Business and Industry Today Issue 370

ADAS features need correct calibration during SMR work

The Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that help improve driver safety standards, known as ADAS, are vital for a car’s safety and form a critical part of EuroNCAP’s star safety rating system. But to ensure ADAS items continue to work correctly they need to be recalibrated after remedial work, warns ATS Euromaster, otherwise vehicle safety will be compromised and insurance cover potentially invalidated.

The tyre service and maintenance provider says fleets need to consider recalibration work in any SMR undertaken on a vehicle that might affect the proper functioning of the affected safety system.

ADAS features include lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Calibration compares what the ADAS feature is doing against how the system should be performing, before making adjustments to ensure optimum performance against factory settings.

Mark Holland, operations director at ATS Euromaster, said, “More and more vehicles come

to us for work now that will require ADAS recalibration that the customer just isn’t fully aware of. As a leading national fast-fit chain of garages, we have a duty of care to educate the customers who bring their vehicles to us and we are currently developing our ADAS offer and capabilities at pace to meet this demand.”

Mark Holland pointed out that new cars have a variety of new and traditional ADAS functions, ranging from adaptive cruise control, and radar braking to lane control assist.

Contact ats.marketing@ats.euromaster.com

FPT Software cuts ribbon on new office in the centre of Manhattan

FPT Software, Vietnam’s leading IT solutions provider, recently cut the ribbon on its New York office in the heart of Manhattan, which will serve its North American arm, FPT Americas. The opening ceremony took place during Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh

Chinh’s official visit to the United States and the United Nations.

New York state’s economy is the third-largest in the US, with a GDP of $1.49 trillion in 2021. The newly inaugurated office represents FPT Software’s investment to further expand its North American team, with hopes to triple the division’s revenue and customer base over the next five years.

“New York is one of the most symbolic cities in the US. The opening of our new office in NYC is a statement, establishing FPT Software as a global IT services company,” said Dang Tran Phuong, CEO of FPT Americas. “We initially thought about starting our New York office back in 2000, but we were too ahead of the curve. We learned from that experience and have grown in the 22 years in between. Now we are poised for great success.”

The company currently has employees working across 30 states in the US market and serves a clientele of over 100 organisations, close to a third of them being Fortune Global 500 companies. FPT Americas posted a 60% revenue gain in Q1 of this year, a growth rate this new office will help to sustain going forward.

Contact www.fpt-software.com

Warehouse & Logistics

Need a larger pallet? New 1.2m pallet size launches

New innovation centre opened in Havering

Future Cube, a brand new innovation centre designed to support and cultivate London’s innovative manufacturing, logistics and construction businesses, has opened in the heart of the Thames Gateway.

Located in Rainham, perfectly situated on the border of London and the wider southeast, Future Cube will be home to a range of demonstrators and tools that will help businesses to explore and adopt new technologies and improve their efficiency, productivity and competitiveness in an exciting and engaging way. The Future Cube facility is the result of a partnership between Havering Council, SEGRO, the London Riverside Business Improvement District (BID), and the Greater London Authority with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) selected as the lead delivery partner on-site.

If your item is larger than the standard UK pallet size, don’t worry. At International Forwarding (IFL) we are now offering larger 1.2m pallets for the same rate as standard.

The new larger pallet size has increased to 1.2m x 1.2m (from the standard 1.0m x 1.2m) and is available to our customers now through our membership of the Palletways network. (Note: services to ROI fall under international pallet dimensions of 1.0m x 1.2m.)

This will make your pallet delivery more cost-efficient and save money on larger loads, which often trigger an oversized pallet cost.

Prices start from £49.80 exc VAT for a full pallet. Get in touch for a quote – call +44 (0)1675 434690 or email us at: enquiries@internationalforwarding. co.uk

ACI Group achieves UK first with Social Value Quality Mark

MTC’s specialists and expert guidance will help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to address the practical, technical and strategic challenges that are critical to helping them to build long-term resilience and viability. The team at Future Cube has extensive experience and sector knowledge, as well as access to Innovate UK's REACH SME grant scheme, which can provide up to 50% of funding for innovation projects.

The facility was formally opened by Deputy Mayor Jules Pipe CBE in a special ceremony. He was joined by the Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Damian White, and representatives from the Riverside BID, and SEGRO. T +44 (0)2476 701600

www.the-mtc.org

ACI Group, a leading distributor working with some of the largest global food, pharma, industrial and road businesses, has become the UK’s first distributor to achieve the esteemed Social Value Quality Mark (SVQM) – an award that aims to cultivate and recognise the highest known standards in values-led business.

To mark its journey towards a sustainable business model, the Berkshire-based company has announced recently that it will redefine what sustainability means under its distributor as a service model.

As part of a series of pledges for the SVQM, ACI Group aims to positively disrupt the market by taking pivotal steps to demonstrate its commitment to both people and the planet.

“We are passionate about service and sustainability in the supply chain – and we want to start making a difference in our customer supply chain today,” comments Karsten Smet, Director at ACI Group.

“Consumers want demonstrable proof of sustainability claims from the brands they purchase from, they want to understand where their products have originated and how they are made. At ACI Group, we want to help our customers and suppliers ensure that any sustainability claim is measured from the outset.”

The SVQM was created to assist organisations to legitimately demonstrate social impact and value claims. For ACI Group, this includes a promise to reduce impact on the planet by cutting carbon footprint, investing in local businesses to support regional growth, and investing in the health and wellbeing of employees. www.acigroup.biz

www.socialvaluequalitymark.com

Outdoor Events Company of the Month

Creating magic & making memories

In this issue of Business and Industry Today, we have selected Tent Hub as our Outdoor Events Company of the Month.

Husband-and-wife duo Matt and Niamh, first established Event In A Tent over 10 years ago which stemmed from the idea of using tipis for their own wedding after failing to find the perfect venue that truly reflected them and all the things they love. After a successful wedding day, the company came into fruition in 2010 with the purchase of 3 Stratus tipis and since then have provided unique and customised structures available for hire to an array of industries for events such as weddings, parties, festivals, corporate socials, and seasonal celebrations.

Based in North Wales, the company provide a reliable, trust-worthy service delivered by its team of friendly and professional staff who all deliver a genuine family atmosphere putting all customers at ease.

Over the past 12 years, the company has grown exponentially welcoming the launch of Tent Hub which is the sister business to Event In A Tent. The company has achieved great success in the events industry and has worked with some fantastic clients over the years, however, Matt and Niamh felt that there was something somewhat lacking in the industry. Noticing an increased demand for unique, outdoor structures for long term events, and even permanent outdoor venues, Tent Hub was established to accommodate these needs.

Tent Hub will guide you each step of the way during the buying process, customisation of your brand,

rigging stages and will even get your team up to speed with how to build and maintain your tent with their training programs or alternatively they can do this for you. Tent Hub pride itself in creating beautiful, alternative spaces in the great outdoors, and work with you to let your imagination run wild and your dreams become a reality.

Whether you work in hospitality, rental firms and events, commercial sectors, or looking for tents for your own personal use, Tent Hub is the most eco-friendly, cost-effective service that offer quick to install options that are completely customisable to preference.

“As well as designing our own Geodesic Domes which are completely unique to us meaning you cannot get them anywhere else, the Quad Dome is our newest structure which we have sole rights for the UK market. Each one is completely customisable, from the size to the colour, as well as the interior which can be bespoke to requirements. This also marks us as a unique one stop shop as it means our customers don’t have to go looking elsewhere for interior products, we can provide everything they need in one process,” stated Matt.

The Quad Domes are available in a variety of sizes from 5m x 5m to 15 x 15m, it also includes a modular design allowing each one to be linked together to create a larger, even more impressive space. Each Dome comes with the option of a custom canvas and frame sizes to suit your requirements and brand with choices of frame colour and canvas colours as well as custom branding options. Other features include Integrated Lighting Options, Glulam Timber Beams, Innovative Node Design, High-Quality Canvas – known for its durability and recyclability, and Weather Resistant –able to withstand winds of up to 50mph.

Another notable product is the Stretch Tent that is 100% waterproof and of the highest quality direct from premium suppliers in South Africa. Ideal for a visually stunning and structurally reliable alternative to the standard marquee, the 3-ply material allows for complete stretchability adapted to fit into the most challenging of sites including lawns, walled gardens or cobbled courtyards. Available in a large range of sizes, colours and styles, from

drinks receptions for an 18th birthday party, to VIP corporate social events and glamourous catwalk charity balls, any event can be catered for.

Soon Tent Hub will be releasing a range of outdoor kitchens and furnishings including such items as BBQs, which is due to launch towards the end of 2022. The launch of this new range will propel the company into a new market sector, optimising its potential for further growth as the rise of outdoor dining is still growing due to popular demand.

“Another market we are keen to explore is the residential market. As we continue to grow, we are starting to look at providing a wider selection of structures and accessories to new sectors and we hope to attract this market and make a big impact,” added Matt.

For more information, see below.

T 01978 661449 info@tent-hub.com www.tent-hub.com

Building & Facilities Management

Premier Inn chooses Granada’s secondary glazing for new Llandudno hotel

Secondary glazing manufactured and installed by Granada Glazing was specified to provide modern levels of comfort for guests at a new Premier Inn built on a Grade II listed former hotel site in Llandudno town centre.

The £12m redevelopment of the former Tudno Castle Hotel site comprises a 90-bedroom hotel, one restaurant and three retail/restaurant units and a gym/business unit. It opened in Spring 2022 following a protracted planning process and delays.

The Tudno Castle is a Grade II listed building built in the 1870s. It had been derelict since 2008 and six years later, planning permission was granted for the demolition of the building behind a retained façade and the erection of a new hotel and extension.

Work started in 2017 but had to be put on hold when partial demolition work of the structure revealed

Zentia

that the Grade II listed façade of the building was unstable. This meant that the developers Tudno Developments Ltd had to come up with revised plans which would allow the demolition of the Victorian façade followed by its reconstruction on a like-for-like basis.

Faithfully recreating the historic façade meant installing timber single-glazed sash windows which were treated with Granada Glazing’s latest highspecification secondary glazing range to reduce outside noise intrusion and improve the thermal efficiency.

A total of 46 units were installed – a combination of traditional-looking Balanced Vertical Sliders and Hinged Units – all with 6.4mm laminate Low E glass that reflects heat back into the rooms. Both products deliver 21st century standards of thermal and acoustic efficiency for single glazed primary original,

or in this case, replica windows.

“Where double glazing cannot be installed due to planning regulations, secondary glazing is often the preferred solution. It offers a cost-effective and efficient solution in reducing external noise by up to 80% and improving thermal insulation by up to 65%,” says Robert Cottam, Granada Glazing Commercial Sales Manager.

“In establishments such as hotels, creating a warmer and quieter environment is essential for guests’ comfort and this is where secondary glazing scores very highly.”

Premier Inn’s initial plan was for a 63-bedroom hotel but after considering the best format for its guests, decided to add a further 27 bedrooms by occupying the vacant retail space in the development.

Construction contractor Medlock FRB Ltd was

appointed to add the new rooms and their site manager Martin Blundell has noticed the difference that secondary glazing has made.

“It has definitely made the rooms a lot quieter, and you can’t hear the traffic outside,” he observes. “The system looks very neat, and the Granada team did a really good installation job. The transoms on the window match the transoms of the secondary glazing so it doesn’t interrupt the look at all.”

Suitable for all property types, Granada’s slimline aluminium secondary glazing frames can be powder coated in over 200 RAL colours. Virtually invisible, they blend in with any interior décor. The Granada Glazing product range encompasses hinged, sliding, vertical sliders, including tilt back, and lift-out options.

For more information on the Granada Secondary Glazing range, please call 01909 499899 or visit: www.gsecg.com or email: info@granadaglazing.com

takes its apprenticeship programme to second base

Leading UK ceiling solutions manufacturer Zentia is moving its apprenticeship scheme up a gear in a link up with its local college.

The company formally launched its in-house scheme seven months ago with the recruitment of six apprentices for a variety of roles at its two factories manufacturing ceiling tiles and grid/suspension systems, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Now, in a partnership with its next-door neighbour on Kingsway South, Team Valley, Gateshead College, Zentia is offering another six positions.

Legislation change in Wales

It has recently been announced that the legislation, Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 will change, effective from 15th July 2022. The new regulations are designed to ensure that social and private rented properties in Wales are fit for human habitation, including the provision of an adequate Fire and Carbon Monoxide alarm system.

Section 91 of the Act places an obligation on the landlord to ensure that their property is fit for human habitation from the beginning of the tenancy and throughout. The requirements of the legislation are within The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022.

The updates significantly affect the requirements for Fire and Carbon Monoxide alarms within rental properties. Under The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022, landlords in Wales must ensure that there is a working Smoke alarm on every storey of a property, eg. hallway and landing; in addition, all Smoke alarms must be mains powered and interconnected with other Smoke alarms in the property. Landlords should refer to BS 5839-6:2013 for the recommended installation of the required Smoke alarms, however Aico would encourage landlords to reference BS 5839-6:2019+A1:2020. The manufacturer’s replacement date should also be noted to ensure the alarms remain fully operational.

For more information on the legislation, visit: https://gov.wales/fitness-homes-human-habitationguidance-landlords-html#section-86350

The new positions range from lean manufacturing operative through metal fabricator to electrical

engineer. While most of the training is on the job, the college will host Zentia’s new apprentices one day a week, providing them with outstanding facilities in which to learn and develop their new skills.

Gateshead College director of business development and innovation, Ivan Jepson, said, “We were thrilled when Zentia asked us to support them to deliver their apprenticeship recruitment and training. Partnering with businesses to scope out the training they need and helping them build a skilled and confident team who can help drive the business forward is at the heart of what we do.”

Zentia’s head of HR, Nicky Gallagher, said, “Partnering with a local education institution such as Gateshead College is a natural fit and the ideal medium towards providing quality manufacturing positions in the North East and boosting and retaining important skills in the region.”

To watch a video on Zentia’s apprenticeship programme, please go to:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pApUGYnq-QM&t=17s

T 0800 371 849 www.zentia.com/en-gb

Interface Force Measurements: Force, torque and pressure measurement

Interface Force Measurements has been supporting UK industry with the highest quality force, torque and pressure sensors for more than 25 years.

You can benefit from our experience whenever you contact us about your next measurement application, experience gained helping designers and engineers across multiple industrial sectors.

We’ll use our experience and product knowledge to help you select the best sensors for your application from our wide range of sensors from some of the world’s best sensor manufactures, including:

● Interface Inc – single, dual, 3 and 6 axis load cells and torque transducers

● AMTI – six-axis load cells and force plates

● GP50 – pressure and temperature sensors for oil/gas, aerospace, automotive food/ beverage and general industry

● DDM – miniature pressure sensors for automotive R&D

● XSensor – pressure mapping systems for bed/ mattress, seating, automotive R&D, tire testing applications and impact testing for seats, airbags, helmet and protective equipment

We can also help with your data collection needs with our

range of amplifiers, displays and software what will work with our and other manufacturers’ sensors.

Test, Measurement & Instrumentation New Additel 673 Advanced Digital Pressure Calibrators

So, if you have a force, torque or pressure measurement challenge that you’d like our help with, please contact us.

Contact

T 01344 776666 info@interface.uk.com www.interfaceforce.co.uk

Chamois Metrology Introduce the New Additel 673 Advanced Digital Pressure Calibrators to Provide a Smartphone Like Experience coupled With the Ability to Simultaneously Measure Pressure and a Transmitter or Switch for Pressures up up to 60,000 psi (4,200 bar)

Chamois Metrology introduce the new ADT673 Advanced Digital Pressure Calibrators which include a smartphone like touchscreen and graphical interface for a completely new way of interfacing the calibrator. The ADT673 Advanced Digital Pressure calibrators come with a built-in barometer & are available in pressure ranges from ± 2.5 mbar to 4,200 bar and come standard with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless communications, as well as a type-C USB port and cable (RS-232 and 4-20mA output communications are optional).

