31st May 2006 07:04
Scottish & Southern Energy PLC31 May 2006 31 May 2006Nr-6113 SSE LAUNCH NEW DOMESTIC GAS BOILER MAINTENANCE BUSINESS Scottish and Southern Energy plc ("SSE") is to launch a domestic gas boilermaintenance, servicing and installations business to rival other providers andbring more competition to the market. Called 'shield' the service is initiallyaimed at 3.5 million homes in a number of major towns and cities across thesouth of England, Scotland and South Wales. The business' offer features a full comprehensive annual service, full breakdownand emergency cover and a 24-hour, 365-day manned customer helpline. Theproduct covers a customer's entire gas central heating system, including theboiler, pipe work, radiators, cylinders and tanks. The Health and Safety Executive report that some 20 people are killed in the UKevery year due to poorly or inadequately serviced gas boilers. Much work hasbeen done to reduce deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning and SSE has been anactive participant in this work. 'shield' will further contribute to gas safetyby helping to ensure that more household gas boilers are regularly and properlyserviced by qualified engineers. There are an estimated 14 million owner-occupied homes in the UK, of which fourmillion have gas boiler contracts. Over 80% of these contracts are with the onecompany. Over 70 new jobs have been created so far, and it is expected that this numberwill grow as the business expands across the UK. With its dedicated 24-hourcall centre, a sales teams and a team of Corgi-registered gas engineers, thebusiness will begin operating on 1 June. Its development is part of SSE's wider strategy to offer customers a broaderrange of energy services 'beyond the meter.' Ian Marchant, Chief Executive of SSE, said: "As one of the leading energycompanies in the UK, we now have a top reputation for providing our customersexcellence in customer service coupled with a safety record to be proud of.With today's launch of 'shield' we are now determined to bring our expertiseinto this new area, with an offering to householders to both rival and beat ourcompetitors. Our aim is to offer a safe and high quality service that will notonly attract customers with existing policies, but also reach the large part ofthe market that does not yet have any form of boiler servicing in place." - ENDS - Enquiries to: Scottish and Southern Energy plcAlan Young - Director of Corporate Communications + 44 (0)870 900 0410Denis Kerby - Investor and Media Relations Manager + 44 (0)870 900 0410 Financial DynamicsAndrew Dowler + 44 (0)20 7831 3113 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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