Birmingham-based business successfully ramps up during the global pandemic and is set to go from strength to strength in 2021, rewarding its dedicated team with a generous wage increase and Christmas bonus.
Amid coronavirus pandemic reports of companies making heavy redundancies there is one good news story to emerge from the West Midlands. Zicam Integrated Security Limited has not only managed to avoid redundancies and furloughing staff but has flourished in the last nine months to achieve a full order book through to the end of 2021. The success has meant a 4% wage increase for staff and a much appreciated £250 Christmas bonus.
Personal protective equipment
Recognizing early the potential risk of the pandemic to business and employees, Zicam management – led by managing director, Milan Mazic – invested heavily in protecting both. Mr Mazic says: “As frontline workers, we had government permission to continue working. However, my concern was to ensure my staff were fully protected.”
“That meant a significant outlay of around £7000 in the first eight weeks of lockdown for high-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) for our technicians. We also purchased laptops for office staff to work safely from home. This was always our contingency plan; as a reputable company and part of a governing body it is our responsibility to have a robust plan in place.”
Nurturing customer relationships
After two months the company’s fear turned from a dwindling order book to almost reaching capacity
The investment in adapting to keep the business running paid off. After two months the company’s fear turned from a dwindling order book to almost reaching capacity. Some of Zicam’s largest customers are haulage and transport logistics companies and, as the pressure built for them to keep the country running, so too did the pressure for Zicam to support them.
But those early decisions to keep the business agile and hold regular operational reviews meant the team could meet these sudden challenges head on. The company’s strong belief in nurturing customer relationships continues to be at the forefront of its growth strategy for 2021.
Quick decision making
Larger Zicam customers are increasingly being joined by SMEs across the UK as businesses recognize the importance of protecting infrastructure, assets, and staff. Zicam’s is an unusual and refreshing good news story amongst all the hardship that 2020 brought to the economy, but one that is based on hard work, dedication and quick decision making.
Mr Mazic says: “My team have been under pressure and they have performed brilliantly. We are pleased to play an important role in supporting the country through these incredibly challenging times. I am proud of my staff and what we’ve achieved in being able to keep everyone employed. We look forward to building on our success throughout 2021.”