Member Article

Behind the business with RDS

Bill Passmore is the director of Rapid Disinfection Services Limited (RDS), a firm that specialises in robotically disinfecting bacteria using ultraviolet light. They are on the cusp of creating new technology that hopes to eliminate superbugs from UK hospitals. Their key product is currently the Tru-D, which is a chemical-free technology being trialled at Nottingham City University Hospital.

Bill’s specific area of responsibility is Finance & Operations. He explained how, as an early stage business, their number one focus is creating, nurturing and closing sales. Bdaily went behind the business to find out more.

What key challenges has your company recently faced?

The introduction of any new technology is always a massive learning curve. We have invested significantly in educating the market. In addition, the purchase of high involvement products such as Tru-D require complex layers of decision making. Getting everyone to sign off can be time consuming.

What is your biggest achievement over the past 12 months?

Winning the rights to distribute Tru-D Internationally. This involved researching and validating the market, building an organisation and identifying key personnel and Partners to help grow the business. Ultimately we were able to secure our first overseas customer within 6 weeks of launch.

If I can add an additional achievement, getting the scientific endorsement of Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, was a major milestone in our development. Nottingham trialled the technology when we first introduced it to the UK and developed our first UK scientific paper.

What is your most important focus for the coming year, and what do you hope to achieve?

RDS is a specialist provider of validated and scientifically proven UVC products. Our key focus is adding to our portfolio of products and services. We want to be able to get Tru-D to as many Health care facilities as possible. We have just launched our contact services business. This allows us to deliver Tru-D to Care homes etc on a rental basic. The initial market response has been very positive.

What excites you most about your industry and business?

Saving a life. What is more important or exciting than that? RDS can make a real difference each and every day. Specifically looking at our business, watching something grow from an idea to an entity that can provide employment and opportunity to others is great.

What do you wish you’d known when starting out?

Everything. This is no crystal ball. Every day brings its challenges and opportunities.

What will be the “next big thing“ in your industry, and how do you plan to handle it?

As the first mover in a market you are paving the way for other entrants. Competition is coming. I have always worked in competitive markets and love the challenge.

Tru-D is the only scientifically proven product and has patented technology the validates its efficacy each and every time its used. Organisations like the NHS need this type of assurance and consistency.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .