Steamatic Catastrophe Management (SCM) has been working in northern Victoria with Steamatic Australia on cleanup and restoration following recent flood devastation. SCM is a company owned by Steamatic’s franchise owners who work together on large restorations or commercial jobs when the number of claims and restorations requires services exceeding the physical and financial capabilities of other Steamatic franchisees.
The clean-up in Australia marks the first time SCM has travelled to work with one of Steamatic’s international franchisees. Heading up SCM is Bill Eaton, who also serves as president of Steamatic of ArkLaTex, the newest franchise for Steamatic, Inc. Heading up Steamatic of Australia is Oliver Threlfall.
The two teams worked on a major dairy/cheese plant that was flooded with river water about .2 to 1.2 metres deep in 80% of the plant.
“The job consisted of three phases of cleaning,” noted Eaton. “In phase one, we removed the gross debris removal consisting of mud and silt, while in phase two, we used a disinfectant to sanitise the facility. In phase three we applied a microbial treatment as a final clearance.
“All of the plant areas were Desiccant Dehumidified to stabilise and return the environment to a pre-loss condition. The project lasted about six weeks with significant revenues for both SCM and Steamatic of Australia under this joint venture approach.”
Threlfall said, “I am not at all surprised that Bill and his team were able to travel such a long way to help us out. Everyone I know with Steamatic has an attitude of fellowship without any hesitance to step in and help, especially in the kinds of conditions following a disaster.
“We are grateful for the assistance of SCM, and I know if the roles were reversed and one of our franchise owners in the states needed help, we would go to their aid as well.”
Steamatic Inc president Bill Sims explained that, “Bill Eaton and his Steamatic Catastrophe Management team represent everything integral to Steamatic where customers always come first.
“Not only does SCM demonstrate the skills and experience our customers expect; they also band together to help each other out when disaster strikes and franchise owners need extra hands. No owner is too proud to raise his or her hand and ask for help. SCM exists to fulfil that role.”