Magicman

Magicman is the UK's premier on-site hard surface repair and restoration service.

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Magicman appoint new Sales Executive for Midlands

Magicman are pleased to announce the appointment of Kate MacDonald as Sales Executive Construction Services for the Midlands, Eastern, Central and Wales areas.

Kate joins us with 5 years’ repair industry experience and over 10 years’ experience selling into the construction industry.

Mark Henderson CEO Magicman Group said: “

“Kate is a confident and extremely competent lady whose strong work ethic and personal attributes enable her to make and maintain meaningful and long term relationships with clients. Her fastidious attention to detail ensures that all clients are handled with great skill and care and I am sure she has a long and bright future with the company.”

Kate has had hands on experience on sites and works closely with site management teams, building strong working relationships with national and regional construction companies.  From surveying through to project management of larger jobs, Kate ensures a smooth and defect free hand over for our clients. 

Kate said:

“I am delighted to be working for Magicman and have found the support from all corners of the business quite overwhelming.  I feel empowered here to be the best I can possibly be, for the benefit to both myself and our customers. Joining Magicman enables me both to expand on my knowledge of repair services as well as offer a wider choice to my customers.”

For more information about Magicman’s services, please visit: magicman.co.uk 

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Values, training and making a difference are what workers want

Why Corporate Social Responsibility, a clear career path and opportunities for staff development, should form the core of your recruitment strategy.

In Construction News recently (Issue 7492) Mark Farmer, author of the eponymous Farmer Review (also known as Modernise or Die ) talked about the ongoing woes of tier one contractors losing control of their supply chain. “The supply chain is so scarce,” he said, “that they are calling the shots.” As a preferred supplier to many of the Top 50 construction companies in the UK, several global insurance giants and the cream of the cruise lines, that is an opinion that certainly chimes with us. At Magicman we have never been busier and there are no signs of this trend slowing any time soon. 

As a result we have ramped up recruitment. Our rolling training programme is in full swing once again and we are looking for men and women with the right attitude, aptitude (and a clean driving license) to enrol. Along with many employers, we are finding recruitment more of a challenge than it used to be, even for us who in recent times have attracted a growing number of defectors from competitors as well as re-joiners who have dipped their toes in waters new and hot-footed it back.

‘Full UK employment’ is high on the news agenda, making job seekers more discerning than ever and on the lookout for benefits beyond the traditional perks of a generous holiday allowance and a company Toyota Prius. In a poll carried out on behalf of Global Tolerance who work for positive social change, 42% of people said they want to work for a company that has a positive impact on the world. This includes criteria such as having a good environmental record. 36% said they would work harder for a company that benefited society. 

The results are even higher for participants born between 1981 and 1996 known as Millennials. Having grown up surrounded by media and technology in a way no other generation has before them, they are brand savvy and approach employment almost like shopping, aspiring to associate themselves with company brands they admire as consumer brands or those with higher levels or CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). 62% want an employer with a positive impact and  53% would work harder if they had one. Many twenty-somethings believe that their job is an extension of their private persona and that values are not something you can clock in and out of. 

While Forbes published results as an infographic of a PWC poll of over 4000 Millennial graduates across 75 countries, it confirmed what Magicman have always believed, that Training and Personal Development are the benefits workers value most.

Magicman have long offered a bespoke and extensive training programme for directly employed Repair Technicians. As far back as 2014 during an ISOQAR audit, our training system for Technicians was reported as ‘exemplary’.  The following year we invested over £200,000 in a new facility adjacent to our HQ in Brighton which opened as the Magicman Training Academy in Feb 2016. 

Directly employed trainees are paid from Day 1 and their accommodation and food costs provided for the duration of their attendance.  After successful completion and certification, Technicians receive a uniform, tools and a fully stocked Magicman van. Technical support and additional training continue after they begin working for customers, mostly in the UK but some far afield, such as in the Caribbean or off the coast of Alaska. We like to describe Magicman as a nationwide company with international capability.

In 2017 we turned our attention to innovation by  increasing our Research & Development provision in keeping with the 10th recommendation of the Farmer Review. A dedicated R&D lab and workshop was established under the stewardship of Kevin Maxted, Head of Technical Services. Here Magicman damage new materials and substrates and find engineered solutions to permanently restore them. It is what sets us apart from companies who offer purely cosmetic repairs.

Please meet our latest technicians who successfully completed training just over a week ago and are  presently ‘buddying up’ with more experienced technicians, helping customers out in the field.

Congratulations and welcome to Team Magicman to Daniel Slatford (top photo being congratulated by Mark Henderson) and clockwise from top left, David James (next to CEO Mark Henderson), Mark Cruickshank , David Bowman, Michael Manchester and Joe Stewart.

As a company with strong environmental credentials, Magicman appeals to  those with more than egocentric ambitions and a desire to travel. At the core of our proposition, we ask customers to repair or restore rather than replace damaged items, thereby minimising waste to landfill and reducing the production of harmful greenhouse gases that are side products in the manufacture and transportation or replacement items. Furthermore we have just transitioned to ISO 1400: 2015, the latest standard demonstrating good governance and social responsibility regarding Environmental Management Systems. 