Additel 673 calibrators provide an accurate pressure calibration solution for gauges, transmitters, and switches. Each calibrator contains a built-in barometer sensor which allows for the pressure reading to display in gauge pressure or absolute pressure with a simple menu selection. The ADT673 series contains HART communication capabilities and can measure in mA, or V, and supply 24V loop power. It has a dual readout display showing the pressure on one display and mA, V or a pressure switch on the other display. Each calibrator comes with an ISO-17025 accredited certificate of calibration. It is compatible with Additel’s Link mobile app and 9502 Additel/Log II software, which enables the ability to monitor & display the real-time pressure measurements in a table or graphically.

The Additel 673 Advanced Digital Pressure Calibrators are available now. For more information, visit: www. chamois.net or contact us for a virtual or in-person demo on 01926 812066 or email: info@chamois.net

Watlow acquires Eurotherm from Schneider Electric

Watlow, a designer and manufacturer of complete industrial electric heating systems, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to acquire Eurotherm® from Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Eurotherm is a premier global provider of temperature, power and process control, measurement and data management equipment, systems, software, and services for global industrial markets. The company's headquarters are in Worthing, UK, with core manufacturing operations in Lędziny, Poland, and a headcount of about 650 worldwide.

“Watlow is excited to invest in this innovative product portfolio and professional team,” said Rob Gilmore, Watlow’s CEO (pictured). “Combining Eurotherm’s complementary controls technologies with Watlow’s focus on thermal systems, our shared engineer-to-engineer sales models and our focus on common markets, will allow Watlow and Eurotherm to better serve all of our respective customers. We are impressed with Eurotherm’s heritage in the controls industry and strong reputation for innovation and quality, so we are looking forward to welcoming the Eurotherm team to Watlow. Watlow is investing aggressively right now, including development of our operations in Europe and Asia to ensure we can support and respond to our customers wherever they need us. This acquisition will help us expand our presence in Europe and extend our electronics and controls capabilities globally.” www.watlow.com

German industry saves resources with robots

For a good 80% of industrial decision-makers in Germany, robots play an important role in saving resources and operating sustainably in production: robotics improves material and energy efficiency in manufacturing. In addition, green tech products can be manufactured competitively. These are the findings of the automatica Trend Index 2022, which was commissioned by the world’s leading trade fair for intelligent automation and robots, automatica (June 21-24, 2022 in Munich). 100 specialists

and managers from industrial companies in Germany who make decisions about the use of robotics and automation were surveyed.

Prepare-to-repair is a successful strategy for robot manufacturers and their customers to save costs and resources. In order to be able to carry out as many repairs as possible on site without delays, the Japanese robot manufacturer Fanuc, for example, relies on its own central warehouse for spare parts in Europe: in an area the size

of a soccer field, more than half a million parts are kept in stock in Luxembourg. The concept: short distances save transport times, reduce environmental impact and the company’s consumption of resources. Thanks to this strategy, there were no supply-chain bottlenecks at Fanuc Germany during the Corona pandemic. Swiss manufacturer ABB also focuses on repair and longevity: thousands of robots are overhauled and upgraded by specialised teams to give them a second life.

https://automatica-munich.com/en/

Are

you looking for a new job?

Visit PolymerJobs.co.uk and find your new role today.

What is PolymerJobs.co.uk?

It’s the new jobs board for the UK plastics industry, brought to you by the British Plastics Federation (BPF).

Why should I visit PolymerJobs.co.uk?

You can search hundreds of jobs including engineering & maintenance, toolmaking, sales & marketing and machine operators. Specialising in the industry, you can find jobs up and down the country that suit the skills you have.

It could be your best bet to find the next step in your career.

What if I’m a member of the BPF?

All BPF members get to post jobs completely for free, in a matter of minutes.

Visit the site today: www.PolymerJobs.co.uk

Print & Packaging

The one stop shop for all of your labelling needs

Experts in labels, labelling and label printing, Datamark

product range includes: Plain & Colourwashed Labels, Flexographic Printed Labels, A4 Sheeted Labels, Fanfolded Labels & Tags, Own Brand Thermal Transfer Ribbons, Thermal Transfer Ribbons, Thermal Transfer Bureau Print Solutions, GoDex and other brand Thermal Transfer Printers, Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal Print Solutions, and TT Printers Service and Maintenance. Driving the company forward, aside from their extensive product range, is their continued emphasis on providing the best customer service possible. It is no wonder that Datamark supply such a wide variety of industries, including; food, distribution and logistics, storage and contract packers, electronics, homecare, automotive and industrial. sales@datamarkuk.com www.datamarkuk.com

Digital Edge Subsea

Digital Edge Subsea supplies the oil and gas industry with its digital video recording system.

The company, established more than 10 years ago, has nurtured strong customer relationships that has allowed for honest customer feedback, and this has been incorporated into the development of the Version 5 Edge DVR.

Conversations continue and now Digital Edge are pleased to be able to offer further software that will help their customers to serve their clients better.

Data Archive App

Digital Edge will soon release a data storage and back-up solution that uses an integral app within Edge architecture, to avoid needing a 3rd party app. Edge Archive handles the transfer

of data from the internal DVR drives to Client storage, either on a NAS, a Raid, or a phased delivery to multiple external hard drives.

Being a Native app, the data transfer ensures that the quality of Live recordings are not impacted by a 3rd party program trying to access the same file that the DVR app is currently using. Ensuring recorded data integrity and quality is of the highest importance.

Archive can act as a Simple data mirror of the correct internal drive data folders, or can be used to create multiple simultaneous backups of Client Deliverables. This can be done in continuous backup or a phased approach, ie. after each dive.

For more information or a demonstration of the system, contact: info@digitaledgesubsea.com or visit: www.digitaledgesubsea.com

MARL’s 677 series LED panel indicator lamp

MARL’s 677 series LED panel indicator lamp is a resilient, highperformance, Britishmade indicator used in some of the most challenging conditions on land, sea and air.

MARL, based in Ulverston in Cumbria, designs and manufactures long-lasting, robust products which have proved their worth over more than four decades.

Mounting through an 8.1mm hole, the 677 series is sealed to IP67 – weatherproof, vandalresistant, and durable to shock and vibration, providing a reliable status indication solution for all types of applications.

The 677 series is the panel indicator of choice for American company Asphalt Zipper® in its road grinding and milling machines.

An Asphalt Zipper spokesperson

How to improve your productivity

When companies look at growth, two questions frequently arise: How can we increase output without additional investment in plant, labour and materials?

Are we working our team to capacity?

ALC has more than 15 years’ experience in applying Lean theory into practice and can help to answer these questions.

A current client, a producer of household chemical products, has re-worked its packing line to consolidate separate tasks into one value-stream.

The change has reduced double handling, storage requirements and improved productivity per operator by a staggering 88%.

Tim Scurlock (pictured), Director of ALC, commented, “This is exactly what we look for with a Lean transformation: the team taking ownership of improvements and trying out better ways of working. They’ve been very quick to put in place some significant improvements and this is just the start. There’s a lot more to look at, not just in production but in the warehouse too.”

said, “We needed LEDs to indicate the state of functions on our machine. After looking around, we found MARL’s 677 series. These LEDs hold up really well in our high vibration application. They are easy to see even from far away and in the sun. They also endure rain, sun, grease and impacts, and keep on working. Using the 677 series LEDs was a great decision and we haven’t looked back.”

For more information or to enquire about our products, contact our team: T 01229 484625 graham.round@marl.co.uk

Applied Lean Consulting takes Lean theory and works interactively with teams on the shop floor and management to improve business process. Focusing on customer requirements, ALC coaches teams to work smarter to reduce wasted motion, improve quality and reduce space requirements.

Contact: info@appliedleanconsulting.com for more details or take a look at our website: www.appliedleanconsulting.com

Batten & Allen

Batten & Allen specialises in the stamping, plating and assembly of high precision parts to customers in the electronics, automotive, medical and industrial markets. With an unrivalled focus on engineering reliability, we insist on providing a responsive and efficient service by having a true understanding of our customers’ needs. Through utilising a world class quality management system supported by the very latest tooling, measurement and production technology, we ensure that your required accuracy is always met.

Founded in 1972, Batten and Allen has provided the electronics industry with nearly 50 years of high-quality frames and connectors. One major standard that Batten & Allen have contributed to the development of was the PCB edge connector; the technology that has been at the heart of computers and other expandable devices for the past 30 years.

While Batten & Allen provide stamping and lead frame plating material services for customers, we are also producers of lead frames, including SIL, DIL, SMD, and stacked capacitors. Furthermore, we also provide speciality connectors such as Z clips, bespoke lead frames, and bespoke parts (such as contact switch spring plates).

Contact T +44 (0)1285 655220

sales@batten-allen.co.uk www.batten-allen.com

UNISIG Deep Hole Drilling Systems: Perfection is never an accident

UNISIG produces deep hole drilling machines that are used around the world by nearly every industry imaginable – and at UNISIG, striving for perfection has never been an accident. To secure long-term success, the company decided to further invest in machining its own precision parts rather than subcontracting components, as some of the most critical parts they produced have tolerances and complexity that cannot be made by most machine shops.

To machine their own parts while continuing to grow and develop new products, UNISIG embarked on a new approach to machining which would allow for industryleading CNC machine tool accuracy and performance to be coupled with new technology that would ultimately eliminate manual intervention in machining that prevails in many shops.

“The deliberate connection between engineering, design, and machining improves our product. Our ability to rely on very high accuracy and productivity from our internal machining capacity allows UNISIG to provide more advanced solutions and value to its customers,” quoted Anthony Fettig, CEO of UNISIG.

The collective Okuma team ensured the MCR-A5CII machine tool

(10ft) long to be machined simultaneously and removed for setup offline. The results after installation were very impressive, allowing lights-out automatic machining of parts previously not possible for UNISIG to manufacture.

With two machines from Okuma running and performing to expectations, one more opportunity identified for upgrade resulted in the new MA-12500 machine. The OSP Control common to these three Okuma machines was a big value to the programming and simulation group at UNISIG. “This baseline trust in Okuma is what allows UNISIG to excel at advanced manufacturing,” said Mr Fetting.

In addition to offline tool presetting and modular

workholding on all machines, UNISIG uses a variety of Okuma’s Partners in THINC suppliers including: Mastercam, Vericut® and Renishaw. Using a layered approach to technology and understanding the benefits of eliminating the gaps between engineering, design, and manufacturing, UNISIG has differentiated itself as a machine tool builder. The company’s long history of achievement is one Okuma and Morris Midwest are proud to be a part of – especially in helping UNISIG achieve their goal of capitalising on the full potential of automated machining.

Contact T +49 7125 9687590

www.unisig.com

Automated machining was the goal, which required a change in thinking by the team’s engineers, programmers, and machinists. To harness this new direction, UNISIG put in the time and energy to secure the best manufacturing resources available, including several Okuma machine tools.

To begin, UNISIG devised a plan to combine modular fixturing, offline tool setup, and full simulation of the machine, workpiece, and tools to provide a platform of innovation within their machine shop. The team’s intent was to radically improve spindle uptime and exploit the full potential of automated CNC machining, even when the batch size would be only one part.

The first step of the UNISIG strategy was to move away from classic CNC boring mills and adopt the higher productivity potential of CNC horizontal machining centres with twin pallets. After consulting with credible industry sources and leveraging their internal team’s knowledge, the MB-10000H horizontal machining centre from Okuma was selected for medium-sized, high-accuracy part machining.

One of the most important factors in this capital investment was the need to trust the machine accuracy enough to program from its centre of rotation and let the machine run without stopping and manually verifying the machining process many times during the cycle. The Okuma MB-10000H installation was a success and reinforced UNISIG’s wisdom to focus on automated machining – and the benefits were so extraordinary that UNISIG continued to look to additional Okuma solutions to bring its strategic vision to life.

UNISIG’s next target was large-part machining.

Previously, to hold the finished machine tolerances, extensive hand scraping was necessary which added a lot of time and expense to produce these machines. UNISIG established a set of machining accuracy parameters that would eliminate much of this handwork to achieve tolerances.

Working directly with the local distributor, Morris Midwest, UNISIG was able to engage with Okuma America and Okuma Corporation’s technical leadership to tailor the specification of an Okuma MCR-A5CII 35x10 double column machine for the exacting geometry and overall volumetric accuracy needed.

specifications were defined and perfect for UNISIG’s application. A quick-change fixture system was developed by UNISIG to allow two parts up to 3m

Issue 435 June/July 2022

Tel: 0121 550 7510

www.businessandindustrytoday.co.uk

SUSTAINABILITY TOD AY

| sustainability on LinkedIn

Leader in Gas Detection

How OBW Technologies continues to stimulate immense growth and innovation

while solidifying itself as a market leader in gas detection

“Thankfully, we are now in a situation where we’re working with some of the world’s leading companies and are the supplier of choice for many of the largest life sciences, high tech organisations and utility providers. We believe it is our continuous focus on ensuring customer satisfaction, our flexibility, availability and attention to detail that is enabling our growth.” JJ O’Brien

Over the last 10 years they have brought together a team with the best minds in gas detection using the best technology to advise their clients on all aspects of their fixed & portable gas detection requirements. While 2021 was an unconventional year for most, it brought a period of significant growth for OBW. Their team has almost doubled in the last 2 years with no sign of slowing down. OBW is proceeding to cultivate their highly specialised workforce, while progressing with innovating their industry leading product and service offerings to a wide variety of customers and industries.

OBW also won several awards throughout the year including being chosen as the supplier of the year both for Honeywell HGAS for the West Zone and Blackline Safety Europe in 2021. It is a great achievement and shows that OBW’s standards are recognised by two of the most prominent gas detection manufacturers and suppliers in the market.

OBW Ireland +353 (0)818 005290

OBW UK +44 (0)121 3874025

‘From waste to value’

Tana creates the most intelligent, efficient technology in waste management.

Revolutionary in its IoT, Tana turns robust machines into data-driven business development tools.

Tana is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of machines and equipment for mechanical processing of solid waste and is a pioneer of using electrical control systems and intelligent solutions in all its equipment.

In 2015, Tana Recycling Machinery (UK) Ltd was established by Shaun Walker and is the authorised Tana distributor in the UK. TANA machines are exported to 50 countries through Tana’s comprehensive network of local distributors. Tana Recycling Machinery (UK) Ltd take the best care of its customers by supporting the lifespan of the machines with technical support, aftersale services, and spare parts.

Specialising in machines and equipment for mechanical processing of solid waste, Tana Recycling Machinery (UK) Ltd is the UK wholesaler for TANA machinery and specifically cater to the shredding and compacting waste sector. Tana Recycling Machinery (UK) Ltd is based in Doncaster, South Yorkshire and is well positioned to support the whole of the UK with all sales, warranty, spares, and service requirements.

www.tanauk.com

Pumps, Valves & Water Management Storage tank specialists

Adveco GLE electric water heating

For organisations looking to move from traditional gas-fired hot water systems, Adveco introduces the new GLE, a versatile range of vessels to replace ageing commercial systems quickly and costeffectively.

