TRAM IS NAMED FOR TWINS

Anew West Midlands Metrotram has been named after Roy and Don Richardson.

The twin entrepreneurs and philanthropists established a West Midlands business that now invests in real estate and growth capital around the world.

Their development activity, which famously included the Merry Hill Shopping Centre and Star City in Birmingham, has created tens of thousands of jobs in the regionover many years.

As well as being business giants, Roy,who is 92, and Don, who passed away in 2007, arealso being recognised for their work through the Richardson Brothers Foundation which has supported the region’s less fortunate through dozens of community groups and charities.

They werenominated for the honour by Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, who welcomed Roy and his family as guests of honour for the name unveiling in Centenary Square, Birmingham

The brothers founded their business in Oldbury 75 years ago during the 1940s and today the Richardson business is known the world over as being aleader in real estate and growth capital investment, focusing on opportunities in North America and Australasia as well as in the UK and WesternEurope.

They made their names taking former industrial sites few other developers would touch due to the poor economic conditions of the time and transforming them.

The Richardson Foundation was set up to help those less fortunate and has backed a wide range of good causes across the Midlands including foodbanks supporting the less fortunate, disabled people, young people and children, and ex-service personnel.

Roy Richardson said: “On behalf of my family,and particularly my late brother,I am delightedand honoured to have aWestMidlandstram named after us.

“While the family business now invests all over the world, we remain extremely proudofour Black Country roots. Whenever we are doing business overseas we always aim to talk up the West Midlands, and arepleased that our activities have supported thousands of jobs for people in the regionover the years as well as boosting the Treasury’scoffers –we understand that Merry hill alone has generated over £1 billion in business rates since it opened.

“When we installed the monorail at Merry Hill there was aplantolink that up with the Midland Metronetwork, as it was known at the time, so we do have some history with transportation in the area.

“It is great to see trams once again running across the region, linking up communities”

Reducing Risk In Materials Handling

From the enduring effects of Brexit to the lasting impact of the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the UK logistics sector experienced aseries of new and ongoing upheavals that caused significant disruption to supply chains throughout 2022.

As aresult, in 2023, businesses in the industry will be looking to implement several factors to improve efficiency,with afocus on prioritising risk reduction, says leading provider of materials handling equipment, Midland Pallet Trucks in Kingswinford.

The company’smanaging director Phil Chesworth said: “Risk management will become increasingly important for businesses along the supply chain this year

“In particular,warehouse managers will be looking to mitigate possible risks by preparing themselves by investing in the equipment required to handle possible risks and mitigate hazards, so that they can optimise their operations.”

In 2022 alone, 477,000 workers developed aworkrelated musculoskeletal disorder.While notall of these individuals areemployees in the logistics industry,working in logistics and warehouses significantly increases the risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder

When employees have a musculoskeletal disorder,their health, well-being, production rate, and motivation will suffer As aresult, warehouse productivity will also be affected, as absences will increase. Additionally,some employees may be reluctant to perform particular tasks for fear of developing an injury

Mr Chesworth added: “In addition to providing the equipment needed for employees to perform their tasks risk-free, employers can undertake additional measures to reduce workplace injury risk.

“These measures include providing vigorous training, ensuring employees take appropriate breaks, and appointing aspecialist health and safety manager to oversee operations.”

Midland Pallet Trucks, part of Midland Bearings Group, areleading providers of highquality materials handling equipment including electric pallet trucks.