You may be intimidated by getting out a paint brush and painting your home or workplace, many people are, and this is generally because people are unsure of what paints to use for what surface. But according to DIY Network, anyone can paint a room and get professional results by
A pair of Liebherr three-axle cranes will boost Emerson’s range and help it remain one of the UK’s leading mobile crane providers in the South. The company, formed in 1991, continues to achieve success thanks to its broad catalogue of products that genuinely add value to customer ambitions alongside proven
Recticel is no stranger to industry-leading solutions. Part of the international Recticel Group based in Belgium, its culture of innovation is well-founded while its in-house expertise continues to see it develop products that bring tangible benefits to the PIR market. Customers have become accustomed to reliable, cost effective solutions from
Who knew radiators would get so futuristic? But, as Electrorad’s range of Digi-Line electric radiators proves, heating has entered the 21st century in a big way. The wireless programmer has unveiled a new control hub with wi-fi gateway called Touch E3, an app which allows users to wirelessly control the heating
Last month’s takeover of Interlift by Hewden has seen a management makeover that has installed Mike Omond, Edward Carr and Kevin Chalmers in key operational roles. Omond arrives from Speedy to take up a brand new position as plant operations director, Carr leaves Select to come on board as operations director
Hope Construction Materials, the UK’s leading independent supplier of cement and concrete, has announced the launch of its new bagged cement product, available later this year. Their Professional Grade Cement will be available to customers across the southern half of England, the newest entrant into a UK bagged cement market
Why it’s Important to Wrap Responsibly: Stretch wrapping is an extremely important component of the packaging and shipping process. Although it may initially appear to be simply a way of safely unitizing and shipping products it is also a representation of your company, it leaves an impression. When receiving
It was just last year that I found myself on the hiking trail of the Scottish West Highland Way, completely isolated with my teammates along with a heap of snow and cold weather. Our expedition was cancelled and we had to complete a newly arranged one later that year. This
Construction Inflatables are excited to launch their new range of inflatable structures. A revolutionary new option consisting of four key product lines which offer protection and a covered workspace specifically for the construction industry. Construction Inflatables believe the product is ideal for any building site environment, from full construction through
Managed Services was on hand to provide emergency support to customers dealing with the serious effects of adverse weather conditions over the Christmas period. Travis Perkins Managed Services provided emergency support to a number of housing associations over the Christmas period, helping repairs and maintenance teams to quickly respond to
You may be intimidated by getting out a paint brush and painting your home or workplace, many people are, and this is generally because people are unsure of what paints to use for what surface. But according to DIY Network, anyone can paint a room and get professional results by working efficiently, neatly and with careful preparation. Below we’ve created a handy guide to painting, listing the different types of paints, and what they are used for. Use anti mould paint in bathrooms This might seem quite obvious but, by using anti mould paint in your bathroom, you won’t have to redo the paint for a long period of time. This is because anti mould paint contains specialised additives in order to create barriers, and prevent mould from occurring. If mould has already started to grow, then use a cleaner to get rid of it first. Prime your radiator before painting Before painting your radiator, ensure it is turned off and cooled down! If you spot any sections that have rusted over the years then use sandpaper to remove the rust. Once clean and rust-free, you can use a primer before applying the top coat. Use solvent-based paints for your radiator, such as non-drip or satinwood which you can find in a range of colours. Satin for bedrooms is advisable Satin paint is usually the best for bedrooms, this is down to them being easy to clean, easy to maintain and durable. Machperson paint is popular, this is because of the quality finish it provides, the large range on offer, and how easily it dries. Matt Emulsion is recommended for ceilings The majority of people tend to use Matt Emulsion paints for ceilings due to their toughness, durability and the ability to be wiped down easily. Matt Emulsion paints