Why Deanestor

Experience

Deanestor have been involved in the FF&E healthcare market for over 50 years and as a result Deanestor have provided the FF&E requirements on more projects than any of its competitors As a result of this experience, Deanestor have built up an unrivalled technical knowledge of the client’s requirements and the options available. On PFI, we understand that nobody else has had the same level of involvement as Deanestor and main contractors are at risk letting large scale PFI FF&E packages to companies without proven performance on major new hospital builds. As far as LIFT is concerned, we are unaware of any other company who has worked as extensively on LIFT as Deanestor.

Healthcare Core Market

In addition to the experience Deanestor has gained by virtue of the fact that healthcare is its core market and indeed the largest company whose core market is healthcare FF&E., Deanestor do not have seasonal peaks for products manufactured in other sectors. This ensures that for both manufacture and installation our capacity and service levels remain constant.

Although healthcare will remain our core market, Deanestor are diversifying further into the education sector. However, with our bespoke capacity planning programme and optional 24 hour operation process, we are able to service each sector equally as well.  

Deanestor are one of only a few other companies capable of manufacturing a fully compliant HTM 63 and HTM 71 furniture range. However the market has moved on from fully compliant HTM 63 and 71, but it is our knowledge of the requirements of these HTMs that gives us the ability to offer value engineering options to reduce costs whilst still adhering to the intent of these guidelines. Deanestor’s experience enables us to present options that are not only fit for purpose, but which also have regard to costs. However, as our scope has diversified so has our ability and knowledge. We are familiar with all other relevant guidelines such as HTM62, HTM64 & HTM66 as well as HBN18. We believe this cross-over trade contractor knowledge allows us to co-ordinate off and on site works more affectively.

Deanestor is at the forefront of it competitors in terms of product suitability, with our own dedicated healthcare manufacturing facility, we have been able to standardise the elements required for FF&E on schemes such as PFI and LIFT. In addition, we have invested in the R&D of innovative products suitable for healthcare environments, whilst always having regard to the cost implications.
 
Mental Health is particularly prevalent at the moment and as a result of having provided the FF&E requirements this year on 4 mental health hospitals, 2 of which were PFIs, we have ascertained and progressed product suitability for mental health environments by offering an anti tamper and anti ligature range of furniture and equipment.

Furniture Materials

We would also consider the following manufacturing methods to distinguish us from our competitions:-

Carcass Manufacture

All Deanestor’s units are glued and dowelled, which is an HTM requirement and assists in providing extended life cycles. Often competitors provide cam and dowelled units which also have infection control issues.

Deanestor manufacture each carcass type with the drill pattern for that project, ensuring the carcass does not have unnecessary and visible hole for hinges or draws, thereby reducing the potential for dirt traps. Deanestor also offer gromit plugs for these, and incorporate these as standard in surgery areas.

Carcass Material – substrate

All Deanestor’s units can be provided with medium density fibre board carcasses and frontals. We understand that competitors often provide chipboard which is not HTM compliant.

Upstands

Deanestor are one of the few manufactures in the UK with the facility to produce integral upstand worktops, which are an HTM requirement. Competitors often out source these and are subject to the capacity restraints of other companies.

Balancing to worktops and edge sealing of worktops

All Deanestor HTM profile worktops are fully sealed. When we fit the worktops to the wall we use melamine coated battens to ensure all surfaces can be wiped down. Often competitors provide mass produced worktops from the Axiom or Prima range.

Ironmongery

Deanestor offer 170 degree concealed hinges, where as others offer 270 degree external knuckle hinges which are not HTM complaint and are typically used in the education market

Shelving

We offer 2mm pvc edging to our shelves and can supply these in matching laminate finishes.

Flexible Manufacturing Methods

On all types of schemes but particularly with PFI, it is almost certain that some subcontractors will not adhere to the programme of works in its entirety. The consequence of this is programme compression for subsequent trades and this is something that particularly affects FF&E healthcare providers, due to their position within the sequence of works. Undoubtedly, main contractors take all possible steps to minimise or prevent delays occurring but nevertheless, Deanestor often finds itself in the situation where the programme has condensed. As a result Deanestor operates its manufacture on a just in time basis with the install commencing when site is suitable for the same. In addition Deanestor operates a night shift, when required and this not only allows us to provide for late variations but also permits us to turn around substantial quantities with a short lead in time.  Due to that fact that FF&E healthcare is not our competitors’ core market, we do not believe that our anyone else has the flexibility to deliver all aspects of a project .

Installation Team

A crucial part of the FF&E healthcare package is the installation of the products and items and the ability to resolve any issues which arise in connection with the same. Invariably all healthcare projects require a certain amount of adaptability from subcontractors, which normally is executed out on site through the installation teams. Deanestor have the largest and most experienced installation team (currently the installation team has approximately 50 individuals), who are capable and indeed have the experience of installing to programme, understanding sequencing of works and who are able to deal with late instructions. Some competitors, do not employ any fitters or labourers and subcontract out this element. Whilst this approach may have its advantages in terms of cost certainty for installation, it undoubtedly means those actually fitting a competitor’s product have less experience and flexibility. We believe that seeing a project through beyond the installation stage using our own in house team, reduces the risk of error and ensures far greater quality whilst dealing with numerous healthcare projects.

No Traditional Sales Team

Another aspect distinguishing ourselves from our competitors, is that we do not retain a traditional sales team. We believe whether at tender or after contract award stage, the client should always be advised by individuals who have the technical ability to offer value engineering, design and practicable options and alternatives. Traditional sales teams are invariably driven by targets rather than what is the most viable commercial solution to meet client requirements. We believe that in being more collaborative in relation to costs when discussing specification options we are maximising the chances of repeat business. As such Deanestor Sales Team is made up from Business Development Managers and senior individuals from Estimating, Projects, Production and Installation Departments under the guidance of the Commercial Department. We believe Deanestor are unique in this approach and clients regularly comment on the level of knowledge exhibited during the pre-tender and tender stage.