Get More From Floors - Get More Durability
Leading industrial flooring manufacturer Flowcrete is putting on a robust show of strength with the development of a marketing campaign that firstly highlights how durability is the foundation of a fit-for-purpose system underfoot for facilities management professionals.
The industrial flooring specialist has drawn on more than 30 years’ wide-ranging experience and flooring expertise to create the “Get More From Floors” campaign, available on an online portal at www.flowcrete.com/getmorefromfloors.
Six subjects will be explored throughout 2011, with the issue of durability kick-starting the launch at www.flowcrete.com/getmorefromfloors/durability
Pulling together content from a variety of sources including video, case studies and technical data, the resource centre brings together a wide-range of information to help FMs make informed decisions about their flooring requirements.
Flowcrete has vast experience within the industrial flooring industry - carrying out projects for Blue Chip clients including Bentley Motors, the RAF and BAE Systems - backed up with best in class customer and technical support services.
Alan Dean, Sales Director of Flowcrete UK, said: “When a facilities manager requires a strong, robust coating for a flooring project, Flowcrete has the expertise to deliver a system able to stand up to heavy-duty traffic movement, bulky machinery and physical attack, through the installation of an industrial flooring system from our toughest flooring range.
“Industrial floors are the part of a manufacturing facility subjected to the most stress and traffic, and if they don’t measure up to the demands placed on them, the implications for reinstatement are costly and disruptive.
“Our systems are engineered to ensure FMs get more from their floors, with formulations geared up for specific areas within individual manufacturing environments to maximise longevity and extend the life-cycle of the finish.
“A correctly specified floor, which can withstand all the rigours of manufacturing environments, needs to offer a range of features, which can include oil, chemical and impact resistance, the ability to cope with wheeled and forklift truck traffic - and heavy manufacturing activity.”
Flowcrete UK Ltd has rigorously tested its industrial floor coating systems and selected the strongest materials to offer industrial manufacturing clients hardy, resilient and powerful resin floor surfaces that represent the best in class approach to durability.
The company’s extensive product offering includes the industry-leading Industrial Floorzone concept, unique to Flowcrete UK.
This system delivers the damp-proof membrane and high strength Isocrete floor screed, topped off with a performance resin floor finish - all from a single source and installed by Flowcrete’s approved contractor network.
Flowcrete’s flooring systems also include anti-slip, acrylic and epoxy based floor finishes made-up of durable quartz beads and polyurethane resin floor screeds, as well as polyurethane terrazzo systems that contain tough flint and granite aggregates.
Heavy-duty resin formulations can be applied up to a thickness of 10mm and meet industry guidelines to ensure that they are impervious to the long-term effects of frequent, or even constant physical aggression, and offer the most advanced levels of durability.

Brady launches its latest sign & label printer - the BBP™31
Touchscreen gives highly versatile printing at your fingertips!
Brady Corporation has launched the BBP™31, its latest sign and label printer offering thousands of potential applications via a powerful yet compact, easy-to-use and cost-effective labelling solution for every kind of business.
Already launched to market-leading sales in the United States, the BBP™31 is a portable thermal transfer printer with a rugged design that slots easily into any working environment.  Featuring a large full colour touch screen display with "touch and drag" moving and sizing, and an intuitive home screen, its two-touch printing means you can just walk up and print labels on-site.   With a full size, fold-down laptop-style keyboard available in four versions (AZERTY, QWERTY, QWERTZ, and Cyrillic/QWERTY), its compact design allows it to be used in both stand-alone and PC-connected modes as desired.  An added benefit is the Smart Cell technology within Brady's easily-loaded material and ribbon cartridges, which automatically calibrates the printer and formats the label.
There are so many options packed into this sturdy and highly-versatile printer that it can take on all the varied labelling needs of your facility. The BBP™31 can print labels from 12.7mm to 101.6mm at a speed of 76mm per second.  Using built-in templates for many common label styles, including an extensive library of pre-made "pick and print" signs and labels, it can create solutions on the spot in minutes - with the added bonus of being able to save and recall frequently-used bespoke labels.
Capable of printing from MarkWare™ label software as well as Windows® based programs, this great value printer also offers quick import options for graphics and fonts, and 'wizards' for pipe marking, CLP and GHS chemical labels.  Other built-in features of the BBP™31 include a date/time stamp, data serialisation, multiple print capability and barcode symbols.
The highly adaptable BBP™31 can print on hundreds of different labels, tapes, tags and materials, providing signing and labelling solutions for just about every conceivable location and environment in your business. For example, it can cope with continuous supplies, photoluminescent and reflective tapes, a variety of vinyl and polyester materials, magnetic and cold temperature labels, self-laminating wire markers, 'right to know' and tamper-evident labels, tag stock, pre-cut labels and even pre-printed sign headers and chemical labels.
The BBP™31 printer is not only powerful, compact, rugged, easy to use and versatile, it provides a highly competitive and cost-effective solution to the labelling needs of any organisation.  And, as with all Brady products, it comes with the confidence, professional technical support and aftercare associated with Brady - the leading name in industrial identification and printing.
As a special "early-bird" promotion, Brady offers a 30% price reduction on the super-adhesive and highly durable vinyl material B-595 until the end of August when combined with buying the new BBP™31 printer.
More information is available at www.bradyeurope.com.

