Products and Services Review Issue 831

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2025

ISSUE 831

Tel: 0121 824 7700

www.productsandservicesreview.co.uk

DISCOVER THE

INVESTIGATION

PLATFORM

PAGES 6-7

ROGER DYSON

2

SOYANG EUROPE

BYRON AND

5 BYRON

16

RECOVERY MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY OF THE MONTH

Whatever your recovery and

transport vehicle requirements, you

can rely on the Roger Dyson Group

In this issue of Products & Services

Review, we are pleased to feature Roger

Dyson as our Recovery Motor Vehicle

Manufacturing Company of the Month

yson’s

has been

Destablished

for over 50 years,

buying, selling and

manufacturing

transport and

recovery systems to

a wide cross-section

of companies that

offer all types of

services to the road

user network.

Dyson’s is widely recognised as a leading hub

for design and manufacturing, offering inhouse

paint shops, sign writing, shot blasting,

and vehicle and equipment testing. With an

extensive range of new and used recovery

vehicles, it provides comprehensive aftersales

services, including warranty support and

of vehicle, transport

and recovery

systems. However,

we are also involved

in the selling of new

and used recovery

vehicles, commercial

vehicles, specialised

recovery equipment,

lorry loader cranes,

and trailers. We

operate an after

sales service and

parts facility which is located in Droitwich

Spa on the same industrial estate, as well as

offer parts, service and repairs, repair backup

and an operations workshop together with

an IVA and ATF test lane facility. Dyson’s four

locations cover manufacture, sales, after sales

and service in a total of 138,000 square feet

premises. There is also a location in Poland

where we work very closely with Tevor, a Polish

Recovery Vehicle manufacturer.”

Since starting the business in December 1969

with just £300, Roger Dyson has transformed

the company over the last 50 years into a

global household name in its field, operating a

current turnover in excess of £25 million.

Since it was established, Dyson’s has been

a leader in its market sector, providing

quality, reliable and well supported vehicles

and equipment. Honouring its tagline

‘Always moving forward’, the company has

considerably grown since COVID-19, and has

only seen expansion with more premises,

more employees, and a significant increase in

turnover and sales.

“We are thrilled to now be the sole distributor

in the UK of the Polish Tevor recovery

equipment manufacturer I mentioned earlier.

Also, we have a new distributor that was set up

in January 2025, Shaw’s Commercials, based

in Southern Ireland, a subsidiary Atlantic body

that covers the distribution of Dyson, Landoll

and Tevor products across all Southern Ireland

and beyond.

repairs. Unmatched in the UK, Dyson’s is the

only company that enables customers to buy

or exchange used vehicles and equipment,

access servicing and repairs, and take

advantage of a well-stocked parts department

with daily dispatch

by 4pm.

We asked Roger

Dyson, Owner, to

expand more on

what the company

offers for its

customers.

“The main business

of Roger Dyson

Limited is the design

and manufacture

“We have a broad customer base, and have

designed and manufactured for a number of

the leading service providers in the motoring

sector including: the automobile association,

the RAC, police forces, fire brigades, recovery

operators, vehicle rental companies, plant and

equipment operators, car and commercial

body shops, car dealers, bus and coach

operators, as well as to a wide selection

of local authorities, councils and service

providers,” added Roger.

Dyson’s range of new and used stock is always

updating. To see what is available currently,

please visit:

u New Vehicles: www.rogerdyson.com/

product-filter/vehicle-type,recoveryvehicles

u Used Vehicles: www.rogerdyson.com/

product-filter/vehicle-type,used-vehicles

u Parts: www.rogerdyson.com/About/Parts_

and_accessories.html

u Service: www.rogerdyson.com/About/

After_Sales.html

“We are proud of what we have achieved over

the years as our proven reputation for offering

the highest resale value of the Dyson recovery

systems is still as strong as ever,” said Roger.

It is evident that since the company began,

Roger Dyson has given his all to the everimproving

global enterprise it has become.

Still active in the day-to-day running of the

business, Roger’s wealth of experience and

knowledge in his market sector ensures that

the business remains unrivalled in its field.

01905 775808

sales@rogerdyson.com

www.rogerdyson.com/home.html

2

PSR IS SPONSORED BY DUAL PUMPS: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS – SEE THEM ON PAGE 18

CONTENTS 831

EDITOR’S NOTES

Welcome to our February/March edition. Explore our hand-picked

features on innovative companies across Software, Education,

Transport and many more sectors.

Featured on page 2 is Roger Dyson, our Recovery Motor Vehicle

Manufacturing Company of the Month. With over 50 years of

industry expertise, Roger Dyson specialises in the buying, selling,

and manufacturing of transport and recovery systems, serving a

diverse range of companies across the road user network.

Gina Burton

Editor

Founded in December 1969 with just £300, Roger Dyson has grown the business into a

globally recognised name in its field, now boasting an annual turnover exceeding £25

million. This article explores the company’s unrivalled services in the UK and introduces its

newly appointed distributor, established in January this year.

On page 5 we unveil a new product by Soyang Europe – the SoStick, a brand-new range of

self-adhesive vinyl solutions. Designed with flexibility in mind, this far-reaching portfolio of

self-adhesive vinyl will suit companies working in various creative markets in applications

including retail graphics, exhibition graphics, POS graphics and short-term indoor graphics.

Show reviews covered: Education Estates ® 2024, FutureScape 2024, #RISK London 2024,

DECOREX 2024, LAMMA 2025.

Other topics covered: Women in Business, AI, Achievements & Awards, Appointment

News, Training & Development, Manufacturing & Engineering, Warehouse & Logistics.

We hope you enjoy this edition.

COVER STORY

DISCOVER THE

INVESTIGATION

PLATFORM

5

SOYANG EUROPE

PRINT & PACKAGING PRODUCTS & SERVICES

9

GARRAN WORKSPACES

EDUCATION ESTATES ® REVIEW

11

GABRIEL ASH

FUTURESCAPE REVIEW

See pages 6-7

CONTACTS

DUN & BRADSTREET

#RISK LONDON REVIEW

12

PUBLICATION MANAGEMENT

Kimberley Best Publication Manager

0121 824 7700

kimberleybest@productsandservicesreview.co.uk

EDITORIAL

Gina Burton Editor

07483 931474

gina@productsandservicesreview.co.uk

PRODUCTION

Robert Sharp Production Manager

production@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk

ACCOUNTS

Paul Whitaker Accounts Manager

0121 824 4742

accounts@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk

Please contact Sales on 0121 824 7700

info@productsandservicesreview.co.uk

www.productsandservicesreview.co.uk

For more information on print or format

requirements, please see our Media Pack

Find us on LinkedIn

follow us on Twitter

and

@uk_psr

Unless stated as news, the entire content of

this publication is advertorial based.

To place an advertorial or an advert, please

call 0121 824 7700.

BYRON AND BYRON

DECOREX REVIEW

SPONSORED BY

16

PRINT & PACKAGING NEWS

Protega Global’s new FSC ® Recycled Hexcel Wrap

rotega Global, a leading

Pmanufacturer of innovative

paper-based packaging

solutions, has announced the

launch of its latest product, a

new version of the company’s

popular Hexcel Wrap. This

pioneering paper-based

wrapping solution is now

made from FSC ® Recycled

paper, offering customers a

truly sustainable alternative

to traditional plastic bubble

wrap.

Sourced from FSC-certified suppliers in Europe,

the new recycled Hexcel Wrap is manufactured at

Protega’s Andover facility, reinforcing the company’s

commitment to local production and environmental

DS Smith wins

Silver award

S Smith, a leading international provider of fibre

Dbased sustainable packaging solutions, has won

Silver at the prestigious ‘Golden Walnut’ (Golden

Noot) Awards, for their revolutionary product, ‘DS

Smith Lift Up’.

This innovative solution, designed to replace plastic

shrink wrap for multipacks of plastic bottles with a

corrugated cardboard alternative packaging solution

for customer in the beverage sector, is a pioneering

step towards sustainability in the packaging industry.

The ‘Golden Walnut’ organised by the Netherlands

Packaging Centre (NVC), is known for rewarding

ground-breaking innovations in packaging.

‘DS Smith Lift Up’ consists of an ergonomic

corrugated cardboard carrying clip and a paper band.

This fully recyclable minimalist design has already

proven itself in practice on high-speed production

lines and it offers excellent brand visibility and

convenience in the supermarket. The jury praised

DS Smith for their holistic approach to packaging

innovation, bringing sustainability, functionality, and

brand experience together.

“We are extremely proud that ‘DS Smith Lift Up’

has been recognised with this Silver Award. This

achievement is a testament to our commitment to

developing sustainable packaging solutions that

push the boundaries of innovation,” said Philip Bautil,

Managing Director Benelux at DS Smith. “Lift Up is a

game changer for the industry & we are convinced it

will play an important role in reducing plastic waste.”

