CPP Group UK signs new deal to provide insured manufacturer's warranty

CPP Group UK has signed an exclusive partnership deal with Warranty Solutions. The deal sees CPP UK providing Warranty Solutions with an insured manufacturer’s warranty product for its entire product range, taking over from the previous provider and enabling Warranty Solutions to expand its offering. The partnership is expected to generate a gross written premium value of £1 million for Warranty Solutions. Warranty Solutions provides cover for a range of kitchen appliances, with approximately 180,000 appliances currently under warranty on behalf of national retailers. It offers a full claims service, from a helpline and First Notification of Loss to providing replacements and repairs via its national network of accredited engineers. Its clients include major retailer Argos and manufacturers such as Rangemaster, ElectriQ, Simfer, New World and KEG. The insured service protects Warranty Solutions’s clients from repair costs resulting from failures once the items are in the customer’s home, making their own costs more manageable and predictable. This will provide customers with a greater amount of protection and a smoother claims experience than would be afforded with a standard warranty. The deal also expands CPP’s footprint in the home protection market as part of its CPP Secure suite of products. Carl Carter, CEO of CPP Group UK, comments: “CPP is all about helping brands and consumers deal with life’s everyday disruptions. We all know how frustrating it is when a household appliance we use daily breaks down, and how important it is to be secure in the knowledge that you’ll get help and can rely on your warranty if that happens. We’re delighted to be partnering with Warranty Solutions, a fellow Yorkshire-based business, to enable it to enhance its service offering in the warranty market, and in turn, to help protect the reputation of the brands it works with.” Karen Neagle, managing director of Warranty Solutions, adds: “CPP really supports our ethos of providing a first-class quality service to both the customer and the manufacturer at a time when they and their appliance need us most. We’re delighted to be working with CPP to deliver such a versatile range of manufacturer’s warranty solutions.”

New range of push-button enclosures from Hammond Manufacturing

Powell Electronics now has the new HYPB range of IP69/IP69K stainless steel push-button enclosures for hygienic applications from Hammond Manufacturing in stock. Ideal for applications where maintaining hygiene standards and avoiding contamination are of high importance (e.g. in food processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing), HYPB range enclosures have been designed for use with hygienic pushbuttons and withstand regular high temperatures as well as regular high pressure wash-downs. They also have no areas (like slotted screw heads, quarter turn latches or welded mounting brackets) where contaminants can gather and all sides slope to ensure any water quickly drains off. Available with 22.5mm and 30.5mm holes with either a single row of one, two, three or four mounting holes, two rows with four holes arranged in two rows of two or two rows with six holes arranged in two rows of three, HYPB series push-button enclosures benefit from a rectangular design, enabling the units to be surface mounted either vertically or horizontally to suit most applications. The cover is secured to the body with crevice-free hex head bolts fitted with a silicone washer to eliminate potential dirt traps. The blue 'hygiene' coloured silicone gasket makes any contaminants more visible and is fitted beyond the door edges, so that there are no crevices in which dirt can collect.

‘Dramatic’ change to Dunstable skyline

A major power project has transformed views across the highest point in Bedfordshire to spectacular effect. UK Power Networks, which distributes electricity across the East of England, has completed a major £2million scheme to replace a section of overhead lines with underground cables at Dunstable Downs. On land owned by the National Trust, the Dunstable Downs project has been supported by the Chilterns Conservation Board. The site attracts around 750,000 visitors a year. The scheme saw the removal two circuits of 33,000-volt overhead power lines across 4km, as well as the dismantling of the 23 towers supporting them, and installation of 4.5km of underground cables. The work, which will also bolster the resilience of power supplies locally, was completed to schedule, helped by the use of an innovate remote-controlled cable plough supplied by ATP. Ivan Churchman, project manager at UK Power Networks, comments: “This work has made a lasting difference to the skyline at Dunstable Downs as well as enhancing the reliability of the network serving local homes and businesses. “As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we know it attracts a huge number of visitors and activities they undertake, such as kite flying, will now be much safer. Those visiting just to enjoy the views will now have these uninterrupted. “Throughout the project we worked closely with our partners and to minimise any disruption and it is fantastic that everybody is now in position to share the benefits of this amazing transformation.” Josh Kyle, Visitor Operations and Experience Manager at Dunstable Downs for the National Trust, said: “This project has unlocked the landscape at Dunstable Downs creating a safe space for visitors to not only fly kites, picnic and spend time with friends and family but to explore, and connect with nature.” Neil Jackson from the Chilterns Conservation Board says: “The visual improvement is truly dramatic!  Enhancing the classic chalk escarpment at Dunstable Downs by removing the steel pylons and cables crossing the landscape, has been a long-standing ambition of the Chilterns Conservation Board and many others representing the local community. “A project of this nature in such a sensitive location is not without its challenges and we are very grateful to the UK Power Networks team. The careful work they have carried out has secured lasting improvements to the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty that will be appreciated by hundreds of thousands of people every year.” [embed]http://youtu.be/hPYfe9QW81o[/embed]

