Business : BDC Blog News

Enjoying Sports as a Responsible Hobby

Sports can be one of the most enjoyable hobbies that you’ll ever indulge in. With countless different sporting activities to pick from and enjoy with friends and family members, there’s no doubt that it can become a lifelong hobby. Perhaps you’re not feeling too keen on the NHL one day

Read More »

Reasons To Choose A Laminate Floor

If you are looking to decorate, redecorate or modernise your home or office and you are looking for new floor covering, there are several options available to you. These include traditional carpet, hardwood, lino, tile and possibly the most versatile floor covering, laminate. Laminate is a great low maintenance all-rounder

Read More »
How to Save Energy in Your Home

How to Save Energy in Your Home

We’re all looking for innovative and easy ways to save money, especially in our homes. It’s often the little things that get overlooked, so we’ve outlined our top tips for keeping energy costs down without the hassle. Wash large washing loads at lower temperatures Doing one full load of washing

Read More »
Schneider Electric Partners with National Home Improvement Month

Schneider Electric Partners with National Home Improvement Month

Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has partnered with BHETA for National Home Improvement Month (NHIM) to encourage the UK to improve their homes this September.  NHIM is the UK’s largest home improvement Awareness Campaign, aiming to inspire millions of homeowners and renters and encourage them to take up

Read More »

How to Stay Healthy While Running a Busy Business

Being your own boss has lots of advantages but running a busy business can leave you feeling tired and worn out from time to time. Self-employed business owners and entrepreneurs typically take a very hands-on role, which often results in them burning the candle at both ends. If running a

Read More »

7 Things To Consider When Sourcing A Belt Conveyer System

Conveyor belt systems tend not to get a lot of credit, but choosing the wrong system could damage your productivity, cut your competitive edge and leave you with a large bill to pay to put your mistake right. Here are seven things that you should consider when sourcing a belt

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

Business : BDC Blog News

Enjoying Sports as a Responsible Hobby

Sports can be one of the most enjoyable hobbies that you’ll ever indulge in. With countless different sporting activities to pick from and enjoy with friends and family members, there’s no doubt that it can become a lifelong hobby. Perhaps you’re not feeling too keen on the NHL one day so you decide to check out the latest soccer game or NBA. Maybe you’d like to explore extreme sports such as skateboarding and snowboarding, or perhaps you want to jump on the latest eSports gaming craze. Whatever you enjoy, sports offers a huge amount of variety. However, you also need to enjoy it responsibly because it can easily consume all of your time and money if you’re not careful. Be safe when participating in sports Even if you’re not doing something like skateboarding or snowboarding, it’s essential that you practice safety when engaging in sports. This means you should wear the right safety equipment, ensure that the area you play in is safe, and also make sure that you’re playing with people who aren’t going to be extremely rough and tackle you aggressively. Make sure you stay safe when enjoying sports so that you don’t injure yourself, and practice preventative measures to keep your body in good condition whenever you play. Having fun with fantasy teams and gaming There are a lot of gaming options when it comes to sports. Whether it’s placing a little bet on your favourite team for the thrill, enjoying a sports video game or even playing a fantasy league, there are lots of options for you to pick from. However, it’s important to enjoy this responsibly so that you don’t overdo it. For example, you should refer to websites like BetMGM if you’re going to play in fantasy leagues so that you can get a good idea of the best players and teams to pick. This will help advise you and give you a better understanding of how power rankings work. Similarly, you could remember that video games are a hobby to be enjoyed. Nowadays, you can often spend a lot of money creating fantasy teams in the latest FIFA, NBA and NHL games. While it can make you happy to get your favourite player, you should remember that the chances of getting them are incredibly low and that you should only spend disposable income on those games. Watching sports in moderation With so many different sports on television every day, it can often feel overwhelming to keep up with everything that’s going on. The way people watch sports is changing and switching to a mobile-dominated world, meaning that most people keep up with highlights and the latest news on their phone. Since all you need to do is unlock your smartphone and flick through, it can easily consume your time if you follow multiple sports. As such, we highly recommend that you moderate your sports viewing so that you don’t overdo it. Try and keep an eye on how much screen time you have and don’t hesitate to restrict yourself if you find that you spend way too much time watching sports.