are also non-reflective, which is exactly what you need for a ceiling. Undercoats and topcoats are perfect for woodwork For woodwork you’ll need both an undercoat and topcoat and you can choose from either oil-based or water based. The advantages of oil-based paints are that they are hard-wearing and cover well, however the disadvantages include; smelling until they dry and having to use white spirit to get the paint off your brushes. The advantages of water based paints are that they’re easy to apply, don’t smell much and you can clean your brushes with water. But the disadvantages are that you need more coats of paint to get a good finish and they don’t last as long as oil-based paints. Use exterior paint brands for the outside There are a variety of exterior-based paints that you can use for the outside of buildings, depending on what you require. For example Zinsser Perma-White Interior/Exterior Gloss and Satin Paint is great due to resisting cracking, peeling and blistering for up to 7 years before needing a fresh coat. Johnstones Solar Reflective Paint is ideal for roofs that are exposed to direct sunlight. Image source: www.flickr.com/photos/unitedsoybean/10481728754/in/photostream/
A pair of Liebherr three-axle cranes will boost Emerson’s range and help it remain one of the UK’s leading mobile crane providers in the South. The company, formed in 1991, continues to achieve success thanks to its broad catalogue of products that genuinely add value to customer ambitions alongside proven efficiency, quality and safety. Its latest cranes are two Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1 all-terrain mobile cranes, the three-axle units benefiting from full specification which includes the safe-lifting control system VarioBase providing better overall management of the crane in spite of the specific set-up of the outriggers. With a maximum lifting capacity of 60 tonnes, the LTM 1060-3.1 is great when operated at close radius with its five-section boom extending to 48 metres. Its ability to travel on UK roads is supported by its capacity to remain within STGO regulations even when carrying over a dozen tonnes of counterweight. Moreover, install the double fly jib and the maximum lifting height is increased to 63 metres. The new cranes also benefit from Liebherr enhancements such as Kenwood radios and in-cab Bluetooth with external microphone. Emerson, which enjoys a strong relationship with Liebherr thanks to its attentive customer service and reliable product, gains from the crane-provider’s expertise across the earth-moving and material handling operation where it produces industry-leading mining and quarrying machinery, as well as ancillary equipment supporting its tower and mobile crane units.
Recticel is no stranger to industry-leading solutions. Part of the international Recticel Group based in Belgium, its culture of innovation is well-founded while its in-house expertise continues to see it develop products that bring tangible benefits to the PIR market. Customers have become accustomed to reliable, cost effective solutions from Recticel’s state of the art facility in Stoke which is certified under BS EN 1SO 9001:2008 and BS EN ISO 14001:2004 for its quality and environmental practices. Its reputation is built upon a technical knowledge like few others thanks to the experience of its in-house team, supporting clients on the best PIR insulation product for their needs. Its latest innovation is less a technology ground-breaker and more an initiative to offer better value. Its new u-value calculator has been produced to help those needing to establish the thermal performance of a building. It will be made freely available by Recticel. The product has wide coverage across Recticel’s portfolio which includes cavity walls, timber and steel-framed walls, floors, soffit lining applications and flat and pitched roofs. It has been specifically designed to provide quick access to accurate calculations of common instructions. Paul Forrester, Recticel technical specialist, called it a “user-friendly” enabler, citing the opportunity for users to gain calculations close to the standards required by the Competency Scheme without having an accredited contractor there to perform it themselves. He said Recticel supported the BBA’s benchmark for u-value calculation but acknowledged that customers at times want to carry out their own work. This latest product will enable users to get a quick “ready-reckoner” or experiment with different solutions to get a better u-value rating. The registration-free calculator is a modified version of the company’s own software. Recticel ensures that calculations comply with the latest regulations surrounding the built environment and carbon reduction programmes alongside providing advice on installation best practices and such elements as condensation risk analysis.
Who knew radiators would get so futuristic? But, as Electrorad’s range of Digi-Line electric radiators proves, heating has entered the 21st century in a big way. The wireless programmer has unveiled a new control hub with wi-fi gateway called Touch E3, an app which allows users to wirelessly control the heating of their home. This allows complete management of the home heating experience and provides users the ability to activate radiators where ever they be in the world. Just got off a plane and are two hours from home? Get the house warmed up before you get there with Touch E3! “We are excited to take this revered range to a whole new level,” said managing director, Richard Brown, revealing that the Digi-Line range was named one of the best products of 2015 by Professional Electrician. “Digi-Line is renowned for providing an efficient and easy-to-control alternative to traditional gas central heating, and this latest technology will now facilitate the ultimate in flexibility and energy management, enabling homeowners to match their heating to their lifestyle.” Features include constant and auto programming modes, as well as providing better management of frost protection, holiday modes and other elements of the heating system. The easy-to-use software is enhanced by the use of smartphones, tablets or PCs having access to the entire management of heating controls. Users can even set rooms to different temperatures depending on their needs. In addition, data capture will allow users to cut costs, increase energy efficiency and save their own precious time through the CleverTouch App. The device will even tell users the exact temperature in every room with additional information adding to the flexibility of the functionality of the device such as an indication of the thermostat set point and the current heating mode. Digi-Line radiators have proven popular with plumbers in recent years when seeking heating systems for domestic extensions such as conservatories because they can be fitted without having to run from the existing boiler. That’s because the radiators, which are available in many different types and sizes like their gas-powered cousins, are filled with thermal fluid which is heated by energy-efficient elements evenly across the surface.
Last month’s takeover of Interlift by Hewden has seen a management makeover that has installed Mike Omond, Edward Carr and Kevin Chalmers in key operational roles. Omond arrives from Speedy to take up a brand new position as plant operations director, Carr leaves Select to come on board as operations director for cranes and Chalmers, former Interlift owner and director, is the new operations director for lifting solutions. The trio bring to Hewden a broad range of experience and knowledge which CEO Adrian Murphy is clearly delighted about. He said: “Mike, Edward and Kevin all bring a tremendous amount of expertise, innovative thinking and leadership qualities to Hewden. There’s never been a more exciting time to be involved in this business. We’re investing in our people, our processes and our products to be the leading on-site solutions provider in the UK. With these new appointments, we’re in a better position to achieve those strategic goals.” Omond, for example, has worked in plant hire since he was 16 years old. He’s been previously employed by a number of blue chip companies before leading Speedy Services as its managing director. Carr, a mechanical engineering graduate, specialised in tower crane operations with Laing O’Rourke before joining Hewden and will now look after mobile crane operations in his new role.
Hope Construction Materials, the UK’s leading independent supplier of cement and concrete, has announced the launch of its new bagged cement product, available later this year. Their Professional Grade Cement will be available to customers across the southern half of England, the newest entrant into a UK bagged cement market worth £180m annually. The newly revealed product pack design, developed in association with Cognition Agency, features a large ram – a nod to the firm’s rich Derbyshire roots and the source of the raw materials used to make the cement. The ram’s head is transparent to ensure the consistent colour provided by Hope is clearly visible, something many potential customers said was important to them. All the bags will be plastic, weatherproof and packed using the best equipment on the market, meaning merchants and builders will be able to confidently store the bags outdoors. Hope cement had previously been available in bags through a third party supplier, but this launch marks the first time Hope cement will be in the firm’s packaging. Hope’s facility will have extensive capacity and will put them in a great position to enhance service levels in the sector, a goal which has been central to their plans. Hope’s Professional Grade Cement and service offering is the culmination of an extensive 18 month research and development process, which saw hundreds of merchants and professional builders surveyed to ensure the product exceeds their needs and service adds real value to customers. The cement will be produced at the renowned Hope Works in Derbyshire, which has been making cement for more than 80 years. It will then be transported by rail for bagging and distribution from Hope’s new Dagenham plant which is set to open in the second quarter of 2016. Gary Brennand, Hope’s Commercial Director for Cement, said: “Hope Works has been making cement for more than 80 years and has an outstanding reputation for consistent quality and service. We are delighted to be able to offer our product in our own branded bag to customers for the very first time. “For 18 months we have spoken at length to builders and merchants to understand their needs and how we can add value to them. Using this insight we have developed a full package which we believe will redefine the sector and are really excited about sharing it all. Revealing our Hope Professional Grade Cement branding is just the start. “We are also pleased that the product launch will see jobs created in the Dagenham area to ensure we are prepared to meet the anticipated demand for Hope Professional Grade Cement.” Full technical detail will be released prior to launch. In the meantime, please visit www.HopeCement.com and follow @Hope_InABag.
