A County Durham family firm which started six years ago with one van has expanded into a new base on the back of a six-figure investment.
Orca Cleaning Group recently moved to a larger unit on Belmont Industrial Estate in Durham after outgrowing its previous one, having secured new contracts across the UK. The family-owned industrial cleaning company has also appointed a new member to the management team to support its growth plans, following the sizeable investment in premises and equipment.
The firm provides professional cleaning services to owners and operators of offices, factories, warehouses and large retail stores throughout the UK, and it has appointed Michael Monkman to the newly-created role of operations director to help with further growth.
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Steven Holmes, chief executive, said: “We’ve seen exciting growth over the last six years, when I started the company with just one van. We now have a team of 18, contracts all over the UK, and some household names as customers. We’ve got our eyes set on rapid but sustainable growth, and bringing Michael in at this level is the perfect way to ensure that we are strategic and measured – his wealth of experience will be a valuable asset to Orca.”
Mr Monkman previously ran his own limited company for over 10 years, before joining Screentech in Darlington where he helped increase the company’s annual turnover over a four-year period. He also works with Mr Holmes and his wife Hollie, who is Orca’s commercial director, in their business the Wild Swimming Club.
His new role will encompass scheduling and pricing of jobs, management of the teams and also growing Orca’s client base.
He said: “I’ve known Steven and Hollie for many years and have worked with them as a supplier before we set up our sideline business in wild swimming. When this opportunity came up, I jumped at the chance to be part of the exciting plans that they have for the future.”