Steelcase Solutions help new RIBA architecture centre in Manchester
Steelcase Solutions has teamed up with the Royal Institute of British Architects to help with their first ever “hub” in Manchester.
They have provided the tables for the flexible city centre space which offers a dedicated area for architects, students and those with an interest in architectural design to meet, collaborate and learn.
Oliver Ronald, Regional Sales Director for Steelcase Solutions, said:  “This is a really exciting project for RIBA and we were delighted to help when they asked for some assistance with their tables.
“The RIBA hub is set to be a great success and we are really pleased to be involved with it.”
The RIBA Hub which is located at 113-115 Portland Street at the entrance of CUBE, the Manchester Architecture Centre, opened this week.
RIBA Hub, Manchester’s new local centre for architecture, will feature an exhibition space, café, specialist bookshop stocking a selection of the latest RIBA architectural books and magazines, and a meeting space. The RIBA Hub will also be an important centre for delivering seminars and CPD courses to RIBA members and allied professionals.
A six-week rolling programme of exhibitions and activities for the Hub’s exhibition space has also been planned in collaboration with the Manchester School of Architecture. 
Belinda Irlam-Mowbray, RIBA’s Assistant Director Nations and Regions, said: “We are so pleased to have the involvement of Steelcase in the RIBA Hub.  Their support of the local architectural community since their presence in Manchester is extremely valuable and important to us.  We look forward to continuing to work with them in the exciting new space in Manchester.”
Harry Rich, RIBA Chief Executive said:   “The RIBA Hub presents a fantastic opportunity for the RIBA to not only support our local RIBA members and students with a whole host of resources and events, but also to raise the profile of architecture in a very visible way on the Manchester high street.”
Professor Tom Jefferies, Head of Manchester School of Architecture said: “Manchester School of Architecture welcomes this exciting collaboration with the RIBA, reinforcing our links with the profession and engaging our research driven work with a wider public audience. The Hub will add to Manchester's vibrant architectural and design culture, providing a city centre location to exhibit and exchange ideas and discuss work.”

Global office leader Steelcase reacts to Government’s ‘Modern Workplaces’ consultation
Steelcase, global leaders in office furniture and office design, today welcomed the Government’s recognition of the value of more flexible workplace arrangements and said the ‘Modern Workplaces’ consultation was a ‘significant’ initiative.
Steelcase has spent years researching the changing needs of office workers and creating solutions for business, including flexible working solutions. To this end, Steelcase UK welcomes the Government’s call for increased flexibility for new parents and greater flexibility for all workers.
Mark Spragg, Managing Director of Steelcase UK, commented: “At Steelcase we have been recommending strategies for years which reflect the changing needs of workplaces and their people. According to a recent Steelcase/CoreNet State of the Industry Report, Europe has been trailing behind its North American cousins with a 51% adoption rate of alternative work strategies, compared to 83% of companies across the Atlantic so it is certainly time for a rethink (1).
“We are acutely aware of the unprecedented challenges facing businesses today, and support emerging work trends which redefine work to give employees greater control and choice about where and how they work. With just a smart phone and a laptop, a knowledge worker can be effective from practically anywhere. This requires that companies reassess long-held office standards, such as the one-assigned-desk-per-worker paradigm, and fully utilise the benefits technology has provided us.
“It is also important to look at the types of work and tasks people actually do, rather than focus on their titles. In this new era of austerity, companies need to reassess the ratio of individual to collaborative spaces to ensure wastage of ever-precious real estate is kept to a minimum.
Emerging work strategies as identified by a Steelcase White paper include:

• Shared real estate for collaborative workers
• Support for mobile/distributed workers
• Space that recognised the multi-generation workforce
• Workstation collaboration tools
• Telepresence

ENER-G launches next generation building energy management system
Clean technology group ENER-G (www.energ.co.uk) has launched a new tamper-proof building energy management system (BEMS) – called E-MAGINE - that is pre-engineered to provide fast installation and commissioning, and assured lifetime delivery on energy costs and carbon savings.
ENER-G estimates that E-MAGINE can reduce energy usage by up to 25% and save costs on capital purchase, commissioning and on-going maintenance.
“We have tackled two major system flaws that prevent many building energy management systems from delivering their projected cost and carbon savings over their lifetime,” said Dr Cedric Rodrigues, Managing Director of ENER-G Controls. 
He explained: “E-MAGINE is pre-configured to recognised standards for control strategies, without compromising flexibility, so it avoids the usual deviations in system performance caused by inconsistent programming. By defining the system prior to installation, customers benefit from control strategies that are repeatable and not reliant on an individual engineer’s programming skills.  This also generates faster, lower cost commissioning.  
“A second classic flaw in BEMS is that over time various users adjust the settings and gradually erode the energy efficiency benefits that the BEMS was designed for in the first place. E-MAGINE locks-in optimal settings, so that the BEMS achieves peak performance throughout its lifetime.”
E-MAGINE (www.emagine-controls.com)  uses the latest in IT and internet technology to provide a fully scalable, integrated control system that can be customised for optimum control and management of all heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting applications. Through the use of open protocols it can integrate seamlessly with existing back office systems and third party building control systems and equipment.
A key component of E-MAGINE is its integrated front-end energy management tool, E-VISION. This online tool serves the needs of designers, installers and end users to design, commission, control, analyse and manage energy usage remotely. Using its advanced analysis and reporting capabilities, building owners and operators can optimise a building’s energy performance to achieve lower carbon dioxide emissions and lifetime costs, and comply with different types of energy legislation and standards.
Designed and manufactured in the UK to recognised quality and European standards, E-MAGINE is aimed at the industrial, commercial and residential markets, and can measure and control energy usage across single and multiple buildings, or an entire property portfolio. It is available via accredited e-partners, or directly from ENER-G Controls.
It is suitable for a broad range of applications – from primary energy sources, such as boilers, chillers, cooling towers, dehumidification systems and warm air heaters, through to secondary systems, such as HVAC, fan coils, domestic hot water and air filtration systems. It can manage indoor air quality by accurately sensing and controlling the temperature, humidity and fresh air needs of a building.
E-MAGINE comprises modules such as: E-VISION, an online energy management tool; E-SERVE, a communications hub; E-GATE, a router/network expander; E-TOUCH, a room/zone controller; E-CONTROL, a universal controller; E-EXPAND, an I/O expansion module; and E-POWER, a power supply unit.
Further information: www.emagine-controls.com

Helistrat target the Green Apple Awards
Helistrat Management Services are proud to announce that their work on waste management programs with Marks and Spencer has been rewarded by the presentation of a Green Apple Trophy at the recent awards ceremony in London. Helistrat collaborated with Marks and Spencer to help them win a coveted Green Apple Award by reducing waste going to landfill to an all time low.
Over the last two years Helistrat Management Services have reduced the percentage of waste taken to landfill by 92%, increased recycling at a steady pace of 90% per month and re-invented the post consumer waste backhauling process across Marks and Spencer ensuring that the aggressive targets on waste reduction and recycling were met.
As part of the driving force behind Marks and Spencer’s Plan A project, Helistrat will ensure that by 2012 waste to landfill will reduce even further, with an ultimate goal of 0%.  So far, the commitment to this has resulted in recycled packaging throughout Marks and Spencer being maximised, with a capacity of 91% of Food and 98% of General Merchandise packaging being recycled where possible. 
The partnership between Helistrat and Marks and Spencer is bound to develop even further and the team at Helistrat will undoubtedly be trying to repeat the success of this year at next years Green Apple Awards.
For more information go to www.helistrat.co.uk