Some predictors contend that as the Baby Boomer generation retires, Millennials are expected to fill 50% of the workforce as early as 2020. If you want to attract them, you at least need to be aware of their needs. The solution then is not necessarily to ‘Modernise or Die’, that will happen regardless but perhaps it is time to shout more loudly about your corporate values and training programmes.

On a practical level that begins on the frontlines and from within. We recently reminded frontline staff why people should buy from Magicman so that they were able to fully answer questions from the public. After all if you wear the uniform, customers expect you to be informed about your employer and will and do ask questions. We are also ensuring that recruitment messages are included on the livery of our nationwide fleet of vans. The latest additions to the fleet carry it already and the rest being rolled out as we speak.

If you are interesting in working for Magicman, please visit magicman.co.uk/jobs or send your cv to [email protected].

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Magicman transition to new ISO standards

For over a year Magicman have worked hard to attain the higher standard of ISO accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to customer focused systems and employee excellence.

In May 2017, during our annual ISOQAR audit, Magicman Limited successfully transitioned to the new ISO Standards ISO 9001: 2015 and ISO 14001: 2015. Our transition is a mark of Magicman’s professionalism, the quality of the management systems and their commitment to meeting the needs of their customers and stakeholders that they were able to transition to the higher and latest standards in two key areas.  

ISO 9001: 2015

This is the standard that assures customers that companies have fully implemented and maintain a Quality Management System that meets the requirements for certification by UKAS. It is an indicator of a company’s ability to fulfil or exceed the needs and expectations of their customers and stakeholders, both professionally and efficiently. 9001 focuses on customer experience but also about how companies treat their own employees and competency levels of staff.

ISO 14001: 2015

This demonstrates good governance and social responsibility regarding the company’s Environmental Management Systems. It confirms that Magicman have effective measures in place to reduce their impact on the environment. They achieve this by limiting waste production, preventing pollution and reducing energy usage. It also ensures that they comply fully with current legislation and regulations. It gives customers confidence that a company is seriously committed to protecting the environment.

BS OHSAS 18001: 2007

Magicman still hold BS OHSAS 18001: 2007, the future version of which is currently being written. This certification relates to Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and demonstrates a company’s serious commitment to protecting its employees, customers and the general public through improved management of risk assessment, reduced incidents and accidents and a decrease in staff absence.

Magicman are eagerly awaiting ISO 45001, the replacement for BS OHSAS 18001, in the first quarter of 2018 so we  can transition to that too.

All Magicman’s accreditation and certificates are publicly available for viewing on the Magicman website. Please visit: magicman.co.uk/about/certificates-policies/

About Magicman Ltd

Chips, dents, scratches, burns or stains on any hard surface both internal and external can be easily and in most cases undetectably rectified by Magicman’s unique processes. Savings to the client of 50-80% are normal practice, a powerful argument in support of Magicman’s repair don’t replace mission. Not to mention the obvious environmental benefits.

Their team of mobile technicians are available to perform on site repairs or restoration in a fraction of the time it can take to arrange for replacement items to be ordered, delivered and installed.  With a history dating back to 1993 Magicman has over the years supplied specialised repair services to many landmark building projects both at home and abroad. Magicman are a certified Living Wage Employer

Across multiple industries both at home and abroad, the Magicman Group continue to lead the on-site repair and restoration industry as they have for over 20 years.

Website: magicman.co.uk

 About ISO

The ISO is a set of international standards adopted in 150 countries. Since they began operating in 1947, ISO have published 16,500 international standards. ISO is derived from Ancient Greek ISOS, meaning equal.

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Repair of the Month - June 2017

Welcome to the monthly photo competition from specialist repair company Magicman. We operate nationwide within the UK, on cruise ships around the world and internationally on major builds such as hospitals.

Magicman is a traditional repair service with 24 years’ experience in hard surface restoration but the way we conduct business is very much with one eye on the future, not stuck in the past. One innovation is the desktop survey. Rather than conduct an on site survey (still available as a charged service), customers can upload photos of damage via Magicman’s website or through our phone app. They receive an assessment by an experienced technician quicker than a representative attending in person. Best of all there is no charge to the customer for this service and no obligation to proceed when they receive their estimate. 

Photos are at the centre of many of our operations. Our fully trained and certified repair technicians and glass polishers, record their work through photos, many of which are exceptional and are entered into a monthly competition. The best, the unusual and the unique are shared online. June’s winner is a repair to an office desk.

Office workers are all used to access ports and holes cut into a desk or workstation. But there is no need to throw furniture away along with outdated fixtures and fittings. Magicman are able to save office furniture from the skip by restoring what may seem like impossible-to-repair damage. This example required great skill to achieve because of the glossy finish.

Our first runner-up is a ceramic tile in a washroom. Magicman frequently repair scratches, chips, cracks and drill holes to both wall and floor tiles but they can even restore completely broken tiles as with the example above.

Our second runner-up could be classed under the heading ‘deliberate damage’. When a worktop cannot be fitted in once piece, and the join is visible, Magicman can effect the same repair as if it were a crack or split  in the surface and blend it in to match the grain or pattern of the original surface.

