Paramount Services Named Westpac Supplier of the Year in Landmark Recognition

A Partnership Built on Trust and Excellence

Since 2016, Paramount Services has managed Westpac’s entire property portfolio, delivering comprehensive cleaning solutions across retail branches and corporate offices throughout New Zealand. The relationship exemplifies the company’s commitment to quality, consistency, and care—values that have defined Paramount’s approach since its founding in 1979.

The partnership with Westpac represents a significant undertaking, requiring coordinated service delivery across diverse environments, from high-traffic retail branches serving customers daily to corporate headquarters demanding professional presentation standards. Paramount’s ability to maintain consistent excellence across this varied portfolio demonstrates the robust systems and dedicated workforce that have become hallmarks of the company.

According to the company’s announcement, the Westpac Property Team has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative relationship built on trust and a shared people-first philosophy. This alignment of values has enabled both organisations to work seamlessly together, creating environments where staff, customers, and cleaning professionals can thrive.

From Family Business to National Powerhouse

Paramount Services’ journey to becoming a supplier of the year began humbly in 1979 when founders Suzanne and Galvin Bartlett established a family cleaning business servicing a handful of central Auckland commercial sites. The company was built on a foundational belief that relationships between clients and service providers should be characterised by open communication and mutual benefit.

Over 46 years, Paramount has transformed into a nationwide franchise network employing more than 250 people directly, with an additional 220 franchise business owners who employ approximately 1,200 staff members. Today, the company serves over 5,100 clients across New Zealand, covering all major centres including Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

The company’s growth accelerated significantly through strategic mergers and acquisitions. In 2006, Paramount merged with Office & General, cementing its position as one of New Zealand’s largest domestically-owned cleaning companies. A 2007 merger with Tauranga-based Cleanup Group extended nationwide coverage, followed by the incorporation of Christchurch’s Nu-Look Cleaning Concepts in 2008, Power Cleaning in 2009, and Wellington-based Focus Services in 2010.

The franchise model, launched in July 1996 with a single operation generating $50,000 annually, has proven remarkably successful. That first franchise quickly grew to nearly $230,000 in annual turnover, establishing a template for expansion that now encompasses over 220 franchises nationwide.

Award-Winning Excellence and Innovation

The Westpac Supplier of the Year award represents the latest recognition in a remarkable streak of industry accolades. Paramount Services has consistently demonstrated excellence at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards, winning Supreme Franchise System of the Year in 2018 and securing the Franchise System Excellence in Sustainability award in 2023.

In 2024, judges at the Westpac NZ Franchise Awards described Paramount as “a forward-thinking business, delivering impressive growth,” noting that “they are expanding their services in a well-planned, deliberate manner, while ensuring they continue to maintain strong relationships and sustain their current services.”

The company’s culture encourages innovation, flexibility, and responsibility through cooperative management and ownership practices. This progressive approach manifests in continuous innovation around cleaning procedures, eco-friendly organic products, and waste-minimisation strategies that help clients achieve environmental targets while enabling franchisees to work smarter and more productively.

Sustainability at the Core

Environmental stewardship has become a defining characteristic of Paramount’s operations. The company offers comprehensive green cleaning services that prioritise environmental protection without compromising quality standards. This commitment includes providing recycling services for paper, plastic, glass, cans, and food waste—including specialised services for security-sensitive sectors such as government and banking.

Paramount’s environmental initiatives extend to using microfibre cleaning cloths to minimise chemical cleaning and water consumption, employing EnviroChoice-approved cleaning products and biodegradable detergents, and offering organic waste collection services designed to be practically odour-free. The company’s Paramount Care product range carries the Environmental Choice tick of approval, providing clients with peace of mind regarding environmental impact.

These sustainability efforts have not gone unnoticed, with the company earning recognition as a finalist for Excellence in Sustainability at the Westpac NZ Franchise Awards, competing against other industry leaders committed to reducing environmental footprints.

People-First Philosophy

Central to Paramount’s success is an unwavering commitment to its workforce. The company dedicates the Westpac Supplier of the Year award to its frontline professionals who maintain Westpac sites daily, recognising that excellence in service delivery depends fundamentally on the skills, dedication, and care of cleaning staff members.

This people-first approach manifests in comprehensive training programmes. All Paramount franchisees undergo rigorous certification in the New Zealand Certificate in Cleaning (Level 2), covering far more than basic cleaning tasks. The extensive programme ensures franchisees aren’t merely cleaners but highly trained professionals committed to maintaining and enhancing client spaces.

The franchise model itself reflects this commitment to people, providing pathways for individuals to own their own businesses while benefiting from established systems, ongoing support, and the reputation of an award-winning brand. With more than 220 franchise owners across the country, Paramount has created opportunities for entrepreneurship and financial independence throughout New Zealand.

Comprehensive Service Offering

Paramount Services delivers a complete range of commercial cleaning solutions tailored to diverse sectors. Services include regular janitorial cleaning, carpet steam cleaning, high-rise window cleaning, hard floor cleaning, recycling, rubbish disposal, hygiene services, and office equipment sanitisation. The company also offers car grooming for vehicle fleets and property maintenance through partnerships with trusted trades companies.

The client base spans multiple sectors, including organisations with special security requirements such as banks, foreign embassies, and government agencies. Paramount’s cleaning teams work for businesses of all sizes, from small offices to national and multinational corporations, as well as retailers, shopping centres, ports, cinemas, rest homes, student hostels, and schools. The company also provides domestic cleaning services with the same high standards that have made it famous in the commercial sector.

Looking Forward

The Westpac Supplier of the Year award represents not just recognition of past achievements but validation of Paramount Services’ approach to business—one that prioritises people, embraces sustainability, pursues continuous innovation, and builds partnerships based on mutual respect and shared values. As the company continues expanding its services while maintaining the strong relationships that have defined its success, this latest honour positions Paramount as a model for excellence in the commercial cleaning industry.

For the frontline professionals who shine while keeping Westpac sites shining, this award serves as tangible recognition that their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence have elevated Paramount Services to the pinnacle of supplier achievement in New Zealand.