Trades turn to digital tools as workloads keep rising

UK trades firms are investing more in technology to stay on top of costs and manage the increase in demand they predict going into 2022, according to a study by field service software provider BigChange and independent research consultancy Opinium. The study shows that 85% of firms expect to be busier over the next 12 months, and nearly one-in-five (17%) anticipate that workloads will at least double. Expectations of growth are highest among building maintenance, facilities management, cleaning and waste management firms. At least 88% of business leaders surveyed from these sectors said they expected workloads to increase going into 2022. But growing demand doesn’t mean plain sailing in the year ahead. 73% of respondents said increasing costs for materials and fuel would reduce their profitability in 2022, and 69% said that the higher price of labour would negatively impact their finances. Almost all (94%) of the firms surveyed expected to increase technology spending in 2022 to help manage extra demand and rising costs. A quarter (23%) say they will spend at least 50% more on digital tools than in the last 12 months. The median - or middle of the pack - firm expects to increase technology spending by 11% in the next 12 months. Median firms plan to employ 7% more people and increase broader investment in their business by 10% over the same period. 82% of leaders told researchers that good practice in their sector now involved using digital systems to manage their businesses. More than half (54%) said that operations should be automated and optimised within a single system. Richard Warley, BigChange CEO, comments: “Demand for trades and other services delivered by field-based employees is booming. This is clearly good news for the sector. “However, it also brings significant challenges. With costs spiralling, firms can’t afford to take on and train a proportionate number of new employees. “Our study suggests that almost all trades businesses are now looking to use technologies proven to make the best use of resources and time. Firms are working smarter as well as harder.”

Makita XGT 40VMax improves efficiency for Exeter company

Thanks to its reliable battery performance and product innovation, Makita has been the power tools manufacturer of choice for Exeter-based company Balustrade SW for a number of years. Its team of technicians, engineers and installers have relied on Makita’s cordless 18V and Twin 18V (36V) LXT machines to construct balustrades, balconies, staircases and handrails across both domestic and commercial buildings. However, due to the heavy-duty nature of the work, the team wanted to expand its existing collection of Makita kit with even more powerful models. Steve Cupit from Balustrade SW says: “We have been using Makita’s 18V and Twin 18V LXT machines for around eight years. They are brilliant products and the ability to swap the LXT batteries between tools is great, as we can quickly and efficiently change between tasks to maximise productivity. However, jobs like cutting through thicker stainless-steel rods and deep into masonry require additional power and when Lee Baddeley at Exeter Tool Shop explained that Makita had recently launched its XGT 40VMax models, I knew that they would be the perfect addition to our toolkit.” Makita’s XGT 40VMax machines have been designed for industrial, higher demand applications and offer output that can rival the high power of corded tools, making them the ideal solution for Balustrade SW Ltd. As the team regularly work outdoors and at height, the XGT 40VMax cordless machines offer maximum flexibility and additional safety benefits as there is no risk of trips from trailing cables. The XGT 40VMax machines have also been designed for durability, featuring heavy-duty outer casing and cell holder and shock absorbing housing to protect the battery if dropped. Each XGT battery has an IPX4 rating, which means that it is splash and shower proof, and water ingress is limited which is ideal when working outside in unpredictable weather. Steve continues: “A lot of our work involves stainless-steel and we use the GA013G XGT 40VMax Angle Grinder for cutting the material to size and then the GA005G XGT 40VMax Angle Grinder to grind down the cut edges of the material. These models make work effortless as they offer the same power as 1,100W corded grinders so we can complete tasks quicker and more efficiently.” To improve the safety of the team, the GA005G and GA013G both feature Makita’s clever active feedback sensors that shut down the tool in the event of kickback. These models also feature an anti-restart function that is engineered to prevent the motor from starting up when the battery is inserted with the switch locked on, as well as an electric brake that quickly stops the blade from turning to prevent injury. By adopting Makita’s XGT 40VMax machines, Balustrade SW Ltd, from Exeter has been able to update its selection of existing kit with more powerful machines suited to higher-demand applications. As such, on-site efficiency has been drastically improved as the team can always ensure that they are using the right machine for the task at hand.