Our final runner-up is a couple of small but deep gouges to a wooden floor. Magicman technicians are part repair man, part artist. After addressing the damage, they then use colour mixing skills to match the grain and the colour by hand.

To receive a free no-obligation estimate, please send two photos of the damaged item (one close, and one a bit father away for perspective) along with your post code to [email protected]. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response but often it will be within a few hours.

Please come back next month for more amazing repairs or follow us on Instagram or Pinterest.

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Magicman: The difference between an engineered repair and a cosmetic one

Every month Magicman technicians all over the country send ‘before and after’ photos of the jobs they attend back to head office.  When it comes to surface repairs, they cover everything - wood, laminate, ceramics including wall and floor tiles, stone, brick, uPVC, plastics. corian, marble, glass and so much more. 

Repair to holes in tiles when access pipes are moved

Magicman’s mission is to restore and extend the lifespan of items that would otherwise go to landfill, saving money for the customer and helping the environment. Of course that has led to many imitators but there is one outstanding difference between us and the competition, Magicman repairs are engineered and not simply cosmetic.

A hole in a bath that won’t reappear thanks to an engineered solution

Cosmetic repairs are by definition superficial and are ‘designed to cover up a flaw or deficiency’. Damage is filled in and covered up. It may make the surface look new and wonderful for a time but generally they don’t last.  That is because they are achieved using materials such as repair wax that often falls out or breaks again before too long. Magicman offer superior engineered repairs which are permanent.

Not all damage is accidental but ugly access holes can be repaired too

The first priority of a Magicman technician is to eradicate or resolve the problem and then to make it disappear to the untrained eye. They do this by reinforcing the substrate and supporting the repair using the best materials, often products unavailable to the public because of the health and safety training required to use them properly.

Paint spillage can be fixed... even if splashed on acrylic, ceramic or glass 

It’s a matter of ethos. If a Magicman technician thinks the repair won’t last, he or she won’t attempt it. Furthermore when a Magicman van arrives, it is fully stocked with the best industry products currently available so that the technician is ready and prepared to carry out any works that you might require right away.  

Colour and grain matching is just one aspect of our repairs

Magicman repairs can take place anywhere in the home, inside and out, as well as in motorhomes and boats, commercial properties like hotels, restaurants and leisure centres, museums and galleries, hospitals and government buildings, We work nationwide but internationally too, on major builds abroad and on cruise ships all over the world.

A damaged surface can be made beautiful again no matter how detailed

Even though Magicman have been in the business for 24 years, we are not sitting back. Our dedicated R&D department continually test new materials and source the finest products as they become available. 

Almost impossible repairs can be achieved outdoors as well as in

This means Magicman are able to offer the largest range of restoration solutions on the market to the broadest selection of hard surfaces.  

All forms of brick and stone can be renovated and even recoloured if necessary

And we will look at any job, no matter how big or small or how unique! One of the advantages of Magicman is our scalability, from one technician in a van, to teams of 6 to 8 or even more.

After 24 years in the business no job is too different or unusual

So why settle for a cosmetic repair when Magicman’s engineered solutions are second to none? For more information visit our magicman.co.uk.

All the repair and restoration solutions presented in this post are winners and runners-up in Magicman’s Repair Photo of the Month competition from March to June 2017. Photographs are of genuine Magicman jobs carried out for real customers and are taken by the technician who carried out the works in every case.

For more amazing Repair photos, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Like our Facebook page to receive updates.

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Magicman put dent in hospice care bill

Magicman are best known for making dents, scratches, holes and burns disappear but for once they decided to create some damage – to the running costs of a children’s hospice by covering their entire running costs for 10 Days.

Pictured holding Magicman’s Pay for a Day certificates: Juliette MacPherson, Mark Henderson and his daughter Holly, and  Chairmen of Chestnut Tree House board of trustees Derwyn Jones

Chestnut Tree House, has become a charity close to the heart of Mark Henderson, owner and CEO of the popular surface restoration company, after he was moved by the testimony of parents at the Snowman Spectacular Fundraising Ball last year.

Chestnut Tree House provide specialist care and support to around 300 children with life-shortening conditions and their families across East Sussex, West Sussex and South East Hampshire. The cost of providing this vital service is in excess of £3.5 million per year, yet the hospice receives less than 7% central government funding.

It relies heavily on the support of individuals and the local business community to continue providing vital care to local children and families. Although Magicman provide a nationwide service, their headquarters, call centre and training academy are in Sussex.

Mark is especially keen to champion the Pay for a Day scheme which encourages individuals and companies to donate the entire running costs of the hospice service for 24 hours. So much so that he has committed Magicman to Pay for 10 Days this year, a total contribution of over £68,000.

Juliette MacPherson Fundraising Development Manager at Chestnut Tree House said:

“Since we opened in 2003, the number of children we care for has increased from 30 to over 300, and during this time the children we are caring for have become more complex. We are only able to reach more families and increase our services thanks to the support and generosity of the local community.

