Annual Report 2015 | Page 18

Annual Report 2015 SSI Services is focusing on enhancing productivity, including investment in technology, to fully benefit from opportunities that are arising. SSI Services is the Group’s specialist infrastructure contracting division. We provide a broad range of specialist infrastructure based services from design through to installation, testing and repair to long-term maintenance. Our focus is on regulated environments and legislative needs, managing client risk and using specialist technologies to provide added value. We have developed a broad customer base across both the public and private sectors from all major water utilities, government agencies and local authorities through to major contractors and facilities management (FM) companies. Whilst we historically mainly worked in the water and wastewater sector, we are now increasingly operating in the water hygiene, rail, power generation, industrial and construction markets. Our strategy is to deliver these 16 services through a number of specialist operating companies using a nationwide mobile operation and maintaining long-term relationships with our customers, providing a quality service at competitive prices. The division has around 1,500 employees, all of whom are key to us being successful, with the majority operating remotely and in often challenging environments. Health and safety is therefore very important to us and we continue to focus on developing a strong health and safety based culture across all of our businesses. We have seen frequency and severity rates of accidents reduce further in the year, as well as achieving a number of awards and maintaining our existing accreditations. SSI Services is made up of three business areas: Clean Water, comprising IWS and Hydrosave; Wastewater, made up of OnSite, OnSite Specialist Maintenance and Perco Engineering Services; and Water Hygiene which also trades as IWS. In addi tion Omega Red, which provides lightning protection and electrical earthing services, also trades as part of SSI Services. Review of last year Last year was a challenge for SSI Services, being the last year of the water industry five-year AMP cycle when spending by some of our largest clients is typically lower than normal. In spite of this, the division has managed to grow revenue through a combination of new contract awards, new service offerings that have been developed and one off projects. However profit margins have been impacted, partly