Hylec appoints Andrew Ferney as Wholesale Director

Hylec-APL announces the appointment of Andrew Ferney as Wholesale Director with effect from 1 December. Ferney will spearhead a drive to heighten the company’s presence in the wholesale electrical trade and increase sales of Hylec’s comprehensive range of electrical products including its Debox in line junction box range, ABS enclosures, filter fans, control stations, weatherproof connectors and many others. Ferney has spent 35 years working in the electrical industry, having held senior sales and management positions within the electrical wholesale, manufacturing and lighting sectors. “Hylec manufactures a great range of products which have been thoughtfully designed to offer better features than competitive products to the electrical professional at an attractive price point” says Ferney. “While Hylec’s unique patented Debox range is well-known with sales of millions of units to date, other Hylec products should also be garnering more significant share of the wholesale market. Hylec is very established in the OEM market and our plans for 2022 are to replicate this success in the wholesale trade by re-vamping our wholesale pricing structure and establishing stronger relationships with national buying groups and organisations.” Ferney is based in Suffolk and outside work, is very involved in football.  He is a Level 1 FA coach and manages a local under-17’s team.

Ansell Lighting gives kickstart to young employees

Ansell Lighting has lent its support to a £2 billion government initiative designed to support young people aged 16-24 years into employment. As part of the government’s Kickstart scheme, Ansell Lighting has provided five young people, who were facing the prospect of long term unemployment, with six-month job placements. Danielle Hazeldine and Molly Jones have been employed as Returns Administrators, whilst Haaroon Amin and Shannon Cragg have joined the business as Sales Order Processors. Reice Seerey has secured a role at Ansell’s lighting manufacturing operation as a Production Operative. All of the applicants were previously claiming Universal Credit and struggling to secure work. Ansell Lighting worked closely with Kickstart project, setting up a new recruitment process where senior Ansell managers attended local Jobcentres to assist the efficiency of the selection process. Sarah Ankers, HR Director of Ansell Lighting says: “As a business, we are pleased to have been able to fully support this initiative. As well as introducing new talent for our business it has given us the opportunity to offer young people in our community the chance to learn transferable skills that are aimed at increasing their chances of sustained employment. “We have been delighted with the Kickstart candidates who have been placed within Ansell, they are committed to their new roles and have adapted to learning new skills in a working environment. All five have become an asset to our team and we will continue to invest in them along with all of our employees.”

Lighthouse Lunch Raises £210,000 for Construction Community

It was a long anticipated event in the construction calendar and expectations were high as over 1000 guests were welcomed through the doors of the Westminster Park Plaza on Friday 3rd December for the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s annual lunch in London. Former cricketer Chris Cowdrey was MC for the day and opened proceedings with Charity CEO, Bill Hill saying how good it was to be back which was met with huge applause and cheers. The fun started with a ‘heads and tails’ competition and the lighthouse lotto. The top two winners of the lighthouse lotto very generously donated their prize money straight back to the charity. A gourmet three course meal was enjoyed by everyone and later in the afternoon competition was hot for some fantastic live auction prizes, all of which helped towards raising an amazing £210,000 from the event. The event also gave the charity the opportunity to announce their partnership with the Careys Foundation and a specially liveried truck was on display at the venue promoting the charity’s helpline and the new partnership. Normally, each year, the Charity awards the ‘Peter Capel’ Cup to recognise organisations that have made a substantial contribution to the Charity’s work and with nominations in 2020 to consider as well, competition for the prized accolade was stronger than ever. Well deserved winners were HQR London (High Quality Residential) who despite not being able to hold their annual summer ball last year, still managed to raise over £64,000 for the charity. Andrew Crispin (founder and Trustee of HQR London) says, “HQR London are delighted to have been awarded the Peter Capel Cup for the second time since the HQR Charitable Trust was conceived six years ago.  It was our absolute pleasure to accept the Award on behalf of our members who have collectively been able to provide year on year support and our aim is to continue doing so over the coming years. The Lighthouse Club provides much needed emotional and financial support to so many workers and their families who are in crisis in our industry.  An industry that we all know and love, which makes it an easy choice for me, my fellow HQR’s Trustees; Darren Size and Chris Butler and our members to continue our support”. Top celebrities from the world of sport were lined up to entertain the guests and rugby legends Mark Regan and Paul Wallace kicked off with amusing tales from their British and Irish Lions tours. TalkSPORT’s presenter Laura Woods then took to the stage with Ally McCoist, Sam Torrance and Darren Gough who followed with equally funny stories of playing with Gazza at Rangers FC from Ally, childhood memories from the golf course from Sam and antics on and off the pitch and ‘strictly’ dance floor from Darren. The crowd demanded more and got more with the VIP guests egging each other on to tell more daring stories! Tenor Martin Toal rounded off the afternoon with a rousing performance which had people up on their feet cheering for more with enthusiastic napkin waving. Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity comments, “We were so disappointed at having to cancel last year’s event and so the pressure was on this year to make it an afternoon to remember. It certainly lived up to that and I am staggered that even during these difficult times, our event raised over £210,000 to help us support our construction community in need and to make a real difference to people who have nowhere else to turn. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers that helped on the day and our sponsors who make these events possible. The money raised will go towards continuing our vital helpline services, supporting our national awareness campaign “Help Inside The Hard Hat” and developing the  Building Mental Health programme, so that we can continue to support our construction families in need and make a real difference to people who have nowhere else to turn.” The festivities continued well into the evening with guests embracing the Christmas spirit and making the most of the networking opportunities. . Event sponsors; Ardent Tide, Benchmark Scaffolding, CCS, CIF, Careys Foundation, Gallagher Group,  HQR, RIFT, Sunbelt Rentals.

Lincoln set for full fibre boost as CityFibre announces £21m rollout

CityFibre has named Lincoln as the next UK city in line for a multi-million-pound investment in its digital infrastructure – a move that will see it become one of the world’s best-connected communities. Nationally, CityFibre is building new and better digital infrastructure for up to 8 million homes and businesses through its up to £4bn Gigabit City Investment Programme. It is set to invest £21m in a new city-wide network that will bring full fibre broadband connectivity – the best technology for the job – within reach of every home and business in Lincoln. Full fibre networks, unlike many of the copper-based ‘fibre broadband’ services available today, use 100% fibre optic cables to carry data at light speed all the way from the home to the point of connection. This gives users speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps for upload and download (up to 1,000 Mbps), compared to Uk average speed of 54.2Mbps uploads and download speed of 7.2Mbps, near limitless bandwidth and connectivity users can depend on. A full fibre connection also goes far beyond simply enabling access to the latest entertainment at lightning speed. As an essential digital utility, full fibre boosts households and businesses alike, with experts saying it will drive a range of economic benefits, such as making us more productive and innovative. As City Manager, Neal Wright will lead the delivery of the Lincoln project. He will be responsible for ensuring works are delivered efficiently and considerately, while also acting as the main point of contact for all stakeholders. He said: “The next chapter in Lincoln’s story starts here. Our builders will soon get to work on a city-wide Full Fibre network – and we think people will be blown away by the difference it will make, both now and for generations to come. We cannot wait for residents and businesses to see what is possible with digital connectivity that propels you forward rather than holds you back.” Construction work on the full fibre network will begin in March 2022 and will be delivered by CityFibre’s build partner, Trust Utility Management Ltd. The team is using a range of construction methods while working in close partnership with Lincoln City and County Council and local communities to deliver a fast rollout while minimising potential disruption. Bill Hammond, Managing Director at Trust Utility Management, says: “CityFibre’s commitment to delivering the latest in full fibre technology to the city of Lincoln is very exciting and we welcome the opportunity to work on such a prestigious contract. We are certain that with our vast utility contract management experience and the high calibre team that we are building, this project will prove to be a success for Trust Utility Management Ltd and our client City Fibre.” As work is completed in each neighbourhood, internet service providers (ISPs) will ‘lights up the network’ with some of the fastest and most competitive broadband packages available in terms of both data and price. In Lincoln, services will be available from an increasing range of broadband providers. Across the UK, CityFibre is already working with Vodafone, TalkTalk, Zen and an ever-increasing number of partners, offering some of the fastest and most competitive broadband packages available.

New switches with integrated EUROSWITCH S.p.A. connectors available

PVL is pleased to announce the availability of a new series of pressure and vacuum switches with integrated EUROSWITCH S.p.A. connectors. These new products not only offer a wide range of integrated connector options but also provide the opportunity to be adjusted or recalibrated even with the connector mounted and potted for rugged weatherproofing. This allows adjustments to be made at the final stage of the production process or directly at the customer's site during system commissioning. This innovative system has been developed in-house in Euroswitch laboratories and is designed to allow a fast, accurate and efficient installation of the connector chosen for the sensor. Currently these sensors can be equipped with Deutsch DT04-2P, AMP Superseal and M12x1 connector or AMPJunior Timer and bayonet according to DIN 72585, offering protection levels between IP67 and IP69k. In common with all Euroswitch products, these pressure switches and vacuum switches are available with numerous body, diaphragm, process connection and wiring variants. They are particularly suitable for "hard" applications, where they are exposed to moisture, water ingress, dust and mud, for example, in hydraulics, pneumatics, earthmoving, agricultural machinery or public works, as well as numerous other sectors. Steve Moorey, MD of PVL, says, “This new series of sensors can not only be supplied with a wide range of integrated EUROSWITCH connectors to suit many applications but can be readjusted on site during commissioning or if system requirements later change, even when potted for protection from the environment.”