“The support from people like Mark and companies like Magicman is invaluable to us. It costs £6,850 per day to provide all our specialist care services – both at the hospice and out in the community. Less than 7% of this comes from central government so we rely heavily on the support and generosity of the local community. Paying for 10 days of care is extremely generous, and we are so grateful for Magicman’s on-going support.”

If you are interested in the Pay for a Day scheme, please email [email protected]. 

For more information about Chestnut Tree House please visit: chestnut-tree-house.org.uk

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Magicman Gavin asks Aberdonians to repair not replace

When Gavin Paisley relocated to beautiful Moray on the coast of Scotland, he was looking for a new lease of life, not only for himself and his family but for thousands of everyday items.

By launching his new business venture as Magicman’s Independent Licensed Operator for Aberdeenshire, Gavin represents the UK’s most popular restoration experts. Magicman is an innovative service that specialises in repairing damage of all types to almost any hard surface including chips, scratches, holes, cracks and burns to kitchen worktops, bathtubs, shower trays, wall and floor tiles, doors, window frames and much more. 

It means that damaged items that would normally go to landfill, can be rectified for a fraction of the cost of replacement and can be brought back into use, often within hours. Magicman’s mantra of ‘repair not replace’ is significantly contributing to sustainable building and reducing landfill by repairing hundreds of damaged surfaces nationwide on a daily basis.

Gavin began his career in building supplies and specialist filtration equipment but then spent most of the next 20 years working in the finance industry in the Channel Islands. Recently he made the decision to relocate back to Scotland with his wife and young son and take up a fresh challenge.

Magicman Gavin Paisley said:

“Typically office based in my previous roles, swapping the pen for a brush was an obvious career change for me. I like to meet people and this job gives me plenty of opportunity to do so. I take personal pride in ensuring I deliver a great and memorable client service to the very best of my ability each and every time.  Magicman and its high standards of technical specialisation, continuous training programme and background support help me achieve this."

Like all their technicians, Gavin undertook an extensive 5 week course at the Magicman Training Academy in Brighton where he was trained to work with resins, paints and lacquers that are unavailable to the public, to permanently repair wood,  metal,  uPVC, ceramics,  laminate,  acrylic surfaces, stone and even marble. Often customers are astonished at the unbelievable results.

When asked about Magicman’s newest independent operator, CEO Mark Henderson said:

“Gavin is an excellent and most welcome addition to the Magicman franchise network enabling the North of Scotland to now benefit from our unique professional services.”

Having taken up the challenge  of a fresh approach, Gavin is well placed to offer his services to the whole of Aberdeenshire and surrounding areas. If other repair services tell you an item is beyond saving, contact Gavin and remember to repair not replace.

For more information visit magicman.co.uk or email damage photos along with your postcode to [email protected] (attachment limit 8MB).

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Repair Photo of the Month: Jan -Feb 2017

 The return of Magicman’s popular monthly Repair Photo competition is a double-whammy of perfection featuring the best repair and restoration work of 2017 so far.

February winner - difficult colour matching to scuffs and scratches

One of the benefits of hiring a Magicman is that he or she will work in-situ. In short, we come to you.  Why that is so important is easily lost on customers until they see examples like the winners in January and February’s repair photo competitions and then all becomes clear. 

The winning repair above by Magicman technician Marius Jasevicius was performed on a badly scuffed and scratched dividing wall panel. Even if the panel had been removed and sent to a workshop, the chances of ancillary damage during removal and re-installation is high. If the customer had chosen to replace the item instead, they would have run the additional risk of the new stock (if it had been available at all) not matching the colour perfectly as it would almost certainly be manufactured in a different batch. Magicman technicians are fully trained in colour matching. Whether they mix RAL colours by set formulas or by eye, they can skillfully blend into the most unusual colouring or match detailed grains, patterns and textures.

February runner-up: damage surrounding a new fitting disappears

Runner-up repairs by Magicman technicians John Smith (above) and Derek Grogan (below) also take place on difficult to match surfaces, either due to the grain as pictured above or in the case of the vintage furniture aboard a cruise ship pictured below, complicated by a high lacquer finish.

February runner-up: vintage furniture gets a new lease of life

Magicman technician Jon Goodall was January’s winner. External works are a regular event for Magicman but a job that involved tinting some new red brick work to match the existing sand coloured materials is far more unusual. 

January winner: colour matching new brick work

Runner-up Graham Hood demonstrates that even the biggest hole in a bathtub is no reason to rip it out when you call Magicman.  

January runner-up: nobody wants a see-through bath!

Whether the restoration needs to take place on walls that are internal or external, on furniture that’s out at sea or on a permanent fixture like a bath, Magicman can travel anywhere to carry out the works. Magicman technicians carry the best industry products currently available and arrive ready to carry out any works that might be required.

Congratulations to Marius, John, Derek, Jon and Graham, all well deserved winners and runners-up. Join us again next month for more amazing Before and After photos of incredible repairs taken by the technicians who performed the works. 

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Getting an estimate is even easier with the free Magicman app update

Thank you if you were a customer last year. We very much hope to be of service again in 2017 and so have introduced many improvements to our free app which will make your dealings with Magicman a better experience. 