SAS Direct increases size of Birmingham depot 
SAS Direct, an SAS International group company, is pleased to announce it has increased capacity of its depot in Birmingham less than a year since its official opening in April.
SAS Direct, which offers commodity product direct to the contractor, has purchased the adjacent unit doubling the depot facility in size to 10,000 sq feet. This will allow additional stock to be stored for purchase for collection and next day delivery. This growth will enhance the SAS Direct service offering ensuring extensive availability and ultimately speed of delivery. The depot expansion has also created further job opportunities within the area.
Paul Golden, Managing Director at SAS Direct comments; “This expansion is a direct response to the positive feedback we’ve experienced to this new service offering. We are committed to providing a value added service that is accessible for all.”
With a defined product range that relates directly to the contractor and the trades, SAS Direct Depots provide SAS International manufactured products and associated products for a range of fit-out solutions at competitive prices. The SAS Direct product portfolio consists of metal ceiling systems, partitioning and doors along with associated ranges including plasterboard and dry lining products. At all SAS Direct depots contractors can benefit from the staff’s extensive technical knowledge of its product portfolio.  
Launched in April 2010, SAS Direct has additional depots in Leeds and Burgess Hill with the HQ based in Reading. For further information visit www.sasdirect.co.uk

Geze guards precious artefacts with a revolver
The priceless displays at No.1 Smithery in the Historic Dockyard Chatham, needed to be protected from the elements – and from theft. GEZE UK’s manual revolving door solved both problems, while still enabling safe access and egress for the public.
Once the site of the dockyard’s forge, where anchors were fashioned for naval ships, the old brick building has been transformed into a remarkable museum.  Architects Van Heyningen and Haward approached the UK’s leading manufacturer of door and window control systems, GEZE UK, to provide a stylish three leaf manual TSA 325 revolver to form a striking entrance.
In order to preserve the historic artefacts housed inside No.1 Smithery, it was imperative that temperature and humidity changes caused by opening and closing doors were minimised. The TSA 325 revolver offered the ideal solution to maintain the building’s delicate environment by reducing heat loss and gain as well as eliminating sudden draughts. A UV protective film was also installed on the glass surfaces to protect the interior from sunlight. 
Aesthetically, the ‘traditional’ look of the TSA 325 enhances the historical atmosphere of the museum, but in practice it also reduces the speed with which people are able to exit the building, reducing the likelihood of theft. To further improve the security provided by the revolving doors, GEZE also installed a roller shutter. In order to meet the requirements of Building Regulations and legislation two further doors, one on each side, were required.
Helping to meet the demands of the Equality Act, GEZE’s industry leading 7cm Slimdrive EMD-F automatic swing operator was fitted to one door to allow easy access. The sleek design of the EMD-F operator allows it be concealed in any façade, making it the ideal system for the museum’s prestigious refurbishment.  The second door was manual, and to address life safety concerns, it was fitted with a panic bar to provide quick and easy outside access in an emergency.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham’s PR & Communications Executive Gail James commented: “We’re always weighing up the opposing demands of promoting public access while protecting our artefacts and the revolving door was a brilliantly simple solution which also looked the part.”
GEZE UK’s contracts and service director Paul Ryan added: “We enjoyed working with Van Heyningen and Haward, as we shared their vision to provide an aesthetic solution to two very practical objectives. The TSA 325 fulfilled the specific requirements of this project, and the three doors will work in a complementary way to best meet the needs of those using the entrance.”
Enquiries: GEZE UK, info.uk@geze.com,
T: 01543 443000, www.geze.co.uk

