Rilmac Insulation’s Asbestos Services Division has implemented BigChange job management software to drive efficiency and improve customer reporting. Specialising in all aspects of asbestos abatement, Rilmac operates a team of specialist operatives across the UK. Using BigChange, Rilmac now has 24/7 visibility of its operations, has reduced its paper consumption, and has improved both back-office and field efficiencies.

“I think it is fair to say that the asbestos removal sector is not traditionally thought of as being at the cutting edge of technology,” commented Michael Woods, Managing Director of the Rilmac Group. “So, in order to retain and build on our position as one of the leading service providers in this field, we knew we needed to be ahead of the curve in terms of automation and innovation. With the adoption of BigChange, we are now leading the way in customer experience and productivity, and we are establishing workflows and practices that we can roll out across our other divisions.”

Rilmac selected BigChange based on a combination of value, the team behind the solution, and the features and functionality offered. “It was all about the three Ps for us – performance, people, and, of course, price. We knew that any system we implemented would be better than what we had, but the fact that BigChange offered a scalable solution that we could introduce in manageable chunks and was customisable for different aspects of the business was crucial,” added Stephen Finch, Business Development Manager at Rilmac.

BigChange is used to plan work, communicate schedules and detailed job specifications to field operatives, report on ongoing projects, and share crucial updates with clients. As a result, Rilmac has achieved notable efficiency gains and cost savings.

“Using BigChange, we have already reduced our back-office admin resource by about 30 percent – a resource that can be deployed to other tasks – and we have slashed the amount of paper we use, eliminating it altogether from some workstreams. Conservatively estimated, this amounts to 20,000 sheets of paper saved annually, though the actual figure is likely closer to 25,000. This reduction not only represents a significant cost saving for the business but also benefits the environment.

“In addition, what we do is highly—and rightly so—regulated, and BigChange ensures that we not only adhere to these regulations in the field but can also prove compliance,” Steve continued. “Using BigChange, we have set up logical, step-by-step workflows that operatives have to follow. Although nobody likes change, these have actually made it easier to record the necessary information in the field, as BigChange guides you through each step, ensuring you record photographs and equipment readings at defined points, all of which have been ratified by our Compliance Manager.

“We recently had an unannounced inspection by the Health and Safety Executive, which is not uncommon for asbestos removal works, and we were able to show how we are using BigChange in the field. The inspector was very complimentary about the system itself.”

Rilmac is also leveraging additional features and functionalities offered by BigChange. These include mandatory daily vehicle checks that ensure the fleet remains roadworthy and safe while promptly notifying the fleet management team of any defects or issues. The CRM tools help Contract Managers and the Business Development team stay updated on current projects and the sales pipeline. Furthermore, Rilmac now highlights its use of BigChange and the associated client benefits when bidding for new work.

Future plans for BigChange within Rilmac’s Asbestos Division, and the wider group, include a customer self-service portal where existing clients can access up-to-date reports and documentation and even book appointments for routine work. Additionally, automated asset management tools will provide better control over equipment and consumables used on-site.

The Rilmac Group of Companies has three divisions providing commercial insulation and asbestos removal services, fabrication, and scaffolding. Directly employing 249 staff, Rilmac has a turnover approaching £30 million. Rilmac’s Asbestos Services Division offers nationwide asbestos removal services to a wide range of UK customers, from individual domestic properties to major industrial sites.