The home building industry has warmly welcomed the First Minister’s announcement that construction can move to Phase 2 of its restart plan which will see sites begin to open up again with workers following strict social distancing and hygiene controls. Providing further confidence for both prospective customers and builders, the
The employee-owned business has an extensive offering of tapes and have in more recent times put a focus on their paper tape offering to support businesses looking for a more environmental option. The most recent addition to their range is their printed ‘FRAGILE’ paper tape. An environmental alternative to polypropylene
As the technology grows, you can easily find a lot of different applications to communicate with the people outside you. Some of them are meant to help you sending text to your friends. Some others are meant for the video calling needs. Meanwhile, the others are meant to help you
The employee-owned packaging company has expanded its pallet and load stability range, providing users with a wide range of solutions for their operations. Load stability is vital to ensure the safety of loads not only whilst being transported on public roads, but also whilst being moved/stored. Kite Packaging supply a
THE past few months have been a time of massive upheaval for installers across the UK following the coronavirus lockdown – with contractors having to adapt to new ways of working in an extremely short space of time. On Sunday, 10 May, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a ‘conditional plan’
Employee-owned packaging company Kite Packaging have recently launched on their leading B2B website, packing benches and paper roll holders, both great additions to any pick, pack and despatch operation. Kite’s strong and sturdy packing benches are a great addition to their workstations and benches offering. Packing benches are the ideal
Having an iterative approach to processes is important in any company, but particularly in terms of the supply chain. Companies who manage large fleets need to avoid problems like mass breakdowns or accidents on the road, which they do with good preventative maintenance plans and fleet management strategies. If your
Where The Trade Buys, one of the UK’s leading printing companies, has launched a campaign to show support for the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of our ‘Together We Are Stronger’ campaign, we are calling on people to print off our posters and colour them in, to your
During digital transformation, taking advantage of new technology will involve increasing the cyber-attack surface of your business. With that said, you do need to ensure that you act with necessary caution. Worst case scenario, if an attack is successful, the downtime could spell financial disaster for your organisation. With cyber-attacks
As global warming threatens the planet, consumers are starting to pay more attention to the brands they buy from. Governments across the world are trying to prevent a global crisis by forcing businesses to lower their emissions. Sustainability has become increasingly important and it’s something consumers are focusing more on
The home building industry has warmly welcomed the First Minister’s announcement that construction can move to Phase 2 of its restart plan which will see sites begin to open up again with workers following strict social distancing and hygiene controls. Providing further confidence for both prospective customers and builders, the First Minister also confirmed the extension of the highly successful Help to Buy scheme for a further year until March 2022. Chief Executive of industry body Homes for Scotland Nicola Barclay said: “To get confirmation that home builders can now commence the re-opening of their sites is great news that hasn’t come a moment too soon given the robust safety plans that the industry has developed and put in place. With pent-up housing demand having increased with every day that has passed, we look forward to finishing off the many homes that are already largely complete and that families are desperate to move into as well as starting to get the new homes that are so desperately needed out of the ground. “Having the extension of the Help to Buy scheme announced at the same time is also a much required confidence booster for the housing market that will help ensure even more younger Scots can benefit from this hugely successful initiative and realise their aspirations of owning their own home. “The First Minister paid tribute to the very responsible approach that has been adopted by the industry during the lockdown, and this is a sentiment I wish to echo loudly. Home builders have stepped up to the plate supporting their customers, employees and local communities, and this will continue as we look forward to working closely with government and other stakeholders to rebuild Scotland’s economy.”
