It’s been a long time coming but we hope it’s been worth the wait.
In our first issue we’ve tried to provide a variety of content.
Naturally it is focused on First Response but we have made the effort to include topical content and a few light hearted moments along the way.
Please pass it around and if you are viewing this as a digital version, via our website, please feel free to share it with friends and colleagues.
We hope you enjoy our First attempt at communicating in this way. Your feedback would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Convenience
24/7 Account Management
Hire equipment & order supplies at a time that suits, wherever you are.
Off-Hire Remotely
Save money by promptly off hiring unwanted equipment 24/7. You can Off-hire individual items or entire contracts in just a few clicks.
Create Quotations
Build quotations and send these for approval; or convert them into orders
Resolve Queries
View invoices, POD’s and images of damaged equipment.
Control
CONSTRUCTION OWNER?
Streamline your business and control spending. Delegate the order process to your site teams while maintaining full control.
1.Implement a permission based requisition system where you sign off, amend or cancel pre-built orders or;
2. Allocate spending limits.
QUANTITY SURVEYOR?
Accurately project costs for y our next Contract or Job.
MANAGE TEAMS
The permission based contact system enables you to create a hierarchy of users, only ablle to see or perfrom tasks you alloocate to them.
Responsive design for your smartphone
A responsive web based system is one that will adjust the size of the screen the user is using.
In other words, you can use the system on any device including a tablet or smartphone.
Did you know?
The term responsive is a construction related term, taken from ‘responsive architectural design’.
This is where a room or space is created to automatically adjust to the number and flow of people within it.
Wish you could delegate more?
Building orders and sourcing products can be a time consuming task.
As First Response can provide most of the things you need, it makes sense to delegate the order process to your site managers.
The worry can often be controlling the spending and making sure your budget is adhered to.
So how can First Click help?
With First Click you can create a contact hierarchy, each contact with their own permissions and agreed spending limits. When a spending limit is exceeded the ability to place the order is replaced with an approval button.
Alternatively, you can set all your contacts with a zero limit, and implement a simple requisition system.
Teams can still build their orders, but the ability to buy is replaced with an approval button. The order is then sent up the chain for approval.
At this stage the order can be declined, amended or an online conversation started.
As all communications are added to every order, you have an audit trail to quickly resolve queries; or identify areas for improvement.
Delegation with full control.
If you hire equipment then you will probably wish you had Nelly on your site team. Not just to reduce the number of breakers you need on site but to make sure you off-hire them when the job is finished
Or you could just sign into your First Click account. You can off-hire individual items or entire contracts with just a few clicks; & the only thing that needs picking up after is your hire kit.
PS: If you get hire equipment stuck up a tree, it’s your job to get it back down again.
Those of us old enough will remember this catchphrase from the BT adverts of 30 years ago. It was Bob Hoskins who uttered the phrase, ‘It’s good to tallk’.
Well Mr. Hoskins wasn’t on a noisy construction site...!!
First Click includes the ability for you to communicate with your site teams or First Response, during the order stage, without the need to make a call nobody can hear
If you’ve forgot to include chisels with your breaker, we’ll send a prompt via First Click.
If your site team or buyer has made an error with their order, or have included something you weren’t aware was needed, you can message them.
So it’s good to talk but it’s often quicker to communicate online with the benefit of creating an order trail.
To find out more about our unique online system, First Click, speak to your account manager or visit the PUBLICATIONS page at:
Scan the code below to find out more; or speak with your usual contact at First Response.
Neglecting mental health in construction has serious consequences.
Employees experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression can compromise safety on construction sites, resulting in accidents and injuries.
Untreated mental health issues will lead to absenteeism, a reduction in productivity, and high turnover rates, resulting in significant costs to the industry and companies alike.
It is crucial to address the mental health challenges in construction and prioritise the well-being of workers.”
SPORTS BASED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
We are main sponsors and founding members of the Mental Health charity, Construction Sport.
Members of the charity gain access to a range of sporting events where they can paerticipate, watch or provide sponsorship.
Sports programs are a proactive approach to the issue of mental health. These activities offer a great way for individuals to “let off steam” while engaging in a membersship community dedicated to raising awareness about the pressing issue of mental illness.