The awards ceremony for the 32nd edition of the

Golden Note took place on Thursday 10th October

2024, in the A'DAM Tower in Amsterdam.

Contact

www.dssmith.com

responsibility. Coming at a

time when sustainability is no

longer a nice optional extra,

but a necessity, by using

FSC ® certified materials,

businesses can rest assured

that the packaging they use

is genuinely and verifiably

coming from a source which

is fully sustainable and which

has a minimal impact on the

environment.

By sourcing FSC ® Recycled

paper, Protega is helping businesses take measurable

steps towards reducing their environmental impact.

The switch to recycled materials supports a circular

economy, meaning fewer emissions and reduced

waste. As a result, companies using the new Hexcel

Plastic-free Morro Coating

M Group of Companies has

2announced a multi-year

commercial supply agreement

with Transcend Packaging, to

deploy Xampla’s plastic-free

Morro Coating across the

UK. The plastic and PFAS-free

coating will be manufactured

at scale at the 2M Group of

Companies facility in Milton Keynes and supplied

under its new business venture, Sustainable

Packaging Technologies.

Morro Coating will be used on Transcend

Packaging’s selected paper board applications,

providing an inexpensive, high-strength grease

barrier for quick-service restaurant (QSR) utilisation.

The new partnership reinforces the company’s

commitment to sustainability, aligning with its

initiatives to minimise environmental impact through

advanced packaging solutions.

Classified as a natural plant polymer (exempt

from the Single Use Plastics Directive), Morro

materials give additional benefits to businesses

looking to successfully navigate evolving regulatory

Saica Group acquires

Schumacher Packaging

aica Group is thrilled to

Sannounce the acquisition of

Schumacher Packaging plants

in Poland as of 31 October 2024.

This includes all activities in

Poland: the whole management,

all employees, two state-ofthe-art

corrugated board plants in Bydgoszcz and

Wrocław, two paper mills in Grudziądz and Myszków

and three service centres. This operation was

authorised by the Polish anti-trust authorities.

With the Schumacher Packaging acquisition, Saica

Group expands its footprint in Poland employing

more than 1,500 people. This operation will increase

Saica’s production capacity by 420,000 tonnes of

recycled paper for corrugated cardboard, along

with an additional increase in corrugated cardboard

production capacity by 530 million square metres.

The acquisition of Schumacher's plants in Poland

is not only in line with the business development

of Saica Group strategy, but also constitutes a

crucial step in the development of infrastructure

and services in Central and Eastern Europe. This

signifies an expansion of the offer of plants in Poland

Wrap can achieve tangible reductions in their overall

carbon footprint, making this an ideal packaging

solution for businesses aiming to hit sustainability

goals and demonstrate environmental leadership.

The new FSC ® Recycled Hexcel Wrap offers the same

high-quality protection that customers have come

to expect from Protega Global, making it an ideal

choice for protecting delicate goods during shipping.

With their signature honeycomb-like structure, all of

Protega’s Hexcel Wrap products provide excellent

cushioning and shock absorption, while those opting

for the new FSC ® Recycled version can also benefit

from its enhanced eco-credentials.

Contact

https://protega-global.com

frameworks, while helping

customers reduce plastic as

part of their sustainability goals.

Alexandra French, CEO of

Xampla, said, “This new

partnership is part of our rapid

scale up of Morro Coating in

the marketplace. By licensing

our product through 2M Group of Companies in

this way, we are accelerating the scale up of our

plastic-free materials and are positioned to exceed

the growing global demand for natural polymer

solutions. This exciting partnership with Transcend

is the latest step on the journey that will see Morro

materials replacing plastic in people’s everyday lives.”

“This innovative coating technology enables us to

push boundaries & develop more impactful solutions

for both our customers and the environment.”

Contact

www.xampla.com/biodegradablepackaging-morro-coating

dedicated to paper solutions

for the manufacturing of

corrugated cardboard and

packaging, along with a strong

emphasis on advancing a

circular economy business

model. This acquisition

will enable Saica to further its goal of developing

local markets, enhancing customer proximity and

providing comprehensive global solutions for all their

paper and packaging requirements.

With this operation, Saica’s capacity of production

of recycled paper for corrugated cardboard will

increase by 420,000 tonnes, to reach 3.7 million

tonnes of recycled paper. Thanks to the transaction,

Saica will also acquire an extra corrugated cardboard

production capacity of 530 million square meters,

reinforcing its position as a leading corrugated

cardboard packaging supplier in the Polish market.

Contact

www.saica.com

4


PRINT & PACKAGING PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Soyang Europe rolls

out new SoStick range

of self-adhesive vinyl

solutions

Featuring a total of 18 products,

the new SoStick portfolio

includes both monomeric and

polymeric solutions, offering

excellent flexibility to customers.

Soyang Europe, the leading

manufacturer and distributor of

digitally printable wide-format

and superwide-format media and

surface coverings is delighted to

announce the launch of SoStick, a

brand-new range of self-adhesive

vinyl solutions.

Comprising 18 products in

total, the SoStick range boasts

a selection of high-quality PVC

monomeric and polymeric

solutions. Soyang, which has

produced the range in-house, will

make the materials available to

customers across the UK and

Ireland with immediate effect.

Designed with flexibility in mind,

this far-reaching portfolio of selfadhesive

vinyl will suit companies

working in various creative

markets. Products in the SoStick

collection span permanent,

removable, grey back, bubble-free

and high-tack options.

SoStick monomeric materials are

suitable for use in applications

including retail graphics,

exhibition graphics, POS graphics

and short-term indoor graphics.

Meanwhile, SoStick polymeric

solutions can be used to produce

pieces such as signage, vehicle

graphics, hoardings, long term

outdoor signage, window graphics

and more.

Soyang will continue to develop

the range and introduce new

solutions, with PVC-free and

specialist media options joining

the collection in the near future.

“We are delighted to be

introducing this new collection of

materials to our already-expansive

range of solutions,” said Oliver

Mashiter, Sales Director for

Media at Soyang Europe. “Having

created the products in-house at

Soyang, in partnership with our

development teams in China, we

can attest to the quality of each

solution and the flexibility of the

materials.

“We look forward to working with

customers in the UK and Ireland

to help them identify new and

exciting opportunities through the

use of the SoStick range.”

Contact

+44 (0)161 765 3400

sales@soyang.co.uk

https://soyang.co.uk

PSR IS SPONSORED BY DUAL PUMPS: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS – SEE THEM ON PAGE 18 5

CYBER SECURITY PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Reducing the investiga

intelligence, efficiency

E

stablished in 2017 by Morgan Sheehy

and Dr James Kent, BlackRainbow was

formed for the sole strategic intent of

providing a modern and innovative solution

for organisations within proactive and

reactive investigations and operations. The

company has, and are, transforming the way

intelligence, investigations and evidence

are managed, solving inefficiencies and

managing risks faced by Law Enforcement,

Government and Intelligence sectors with The

Investigation Platform, NIMBUS.

Established in 2017

by Morgan Sheehy

and Dr James Kent,

BlackRainbow was

formed for the sole

strategic intent of

providing a modern

and innovative solution

for organisations

within proactive and

reactive investigations

and operations. The company has, and

continues to, transform the way intelligence,

investigations, and evidence are managed,

solving inefficiencies and managing risks

faced by Law Enforcement, Government, and

Intelligence sectors with The Investigation

Platform, NIMBUS.

BlackRainbow has recently showcased a few

new products within the NIMBUS ecosystem,

which features three key elements – NIMBUS

Intelligence, NIMBUS Investigator, and

NIMBUS Forensics. Each of these can be

tailored to meet the

specific requirements

of an organisation. By

integrating these three

elements, organisations

can forge the Ultimate

Investigation Platform.

Nikki Moscrop, Head

of Law Enforcement

& Government – UK

explained more, “NIMBUS is the first integrated

investigation case and quality management

system available to the market with numerous

capabilities. Every bit of information is

recorded in a co-ordinated way enabling

investigators to see the bigger picture,

optimising decision making with an effective

and defensible audit trail. We call it The

Investigation Platform.”

NIMBUS has been transformative and is

streamlining the way the global market

has operated previously where companies

are no longer dependent on spreadsheets,

unsupported open sources, or siloed

systems for their investigation management

requirements. NIMBUS provides complete

control and visibility of the investigation

lifecycle, supported with defensible evidence

tracking, task management and reporting, all

of which are underpinned by compliance to the

latest quality standards and procedures.

As investigations become more complex and

time sensitive, physical and digital information

needs to efficiently make its way into the

central source of the

investigation/operations

command. NIMBUS

absorbs this information

rapidly to understand and

build a visual sequence

of events. Gathering

this data and converting

it into relevant,

useable information

for presentation as

potential evidence has historically not been

simple. NIMBUS is designed to streamline

this process, reduce data duplication and

optimise decision making while maintaining

investigation integrity and disclosure rules.