SPC Skincare launches Washroom Amenity Range
SPC Skincare will keep guests completely refreshed and invigorated with the introduction of new washroom amenity products. Launched at flagship Hotel and Spa, Stoke Park, Baglioni Spa by SPC and the exclusive Bobby Moore Club at Wembley Stadium.
Treat every guest to the finest luxury amenities with SPC Skincare’s sophisticated products; SPC Luxury Hand and Body Wash and SPC Luxury Hand and Body Lotion.
Luxury Hand and Body Wash (30ml and 5L)
Uplifting and refreshing, revive your senses with the new moisturising wash from SPC skincare. Saturate your skin with hydrating key ingredients such as Mulberry Leaf Extract and Hops, to help keep your skin soft, supple and toned. Naturally fragranced with a blend of rejuvenating citrus essential oils to leave you feeling fresh as a daisy.
SPC Luxury Hand & Body Lotion (30ml and 5L)
Indulge your skin with this soothing daily lotion, rich in moisturising ingredients such as Sweet Almond Oil, Apricot Kernal Oil and Oat Extract, all of which will help to leave your skin nourished and protected. Combined with mallow extract to help soften and soothe dry skin.
SPC Skincare also offer SPC Luxury Conditioning Shampoo (30ml and 5L) and SPC Luxury Soap (25gms)
Replenish your crowning glory with SPC Skincare’s gentle everyday shampoo.  Containing Yucca, Nettle Leaf Extract and Panthenol to cleanse, soothe and condition your scalp and hair. Combined with a citrus fragrance, your hair will left feeling and smelling squeaky clean.
Freshen up with SPC’s uplifting and cleansing soap, key ingredients include Bergamot, which has a clean uplifting aroma and known for its antibacterial and deodorising properties. Combined with Patchouli essential oil, to help soothe as well as a relaxing and sensual aroma.
Prices are available upon request, for further information, please contact Debbie Butler on 01753 476351 or email debbiebutler@spcskincare.com, www.spcskincare.com

Forum calls for ‘two pronged’ approach
Small business support organisation the Forum of Private Businesshas called for a ‘two pronged’ approach to boost economic growth in the UK.
Reaction to today’s announcement that UK GDP grew by just 0.5% between January and March, the Forum believes Britain needs to see two main measures in order to foster a meaningful economic recovery - swift business-friendly policies from the Government, and an increase in business and consumer confidence.
Forum chief executive Phil Orford said: “An increase of 0.5% is as good as we might have hoped for and it’s reassuring to know we haven’t returned to recession. However, it doesn’t indicate any great surge of economic activity, and it won’t dramatically increase confidence in the small business sector.
“If we want to see some real growth next quarter, we need some radical and immediate measures from the Government which will tangibly improve conditions for smaller businesses on the ground. If smaller companies are to foster a genuine and meaningful recovery, they need to be freed from costly and time-consuming red tape, benefit from a simpler and more sympathetic tax system, and see the soaring costs of essentials like fuel and utilities tackled. This in turn should help to bring about the second thing we need to see – a significant increase in business and consumer confidence. Of course, the UK economy isn’t performing brilliantly at present but it could be a lot worse and maintaining confidence is essential if we want to help smaller businesses drive economic recovery.”
Mr Orford added: “These are the sorts of things we’re calling for through our campaign, Get Britain Trading. They are entirely realistic measures which don’t require any significant Government spending but could transform the fortunes of smaller businesses across the UK.”

Switched-On to Risks of Green Technology at NEMEX
The fast-growing trend for supermarkets, hospitals and hotels, to fit Voltage Optimisers (VOs) as an energy-saving device is being billed as a commercial ‘no-brainer’.
But there are warnings that if too little attention is paid to the risks of installing an optimiser without ensuring continuity of supply, then the impact on an organisation could be huge.  
Ensuring continuity of the supply of electricity to a building or facility is clearly essential for its continued operation. However, the risk of interruption is high, whether during the installation or routine maintenance of the VO.   And although not a common event, there is also the possibility of catastrophic failure of the VO, which would shut off supplies until the problem was fixed or the device was replaced.   
Loss of supply is an issue that can easily be avoided through the installation of correctly configured switchgear, and the fitting of a bypass switch.  Bypass switches ensure that the supply can circumvent the VO and reinstate the facility temporarily back onto mains electricity.
Richard Kennedy, managing director of Switchgear Systems, a leading supplier of bypass switches to industry, says specifying a bypass switch can be as important to an energy saving installation as the VO that is chosen.  
He says: “One of the most cost efficient ways of making a business more sustainable is through fitting energy-conservation technology. Large facilities such as supermarkets, hotels and hospitals are turning to voltage optimisers as an electrical regulator to adjust the voltage used by from the UK standard 240 volts to 220 volts.   Demand is such that we are now expanding our range of switches to 4000AMP models - suitable for the largest and most complex factory operations.
“But some organisations are still not including a bypass switch within their installation, and this could have large and potentially catastrophic consequences for their operations. A factory that has to halt production because of interruption in the electricity supply, could easily lose hundreds of thousands of pounds in a single day.
“Bypass switches allow a facility to carry out routine maintenance on their VO without disruption as well as protecting against a failure of the system.  By simply allowing the option of switching the VO out of circuit, they also allow facilities managers to measure how much electricity they are actually saving.” 
Switchgear Systems specialises in designing a bypass switch to suit an installation’s requirements in the shortest possible timescale.
Kennedy continues:  “We know that businesses such as supermarkets have to respond to customer demand and keep their plans fluid.  We offer a personal, flexible service, with the inclusion of standard or bespoke bypass switch panels, making installation quick and straightforward for electrical contractors.”
Switchgear Systems Ltd will be exhibiting at NEMEX in Halls 3 and 3a, on stand N19, at the NEC from 24th – 26th May 2011.