In 2016 Magicman introduced a FREE app for Apple, Android and Amazon Fire mobile devices. it enables customers to obtain a FREE no-obligation estimate for repairs to damaged items without having to use our website.

It’s so easy to use and allows customers to upload photos of damage direct from their device or its photo library for Magicman’s technical team to assess.

Recent updates been have added to make the following improvements:

Register your account and avoid re-entering your details every time

Use the built-in Address Book to remember site locations

Save photos to or upload from iCloud (Apple users only)

Coming soon:

Fingerprint sign-in with Apple iTouch

Save photos to or upload from Drobox

Why not give it a try now by downloading the Magicman app for free from Apple, Android and Amazon Fire App Stores?

Contact us on 0345 458 1010 or [email protected]

Connect with us 

Facebook: facebook.com/magicmanlimited

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/magicman-ltd

Instagram: instagram.com/magicmanrepair/

Twitter: twitter.com/MagicmanRepair

YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UClMh_VTYT2rtKvcSXgJIATA

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Repair Photo of the Month - December 2016

For Magicman’s last repair competition of 2016, we looked to works conducted outdoors and on the move. 

On a day as cold as today, it seems pertinent to point out that, weather permitting, Magicman can repair or restore damage externally as well as internally. The winning entry for December’s photo competition, pictured above, demonstrates this perfectly with an extreme repair to an external stone shelf by Magicman repair technician Ryan Kimber.  Whether it be stone, uPVC or powder coating, there are many external surfaces that fall within Magicman’s areas of expertise, however we do sometimes have to delay bookings when the weather is very cold or too wet. This is due to meeting the conditions required by the specialist materials we use, ensuring that the work is permanent and value for money for the customer. 

As well as serving construction and insurance companies, Magicman also operate within the maritime sector, sending teams of technicians as riding crews aboard travelling cruise ships and other pleasure craft. The teams restore furniture and fixtures, often across many decks and cabins, to the high standard expected by passengers and thereby protect the reputation and extend the lifespan of the vessel.

Our runners ups this time were all works completed in December aboard ship by Magicman technicians John Hayes and Dean Price. Whether working during turnaround or at night while the vessel is travelling, our technicians aim is always to minimise disruption to passengers and restore all surfaces to their original beautiful colour and lustre. 

Whether indoors or out, static or or on the move, there are few damaged items or types of surface that Magicman cannot restore to their former glory, including shower trays, tiles, spas, brass and glass. For more Before and After  repairs, please visit our Instagram or Pinterest pages or join us again next month. 

Magicman on Instagram: instagram.com/magicmanrepair

Magicman on Pinterest: uk.pinterest.com/magicmanrepairs

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Magicman expansion bolstered by tactical appointments

To meet increased demand from insurance and marine clients and to support expansion into new areas, on site repair specialists Magicman has undertaken a recruitment drive to strengthen its nationwide workforce to over 100.

Niall Pollard new Head of Insurance Services at Magicman

As well as employing 4 new call centre staff to directly support customers, Magicman is delighted to announce the creation of three key B2B positions at senior management level.

Magicman has appointed Niall Pollard to the new position of Head of Insurance Services from 3rd January 2017. He joins Alan Pumfrey, Senior Manager Insurance Services and Gareth Preston, Senior Manager Marine Services both newly appointed on 1st December 2016.

Niall Pollard has held several Board positions since 1984, spending the last 25 years in the insurance supply industry. As Managing Director of Independent Inspections Ltd, his knowledge and work ethic contributed to the company becoming one of the most successful claims management businesses in its sector at that time.

Within IGUK, Niall took over the role of Client Services Director developing successful relationships with most of the major insurance companies in providing services within validation and replacement of contents claims, contents restoration and drainage solutions.

For the past few years, Niall has worked in a consultancy capacity developing new services to the insurance supply industry. During this time, he has worked for several suppliers, but has also been involved directly with a number of insurance companies evaluating process and cost efficiency measures. Magicman is delighted that this experience will contribute valuable insight to his new role within the company.

Alan Pumfrey has worked within the home and commercial insurance claims sector for 25 years, commanding senior account management and business development positions. His experience with Independent Inspections and IGUK will bring an in-depth knowledge of the insurance claims market which has already led to the acquisition of several new insurer accounts for Magicman.

Alan has managed high level relationships with most of the major UK insurers including Aviva, Direct Line Group, Lloyds Banking Group, Axa, Zurich, Allianz, Ageas and Legal & General. He worked primarily in the flooring and furniture validation, repair and replacement sectors and will enable Magicman to enhance its service offer in the coming months.

Well known and highly regarded within the marine industry, Gareth Preston managed major refit projects on over 20 vessels for cruise line operators such as Carnival UK, Norwegian Cruise Line, Stenna and Carnival Australia. He has 30 years’ experience working in the upholstery and marine fit out industries including time with Harris Pye and Trimline.

Gareth will bring a wealth of knowledge to Magicman and enable it to survey, report and tender for work beyond its current specialties. This combined and enhanced service provision should in turn facilitate more opportunities to work with both existing and new cruise operators.

We hope you will join Magicman in wishing Niall, Alan and Gareth every success in their new positions.

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Magicman service launches in Channel Islands

The UK’s leading damage repair service is now available in the Channel Isles. Jamie Burns, a resident of St Ouen, has been appointed as independent licensed operator of the Magicman service, supplying its unique repair and refurbishment expertise to property owners locally rather than from the UK mainland. 

Jamie, 37, has lived in Jersey since 1997. He originally worked as a chef and after a successful career,  achieving his goal of becoming head chef,  he moved into the fire and flood restoration business as one of the local representatives for industrial cleaning service ChemDry. He therefore has a good understanding of the market for repair services and could see opportunities to further develop the restoration aspects of the business, which eventually led him to Magicman. He says:

“Working in Jersey over the years, it became apparent to me that one of the many things we like to do is keep a good standard of home, work environment and leisure facilities. I was impressed with the service  that Magicman offers and the quality of the work they produce. I could see that the applications for Magicman were endless.

“I was drawn to their 5 week training program that you have to master before you can be considered for a franchise. I felt the Channel Isles could benefit greatly from such a service and so I embarked on a quest to become the next Magicman.”

Magicman is an innovative service that specialises in repairing damage of all types to almost any hard surface. Jamie has been trained to work with resins, paints and lacquers that are unavailable to the public to permanently repair wood, metal,  uPVC,  ceramics, laminate,  acrylic surfaces, stone and even marble.  

It means that damage can be rectified with minimal cost when compared to the expense of replacement and items can be back is use within hours. Magicman technicians such as Jamie work on site to minimise disruption times and eliminate any possibility of ancillary damage that could result from ripping out and replacing existing fixtures and fittings. The standard of finish is reliably high and the repair is undetectable in many cases.

A hole to an acrylic bath can repaired using Magicman’s restoration service

So, as the local Magicman, Jamie helps overcome irritating problems such as how to repair damaged but discontinued bathroom tiles, cracked or split window frames that spoil the view or that horrible pan burn on your otherwise faultless worktop. It’s a service that will be a boon to property management companies, hotels, restaurants, the leisure industry, trades people, domestic customers and the saviour of many a Condition Report.

Jamie is congratulated by CEO of Magicman Group, Mark Henderson 

In November 2016 Jamie graduated from the Magicman Training Academy and was congratulated personally by the CEO of Magicman Group, Mark Henderson who said on the occasion:

“We are proud to have Jamie represent Magicman in the Channel Islands. Our franchise operations are strictly limited and we take great care to hand pick people with the right skills, values and drive to be successful, all of which Jamie has in abundance. He demonstrated great ability in his repairs during training and is highly personable. We are confident that he will be an excellent addition to the Magicman family and will prove to be very popular with customers.”

Businesses and residents of Jersey and Guernsey who would like to discuss what Magicman can do for them or is interested in a no obligation quote, can contact the Magicman Channel Islands Facebook page (not view-able from the UK) or visit magicman.co.uk. 

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A Snowdog is for life... not just for auction

Repair and restoration specialists Magicman help Martlets prepare Snowdogs by the Sea for their vital fund-raiser.  

For 10 weeks, 44 eye-catching giant dog sculptures inspired by the much loved animated short film, The Snowman ™  and The Snowdog, have been displayed around Brighton and Hove. Their purpose to raise money for and the profile of Martlets Hospice. A 45th sculpture was installed on the concourse of Victoria Station in London.

Each colourful Snowdog has a name, was individually decorated by an artist and sponsored by a local business or celebrity. Collectively they formed a public art trail called Snowdogs by the Sea which began with RYCA designed and 80s boom box inspired Boomer, a silver and black Snowdog complete with a tape deck and active speakers, at the Big Beach Café, owned by its sponsor Fat Boy Slim.  Others include Lola, Pebbles, Marty, the Bowie tribute Bow Wow and the chrome covered Gizmo.

Now the unique sculptures have been removed from display and are to be auctioned  on Tuesday December 6th at 7pm to raise vital funds for the Martlets Hospice. It will be the first and last time that all Snowdog sculptures will be displayed together with the exception of the one, a sandcastle featuring The Snowman and The Snowdog that was positioned near Brighton Marina.

Before they can be put on sale, many of the Snowdogs require a bit of TLC thanks to their two months exposure to the elements and a much too enthusiastic reception from the public, some of whom have gone further than the obligatory selfie. Many sculptures have been climbed on, sat on, ridden and at times just hugged a little too intensely. And not always by children.

A flock of Snowdogs at the home of the Seagulls

This is why Magicman offered their services. They are an innovative company that specialises in repairing damage to all types of hard surfaces – wood, metal, uPVC, ceramic, laminate, stone, marble, glass and now even Snowdogs  - who just happen to be headquartered in Brighton and Hove.

As the recognised leading hard surface repair company in the UK, they were best placed to offer their expertise and experience in restoring almost any hard surface using their colour matching techniques. Magicman’s Head of Technical Services, and Stephen Shaw, Head Trainer at the Magicman Training Academy donated their time and expertise to help bring some individuals back from stray dog chic to best in show.