Read More »

CONSTUCTION AND PROPERTY DEBT RISES AS COVID-19 SEES OVERALL DECLINE IN TOTAL BAD DEBT

Overall level of insolvent business debt across UK drops by 10.7% during last quarter    Insolvent debt in construction and property sectors rises by 2.2% to £371m*   Construction and property sectors account for highest levels of insolvent debt in the UK    The impact of COVID-19 has seen a sharp drop of £189 million in the UK’s insolvent business debt during the last quarter, according to corporate distress data analysts Red Flag Alert.    The firm’s ‘Write Off Report’ shows that total levels of insolvent business debt at 30thJune 2020 were £1.577billion, down 10.7% from £1.766bn at the end of March.    At the same time, the construction and property sectors saw bad debt rise from £363million at the end of April to £371million at 30thJune 2020. The 2.2% rise in the last quarter compares to a decline of 5.3% in insolvent debt during the same period last year.    Despite the contrasting year-on-year changes in construction and property, data analysts that compiled the Write Off Report caution that the financial effects of COVID-19 can’t be fully seen yet.    Mark Halstead, a partner at Red Flag Alert, explains: “This quarter’s Write Off figures have been skewed by the COVID-19 measures introduced by Government and positive steps quickly taken by companies during lockdown.    “This means the impact of the pandemic hasn’t yet been that pronounced on the construction and property sectors because struggling companies have been able to draw on financial support from the Government and provided with more breathing space by businesses they owe money to.     “Our financial modelling since we started records in 2004 shows that the construction and property sectors typically operate with some of the highest levels of insolvent debt. The biggest risk these sectors are now facing is uncertainty around office-based working caused by the pandemic. If home working trends cause a significant long-term dip in demand for commercial property, it could burst this debt bubble.”    Other sectors that saw rises in insolvent debt include retail, where levels during the last quarter increased by £6million (12.6%), while the manufacturing sector saw a 17.4% increase from £89.6m to £105.2m. Logistics saw a marginal change of +0.84%, taking debt levels to £62.3m at the end of June.     Mark Halstead concludes: “We’re now coming to the end of the Government’s COVID-19 support and can expect businesses to enter a more protectionist mode as they fight for survival. With this in mind, it’s likely that overall insolvent debt in the UK will see a sharp upwards trajectory over the next six months.”  DownloadThe Write Off Report.  *£371million debt based on debt (12 months to 30th June 2020) in ‘construction’ and ‘real estate and property services’ sectors (see appendix).     Appendix  Total insolvent debt by sector for the 12 months to 30thJune 2020, compared to 12 months to 30thJune 2019 and 12 months to 31stMarch 2020.  Sector  12 months to 30th June 2020  change vs 12 months to 31st March 2020 (%)  change vs 12 months to 30th June 2019 (%)  Automotive  26,207,165.29  -2.27  42.06  Bars & Restaurants  32,566,532.57  -12.63  37.02  Construction  258,992,969.50  0.57  37.97  Financial Services  199,404,178.41  14.19  10.67  Food & Beverages  32,042,123.25  4.25  -3.98  Food & Drug Retailers  8,636,733.89  3.27  -41.14  General Retailers  58,736,055.67  12.65  -37.06  Health & Education  21,151,409.40  8.87  4.70  Hotels & Accommodation  12,398,472.23  108.42  268.73  Industrial Transportation & Logistics  62,303,920.75  0.84  -21.47  Leisure & Cultural Activities  14,385,935.16  -12.74  8.47  Media  32,347,949.51  3.92  0.35  Not Available  44,146,572.93  9.54  -21.83  Other Manufacturing  105,273,016.29  17.43  30.52  Others – not reported  25,768,057.87  5.63  39.44  Printing and Packaging  10,156,207.78  -27.67  -30.34  Professional Services  57,414,715.53  -4.51  -13.78  Real Estate & Property Services  111,584,416.48  6.21  2.87  Sport & Health Clubs  6,043,245.90  -1.06  -56.13  Support Services  245,905,077.29  -47.55  -49.49  Telecommunications & Information Technology  71,717,398.52  -8.33  1.99  Travel & Tourism  9,101,343.55  79.05  175.23  Utilities  34,708,379.41  -10.94  34.54  Wholesale – not reported  96,153,240.38  -15.12  -30.02  TOTAL:  1,577,145,117.56  -10.71  -11.52 

Read More »

Reasons To Choose A Laminate Floor

If you are looking to decorate, redecorate or modernise your home or office and you are looking for new floor covering, there are several options available to you. These include traditional carpet, hardwood, lino, tile and possibly the most versatile floor covering, laminate. Laminate is a great low maintenance all-rounder and can be used in all rooms and spaces. Here are just a few reasons what you should choose a laminate floor. Durability  One major benefit of laminate is that it is more durable than its counterparts. This makes it a great choice if you are looking to cover a heavy traffic area. This includes hallways, kitchens, office spaces etc. Laminate flooring is much stronger and less easy to scratch than hardwood flooring options. Therefore, high heels, kids, and even animals will not be able to mark it as easily, Therefore ensuring it lasts longer. This is because it has a tough external layer and is coated in resin, making it extremely hardwearing.  Economical  Laminate flooring is often less expensive than other flooring options. This does depend on the quality you opt for of course. Therefore if you like to redecorate frequently as fashions change, depending on your budget, laminate may allow you to do so. However, as it is so hardwearing and durable, compared to other floor coverings, especially carpet, if you are decorating on a budget, you probably will not have to replace it as quickly. This, in turn, is likely to save you money in the future too. Installation Laminate is also easy to install. The majority of laminate floor options do not require glue and instead use the Uniclic, or similar, system. As this mess-free system makes installation easy, many people choose to install their laminate floor themselves. This is, of course, the more cost-effective option. However, if DIY is not your thing. not to worry, you can hire a professional to do it for you. Many of which offer a guarantee for the work they carry out should you have an issue at a later date with regards to the installation.  Maintainance  As mentioned, laminate flooring is extremely low maintenance. Many laminate flooring options have a stain, fade and moisture-resistant coating. This ensures that if something does get spilt, you can simply use a damp cloth to wipe it away quickly and easily. Therefore again making it a great option if you have children and/or animals. As laminate does not require waxing or varnishing as hardwood does, it means you can clean it as frequently as you like without taking the top layer off and then having to reseal it. Styles  One of the major reasons so many people opt for a laminate floor is because of the range of styles available. There is an option to suit everyone’s taste. Many laminate floors are even designed not to look like laminate. Therefore if you would prefer a hardwood or stone floor but simply do not have the budget for one, laminate is a great option. Also, there are numerous colours available. This means you are more than likely going to find the perfect shade to fit in with your colour scheme. 

Read More »
How to Save Energy in Your Home

How to Save Energy in Your Home

We’re all looking for innovative and easy ways to save money, especially in our homes. It’s often the little things that get overlooked, so we’ve outlined our top tips for keeping energy costs down without the hassle. Wash large washing loads at lower temperatures Doing one full load of washing per week, at a lower temperature, can save you money over the year. Small changes like this add up and even if you don’t notice an instant saving, you will in the long-run. Washing at a lower temperature is still an effective and an efficient way of cleaning your clothes. Limit shower time We know it can be hard to pull yourself out of that warm flow of water on a cold winter’s morning, but simply reducing the time spent in the shower can save energy. Try to limit showers to a ten minute slot; you could even set a timer so you don’t get carried away! To help make small changes, you can check whether you qualify for these free water saving products, including a four minute shower timer. Always turn lights off when you leave a room This is particularly important for larger families, especially with young children. Without realising it, you can find yourself with increasing energy bills because lights are being left on in rooms that aren’t being used. If you are someone who likes lights to be on when you return to an empty home, don’t leave them on all day. Instead, pick up an electric timer so you can schedule when you want the lights to turn on. This is ideal for security. Don’t be a drip A running tap wastes more than six litres of water a minute; consider turning it off while you brush your teeth. Save on your water bills further by simply turning your taps off properly. Dripping water can add up throughout the year, accumulating on your bill. Defrost your fridge and freezer Removing excess ice from inside your fridge and freezer allows the appliances work more efficiently. Ice takes up room in your fridge/freezer, making it less productive, thus increasing your energy bills. Quality fabrics Investing in a good pair of thermal curtains can assist in saving you money on your energy costs. The material further insulates your windows, keeping heat in and blocking out any cold air. Well Insulated If you are a home owner, evaluate your insulation situation and upgrade your standard double glazing in your home to the latest energy saving glass. You don’t need to replace the frames; just the glass. There are many other ways you can effectively insulate your house including: Loft / attic insulation Cavity wall insulation Insulating tanks, pipes and radiators Filling in gaps in floorboards Repair double glazing Broken double glazing panels can lose precious heat from your home. If you notice they have clouded up or look like they have moisture between the panels, it might be worth seeking professional advice on how to get this issue fixed before it becomes a major problem in the future.  Don’t overfill the kettle We can all be guilty of filling the kettle to the brim, only to make one cup of tea for ourselves. Save energy by only using what you need. You can even purchase kettles that are specifically designed to boil for one brew, such as this Russell-Hobbs one, which boils a cup of water in 45 seconds!  Switch off and save We often don’t realise that appliances such as televisions, stereos, and microwaves still use energy when left on standby. Simply unplug them when not in use to help keep energy costs down. Unplugging your phone / tablet chargers can also save energy too. Switch your energy provider Many people could save on average around £200 per year by switching their energy provider. Use websites such as: uSwitch Money Supermarket UK Power Compare the Market However, check with your current company on cancellation fees, as you don’t want to be hit with any unforeseen charges. Ditch the draughty doors A simple, but effective way of keeping heat in your home is to invest in draught excluders. These are relatively cheap, but are a great way to lessen those pesky draughts from gaps under doors. Turn your heating down by just a couple of degrees UK winters can often be harsh and temperatures can drop dramatically over night. This causes many of us to crank the thermostat up, pumping high levels of heat throughout our homes. However, a simple way of reducing your energy output is to turn the temperature down by just a couple of degrees. You won’t feel a difference, but your pocket might. On average, turning it down by just one degree can cut heating bills by 10 percent. Cloudy2Clear