Repair and Protection of Hospital Laundry Floor
Keeping hospitals a safe and hygienic environment is essential, whilst at the same time, keeping them open while essential repair work is underway.
As part of a new industry focus, Belzona has developed a number of solutions for maintenance problems within the healthcare industry. These solutions have been developed to require no hotwork allowing customers to continue to deliver first class healthcare.
By way of example, the uneven laundry floor of this hospital based in the North of the UK had poor falls which was causing water to gather in the centre of the floor.  The floor needed to be re-leveled so that water ran into the drains to prevent any future accidents.
The existing floor was first re-surfaced, and a fall created so that the water could be re-directed to the drain.  This was carried out using Belzona 4131 (Magma Screed), a concrete re-surfacing system, which once cured would provide protection to the concrete from abrasion and chemical attack. After the floor was re-surfaced, an over- coating of Belzona 5231 (SG Laminate) was applied to provide a safe surface for operatives in the laundry. Belzona 5231 (SG Laminate) is a high build, solvent free coating suitable for application on a range of surfaces such as concrete and steel. William Paterson, Senior Field Sales Engineer commented, ‘The use of both these products enabled the work to be carried out with minimum disruption to the hospital’.
As a result of the application, the hospital is now currently looking at improving safety throughout the building utilizing Belzona solutions.

Arthur McKay wins £30m contract with the Scottish Court Service
Arthur McKay’s commitment to customer services and value for money has been rewarded by successfully winning the prestigious Facilities Management Services contract for the Scottish Court Service.
This £30m contract is for 4 years with an option to extend by a further 2 years.
Some of the services provided are: mechanical, electrical and fabric maintenance, 24/7 helpdesk, cleaning, security and energy management across all the Scottish Court Service buildings from the Scottish Borders to the Highlands and Islands.
This contract award continues the strong growth of Arthur McKay’s business in the UK. The company has impressed the FM market with high profile contract wins over the last 2 years.
Scottish Court Service Executive Director Neil Rennick said: “Following an extensive procurement programme we are delighted to appoint Arthur McKay to deliver our facilities management services for the next four years. We look forward to working closely with this company to deliver quality contract services as effectively and efficiently as possible for the organisation and its users.”

PHS Direct and The National Forest: First Planting Day
PHS Direct held their first National Forest planting day on the 2nd March, at the site of their area of the Forest at Overseal in Derbyshire.  Around 50 people – customers, suppliers and staff alike – got stuck in and planted the first 500 trees to get the site started.  The day provided an opportunity to understand why PHS Direct are undertaking this project – to define its ethical trading stance and do something tangible that will be in place for many years to come.
The National Forest is a forest in the making, transforming 200 square miles of central England.  Already more than 7 million trees have been planted and woodland cover has been increased from 6% to 18% since the Forest was established in the early 1990s.  The eventual aim is for a third of the area to be covered by woodland to create a mosaic of farmland, open space, towns and villages, transport corridors, industrial use, waterways – all framed by woodland.
PHS Direct is committed to planting 5,000 trees a year for three years at the Overseal site, with the option to continue in the future.  A contribution from each box of paper sold is donated to The National Forest, and a similar donation is also being made by PHS Direct’s paper suppliers. 
The National Forest was chosen as a project by PHS Direct because it is a local scheme that will enable their staff to directly engage with the project in a real and material way.  The majority of the staff at our Dordon operational centre live near the Forest, and they are able to directly see and enjoy the impact of PHS Direct’s sponsorship.  Schemes in Scotland are also being looked at to enable the customers, suppliers and staff in our Scottish base to undertake a similar project.
James Clark, Managing Director of PHS Direct said: “I’m really excited about the start of our project, and it is great to see the trees actually going into the ground.  I’m delighted that our staff and other stakeholders have been able to get to grips with what the project is all about - seeing is believing after all!  We had a great time and as a bonus, the weather stayed dry!”
To find out more about PHS Direct’s involvement with The National Forest go to www.phs.co.uk/direct/national-forest.