Martlets project manager Sarah Harvey said of Magicman’s contribution:

“We are so grateful to the Magicman team for helping us to restore our Snowdogs ready for our Farewell Weekend and Auction. All of our 44 Snowdogs have had an intensive groom, with some of our dogs requiring a bit more attention. The Magicman team have donated their time and expertise free of charge. We have been just overwhelmed by the support of our community and local business, together we have created such a successful Snowdogs by the Sea campaign and raised much need funds for the Martlets Hospice.“  

Several staff at Magicman have a direct connection with Martlets. Friends, family and even a former member of staff have all received care from the hospice. We were grateful for the opportunity to help.

Magicman Group CEO Mark Henderson said:

“The Snowdogs by the Sea art trail has had such a positive impact on the city, there was even one placed just around the corner from our head office which caught our attention. We were keen to get involved in the project and delighted to offer our expertise to assist with repairs before the Snowdogs are auctioned off to raise money for a fantastic local charity, Martlets Hospice.”

A ticketed event takes place at Brighton Dome Corn Exchange on Tuesday 6th December at 7pm. Tickets are £20 and in limited supply. Interested parties can register their interest by emailing [email protected] or from 6:15pm at the venue immediately prior to the auction.

Grooming Gizmo

Useful links:

Snowdogs auction snowdogauction.co.uk

Snowdogs by the Sea snowdogsbythesea.co.uk

Magicman website: magicman.co.uk

About Martlets Hospice and Snowdogs by the Sea

Martlets teamed up with Wild in Art to stage an extraordinary public art trail in Brighton & Hove. The magical sculpture trail featured more than 40 large-scale Snowdog sculptures, inspired by the much loved animated short film, The Snowman and The Snowdog.  The sculptures beautifully decorated by artists and generously sponsored by local businesses, were on show from 24th September – 27th November in streets, parks and surprising locations around Brighton & Hove. They were joined by a pack of mini Snowdog puppies designed by local school children.  Now that the art trail has finished, the Snowdog sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for Martlets Hospice.  In addition, at the same time a further trail of specially created Snowdogs will also go on display throughout the streets, parks and public spaces of Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, Sunderland and South Shields as part of Great North Snowdogs presented by St Oswald's Hospice. 

Martlets is a charity that cares for people living through a terminal illness in and around Brighton and Hove. We’re much more than a hospice and we’re working to change perceptions of hospice care. Today, most of our patients receive care in their own home. Our hospice in Hove is a place where patients and their families can use our therapeutic services, drop-in clinics, visit our in-patient unit or just sit and have a coffee in our café. Our community teams care for people living and dying at home.  Families and loved ones are supported into bereavement. We run a 24/7 helpline for free, personal support, this is a collaboration between Martlets and the Sussex Community Trust’s palliative care team.  Our care is only free thanks to the generosity of local people; every donation will help us change lives.

For more information about Martlets Hospice visit www.themartlets.org.uk   

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Fresh faces ready to help  Magicman customers

Meet our new repair technicians who qualified this Autumn from the Magicman Training Academy and are already working on sites nationwide and beyond.  

Magicman recognises that good people achieve great things. Employees are the most important resource a company has at its disposal and therefore we invest a lot of time and money on finding and training the right ones. In fact we have been Investors in People since 2005 and a Living Wage Employer since 2015.  

On the frontline are the Magicman repair technicians who must be able to work alone or in teams on sites anywhere in the UK and sometimes internationally on cruise ships or landmark buildings as far away as Islamabad and Bermuda.  

Magicman are UKAS accredited and all our technicians are CSCS certified. After an extensive five week training course in health and safety, customer service and every kind of engineered surface repair imaginable, our newly qualified technicians are eager to work to in the field. Magicman are happy to oblige, especially since we offer support from our Technical Help Desk and ‘buddy up’ system.

Will Cogley, pictured above receiving his certificate from Mark Henderson CEO of the Magicman Group only last week, is the latest to join our ranks. Mere days after qualifying he is confident enough to be already working in the field, helping customers on site around London and the South East. We are equally confident that he will prove to be a great success.  

Mark with Jamie Burns, Magicman’s new representative in the Channel Islands

Farther afield Magicman’s sister company Magicman Global Licensing works to extend our reach to new markets though a highly selective and equally well supported franchise programme. Magicman independent licensed operators are small in number but must maintain the same high standards expected by customers large and small of any directly employed technician and therefore undergo the same rigorous training programme. 

Our latest addition is Jamie Burns, who trained alongside Will, is now Magicman’s independent licensed operator for the Channel Islands. His course was just as long and he successfully qualified on the same day as Will. More on Jamie in a forthcoming update. 

Mark presents George Bryan on successfully completing his training

Magicman have had a bespoke rolling training programme since 2012  and early this year we invested close to £200,000 in new training facilities adjacent to Magicman’s Head Office in Brighton on the South Coast. More than 100 repair technicians have successfully passed these courses and many are still working for us today.  

Well done James Taggart

In October five more new technicians qualified. They were George Bryan, James Taggart, Phillip Davies, Jakub Kufa and Jonathan Gregory. It has been our policy for years that we recognise their success online in our social media and that a senior member of staff should congratulate each trainee personally. It is usually our CEO Mark Henderson, the former repair technician who started the company. If only selfies had been invented in 1993!