Read More »
Schneider Electric Partners with National Home Improvement Month

Schneider Electric Partners with National Home Improvement Month

Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has partnered with BHETA for National Home Improvement Month (NHIM) to encourage the UK to improve their homes this September.  NHIM is the UK’s largest home improvement Awareness Campaign, aiming to inspire millions of homeowners and renters and encourage them to take up a home improvement project. In 2019, over 17 million adults across the UK made changes to their homes, with 2020 expected to encourage even more. Today, only 28% of people carry out home improvements more than once a year with one of the main reasons being lack of skills and knowledge. When it comes to tasks, 52% of Brits do not feel comfortable applying wallpaper and almost half (48%) are unsure of how to put a shelf up. As part of the partnership, Schneider Electric will be offering advice and tips to homeowners on getting started, adding value, going green and smart home technology. It will allow homeowners and renters to learn more about how to improve their homes and will connect consumers with skilled tradespeople to ensure installations are properly managed.   Simple changes to homes will create considerable benefits. This can include running a small project, going green or even turning your home into a smart home. To help with projects, Schneider Electric is offering a 10% code this NHIM on their products when purchased through CEF to help facilitate improvements.  Nico van der Merwe, VP of Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric, said, “Home improvers are now striving for more connected homes. Whether they prefer home personalisation with smart heating or embracing modern styles with different switches, we have a wide range of wiring devices and accessories that can inspire creativity and meet the latest safety requirements. By adding new devices and accessories, homeowners will be able to make their homes safer, smarter and more stylish this September.” The British Home Enhancement Trade Association’s (BHETA) Chief Operating Officer, Will Jones, commented: “We are delighted Schneider Electric is helping to drive the National Home Improvement Month and create consumer awareness campaign for next month. They will play a crucial role in supporting the activity of the retailers, such as Homebase and Wilko’s, and other BHETA members collaborating and sponsoring this industry initiative. Their mission is to motivate, encourage and enthuse consumers that home improvement is rewarding emotionally, psychologically and financially with the right advice, information and products.”

Read More »

How to Stay Healthy While Running a Busy Business

Being your own boss has lots of advantages but running a busy business can leave you feeling tired and worn out from time to time. Self-employed business owners and entrepreneurs typically take a very hands-on role, which often results in them burning the candle at both ends. If running a busy business is top of the agenda, it’s important to consider the impact it’s having on other areas of your life. Working long hours or taking on too much can have a negative impact on your health, particularly if you’re feeling stressed or anxious. Fortunately, there are simple ways to take care of your health without affecting your work. To ensure you stay healthy while running your business empire, take a look at these top tips now: Eat a nutritious diet When you’re working all day, every day, it’s easy to forget to eat at regular times. Entrepreneurs may go for too long without consuming anything, only to binge on fast food when hunger takes hold and you simply cannot resist. If shopping and preparing nutritious meals every day sounds a little over-ambitious, why not try a much simpler established diet plan instead? When you use a nutrition plan as a basis for your healthy diet, you won’t have to think about what to eat or when to eat it – it’ll be almost effortless. Furthermore, a nutritious regime, like John Cena’s diet plan, can help you to get the right mix of macronutrients and vitamins. When you’re fuelling your body correctly, you have more energy and reduce your risk of developing health issues, so it’s a great way for business owners to stay healthy. Get regular exercise If a busy work schedule leaves you with limited time to spend with family and friends, you probably aren’t getting enough time to work out on a regular basis either. However, exercise is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle, so it’s important to find a way to fit it into your usual routine. If you work from home, why not take a brisk walk around the block every lunchtime or even jog around your garden? Alternatively, if you work away from home, why not switch commuting in the car to travelling by bike? When you really can’t spare the time to get outside to exercise, you can use office-friendly equipment to increase your heart rate. Innovative under-desk treadmills and exercise bikes give you the chance to stay fit while you’re working, and wearable weights help you to build muscle strength. You should also complement exercise with frequent visits to medical experts says this dentist in Melbourne. Focus on your mental health Running a business is inevitably stressful at times, which naturally has an impact on your mental health. Many entrepreneurs spend the majority of their time at work, which leaves little room for maintaining relationships. This can exacerbate mental health issues and leave you feeling isolated. If you feel your mental health is negatively affected by your work, or anything else, don’t hesitate to seek help from a medical professional. In addition to treating your symptoms with prescription medication, you could be referred for online therapy or counselling. In addition to this, there are numerous self-care options that can help you to minimize anxiety or stress. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness can be practised daily and in any location. You can even use them in the office to help you stay calm and focused. Maintain relationships No matter how hard you’re working, it’s important to make time for the people you love. Factor in time to spend with your partner and family on a regular basis and be sure to maintain friendships too. If you can’t attend as many social events as you’d like, why not host a virtual meet-up? Even checking in with friends via text or email will help you to maintain contact in busier times. Having fun, relaxing and laughing are all very good for the mind and body and will help you to de-stress naturally. Furthermore, getting out of the office and doing something different will help you to stay creative and motivated. As well as benefitting yourself, you’ll be enriching the lives of the people closest to you when you make them a priority. Cultivate a Health-First Workspace If you’re an employer or you regularly work with freelancers and subcontractors, you can encourage them to manage their health more effectively too. By giving people the time to take exercise breaks or providing access to healthy eating plans, for example, you can ensure that those around you are as focused on staying healthy as you are.

