Sylvester Keal

03/11/2026

We’ve signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Covenant is a national promise that those who serve or have served and their families, should be treated fairly and not disadvantaged in everyday life. Service life makes ordinary things harder. Frequent postings disrupt schooling, housing and partners’ careers and mobilisation can interrupt a working life overnight.

Employers have a practical part to play in keeping that promise. Our latest article explains what the Covenant is, why we’ve signed it and what it means for our team and the customers we work with.

It isn’t a charity pledge or a political statement. It’s a commitment to fair treatment, and we intend to honour it properly.

Read the full article on our blog.
https://sylvesterkeal.co.uk/armed-forces-covenant-partnership/

Sylvester Keal has signed the Armed Forces Covenant. What it means for veterans and Service families and for the organisations we supply.

03/11/2026

Our engineers were at a local hotel this week to descale the kitchen dishwasher.

In hard water areas like ours, limescale builds up on heating elements, wash arms and jets faster than most people expect. Left unchecked, it raises energy use, lengthens cycle times and affects wash results, and it’s one of the most common causes of avoidable breakdowns.

A routine descale restores performance and protects the machine, so the kitchen keeps running smoothly through busy service periods.

If your dishwasher is struggling to keep up or it’s been a while since it was last descaled, speak to our engineers.

31/10/2026

Katrin’s range covers hand towels, toilet tissue, dispensers and hand soap, all designed for busy commercial washrooms where reliability matters. For our customers in care homes, schools, hospitality and facilities management, that means consistent supply, less dispenser downtime and washroom systems built to cope with heavy daily use.

It sits naturally alongside our existing cleaning and hygiene range, giving sites a single point of contact for kitchen equipment, servicing and the consumables that keep everything running.

If you’re reviewing your washroom supplies or dispenser setup, get in touch with the team for advice.

27/10/2026

Grout looks harmless. In a working kitchen, it is anything but.

Every tile joint holds moisture, grease and bacteria, and environmental health officers know exactly where to look. Whiterock cladding removes the problem entirely: a sealed, grout-free wall finish that wipes clean and stands up to trolleys, steam and washdowns.

There is one detail that catches people out, though. Installed panels must not be exposed to temperatures above 60°C, so open-flame zones need stainless steel splashbacks instead.

Our latest technical blog covers where Whiterock performs best, why substrate preparation decides whether it lasts 18 months or 30 years, and a practical checklist to work through before you specify.

Read the full guide: https://sylvesterkeal.co.uk/whiterock-cladding-the-hygienic-wall-finish/

27/10/2026

Paper towels deserve their freedom too. And frankly, so do your cleaning team.

Katrin's paper towel systems are designed to dispense one towel at a time. That means less waste, fewer refills and washrooms that stay tidy between rounds. Less paper on the floor, less product in the bin, and a lower cost per use.

We supply the full Katrin range, from dispensers to refills, with weekly deliveries across our region.

Speak to our team about the right setup for your site.

23/10/2026

On Wednesday this week our Directors, Martyn and Irene Keal, attended The Great Exhibition 2026 at Lincolnshire Showground.

The event brought together more than 1,000 business leaders, investors, policymakers and international representatives to showcase how Greater Lincolnshire feeds, powers and protects the nation.

Agriculture and food production were at the heart of the day and that matters to us. From food manufacturers to schools, care homes and hospitality, the region’s food sector relies on commercial kitchens that are designed well, maintained properly and kept running safely.

It was a valuable day for connecting with businesses across the region and exploring opportunities for growth and collaboration. Thanks to the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority for hosting.

If we spoke on the day, or you would like to discuss your catering facilities, get in touch.

22/10/2026

Fats, oils and grease are one of the most common causes of blocked kitchen drains. They go down the sink warm, then set solid in the pipework. The 1500-DPF separates FOG from the wastewater before it gets that far, and its automatic cycle means the kitchen team spends less time on it.

The flow rate suits busy sinks and six to ten grid combi ovens, and the unit is compact enough to fit into a working kitchen without getting in the way.

Read the full installation write-up here: https://sylvesterkeal.co.uk/greaseshield-1500-dpf-alford-manor/

The GreaseShield 1500-DPF stops FOG blocking your drains. See how this automatic grease trap protects busy kitchens and cuts costly bills.

20/10/2026

Every cleaning cupboard has the same quiet problem. Mop buckets crack, wringers wear out and caution signs snap. The usual fix is a skip, then another order of new plastic.

SYR’s recycled range takes a different route. Through its Switch Framework, used polypropylene goes back to the factory and returns as new product. It’s a closed loop, not a green badge on an existing range.

Our latest blog explains how the process works and which items are worth a closer look if you manage cleaning stock across a site or estate.

Read the full article on the Sylvester Keal blog.
https://sylvesterkeal.co.uk/syr-recycled-plastics/

SYR recycled plastics explained: how the Switch Framework turns old mop buckets into new ones, plus the TC20-R, LTS-R and Lucy-R range.

20/10/2026

Our hygiene products catalogue is live.

Kitchen cleaning chemicals. Warewash products. Laundry detergents. Washroom consumables. Paper. General janitorial supplies. It's all in here - with specs, dilution rates, and what each product does.

Designed for care homes, schools, hospitality venues, and any operation that needs reliable cleaning and hygiene supplies on a weekly schedule.

Download the catalogue:

Explore the complete SK brochure featuring top cleaning and hygiene products tailored for your business needs.

19/10/2026

Hygiene isn't a luxury. It's a basic human need.

This National Hygiene Week, we're supporting The Hygiene Bank and its work alongside Katrin. Millions of people in the UK struggle to afford everyday essentials like soap, toothpaste and toilet roll. The Hygiene Bank's volunteers get those products to the people who need them most.

As a hygiene supplier, we see every day how much difference the basics make. It's good to see that principle reach further than the washroom.

Find out how to donate or volunteer at thehygienebank.com