For some time, the disciplines around

intelligence and investigations have been

separated. Dealing with siloed data naturally

incurs time penalties in time sensitive

situations and this has come through legacy

working practice lagging technology. Nikki

continued, “Today NIMBUS delivers this from

the inception of any

intelligence through

to the conclusion of

the case to be in one

secure, permissioned

environment. This allows

reporting, sanitisation,

dissemination and

analytical work to

be of benefit to any

permissioned user

utilising the technology via watchlist,

notifications and alerting. Once again driving

efficiency to provide the right information to

the right person at the right time. NIMBUS

then becomes the digital room assistant

empowering investigators to accelerate

investigations.”

Moreover, NIMBUS has a further integral

capability specifically for intelligence

generation, management, analysis, and

reporting. Building on the basic case or

incident data available within Operational

6


tion lifecycle through

and integrity

CYBER SECURITY PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Analytics, giving real time access to potentially

invaluable information, this rich source of

pertinent data can enable important pattern

matching across cases where no obvious links

were previously known or risk profiling.

We asked Nikki what one of the key benefits

to NIMBUS was and she answered, “To be

able to build a flexible software for on premise

or cloud deployment with mobile device

compatibility. Furthermore, once deployed,

our customers can manage the user interface

with any configuration changes allowing them

to adapt to changes in the way they work now

and in the future. This brings huge advantages

to our end users as

they do not have

to wait or incur any

additional costs.”

Here is some of

the feedback from

customers who

have benefitted

from NIMBUS

“Prior to having

NIMBUS, all aspects of our investigations

were recorded and managed across multiple

solutions such as email, spreadsheets and on

employees’ devices. Having NIMBUS allows

up-to-date, accurate and auditable recording of

casework which has been game changing.”

“When looking at the other options during

our procurement process NIMBUS was the

only tool that fully met our needs and was

capable of managing investigations, evidence,

forensics, and ISO accreditation.”

solution that is a collaborative management

system for Case Management, Quality

Management, Asset & Inventory Management,

Staff & Training Management and

Orchestration & Automations.

Looking ahead, the next phase for

BlackRainbow is further growth and resilience

to meet the market evolution. “Our mantra

has always been about providing usable

technology to the

industry that we

have all worked and

served in for many

years. As a team,

BlackRainbow

genuinely wants to

help and make a

difference in how

we all go about our

daily work and will

continue to engage with our customers and

focus groups on enhancing NIMBUS at every

step,” said Nikki.

Investigate faster and smarter with

BlackRainbow. For more information,

please see below:

info@blackrainbow.com

“We have a much-improved overview on the

current status of each ongoing investigation.

The management of some several thousand

data objects would not be possible without

NIMBUS. Additionally, NIMBUS helps us

standardise the required steps during an

investigation to gain reproducible results and

even automate certain tasks and therefore

reduce our workload.”

Headquartered in Ireland, BlackRainbow also

has offices in Suffolk, UK and in America

Reston, VA, to aid the expansion of its US

customer base. Specialising in IT software for

investigations and forensics, the main sector

of which BlackRainbow works within is the

investigation and intelligence market, and

this includes customers within Policing, Law

Enforcement Agencies, Government, Financial

Institutions, Corporate companies with insider

threats and risks, forensics, and more.

BlackRainbow brings to you an all-in-one


REVIEW – TOP EXHIBITORS

Join the national conversation

around the education estate!

inspiring learning environments.

This event enabled visitors to gain the knowledge

and contacts they need to develop and promote

positive futures for the learners and staff of

today, as well as tomorrow.

The CPD-accredited conference at Education

Estates ® covered areas including funding, design,

construction, management and maintenance of

schools, colleges and universities. Sessions take

place over 6 themed stages.

E ducation Estates® is the UK’s leading learning

environments event, held at Manchester

Central from 15-16 October 2024, a unique forum

that brings the whole community together. For

many of the participants, it’s the only event of the

year that brings together the whole community:

from policy makers and designers to suppliers

and educators. It is also a key resource to

gain valuable insight into upcoming policy and

practical knowledge from experts in the sector.

With a focus on the funding, design, build,

maintenance and management of schools,

colleges and universities, the event featured a

2 day multi-streamed conference, an exhibition

that showcased some of the most innovative

solutions around, and a glittering awards dinner

that celebrated excellence in the sector.

Learning and liaising with some of the

UK’s leading architecture and construction

professionals, consultants, manufacturers, and

the wider supply chain, visitors could understand

practical yet innovative solutions to designing

and delivering low-to-zero carbon, inclusive and

The conference programme is packed with the

latest information, valuable insights and best

practice examples. The speakers are experts

in their field from every stage of the project life

cycle: policy makers to planners to architects to

project managers to construction professionals

to estates directors to operational teams.

With more than 29,000 schools, 380 colleges and

142 universities across the UK, this highlights the

enormity and importance of the education sector.

Decarbonising existing fabric through retrofits

and refurbishments and successfully achieving

zero carbon in new builds will be crucial in the

race to combat climate change.

The Education Estates ® Awards are a true

mark of excellence in learning environments.

The Awards celebrate those who are shaping

the future of learning environments through

innovation, development, and outstanding

achievements. Recognising the most inspiring

projects and contributions to the sector, these

Awards highlight the vision and dedication that

drive excellence in education spaces.

With 15 prestigious categories, the Awards

honour the contributions of consultants,

contractors, architects and clients, as well

as ground-breaking work in innovation and

sustainability.

Education Estates ® returns next year to

Manchester Central from 14-15 October 2025.

This is our pick of the best exhibitors from this

year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order:

Bradbury Consulting & Garran Workspaces. More

details can be found on this page and the next.

Contact

www.educationestates.com

8


Garran Workspaces: Smart

storage solutions for education

chools, colleges, and universities face

Sincreasing challenges in managing security and

organisation. Garran Workspaces, a leading provider

of storage solutions, addresses these issues with

innovative, durable, and sustainable products

tailored for educational environments.

Solving common storage challenges

Educational institutions often struggle with limited

space, security concerns,

and maintenance issues.

Garran Workspaces offers

solutions that enhance

organisation, security, and

efficiency:

u Classic Lockers –

Available in various

heights, providing flexible

storage options for

students and staff.

u Titan & Titan Plus

Lockers – Made from

upgraded steel, offering

robust storage for highusage

areas.

u Premier Lockers –

Versatile storage options

with enhanced durability featuring SGL doors.

u Supreme Lockers – Ideal for high moisture &

humidity spaces.

u Mobile Phone Lockers – Compact and secure

storage for personal devices, ideal for classrooms

and staff rooms.

u Charging Lockers – Integrated charging for

laptops, tablets, and phones.

u Cloakroom Benches & Coat Hooks – Available in

different heights, optimised for shared spaces.

u Z Lockers & Personal Storage – Space-saving,

versatile storage options.

u Uniform Lockers – Secure storage for staff and

student belongings.

u Hygienic & Sustainable Designs – Anti-bacterial

coatings and eco-friendly materials.

Enhancing education

spaces

At Garran Workspaces,

we provide more than

just storage; we offer

solutions that enhance

functionality and security.

We collaborate with schools

and universities to develop

tailored solutions that

improve daily operations

and student well-being.

By focusing on innovation

and quality, Garran

Workspaces ensures that

learning environments

are secure, organised and

future-ready. Our storage solutions are designed to

withstand daily wear and tear while maintaining a

modern aesthetic that complements any educational

space.

The Titan & Titan Plus lockers offer robust security,

ensuring that personal belongings remain safe. Our

charging lockers provide students and staff with a

convenient way to charge devices throughout the

day, promoting seamless learning experiences.

Additionally, our cloakroom benches and coat hooks

keep communal areas tidy and efficient, while our

personal storage lockers cater to the needs of

students and faculty. We also offer various locking

mechanisms, including cam locks and hasp & staple

locks, and digital locks, ensuring the right security for

different environments.

By incorporating hygienic, anti-bacterial coatings and

using eco-friendly materials, we prioritise health and

sustainability, ensuring that educational institutions

are well-equipped for the future.

About Garran Workspaces

Garran Workspaces is a leading provider of highquality

storage solutions for education and corporate

sectors. With a focus on security, sustainability, and

functionality, our products enhance efficiency and

organisation in learning spaces nationwide.

Bradbury Consulting Chartered Surveyors

Bradbury Consulting was delighted

to be part of the Education

Estates Conference in Manchester

last year. It was wonderful to catch up

with so many of our existing clients

and a great opportunity to build

relationships with new organisations.

We were established in 2009 as

a firm of Chartered Surveyors.

Providing property and construction

professional services to the education

sector and schools are still very

important to us as a firm.

Our Mission Statement: 'To maintain,

develop and inspire the learning

environment.'

We are proud that our client base of

over 200 schools has been built from direct

referrals and recommendations from our

existing client portfolio. We pride ourselves

on client care and would be happy for you to

contact any of our existing clients to obtain a

reference for our services.

The team at Bradbury Consulting has

maintained, and continued to grow, its working

relationship with the education sector during

the government-led academisation process. We

have formed a strong working relationship with

our clients built on the foundations of reliability,

accountability, support, delivery, and a strong

trusting personable relationship.

We fully understand the academisation

process and have supported many schools

in the management of their estates during

the transition from a Local Authority and or

Voluntary Aided School to a single academy

or Multi Academy Trust, along with helping

existing trusts manage their schools and

prepare their SCA funding capital programmes.


Contact

https://garran-lockers.co.uk

https://garran-lockers.co.uk/projects

https://garran-lockers.co.uk/education

Bradbury Consulting is regulated

by the RICS. As a regulated firm of

chartered surveyors, we must comply

with the RICS Rules of Conduct and

be managed by suitably qualified

RICS professional members, along

with many other professional

stipulations and standards.

As a business, we work with a variety

of clients from small rural village

schools, to large inner city primary

schools, and secondary schools. We

understand the importance of the

school within the wider community

and the diverse range of challenges

that each school encounters.

We also understand the constraints

of working with schools, from budget

restrictions, safeguarding of pupils and staff

on site, health and safety restrictions – to the

wider understanding of the school community.

Our offices are based in Handforth, South

Manchester, providing direct access to the

motorway network allowing us quick access to

most areas in the North of England.

Book in your free consultation today:

01625 522209

info@bradbury-consulting.co.uk

www.bradbury-consulting.co.uk



Uniting the landscaping industry –

connecting, inspiring and evolving

for 14 years

added three new exciting zones last year

including Landscape Performance Live, The

Decking Hub and the Lighting Zone.

Landscape Performance Live in partnership

with Hyphae Learning was a focal point at

last year’s FutureScape, offering two days of

engaging seminars, dynamic demonstrations,

and interactive networking opportunities.

FutureScape, the go-to event for landscape

professionals, co-located with Outdoor

Living and Wellness Expo, was held from 15-16

October 2024 at London’s ExCeL.

The UK’s leading landscaping series was back

again for its 12th edition. The FutureScape

portfolio has seen incredible growth yet again

and the organisers were excited to introduce

visitors to a range of new updated features,

zones and content, that reflects the industry

and keeps them up to date with the latest

developments in this space.

FutureScape evolved further this year

with the launch of Stonescape Expo,

which brought fresh opportunities

and avenues for growth within the

industry. The portfolio now boasted

four forward-thinking events under one

roof, including FutureScape, Outdoor

Living & Wellness Expo, Public Spaces

Expo and Stonescape Expo.

Within FutureScape, the organisers

Ray Malony spearheaded the Lighting Zone

and hosted the Lighting Theatre, which was

sponsored by LightPro, a series of master

talks on landscape lighting with top design

professionals and suppliers.

Finally, The Decking Hub, sponsored

by Milboard and in partnership with the

Decking Network, explored and discussed

all things decking, with a host of targeted

demonstrations.

The Outdoor Living & Wellness Expo

teamed up with Adam Stewart from Utopia

Landscapes to create the ‘Garden of the

Future’ which was sponsored by KubuCu and

incorporated a range of products that aims to

inspire calm and tranquillity.

The seminar and debate programme was

brimming with content to keep visitors

educated across a range of subject matters

in a range of locations including the Inspire

Theatre in partnership with the Royal

Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Society

of Garden Designers (SGD), the Business

Theatre in sponsorship with Lantra, Pro

Landscaper Theatre sponsored by Nth Degree,

and Landscape Performance Live Theatre, in

partnership with Hyphae Learning.

FutureScape returns next year to London’s

ExCeL from 7-8 October 2025. This is our pick

of the best exhibitors from last year’s event,

listed here in alphabetical order: Gabriel Ash

(Juliana Group). Further details can be found

on this page and the next.

Contact

www.futurescapeevent.com

10


Gabriel Ash: Handcrafted

excellence in greenhouse design

Gabriel Ash, part of the Juliana Group, is

a renowned British brand specialising

in handcrafted cedar wood greenhouses.

Situated in the Cotswolds, we use traditional

joinery techniques, such as mortise and tenon

joints, to ensure strength, durability, and

timeless elegance.

Designed for functionality & longevity

Every Gabriel Ash greenhouse comes with a

full-length ridge automatic ventilation system

and sash windows to ensure ample airflow.

Additional ventilation accessories can be

added if needed, making it easier to maintain

the perfect growing conditions.


Our commitment to quality and attention to

detail have earned us a loyal customer base.

Each greenhouse is meticulously crafted

using PEFC-certified Western Red Cedar,

sourced from British Columbia, Canada. This

naturally durable wood provides resistance to

decay, corrosion, and weathering, ensuring a

greenhouse that will stand the test of time.

A Gabriel Ash greenhouse is more than

a structure – it’s a sanctuary, an elegant

garden focal point

designed to inspire

and enhance any

outdoor space. We

are the only timber

greenhouse company

endorsed by the Royal

Horticultural Society

(RHS), a testament

to our dedication to

craftsmanship and

excellence.

We offer two distinct collections:

Classic Collection

A blend of traditional wooden greenhouse

design with modern minimalism, the Classic

collection features:

u Glass-to-ground panels (which can be

replaced with cedar panels if preferred).

u Smooth-running sliding doors for easy

access or Hinged doors with solid brass

and stainless tell fixings, ensuring a classic

feel.

u 2-foot-wide glass

panels, creating

a sleek and

contemporary look.

RHS Collection

Inspired by ornate

Victorian architecture,

the RHS collection

offers:

u Taller structures

with higher eaves and steeper roof pitches,

creating a grand aesthetic.

u Decorative turned finials on gable ends for

an elegant finish.

u Narrower glass panels (1 foot 2 inches

wide) for a refined appearance.

u Hinged doors with solid brass or polished

stainless steel butt hinges, ensuring a

classic feel.

u Cedar baseboards as standard, with the

option to build on a dwarf wall for added

character.

From timeless Victorian structures to

contemporary modern designs, Gabriel Ash

greenhouses embody the perfect blend of

craftsmanship, functionality, and artistic

beauty – built to last for generations.

For a free brochure, call 01242 662926 or

visit: www.gabrielash.com


The UK’s leading risk focused expo

#

RISK London was a twoday

event, which took

place from 9-10 October

2024 at ExCeL London –

the premier event for risk

professionals in the UK. With

over 100 exhibitors, keynote

presentations from over

200 experts and thought

leaders, panel discussions,

and breakout sessions,

#RISK London was the

perfect place to learn about

the present and future risk

landscape.

Visitors could dive deep

into critical risk topics at #RISK London, and

explore dedicated GRC, PrivSec, and AI Hubs

featuring expert-led panels and real-world case

studies from industry leaders. Visitors could

also gain the essential skills and insights they

need to effectively mitigate risk for individuals,

organisations, and society as a whole. #RISK

London empowered visitors to navigate the

evolving risk landscape with confidence.

Visitors could explore sessions on Cyber Risk,

AI Risk, Privacy Risk, Geopolitical Risk, ESG

Risk, Financial Risk, GRC, and Sustainability.

Visitors could also gain insights from industry

leaders, discover cutting-edge solutions, and

connect with risk professionals facing similar

challenges. #RISK London empowered visitors

to build resilience, mitigate threats, and secure


their organisation’s future.

The GRC Theatre at #RISK

London equipped visitors

with the knowledge and

tools to overcome the

challenges of fragmented

data, regulatory changes,

and building a strong risk

culture. Attendees could

discover how a wellstructured

GRC program can

lead to data-driven insights,

proactive risk mitigation,

improved compliance, and

streamlined processes,

ultimately building a more

resilient and sustainable business.

The PrivSec Theatre at #RISK London equipped

visitors with the knowledge to navigate the

complex challenges of safeguarding privacy

and security in today’s data-driven world.

Attendees could engage with industry leaders,

learn best practices for data protection and

cybersecurity from renowned experts, and

discover innovative solutions from leading

vendors to fortify their security posture and

stay ahead of emerging threats.

The RegTech Theatre at #RISK London

was the epicentre for exploring the latest

regulatory technology solutions. With a focus

on automating compliance tasks, reducing

operational risks, and staying ahead of the

curve, this was

the place for

senior decisionmakers

from

finance, healthcare,

utilities, and the

public sector

to discover the

latest in RegTech

innovation.

Attendees could

learn how RegTech

can revolutionise identity verification, regulatory

reporting, data protection, risk management,

and more.

The Risk Theatre at #RISK London was

the gateway to unparalleled insights and

strategic thinking. Attendees could engage

with visionary leaders who illuminated the

evolving risk landscape, unveiling emerging

threats and innovative approaches to navigate

uncertainty, and leave inspired and equipped

with actionable takeaways to build a resilient

organisation.

This is our pick of the best exhibitors from last

year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order:

Dun & Bradstreet. Further details can be found

on this page.

Contact

https://riskgrc.com

Dun & Bradstreet at #RISK Expo:

Advancing AML Compliance with Data & AI

N avigating

today’s complex

regulations is no

easy feat for financial

institutions. At

the #RISK Expo,

Martin Skeens,

Dun & Bradstreet’s

Third Party Risk &

Compliance expert,

joined industry

leaders to dive into

the future of Anti-

Money Laundering

(AML) compliance and detection.

The key takeaway? AI and automation are

transforming compliance in real-time. From

improving risk assessments and automating

transaction monitoring to uncovering

sophisticated money laundering schemes, these

technologies are reshaping how organisations

manage compliance. The benefits are clear:

better accuracy, faster decisions, and reduced

operational costs – enabling businesses to say

ahead of emerging risks.

Unlocking potential with data

However, to truly leverage the full power of AI

and automation, it’s critical to have the right data

foundation. Compliance teams need real-time

reliable and trusted data to stay agile and meet

evolving regulations.

Dun & Bradstreet’s

Data Cloud, with over

590 million unique

records, delivers

the intelligence

businesses need to

anticipate risks and

adapt to regulatory

shifts.

D&B Risk Analytics

Compliance

Intelligence

To meet the demands of compliance, D&B

Risk Analytics Compliance Intelligence offers

a perpetual KYC/KYB solution that provides

continuous near real-time monitoring. Powered

by Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Cloud and drawing

from over 10,000 trusted global sources, this

platform gives compliance teams the insights

they need to make smarter, more informed

decisions.

With this solution, businesses can:

u Verify potential clients or business partners

to onboard faster and view ultimate

beneficial owners to know exactly who you

are doing business with.

u Automate risk mitigation to make quicker,

more intelligent decisions and achieve an

80% reduction in false positive management.

u Enhance due diligence by accessing critical

insights including Risk Scores, Rankings, and

Ratings, ESG scores, Financial Scores, and

more.

u Move to Perpetual KYC by using sanctions,

watch, and PEP lists, as well as adverse

media to conduct ongoing checks.

u Know of a business partner’s potential

instability before disruption occurs and

proactively mitigate.

Empowering smarter compliance decisions

Dun & Bradstreet combines global data with

local expertise to help businesses make smarter

decisions – knowing who to trust, where to find

opportunities, and how to manage risk. Through

D&B Risk Analytics Compliance Intelligence,

organisations can navigate regulatory

complexities with confidence, efficiency, and

accuracy. See how our solution can help you

automate your KYC and due diligence processes

to manage compliance risk.

Contact

0808 239 6399

www.dnb.co.uk

12


Globalpesca selects Dematic

arehouse automation

Wand software specialist

Dematic has recently signed

a contract with Globalpesca

– a leading Italian provider of

frozen foods and food services

to the hotel, restaurant, and

catering industries – to ensure

operational efficiencies at a new

low-temperature warehouse for

frozen goods.

“Important factors in our decision process included

knowing that Dematic has many years of experience

developing automation solutions for the hospitality

and catering industry and it has deep experience

in the storage of food items at low temperatures,”

explains Andrea Ruffoni, the supply chain director at

Globalpesca, adding, “And when it comes to stacker

cranes for pallets, we were confident that Dematic

was the right company to partner with.”

Headquartered northwest of Milan in Gravellona

Toce, Italy’s Piedmont region, Globalpesca SpA is a

family-owned business whose roots date back nearly

125 years.

Jacobs to manage major infrastructure project

acobs has been selected by the National Transport

JAuthority (NTA) in Ireland to provide Client Partner

delivery services for the BusConnects Dublin, Core

Bus Corridors Infrastructure Works Programme. This

critical ten year programme comprises 12 core bus

corridors planned to deliver a substantial upgrade to

walking, cycling & bus infrastructure in Dublin and the

Greater Dublin Area while addressing climate change.

“BusConnects Dublin aims to transform public

transport and promote active travel as the viable

and attractive choice for commuters and visitors,

enhancing connectivity and community life, and

supporting the economy and environment,” said

Jacobs Executive Vice President, Kate Kenny.

“Building on our long-term relationship with the

NTA, we bring diverse experience from critical

transportation infrastructure projects in Ireland and

globally to support this programme.”

Due to rapid growth in the

hospitality and catering industry

in Italy, food service companies

must be able to manage higher

order volumes and be prepared

to continuously improve service

levels. Globalpesca recognised

that automation would support

its operations by bringing

improvements in two key areas:

better planning and managing

of its inbound product process and better handling in

storage and restocking of its picking areas.

The Dematic solution is going to be installed in a

new warehouse facility adjacent to Globalpesca’s

distribution centre in Gravellona Toce. The solution

calls for a self-supporting structure designed to

meet the load and temperature requirements of

the warehouse, the second temperature-controlled

warehouse adjacent to the distribution centre.

Streamline warehouse operations

latest reports from

Tthe UK Warehousing

Association show that

running a warehouse is

becoming increasingly

difficult, mainly due

to rising labour costs,

energy prices and supply

chain disruptions.

That’s why experts at bespoke material and handling

equipment manufacturers, BlueTrolley, have detailed

five ways to reduce these costs and optimise the

efficiency of any warehouse operation…

Invest in Energy-Efficient Upgrades

Energy bills can be a major expense for warehouses.

Implementing energy-efficient upgrades like LED

lighting, improved insulation, and automated lighting

systems can lead to substantial cost savings over

time. For example, switching to LED lighting can

reduce energy consumption for lighting by up to 80%.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Sustainability isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good

for your wallet. Look for ways to recycle and

reuse packaging materials whenever possible.

Explore options like returnable shipping containers

or investing in durable, reusable packaging for

internal operations.

Contact

www.dematic.com

Optimise Inventory Levels for Maximum

Efficiency

Carrying excess inventory ties up valuable

capital and increases storage costs.

Implementing a robust inventory management

system allows you to maintain optimal stock

levels, preventing overstocking and ensuring

you have the supplies needed to meet demand.

Focus on Staff Retention

Employee turnover is expensive. Hiring and training

new staff takes time and resources. You can

significantly reduce turnover and associated costs by

fostering a positive work environment that prioritises

employee well-being and offers competitive

compensation and benefits.

Embrace Automation

Implementing warehouse automation technologies,

such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs), conveyor

systems, and warehouse management systems

(WMS), can significantly improve efficiency and

reduce labour costs.

Contact

https://bluetrolley.com/blogs/news/five-waysto-streamline-your-warehouse-operations

Jacobs will lead an integrated, locally driven team

with Arup, and sub consultants SYSTRA and

Chandler KBS, providing multi-disciplinary and major

programme management capability to support NTA

in overseeing sustainable delivery of approximately

230 kilometres (~142 miles) of continuous bus

priority corridors and approximately 200 kilometres

WAREHOUSE & LOGISTICS NEWS

LogiMAT:

Dematic

t LogiMAT, 11-13 March 2025, in Stuttgart,

AGermany, Dematic wanted visitors to come away

with a clear sense of the crucial role its software

plays when combined with partnerships to design

customised solutions for them providing facility

agility.

At its Hall 1/H61 stand, the leading provider of

intelligent automation technology, had showcases

that took visitors on a warehouse journey filled with

live technology demonstrations, customer service

training demonstrations, discussions on where the

industry is heading as well as opportunities to meet

with some technology partners, that when combined,

helped customers meet their supply chain ambitions.

“Talk in the industry has focused on having resilient

and flexible processes as the key to sustainable

supply chain practices. We believe that Dematic is in

a unique position to bring all of the best the industry

has to offer into a single, customised solution that

can help customers achieve these kinds of processes

to remain competitive,” explained Rene Sickler,

managing director of Dematic DACH.

Whether its learning how Dematic comes together

with fellow KION Group brands, strong partnerships

with companies such as AutoStore, or the recently

announced KION collaboration with NVIDIA, visitors

could experience first-hand the benefits they reap

from a seamless combination of automation,

software, industrial trucks and other advanced

technologies in an integrated solution developed by

Dematic. On display was an innovative, autonomous

shuttle for high-density pallet storage solutions

involving the Dematic partnership with EuroFork.

Contact

www.dematic.de

(~124 miles) of cycle paths and improved pedestrian

facilities.

The delivery of the programme aims to support safe

and sustainable transport while providing greater

certainty on arrival times to destinations and also

reducing public transport journey times. Of national

strategic importance, the programme will go on to

form NTA’s blueprint for planned future BusConnects

programmes in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway

and is a critical component of the Irish government’s

national strategic objectives supporting compact

growth, sustainable mobility and transition to a

climate neutral and climate resilient society.

Contact

www.jacobs.com


MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING NEWS

ACI appoints President and General Manager

nalytical Components

AInternational (ACI), a leading

manufacturer of precision

components for analytical

instrumentation and innovator

in the hard materials industry,

specialising in synthetic sapphire

and precision ceramic components

for the industrial, medical and

life science industries, is excited

to announce the appointment of

Michael Mainvielle to President

and General Manager.

Michael Mainvielle has two decades of experience

managing global businesses in the manufacturing

and technology sectors. He was recently with

Novanta Corporation as Vice President of

Back British

Metals initiative

he Back British Metals (BBM) initiative has

Treinforced its commitment to positioning the UK

metals industry as a key driver of economic growth,

innovation, and national resilience following a pivotal

meeting with Chris McDonald MP.

With growing political backing, BBM is playing a

leading role in ensuring that metals, a sector omitted

as a growth sector from the UK Government’s

Industrial Strategy, are recognised as an industry of

opportunity that underpins national infrastructure,

defence, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability.

At the latest BBM strategy meeting, industry leaders

and key stakeholders gathered to outline priorities

for the sector in the short, medium and long term.

The discussions focused on the sector’s global

competitiveness, investment potential and its place in

the UK’s industrial strategy. The meeting reaffirmed

the need to present metals as a vital part of the UK’s

future economic strategy and to demonstrate the

value of the sector across multiple industries.

BBM represents the entire metals ecosystem,

covering all alloys and supply chains from primary

production to recycling and re-use. With the support

of a broad coalition of trade associations and industry

leaders, the initiative is committed to securing the

future of the UK metals sector and advocating for its

recognition as a vital part of the economy.

A key focus of the initiative is achieving greater

policy recognition for the UK metals sector. The

government’s recent Industrial Strategy did not

include metals as an individual growth sector, which

risks overlooking an industry that is essential to

national infrastructure, defence, and advanced

manufacturing. BBM is working to ensure that metals

are recognised within government policy and that the

industry receives the support and investment it needs

to remain competitive.

Contact

www.backbritishmetals.org

Automated carbon footprint tool

enator, a global manufacturer

Vof pigments and additives,

is pleased to announce the

successful rollout of the Eviden

Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)

Platform. This milestone marks

the completion of a project that

began in October 2023 and

concluded in December 2024.

Commercial Excellence and Vice

President of Product Management

and Marketing for the Precision

Motion Division. Prior to that,

he was a Business Line Director

with IDEX Health and Science. He

previously held commercial and

engineering positions at Texas

Instruments and Photocircuits

Corporation.

ACI Managing Member and

Senior Director of Manufacturing,

Jon Bohlin, said, “Mike is an

experienced leader with a long track record for

business growth and customer satisfaction. He

is highly focused on successful outcomes for

customers, team members and the business overall.

The specialist digital PCF

Platform provides full automation of the PCF

calculation for Venator’s extensive product portfolio

and enables Venator to deliver accurate data on the

carbon footprint of its products to its customers.

Rob Portsmouth, Executive Vice President, EHS,

Sustainability and HR at Venator, commented, “The

successful implementation of the PCF Platform

is a significant milestone in our sustainability

journey and our collaboration with Atos, through its

Eviden business group, was characterised by great

cooperation and close teamwork.

“This advanced tool empowers us to assess our

portfolio and production network in terms of CO 2

Engines Plus appointed UK

distributor of FPT Industrial

ngines Plus, a leading

Eprovider of high-quality engine

solutions, is proud to announce

its appointment as an authorised

UK Distributor of FPT Industrial

(a brand of Iveco Group) engines.

This strategic partnership

enables Engines Plus to offer a

comprehensive range of engines

suitable for both marine and

industrial applications, further

strengthening its offering across multiple sectors.

With FPT Industrial’s proven reputation for delivering

robust and reliable engines, Engines Plus is

well-equipped to meet the demands of industrial

markets. From generators to water pumps and jetting

units, FPT Industrial engines provide exceptional

performance and durability across a range of

applications. Engines Plus will support customers

with comprehensive parts availability, expert service,

and tailored solutions to ensure they have the power

they need to succeed.

“Industrial applications such as generators, water

pumps, and jetting units represent a significant

His steady hand in the storm approach lets our

team know he is the right person to lead us moving

forward.

“Since our recent partnership with David Schnur

Associates (DSA), sales and marketing services for

the medical device and life science industries, along

with our recently launched Fluidic Fittings and Tubing

product line, things have been moving rapidly for

us. We have full confidence that Mike’s experience

paired with industry expertise will help navigate the

company's success moving forward.”

Contact

sales@analyticalcomp.com

www.analyticalcomp.com

emissions and take actionable

steps to reduce our PCF. The

tool’s automation capabilities

provide us with clear,

transparent, and comparable

PCF data, offering valuable

insights into internal and external

supply chain dependencies.

“It allows us to get a clear view

of the carbon footprint of our

products, as well as being able to share these with

our customers, ultimately helping them achieve their

own ESG goals. This platform not only enhances our

ability to measure and manage the carbon footprint

of our products but also supports our commitment

to transparency and continuous improvement.

By providing our customers with detailed carbon

footprint data, we empower them to make more

informed choices and contribute to a more

sustainable future.”

Contact

www.venatorcorp.com

opportunity for us,” commented

Simon Nutley, Sales Director at

Engines Plus. “This partnership

with FPT Industrial allows us

to provide dependable, highquality

solutions that align with

our customers’ operational

requirements. The FPT Industrial

product extends our offering

for the stringent EU Stage

V compliance to the lesser

regulated engines. The FPT Industrial off-road engine

range offers complete packages up to 670kW.”

FPT Industrial also manufactures a dedicated

range of engines specifically designed for marine

applications, catering to both leisure craft and

commercial vessels. Designed for durability and

efficiency, FPT Industrial marine engines integrate

seamlessly with Engines Plus’ existing portfolio,

offering customers the performance they can trust.

Contact

www.enginesplus.co.uk

14


Ataccama’s new solution

partner program

taccama, AI-powered data

Amanagement company, has

launched a new partner program

for solution partners to enable

them to provide manufacturing and

engineering businesses with bespoke

accredited services, enabling them

to scale their data management

practices and grow with their

business.

Certified solution providers will be

able to deliver greater support and

improved time to value for customers,

while enterprises will benefit from a

wider range of options when selecting

preferred partners for implementing

their data management solution.

The data management software

market is forecast to grow at a 9.7%

compound annual rate to reach $16

billion USD by 2027, according to

Gartner. Fuelling this rapid uptake

are maturing data management, data

governance and AI strategies, which

are increasingly being recognised

as mission-critical for enterprises

targeting business extension

and growth, risk mitigation and

compliance, and enhanced customer

360.

The new four tier program ensures

all partners can maximise their

investment in their partnership and

access the range of benefits most

closely aligned to their own strategy to

support customers and their business

goals.

Girish Pai, Global Head of Data & AI

at Hexaware Technologies, said, “We

are very excited to become a certified

partner of Ataccama. This partnership

reinforces our intention of becoming

a trusted advisor for our clients in the

data management space which is

a key pillar in helping them get their

data ready for AI. Our investment in

this relationship allows us to provide

end-to-end offerings to bring the best

of what Ataccama has to offer to

our clients, including data strategy,

consulting, and implementation.”

Contact

www.ataccama.com

MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Debunking automation

myths in manufacturing

utomation has revolutionised

Amanufacturing businesses’

operations through improved

efficiency, productivity gains, and

overall business growth. Indeed,

since the early 2010s, consultancy

giants have been championing the

transformative power of automated

systems in manufacturing.

Yet, despite widespread acceptance

of manufacturing automation,

some businesses are lagging

behind. A 2023 report

by the Manufacturing

Technology Centre

revealed that UK

manufacturers’

hesitance to invest

in automation and

robotics has notably

impacted the country’s

recent productivity gains.

In addition, in the US product

errors linked to inefficient manual

processes continue to prove an issue:

in 2023, undeclared allergens due to

labelling errors were behind half of all

US food and beverage recalls.

So, what’s behind the reluctance to

adopt automation in manufacturing?

Adem Kulauzovic, Director of

Automation, Domino Printing

Sciences, uncovers seven critical –

and misplaced – concerns around

adopting factory automation and

explains why, if you're still holding back

on your automation journey, the time to

move is now.

