectively to any alarm activations and provide a professional, courteous and reliable concierge service as needed.
As well as providing security measures, we also undertook an extensive inventory of all remaining stock and contents to protect the landlord against any liability arising from stolen or missing goods.