The Keyholding Company provides sky high service levels at BskyB
The Keyholding Company, in conjunction with its network of nationwide Service Providers has been awarded a contract by British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) to provide security services at 72 of its UK sites.
BSkyB operates the UK’s largest digital television platform for sport, movies, entertainment and news programming and has over 10 million subscribers across the UK and Ireland.
The contract is to provide a range of services including; emergency alarm response, keyholding, patrols and lock and unlocks at locations throughout the UK. The majority of the locations are un-manned and include sites accommodating technology used to deliver Sky Broadband and Sky Talk and those used to boost the fibre signal across the network.
A rapid, 24/7 guaranteed response from a regional security provider was a real necessity for these vulnerable sites. In addition, The Keyholding Company provides security services to a variety of other Sky business sites and buildings including call centres and broadcast facilities.
The Sky Physical Security Team, based at the BSkyB headquarters in Isleworth was responsible for awarding the contract. Guy Oldroyd, Security Programme Manager was part of the team involved in sourcing The Keyholding Company. Oldroyd tells us: “We became dissatisfied with our previous supplier and embarked on a rigorous tender process to source a new security provider.”
“From the outset we felt that encouraging and building a true partnership between the customer and the supplier would be key to the success of the contract.”
“To do this, we made sure The Keyholding Company had a full understanding of our aims, processes and strategy, so they would be able to operate as an integral extension of our security team.”
“We wanted to work with a partner that would really immerse themselves in our business, develop as our needs evolve and share our vision for a dynamic security operation.”
“I feel we’ve found this with The Keyholding Company who’ve demonstrated a real understanding of our corporate culture, identity and values and have enthusiastically embraced our vision and commitment to delivering the highest levels of service.”
“They recognised what we were trying to achieve, the level of expertise we were looking for and the amount of support we’d require. And importantly, they deliver.”
To ensure the high levels of service and response times are maintained, The Keyholding Company meets with the Sky Physical Security Team on a monthly basis. Agreed service levels are managed via BSkyB’s ‘dashboard’. The Keyholding Company is currently achieving an impressive service level of 92% which they’re able to deliver via their network of over one hundred and fifty carefully selected regional Service Providers (SP’s) located across the UK.
Unlike other keyholding companies, they’re not bound by the response boundaries of a regional office as all communications are routed via their centrally operated head office in London, which is operational around-the-clock. As such they’re able to respond to call outs with unrivalled levels of resource, speed and efficiency “which is of paramount importance to a 24/7 organisation such as BSkyB.” Says Oldroyd.
If an alarm is activated, The Keyholding Company will attend the site, check the premises and then react in accordance with BSkyB’s escalation procedures. A detailed report of the incident is then provided first thing the following day.
Concludes Oldroyd: “We’re passionate about ensuring the highest possible levels of security and service and believe that with The Keyholding Company as one of our security partners we’re realising these goals.”
“We enjoy a great customer client relationship and as our requirements continue to evolve, The Keyholding Company continues to provide a flexible, personalised and professional service to meet our needs.”
For more information, please visit www.keyholding.com or call 0800 064 4357.