Myth #1: Automation is unnecessary

Myth #2: Automation doesn’t apply

to me

Myth #3: Automation replaces people

Myth #4: Automation isn’t for SMEs

Myth #5 Automation is too

expensive

Myth #6: Automation is

complicated

Myth #7: Automation

requires extra skills

There is no need to

fear automation

Misconceptions

and concerns that

manufacturers have

about adopting automation

linger. However, given financial

benefits, increasing availability,

and the growing willingness of

automation partners to help finance

and implement new solutions, the

real question is: can you afford not to

adopt factory automation?

Threat of cyber attacks

Cyber attacks are costing some

manufacturing businesses

hundreds of thousands of

pounds per year, new research

by commercial insurer NFU

Mutual has found, with the vast

majority of those within the sector

admitting to having fallen victim to

this type of crime.

Contact

www.domino-printing.com

With high-profile cyber-attacks

targeting the likes of Network

Rail and TfL hitting the headlines

in recent weeks, the issue is

well known to businesses and

manufacturing industry bodies, &

goes beyond just financial loss.

“The cost of this cannot only be

measured in pounds sterling,

but it can cost a lot more in lost

reputation,” says Paul Morris,

IT Manager at David Salisbury

Joinery.

New research from NFU Mutual

highlights the problem many

in the sector are facing. The

survey shows almost eight in 10

manufacturers (78%) said they

had been impacted by cyber-crime

at one time or another. Malware

or viruses was the most common

issue to impact manufacturers,

with more than a third surveyed

having fallen victim (39%).

Phishing scams (31%), customer

fraud (25%), data theft, breaches

and leaks (24%), and ransomware

(24%) also featured high in the list.

As manufacturing businesses

continue to evolve into the digital

world, more than nine in 10 of

those surveyed said they had to

resort to taking security measures

to combat cyber-crime in the last

12 months – with three-quarters

increasing IT security and 58%

having undertaken training around

online safety.

Contact

www.nfumutual.co.uk/

business-cyber-insurance



Decorex 2024 delivers design inspiration to

over 12,500 interior professionals

he 46th edition of Decorex, held from 6-9

TOctober at Olympia London, welcomed

over 12,500 members of the interior design

community for four days of high-end design

inspiration and innovation. The event saw 280

brands showcasing their latest collections across

Olympia’s Grand Hall and National Hall, making it

a landmark occasion in the design calendar.

The event featured an array of impressive

exhibitor stands, designer collaborations, and new

product launches, alongside a packed schedule of

talks focused on sustainability and cutting-edge

design trends. Attendees included leading interior

design studios such as Beata Heuman, Carden

Cunietti, Studio Ashby, and Turner Pocock, who

engaged with the show’s extensive offerings.

Decorex Event Director, Sam Fisher, highlighted

the event’s significance, “We were delighted to

welcome the Decorex community back to Olympia

for an incredible four days of design excellence.

From exceptional British craftsmanship to global

design names, Decorex remains a must-visit for

those seeking the latest in high-end design and

manufacturing.”

The success of the event is reflected in the strong

interest for Decorex 2025, with over 100 brands,

including Frato, The Soho Lighting Company, and

Riviere, already confirmed for next year’s edition.

The event’s creative collaborations left a lasting

impression. Notable highlights included ‘The

Woven Room’ by The New Craftmakers, which

showcased traditional basketry techniques from

across the UK, and a live mural by Maria Christina

Design. Additionally, the VIP Lounge, transformed

by YesColours into the ‘Synesthetic Studio’,

offered an immersive experience exploring the

connection between design, sustainability, and

sensory engagement.

Decorex also celebrated the creativity and

innovation of its exhibitors through its Stand

Awards. Bert Frank won ‘Best Space Only Stand’

for its immersive lighting display, while Floor Story

took home ‘Best Newcomer’ for their eclectic rug

collection in collaboration with Henry Holland.

Armac Martin received the ‘Best Product’ award

for their decorative cabinet handle, and Tori

Murphy Textiles won ‘Best Shell Scheme’ for their

elegant fabric display.

In a move towards recognising sustainability

efforts, the event introduced new awards,

including the Planet Conscious Award, won by

CTO Lighting, and the Social Change Award,

awarded to Allwina for their work empowering

women in South American artisan communities.

The next Decorex will take place at Olympia

London from 12-15 October 2025, promising

another unforgettable showcase of the best in

design and sustainability. This is our pick of the

best exhibitors from last year’s event, listed here

in alphabetical order: Byron And Byron. Further

details can be found on this page.

Contact

www.decorex.com/en/home.html

Byron and Byron make innovative tracks into

curtain hardware solutions

Written by Jane Eley,

Freelance Interiors

Copywriter

uxury curtain

Lpole makers,

Byron and Byron,

renowned for

its finest quality

collections,

introduce innovative

products with

ingenious solutions

for the ultimate

window dressings. A unique combination of highly

skilled craftsmanship and precision engineering

ensures the best of both worlds pairing design

aesthetics with modern-day functionality.

Discover its latest products available for UK and

international markets.

Introducing Cov-A-Blind, the

zero DIY blind cover

This simple yet clever design

transforms unsightly blind

headers whilst banishing

early morning light for a great

night’s sleep. Designed to fit

existing blinds in situ using

magnetic plates, it requires

zero DIY skills for a stressfree

alternative. Perfect

for instant updates, home

staging or rental properties.

Complete customisation

Available in painted,

wood effect or clientsupplied

fabrics

and wallpapers to

complement existing

décor, Cov-A-Blind offers

a paintable option for

the ultimate cohesive

design. Made-to-measure

within 3-5 working days,

ordering is easy through

the Cov-A-Blind website.

Blind compatibility

Suitable for any window type and blind model,

Cov-A-Blind covers roman, roller, venetian and

vertical blinds including inside and outside mount

and corded or motorised options or can be used

to disguise unappealing curtain

poles.

Groundbreaking bay window

curtain poles

This breakthrough invention

eliminates any loss of power

for bay window curtain poles.

Enjoy all the beauty of the wood

grain without compromise or

choose a metallic or painted

finish with countless design

options. Available in lengths of

up to nine metres, this ingenious

design, based on the principles

of Pi, requires minimal brackets and guarantees no

warping. Seamless connections ensure a flawless

finish disguising corded or motorised tracking

systems.

Invisible brackets

Byron and Byron’s invisible brackets keep the

spotlight firmly on design allowing the curtain pole

to take centre stage.

Corded and motorised solutions

Available across the range, corded and motorised

options bring effortless sophistication for the

ultimate smooth performance with discrete

grooves for an impeccable finish.

Minimal lead times

With the capacity to deliver bespoke bulk orders to

the retail and interior design trade, Byron and Byron

offer minimal lead times with everything made

onsite at its North London factory.

DOWNLOAD a Catalogue to view the full designer

collection including Decorative Finals and Curtain

Holdbacks. Available to purchase through

nationwide stockists.

CONTACT the Byron and Byron sales team for

further information on +44 (0)208 344 7979

| sales@byronandbyron.com | sales@cov-ablind.com

or VISIT www.byronandbyron.com

or www.covablind.com

16


FANUC UK seeks next young

robotics superstars

or the fifth year in

Fsuccession, FANUC is

partnering with WorldSkills

UK for the annual Industrial

Robotics competition,

aimed at giving young

people the opportunity to

learn how to programme

a robot, enhance their

engineering prowess,

develop valuable workplace

skills such as timekeeping

and teamwork – and

even earn the chance to represent Squad UK at the

international finals in Tokyo.

The competition is open to teams of two young

people, who must be within a year of completing

a relevant Level 3 Apprenticeship and/or hold

qualifications in an engineering-based subject (to

a minimum Level 3 or equivalent). The contest has

been designed to accommodate participants with

different abilities and is accessible to those with little

to no knowledge of robotic systems, as well as those

with a robotics background.

The first stage of the competition takes place online

Top five ways to retain talent in manufacturing

etaining talent is crucial for businesses to

Rmaintain a competitive edge and achieve longterm

growth.

To do this, the manufacturing industry

needs to make sure their employees

feel valued. by building trust and

recognition. Here, Stacey Allen-Hayes,

Director of Corporate Partnerships at

Arden University, lists her top five tips

on how businesses in manufacturing

can act now to retain talent.

1. Invest in good learning and

development

A strong way to show you care about your

employees is by offering learning and development

opportunities that will help them progress and grow

in their roles.

from 22-25 April 2025 and

will comprise a virtual

task using FANUC’s Robot

Simulation Software.

Successful competitors will

then be invited to take part

in the live Qualifiers Round,

where they will complete

a timed robot task at the

Smart Factory Expo at the

NEC, Birmingham on 4-5

June.

FANUC’s team of robotics experts will provide handson

training to participants ahead of the National

Finals, to be held in Coventry on 11-13 November

2025 at FANUC UK’s Open House event. Eligible

competitors will then have the chance to represent

Squad UK at the International Finals in Tokyo.