The Adveco GLE is a range of carbon steel storage tanks designed to serve as buffer vessel or direct electric water heater and is available in a range of sizes from 200 to 5,000L to support larger allelectric systems. Compatible with a wide range of direct electric immersion heater options available from Adveco, the GLE supports duty immersions from 3 to 36kW, as well as secondary supplementary immersions from 3 to 6kW for additional heating,

Drayton Tank & Accessories was established in the 90s to supply quality GRP storage tanks to the UK market. The company manufactures and supplies one of the UKs largest range of GRP Glass Reinforced Plastic water storage tanks for potable, drinking and cold water storage, as well as hot water, chemical storage and effluent and waste solutions. In addition, the company also offers balance tanks and break tanks. Based in The Midlands and Yorkshire, Drayton Tank & Accessories delivers throughout the whole UK.

Since its inception, the company has grown significantly and has become one of the largest suppliers of storage tanks in the UK for water, chemicals, hot water and waste water. Providing a comprehensive portfolio of products, ranging from domestic water tanks to large commercial and industrial storage tanks, Drayton Tank & Accessories has built a strong reputation for exceptional products and outstanding customer service. Furthermore, the company boasts the ability to provide the right tank for your exact sizing needs, offering a bespoke tank designed to the size that suits your application most.

For more information, please see the details below.

T 0871 288 4213

www.draytontank.co.uk

CWF technology

or as backup to ensure continuity of service from a single unit.

For organisations looking to introduce heat pumps as part of their sustainability strategy, a combination of the GLE and a GLC single coil calorifier will provide the basis of a compact air to water heating system. With an air source heat pump connected to the GLC with immersion, the calorifier will provide system preheat. The GLE then provides the necessary after heat from a top up immersion able to deliver system workflow above the necessary minimum of 60°C for safe commercial grade operations. www.adveco.co

CWF: Self-regulating, controlled water storm tank flushing

The ELIQUO HYDROK CWF technology offers an efficient and cost effective alternative to the normal storm tank cleaning procedures. The CWF will only operate when it needs to, immediately after a storm event and can be utilised at the end of any length tank.

The CWF Storm Flush is a simple method for sediment removal. Storm water is held in reserve in the storage reservoir, filled as the tank fills during a storm – no separate water supply is required. At the end of a storm event and after the system has emptied, the retained flushing water is released via the vacuum break within the flushing vessel. This creates a RFP (Roughing, Fine and Polishing) staged flushing regime which mixes and carries the sediment from the base of the tank to the receiving sump. A CWF system needs very little maintenance because of the few moving parts – the only moving part on the CWF is the non-return valve, which is an easily interchangeable off-the-shelf item, quick and easy to replace.

View the video of it in action at: www.eliquohydrok.co.uk/en/product-videos.html

For further information, contact: sales@eliquohydrok.co.uk or visit: www.eliquohydrok.co.uk

Water Management

Finding a more affordable migration path to net zero leakage

Whether decision-makers consider it ultimately attainable or not, there is something positive to be said about striving toward ‘net zero leakage’ in water distribution systems saddled with high non-revenue-water (NRW) losses. The key is taking affordable steps – like those described below – toward identifying and mitigating the most egregious water loss locations in a distribution system, based on readily accessible data.

Take stock of the situation

Water loss that is not monitored cannot be measured. And if it is not measured, it cannot be managed efficiently. But don’t let ‘perfection become the enemy of good’. With increased concerns about water scarcity and the cost of water, and with affordable monitoring options that can be employed selectively, now is a good time to focus on water leak data collection that can have both immediate and long-term benefits. Look for incremental steps that can help utilise limited resources more efficiently and whittle down NRW loss rates on the way toward net zero leakage.

The concept of reducing water losses has been advocated by the International Water Association for some time, and various water distribution companies in Europe have already taken steps toward monitoring it. But much of the US & the rest of the world still has plenty of potential for addressing the interrelated issues of water scarcity, revenue loss, and capital budgets through better control over NRW losses attributed to leaks. Having the data to quantify an economic level of leakage (ELL) enables utilities to make more informed decisions on water losses and leak repairs, even if the ELL changes.

One of the biggest barriers in the migration toward net zero leakage is a lack of urgency driven by fears that the solution can be more costly than the problem. Perhaps that is a reason why the most recent Ofwat Report of the development of the water industry in England & Wales cites ageing infrastructure as the huge concern yet ranks water loss as a far less significant problem.

As with so many other managerial decisions in utility operations, the key comes down to the affordable collection of appropriate data.

Divide and conquer – identifying biggest problems, quickest solutions first

The first steps toward minimising water loss are knowing:

a) that water is being lost,

b) how much of it is being lost, and

c) where it is being lost.

Monitoring water inputs vs. water consumption on an area-by-area basis is an effective way to identify the most problematic areas where informed repair vs. replace decisions can result in the most financially viable water and cost savings. Gathering key distribution system operating data through appropriate smart water and IoT investments in flow monitoring, pressure logging, and data management systems can provide the insights needed to lower water losses incrementally, step by step, en route to a net zero leakage goal.

But do not expect to achieve total net zero leakage in one fell swoop. Small steps that can pay for themselves along the way are a more realistic approach. Those savings include both short-term loss reduction of treated water and long-term savings on treatment chemicals and energy spent by continuing to pump treated water through unrepaired leaks.

Finally, do not expect to solve all leakage problems by using just a single technology alone (ie. leak detection, flow metering, or pressure monitoring). Analysing interrelated flow and pressure data in modelling systems – especially with respect to their impacts on ageing infrastructure – can illustrate cause-and-effect relationships. That can help in refining ideal monitoring locations and in providing a basis for conducting a water balance to quantify NRW losses.

Even a basic district metered area (DMA) approach using highly accurate, easyto-retrofit flow meters (Figure 1) can empower some simple strategies that can be applied for better quantification of water use:

t Establish Better Baselines, Better Understanding – Using just a few well-placed flow meters in small utility systems (Figure 2) can help to establish baseline consumption during overnight hours. A high nocturnal baseline flow can indicate where to deploy water loss technicians to search for active leaks. Sharp peaks in flow during daylight hours can indicate where utility analysts might want to study consumer behaviour to spot exceptional consumption patterns in that area.

t Spot Exceptional Usage – By analysing smaller segments of the overall system, it is practical to analyse per-capita consumption rates, by dayparts, in different areas of a city. This can spur further study to determine whether that water volume is due to leakage or to consumer practices (eg. watering lawns) that might need to be managed more closely during periods of water shortages.

t Ease The Strain On Ageing Infrastructure – Comparing system pressures against flow demands can identify when and where elevated pressures are putting unnecessary stress on ageing infrastructure and forcing an extra volume of water through existing leaks. In many cases, those pressures can be reduced at least part of the day without noticeable impact on consumer satisfaction.

Make NRW loss reduction a team effort

A quick, economical front line of defence against water loss is to heighten public awareness and involvement. Educating customers on the economic relationships among leak reporting, utility efficiency, and consumer water rates can motivate them to report visible leaks – even those not directly associated with the individual customer’s residence.

Communicating both NRW detection and remediation efforts can go a long way toward improving customer understanding and empathy for water conservation and the true value of water.

Having reliable data collected from newly installed flow- and pressuresensing technology can also help to justify needed utility repair efforts and document successes.

In addition to having reliable data for better decision-making, using that collected data to document infrastructure leaks and repair efforts for periodic customer communications can improve customer appreciation for the realities of ageing infrastructure issues.

That can pay dividends in terms of reduced complaints about street excavations and detours for repairs and pave the way for better justification of rate increases where needed to maintain regulatory compliance and expected levels of customer service.

The next generation of mag meters McCrometer’s full-profile insertion (FPI) electromagnetic flow meter (mag meter) is one such cost-saving solution. While it rivals the performance of full-bore mags in terms of accuracy, it doesn’t require the water flow to be shut off. This saves utilities a significant amount of time and expense.

McCrometer’s Tim Door, Vertical Marketing Manager, Municipal Water, states, “We’ve got an ageing infrastructure, we have a need to make more and better measurements, but we can’t and we don’t want to shut the flow off. We cannot afford to have a city without water for a day. We just can’t do it, especially now that more and more people are working from home because of the pandemic.”

To install, the meter is inserted through a saddle that goes around the pipe and through a hole which is tapped by the utility. A valve is then placed on it and the meter is inserted into the pipe. This ‘hot tap’ installation means the meter can be installed without interrupting service, de-watering lines, cutting pipe, welding flanges, or inconveniencing customers. The entire process is quick – taking approximately 20 minutes – and requires significantly less labour than traditional mag flow meters that require water shutoff for installation.

“It really goes back to total cost of ownership,” said Door. “If you were to add everything up – how much an engineer costs for eight hours of his time, multiplied by three engineers, then there’s a crane operator, a crane, putting a chamber in, and construction costs – if you listed it all out and compared that traditional solution and a full-bore flow meter, you’ll find that you save yourself around about 45% straight off the bat with the FPI. So, it is a massive cost saving for the customer in terms of what they’re trying to achieve.”

The cost savings also continues for the life of the product, as the FPI Mag can be easily removed for inspection, cleaning, or calibration, if that is mandated by the applicable regulatory authority.

Flexibility

In addition to cost savings, the FPI Mag offers increased flexibility. It can be used on virtually any sized pipe, from 4” to 138”. It is also available in battery- or solar-powered options for forward and bidirectional flow sensors, enabling installation in remote applications without access to power. The Smart Output feature allows the FPI Mag to connect to AMI/AMR systems through an encoded digital output.

Improved accuracy

The meter’s advanced sensor features multiple coils and electrodes assembled in a tube that inserts completely into the pipe to measure the full profile of the flow stream, providing exceptional accuracy even in challenging flow conditions. It meets or exceeds exacting industry standards of up to ±0.5% accuracy.

“The FPI has multiple electrodes rather than just the standard set of electrodes you’d find on a full bore, which means it’s measuring the velocity of the water right across the pipe providing a much more accurate flow measurement,” said Door. “You are getting the ease of an insertion flow meter but you’re still getting the accuracy, you would expect to get with a traditional full-bore meter. It’s a complete game-changer.”

If you would like more information regarding this article, please contact us at: info@able.co.uk or +44 (0)118 931 1188.

Figure 1: Easy-to-retrofit metering solutions that can be hot-tapped into operating water distribution systems without shutting down or dewatering the system make it easier to create district metered areas (DMAs) as a retrofit application

Figure 2: Adding IoT-ready, flange-mount, full-bore electromagnetic (mag) meters compatible with popular communications protocols – such as Verizon, AT&T, Sensus, and Itron – to new or upgraded areas of water distribution infrastructure can help even small utilities set up DMAs to identify NRW losses

Water Management

Carry on camping – and glamping – with clean and clear drains

Drainage engineers from Lanes Group plc are carrying out CCTV drain surveys and planned maintenance to help camp sites prepare for a summer staycation rush.

Owners of camp sites and caravan parks across the UK are in line for a bumper summer season as more Brits holiday at home due to concerns about flight cancellations and the cost of living crisis. This is likely to accelerate a trend boosted by the popularity of glamping – camping in luxury tents or lodges with resort-style amenities.

surveys, is likely to pay dividends over the summer. Campsite owners will be confident foul and surface water drain systems are running smoothy. Some have had time to upgrade drainage capacity, or draw up contingency plans to ensure sudden downpours do not into a devastating crisis.

Lanes St Neots used remote access mini camera systems to survey more than 1,000 metres of underground pipework across the three sites, with 94 separate lengths of pipe inspected. The drainage pipes were found to be either plastic or clay, with diameters of 75mm, 100mm and 150mm. Detailed drainage system maps for the three sites, showing pipe connections, flow directions, and pipe structures, supported by HD-quality video footage,

and still images of key locations were also produced.

Rachel Frankland said, “All our survey data is sent via the Cloud from site to the Lanes national CCTV survey centre, where it is quickly processed and reports are compiled. This is a major benefit for our clients because we can ensure our CCTV survey reports are of a uniform high standard and are made available as quickly as possible. If necessary, we can create the report, along with recommendations for further action, which could involve drain cleaning, lining or excavation and replacement, in a matter of hours.”

Camping holidays in the UK leapt in popularity in 2020 and 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic

as Brits lost the opportunity to holiday abroad and people liked the idea of the extra social distance afforded by staying in tents, caravans and motorhomes. One in five British adults have been on a camping or caravan holiday since the pandemic began, says Mintel – 4.5 million of them for the first time. Holiday experts say the UK will experience a second staycation wave due to ongoing concern about flight cancellations and the cost of living crisis.

Find out more about drainage services from Lanes Group:

T 0800 526 488

sales@lanesgroup.co.uk

www.lanesfordrains.co.uk

Lanes depots across the UK have been called in by holiday companies to carry out planned preventative maintenance to prepare for choc-abloc sites. They include Lanes St Neots, which has carried out CCTV drainage surveys at three camp sites in Cambridge and Norfolk.

Rachel Frankland, Area Development Manager at Lanes St Neots, said, “Keeping drainage systems on camp sites in tip top condition is vitally important. Toilets, shower blocks, and washing facilities are intensively used over the summer season. Closing them because of drain faults would be disaster. Site guests will also want to make full use of open spaces which they won’t be able to if surface water pipes are slow to drain and ground becomes boggy. This has become a more critical issue in recent years, as more volatile weather caused by climate change increases the risk of surface drains becoming overwhelmed, causing flash floods.”

Where camping and caravan sites are located away from mains sewer systems, septic tanks, sewage treatment plants and water discharge systems need to be inspected and maintained. Lanes is also ready to help if the worst happens and campsite drainage systems fail.

Rachel Frankland said, “Drainage emergencies do happen. We have the experience and specialist vehicles needed to respond quickly and decisively to drain blockages and surface water flooding.”

Planned, preventative maintenance (PPM) on campsite drainage systems, informed by CCTV

New Lanes national centre speeds up survey reporting

Detailed drainage mapping supports site maintenance

CCTV video reveals grease deposit in centre of image

STADLER and ZenRobotics build the most advanced Materials Recovery Facility in the EU with Remeo

STADLER and ZenRobotics have built the pioneering new sorting plant with Remeo Oy, a Finnish company specialising in environmental management. STADLER designed the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in collaboration with Remeo and built it, while ZenRobotics supplied AI-based robotics waste sorting technologies.

The new state-of-the-art Remeo MRF plant, located in the Greater Helsinki Region in Finland, was inaugurated on 14 February 2022 with a ribboncutting ceremony hosted by Remeo’s CEO, Johan Mild, and Business Director, Mauri Lielahti. The Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs, Mika Lintillä, cut the ribbon, declaring the facility officially open, and highlighted the significant leap forward that the innovative facility constitutes for the Finnish circular economy.

A unique design challenge: two plants in one, high automation

The new Remeo MRF presented unique and complex design challenges for being the first of its kind, combining a C&D plant capable of processing

30 t/h & a C&I plant with 15 t/h capacity, & its high level of automation. Resolving them required the best ingenuity & innovative thinking from Remeo, STADLER & ZenRobotics, as well as an exceptionally close collaboration among the partners.

The result of this collaboration is a design that “combines ballistic separators, screening drums, 3D drums, optical sorters, air separators, sorting robots, magnets, eddy-currents as well as the ZenRobotics robots, making it the most advanced waste sorting facility in the European Union,” says Nikolaus Hofmann, Sales Engineer at STADLER.

“The facility integrates two different processing lines and features two consecutive robot systems on each line. It’s the largest fully roboticised MRF of its kind, which brought new operations & safety aspects to take into consideration in the design.”

“The most innovative aspects of the design can be described with the ‘Form from Function’ principle,” explains Nikolaus Hofmann. “The function of the lines was the driver in every design decision. For example, C&D waste tends to clog, especially at

90-degree transitions of the conveyors, so we eliminated them in the design as much as possible. To accommodate this, we designed a narrow and long building rather than a square structure.”

Close collaboration key to a successful outcome and completion ahead of schedule

The successful outcome of such a unique and complex project lies on the remarkable reciprocal trust and close collaboration between Remeo, STADLER and ZenRobotics.