The employee-owned business has an extensive offering of tapes and have in more recent times put a focus on their paper tape offering to support businesses looking for a more environmental option. The most recent addition to their range is their printed ‘FRAGILE’ paper tape. An environmental alternative to polypropylene and PVC tape, the clear stand out message offers the exact same message as their existing range, however, on paper kraft, making it a more economical solution. Its solvent adhesive is long-lasting and durable and requires minimal pressure when applied. Suited to a wide range of applications it can be torn by hand and the clear message in red ensures the handler is aware of any packages that need to be handled with caution. For more information on Kite Packaging and their range of products and services, please visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
As the technology grows, you can easily find a lot of different applications to communicate with the people outside you. Some of them are meant to help you sending text to your friends. Some others are meant for the video calling needs. Meanwhile, the others are meant to help you doing the online conference with your colleagues. However, what if you can find all of those features in one business phone system? Is not that will be one of the most revolutionary thing that you can get on this modern time? If you are also thinking about the same thing, you can try Nextiva. It is not only an application. Nextiva is a communication system that offers you a lot of amazing features such as follows. The first one is the standard calling function with the improved features. Calling is not only about the sound if you are using Nextiva. Calling is also about having a nice and clear video display. You can do the standard call or the video call based on what you need. Of course you can also text another person out there with no limitation at all. As an addition, you will not need to worry about the toll fee once you use Nextiva. There is nothing like that if you and the other person that you want to call is on the same Nextiva network. The second one is the great mobility function. Some people will say that Nextiva is an application. The reason is because they can download and install it on their smartphone. Yet, the real form of Nextiva is the system that will connect all of its users through many different platforms. It does not matter if you want to contact your friends who are using Android devices through your laptop. You can easily do that since you can find Nextiva in Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows. The third one is the conferencing function. Almost all of the communication applications out there do not let you to have the conference video call or even conference call. Even if you are able to do that, those applications will limit the number of participants to a small number. For some people, that is enough. However, if you want to call your colleagues, you need something better. That is why Nextiva is the answer. You do not need any other application to do the conference call. You can do that with a lot of people around the world with Nextiva. The last but not least is the perfect collaboration feature. The collaboration feature lets you make groups inside the Nextiva. As an addition to that, the collaboration feature helps you to do more things in its simplest ways. That is why more and more people are using Nextiva nowadays. Considering the fact that technologies are developing at the fast pace, you can say that this communication system will be something big in the near future. So, if you can try this new communication system starting from now on, why should you wait much longer?
The employee-owned packaging company has expanded its pallet and load stability range, providing users with a wide range of solutions for their operations. Load stability is vital to ensure the safety of loads not only whilst being transported on public roads, but also whilst being moved/stored. Kite Packaging supply a huge range of packaging products to support companies with load stability and have recently extended their range to include pallet boxes, pallet bands and PPE strapping kits, each offering a range of benefits. Pallet boxes Kite’s pallet box without a pallet is the ideal solution for customers who already have pallets and just require the tray, cap and sleeve pallet box. The benefits of this large pallet box is that it can either be used purely as a large box for storage, can be placed on top of an existing pallet, or used with Kite’s individual corrugated pallet runners which can be attached to the bottom, therefore making it a pallet. So, if customers need something more versatile then this is the ideal solution. Sanstrap pallet bands Produced from 100% recyclable 40-micron Polyethylene (PE) film and 100% recyclable, Kite’s offering of Sanstrap pallet bands, a recognised name in the industry, provide great stability, keeping products secure whilst in transit or storage. Once in place these polythene Sanstrap bands quickly grip, holding everything firmly on a pallet. They arrive perforated on a roll in an easy to use portable dispenser box, simply tear off and fit around the load, ensuring one band per layer. Polypropylene strapping kits Kite’s strapping kits are suitable for a wide range of uses and are available in polypropylene, corded, polyester and steel strapping. Recently expanded, Kite’s polypropylene strapping kit range now includes a strapping kit with a combination tool that performs both the tensioning & sealing. It’s vital to have the correct tools for securing products, particularly for handling and transportation. For more information on Kite Packaging and their range of products and services, visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
THE past few months have been a time of massive upheaval for installers across the UK following the coronavirus lockdown – with contractors having to adapt to new ways of working in an extremely short space of time. On Sunday, 10 May, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a ‘conditional plan’ to reopen parts of society – highlighting construction and manufacturing as an example of an industry where returning to work would now be explicitly encouraged. With this in mind, Adrian Buttress, managing director at Permaroof, the UK’s leading importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover, shares his top tips on how traders can continue to work effectively and safely with both suppliers and customers. He said: “Many roofing installers have continued to work throughout the pandemic and now, the rest of the industry is being encouraged to return to their jobs. We recommend contractors strictly implement the government’s social distancing requirements and avoid public transport to minimise the risk of spreading the virus and keep the public – as well as themselves – safe.” Be organised when collecting materials “Despite lots of workers now being encouraged to go back into their workplace, this doesn’t mean everything will go back to as it was pre-pandemic straight away. “At the moment, you’re probably not going to be able to go to a trade counter and decide what you need while there. You will need to know exactly what you want beforehand and pre-order the stock so the guidelines in place can be strictly adhered to. It’s also important to stay on top of stock checks so you know exactly what you have already to avoid placing unnecessary orders.” Expect delays “Most businesses are running on skeleton staff who will be working different shifts and will have changed their ways of working to continue trading, meaning processes may be slower. When ordering from the merchant counter, it’s likely your order may take longer to fulfil than normal. To avoid this impacting on your business, forward plan and place orders before stocks become critically low.” Organising quotations “When carrying out quotations, it’s important to communicate with customers clearly. Tell them to stay inside while you get up the ladder and take the measurements. The quotation can then be sent over email – offering a completely contactless service.” Offering a contactless service “Once you’ve got the materials and secured the job, work to pre-arrange any electricity extensions to be put outside the building so you don’t have to go inside the home. Also, it’s worth thinking about toilet facilities and how you’re going to access these safely while staying away from the customer. “Sadly, tea and coffee should be off the cards too and make sure you’re sanitising as you go along. Not only is all of the above good practice in terms of health and safety, it’s all good for the customer to see that you care about their wellbeing. “When it comes to roofs, things can go wrong and urgent maintenance and repairs sometimes need to be carried out without further delay to avoid problems down the line. However, it’s vital that these take place safely to avoid the further spread of the virus.” For more information on Permaroof UK, please visit www.permaroof.co.uk or call 01773 608839.
Employee-owned packaging company Kite Packaging have recently launched on their leading B2B website, packing benches and paper roll holders, both great additions to any pick, pack and despatch operation. Kite’s strong and sturdy packing benches are a great addition to their workstations and benches offering. Packing benches are the ideal space-saving solution when packing items within an operation, they ensure efficiency and can be kitted out with all the required items for the process. Produced from strong steel with a Melamine Faced Chipboard worktop and supplied flat packed for ease of movement and transport, these strong sturdy benches have an excellent load-bearing capacity and are available in two configurations, with and without a shelf and extra roll holder. Kite’s recently launched paper roll holders with an integrated cutting blade, are another great essential product when packing items. Designed to be on the top of a counter or under a packing bench, they will ensure easy accessibility to materials as and when needed. They are commonly used by, ecommerce companies looking for an internal paper solution to wrap a wide range of goods, florists and, gift wrapping. For more information on Kite Packaging and their range of goods and services, please visit kitepackaging.co.uk
Having an iterative approach to processes is important in any company, but particularly in terms of the supply chain. Companies who manage large fleets need to avoid problems like mass breakdowns or accidents on the road, which they do with good preventative maintenance plans and fleet management strategies. If your business manages a fleet, there are many things that you can do to keep the vehicles running smoothly. Keep these tips in mind: Preventative Maintenance: In cases of mass breakdowns, for example, it’s unlikely that things go wrong simultaneously. Chances are, things begin to malfunction one at a time and before you know it, several vehicles are in need of repairs. A good preventative maintenance plan means developing a clear, comprehensive checklist to go through on a regular basis for inspecting and examining vehicles. If you find any faults, the vehicle should be pulled from the rotation and dealt with. While being down a vehicle isn’t fun for anybody, it’s a lot easier to have one out of use for a short while than have several off the road at once. Good record-keeping is crucial for storing preventative maintenance checklists and any data on your vehicles and allows you to set up alerts to remind you of when it’s time to evaluate them. Improve Driver Habits: Nipping any poor driving habits and patterns in the bud is another essential when it comes to good fleet management. Poor driving habits like unnecessary acceleration, excessive braking, and idling can all lead to wear and tear on vehicles, along with increasing fuel costs unnecessarily. The good news is that all these actions can easily be corrected. A good telematics system in vehicles will track driver behaviour and make it easier for you to determine which drivers need to be spoken to about improving habits on the road. The Right Insurance: Getting the right fleet insurance is crucial for keeping things running smoothly. Getting the right level of cover is essential to ensure that in the event of vehicles being taken off the road due to accident damage, your company will be covered financially. In addition, if an accident occurs, the right insurance cover will provide financial security if your driver is found to be at fault. You can compare fleet insurance quotes using Quotezone, a comparison site that makes it easy to get the right fleet insurance cover by entering your company and fleet details and the comparing quotes from a range of different providers. Accountability: Making sure that everybody in your workforce is accountable is crucial for good fleet management. You need to have comprehensive record-keeping and know which employee is in charge of each vehicle at all times, how many miles they drive per day, and the condition of the vehicle when it was returned. While most drivers are trustworthy, employees don’t always treat company vehicles like they would their own, so it’s important to have a process in place that records any damage that occurs on the job to encourage them to be more cautious. A good incentive is to provide rewards for employees who take the best care of their vehicles. Good fleet management is all about comprehensive record-keeping and dealing with issues quickly.
Where The Trade Buys, one of the UK’s leading printing companies, has launched a campaign to show support for the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of our ‘Together We Are Stronger’ campaign, we are calling on people to print off our posters and colour them in, to your own tastes, and share them on social media. The campaign launch coincides with the UK public’s overwhelming response to ‘Clap for our Carers’, which saw people head for their balconies, windows, and doors, to applaud NHS health workers in their efforts to fight Covid-19. We’ve created a template for you. All you need to do is print it off enough times for all the family to get involved and get designing! Get your creative juices flowing, display your posters around the house — especially in your windows for the neighbours to see — and even take it to social media. Louise Stephenson, Managing Director at Where The Trade Buys, said: “The pressure the NHS staff are under at the moment is unimaginable. At a time of crisis, it is imperative that we all pull together and there’s no better way to do that than through social engagement. “While the majority of us are limited to the confines of our own homes, it is a great way to interact with our families and celebrate our unsung heroes. Let’s share these posters on social media and show the NHS we are all behind them and put a smile back on their face.” Share your posters between family and friends and engage with the hashtag #TogetherAtHome on social media. Remember to tag Where The Trade Buys in your posts so we can reach an even wider audience. To download your free posters, visit https://www.wherethetradebuys.co.uk/together-at-home
During digital transformation, taking advantage of new technology will involve increasing the cyber-attack surface of your business. With that said, you do need to ensure that you act with necessary caution. Worst case scenario, if an attack is successful, the downtime could spell financial disaster for your organisation. With cyber-attacks against UK organisations increasing in 2019, your business can’t afford to take risks. Ransomware attacks have hit some sectors harder than others, including finance, construction and professional services, at a high rate, hackers are targeting all industries with the file-encrypting malware (Datto). Read through our guide below, created to lend you some insight into how to adopt new technologies whilst keeping your business data as secure as possible. Focus on anti-ransomware solutions With the introduction of GDPR legislation, hackers know that encrypted or stolen data could land a business in hot water with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which could lead to fines in the tens of millions. They’ll use this to their advantage to extort ransom payments out of you. It’s never advisable to pay the cybercriminals, as it’s rare you’ll get your data back. Additionally, hackers will identify your business as a guaranteed pay-out and will continue to target you. With ransomware attacks increasing exponentially in recent years, security organisations have created solutions which specifically protect your systems and data from ransomware. Intelligent solutions like Intercept X will prevent ransomware at the point of infiltration. Or, if your business has already fallen victim to this file-encrypting malware, it’ll reverse the damage. You’ll also get access to features like root cause analysis, which identifies how the ransomware got into your business so you can bolster your systems going forward. A business continuity plan is paramount If, like many businesses, you host all of your critical resources on one server, an attack or failure on this system could bring your business down. For years, organisations have been backing up their files and data either on physical devices or into the cloud. But now it’s not enough to simply back up data. Forward-thinking business continuity and disaster recovery solutions will not only back up your data, but back up your entire IT estate,, whether that’s physical, virtual or in the cloud. Say, for example, a key server in your business goes down – that could be due to a malicious attack, an electrical failure or a flood. You can use your business continuity solution to spin up your server virtually and be back up-and-running in no time. A managed IT services partner can help you implement the most suitable solution. With proper training, staff can help to protect your business data Even with the advent of innovative technologies, your biggest attack surface is still your employees. Email is by far the most popular vector to launch a cyber-attack, with an estimated 91% of cyber-attacks starting with an email designed to harvest login credentials (PhishMe research). The phishing emails of the 2010s are significantly more targeted and harder to spot than old-school email scams. Hackers are impersonating the business software you use (including purporting to be Microsoft to get your email credentials), your suppliers and even your colleagues, and they’re more convincing than ever. Ensuring your staff are not only provided with training opportunities, but are continually upskilled in spotting suspicious content, is essential to keeping your business safe. Additionally, you can use tools which simulate phishing attacks to benchmark the existing knowledge amongst your employees and track progress against your training. Bio: Natasha Bougourd is a Lead Applications Writer at TSG, offering managed IT support in London, with expertise across a range of areas including Office 365, Dynamics 365, document management and business intelligence.
As global warming threatens the planet, consumers are starting to pay more attention to the brands they buy from. Governments across the world are trying to prevent a global crisis by forcing businesses to lower their emissions. Sustainability has become increasingly important and it’s something consumers are focusing more on too. This is especially true when it comes to product packaging. Here, we’ll look at what eco-friendly packaging is and why it’s becoming increasingly important to consumers. What is eco-friendly packaging? Eco-friendly packaging is described as a material which reduces its eco footprint over time. It could be made from 100% raw and recyclable materials, or it may be reusable packaging. It could also refer to packaging which has been made by a minimised production and supply chain process. In terms of what types of packaging businesses can use, cardboard and paperboard are great options. As well as focusing on recyclable materials, consumers also expect less packaging to be used. This means not sending goods in boxes that are far bigger than they need to be for example. Why is it important to consumers? So, why is sustainable packaging important to consumers? Well, they are much more aware of their own impact on the environment. Ensuring they buy from businesses who use sustainable packaging, therefore helps them to reduce their own carbon footprint. Another reason it’s important is because it shows consumers what a business truly cares about. They would much rather buy from companies who are dedicated to having the environment, than those who are simply looking out for their profits. The business benefits it provides It isn’t just the environment and the consumers which benefit from eco friendly packaging. It can also have great benefits to businesses too. By using sustainable packaging, it’s going to help drive profits and save the business money. When you order parcel delivery through Parcel2Go, you’ll find it’s much cheaper to send parcels with minimal packaging. As it’s important to consumers, you’ll also find focusing on sustainability helps you to attract more customers. This is turn boosts your profits. Of course, you’ll also feel good in the knowledge that you’re doing your part in saving the planet. If you really want to stand out from your competitors and make the biggest difference in terms of packaging, switching to plant based solutions is a good idea. These types of packaging are made from organic compounds which easily and safely decompose over time. As you can see, there are lots of reasons for businesses to start using more eco-friendly packaging. It plays an important role in reducing the effects of global warming, while also keeping consumers happier.