‘SunSkips is far more than skip hire,’ explains Peter Healey

You’d be forgiven for thinking that a company called “SunSkips” is the place to go for great value skips, and nothing more.

But while some skip hire firms in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire simply offer waste containers, SunSkips has grown into a full waste management service provider.

“We want SunSkips to be synonymous with waste management, not just skip hire,” explains sales manager Peter Healey.

“SunSkips provides tailored solutions, waste audits, and is committed to recycling materials to help businesses meet their environmental goals.”

Better service equals better savings

Clients seeking skip hire at rock bottom prices needn’t look far to find them, but Peter warns that they’re buying into a false economy.

He says, “We’re not the cheapest because we deliver value that goes beyond price.”

In fact, Peter wants businesses in the area to know that by choosing a company that truly understands waste management, you could actually end up saving tens of thousands a year.

“Waste management is far more complex than a lot of businesses realise. By helping our customers understand their waste streams, we change a lot of businesses for the better.”

What sets SunSkips apart from standard skip hire firms is a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and a willingness to go the extra mile.

“We don’t stop at drop-off and pick-up. We can offer so much more than that,” Peter explains. “A site visit from SunSkips can lead to substantial cost savings.”

Peter illustrated the point with a case study from commercial account manager Rob Neal, who recently visited a grain importer that was throwing husk into the general waste bin. By switching their waste management services to SunSkips, the company is looking at a £20k a year saving.

Peter said, “Waste is one of the last things people think about in their business operations. We might find companies chucking PVC windows into skips, unaware that we could give them a rebate on their waste fees.

“That’s why we take the time to visit and look at their waste. The more we can pick, sort and separate, the bigger the impact on their disposal rates.”

MORE: Why you can’t afford to skip a good waste management strategy

Real value for money

SunSkips may not be the cheapest skip hire solution in town, but according to Peter, customers keep coming back because of the unparalleled value for money the company consistently delivers.

“People have said they know our service is second to none, but had to go for a lower price.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out well for them. Cheap skip hire might mean being put through to a driver with a telephone manner that leaves a lot to be desired, or worse, getting stuck in a queue just to book a skip. You get what you pay for.

“We’ve designed our prices to encompass more than just the skip itself. SunSkips customers can talk to our friendly team about any concerns they might have. They get an email or call to let them know when the driver’s on the way. Customers appreciate the way we work.

“It’s about the service we offer, the processes we have in place, and the wealth of experience we bring to the table.”

MORE: What commercial clients are saying about SunSkips

Prioritising the planet

A big part of Peter’s job is to go out and meet the people that SunSkips serves, and in doing so, he learns a lot about what is really important to them.

“What we’re seeing is that companies are very concerned about their sustainability and how they’re communicating that to the public.

“Recycling is a massive thing for them because it forms part of their professional brand image.”

SunSkips has sophisticated screening lines at its four sites in East Anglia, extracting as much valuable material from mixed waste as possible.

MORE: What does recycling become once it’s been sorted at SunSkips?

The company sends waste for energy generation and is working on a new site dedicated to soil washing that could save 100,000 tonnes of construction waste going to landfill.

“Our clients want to tell their customers stories about their environmental impact and by analysing their waste flows, we can help them do that.”

Sustainable practices can better position businesses for government contracts, which are often lucrative deals that more than justify an investment in quality waste management.

But the journey to waste management processes that can really transform a business always starts with a conversation…

Building relationships

Networking is a significant part of Peter’s role, and the thing he enjoys most about his job.

“I’ve worked in customer-focused roles for years and I enjoy showing businesses what we can do for them,” he enthuses.

“We excel at building relationships at SunSkips. Going out, speaking to people, and seeing the results – it’s exciting!”

When meeting new people, Peter often comes across business owners that say they’ve worked with the same waste management provider for more than a decade and never considered revisiting their contract.

“It’s about opening people’s eyes to the possibilities and proving they can trust us to do a better job,” says Peter.

But building long-lasting relationships requires a certain mindset, something Peter is very conscious of as he builds out the sales team.

New blood

Starting with a handful of employees in Stowmarket back in 2020, SunSkips has since ballooned into a waste management juggernaut serving the wider East Anglia area.

There are now 110 team members working hard across the original site, as well as Cambridge, Haverhill and Ipswich, to help businesses become more sustainable and save money.

“We’ve got a good team in the office,” Pete beams. “A couple of new customer service advisors that are bringing a lot of positive energy to the office. I’m really proud of the team we’ve built here.”

Peter says that it’s a salesperson’s attention to detail and willingness to learn a new way of doing things that makes them stand out in the recruitment process.

“One new advisor had clearly done his homework and made an effort to understand the business. He’s keen to learn more about our way of working and the tools we use.

“Just listening to clients and paying attention to people in the office, you can pick up so much.”

MORE: People come first: How SunSkips’ personal touch grew the business

Recruiting the right people for the sales team is crucial for Peter, who values individuals that know how to make connections on a personal level.

He says, “We want people who can engage, maybe even have a laugh with clients, while maintaining a high level of professionalism. You can’t be one dimensional in this business.

“We’re an honest team as well. If there’s a problem and we’ve made a mistake, we’re all about holding our hands up and getting to work to make it right.

“Going out and speaking to people, you’ve got to believe in what you sell and the service you offer. We get all sorts of things thrown at us, but we can always come up with a plan.

“The world of waste is complex, but we can always find a solution. Nothing is impossible for SunSkips.”

SunSkips is more than just a skip hire company; it’s a dedicated team that’s passionate about delivering top-notch service and innovative waste management solutions. Get in touch with the company that will actually make a difference to your waste management today.