Phillip Davies completes his course at the Magicman Training Academy 

We would like to offer our congratulations to Phillip, Jonathan, Jakub, James, Jamie, and Will for completing their training and thank them for all their hard work so far. Now the fun really begins. 

Jakub Kufa is another of October’s successful trainees

If you have the inclination and aptitude to become a repair technician or are interested in one of our franchise opportunities, please contact us through the Magicman website.

Jonathan Gregory receives his certificate on completing his training 

For more information visit: magicman.co.uk/about/jobs/

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Repair Photo of the Month - November 2016

November’s winning photo was not a repair but a re-spray. As it was both indoors and out, it required great attention to detail and no small amount of skill. 

Internal and external re-colour of a conservatory by Magicman Colin 

Resurfacing a tired and worn item can breathe new life into it, restore its original condition, change its colour to something fresh and exciting or when applying the right coatings (and Magicman are licensed to apply several) protect it and extend its useful life.

All Magicman technicians are fully trained in re-spraying and resurfacing techniques as part of their ‘bag of tricks’ and can treat anything from sanitaryware to window frames to entire building facades. Protective coating can be applied to hard surfaces including glass, to protect against graffiti or in the case of ships or coastal properties, atmospheric corrosion. 

This month’s competition winner is Magicman technician Colin Harrison who re-sprayed a conservatory and gave it new colour scheme to better compliment its environment. 

To re-spray properly is a skill in itself and many things can go wrong if not handled by a professional but preparation plays a big part in its success. A great deal of attention to detail is necessary when masking a structure properly and in this example, Colin re-coloured the conservatory internally and externally, so the masking had to be to an exemplary standard.

Re-spray of powder coated capping by Magicman technicians Dean and Phillip

Re-spraying can often require teams of two or more people which Magicman can happily provide, we have more than 100 directly employed staff nationwide. This runner-up photo is of a collaborative effort from Magicman technicians Dean Price and Phillip Davies who re-sprayed a very long external powder coated surface. External masking efforts are often hampered by weather conditions and spraying requires great skill to maintain an even finish when forced to relocate every few feet during the application. 

Back indoors and re-colouring of another kind make up our remaining runners-up, both of which involve wood grain and require an eye for detail and an ability to colour match.

Edge on an island worktop repaired by Magicman technician James

Here is a common problem, a chip to the edge of a worktop. It was repaired and then the new surface was blended into the wood grain beautifully by one of our newest additions to the team, James Taggart. 

Of course chips and scratches are not the only damage that occurs to wood surfaces. They are also prone to burns and staining.Pictured below Magicman technician Luke Etherington demonstrates how to eliminate a ghastly black water stain to a fireplace lintel. You can imagine the irritation that such damage can cause on an item that is the natural focus of any room and such a relief that it can be restored without the need for a replacement.

Stain removed from a fireplace lintel by Magicman technician Luke

Well deserved congratulations to our winner and runners-up for November. All the entries in our competition are genuine repairs and are photographed by the technicians who perform those repairs. This month’s winner and runners-up were chosen by Stephen Shaw, Head Trainer at the Magicman Training Academy.

Come back next month for more incredible Before and After pictures or follow our company Instagram and Pinterest pages.

Magicman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicmanrepair/ 

Magicman on Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/magicmanrepairs/ 

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With a little help from my app I can save money and be kind to the environment

The Magicman app update is a winner, making getting a free estimate for repairing surface damage easier than ever.

Magicman are the leading provider of damage restoration services in the UK. Think of us  as a nationwide local service. We have skilled repair technicians all over the country ready to come to you and rectify your burnt or chipped worktop, holes or cracks in your bath, scratches or stains in your laminate flooring or cracks and drill holes in ceramic tiles, doors and window frames. In fact we can repair almost any hard surface.

Magicman also have an easy and painless way of providing a direct quote to anyone with s smart phone or tablet via the Magicman app. Developed first for iPhone and Android, it has now been rolled out to Amazon Fire devices and now been updated to include exciting new features that make life easier.

New features:

If you are already a user please update your app as it now allows you to create a login and save your details so you no longer have to enter them every time you want to get a quote for a job.

It also has a new address book functionality so if you manage several sites you can pick out the address you want.

As always the app enables customers to upload photos of damaged items direct from their device ‘s camera or photo gallery to Magicman’s Enquiries Desk for a speedy response.

Best of all, like the estimate itself, it is completely FREE. Search for Magicman on app stores today. 

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Don’t miss Magicman at the ILC Claims Conference

Magicman are the leading provider of damage rectification services to the insurance industry. We are at the ILC Conference at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry today and tomorrow. Please look out for our stand and say hello.

Whether you’re in Home Claims or Commercial, it would be great to meet you. 

To find out how we can reduce your policy holders’ claim cycle times and save you money why not introduce yourself? 

Please contact Magicman’s Senior Manager of Insurance Services, Alan Pumfrey. Tel [phone] or email [email protected] for more information.

Directions to Ricoh Arena on Phoenix Way in Coventry, CV6 6GE.