Influential Businesswoman Awards 2024, Acquisition International | 53 That, and taking the business that my father built to the next level, are my proudest achievements.” To find out more about the services offered by Ductbusters, please visit the company website. Contact: Gemma Quinn Company: Ductbusters Limited Web Address: https://www.ductbusters.co.uk/ Best Family-Run Ventilation Hygiene MD 2024 (UK): Gemma Quinn When we think about industrial cleaning, our minds may not immediately spring to ducting. But take the time to look up when you enter any large building and you’ll notice ducts running everywhere, quite literally delivering the air we breathe. Airports, major railway stations, shopping centres, schools, factories, hospitals, food processing plants, and catering establishments all rely on ducting to transport clean, healthy air for everyone. Ensuring that ducting is fit for purpose is the remit of the Kidderminsterbased company, Ductbusters. Founded in 1996 by Dermott Quinn, Ductbusters is a family-run business offering the very best in commercial cleaning services. The company has gained a respectable reputation as a trusted, reliable contractor to many local and national businesses and organisations. Keeping ducting and ventilation systems in tip-top condition is crucial to maintain the health of a building and its occupants. Gemma told us, “Ductwork cleaning is where Ductbusters started. It’s still our most popular commercial cleaning package today. If vents are dirty, the air they carry can pose a major health hazard. Cleaning and maintaining ductwork systems removes debris, dust particles and bacteria, stopping them from being transmitted throughout the building.” As well as ductwork cleaning, Ductbusters undertakes kitchen extraction cleaning, fire damper testing, local exhaust ventilation (LEV) testing, and air handling unit (AHU) maintenance. The company offers a risk assessment service so that clients are fully aware of how their systems are performing, their obligations and how to meet them. By working with Ductbusters, clients can expect cleaner air, healthier employees, and better energy efficiency- often results in huge cost savings. As a family business, Ductbusters is extremely proud of the personal connections it builds with its clients. Now employing 50 people, the company hasn’t lost sight of those all-important family values. Gemma said, “Our USP is our family feel and culture. The original vision was always to create a family business and we’ve done just that. Many of our team have grown up together. We went to school together and now work together. We have brothers, cousins, fathers, and sons all working for the same company. We’re incredibly proud of what we do and the opportunities our business offers other families.” Despite the backing of her family, Gemma hasn’t always found working in the industry easy. She explained, “Construction was a man’s world. Being a woman presented some obstacles for me. It can be hard to be a female business owner in this industry, but you have to keep going and prove the doubters wrong. Once I went to a construction site and they offered me a pink hard hat! I smiled and politely said I will wear one if you will. I’m glad to see the culture is slowly changing, and I’m happy to be part of that change. My daughter has already told me that I inspire her. Stepping into your father’s shoes to take over a business is never easy. Less so when the gentleman in question ran the company successfully for 23 years, and you’re a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry! Entrepreneur Gemma Quinn took a leading role at Ductbusters when her father retired 5 years ago. We have had a look at the company and some of the challenges Gemma has overcome.
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