Don’t Get Hung Up on Basket DIY – Choose PHS Greenleaf!
PHS Greenleaf warns against the false economy of using DIY store hanging baskets this summer.
Thinking of saving a few pennies this summer by popping to your local DIY store or Garden Centre for hanging baskets?  STOP!  when you compare DIY hanging baskets to those available from PHS Greenleaf, you’ll soon realise that you’re doing your business an injustice, that could cost you money
As with most things, the job of creating an eye-catching summer floral display to attract passing trade is best handled by the professionals.  PHS Greenleaf, the UK’s leading interior and exterior landscaper, grows and hangs over 40,000 professional sized hanging baskets each year.
The 14” hanging baskets commonly found at DIY chain stores really won’t make much impact on the exterior of a pub or hotel.  PHS Greenleaf’s professional baskets are twice the size.  For as little as just £5 more, you could have king sized superior planted baskets delivered directly to your door.  £5?  Now, that might not even cover the cost of fuel for the trip to a DIY store! 
And its not just baskets. Unlike the DIY and Garden Centre option, PHS provides matching displays for troughs, window boxes and hay mangers, for a fully co-ordinated high impact display.
The final secret of maximum impact is plant selection. Having refined the plants used over many years, PHS Greenleaf grows baskets and troughs in its own nurseries to guarantee top quality long lasting displays that will lift the face of a pub or hotel all year round long after shop bought options have faded and died.
 “The appearance of hanging baskets, troughs and window boxes heralds the start of summer,” says Stuart Price, Managing Director of PHS Greenleaf. “This isn’t a nice to have, a good floral welcome means extra trade and nothing beats a PHS Greenleaf display. 
 “It’s no wonder our customers not only attract passing trade but regularly win awards for their displays.”
With everyone tightening their financial belts, it is more important than ever to make every penny count. Making PHS Greenleaf the obvious choice for hanging baskets, troughs and window boxes  
As well at its successful range of exterior floral products, PHS Greenleaf also supplies interior planting, corporate flower displays, artificial plants and decorated Christmas trees and accessories. For further information, visit www.phs.co.uk/greenleaf.

Verlinde announces new expansion into Pakistan
Verlinde announced further developments in its expansion strategy as the company extends its global territorial reach and its lifting equipment services into the untapped potential of Pakistan.
This latest move to the sub-continent reflects Verlinde’s policy to offer its innovative products and services to the new markets opening up worldwide.
Commenting on this latest move, Business Development Manager for Verlinde, Simon Rothechild, said: “Expanding the Verlinde brand presence into Pakistan at this time is a significant move and comes at an exciting time for the development of our global business. Our team in Pakistan is already in place and now means the whole Pakistan territory has been opened up to Verlinde. The Pakistan team will now focus on promoting Verlinde and showcasing the wide range of services we can offer this expanding marketplace.” Exciting new contracts in Pakistan for Verlinde will be announced soon.
Based in Lahore, the team in Pakistan is headed up by Verlinde’s Country Representative Shahid Akram.

Sussex artist teams up with students and leading UK sign manufacturer to develop the signage and wayfinding scheme for two new schools
When Lewes, Sussex based artist Will Nash was commissioned by Impact Art and West Sussex County Council to develop a ‘welcome’ and wayfinding signage scheme for the campus of two new schools – Southway Primary and The Regis School in Bognor Regis – he decided to take a fresh approach. Working in collaboration with students from the two schools and Signbox Ltd, the UK’s leading wayfinding sign manufacturers, Nash was able to develop a scheme that spans from tiny enamel door signs, through environmental graphics and wayfinding, to the two steel chevron sculptures that stand in front of each school, the largest of which weighs over two tons.
Speaking about his approach to delivering his vision for the project, Will Nash commented, “As an artist working in public spaces, my work necessarily involves collaboration with all kinds of contractors and suppliers; Signbox were totally enthusiastic and fully committed right from the start and shared my passion for detail and quality of finish”.
The wayfinding theme chosen was centred on the way in which people orient themselves in physical spaces and navigate from place to place. The project brief stipulated that the results, in and around the two schools, must reflect the difference in scale and user, yet share a common thread. Furthermore it should consider the specific needs, context and age ranges within the two new school buildings and develop appropriate work in consultation with the two schools and their wider communities.
The chosen common thread was an arrow shape, woven through the sculptures and signs; it is consistently used from the main entrance signs, pictograms, room numbers, area / year identity graphics and murals together with direction signs across the entire campus. Nash added, “The arrow was the right motif for the project because it echoed an ancient flint arrowhead discovered on the site during construction”.
Nash’s inspirational vision for the wayfinding sign design was a critical element to the overall success of the project, enriching the lives of the students, residents and the local community.  Signbox were able to translate this vision for the scheme into a practical modular sign system to meet both aesthetic and durability requirements within a busy working school environment.  Signbox also provide accessible, DDA-compliant signs for educational institutions, with a number of specialist processes that include information display in tactile and Braille formats. To find out more visit Signbox website at: http://www.signbox.co.uk.