The construction process was complicated by the pandemic, beginning from getting the assembly team on site, as Nikolaus Hofmann explains, “They were required to quarantine after arriving in Finland and work in bubbles, but they did a great job!” In spite of these difficulties, the project was completed three and a half months ahead of schedule.

Remeo’s MRF project is unique in Europe, with an annual processing capacity of the facility is a 120,000 tonnes of construction waste and 60,000 tonnes of energy waste produced in commerce and

industry. This waste is recycled into high-quality alternatives to virgin materials, giving the waste a new life and reducing the need for incineration.

Remeo MRF will cover more than 30% of all waste recycling needs in the Helsinki region in Finland. In doing so, this facility also removes the need to export the waste from Finland as the capacity to recycle waste domestically increases. Remeo’s facility offers effective recycling close to the place of origin of the waste, cutting transport emissions because of the short distances. Due to efficient recycling capabilities, Remeo is also helping its customers to meet the minimum 70% recycling rate required by law.

T +44 (0)1233 225602

www.stadler-engineering.com

Oceanology International Review – Top Exhibitors

Oceanology International closes on a high note

Oceanology International, held at London’s ExCeL from 15-17 March 2022, closed and according to exhibitors and visitors it was a resounding success attracting a total attendance of over 10,000 over the three days of the show. 447 exhibitors from 70 countries helped to make a huge step forward in connecting the global ocean technology community. Visitors were able to explore new solutions in protecting and sustainably operating in the world’s oceans and waterways.

As an added bonus, the show continued its Oi Connect meeting facility online over March 22nd and 23rd, connecting many of the exhibitors from the show with those interested in ocean science and technology. Registration for Oi Connect is open now at: www.oceanologyinternational.com

Being the first post pandemic Oi, exhibitors and visitors were delighted to get back to doing business face to

face, and business was definitely back on the agenda. The MacArtney Group were happy to report the sale of an e-LARS (Launch and Recovery System) that will go to end user ROVCO for launching ROVs. Oceanology International London has once again secured its place as a must-visit event in the technology calendar and will be back again in San Diego and Abu Dhabi in 2023 before returning to London in 2024 for another look into the future of Ocean Science from around the world. This is

our pick of the best exhibitors from this year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order: applied acoustics & Fibron. Further details can be found on this page. www.oceanologyinternational.com/london/en-gb.html

Discovery through immersion

Fibron is a market leading designer and manufacturer of underwater cables and umbilicals for marine infrastructure and energy industries, which is this year celebrating its 35th year of trading.

We are proud to have recently delivered bespoke, hull cleaning umbilicals to enable customers to meet the highest environmental standards. The umbilicals combine large hoses, LP tubes and power cables enclosed in an overbraid cover to offer the lightest weight and best flexibility. The large hoses in the umbilicals are used to collect the debris which is then disposed of onshore. This process ensures the world’s waterways and ports maintain their eco environments and aquatic lifeforms.

Biofouling on large ship hulls can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%, rising to

40% in warmer waters. Cleaner hulls will reduce fuel consumption and in turn minimise emissions that contribute to greenhouse gases. Rather than more traditional diver operated brushing, hull cleaning can now be carried out using water jet systems and can be carried out on vessels anchored or in terminal.

Award-winning engineering for the marine industry

applied acoustics specialises in the design and development of an extensive range of subsea navigation, positioning and marine seismic survey products. Through the company’s industry leading skillset and engineering expertise, applied acoustics develops innovative solutions that can be applied for a wide range of applications, from subsea navigation and seismic surveys to conservation and academic research.

Through applied acoustics’ initial success supplying acoustic positioning beacons,

the company has developed significantly and now manufactures a comprehensive range of highly-technical acoustic products, including seabed profiling equipment, to the offshore oil and gas and renewable industries, oceanography and research institutes, defence and law enforcement agencies.

applied acoustics excels in providing innovative technology for underwater environments, which has positioned them at the forefront of both design and engineering excellence. Furthermore, with its expertise

With increased focus on environmental issues, it’s anticipated that ports and regulatory bodies will continue to impose stricter rules and regulations, therefore, the need to carry out regular inspections and perform cleaning and debris collection will be ongoing.

Fibron are glad to be playing their part in reducing biofouling and supporting our customers innovations, when it comes to an environmentally friendly approach.

Contact Fibron today to discuss your needs and technical challenges. We are happy to provide innovative solutions to your underwater engineering challenges.

Contact T 01992 471444 london@fibron.com www.fibron.com

spanning a range of sectors, applied acoustics’ products are renowned, and used widely across the globe, and the company has twice won the Queen’s Award for Export in recognition of its success.

For any more information, please see below.

T +44 (0)1493 440355 www.aaetechnologiesgroup.com/appliedacoustics/ www.linkedin.com/company/aaetechnologies-group-ltd/

SKF launches tool to help industry address carbon emissions

SKF recently announced the launch of a new, freely available, tool to help the industry to better understand and address their carbon emissions.

Available at: www.skf.com/co2dashboard – users can access a dashboard where they can explore how CO2 emissions related to the production and use phase of bearings are distributed in different industries. The dashboard provides illustrative examples based on how emissions differ in various positions across industry applications.

Users then have the option to get a more detailed estimation with SKF’s Bearing Select software tool by adding a few data points. The user will receive the estimated CO2 emissions for single rolling bearing, illustrating estimated emissions related to the production phase and from frictional power losses and grease consumption when in operation. The user can download a

Environmental Testing & Monitoring Recycling &

Carbon Action Committee

The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), the trade association representing the UK Metal Recycling/ Scrap Metal sector, has launched a Carbon Action Committee highlighting the need to seek economic alternatives to enable metal recyclers to switch to net zero in line with the UK Government goal of 2050. Following the environmental concerns raised at COP26, and the greater need for zero carbon emissions in all forms of commercial activity, the BMRA want to capitalise on the already well-established green credentials of metal recycling by enabling the industry as a whole to benefit. This committee will sit within the BMRA’s Legislative Policy Group, and like all its committees, will consist of member representatives from the industry, the people who are directly affected by Government implemented changes and who will have their own strategic goal to move to net zero operations in the coming years.

Howard Bluck, Technical Director of the BMRA, said, “BMRA committees address the needs of the membership and the industry. They are the voice of metal recyclers that help us to identify priorities and, in-turn, enables us to maximise BMRA’s lobbying efforts.” The Zero Carbon Committee will work with the industry and third parties to identify initiatives and technology that can enable metal recyclers to cost effectively move towards net zero.

Contact: Kate Magill

T 01480 455249 kate@recyclemetals.org www.recyclemetals.org

report giving detail on these estimations, which can provide a starting point for improving the application from a sustainability performance perspective.

The tool also offers the opportunity to engage with SKF’s expert application engineers, who can provide a detailed view of the specific carbon emissions for the bearings and how the customer’s application can be optimised to reduce energy consumption and corresponding emissions in the future.

Johan Lannering, Head of Sustainability at SKF, said, “Ultimately, improving the sustainability performance of a customer application requires the understanding of the full life cycle based on specific application data. I believe the tool we are launching will make it easier and more tangible for our customers to understand and accelerate this journey.”

“We are working hard to help our customers reach significant energy and corresponding carbon reductions by making our products lighter, more efficient, longer lasting and repairable. We work just as hard to reduce the carbon emissions related to our own operations and supply chain in line with our Net Zero targets.”

Application areas users can select to calculate usage for include Industrial, Metals, Mining, Mineral Processing, Cement, Railways, Fluid Machinery, Material Handling and Industrial Electrical, with more industries planned for inclusion in the future.

SKF’s mission is to be the undisputed leader in the bearing business. We do this by offering solutions that reduce friction and CO2 emissions, whilst at the same time increasing machine uptime and performance. Our products and

services around the rotating shaft, include bearings, seals, lubrication management, artificial intelligence and wireless condition monitoring. SKF is represented in more than 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2021 were SEK 81 732 million and the number of employees was 42,602.

® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group. www.skf.com/uk

www.skf.com/co2dashboard

Recycling & Waste Management

‘Skip’ past the rest, use the best from Glosta Engineering

Glosta Engineering is a North West of England based, designer and manufacturer of skips, containers and steel structural frames for various industry sectors. Established in 1973, Glosta Engineering is owned by Gary Moore.

The company has developed significantly since its inception, and over the last 5 years, owner Gary has worked hard to develop new projects, specifically for the waste and recycling industry.

With its ethos of ‘no job ever being too big or too small’, the company has worked with a large amount of different industries, and through its industry leading skillset, is able to provide specified and custom made products to fulfil an array of different needs for customers and industry sectors. Furthermore, through the company’s commitment to quality, all of Glosta Engineering’s skip products are designed to C.H.E.M specifications.

Utilising a team of highly experienced,

personable and devoted sales team, Glosta Engineering places the utmost importance on providing a comprehensive service. Ensuring that all queries and orders are fulfilled to the highest standards of customer service.

Contact T 0161 725 9134 www.glosta-engineering.co.uk

Leaders in waste materials & recycling machine technology

Donasonic provides a comprehensive range of recycling solutions for various waste materials, that require disposal solutions. Utilising cutting edge design, technology, manufacture and installation, Donasonic is able to provide bespoke turnkey solutions to meet specific requirements for waste processing for both large and small project needs.

Donasonic offers waste to energy applications for: E-Waste, Cable Recycling, MSW & RDF (Municipal Solid Waste and Refuse Derived Fuel), Bio-Gas, Oil Filters and Tyre Recycling. The waste materials recycling machines and installations are highly cost effective and offer a huge return on investment, while also providing a real solution for waste management and recycling.

Donasonic provides a dedicated service, and prides itself on working in collaboration with its customers, to identify their needs and provide the right design solution for their project. Through a combination of using the

right technology, expertise and first class manufacturing, the company ensures longevity and a sustained return on investment.

If you would like to find out more information, please see below.

T +44 (0)1302 247295 www.donasonic.com

RECOUP

Invitation to showcase innovative plastic packaging solutions

Plastics resources & recycling charity, RECOUP, continues to encourage communication and collaboration across the sector, in seeking solutions to prevent waste and increase recycling rates.

This year, the team are proud to announce the launch of the RECOUP Plastics Recycling Annual Awards. The awards celebrate the plastics value chain and their continued work to improve recyclability and resource efficiency.

Entries are encouraged from everyone, entrepreneurs to global brands, in the following two categories:

t Best Development or Innovation to Enhance Recyclability or Re-use – Entries are encouraged to raise awareness and showcase the latest product innovations and designs for recyclability. This award recognises progression in the applications of Recyclability by Design and provides a real opportunity for the industry to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and saving resources through improving recyclability or reuse.

t Recycled Plastic Product of the Year – This award aims to raise awareness and showcase the latest product innovations and designs for recycled plastics. The award further recognises the progression in the applications of recycled plastics and presents a real opportunity for the industry to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and saving resources through the use of recycled materials.

Entries are invited via: www.recoup.org – for more information, please contact: enquiry@recoup.org

Recycling & Waste Management

High quality guaranteed through meticulous attention to detail by Deltax

New M&J P250 pre-shredder launched at IFAT

The M&J P250 got off to a flying start at this year’s IFAT in Munich. A new modular and patented design and a new E-drive option with up to 50% lower energy consumption appealed to the many visitors at M&J Recycling’s stand.

At IFAT, there was particular interest in M&J Recycling’s latest addition – the modular M&J P250 pre-shredder, which is the Next Generation of the former flagship M&J 4000S. The pre-shredder’s modular design delivers many daily benefits &, ultimately, has a greatly beneficial impact on what it costs to have the machine running. The individual parts can be dismantled quickly and easily – thus saving both time and money on servicing the machine, as well as ongoing maintenance.

“The visitors to our stand were very excited about our

HEAVY DUTY ALLIGATOR METAL CLEANING SHEARS

Deltax is the market leader in hydraulic shears and cable strippers and is an industry leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of equipment and machinery involved in scrap recycling, demolition and construction industries.

Deltax provides an extensive range of high quality equipment, consisting of standard duty shears, heavy duty shears, heavy duty rebar shears, wire and cable strippers, vertical metal shears, scrap electro-magnets, hydraulic grapples, mobile portable shears and specialty equipment. In addition, the company also maintains a well-stocked selection of common spares, including cutting blades.

With extensive experience and a team of qualified personnel, some of whom were responsible for the original design concepts in this field; Deltax equipment is unique, innovative and designed to the highest quality. Most of the component production is created in-house, using only quality materials and latest production techniques. These technologies include the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and manufacturing systems, and Deltax maintains an ongoing policy to constantly improve design and production, to ensure that Deltax consistently meets the changing needs of the industry.

Deltax houses a team of highly qualified technicians, who maintain a plethora of expertise and experience, enabling them to provide readily available, in-depth and efficient assistance. This provides customers with confidence that they are receiving the best possible service, as customers can gain direct access to a technician with the expertise to help them to restore the normal operation of their machinery, in as short a time as possible. Its team’s industry leading skillset has helped to position Deltax with a solid foundation and reputation built on honesty, extensive knowledge and fairness across a range of industries.

Other dedicated services include: telephone assistance for service requests, spare parts, maintenance advice, telephone assistance for spare part estimates, special requests and general assistance.

The company maintains a strong stance on quality, ensuring that all Deltax equipment and parts are guaranteed under its standard warranty policy, and meticulous attention to detail is paid during the manufacturing process. Its commitment to quality is echoed throughout its operations and as such, Deltax ensures that from the smallest component part to the largest finished machine, that quality is maintained. This guarantees that when purchasing Deltax products, the highest level of engineering and design has been applied to the production of the equipment.

T +44 (0)1489 784711 www.deltax.co.uk

Deltax Original design features the DTX range with a special Hydraulic scrap hold down. A unique design that gives more stability to material that may want to move during the cutting process. Good for heavy items including plate, rolled bar or odd shaped scrap.

new, modular pre-shredder. Understandably, everyone in the industry has a strong focus on avoiding long and expensive downtime, so easy maintenance is a super important competitive parameter. And our E-drive option will be a ‘must have’ for many customers. We are extremely pleased with the reception of the M&J P250 and feel convinced that it will quickly gain a foothold in the market,” said Uffe Hansen, CEO of M&J Recycling.

The M&J P250 on display at IFAT was equipped with M&J Recycling’s newly developed E-drive solution, which is an obvious choice for a large number of waste types. It shreds with the same force as the hydraulic solution, but uses up to 50% less power.

www.mjrecycling.com

Recycling & Waste Management

Reduce raw material waste

need to be relocated in the future.

Reducing damaged raw aggregate material during storage is a key to reduce overall wastage. At Stuart Canvas we have designed and manufactured innovative retractable covering solutions for aggregate bays. The tunnel system uses custom-made steel framework tracking which allows for quick deployment and retraction.

Each tunnel can be operated individually allowing each tunnel to be positioned according to the level of raw material being stored. This design also allows for the tunnels to be partially retracted to allow for the loading and off-

loading of raw material. Each tunnel features custom made gutter units that allow for excess water to be directed away from each bay.

Many of our systems installed at some of the UK’s largest concrete, asphalt and brickwork manufacturing plants also feature our new motorised system which was pioneered by Stuart Canvas; this allows the cover to be retracted over the top of each bay quickly and efficiently with a single push of a button. This system creates a watertight seal to protect the

material underneath the tunnel. Our studies have found that waste can be reduced by up to 30% over traditional covering systems.

Stuart Canvas has produced retractable tunnels and semi-permanent buildings for the industrial sector for over 20 years. Whether large or small, fixed or retractable, Stuart Canvas can offer a solution to your storage needs. Retractable Tunnels buildings are ideal for additional storage space and are a perfect addition to any workshop or business. Our Tunnels are an ideal solution for creating designated work areas and can be adapted to suit any operation including spray paint booths and quarantine areas. Whether large or small, fixed or retractable, Stuart Canvas can offer a solution to your storage needs and advise on how to create the best additional workspace both internally or externally. Our Tunnels can be produced as mobile or static workshops and can be designed to be dismantled and assembled should they

Ideal for:

We offer a design, supply and installation service and have a dedicated R&D team that can solve any unusual covering issues or requirements you may have. Items can be produced ‘free standing’ or ‘fixed’ and can include floor mounted or sunken tracking to aid movement.

t Quarantine Areas

t Loading Bay & Dock Tunnels

t Aggregate Bay Retractable Covers

t Retractable Workshops

t Good Inwards/Outwards Areas

t Black Out Testing Areas

T 01925 814525

sales@stuartcanvas.co.uk

www.stuartcanvas.co.uk

Recycling UK Limited

Recycling & Waste Management Sustainability Today

Recycling UK is one of the largest independent recycling companies in the United Kingdom. From our head office at Tarporley Cheshire and our associate processing plants throughout the UK and Ireland we can cover most recycling needs. We also have offices/joint ventures in Mumbai India and in Ireland.

We are traders of all grades of waste paper & plastic in the form of bulk loose, baled, or palletised material, surplus or damaged reels & redundant stock of paper and plastic packaging. We supply to customers throughout the UK, Europe, India and Asia.

Our dedicated commercial, logistics, and admin departments at Tarporley, Chester will look after every aspect of the collection and delivery of materials,

statutory/compliance paperwork, and payments for material purchased.

Our commercial team can provide expert advice on all aspects of recycling and waste management and the sale of materials generated worldwide on a spot order basis, or more formal long-term agreements and always with fast and competitive payment terms.

Our wholly owned subsidiary OWP Ltd processes over 1,500 tonnes per week at a dedicated plant at Oswestry, Shropshire ideally situated on the England/Wales border with material collected by various means within a 150 mile. radius & we also collect material throughout the UK and Ireland using curtainside or bulk trailers for delivery to Oswestry or to one of our associate

processing plants throughout the UK.

Please contact us on +44 (0)1829 732471 or by email: info@rukgroup.com or use the enquiries pages on our group company websites to contact us. All can be accessed at: www.rukgroup.com

Tractebel obtains its first global EDGE Assess certification

Tractebel begins its gender equity journey with EDGE Assess certification

Tractebel, the global engineering company delivering gamechanging solutions for a carbon-neutral future, has become EDGE Assess certified, becoming the first organisation within the multi-utilities industry to obtain a global EDGE Assess certification confirming its commitment to workplace gender equity.

EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. The certification process involves a rigorous thirdparty review of representation across the pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices, and inclusiveness of an organisation’s culture. As an integral part of the assessment, statistical data is analysed, policies and practices are reviewed and employees receive a comprehensive survey to assess perceptions of career development opportunities in the workplace.

EDGE’s assessment has highlighted a certain number of common denominators but also important local specificities across the different countries of operation of the company. Tractebel France has a solid framework of policies and practices in equal pay for equivalent work and flexible working. Similarly, when it comes to inclusivity both male and female employees in Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany and India, perceive Tractebel to provide equal opportunities to be hired and they would also recommend it as an employer to both male and female friends to work for the organisation.

Contact: Veronica Del Motto, Digital Marketing Manager at EDGE Strategy veronica.delmotto@edge-strategy.com www.tractebel-engie.com

Future of work

It’stime for businesses to embrace the future of work as European employees call for asynchronous work and new approach to office use, Sony Professional Display & Solutions latest research finds. Half of office workers surveyed Europe want employers to offer the flexibility to work asynchronously, with two in five (42%) believing this is the future of work. Over a third of people (35%) feel asynchronous working – which allows people on the same team to work at different times, in contrast to the traditional 9 to 5 – would result in more purposeful and less distracting communication. This brings greater flexibility and responsibility, freeing up time for more impactful work when employees are online or in the office at the same time.

Employees feel that having a ‘people-first’ approach is most important (39%), as well as having the latest tools and technology to enable asynchronous working. Businesses need to ensure they invest in the right technology tools but also align their policy to reflect the expectations of a modern office employee. Sony helps organisations unlock the potential of every team member through innovative, easy to use, and scalable solutions for the changing workplace. To find out more, visit https://pro.sony

Environmental Testing & Monitoring

Outstanding Digital Pressure Gauges MAN SC & LC

The MAN SC & LC Digital Pressure Gauges offer accurate display, monitoring, and remote transmission of pressure-dependent operating processes in machinery and process installations. With an excellent price-performance ratio, pressure is measured by a quality ceramic or metal sensor using a 5-digit & 14-segment alphanumeric display, digit height –16mm with touchpads for programming along with a sub program for force measurement.

Outstanding Characteristics

t Largest choice of engineering units including ‘user defined unit’

t Peak value memory

t Alternating pressure/force display

t Force measurement via freely programmable reference area input (eg. for mechanical tensile

tests of anchors and fastenings)

MAN-LC special features

t IO-Link

t Backlight

t Linear frequency output

t Up to 2 potential free relay contacts

t 2 outputs (freely configurable by the customer)

MAN-SC special features

t Battery power supply

t Outstanding battery life (2½ years)

Contact us on 01623 427701, info.uk@kobold.com or visit: www.koboldnews.co.uk/digital/pressure

Silsoe Odours

contributes to revision of EN13725

Silsoe Odours was founded in 2005 by Director Robert Sneath, a UK expert in the development of the European Standard for olfactometry and sampling. Silsoe Odours is a specialist odour consultancy that delivers independent, industryleading technical expertise helping a wide range of clients to assess, understand and manage odours.

New revision of EN13725 (Olfactometry)

The European Standard for Olfactometry, EN13725, was initially published in 2003. Since then, it has been developed by CEN/TC264 Working Group 2 (WG2). After many years of development, the new standard has now been published (March 2022). Silsoe Odours Director, Robert Sneath, was instrumental in the process. He has acted as the UK expert in the working group since 1996. So he now boasts more than 25 years of experience at the forefront of EN13725.

This European Standard specifies a method for the objective determination of the odour concentration of a gaseous sample using dynamic olfactometry with human assessors.

Together with WG2, Robert has been working towards a revision of the standard since 2012. As of March 2022, the completed version has now been published and will be available via your national standards institute. For the UK, this is the British Standards Institute.

The new standard is entitled BS EN13725:2022 stationary source emissions – determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry and odour emission rate. The standard reflects some improvements, particularly around odour sampling. Notably, it includes updates such as health and safety recommendations for all staff involved with the process of dynamic olfactometry. This includes odour panellists and sampling technicians, both in the laboratory and on-site.

How is EN13725 compliance assessed?

The Silsoe Odours laboratory is compliant with BS EN13725. In the UK, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is responsible for assessing compliance with BSEN13725. In summary, UKAS accreditation is an important measure for demonstrating quality standards and, of course, compliance with the European Standard.

Silsoe Odours holds UKAS accreditation for both odour testing and on-site odour sampling.

The team of odour consultants at Silsoe Odours have many years of experience delivering leading odour services. So, they are perfectly placed to answer all your questions.

T 01525 860222 www.silsoeodours.com

Honeywell’s latest air supplied masks are interchangeable, from welding, sanding, grinding and working in dusty environments For more information, contact Air Quality Ltd on 01634 832895 Or email: info@airq.co.uk

Providers of effective decontamination

medical grade chemicals without reducing their effectiveness and using its nozzle, atmospheric spray is dispersed around 10-15 microns, allowing for efficient dispersal of solution without overload, resulting in a cost-effective and efficient delivery.

In this issue of Sustainability Today, we are proud to announce that we have selected Hygiene Pro Clean as our Decontamination Solutions Company of the Month.

Hygiene Pro Clean is a hygiene and deep cleaning business, with Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approval, which offers its products and services on a national and international scale. The company specialises in anti-bacterial and anti-viral decontamination services, products and training, for a wide range of sectors including public, emergency services and private sector businesses. The main role of the company is to create safe, clean environments for workforces, vehicles and buildings, to ensure the areas are protected and operators are safe from known pathogens.

From its location in Stockport, Hygiene Pro Clean offers a comprehensive service, providing a complete turnkey solution for almost any industry, for decontamination, infection control and specialist remediation. Hygiene Pro Clean is a one-stop-shop, providing one process to decontaminate, sanitise, deodorise and clean.

In terms of its offering, the company provides equipment, chemical treatments, training and development of decontamination methods and protocols to meet any requirements. Hygiene

Pro Clean offers efficient delivery and the most effective systems, coupled with outstanding chemical treatments and best industry support and training.

Hygiene Pro Clean’s specialist chemical treatments provide an effective deep clean, delivered efficiently and safely. Through a meticulous design process developed over the past 10 years, the chemicals are equipped and proven to be a safe, ecological treatment for a range of bacterial and viral threats and other contaminations to property, assets and general

public. In addition the company provides an approved chemical reagent to achieve a ‘log kill >6’ (kill rate more than 99.9999%).

Hygiene Pro Clean designs and manufactures its own decontamination delivery system; Ultrasonic Atomisation, and develop decontamination methods and protocols supported by service, training and audits.

The Atomisation Ultrasonic was developed by the company using patented technology, in collaboration with world-leading atomisation specialists. The chemicals are dispersed and controlled using the Ultrasonic Atomisers, and have been specifically designed to disperse chemicals as cost-efficiently and efficiently as possible.

A notable feat within its product offering is the Hygiene Pro Clean Ultrasonic Atomizer Backpack, which has been created for CBRN decontamination, infection control and mould abatement, for use by professionals. Using the Ultrasonic Automizer Backpack in collaboration with Hygiene Pro Clean’s range of formulated chemicals and treatments, the backpack can provide an antimicrobial coating to almost any surface. The system boasts the ability to produce

The company has worked for many reputable clients and organisations, including across all emergency services, armed forces, mould remediation – commercial & domestic, insurance remediation and reinstatement, health – NHS & Private, social housing and transportation.

The company has worked extensively with the NHS and private health sectors and has helped to improve decontamination and cleaning standards of ambulances. Notably, the company was the first to provide rapid sanitisation to UK ambulances, offering effective rapid sanitisation proven by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Porton Down, Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) and the Welsh Ambulance Trust.

In recent developments, many companies and nearly all industries, have faced new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hygiene Pro Clean has also seen these challenges, both negatively and positively. One positive has been an increase in awareness of decontamination

and its wealth of importance. In addition new initiatives and standards are being explored that will suit and benefit the company’s products and services.

In other developments, Hygiene Pro Clean has seen some impressive growth and as such, has increased its team size by expanding its team of service engineers and office/support worker. In addition, the company is looking to accommodate its new growth through its acquiring of a new head office, based in Coventry. The new location will enable the company to move the core of its manufacturing and head office to a larger facility in Coventry, and provide a more central location. Furthermore, Hygiene Pro Clean has also just launched HPC Scotland based in Glasgow, with the main aim of furthering its UK coverage.  With many prestigious growth plans, Hygiene Pro Clean is maintaining a proactive approach to its future. Committed to constant development, in addition to its expansion plans, the company will also be undergoing product refinement and development of its delivery system and chemicals, application development with client and market needs and International development growth.

T 0800 024 8090

www.hygieneproclean.com

Environmental Monitoring Solutions Company of the Month

Industry leaders in environmental monitoring

In this issue of Sustainability Today we have selected Acoem UK Ltd as our Environmental Monitoring Solutions Company of the Month.

Acoem UK Ltd (formally known as Air Monitors Ltd) was established in 2003 by Jim Mills and is part of the Acoem Group. The company maintains staff across the UK, and its main head office is based in Tewkesbury and another base in Glasgow.

Acoem UK is committed to sustainable development and its mission is to provide companies and public authorities with solutions to help them limit their environmental impact.

“We have three main areas of our business: we provide products and services into the air quality monitoring markets, the noise & vibration markets and also the vibration and alignment markets,” stated Felicity Sharp, Managing Director.

Acoem UK delivers AI powered sensors and ecosystems, offering its customers a comprehensive range of products and services, dedicated to preventing and controlling air, noise and vibration pollution, increase the productivity and reliability of industrial machinery and

support the development of effective, robust and noiseless products.

“We have built our product portfolio over the years to include the best of all categories across air quality monitoring. From gas analysers to particulate monitors, we only work with those suppliers that are world renown and share the same customer service attitude that we do. We have our own www.airmonitors.net software to house client data and this is maintained by our inhouse software developers, so we are able to offer timely support and can continue to push new features through,” added Felicity.

A noteworthy recent feat for the company has been the development by one of its main suppliers, Palas GmbH, who has released its Fidas Smart 100. The new dust monitor Fidas Smart 100, is a highly advanced, compact measuring instrument, which evaluates and determines air quality. Equipped with QAL1-certification (EN16450) for ambient air monitoring, the Fidas Smart 100 can reliably analyse airborne fine dust particles from 0.175-20 pm.

“One of our main suppliers, Palas GmbH have recently released their Fidas Smart 100 systems with MCERTS Indicative certification. These products are based on the FIDAS 200 range but smaller and more versatile and with a new feature for source indication,” mentioned Felicity.

Using a newly developed algorithm for mass determination, the Fidas Smart 100 calculates PM values via optical scattered light measurement on the single particle, which takes into account signal duration and shape.

Based on the measurement system and algorithms obtained from the Palas GmbH’s EN 16450-certified Fidas 200, the Fidas Smart 100 has revolutionised air quality monitoring and is intended to provide continuous operation. With automatic calibration tracking of the measuring system, the Fidas Smart 100 ensures reliable, long-term stability and allows operation for up to two years without recalibration. In addition, the calibration status can be monitored and obtained through a test dust calibrated by Palas GmbH.

In other developments, Acoem UK has seen significant changes especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has used this time to evaluate and streamline its processes. Adapting to working from home, Acoem UK was able to continue its services and were fortunate that its services for maintaining the national and local air quality networks, was considered an essential service.

As the company looks to its future, the Acoem Group maintains a strong stance on maintaining its organic growth and is always on the lookout for service companies and manufacturers to join the group. Its main aim is to continue making it easier, for its customers to find the balance between conservation and progression.

Acoem UK is also dedicated to its Net Zero 2030 journey which can be followed through its LinkedIn page, featuring advice and sharing its journey and tips along the way.

If you would like to find out more information, please see below.

T +44 (0)1684 857530

www.acoem.co.uk

Data Logging Solutions Company of the Month

Experts in data logging

and combine and compare different datasets, all in one place,” added Ana Carmona, Marketing Manager.

monitoring, and determines power & power factor.

In this issue of Sustainability Today, we have selected Gemini Data Loggers as the recipient of our Data Logging Solutions Company of the Month.

Gemini Data Loggers was established in 1984 and introduced the first branded Tinytalk temperature data logger in 1992. The company manufactures data loggers from its location in Chichester, West Sussex, UK, and maintains a global network of over 40 distributors.

Data loggers are used for a wide range of applications in a multitude of industries worldwide. These industries include environmental research into climate change, weather patterns, seasonal changes, wildlife habitats, oceans and rivers.

“Our mission at Gemini Data Loggers has always been to deliver customer-focused monitoring solutions that are easy-to-use, cost-effective and of the highest quality.

We manufacture data loggers; electronic devices which automatically monitor and record environmental parameters over time, allowing conditions to be measured, documented, analysed and validated. All our loggers work with the same easy-to-use data logging software, Tinytag Explorer, which enables users to configure their data loggers, download and view recorded data

Tinytag data loggers have a reputation for robustness, reliability, ease of use, and value for money. Data loggers in the Tinytag range monitor parameters including: temperature, humidity, single and three-phase power usage, CO2, mV, mA, voltage, pulses or counts. Some loggers are accompanied by probes, for difficult-to-reach areas or where a fast response time is required. Temperature probes can extend the ranges from -200°C to +1,370°C, depending on the type used.

Gemini Data Loggers designs all Tinytag hardware, firmware, and software in-house. Furthermore, alongside the company’s standard range of off-the-shelf loggers and probes, Gemini Data Loggers is equipped with the expertise to be able to develop custom solutions adapted to particular applications.

Gemini Data Loggers puts customer needs and desires front and centre. The Tinytag Energy logger, which was designed in response to customer needs, provides an accurate record of energy usage to help users make informed energy-saving decisions. The Energy logger is safe, non-invasive, and easy to use; it monitors voltage and current via single and/or three-phase

The Energy logger enables the rapid identification of power-hungry or inefficient equipment, peak load, and unnecessary idling times. This in turn enables effective measures to be taken to reduce electricity bills and allow cost savings through the implementation of new equipment, processes, and procedures.

Gemini Data Loggers also designed Tinytag DI according to customer needs, specifically for customers in highly regulated industries. Tinytag DI is the secure software for Tinytag data loggers which allows businesses to manage and monitor who has access to data loggers and what they are able to do. This includes user access levels, user authorisation, and an audit log detailing changes and who made them, all within a closed system to maintain data integrity.

Gemini Data Loggers understands the urgency of the climate crisis and takes continuous action to reduce its in-house carbon emissions. As such, in June 2022, the company passed its three-yearly recertification audit with NQA for its UKAS accredited ISO 9001:2015 (quality) and ISO 14001:2015 (environmental) standards, with no Non-Conformances or Opportunities for Improvement.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gemini Data Loggers experienced sales decline in certain sectors and growth in others. It also faced supply and staff challenges. Following the height of the pandemic, Gemini Data Loggers maintains the same structure of a hybrid working policy. Ana explained, “We are continuing with flexible and remote working as it has worked well within the business. This also ties in with our environmental policy to reduce our carbon emissions.”

Ana added, “Alongside our ISO 14001:2015 standard, we have transitioned to biodegradable packaging and a paperless office to cut waste. We have introduced policies to reduce our emissions and, where not possible, offset our carbon footprint through investing in sustainability projects that help protect the environment.”

Indeed, Gemini Data Loggers ensures that it contributes positively to the environment, to help to secure a sustainable future.

T +44 (0)1243 813000 www.geminidataloggers.com

Industry Excellence

Your fire prevention and measuring technology expert

In this issue of Sustainability Today, we have selected GreCon Limited as the recipient of our Industry Excellence Award.

GreCon is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FagusGreCon Greten GmbH & Co. KG. and for over 30 years has been providing fire prevention and measuring technology solutions to customers across the UK & Ireland. Based in Blaydon, just outside of Newcastle upon Tyne, GreCon has mobile sales and field service engineers, as well as the extensive support from its worldwide market leading global group.

As leaders in fire prevention and measuring technology turnkey solutions, GreCon is the longest standing turnkey provider with a proven reputation for excellent customer service. “We operate as a strategic partner to our customers, providing innovative fire prevention and measuring technology solutions which address real problems. In doing this, we make people and places safer and factories safer across the UK & Ireland,” stated Jonathan Hamill, Managing Director.

A new product that has just been released is the new smart GreCon IEM Intelligent Extinguishing Module designed to make existing spark extinguishing systems by Fagus-GreCon even smarter and more reliable. Spark extinguishing systems by Fagus-GreCon have been protecting industrial production plants from fire and explosions for more than four decades and the integration of spark extinguishing systems also functions as an early warning system, allowing businesses to identify issues in the production process and the early measures needed to help avoid production or safety-related issues.

The sensors integrated into the Intelligent Extinguishing Module improve the facilities’

overall operating safety by integrated early wear recognition that greatly improves safety. Even very small leaks can be detected and automatically reported back to the control centre. Furthermore, in adverse weather conditions, when temperatures approach freezing, the integrated temperature supervision will activate the heating cartridge to ensure smooth operation of the facility even in outdoor areas. This then lowers the risk of unplanned downtime and increases availability.

Additionally, progress in the sensors also permits specification of custom maintenance intervals based on wear data. As well as extending maintenance intervals, the service lives of the spare parts are also increased. This process then harmonises the two targets of reducing unintended downtimes and optimal use of components.

In April 2022, GreCon celebrated a significant milestone in the company’s history, marking its 30th year of business and commitment to the UK & Ireland market. During these 30 years, the company has focused on developing sustainable relationships with its customers and adopting the role of a strategic partner. Continuously seeking the next innovative technology in fire prevention and protection, customers across the UK & Ireland hark of the company’s first-class service, excellent solutions and reliable problemsolving technology. Due to its solid track record of performance and growth, GreCon has been able to include customer requirements in its technology roadmap and continue to introduce innovative new products such as its latest development IEM, the Intelligent Extinguishing Module.

To accommodate growth, GreCon is also undertaking recruitment for roles across the company that will ensure the additional skills and expertise added will help address current and future needs and ensure customer expectations remain in focus. “We are expanding our team and continuing to invest in innovative new products to address our customer needs, and to ensure we fulfil our commitment as a strategic partner,” added Jonathan.

In closing we asked Jonathan how he felt receiving our Industry Excellence Award, he answered. “We are delighted to receive this recognition and award. Our team are highly motivated by the opportunity to make people and places safer and factories smarter. We are grateful for this recognition, which we believe underlines the importance of our position as a strategic partner.”

Contact

T 0191 414 7200 info@grecon.co.uk www.uk.fagus-grecon.com

GreCon’s fire prevention technology is designed to protect people, businesses and organisations across the UK & Ireland in many industry sectors such as wood-based panel, wood, furniture, biomass, recycling, food, engineering, automotive, and more. Once a fire starts, the results can be devastating, therefore, GreCon believes that early detection of ignition sources is critically important. Fire prevention can be crucial in enabling uninterrupted production within the workplace, therefore, detecting and extinguishing ignition source in mechanical and pneumatic conveying systems, filters, dryers, silos, and other production areas is of vital importance in keeping your workplace and staff safe.

GreCon has been a long-standing leader in turnkey fire prevention solutions for the recycling industry. Shredding, drying, extraction and baling processes are amongst the typical candidates for the popular fire prevention solutions which customers have grown to depend upon. www.fagus-grecon.com/en/ solutions/case-studies/riverridge/

Customers are reassured by GreCon’s technology and service, and they can maintain safe working practices with a robust solution in place that still protects their operations.

Spark Detector GreCon DLD 1/9 – For the best detection performance in any environment

Spark Detection and Extinguishing functional description

On a roll! Printed laminate has over 30% PCR content

Cake Décor is the UK’s largest manufacturer of cake decorations, producing extensive ranges for Plant Bakeries, Blue Chip Food Manufacturers, Artisan Businesses and Major UK Supermarkets.

They were founded in 2006, owned by Orkla since April 2021 and have built a strong reputation for quality product and the highest customer service. They have a ‘right first time’ approach to NPD and have innovation at their very core, so when Waitrose

You are what you eat. So eat ‘Proper’.

wanted to change to printed film for their Ready to Roll Icing it was an easy discussion to have to suggest changing from a traditional laminate to one with post-consumer recyclate to beat the Plastic Tax being introduced in April next year. According to the Government website, the new tax is being introduced to “encourage the use of recycled rather than new plastic within plastic packaging. This will in turn stimulate increased levels of recycling and collection of plastic waste, diverting it away from landfill or incineration”.

“Moving to a PCR film was made easy by working with National Flexible. It ran first time on our packing lines and both we and Waitrose are very happy with the result,” said Robert Simpson, Cake Décor.

T 01274 685566 sales@nationalflexible.net www.nationalflexible.co.uk

Proper have moved into the fast growing snack bar category with a healthy alternative. The two flavours, Salted Caramel and Hazelnut Praline, are vegan and gluten free, have no palm oil and use ‘Proper’ ingredients.

The launch is in response to demand from shoppers for healthier on-the-go snacking options as the nation moves towards more mindful snacking. The packs are made from matt and metallised film with 30% recycled content, meaning they are exempt from the Plastic Tax.

The Plastic Tax is being introduced in April 2022 to “provide a clear economic incentive for businesses to use recycled material in the production of plastic packaging, which will create greater demand for this material and in turn stimulate increased levels of recycling and collection of plastic waste, diverting it away

from landfill or incineration”.

A full range of films with recycled content are available now.

T

01622 719945 enquiries@waterprocesssolutions.com www.waterprocesssolutions.com

planning

permitting of minerals and waste sites, alongside their ancillary developments such as aggregate recycling and waste transfer facilities, across the UK 01274 884599 www.mpgyorks.co.uk

Engineered solutions to a wide range of water treatment problems

Experts in gas detection

In this issue of Sustainability Today, we are pleased to announce Solent Gas Consultants Ltd as our Gas Detection Company of the Month.

Solent Gas Consultants Ltd was established in 2019 by Richard Chambers in Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire. The initial aim of Solent Gas Consultants Ltd was to provide technical authoring and consultancy services to the gas detection market.

Richard has a strong background working in a senior technical role for 13 years at Honeywell, who are known as one of the world’s leading suppliers of electrochemical and catalytic bead gas sensors, and in 2021, Honeywell asked Richard to act as an agent and to supply their complete range of gas sensing products.

Solent Gas Consultants Ltd is a supplier of Honeywell’s gas sensors to the gas detection OEM market. Our customers build the sensors into gas detection equipment which are then sold into the gas detection market.

These gas detectors monitor levels of toxic gas, oxygen, and combustible gas to provide warning of a hazard, thereby protecting property and the health of personnel. Gas detectors remain an important part of a worker’s safety, and are used in many applications and markets. Some major markets include oil and gas, semiconductor manufacturing, chemical plants, power stations, waste water treatment plants, boiler rooms, hospitals, tunnels, car parks, and indoor air quality in buildings and residential homes.

We asked Richard, what makes Solent’s products different to those of its competitors, he answered, “Even though we are small, we offer competitive pricing, so our clients get complete value for money combined with my decades of experience. Having worked at Honeywell for so many years in a senior technical role, I know the product range extremely well. This allows me to provide world class technical support.”

Intelligent iSeries Sensor Platform

Solent’s range of digital iSeries gas sensors, manufactured by Honeywell, are small sensors with profiles 60% lower than the industry standard 4 series gas sensors.

The digital UART output of the sensors provide significant advantages over conventional gas sensors, making the sensor range ideal for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Key Features

t Multiple gases – CO, H2S, O2, SO2 & LEL combustible gases –many more available soon

t Unique low-profile sensor design enables thinner, lightweight detector design

t Extended temperature and humidity extremes, with on-board temperature compensation

t All sensors 100% interchangeable without circuit modification

t 5 year extended operating life

t Digital UART Interface

t Sensors pre-calibrated during manufacture, with predictive calibration during operating life

t Fault and end-of-life indication

t OEM lock to prevent unauthorised sensor replacement

t Surface mount spring contacts – no PCB through holes to maximise mounting flexibility

t Sensor platform of the future – iseries form factor to be utilised on future platforms

The New AQ7 Air Quality Gas Sensor Range (O₃, CO, SO₂ and NO₂) – The Best Choice for Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) Applications Advances in technology have led to exciting and rewarding improvements in living standards but have also contributed significantly to a variety of serious environmental issues. Among these are the release of many types of chemical pollutants into the atmosphere that contribute to global and local environmental issues such as the greenhouse effect, sick-building syndrome, and ozone depletion. In addition to meeting increasing market demand for environmentally conscientious solutions, the hazards

of environmental pollution can be capable of causing severe injury within a short time period.

The demand for lower-cost, easily transportable solutions for these applications has grown substantially as public awareness and demand for healthier breathing conditions has increased, leading to a growing need for monitoring air quality across cities, offices, and residential areas with mobile, smaller and low-cost solutions.

The new Honeywell AQ7 Series Gas Sensors are a market leading range of air quality sensors, offering high resolution and low detection limits. The 4-electrode electrochemical technology is highly sensitive to low gas concentrations in the range of parts per billion (ppb). These sensors provide accurate measurements and have excellent gas specificity.

The AQ7 Series has the lowest sensor sensitivity decay over its full lifespan, which translates into the most stable and reliable sensors for environmental applications in the current market.

If you’re an OEM looking to design and build Solent’s sensors into commercial gas detection equipment, both fixed and portable, please get in touch using the information below.

M 07788 548013

solentgasconsultants@gmail.com

www.solentgasconsultants.com

Lanemark’s new process gas burner test facility

Process gas burner specialist, Lanemark Combustion Engineering Ltd, has completed the development of a new in-house testing facility which is set to enhance services to its customers. the organisation supplies liquid and air heating systems for a wide range of manufacturing and production applications and says the new resource will enable larger, more detailed equipment analysis to take place while helping to optimise customers’ emission controls.

“Our range is based on process tank, oven and duct heating systems through our TX, FD, FDB and DB series,” says Jeff

Foster, Lanemark’s Sales Director, “and, in all cases, it undergoes the most rigorous testing and analysis procedures. This new facility makes a major contribution in this context.”

Lanemark can now test a greater range of both tank and oven burners in terms of size and output with specified configurations to match precise operating conditions. “A wider range of emissions can also be monitored including NOx, SO2, CO2, CO and O2 through the new facility incorporating a Horiba PG-350 flue gas analyser,” adds Jeff Foster.

The new test furnace now offers a volume measuring six

metres in length and 2.5 metres in diameter and includes 25 viewing ports, each fitted with thermocouples to monitor temperatures of up to 1,350°C, and pressure transmitters that can accommodate a range from -5 to +70 mbar.

Alongside this, the TX test installation provides improved flue gas testing accuracy and can address common issues such as condensation.

“The investment underlines our commitment to working closely with customers to ensure our equipment optimises performance, fuel consumption and emissions,” concludes Jess Foster.

T 024 7635 2000 info@lanemark.com www.lanemark.com

Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies

Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies (CWST) provides high quality surface treatments, which will improve the life and performance of critical components through its global network of over 70 operating divisions and specialist onsite teams. Our surface treatments have been successfully used by OEMs in major industries such as aerospace, automotive, oil & gas and power generation for many years.

We are only too aware of the logistical challenges and costs faced by our customers and so we can offer a ‘One Stop Shop’ solution providing a wide range of surface treatments including Controlled Shot and Laser Shock Peening, bespoke and trade Coating Applications, Thermal Spray Coatings and Parylene Coatings for metal, alloy, plastic and electronic components as well as Analytical Services.

We offer our customers a single source solution and point of contact for all their surface treatments, supporting their requirements through our global network of over 70 worldwide facilities and on-site field teams, improving and reducing turnaround times and costs.

We are specialists in protecting components from common failures and reducing maintenance costs for key industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, automotive, medical and general industrial markets.

www.cwst.co.uk

Vision Engineering reinforces UK manufacturing base with Milturn acquisition

Vision Engineering, a 64 year old British leading designer and manufacturer of high-quality visual instrumentation and a significant supplier of machined components/ sub assembly services to other industrial sectors, has recently announced the acquisition of Milturn Precision Engineering, of Hinckley, Leicestershire, a precision engineering specialist.

The acquisition of Milturn fulfils a strategic objective to significantly improve Vision Engineering’s position global position as a leading designer and manufacturer, by adding scale and capability to the company's existing UK and USA manufacturing base.

Established in 2001 and one of the first UK firms to achieve ISO 9001 2015, Milturn Precision Engineering has 21 highly skilled machinists and anodisers specialising in high quality components, including high performance lens cases for the optical/movie/camera industries, marine and automotive engineering and high end shop/hotel fitting, Milturn also has an anodising facility to improve the quality and durability of finished components.

Mark Curtis, Vision Engineering CEO, said. “The strategic acquisition of Milturn Precision Engineering strengthens Vision Engineering’s global manufacturing capability, and improves our ability to deliver high quality precision manufactured parts, assemblies and finished products to our combined existing and new customers. It also consolidates our Manufacturing Services division with substantial high end milling, turning and anodising skills and experience.”

www.visioneng.com

An in-depth look at the skills gap troubling the industry

buzzword for low employment numbers; it is, in fact, a complex reality that many spring manufacturers face as there are more open positions than applicants to fill them.

Manufacturers national contribution

Manufacturing is a highly professional industry that requires its workers to earn particular qualifications, leading to the current skills gap shortage troubling the sector. Recruiting skilled engineers and other production team members is a constant issue to fill all the current vacancies, but there are ways to fix this.

What is the manufacturing skills gap?

The manufacturing industry plays a prominent role in the UK’s economy. With over 270 thousand businesses in the manufacturing sector across the UK, it’s recognised as one of the most significant contributors to the UK economy.

Any business needs to adapt to thrive and evolve, including STEM industries. By implementing intelligent technologies such as big data, cloud computing and industrial IoT, managers can more accurately optimise their work processes and identify those areas that need improvement.

The skills gap is partially due to the rapid advances in smart technologies and automation that are helping increase the efficiency of the industry. However, whilst investing in these new technologies is a great idea, many people do not have the experience or qualifications to use them.

Unfortunately, there are many working positions unfulfilled across manufacturing and other STEM sectors. These vacancies are known as the skills gap. The manufacturing skills gap is not just a

Pressing manufacturers such as ourselves are among the many companies in our sector to account for 9.7% of the total UK economic output in 2021 (gross value added). At the start of 2022, manufacturing output was 0.8% higher than the previous month but 1.6% below the beginning of 2020. All of this was achieved with this sector 7.3% of the jobs positions available in the UK.

Current state of the industry

The British chamber of commerce, early this year, reported in their quarterly recruitment outlook that there are record highs in recruitment difficulties. In addition, 79% of companies shared that they have problems filling positions. Companies have reported a broad range of issues that have contributed to this, such as the effects of Brexit and the pandemic.

Head of people policy, Jane Gratton, believes that these results highlight the continuing difficulties employers face in accessing the skilled labour they need and that such a loss will impact the country’s economic recovery. For example, as more compression spring manufacturers struggle to fill their skills gap, it will create a knock-on effect on their ability to provide products. This effect will continue adding struggles to an already pressured supply chain battling supply and demand.

Upskilling your team

One short term solution to the skills gap problem is to upskill your current workforce. Re-training and developing new skills is an excellent way to grow your existing team and address those areas with gaps. Additionally, focusing on automating easier processes will free up those team members to address the more complex parts of your business.

Another practical method for filling skills gaps with upskilling is implementing personal development plans (or PDPs). These help companies set goals for each employee and encourage their development as they learn the skills required.

By upskilling your team to your new equipment and procedures, companies are building well-rounded, multi-skilled workforces capable of filling those missing positions and increasing their businesses’ overall efficiency.

Investing in young people

At European Springs, we believe that investing in new engineers supports us and benefits the industry as a whole. In addition, by increasing awareness of the advantages of STEM careers to students through various existing programs and apprenticeship schemes, the talent pool will be increased dramatically.

Continuing to promote our excellent apprenticeships is crucial to us as a company. We offer incredible schemes that follow the mechanical manufacturing apprenticeship framework and award BTEC Level 3 certificates in Engineering operations and maintenance.

Filling the skills gap

The way manufacturing companies react to this

labour shortage will be an essential factor in deciding the future of the manufacturing industry. In order to prosper, the sector must embrace the initiatives already in place to attract new skilled people to enjoy a profitable career in STEM.

Scholarships, bursaries, and apprenticeships are all fantastic ways of increasing this awareness and are proving to address the skills gap successfully. In addition, male and female postgraduates students can apply for funding opportunities that will help them explore a career in manufacturing or any other sector under STEM.

Brunel University in London offers a mentoring programme called Women in Engineering and Computing (or WIBEC) that encourages and supports female graduates and undergraduates to begin a fulfilling career in manufacturing.

The UK is home to many prestigious universities well known for innovation, research and creativity. This has created a reputation for top-ranked UK universities globally and has been providing STEM education in many forms for centuries. In addition, this positive relationship between these institutions and manufacturing companies have created a supportive network for job hunting or apprenticeship applications that makes it much easier for employers to find people to fill their skills gaps.

Contact T 0208 663 1800 info.bec@europeansprings.com www.europeansprings.com

Test, Measurement & Instrumentation

The world leader in force measurement

Interface Force Measurement Solutions (Interface) is a UK company specialising in the supply and distribution of high-quality sensors and associated electronics and displays for a wide variety of industries. Working previously with clients such as Airbus, BAE Systems, and Formula One Teams, we spoke with Tony Rokins, Business Development & Pressure Mapping Specialist, who explained some of

the companies well known products.

“Our product portfolio is applicable to many industries. For instance, we are well known for our high-quality pressure mapping systems that are used by many of our automotive and motorsport customers. Our sensors deliver highly accurate,

Emergency Services

repeatable measurements and many of our load cells are used by calibration houses as calibration reference devices. Our high-quality, yet competitively priced 3 and 6 axis load cells are used for many R&D, renewable energy and robotic applications.”

Reflecting on last year, Interface has faced much adversity from COVID-19. Fortunately, its sturdy business model and reliable service has enabled the company to pick up the pace and continue projects that were left postponed. “Trading conditions have been tough, but business levels picked up strongly towards the end of the year. I think we came out of it stronger than we could have reasonably expected.”

In terms of recent developments, Tony continued, “We’ve taken some time to review our business model, how we operate on a day-to-day basis. Being responsive to our customer’s needs and being able to offer a high-quality product with strong product knowledge at a competitive price with the best possible lead times is our number one priority.”

2021 also welcomed the launch of the G-Series Load Cells. The range comprises of miniature and small sensors for industrial applications, with capacities starting from just 4.5N Newton up to 200kN with metric threads. “These are high-performance devices but aimed at more cost-conscious applications. This is a new market for us, but we are seeing increasing interest. We have launched an e-commerce website at: store.interfaceforce. co.uk – competitive pricing and availability from stock will be key to this new venture’s success,” stated Tony.

In the future, Interface is keen to continue its growth trajectory for 2022. We asked Tony how he felt receiving the award and what their plans are going forward, he answered, “We work hard for our customers to offer the best measurement solutions. The recognition is greatly appreciated. Long term, we are strengthening our position with our customers in our more traditional markets of aerospace, automotive, motorsport, Universities and alternative energy research.

We are also working on new, wireless force and vibration sensors for remote monitoring in systems such as luggage carousels. One more area we are pushing for growth is with XSensor’s pressure mapping systems, particularly in the Hi-speed systems designed for high-speed impact or crash testing and tire foot-print research. These systems are capable of capturing data up to 2,500 frames per second. The tire sensor can be driven over at speeds of up to 140kph. I believe this is a unique capability we can bring to the industry.”

T 01344 776666 info@interface.uk.com www.interfaceforce.com

The Business Show 2021 Review – Top Exhibitors

Getting Britain back to

Europe’s largest business show returned to London’s ExCeL from 24-25 November 2021 for its 43rd edition. Running for over 20 years, the show has helped thousands of SMEs and small businesses grow and develop. This year the show was getting Britain back to business after a turbulent year. With the world now returning to normal, there was never a better time for visitors to find out how to get their businesses back on track.

With keynote talks from some of the biggest names in British business, interactive masterclasses and hundreds of exhibitors offering everything visitors needed to make their businesses successful. New for 2021, there were the co-located shows Working From Home Live and the Retrain Expo, offering everything visitors needed to adapt successfully to the ever changing industry advances.

The Business Show returns to London’s ExCeL from

business

16-17 November this year. With over 500 exhibitors, 200 seminars from business experts and unmissable masterclasses, the show is set to be the biggest edition yet. This is our second pick of the best exhibitors from last year’s event. Further details can be found on this page and the next two.

www.greatbritishbusinessshow.co.uk

Proten Sales Development

Proten Sales Development helps B2B businesses grow and transform the way they position and sell their products or services. We understand that no two businesses are identical and recognise that out of the box business coaching approaches don't suit everyone.

We fully recognise that small businesses are often cash strapped and that engaging consultants at high day rates may be inappropriate and unaffordable. We also recognise that small business owners may not want to spend full days working with an advisor; they have a business to run.

That’s why we offer a range of services:

● EPIC Selling – our online, on demand sales training that you work through at your own pace in your own time

● Open sales training workshops – a half day online workshop introducing you to the key sales skills and techniques you need to sell effectively

● 1-2-1 or Group coaching – working directly with Phil to improve your sales skills and achieve the results you want

You decide which approach is the most appropriate and would deliver the most value.

Helping UK businesses

to thrive

SME Certification Centre is a SME advisory company, management systems consultancy and inspection body for SME Standards. SME Certification Centre offers a simple and affordable service for SMEs who want to achieve key business standards around sustainability, carbon footprint and environmental management by helping them to create and implement an effective management system.

SME Certification Centre is equipped with a plethora of experience, starting from its Founder who maintains over 20 years’ experience of running and supporting SMEs working on various management systems, with particular expertise in environment and sustainability. In addition, the company houses a friendly team of experts and Assessors who are professionals in management systems and certification, with ample experience working with a range of businesses and organisations.

The company has created bespoke Standards for SMEs (our SME Standards), which have been specifically developed to be simple to manage and achieve. Furthermore, SME Certification Centre assists clients throughout the whole process, providing the resources and guidance, to guide them to achieve these Standards by creating the best management system for the needs of their business.

T +44 (0)203 916 5320

info@smecertificationcentre.co.uk

www.smecertificationcentre.co.uk

“The insights I got were incredible; we’ve repositioned the working relationships and managed to upsell lots of additional services.” – Calvin Cooper.

M 07776 203431

phil@protensd.co.uk

www.protensd.co.uk

Most businesses often find that they waste a lot of their spare capacity from their daily operations. These can often be in the form of slow moving stock, no show reservations, empty appointment slots or under worked staff.

Enabling companies to optimise this spare downtime, BBX UK has the resources to fill this time with extra customers. This in turn, provides more profits, a competitive edge, more referrals and an improved cashflow.

BBX UK is part of the global operation BBX International, and is a business facility adopted by a global community of businesses, who use each other as preferred suppliers to utilise and fill each other’s spare capacity. The company has joined forces with the world’s largest platform, providing BBX clients in the UK with direct access to thousands of new customers in 14 different countries.

Upon joining, BBX UK appoints an account manager who works with the company to understand their business.

This helps them to gain a full scope of how best to promote the company’s products or services into the BBX network. Furthermore, members also benefit from access to the online trading platform, app and database to allow them to proactively promote their business and attract new customers.

BBX is constantly seeking good quality businesses to grow its global community, if you would like any more information, please see the details below.

T 0333 400 2014 www.bbxuk.com

Wilkinson Accounting Solutions

Wilkinson Accounting Solutions is an accountancy and consultancy firm, offering virtual finance and CFO services. We specialise in working with business acquisitions, or growing firms who are looking to build their exit plans. Our mission is to help ambitious owners grow with confidence, credibility and calculated risk backed by clear strategies.

We have a full range of qualified finance staff including bookkeepers, finance managers and CFOs, allowing us to offer a comprehensive range of accounting and business advisory services, tailored to our client’s requirements and industry.

Key services we offer:

Acquisition CFO services

We work as strategic partners alongside buyers who are growing by acquisition. Our acquisition bundles include:

● Financial Due Diligence

● Cashflow planning

● Adjusted EBITDA valuations

● Entity and tax structures

Simple standards for a sustainable future.

The SME Certification Centre was set up in response to a demand in the market for a simpler and cheaper alternative to Standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Our SME Standards have been designed specifically for SMEs and each one is relevant and straightforward to implement.

● Operational due diligence

● Postacquisition consultancy working alongside in house management and finance teams to support new

● processes required for the acquisition

● Group forecasting and consolidation for businesses who do multiple acquisitions

Business exit plans

We work alongside businesses looking to exit including:

● Full business analysis on governance and controls required to set a business ready for exit

● Forecasting and cashflow analysis to build growth plans

● Bookkeeping and finance support to streamline and simplify processes

● Advice on the steps required to increase valuation on exit

● Build and report on key KPIs

Virtual finance and CFO

We provide you with the analysis and insights that you need as an entrepreneur to grow profitably rather than just churn out P&L and Balance Sheets. We offer our clients a full team of skilled finance professionals, that can support with the day to day alongside our strategic support including:

● Dedicated bookkeepers and account managers for all clients

● Quarterly reporting on business performance

● Cashflow planning and automated payment runs

● Cloud accounting getting set up for MTD

● Tax planning support

M 07843 559414

Julie.Wilkinson@ wilkinsonaccountingsolutions.co.uk

Wilkinson Accounting Solutions has the answer

Rebuild your health and recharge your energy

Total Health Now is headed by qualified holistic health practitioners and husband and wife duo, Kostas and Lana Kapelas. They are supported by a team of experts trained in holistic and naturopathic treatments and strongly believe in the value of holistic health. Off their own experiences and healthy improvements, through to their work with hundreds of clients, Total Health Now has seen the unquestionable results.

As leading expert natural health practitioners in London, Kostas and Lana have worked together over the past decade to grow their holistic health clinic into one of the go-to destinations in London for celebrities and professionals alike. Boasting a vast range of glowing testimonials, Total Health Now has helped clients lose weight, improve energy and sleep better through its treatments.

The Total Health Now team help clients with a range of health issues. This could be to lose weight, help with digestive issues, or a change in skin complexion not being the same as it used to be. Others feel continuously sluggish and sleepy and as the only way to stay awake is to drink more coffee, this then results in them experiencing more headaches & migraines, frequent illnesses and/or infections,

Management, Project and Agile Development Training with a unique NLP twist

sleeping issues and further pain.

Alternatively, the company provides a range of online consultations, coaching and programmes similar to the ones that are provided in person at the clinic. Once your health needs are assessed, they can tailor a bespoke programme in order to rebuild your health and recharge your energy. Furthermore, there are also services dedicated to corporate wellness that are designed to educate and inspire your employees and encourage them to try something new and healthy to improve their own health.

www.totalhealthnow.co.uk

Business cards with impact!

By Brenda Dempsey, CEO and Founder of Book Brilliance Publishing

You just have to look at many of today’s entrepreneurs and business owners to see who has made an impact on their audiences, ideal clients and readership. People such as Carrie Green, author of the international bestseller, She Means Business; author Simon Sinek, Start with Why and Daniel Priestly, author of Key Person of Influence

What do they have in common? They have created a book that is based on their philosophy, experience and expertise. Their book is their business card. Their book creates their legacy!

Imagine your blueprint in a book that is stored in the British Library for all time. Picture your work being read, inspiring others to take action on your words. Envision readers scrambling for your book to emulate your philosophy, giving them hope that they too can achieve success.

I call this becoming an Authorpreneur. You see, your business is built around your book. It raises your profile of being an influential speaker, an authority in your field of expertise and enables selling out your programmes, products and services with ease.

You can do all of this and more when you publish your book on a global stage. Curious to find out how? Visit: www.bookbrilliancepublishing.com

XPlain Training & Consultancy is committed from the moment it takes you on as a client to help you to achieve measurable, lasting performance improvement. This could be in a technical arena such as Project Management or Agile delivery or a mindset arena utilising mindset and life coaching techniques. Offering training and coaching in the skills they excel in such as Project and Programme Management, Agile Delivery and Neuro-Linguistic Programming, XPLAIN believe in helping each client to achieve both their personal and business performance goals.

Its specialities include the design and delivery of market-leading training courses and qualifications covering personal and corporate skills. The courses are delivered via onsite at your chosen location, open courses at a venue they have chosen or online.

XPLAIN deliver learning anywhere across the UK, Europe or the World with a vision to promote the message that expert personal and business change is both simple and cost-effective, XPLAIN’s training is ideal for companies and organisations who want to get the most out of their projects, development efforts and people.

True Wellbeing

True Wellbeing offer coaching and consultancy solutions for workplaces who wish to create a community-led culture by caring for the physical and mental wellness needs of their team.

The way to combat burn-out and complacency are to embed a protocol that is intrinsic but robust and runs through the theme of all company practices.

When your team are happy, healthy, engaged and motivated they will be more productive, willing to assist and will amplify and ambassador all that you would like your client offering to be or become. You will attract clients and the right team from doing just this.

We believe in providing a whole-team approach by supporting leaders to develop their skills in a compassionate and empathetic way – not only for the good of the company, but too, for the industries and communities in which they serve.

Unique in its field, XPLAIN focuses on working with your vision to build the best teams and equip them with the core skills they need to operate efficiently, and because of their NLP background and training, XPLAIN are very accomplished at identifying and removing any obstacles that may arise.

Working with Xplain will equip you with the Mindset to go with the Toolset.

M 07775 525194

gerry.steinhauer@xplaintraining.co.uk

www.xplaintraining.co.uk

There is a real opportunity to shape the way and rhythm in which we work, and to be a pioneer at the forefront of wellness within your workplace. We help you create those all-important connections (between Mind, Body & Environment) so that your culture, community, connectedness with work and your productivity, can soar to new levels!

M 07872 562343

anna@truewellbeing.life

www.truewellbeing.life

Training and Skills for the 21st century

IC Training Centre is an education and training provider offering high-quality work-based training and apprenticeships to help you get on in your chosen career. Through its dedicated training courses, IC Training Centre aims to improve the quality of life and skills of individuals and diverse communities to reach their full potential in the 21st Century job marketplace.

By offering an opportunity for others to enhance the skills needed to meet employer’s needs, IC Training Centre place a firm contribution towards economic growth through its wide range of educational, learning, training and development opportunities. Choose between a range of apprenticeship courses including Adult Care, Business Administration, Customer Service, Digital Marketing & Software Development, Early Years & Nursery, and Teaching. Traineeships courses are also available in Customer Service & Digital Skills and Employability & Functional Skills.

IC Training Centre is a unique institution which has adapted and changed and continued to improve people’s lives over the past few years. Partnering with Education & Skills Funding Agency, NCFE, NOCN Group, European Union European Social Fund, and many more to invest in jobs and skills of the future, IC Training Centre is confident its services will occupy a unique position in the local community for many generations to come.

T 020 3371 1041 info@ictraining.co.uk www.ictraining.co.uk

A book doesn’t make a successful author; an author makes a successful book.

Affordable, interactive, and accessible training courses

Learning Pro is a highly recommended, 5-star rated training provider that is passionate about delivering an accounting training alongside exceptional support and career advice.

Learning Pro was established in 2014 by a group of enthusiastic and passionate professionals, who had 10 years previous experience of working in business industry and education. It was then realised that professional competence and quality learning opportunities should be accessible to all who aspire to achieve their career goals at affordable fees with flexible times.

Learning Pro is an approved training provider to offer a number of qualifications and courses including AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accounting). In addition, it also delivers training on Sage, Xero and QuickBooks for accounting and payroll software.

Join Learning Pro for a rewarding career in accounting and bookkeeping, business management and payroll software.

Learning can take place in various settings, so why not join Learning Pro for classroom-based learning from their Harrow centre, online with live lessons via Zoom, blended learning, or choose to learn in your own time through their self-paced distance learning options.

Amplify your digital growth with Red Sentence

Red Sentence is the perfect combination of strategic, creative and technical experts. Working with clients across the UK, Red Sentence collaborates with you, combining both knowledge sets to achieve amazing results. Marked as the best listeners and problem solvers who constantly deliver, Red Sentence is a reputable, successful agency that helps you to magnify your message and deliver it consistently throughout all of your branding.

creativity, total care and pragmatism.

Learning Pro are very good at teaching and prompt in responding whenever I need their attention to clarify my doubts. They guided me well to prepare for exams and suggested concentrating on such topics in which I need to concentrate. The tutor is always helpful and available. I highly recommend anyone who wishes to start their journey in accounting to Learning Pro.

If you’re interested in what Learning Pro can offer, see below.

T 020 3581 6696 contact@learningpro.co.uk www.learningpro.co.uk

Compassionate Leadership Academy

The world has been catapulted into the realisation that we need to engage and lead in a different way. Rather than forcing compliance, the focus must be on gaining commitment by raising levels of self and team awareness, then aligning personal and organisational values and purpose, leading to more effective relationships.

The Compassionate Leadership Academy (CLA) offers a unique learning experience; an affordable, professionally accredited, personal development and leadership online course – CLA Digital. Based on 20 years of leadership experience and research in the psychology and physiology of learning, it challenges existing leadership theories and methodologies, developing relationships that ultimately lead to higher engagement and performance. Inspired by the highly acclaimed book Compassionate Leadership by Manley Hopkinson.

For individuals, the CLA course will give you the practical skills to lead and inspire. The course is accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management and can count towards your continuous professional development (CPD).

For organisations the online CLA course is a truly

inclusive learning and development programme, creating a common language and coherent culture achieved through the application of understanding ourselves and acting positively towards others. We offer a hybrid programme with additional workshops and guidance to further enhance compassionate working relationships.

M +44 (0)7958 654776 info@manleytalks.com www.manleytalks.com

How Life Group works with you

Want an award winning digital agency group that partners with you to grow your business through strategy, media, automation & development?

1. Listen – Nobody likes a know-it-all. We don’t pretend to know your business so we have to try and understand you first and your needs.

2. Propose – Next we’ll come up with a plan to achieve what you want. We’ll start by hunting for quick wins to deliver immediate value, then we’ll look at how we can build on that success to drive constant, sustainable improvement and growth.

3. Execute – We’ll assemble the right mix of expertise and technology to execute our plans

and get things moving in the right direction. If we come up against roadblocks, we’ll find a way to break through them.

4. Analyse – Monitoring performance through analytics is critical to success. We help clients

Meet the one card…

80% of business cards are thrown in the bin within 1 week. Is yours one of them? Meet the one card…

The smart way to exchange details, get in front of your competition and never be forgotten or binned. Reducing waste, saving your money and time while increasing your sales.

The All-in-One business tool that connects, sends, and promotes with just a tap to your client’s phone. NO APP required.

Choose what your contacts see… All

Calling on its 5Cs; Clarity, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration, and Consistency, no matter the size of your project, Red Sentence promise to work to the highest quality, on time and to the original budget. Working towards the same goal, Red Sentence believes that your project then becomes their project and will set objectives, a vision and the final outcomes to bring your project to life through

From day one, clients will receive complete transparency and a trustworthy service, and be assured that Red Sentence will deliver absolute clarity on your brief and business goals. Whether you’re looking for help with Web Design, Branding and Logo Design, Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, WordPress Maintenance, WordPress Workshops or Website Management, Red Sentence can provide and deliver these services to you.

T 01483 904950

hello@redsentence.co.uk

www.redsentence.co.uk

Nova Financial Group is a multiple award-winning, privately-owned and independent finance and property advisory company. We specialise in assisting clients to identify the most suitable property investments and mortgage products for their specific personal situation based upon their goals and preferences. We offer an approach focused on the whole of the UK to ensure full scope of the market and can assist clients to source, finance and let their investment to ensure they achieve their lifestyle and financial goals.

At Nova Financial Group, we believe that all current and potential property investors should receive easy to understand and informative education at no cost. Our seminars, e-guides and complimentary one-onone initial meetings seek to inform you of not only the benefits but also the potential risks and pitfalls of various strategies and investments.

With a range of recent changes to the economy and the property market, it is harder to make good,

to make sense of their data and draw out actionable insights to inform better marketing decisions and drive constant optimisation.

5. Optimise – Marketing is a constant readjustment, step by step we want you to be better at reaching your audience. Once we determine how well your marketing is working, we’ll make tweaks to improve your results. If something isn’t working as well as it could, we’ll fix it.

We’re interested in long term relationships, not ‘one project stands’ and have a track record to prove it (see our review on Google).

How can we help you?

T +44 (0)333 335 5636

MS Dynamics and more ensuring that all the people you meet at an Event are retained. Developed to make instant changes so no more costly reprints of printed cards. Simply login to your online portal at anytime and as many times as you require.

Are you running a team of 10-500 employees in multiple global locations? Speak to us about the One Card teams. Your team of any size can be centrally managed ensuring that all teams are fully compliant while equipped with an essential tool to increase their productivity.

informed, long-term investment decisions than it has been for quite some time. Many are looking for someone who they can trust in helping and guiding them with both their finances and their property investment decisions. In the UK where the property industry tends to be very ‘sales focused’, it is not easy to find that person.

Once you have a general understanding of options available to you, we believe that it is important for you to seek personal advice that is appropriate for your particular situation.

We will hopefully have the opportunity to meet with you in order to introduce ourselves and determine if we can be of assistance.

If you would like to contact Nova Financial, please use the details below:

T 0203 8000 600 info@nova.financial www.nova.financial

If we could help better utilise your money & achieve financial freedom, would you be interested to find out how?

British Furniture Manufacturing Company of the Month

Quality British furniture

In this issue of Business and Industry Today, we are pleased to announce Charterbrae as our British Furniture Manufacturing Company of the Month.

Comprised of a team of highly skilled and specialist engineers, Charterbrae have been manufacturing and selling quality British furniture for over 50 years. As specialists in the manufacturing of metal furniture for the contract furniture market, Charterbrae is also an approved supplier for universities and student accommodation, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), holiday camps, education, hostels, hotels, county councils, and most recently the Build to Rent (BTR) sector, as the company looks to take advantage of this vastly growing market.

All Charterbrae furniture is manufactured using the finest mild steel and can be accompanied with, or without, laminate work tops. Although much of its products are customer specified design, the company is always improving and developing its own product range. “We have a vast range of new and on-trend furniture for example, shelving units, wardrobe designs, and modular shelving systems that are all becoming more popular all the time. We have a brand-new on-line catalogue that customers can view and if you get in touch, we also have hard copies that we can send out in the post,” added Tom

Brain, Operations Manager.

Just some of the product range includes Beds –single, double and bunk, Furniture – benches, stools, coffee tables, dining height tables and posing height tables, modular room dividers, laptop and computer tables, and other bed accessories such as underbed storage lockers, mattresses, customised legs, hanging rails, and more.

As well as standard lines, the company also offer bespoke design and is constantly expanding its product range and exploring new innovative ideas. Through skilled engineering, its team, who are based at their Tipton UK factory, can design your furniture in any way that you require, from initial design, room shape and dimensions through to paint finish.

“Our bespoke offering is extremely popular as we can take a client's idea or concept and turn this into CAD drawings before we commence with manufacture,” stated Tom.

From prototype drawing to the finished product, Charterbrae offer a complete bespoke service. Each piece of furniture is built to the highest quality and comes with a five year guarantee. We deliver our products using trusted and reliable outside transport companies throughout the UK.

In recent changes, Charterbrae have made quite a few as it transitions into a preparation period to accommodate its recent growth. “We have had many recent changes. We have taken on new sales personnel in the office, we have had a brandnew showroom built, we have released our new catalogue, and we are currently having a brand-new website built. Due to an increase in demand for our products we have also increased our production line in the way of personnel increase and also expansion of our powder coating line,” stated Tom.

COVID-19 set Charterbrae’s growth plans back slightly as the price and availability of raw material was

Cleaning Machinery & Equipment Company of the Month

hugely affected. Even though it has taken time for the industry to pick back up again, Charterbrae is now fully geared up for further expansion into new and existing markets as the demand on its products is increasing all the time. To keep up with this demand, the focus on core competencies is of vital importance to ensure it has the scalable resources to meet customer demand. Embracing its innovative technology and knowledgeable team of engineers is a huge focus as the company moves forward into the next phase of its growth plans.

If you would like to book an appointment to visit the new showroom, please use the information below.

T 0121 520 5353 info@cbbeds.co.uk www.cbbeds.co.uk www.cbbeds.co.uk/catalogue

Cleaning up the competition

In this issue of Business and Industry Today, we have selected Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment as our Cleaning Machinery & Equipment Company of the Month.

The company was established in 1981 by the Managing Director, Martin Bremner and was originally started to sell oil and mechanical parts to the local garages, in the days when many were independent. When Kärcher started exporting its pressure washers to the UK, Martin was among the first to sell them to the UK, after seeing their potential to fill a gap in the UK market.

“As Kärcher pressure washers were more advanced than anything else on the market, selling them was not going to be difficult,” stated Miles Rowlands, Sales Manager.

From its base in Horsham, West Sussex and its newly acquired second store in Sittingbourne, Kent, Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment has developed substantially, and now sells cleaning machines to

the domestic and commercial market. In addition, the company also manufacture bespoke cleaning equipment, such as the paddock cleaner which is now famous across the world, with many worldwide dealers selling them.

Alongside its excellent portfolio of products, the company boasts an expert fleet of service engineers, that provide onsite visits to customers, to service all makes and models of cleaning machines.

“At our site in Horsham, we have a Kärcher Centre selling anything from pressure washers to steam cleaners to vacuums. The business has three main cores to its business; Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment for its core bespoke cleaning equipment, Trafalgar Ground Care where we sell great brands at affordable prices, and finally our Kärcher Centre that is one of the most successful in the UK,” added Miles.

Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment place a strong importance on customer service and as such, is dedicated to providing an exceptional

service, served with a personal touch. This includes ensuring it sources the right equipment for the customer’s application and the company prides itself on building long-lasting customer relationships, built on reliability, transparency and efficiency.

“We interact with our customers in design builds, which is supported further with a full productive workshop and service engineers at hand and on demand, for our customers,” said Miles.

Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment is an innovative company and is constantly evolving, always looking for new introductions to the market place, to discover new innovations that can provide an advantage for customers. A recent example of this is the new foam stream dealership that Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment has entered into for the South Of England and Wales.

The new L12 foamstream weed killer is a plug and play entry-level system, designed for weed, moss and algae control, along with high-pressure and

water-only cleaning mode. The L12 foamstream also contains additional functionality for street cleaning, and features a new rinsemode, that provides the operator with an option to use the machine with just water and no foam. The L12 foamstream is operator driven, offering quick start up and an easy and simple to use design, making it an effective and powerful weed killer.

Other recent developments for the company include the acquisition of Hines Services Ltd, located in Sittingbourne Kent. Hines was a Kärcher dealer and service centre and is now Kärcher Centre Trafalgar, to sit alongside the company’s already established Kärcher centre in Horsham.

More recently, Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment has seen incredible growth over the last two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular within its three main website selling platforms and eBay and Amazon stores. This growth is expected to continue as the company looks at new areas of commerce to expand.

Leading onto the company’s future, Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment plans to continue to expand upon its exceptional and growing, online presence, in balance with its core offline business serving its customers UK wide.

T +44 (0)1403 273444 www.trafalgarcleaningequipment.co.uk