Why it’s Important to Wrap Responsibly: Stretch wrapping is an extremely important component of the packaging and shipping process. Although it may initially appear to be simply a way of safely unitizing and shipping products it is also a representation of your company, it leaves an impression. When receiving a large amount of products machine stretch wrapped then that is, of course, the first thing that the customer will notice. If it has been wrapped carelessly, the client will lose faith in the quality of the product, however if it has been packaged appropriately it is yet another reason for a customer to return to the company. This means that you must consider your image when choosing to wrap your products, it must be done neatly and efficiently, the packaging speaks volumes about the company it’s coming from. Today’s Issues: There are a number of problems in the packaging industry, some are issues that come with the field (cost-efficiency) and others have found there footing in modern society (going green). Stretch wrapping, although being the chosen method of wrapping for many years, can offer solutions to both old and new problems. Efficiency: Firstly, all companies will want their product to be cost-efficient. For the protection given, the product itself is one of the cheapest wraps available on the market. The machine stretch-wrap gives you an extremely efficient way of protecting and packaging your products, the machines perform the wrap with minimal wastage meaning that you will get every penny back on the wrap itself. The elasticity of the wrap also gives you more for your money, using the machines can give the user stretch percentages of more than 100%, however if you were to stretch manually you will only get up to around 40%. In conjunction with this, quite often the cost of the stretch-wrap machines will be cheaper than any other form of wrap available. The machine stretch wrap also offers efficiency in other areas, one of the most significant ways that it allows you to be more effective is when taking inventory, by neatly unitizing your products in high-stacked groups you will be able to take stock much faster than if everything is sprawled out everywhere. In general, using a machine will also help to package more efficiently, it will be far quicker and allow you to work through a load easily with minimal wastage. Being Green: One of modern societies biggest issues is a problem that affects almost every company working today – making and keeping your company green. Customers have become aware of the costly effects of not being ‘green’, consumers are becoming more and more concerned with the way that their products are sourced and packaged. It can become an extremely powerful marketing tool when a company goes green. That is why, if you are environmentally conscious, stretch wrapping is one of the best options for packaging your product. You can protect the product with minimal wrapping while still keeping it safe and well-protected, this will also help in the aforementioned issue of efficiency, getting more for your money. As well as this, being plastic, usually the machine stretch wrap is entirely recyclable. The value of being green is not to be underestimated, it is a big issue and notice is taken when a company makes the effort of being environmentally aware. Machine Stretch Wrapping is overall an extremely useful product, it meets the demands of today’s market and also works with today’s societal issues. It is not expensive in comparison to other packaging products and can also do the work efficiently, without wasting time, money or the wrap itself. Machine Stretch Wrapping is a product that has been chosen time after time and it’s altogether unsurprising when you consider the benefits.
It was just last year that I found myself on the hiking trail of the Scottish West Highland Way, completely isolated with my teammates along with a heap of snow and cold weather. Our expedition was cancelled and we had to complete a newly arranged one later that year. This may be an odd way of relating what I have just told you to energy and power, but for many people, a reliance on power and energy is vital. Batteries come in two types; consumer and industrial. The majority of us are mostly familiarised with consumer batteries, the easily replaceable and recognisable small parts needed to power our remote controls and annoying presents on Christmas Day. However, many people will not take in to consideration the industrial style batteries used in the more powerful forms of technology such as Metabo power tools, as well as any wrapping needed to transport these items with products such as machine stretch wrap. My above statement may seem unfair however if you are in an employment sector demanding that you deal with industrial style batteries daily. This article is aimed at those using heavy industrial batteries and the benefits you could reap from investing in a new and innovative type. Lithium Ion batteries are a new form of battery with three key benefits including; no charge memory, a low self-discharge giving them a low maintenance and only one needed regular charge. The specialist cells in the new LiHD model mean that the power within the tool it is used in is given a higher current. Lithium ion came about as an alternative to normal lithium batteries which used metal and gave them a real instability. As well as when their non-rechargeable aspect when first introduced in the 1970s. The scientific aspect of how lithium ion works is by using three aspects as its conductor; a cathode, anode and electrolyte – a metal oxide is used for the cathode and a porous metal for the anode. I make as