Navigating the Future of Facilities Building Services: How Kemco Became a Leading Provider with Mero

Introduction

Wes Littlefield, a second-generation Building Services Contractor (BSC), is carrying forward the legacy of Kemco Integrated Services, a facilities services provider founded by his father, Greg Littlefield, in 1989. Based in Montgomery, Alabama, Kemco has transformed from a janitorial services company into a full-fledged facilities provider over the past 35 years. This blog post explores Kemco's journey, highlighting its innovative management systems and technological advancements including Mero’s quality control system. Learn how Kemco continues to lead the industry by embracing new technologies and methodologies.

Kemco's Origins and Evolution

Kemco started its journey as a janitorial services company. Over the years, it has successfully diversified its services, becoming a leading full facilities provider in the Southeast. This evolution was driven by a keen understanding of market needs and a commitment to continuous improvement.

A Legacy of Innovation in the Quest for a Better Management System

From its early days, Kemco recognized the importance of efficient management systems. Long before current technology was available, they envisioned a "virtual supervisor" to enhance oversight and efficiency.  This foresight laid the foundation for the company's future technological innovations and guided them along a long path of technological and management exploration.

Continuous Training and Development

One early way Kemco saw they could implement a better management system was via training and employee development. This has been a focus for Kemco throughout its 35 year journey. Kemco has always prioritized the training and development of its team members. By constantly updating its training programs, Kemco seeks ensures that both day and night shift supervisors are well-equipped to meet the demands of their roles. This commitment to workforce development has been a critical factor in Kemco's success and, also, what they look for in technology partners.

Technological Advancements in the Search for a Virtual Supervisor

For over three decades, Kemco has been a pioneer in deploying technology solutions to empower its team members and supervisors. They have consistently stayed ahead of the curve by exploring emerging technologies and learning valuable lessons along the way.

1. Early Adoption and Iteration: Kemco's journey with technology began with the adoption of basic management systems. These early systems provided a foundation for task management and communication. Through iterative improvements and feedback, Kemco refined these systems to better meet their operational needs. Then they started looking to add more. This led them to conceive of the “Virtual Supervisor”

2. Virtual Supervisor Concept: Recognizing the potential of technology to enhance quality control, Kemco developed the concept of a "virtual supervisor." This system would enable real-time monitoring and coordination of tasks, significantly improving efficiency and accountability.

3. Proof of Presence Solutions: In conceiving the Virtual Supervisor, Kemco realized that Proof of Presence would be a key value add such a technology could provide. For the longest time, however, the technology just wasn’t there. Then, about four years ago, Kemco saw that the technology was finally starting to get there so they invested deeply in evaluating Proof of Presence technologies. Over the past four years, Kemco has tested and evaluated multiple Proof of Presence solution providers. This rigorous evaluation process ensured that their selected solution - Mero! - best met their needs and provided immediate ROI when deployed to building sites.

Proof of Presence Proved Out

One of the latest advancements in Kemco’s journey to being a leading edge full services provider has been the implementation of "Proof of Presence" solutions that truly meet their original vision of a virtual supervisor. Over the last four years, Kemco has evaluated various providers and found a standout partner in Mero.

The Search for Reliable Proof of Presence Solutions

Kemco's pursuit of Proof of Presence technology was driven by the need to track employee activities and gather real-time data. After evaluating multiple solution providers, Kemco connected with Mero, a company known for its innovative and lightweight deployment of Proof of Presence technology.

Discovering Mero

In their pursuit of the best Proof of Presence solutions, Kemco evaluated multiple providers over the past four years. It was during this search that they connected with Mero, a company that immediately impressed them with its innovative approach and lightweight deployment. One of the standout features of Mero's solution is that it doesn't require staff to log into an app, a process that Kemco found cumbersome and prone to errors with other systems.

Why Kemco Chose Mero

From the outset, Kemco appreciated several aspects of Mero's approach:

1. No App Login Required: One of the significant advantages of Mero’s solution was that it didn’t require staff to log into an app. Kemco had learned from experience that app-based solutions introduced too much human error, corrupting the data needed for accurate tracking. Minimizing the time staff needed to log into apps was a crucial management challenge that Mero's solution addressed effectively.

2. Lightweight Deployment: Mero’s system, based on beacons and homebases, was simple yet effective. The ease of deployment and minimal disruption to daily operations made it an attractive choice for Kemco.

3. Real-Time Data: The real-time data provided by Mero, including timestamps and precise locations of team members, quickly became invaluable to Kemco’s managers. This data was essential for improving accountability and operational efficiency.

4. Immediate ROI: Mero's Proof of Presence solutions provided immediate ROI at all building sites where Kemco deployed them, thanks to streamlined operations, enhanced accountability, and reduced costs compared to previous solutions. Kemco’s accounting teams were surprised at just how quickly Mero was more than paying for itself in cost savings alone.

Successful Proof of Concept Deployments

Kemco conducted several proof of concept deployments of Mero’s solution, which yielded impressive results:

1. Ease of Deployment: Kemco found Mero’s solution significantly easier to deploy compared to other solutions they had tried. This was particularly evident in a high-security site where they had struggled to implement Proof of Presence technology for years. Mero’s low-risk beacon and homebase system received quick approval and deployment, and, moreso was seen by building security as greatly benefiting the site's security posture.

2. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Deploying Mero at building sites quickly improved customer satisfaction by ensuring consistent service quality.

3. Increased Accountability and Efficiency: Mero’s Proof of Presence solutions helped keep Kemco’s team members accountable and provided them with tools to stay on track. The real-time data and feedback enabled team members to perform their duties more effectively and efficiently, ensuring high standards of service.

4. Boosted Employee Morale and Retention: Employee morale has greatly improved at Kemco’s sites managed with Mero’s Proof of Presence solutions. Employees appreciate the clear guidance on what zones to be in and at what times, as well as the visible investment from Kemco in their success. This has led to increased motivation and better job performance, resulting in higher team member retention at sites where Mero is deployed.

Slip and Fall Liability

In one particular account, Kemco has taken on the significant responsibility of slip and fall liability in all bathrooms. This responsibility underscores the critical importance of maintaining meticulous cleaning and maintenance records. Proof of Presence technology from Mero becomes incredibly valuable in this context, as it allows Kemco to document the exact times and locations where their team members have performed cleaning tasks. This data ensures that every bathroom is maintained to the highest standards, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall safety.

Should a slip and fall lawsuit arise, Kemco can rely on Mero's Proof of Presence data to provide precise evidence in a court of law. The time-stamped records offer clear documentation of the cleaning and maintenance activities carried out helping protect Kemco.

Cost Efficiency and Financial Impact

Mero’s Proof of Presence solutions helped keep Kemco’s team members accountable and provided them with tools to stay on track. The real-time data and feedback enabled team members to perform their duties more effectively and efficiently. This created immediate cost savings at all sites where Mero was deployed.  Mero’s cost efficiency caught the attention of Kemco’s financial team. Compared to other expensive solutions Kemco had invested in previously, Mero’s system offered a low-cost yet highly effective alternative. This financial prudence, combined with operational benefits, made Mero an ideal partner for Kemco.

Planning for Mero At All Kemco Sites

Given the success of Mero's deployments, Kemco currently has Mero's solutions implemented in several accounts and plans to expand this to all their accounts. The positive impact on accountability, operational efficiency, and cost savings has earned Mero a role in Kemco's future.

How Kemco Wins New Business with Mero

In today's competitive facilities management landscape, service providers must go beyond traditional offerings to win new business and retain clients. Kemco, a forward-thinking leader in the industry, has found a winning formula with Mero's innovative lightweight technology. This partnership has not only improved operations and delivered significant cost savings but has also become a crucial factor in Kemco's ability to secure new contracts and excel in RFP processes.

What Prospects Are Looking for in Facilities Service Providers

The facilities management sector has long been plagued by issues of accountability and transparency. Kemco's potential new customers frequently express dissatisfaction with their previous experiences with other companies, often citing concerns such as:


1. Lack of visibility into service delivery
2. Uncertainty about staff presence and productivity
3. Ineffective management of on-site teams


These pain points have become so prevalent that they now form the core of many initial client conversations. Prospective clients are increasingly asking pointed questions like:

• "Do you know what your people are doing?"
• "Can you confirm if your staff is actually on-site?"
• "How do you plan to manage and oversee your team members?"

Kemco's Technological Edge: Proof of Presence

Recognizing these industry-wide challenges, Kemco has positioned itself at the forefront of innovation by integrating Mero's Proof of Presence technology into its service offering. This cutting-edge solution provides real-time data on staff location and activities, offering unprecedented transparency and accountability.

By prominently featuring its Proof of Presence capabilities at the outset of its sales process, Kemco immediately addresses the most pressing concerns of potential clients. This proactive approach has proven to be a game-changer, consistently generating excitement and interest among prospects.

Winning New Business Through Innovation

The integration of Mero's technology has transformed Kemco's competitive position in several key ways:

1. Enhanced Proposal Strength: Kemco's RFP responses now stand out by showcasing concrete solutions to common industry problems.
2. Increased Client Confidence: The ability to provide real-time data on service delivery instills trust and confidence in potential clients and drives word of mouth.
3. Differentiation in a Crowded Market: By offering advanced technological solutions, Kemco distinguishes itself from traditional service providers.

The Impact on Client Acquisition

Since implementing Mero's Proof of Presence technology, Kemco has observed a significant uptick in successful RFP bids and new client acquisitions. The company's ability to address long standing industry challenges head-on has resonated strongly with facilities managers and building executives who are eager for more accountable, transparent, and efficient service providers.

A Recommendation for Fellow Facilities Service Providers

Wes Littlefield encourages other janitorial and commercial cleaning providers to invest in Proof of Presence solutions and strongly recommends taking a close look at Mero’s to do so. The improved quality control, significant cost savings, and competitive edge in winning new contracts make it a worthy investment. By embracing Proof of Presence technology, providers can enhance their bottom line, satisfy clients, and motivate their workforce, just as Kemco has successfully done.