This is a fantastic way of addressing the stigma of mental health and lets people know that it’s okay to talk about how they feel. Which is so important.
MARATHON WALKS
It’s true. The BBC followed us on our walk through London to open UK Construction week, search ‘Coping in Construction’ an episoode included in their This is England series.
We started at midnight from Twickenham Stadium to open UKCW at the Excel Centre and walked just over 26 miles.
If you take part, bring your sense of humour with you; it’s a fun time watching your fellow construction workers in their lycra (it’s true). Don’t forget those blister plasters!
RUGBY & FOOTBALL
A number of football and rugby events have been arranged.
The Construction Srort team is always looking for opponents.
Football matches have taken part at Braintree Town, Billericay and Heybridge Swift stadiums.
Several rugby matches have been held at the Stone X stadium, home of Saracens Rugby Club. The Fire Service vs Construction Sport (see pic top right) and Irish Construction vs English Construction the latest to be held.
GOLF DAYS
There are several golf days every year to support mental health initiates or fundraising.
They are arranged t a variety of loal Essex course as well as further afield.
The Orange Army fundraiser was held at the famous Forest of Arden championship course and raised much needed funds for a worthy cause.
Great fun, Usually includes breakfast, a comedian and a few handicap bandits.
In the world of construction and demolition, choosing the right tool will significantly impact efficiency, safety, and overall job quality.
The safety advantages of cordless over electric and fuel powered tools is self-evident,after all there are no cables to trip over or flammable fuel to store.
In situations where power is compromised or where indoor work is being completed, the cordless breaker is the obvious choice. But does a battery powered breaker have the guts to do the same job as a corded one?
The answer is a a resounding yes. The Nuron battery from Hilti is a game-changer in cordless tool innovation, offering corded-equivalent power, and performance that matches the output of, let’s say, the electric TE2000.
You have around 25 minutes of trigger time with two of the largest Nuron batteries installed, the B 22-255, enough power to demolish half a ton of concrete. With the C8-22 Nuron Battery Charger, you can fully recharge each battery in around 30 minutes; so two of these chargers on site will limit your downtime to just 30 minutes.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to leave behind the limitations of cables & the hassle of petrol, the Hilti TE2000-22 cordless breaker offers a solution that’s safer, cleaner and just as powerful as traditional corded breakers.
To avoid recharge downtime & to achieve continuous breaking, you will need four B 22-255 batteries & two C8-22 Nuron Ultimate Chargers. These Nuron batteries can be used with other Hilti products like the cordless DSH-600-22 Cut Off Saw (below left).
Interested?
If you would like more information or to attend a demonstration of the Hilti TE2000-22 breaker, please let us know by emailing: marketing@firstrss.co.uk
An end to back strain
HILTI EXO-T-22
Zero gravity tool balancer
What is it?
The EXO-T-22 is a game changer for those involved in heavy wall demolition and drilling.
The EXO-T-22’s innovative suspension & ergonomic design make it a powerful ally for those involved in heavy wall demolition and drilling.
By reducing the physical burden of heavy tools, it enables the operators to work more safely, promoting better health and productivity on the job site. It will also help your mental health initiatives.
Study into benefits of Hilti EXO-T
A network providing real ADDED VALUE to all our customers.
TRUSTED Partners and connections that go both ways.
At First Response, we’re always looking for new ways to support our customers; not just through the services and supplies we provide, but by adding extra value.
That’s why we’re proud to launch the First Community Hub, a new space on our website where customers can connect with each other, share what they offer, and find new resources, through trusted partners.
We believe in creating a community where the connections go both ways. By helping our customers support each other, we’re building a resource-rich space for interaction, opportunity, and future events.
Think of it as your go-to place to find trusted partners for whatever it is you may need.
Interested?
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS and find useful resources.
The First Community Hub is about adding value beyond the day-to-day, giving you the opportunity to showcase your products & services directly to other customers.
Whether you offer specialist skills, training, labour, or any other construction related service, the Hub is where those services can be seen.
If you are interested in adding your business to our new community please speak with your account manager or send an email to:marketing@firstrss.co.uk.
Refer a FRIEND
and EARN ££’s
There is nothing better than a referal from a satisfied customer. Except a few extra pounds in your pocket of course.
This new scheme is win-win for everyone. As well as receiving £150 to spend with us your friend will be credited a further £150 to spend with us.
We can’t say fairer than that.
How it works
Provide us with your friends details and we will contact them to discuss their needs & progress to opening a trade credit account.
When they place their first order, we will credit you both with £150.00 to spend as you choose.
You can introduce as many ‘friends’ as you choose, there is no limit.
When a ‘friend’ has placed an order, the credited amounts will be made.
Please speak with your usual First Response contact to find out more or to make your first referral & start earning...!
OLEC COURSES
ESSEX BASED TRAINING!
Real added value for our existing rail customers, OLEC training at a state of the art facility in the South of Essex, just 10 minutes from the M25.
On Site Training
If you have on-site training needs please speak with us and we will put you in touch with the training team directly.
Competitive Pricing
Our partnership arrangement ensures customers pay a competitive price, no more than you would see being advertised elsewhere.
If you are interested in finding out more please speak with your usual contact.
First
Response invest £1 Million
The company has invested in our welding division to support the increased demand from the WTE industry.
This investment has enabled the company to expand its hire fleet adding a large number of new products.
In keeping with our promise to provide a total solution for customers, we have also extended our welding consumable range, which includes our own branded welding wire.
If you want to find out more, call us on 03301 280860
What is Waste to energy
[WtE] ?
This is the process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/ or heat from the primary treatment of waste, or the processing of waste into a fuel source. WtE is a form of energy recovery.
Most WtE processes generate electricity and/or heat directly through combustion, or produce a combustible fuel commodity, such as methane, methanol, ethanol or synthetic fuels, often derived from the product syngas.
In a nutshell, Waste-to-Energy plants burn municipal solid waste (MSW), our rubbish, to produce steam in a boiler.
The steam is then used to power an electric generator turbine.
The Seven Step Process
1. Waste is dumped from rubbish trucks into a large pit.
2. A crane picks up the waste and dumps it into a combustion chamber.
3. The waste (fuel) is burned, releasing heat.
4. The heat turns water into steam in a boiler.
5. The high-pressure steam turns the blades of a turbine generator to produce electricity.
6. An air-pollution control system removes pollutants from the combustion gas before it is then released through a smoke stack.
7.Ash is collected from the boiler and the air-pollution control system.
What is MSW?
MSW stands for Municipal Solid Waste.
This is a mixture of materials that are considered energy rich.This would include paper, plastics, garden waste, etc
It is estimated that around 85% of waste that ends up in landfill can be transformed into fuel to generate electricity.
The most common waste-to-energy system is the mass-burn system.
However, there are many other technologies being utilised to reduce the demand on landfill.
Below is an image of how MSW is transformed into energy by a WtE Plant.
We proudly sponsor
The DT38 Foundation was set up in memory of Dylan James Tombides.
Dylan was a West Ham United and Australian International Footballer who passed away aged 20 in April 2014. He had endured a 3 year battle with testicular cancer.
The West Ham Family thought so highly of Dylan that they retired his number 38 and made DT38 one of their principal charities.
Former players & legends give up their time to support the charity and always attend the charity golf days. First Response are proud to support this charity and to raise awareness of this cancer.
The 123 campaign has saved lives already and will continue to do so.
Please help spread the message and if you can, donate to this fantastic charity set up by Dylans Mother, Tracy Tombides (below) and supported by West Ham United FC & First Response.
Finally, check your balls.
“100% of donations received by the DT38 Foundation go towards raising awareness of testicular cancer.
If you would like to help the DT38 Foundation, they would be forever grateful and so would the families who would otherwise be affected by this terrible disease. “
Tracy Tombides
To donate scan the QR CODE
Team Curbishley
Having the former manager of the club you support in your four ball must be special.
Alan Curbishley did ask half way round, if he could make any substitutions.
Everyone lies on a CV, don’t they?
We all know the temptation to fluff up a CV.
Maybe you “optimized workflows” by moving a few chairs out of the office or “collaborated on key strategic goals” by taking notes in a meeting. It’s all harmless, right? Well, not so much when you’re the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a position responsible for an entire nation’s economy.
Claiming to be an economist when your closest brush with economic theory was balancing the cash drawer at HBOS is, shall we say, a bit of a problem.
Eco-Friendly Cows
In a world that grows crazier by the day, our ever-inventive mad scientists have found a new climate change scapegoat; cows.
Yes, the gentle creatures that give us milk and cheese are now accused of destroying the planet, one bottom burp at a time.
Don’t steak your life on that being meat
Taking it one step further, Billionaires and tech companies are busy engaging the mad scientists to develop fake beef, well sort of.
Lab-grown or cultured meat is real animal meat produced by cultivating animal cells in a controlled lab environment.
The cost of production is still high, and the use of animal cells or fetal bovine serum (in some processes) raises ethical questions.
Some might say that’s like handing Dangerous Dave a detonator only to hear him say, “What’s this button do again?” Risk assessment anyone?
But fear not, Big Pharma has stepped in with a solution: Bovaer, a feed additive designed to silence the bovine orchestra of methane emissions. Made from a curious mix of silicon dioxide, propylene glycol, and the tongue-twisting 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), it makes Utterly Butterly look appertising.
Bovaer claims to cut cow methane emissions by up to 30% by reducing flatulence.
Impressive, right? If you scratch your head wondering who dreams up these ideas, don’t waste your time.
Maybe we should stock a bag or two in our Janitorial & Canteen range; just in case someone decides human flatulence is next on the climate hit list.
Still, if it sorts out Barry in the sales office what’s not to like?
While lab-grown meat ‘might’ reduce emissions, by eliminating our bllack and white friends, the energy intensive production process will leave a significant carbon footprint. So you may think it’s more slieight of hand because it is.
Irony as thick as a T-Bone steak
Bill Gates & Government Ministers tell us how to save the world by cutting out cows, seizing farmland, eating fake beef, & banning diesel & petrol engines.
Is that rumbling sound the stomach of a methane-laden cow about to explode? No, it’s the roar of a private jet, ready for the next climate jolly-up to some distant, tropical locale.
Yes, of course they will be busy chomping on natural steak, that fake stuff is for the peasants.
PPE, Fire & First Aid, Janitorial & canteen supplies and everything besides - we even do ALL your signage too.
Never lose sight of your business
Rebranding can go one of two ways: it drives a business forward or straight into a ditch. Jaguar is in the ditch with a broken axle.
The driving force behind this strange move is their CEO, Adrian Mardell.
Hailed as a diversity champion he recently won an award at some LGBT+ ceremony for contributions to inclusivity, or exclusivity depending on your view point.
It is easy to get swept up in buzz words, and ticking the latest social boxes. But while Social Values matter, and rightly so, businesses mustn’t lose sight of what their customers truly value: competence, reliability, and trust.
Social responsibility is important. But it must support your core values, not replace them. Because if you forget what your customers came to you for in the first place, don’t be surprised if they don’t come back.
That ‘Budweiser’ moment
Look at brands like Budweiser or Jaguar. Both have faced backlash for forgetting what made them iconic in the first place.
Jaguar, once a symbol of power and prestige, now feels more like a perfume advert than a car brand.
Walking into a Jaguar showroom you could be mistaken for thinking they will be selling you a handbag or perfume.
In construction, practicality rules and results matter. The ‘pink and fluffy’ messaging has no place.
This is a world where breakers need to break, walls must stay up, plumbing shouldn’t leak, and electrics definitely shouldn’t be sizzling your hair. Customers need to know you can deliver, without compromise.
A true icon of the Swinging Sixties
Compared to its rivals like Ferrari and Aston Martin, the E-Type offered real high-performance at affordable price, around £2,250 (£50,000 today.)
This made it much cheaper than Ferraris & Aston Martins putting a high-performance sports car within reach of a wider audience.
The E-Type’s blend of performance, beauty, and innovation cemented its place as a true legend.
Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type was famously called “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari.
Designed by Malcolm Sayer, an aeronautical engineer, the E-Type’s sleek, aerodynamic curves were futuristic. Its long bonnet, low stance, and flowing lines gave it a timeless look that remains a benchmark for automotive design.
Launched in 1961, the E-Type featured a 3.8 litre inline-six engine, capable of 150 mph, independent rear suspension for better handling & advanced disc brakes as standard.
It inherited much of its engineering from the D-Type, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 3 times in the ‘50s due largely to it’s superior aerodynamics.
FOCUS ON:
EV Vehicles
Second-hand EV prices have plummeted, reflecting a lack of demand.
This decline in popularity has also led to warnings of higher leasing costs for EVs, due to the huge depreciation.
The challenges facing electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly evident.
Company car drives are incentived through the taxation system, EV’s are a no brainer if you want to reduce the value of the benefit in kind.
Were they rushed to market too quickly and is the technology really as green as has been claimed?
The challenges
1. Poor EV Infrastructure:
Limited charging points make EVs impractical for many, particularly in rural or remote areas. People with on street parking don’t have the capacity for home charging points. I
2. National Grid cannot supporrt the implementation, it will cause power cuts.
2. Lengthy Charging Times:
The convenience of rapid refueling offered by traditional vehicles is unmatched by the hours-long charging process for many EVs.
3. Increased Running Costs
Higher repair costs and risk of fire incidents drive up insurance premiums for EV owners. Parts and labour are more expensive due to the shortage of skilled labour. There is also excessive tyre wear due to the huge weight of the batteries.
4. Replacement Batteries
Replacing an EV battery can cost tens of thousands, making repairs uneconomical.
Safety concerns
Rescue Challenges:
EVs have high-voltage batteries that often exceed 400 volts!
This poses a risk of electrocution to rescuers. Identifying and then isolating these systems requires specialised training and tools.
Reinforced battery enclosures, make cutting through the vehicle more difficult too.
Fire Risks:
Lithium-ion batteries are prone to thermal runaway, meaning they can reignite even AFTER the fire has been extinguished.
Extinguishing Fires:
EV battery fires burn at very high temperatures and often require tens of thousands of liters of water to cool the cells sufficiently. Traditional fire extinguishers are often ineffective.
Reignition Risk:
A damaged battery can reignite hours or even days after an accident, posing ongoing risks for emergency services.
Lack of Standardization:
The EV manufacturers use various battery placements, wiring systems, and safety mechanisms. This lack of standardization makes it harder for emergency personnel to quickly and safely navigate rescue procedures. It also puts a huge burden on training programs.
Are they really green?
The claim that electric vehicles (EVs) offer clear environmental benefits is increasingly under scrutiny.
While EVs do not emit tailpipe emissions, a deeper look at their life cycle reveals a more complex picture.
Battery Mining Impact:
The extraction of materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel for EV batteries is energy-intensive and environmentally destructive.
Mining these minerals often involves deforestation, water pollution, and significant carbon emissions.
Manufacturing Emissions:
Studies show that producing an EV, especially its battery, generates substantially more CO₂ than manufacturing an internal combustion engine (ICE) .
Long Mileage Break-Even
Analyses suggest that an EV needs to be driven around 80,000 miles before its lower operational emissions offset hemissions from its production.
If the vehicle’s battery or some components require replacement during this time, the benefit diminishes further.
Electricity Generation: EVs rely on the energy grid, and in many regions, electricity is still predominantly generated from fossil fuels. This means the “clean” energy powering EVs often has a significant carbon footprint.
Battery Disposal / Recycling:
The end-of-life phase of EV batteries is an environmental challenge. Recycling technologies are still developing, and improper disposal can result in hazardous waste.
A long way to go....
While EVs can contribute to reduced urban air pollution and noise levels, they are not the environmental benefit claimed.
Depreciation is huge: range anxiety, charging times, the cost of electricity due to net zero policies, risk of fire and replacement battery costs.
Insurance for EV’s is often more expensive, due to the cost of repairs and the instant torque can cause unwanted acceleration increasing the risk of an accident.
The huge depreciation is a problem for the Governments around the world who want to force people into EV vehicles.
Something will have to give as the plan to eradicate diesel & petrol engines while pushing net zero policies is going to create real hardship.