Read More »

Scottish Construction Leadership Forum releases recovery plan in consultation with industry

A draft recovery plan for the construction sector in Scotland has been launched today by the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF). The plan, which has been created collaboratively with industry, sets out the pathway for joint action between industry and the public sector in response to the impact caused by the global pandemic on the on the construction sector. The construction industry in Scotland has, like many others, been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The sector in Scotland which provided £7.8 billion GVA to the Scottish economy and employs 143,000 people in over 50,000 enterprises, is estimated to have contracted by 28.6 per cent in June as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the same month a year ago (June 2019).  The recovery plan has been created through extensive consultation and collaboration with more than 50 organisations across business, Scottish Government, trades unions and other bodies, including the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum, and represents a shared view from across the sector of a plan to get industry back on its feet.  The plan outlines the immediate and short-term response to Covid-19 and sets out a pathway between this and the longer-term transformation required to build a stronger, fairer and greener economic future for Scotland. Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust and chair of the editorial group of the Construction Leadership Forum, said: “The construction industry in Scotland has received a major blow from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the level of collaboration which has gone in to preparing this Recovery Plan is unprecedented and sets a strong foundation for transformative recovery for the industry. I urge all stakeholders with an interest in the construction and related industries in Scotland to feed in your thoughts to make it even stronger.” Ken Gillespie, chair of the Industry Leadership Group, said: “This plan has only been possible through the depth of collaboration across the sector, and hard work of all involved, and demonstrates the sector’s ability to come together in a time of crisis. This is only the beginning though. The plan will evolve and respond to reflect the feedback and the needs of the sector. We are therefore calling for industry to review and contribute to the plan.” The plan identifies five areas for concerted and collaborative efforts over the coming months and has established Sub-Groups to develop and progress joint action plans: Pipeline & Commercials Skills & Workforce Transformation Supply Chain Resilience & Capability Industry Data & Insight The plan calls for key actions to respond to immediate needs which include:  A clear pipeline of work brought to market quickly and efficiently on fair commercial terms which reflect the reality of the Covid-19 environment. Support of employment, fairness of work and those who may become unemployed through what will be a difficult period. Transformation of working practices to maintain and enhance worker safety whilst enabling productivity in the Covid-19 working environment. Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “The construction sector supports many other areas of our economy so it is important that we maintain the health and vitality of the industry. In order to develop this plan, we have reached new heights of collaboration but we are now keen to hear from the wider industry to ensure that we arrive at a plan that will preserve jobs and help to revive our economy.” The Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF), which has led the development of the plan, is a collaborative initiative of Construction Scotland and the Scottish Government. It was established in March 2019. Chaired by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart for the duration of the crisis, it widened its membership in response to Covid-19 and has already developed and implemented plans to get the industry safely back to work to develop and implement an action plan of improvement initiatives aligned with Government policies and the Construction Scotland Industry Strategy. Several streams of work are ongoing and prior to Covid-19, the Forum was at the early stages of considering a wider agenda for change across the industry. The CLF shared vision is of an industry that promotes a safe, productive, profitable, digitally-enabled, low-carbon, and socially responsible construction industry which offers quality jobs and fair work to a highly skilled and diverse workforce and a quality and life-time value product to its customers. The recovery plan is available to view on https://www.constructionforum.scot/.  Industry is invited to send feedback, comments and questions via the website on enquiries@constructionforum.scot by 15 September. CLF will take all feedback on board to help develop the plan further, with regular updates published on the CLF site.

Read More »

7 Things To Consider When Sourcing A Belt Conveyer System

Conveyor belt systems tend not to get a lot of credit, but choosing the wrong system could damage your productivity, cut your competitive edge and leave you with a large bill to pay to put your mistake right. Here are seven things that you should consider when sourcing a belt conveyor system for your business.  Your specification requirements  Whether you are shopping for a large or small conveyor belt, you need to take into consideration the length, width, height and weight of the product that your conveyer belt will be handling. In particular, the weight of your product will determine the motor sizing that you need and may also influence the curvature of the belt.  2. The production rate The production rate of most conveyor belts is measured per minute or per hour. Depending on the production rate that you need for your products, you may need to look at conveyor systems with a specific speed capability. Running your conveyer too slow could harm your productivity, but running it too fast could cause damage to your product and endanger your employees.  3. Process impact Part orientation is a significant concern in manufacturing and can dictate which conveyor belt you need or if you are going to require additional equipment to complete your material handling. A precision index converter is a good option to consider if part orientation is a key factor in your transportation process. If you are shifting pallets, then don’t forget to look into pallet conveyors that are outfitted with additional fixtures to help maintain a balanced orientation at all times.  4. The environment  Not all conveyor belt systems are suitable for all manufacturing environments. For example, some belts may malfunction if they encounter metal shavings from metal parts. To avoid costly repairs and downtime, be sure to take the environmental conditions of your operation into consideration when choosing your conveyer belt system.  5. The layout you need The layout of your belt system will also impact the material of the belt used and could rule out certain types of systems. If you are operating your conveyor belt on an incline or a decline, then often you will need to choose a stronger belt material to accommodate the extra force. If your belt system includes a lot of corners, then again, you will need to consider corner sections and additional features to ensure that your products remain on the right course and in the right orientation.  6. Safety  As with all equipment, another very important factor to consider is the safety of your belt system. Some belts come with built-in safety features, whereas others do not. To keep your employees safe, it is essential that you thoroughly research the relevant safety precautions and put safety measures in place to prevent accidents or injury.  7. Durability  Last, but not least, having found the perfect belt system for your product, you need to ensure that it is durable and maintainable in the long term. There may be cheaper belt options out there, but these will ultimately cost you more in the long run to replace, so do not be afraid of spending more at the outset to source a belt that is strong and easy to maintain.  So there you have it – seven things to consider when sourcing a belt conveyor system for your warehouse – do you have anything else to add? 

Read More »

4 Things To Consider Before Starting Any Home Improvement Project

Home improvement projects can come in all shapes and sizes – from simple additions here and there to full-on extensions being added to the side of the house. However, while making any kind of change to your home may seem incredibly exciting on the surface, it’s important to bear in mind some of the challenges and potential issues you could encounter along the way. Failure to properly prepare in advance or safeguard yourself against any potential issues could only leave you frustrated and out of pocket as a result, which is simply no good for anyone. So, we thought we should help. Join us as we run through some of the key things to look out for before starting any kind of home improvement project – whether it be something simple like installing the right type of skylight rooftop blind or something a lot more complex like checking for damp or asbestos before a loft conversion. 1. Stick To A Budget It’s all too easy to spend, spend, spend when it comes to improving your home, so try to stick to a budget. Before you head to the shops or start contacting tradesmen to do the work, take a look at your finances to see what you can actually afford. Ask yourself: what am I specifically looking for? And how much do I realistically want to spend? While it would be great to work with a builder with the best reputation in the world or fit an air-conditioning unit in your home office, if you can’t afford it then – unfortunately – you’ll only end shooting yourself in the foot in doing so. 2. You Won’t Always Meet Your Deadline While you may dream of having your home renovation done by a set time, as hard as it may be to come to terms with, this may not happen. Say, for example, you want to build an entirely new kitchen in your home – you’ve found the ideal design, the dream tiles and have even booked it in for a set date in the future. Just because it’s been booked in doesn’t mean there won’t be any hiccups along the way. From labour issues to stock problems, there are a lot of components to installing a kitchen, so it only takes one minor thing to go wrong for the deadline to be pushed back. Therefore, don’t rush getting your home renovations done. Take your time to look for the best price and supplier so that you can ensure whatever work you have done – or products you want to buy – are worth it in the end. 3. Get Everything In Writing Without meaning to cause any offence to contractors, they generally aren’t considered to have the best listening skills. Therefore, it’s important to really think about what you want to have done in advance so that you can get it in writing before the work starts. That way, your workmen will have a much better idea of what they’re doing and you’ll feel a lot more rest assured in the fact that the work they’re doing will match what you both agreed to. The last thing you want, after all, is to build a new swimming pool with the wrong sized tub or fit a new bathroom with a sink that doesn’t match your preferred colour scheme. Be upfront and honest with them about what you expect to achieve. 4. Keep The Number Of People Involved To A Minimum As the old saying goes, too many cooks spoil a broth and the same logic applies when it comes to home improvements. With project managers, builders, family members, friends, tradesmen and public planning officers often involved in home renovations or improvement projects, that is a lot of voices and opinions to listen to and work your own way of thinking around. Therefore, not only is it important to trust your own opinion – it’s your home improvement, after all – but it’s also generally considered a good idea to source one or two trusted people to take ownership of the renovation project. That way, you’ll know for definite that whatever it is you’re planning to do will be in the best hands available. Final Thoughts… Improving your home is one of the most exciting things you can do but, if you rush into it, you could end up feeling regretful. To prevent this from happening to you, plan as much as you can in advance and don’t be afraid to ask hard questions if you need to. You may just be thankful you did once the work has all been completed.

Read More »

Things To Sort Out When You Split From A Long-Term Relationship

When you decide to separate from your partner, there will be things you need to work out. The partner your separating from could be your civil partner, wife, or husband, even if you’re not choosing to end your marriage or civil partnership straightaway. You need to have been married at least a year before you can end it.  It may also be a partner that you live with or have children with, but you live as if you are married. Some of the things you may need to work out include: Where your children will live and how often they will see each parent.  How to divide any money  How to divide any belongings  Whether you can both afford to pay the bills once you have split You shouldn’t feel pressured to make any decisions as they may not be right for you. You will have more chance of making good joint decisions if you wait until you are ready to talk. Agreeing Your Arrangements You don’t really need to go to court to decide what to do if you separate unless you can’t get on with each to make an agreement. It can be much cheaper and often quicker if you can come to an arrangement yourselves. Some other thing you should consider include: Child maintenance – You are both responsible for the cost of looking after your children, therefore the parent who the children aren’t living with may need to pay child maintenance.  Deciding what to do with your home- You need to come to an agreement between yourself a to what is happening with your home, is one of you going to stau in the home? Or are you going to sell? Or both move out and end the tenancy? Managing your money – You may be able to come to an agreement betwween yourself as to what happens to your finances, however, at times some people need legal help to sort out things like a pension sharing order.  Who Should You Inform That You Are Seperated If you pay council tax you need to let your local council know, you will pay less if you are living as a single person.  You will also need to let your local council know if you get a council tax reduction to Housing Benefit.  If you get other benefits your claim may change if one of you leave the couple, so tell the office the details when you have separated. There is normally a 30 day deadline.  If you are splitting from a long-term relationship it helps if you can already decide and agree on areas like :  What is going to happen to your children – whole will they live with, what will contact be, and how much is the other parent going to pay towards them?  What will happen to your finances?  What will happen to your property?  If you can’t come to an agreement, you may need to go to court so a judge can look at the facts and make a decision for you. 

Read More »