What a year that was!
Those of you who know your Chinese Zodiac, you will recognise 2021 as the year of the Ox. Although perhaps not the most glamourous of creatures, it does represent diligence, dependability, strength and determination.
And oh, how we have relied on those attributes this year!
In a time when COVID has continued to cast a dark cloud over the globe, we have also had to manage the impact of unprecedented weather events across much of Europe, and of course, much closer to home. The work to restore those people’s homes and lives continues and our thoughts remain with them at a time where families should be able to come together at home to celebrate, many cannot, yet.
Against such a backdrop, you would expect most organisations to ‘circle the wagons’ and focus on survival first and foremost. But that has never been the Edge way, because come rain or shine, we always want to be there when you need more.
That’s why this year we have invested over 30% of our profits in upgrading our fleet. That’s even more equipment you can access that is more economic to run, more portable to manage and more sustainable in terms of power consumption.
We all recognise that property damage restoration is an increasingly challenging and competitive business. The bottom line is that insurers and policyholders just want the best possible outcome in the shortest possible time, at the best possible cost. And we have a role to play in supporting you deliver on those outcomes, giving you the best, most informed options possible.
We have adapted our working practices to this brave new world too, investing in IoT, more data provision and cleaner protocols to help protect our people and our customers.
We all know people are at the core of the damage management industry. We have a duty of care to protect our colleagues, our customers and their clients and our investment in people has resulted in new, more flexible working practices, the recruitment of our first apprentices and the adoption of the government’s Quickstart scheme. Finally, we were particularly proud to complete the installation of defibrillators at all our depots, providing a valued emergency service for the communities in which we live and work.
This year has been all about diligence, dependability, strength and determination. And we are determined to continue to be there when you need more. Because sometimes we all need that extra Edge.
From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas.