Leading UK boiler manufacturer, Worcester Bosch, has launched a new initiative to support installers and homeowners for work undertaken in the home. The ‘Safe in your Home Installer Commitment’ is a pledge for installers to sign-up for, enabling them to receive a pack of digital and physical tools to help
AO Business welcome two new hires to strengthen their housebuilder team after a successful six months in the market. Gary Holt and Andrew Robinson joined the business to business division of the online electricals retailer on April 1st. Both have started as Business Development Managers with Andrew Robinson covering sales
UK’s leading supplier of ironmongery to the trade, IronmongeryDirect, has been named as one of the top internet retailers in the UK. The company has appeared, for the first time, in the Internet Retailing UK Top 500, entering within the first 350 businesses. The IRUK Top 500 report ranks retailers
The boiler in a home is one of the most used appliances, and one that you want to ensure is working correctly. If the boiler broke down, especially during the cold months of the year, it could leave the home with no heat and leave the household in danger. Even
Snows Glastonbury DC unveiled their new Biomass Boiler this week. We sell over 1000 products and some require milling to meet product specifications. Our Glastonbury site has the facility to complete this process, which can produce off-cuts of wood. These off-cuts are a valuable fuel and will be used for
Dealing with a broken appliance? From your oven to your dishwasher, when your appliances stop working, it’s important to contact an experienced, qualified repair specialist to bring them back to working condition. The best appliance repair specialists tend to quote fair, realistic prices and complete their work to a high
Do people want a smart box that can physically control everything in their homes? We posed this question to consumers for the first time, back in 2004. Being a home automation company in the Netherlands and coming from a background of technology development and IoT enthusiasm, we pioneered remote controlling
The Range’s South of England distribution centre will get a massive 1.2m sq ft single unit to service its growing market presence after purchasing a 55-acre site at Central Park, the Delta Properties’ logistics development in Bristol. The unit forms part of grand plans by the company’s founders whose ambitions
Leading UK boiler manufacturer, Worcester Bosch, has launched a new initiative to support installers and homeowners for work undertaken in the home. The ‘Safe in your Home Installer Commitment’ is a pledge for installers to sign-up for, enabling them to receive a pack of digital and physical tools to help them undertake work in customers’ homes safely and securely. The Commitment intends to do two things: Give installers clarity on the correct social distancing and hygiene guidelines they need to be following when entering customers’ homes Give customers reassurance that any visiting installer who signs up to the commitment will have the knowledge and tools to take the right precautionary measures Every installer who signs up to the Safe in your Home Installer Commitment receives a digital pack of assets, with the first 5,000 also being sent a physical package of free goods. This consists of: Digital stamp for use on social pages and website, a clear indicator to show they have signed up to the initiative An email checklist for customers and installer to fill out pre-visit Guidance documents for installers and homeowners, an essential reminder of the precautions to follow Email footers, to work as a signature in customer comms Removable van vinyl of the Installer Commitment logo [First 5,000 only] ‘Installer at work’ sign, showing the precautionary measures being taken [First 5,000 only], to be displayed in company vehicles during call outs The new tools have been designed by Worcester Bosch to help installers, who carry out work in people’s homes, demonstrate that safety is the main focus for any boiler installation and home heating maintenance, particularly during these uncertain times. Victoria Billings, Director of Marketing at Worcester Bosch said; “As the UK Government starts to ease its lockdown measures, industries like ours are beginning to return to work. With this comes a constant need to adapt to the ever-changing climate. “We feel it is important to support installers at this time, enabling them to reassure customers about how they are safe working in their homes. This initiative intends to do just that and ensure that homeowners and installers are reassured and clear regarding safety considerations for an at-home visit, with a variety of digital and physical reminders putting safety front and centre of every visit.” Installers can pledge to be a part of the commitment here.
AO Business welcome two new hires to strengthen their housebuilder team after a successful six months in the market. Gary Holt and Andrew Robinson joined the business to business division of the online electricals retailer on April 1st. Both have started as Business Development Managers with Andrew Robinson covering sales in the North and Scotland while Gary Holt will cover the South of England. AO Business entered the competitive housebuilders market last year to transform the way appliances are purchased for new developments. After only six months, they have secured the contracts to supply appliances for over 12,000 new building plots. Robinson joins AO from furniture manufacturer VitrA UK, with experience in the housebuilder market following a Business Manager role specifically for housebuilders at Made Better by Ellis. He previously spent 16 years as a National Sales Manager at bathroom manufacturer Accent Kitchens, where he was responsible for securing group agreements with many regional developers. Prior to joining AO, Holt was at German-based manufacturer Westag and Getalit AG where he spent 5 years as Area Sales Manager for Retail before moving into a new role as Business Development Manager. In the worktop industry, he worked in the developer and housebuilder sectors, and his projects included Royal Air Force redevelopments and various university sites around the country. Anthony Sant, MD of AO Business said: “We’re thrilled to have both Gary and Andy joining us on our mission to improve the way that housebuilders purchase appliances. With their wealth of sales experience and contacts in the industry, we are now in an even better position to provide a solution to the everyday challenges facing housebuilders.” With next day delivery, renowned customer service and over 20 years’ experience of selling electricals to the public, AO Business offer a unique proposition for time-pressed housebuilders.
UK’s leading supplier of ironmongery to the trade, IronmongeryDirect, has been named as one of the top internet retailers in the UK. The company has appeared, for the first time, in the Internet Retailing UK Top 500, entering within the first 350 businesses. The IRUK Top 500 report ranks retailers by revenue, store networks and website traffic as well as undertaking in-depth analysis into an organisation’s approach to customers. Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said while they had experienced their best financial year to date, the Basildon-based wholesaler was not resting on its laurels – with further expansion planned in 2019 and beyond. He said: “We are thrilled to have made it into the IRUK Top 500 internet retailers. To be included in a list of companies that consist of the likes of Amazon, John Lewis and Argos is a great reflection of our achievements and is an indication of the positive direction that IronmongeryDirect is heading in. “In the digital age where the standard 9-5 working hours are becoming less applicable, IronmongeryDirect is leading the way and continually evolving our business strategy, placing our customers firmly at the centre.” IronmongeryDirect has recently completed a major expansion of its warehouse and is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary later this year. Wayne continued: “The expansion has enabled us to improve our service offering whilst continuing to grow our product range, bringing the total range to over 17,000 products. This further cements our position as the leading supplier of ironmongery and related products to the trade in the UK. IronmongeryDirect is the UK’s largest specialist ironmongery supplier, with over 17,000 products in stock, available for next day delivery when you order by 8pm Sunday to Friday and by 4pm on Saturday. Free delivery is available on orders over £45 together with free returns. For more information, visit IronmongeryDirect.com or call their team of specialist advisors on 0800 168 28 28.
The boiler in a home is one of the most used appliances, and one that you want to ensure is working correctly. If the boiler broke down, especially during the cold months of the year, it could leave the home with no heat and leave the household in danger. Even with regular maintenance, there will come a time when the boiler will need to be replaced. By watching for warning signs, however, you can be prepared for the impending crash of the boiler as to not be caught off guard. Keep tabs on the following signs that are telling you to replace the boiler. Notice a Bad Smell If you notice a foul smell or an odor of any kind coming from the boiler, that is a sign that you will need to replace the boiler right away. That smell is likely coming from a carbon monoxide leak, which can be very harmful and even deadly if breathed in. Although carbon monoxide does not have an odor, the smell would be coming from the boiling not running properly, a result of a leak. Other signs related to a carbon monoxide leak include noticing an increase in condensation on the inside of windows, soot stains around the boiler, or the flame has a yellow hue (rather than a crisp blue), and it blows out frequently. You Hear Odd Noises A healthy boiler will have a quite hum sound to it. However, a boiler in need of replacing will make noticeable noises like a clunk or a bang. Those sounds could be a result of a number of issues, including something broken inside. Notice a Leak A boiler primarily heats the water in your home. Warm water corrodes metal more quickly than cold water. There are parts of the boiler that are susceptible to corrosion. Over time, if corrosion occurs, you’ll start to notice your boiler leaking. Pay attention to any water around the boiler. That is a sign that it will likely need to be replaced. Troubles Heating the House An obvious sign that a boiler needs replacing is when there are issues keeping the house and water heated. Although the boiler is still functioning, it isn’t working at its full capacity. It is likely time to replace the boiler. Expensive Energy Bills If you start to notice an increase in your energy or power bills, it could be from your boiler. If the boiler is coming to the end of its lifespan, it will require more power to do the same amount of work. You would then notice a more expensive bill due to the inefficiency of the boiler. No Heat at All If you notice there is no heat whatsoever, including the water, there is something very wrong with the boiler. When this happens, it’s likely that you need an emergency boiler repair, or having to replace the whole appliance. Although this isn’t a sign you want to have, it will be your most apparent sign of the boiler needing attention.
Snows Glastonbury DC unveiled their new Biomass Boiler this week. We sell over 1000 products and some require milling to meet product specifications. Our Glastonbury site has the facility to complete this process, which can produce off-cuts of wood. These off-cuts are a valuable fuel and will be used for the new renewable energy source. The system provides a whole range of benefits including; Reducing Carbon Emissions: The Biomass boiler produces a fraction of carbon emissions that fossil fuels make, and releases contemporary carbons back into the environment meaning carbon levels are consistent and sustainable. Improving efficiency This modern technology operates at 90% efficiency which is vastly higher than conventional boilers. Producing a renewable energy The energy created by the boiler will be re-distributed back into the site and used for power & lighting. Financial benefit The boiler presents key financial benefits, including a £12,000 government payback scheme, which will be re-invested into the site to improve efficiencies even further.
Dealing with a broken appliance? From your oven to your dishwasher, when your appliances stop working, it’s important to contact an experienced, qualified repair specialist to bring them back to working condition. The best appliance repair specialists tend to quote fair, realistic prices and complete their work to a high standard. Less reliable appliance repair technicians, on the other hand, often deliver lower quality results, often at an inflated price. This makes choosing the right individual or company an important task if you’re dealing with a damaged or non-working oven, microwave, washing machine or other device that’s in need of appliance repairs. Below, we’ve listed four techniques that you can use to choose the right appliance repair service and avoid overpriced, low quality service providers. Check for a workmanship guarantee Repairs aren’t supposed to bring your appliance back to life for a few days or weeks. Instead, a thorough repair should provide lasting results that keep your appliance working as it should for the long term. Appliance repair specialists that stand behind their work usually offer a guarantee of one year or longer, giving you confidence that the repair you’re paying for is worth the money. Before you choose any appliance repair service, check that they offer a workmanship guarantee for completed jobs. If there’s no guarantee, it’s usually worth searching for a repair provider with a more confident approach to their work. Check reviews from previous customers There’s no substitute for honest feedback, especially when you need to compare several service providers. If you’re looking for an appliance repair specialist, an easy way to narrow your search down to the very best is by using a website like Reviews.co.uk, which lists user reviews for a variety of companies and service businesses. If a repair business has a strong rating with numerous positive reviews, it’s usually a worthwhile choice. If it has a weak rating or numerous negative reviews from previous customers, it might be best to look for an alternative provider. Look for a no fix, no fee policy If an appliance repair provider can’t fix your appliance, you shouldn’t be required to pay for their services. Despite this, many appliance repair companies will charge you a call-out fee even if it’s not possible for their technicians to repair your appliance. When you’re comparing appliance repair providers, check for a no fix, no fee policy. This policy means that if your appliance can’t be fixed, you won’t need to pay a fee for the repair provider’s services. Check that their service is fast and convenient Dealing with a broken appliance can be a frustrating experience, especially if it’s an appliance you depend on for your day-to-day life. Because of this, few things are as irritating as having to wait for several days for an open slot to become available in a technician’s schedule. After you’ve found an appliance repair provide that ticks all of the above boxes, contact them to check that they’re available at a convenient time and date. If they’re available, book them as soon as possible to make sure you receive quick, convenient service. If there’s a long waiting period, it might be better to move on to an alternative provider to avoid going several days without a working oven, microwave, dishwasher or other appliance.
Do people want a smart box that can physically control everything in their homes? We posed this question to consumers for the first time, back in 2004. Being a home automation company in the Netherlands and coming from a background of technology development and IoT enthusiasm, we pioneered remote controlling devices, smart lighting and assisted living, even back then. Now remember, this was years before the iPhone was introduced. Touchscreens had only just started popping up. Even though all of these things were already possible, our ambitious plan to “conquer the world” didn’t quite take off in the way we had expected. Why? It turns out that people didn’t want a mysterious box with the potential to control fully their home. They simply weren’t ready for that concept because they didn’t understand it. Years later, in 2012, the realization of what people actually wanted came when we partnered with a forward-thinking and leading Dutch energy company, Eneco. They realized that the energy world is changing and that we have to transition from a central to a decentralized system. From a world with central energy production and delivery over a grid to people’s homes, to a reality where people are generating their own, sustainable energy and using a smart grid. In this new world, they needed a new business model. They wanted to shift from a traditional supply of energy to a new service model, one that could help them connect with their customers and drastically reduce churn. The smart thermostat we were developing provided just that. From a smart box concept in 2004, it developed into a new self-learning smart thermostat that incorporated all the features of the original product, but added one big new advantage: an attractive smart energy display. This suddenly provided a new foothold into the smart home market, allowing multiple features to be introduced to the screen. It helped to transform the concept of a smart thermostat intended for a niche and ‘geeky’ audience into a mass energy-saving solution. Now, over 200,000 people have embraced this smart home proposition branded as ‘Toon’ by Eneco in their homes in the Netherlands, putting our product in the top three smart thermostats in Europe. The case for smart thermostats to provide a platform to the smart home became apparent, as sales continued to grow and we decided to build new features and services on top of our platform quickly after that. For instance, we connected smart plugs to our smart thermostat, so that consumers can control their lighting and devices and gain unique insights into their usage on a device level. We also introduced a smoke detection feature that builds on a wireless smoke detector and alerts Eneco’s customers when there is a fire in their homes. These are just a few of the many examples and opportunities that the platform offers. But there are more. Indeed, Quby sees the potential for many features to come: Smarter energy with storage and boiler management Eneco recently partnered with Tesla to sell their home energy storage solution called the “Powerwall”. We are currently developing new insight features for their solution on our smart thermostat. But not long before that, their user base was delighted to see a solar monitoring feature. This allows them to see how much energy they are generating, consuming and delivering back to the grid. The consumer thereby gains insight if they are on track to generate returns on their investment. Another recent introduction was a new boiler management service, allowing for maintenance of the boiler based on predictive analysis that shows the decreased performance of the boiler before it breaks down. These are just a few examples of the smart energy solutions that enable people worldwide to play an active role in the energy transition. Instead of shying away from these concepts because it threatens the traditional energy company’s position, Eneco decided to build their business around it. Insight into energy consumption and appliances The visual display of our device presents insightful details of the energy consumption of the user, showing hourly, daily, weekly and monthly usage of gas and electricity. This even allows for benchmarking with neighbours and friends. Additional features coach the user into understanding what’s happening in their home and to see where they can reduce both their usage and cut their bill. With the extension of a smart plug, they can now see how much energy usage individual appliances account for, and easily spot ‘energy hogs’ in their home. Beyond these features, our research and development team are also exploring ‘home health’ uses by adding sensors for air quality and other detection that will offer people even more insight. Leveraging third party creativity with API’s Because our platform offers open API’s, it opens up a world of opportunities by leveraging creativity from third party developers who are able to develop new consumer services and even connect new hardware from third parties. A possible area of innovation could relate to people’s health and assisted living services could become a logical next step. This means helping the elderly lead fulfilling and active lives, while their loved ones are in the loop and able to remotely monitor their safety. Privacy and safety In all this, there is the question of privacy and safety, which we take extremely seriously. We have the infrastructure and policies to match this. The data of the end-user is stored on the device and it only leaves the thermostat if the end-user says so. As you can see in Quby’s roadmap of new features, the possibilities are endless and we are continuously building towards the connected home of the future. We’ve learnt that these concepts simply cannot be introduced all at once, especially when developing products and services for a mass market. They have to be introduced gradually as an extension to a service that people are familiar with and understand, and in a way that makes sense to them. That can only be done if you start from a position
The Range’s South of England distribution centre will get a massive 1.2m sq ft single unit to service its growing market presence after purchasing a 55-acre site at Central Park, the Delta Properties’ logistics development in Bristol. The unit forms part of grand plans by the company’s founders whose ambitions shows no signs of waning. To be completed by next year, the new distribution centre will provide more than 1,000 jobs to the local area after The Range co-founder Chris Dawson pledged more money to grow the business. Indeed, he will put £100m of his own money into the project which he believes will successfully support ambitious growth plans which include more stores and an increase in multi-channel activities. Dawson, who founded The Range in 1980 as an open air market trader, told reporters that he did the latest deal while sipping pina coladas on his favourite beach in Barbados. He was in the same spot when he purchased all the MFI stock a few years ago. He said the new distribution centre is part of his “non-stop” ambition and that it highlights another major step forward for this quickly developing business. Dawson’s success has seen him feature in the Sunday Times Rich List thanks to a cut-throat ethos on making a business as profitable as possible. From humble roots The Range has enjoyed significant expansion over the last few years. Today, it is recognised for its array of products across a number of departments which Dawson plans to increase in the next 12 to 24 months. Currently stores stock around 65,000 quality products in the mid-price range to help its customers develop their homes at affordable prices. The evolution of The Range has seen it diversify into manufacturing, waste management, property, dry cleaning and shop-fitting. It has also launched a financial management division with the introduction of The Money-range.