much effort as I possibly can to stay in touch with my best friend – my granny. Since coming to university this has become a bit of a challenge, but I make sure to phone her at least once a day. We discuss many different issues; including politics, religion and the current state of the economy. I know, you envy how much of a life I have. When I was in search of a job, I asked my granny why it was she thought it was harder to get a job and this lead on to the economic state of the country. I am not condoning this opinion or in fact saying it is correct, but my granny explained to me, in her opinion why employment in Britain currently stands the way it does. She puts it down to a lack of productivity and idleness within a lot of people, and because of this employers become more and more reluctant to dish out jobs and will only hire the best of the best. There are of course websites such as Search which offer a vast range of employment in various and exciting career sectors. So, if you happen to be the employer, you may question how you are able to increase productivity in the workplace. Well, if your company involves the usage of power tools you may be in luck. As I have mentioned before, the lithium ion battery is rechargeable with no memory effect and when you are not using the battery it has a slow loss of charge. SNAPCO is a Scottish based company and a major supplier of Metabo power tools, in particular the Metabo 18 V LiHD battery, a battery including all of the benefits I have noted above. As well as this SNAPCO also offer great packaging, with stretch wrap products – a product often overlooked by most of society when it is something needed to transport most of society’s material needs – maybe even their lithium ion batteries…
Construction Inflatables are excited to launch their new range of inflatable structures. A revolutionary new option consisting of four key product lines which offer protection and a covered workspace specifically for the construction industry. Construction Inflatables believe the product is ideal for any building site environment, from full construction through to overnight retail shop-fit or residential alterations. They are fully reusable, with installation time from as little as ten minutes and the costs far outweighing those of constructing a similar sized enclosure from ‘hard’ materials. Mark Wadsworth, Director at Construction Inflatables comments “These structures encompass several common issues associated with construction sites and projects to develop a unique and inspiring solution. They have been a huge hit with Health & Safety advisors and consultants throughout the industry and recently picked up a ‘Highly Commended’ mention in the Mace 2015 “Safety First, Second Nature” Awards.” Their key range consists of a Cutting Station, Working Pod, Hoarding Wall and various sized domed structures and Air Roofs. As well as these options, the team are able to fully design and manufacture products which suit their client’s specific project needs. All units are flame resistant and ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. With limitless design possibilities, only restricted by the limit of an individual’s imagination, these products represent the next phase of national and international construction safety. Call Construction Inflatables now to discuss your options or to arrange a viewing. Contact the team at info@constructioninflatables.com or call us on 020 3633 3493.
Managed Services was on hand to provide emergency support to customers dealing with the serious effects of adverse weather conditions over the Christmas period. Travis Perkins Managed Services provided emergency support to a number of housing associations over the Christmas period, helping repairs and maintenance teams to quickly respond to the impact of flooding. Managed Service colleagues across the UK donated their own time to customers affected by the adverse weather conditions that impacted parts of the UK end of December. Salix Homes, a housing association based in Salford, had 300 of its properties flooded and required immediate access to a range of repair materials. The store manager opened the housing association’s dedicated Managed Services store on the New Year Bank Holiday after an urgent call, whilst the team’s project manager was able to quickly source 150 dehumidifiers from stores in Yorkshire and Cumbria. Meanwhile, the Managed Services team in Gwynedd opened the dedicated store on three separate occasions over Christmas for housing association Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd (CCG). The branch managers and project manager were on 24 hour call and opened the store on Boxing Day to provide CCG with FloodSax™. The next day, there were further flood warnings so Managed Services colleagues joined CCG in preparing 200 sandbags and sourced 53 buckets for the housing association. Finally, Managed Services and Wolverhampton Homes have partnered to help flood victims in York. A few team members from the housing association are volunteering their time to help with cleaning and clearing properties and Managed Services have donated a selection of materials, including mops, brooms and brushes. Stuart Hough, Managing Director at Managed Services, says: “A number of our customers fell victim to flooding over the Christmas period, but I’m proud to say that my colleagues pitched in to help wherever they could. Instant access to equipment and repair materials was crucial in helping housing association operatives to deal with flood damage quickly and efficiently. We’re always striving to make things easier for our customers – even if that means opening up on Christmas Day!”