‘Futurescape’ initiative launched

D Group, a group of

Rcompanies comprising

EFT Consult, RDM Electrical

& Mechanical Services, and

DRS FM Services, is delighted

to announce the launch of

‘Futurescape’ an exciting new

initiative aimed at tackling

future skills shortages within

the building services sector.

Launched in partnership

with Cyfle Building Skills and Young Dragons CIC,

Futurescape aims to challenge perceptions and

raise awareness of the exciting potential career

opportunities within the construction, engineering

and renewable energy industries. It will place a

particular emphasis on green technologies and

their role in improving the built environment and

developing more sustainable buildings.

Futurescape will use innovative, immersive

technologies and engaging learning experiences that

will expose young people to real life experiences in a

virtual environment and allow them to gain a deeper

How to apply: Register in teams of two via the

WorldSkills UK website from 3-28 March 2025:

https://www.worldskillsuk.org/competitions/

industrial-robotics/

www.fanuc.eu/uk/en

understanding of the industry

and potential career paths.

The project will involve

children in both primary and

secondary schools coming

together to work on a reallife

project supported by

companies who will engage

with the schools and provide

opportunities for young

people to gain a meaningful

understanding of the vast range of opportunities that

exist within the sector.

The project, which will span the Swansea Bay

economic area (Swansea, Neath Port Talbot,

Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire), is part funded

by the Skills and Talent Programme under the

Swansea Bay City Deal.

Contact

www.ravendeltagroup.com

2. Don’t be afraid of lateral hiring

Businesses should encourage employees to

apply for new roles within the company

and promote from within whenever

possible.

3. Keep open communication

Business leaders estimate that their

teams lose an average of 7.47 hours

per week due to poor communication.

Open communication in the workplace

allows employees to feel comfortable

sharing their ideas, concerns and feedback.

4. Promote empowerment

Businesses should give employees autonomy in

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Baxi opens

doors

axi has welcomed a number of key industry

Bstakeholders to the new Solutions Academy at its

Warwick headquarters, as it continues to showcase

its efforts to address the installer skills gap.

Guests included representatives from Department

of Energy Security and Net Zero, MCS and Chartered

Institute of Housing among others, all with an agenda

to understand how the supply chain can help deliver

sustainable heating in buildings over the years ahead.

Following the opening of its state-of-the-art training

facility, the company invited representatives from

a cross-section of the industry to see first-hand

where investment into skills and training is making a

difference.

Aiming to equip heating engineers with the right skills

and knowledge to help customers decarbonise heat

and hot water, the new 10,000ft 2 facility is set to train

2,000 delegates by 2025.

The visitors were taken on a tour by Head of Training

Solutions, Ian Trott, to explore the result of Baxi’s

latest training investment and how the concept is

set to be rolled out across its training centres and

satellite centres around the UK. This included the

dedicated solutions training room where installers

are encouraged to get hands-on with Baxi’s complete

portfolio of residential and commercial solutions, and

the manufacturer’s digital studio which supports its

new e-learning platform.

The day also included presentations from Baxi’s

Managing Director, Jan Rijnen, and Product and

Solutions Director, Paul Haynes, on the company’s

continued commitment to developing training for the

energy transition.

Contact

www.baxi.co.uk

decision-making, trust them with responsibilities and

involve them in strategic discussions. Employees

who feel empowered are 50% more engaged than

those who feel less empowered.

5. Strong leadership

According to the Chartered Management Institute,

82% of new managers in the UK are ‘accidental

managers’, meaning they have no formal

management or leadership training. This can have a

negative impact on employee engagement and return

on investment.

Contact

https://arden.ac.uk/apprenticeships/aboutus


A record breaking LAMMA!

ver 40,000 attendees flocked to the NEC

Ofor LAMMA 2025 from 15-16 January 2025,

marking the highest attendance record in the

show’s 40+ year history.

LAMMA Show is the UK’s foremost event

for agricultural machinery, technology, and

equipment innovation. As the leading platform

for the farming community, LAMMA offers an

unmatched opportunity to explore a dynamic

showcase of over 600 exhibitors, unveiling

the latest in tractors, combines, arable, and

grassland machinery.

LAMMA is the showpiece for the agricultural

equipment and services sector, the halls of

the NEC are filled with agricultural equipment

polished within an inch of their lives, and as

clean as they ever will be.

The show covers everything and every sector of

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence:

The Dual Pumps Story

ounded by Tony Herridge in 1975, Dual Pumps

FLimited has grown from a small garage-based

operation into a leading distributor of pressure

washers, pumps, and fluid-handling components.

Over the past five decades, the company has built

a reputation for reliability, innovation, and quality

service.

Tony worked as a sales representative for Hypro

in the UK and Europe, a role that would prove

instrumental in shaping the company's future.

This early experience laid the foundation for

lasting business relationships. His work soon led

to partnerships with other major brands, including

Interpump, Pratissoli, Banjo, Pacer, and Flojet,

marking the beginning of a long and successful

collaboration that would help define Dual Pumps’

product offering.

In 1977, the company

opened its first office

in Oakham with two

employees before

expanding to Melton

Mowbray in 1982. A

major milestone came

in 1983 when Dual

Pumps became the

official UK distributor for

Interpump, the world’s

leading manufacturer of

high-pressure plunger

pumps.


agriculture. Non farmers will look at some of the

equipment and thank goodness they never came

upon it on the road. They will never complain

about being stuck behind a commonplace tractor

ever again.

There was plenty of new and exciting kit on show,

including the Massey Ferguson 5M tractor series,

New Holland T5 Dual Command, McHale F5 fixed

chamber roller balers, JCB TM280S loader and a

new generation of Case IH Farmall C tractors, all

making their UK debut in January.

Those looking out for bigger kit were not

disappointed either. The Fendt Corus 5275C

straw walker combine and Case IH AF10 combine

harvester were on show for the first time in the

UK.

Kubota also celebrated its 50th year in Europe,

introducing the M7004 tractor at LAMMA

alongside a limited-edition livery to celebrate the

anniversary.

Innovation has always

been central to Dual

Pumps. In 1996, it

launched its first

product catalogue, later

expanding to a 160

page edition in 2001.

Today, the company

offers a 432 page

catalogue and a mobileresponsive

B2B website featuring over 10,000

products, streamlining the purchasing experience

for trade customers.

Recognising the need for greater capacity, Dual

Pumps moved into a 35,000ft 2 facility on the

outskirts of Melton Mowbray in 2012, enabling

it to meet increasing demand and enhance

service offerings. The launch of the Evolution

Series Engine-Driven

Pressure Washers

in 2015, featuring

over 60 models

across ten series,

further cemented the

company’s reputation

for high-performance,

durable products

tailored to industry

needs.

In 2020, Dual Pumps

achieved ISO 9001-

Visitors could also see a wide range of other

products and machinery to help with tasks

throughout the farming year, including spare parts,

hedge cutters, muck spreaders, telehandlers,

pest control, livestock feeding and forage

management.

The 2025 LAMMA Innovation Awards put a

spotlight on the latest developments in technology

and equipment that was exhibited at the show.

The Career Zone, organised by Jobs in Agriculture,

also returned to offer help to anyone looking to

explore or enhance their career in the agricultural

industry, whether you’re taking your first steps

into the sector or aiming to upskill for new

opportunities.

LAMMA returns next year to Birmingham’s NEC

from 14-15 January 2026. This is our pick of the

best exhibitors from this year’s event, listed here

in alphabetical order: Dual Pumps. Further details

can be found on this page.

Contact

www.lammashow.com

2015 certification,

demonstrating its

commitment to quality

and continuous

improvement.

Looking Ahead to 2025

and Beyond

As Dual Pumps marks

its 50th anniversary, it

stands as a testament to growth, resilience, and

dedication to customer satisfaction. The company

now employs 44 people, serving over 2,500

customers, from sole traders to international

OEMs, and distributing products from more than

90 leading global manufacturers.

From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted

partner worldwide, Dual Pumps continues to set

the standard for reliability and innovation. With

a strong foundation and a vision for the future,

it remains committed to delivering high-quality

solutions for an ever-evolving industry.

At Dual Pumps, dependability isn’t just a promise

– it’s a legacy.

Contact

01664 567226

info@dualpumps.co.uk

www.dualpumps.co.uk

18


Nexus Rental bolsters leadership team

eading B2B vehicle and plant hire

Lsolution Nexus has announced

the appointments of Gerry McCaig

as Chief Operating Officer and

Stuart Miles as Chief Revenue

Officer. McCaig and Miles will

be working alongside the rest

of the board to further develop

the proposition, products and

drive the next level of growth in

the business.

In his role as Chief Operating

Officer, Gerry will lead the way

in delivering scalable growth and

developments into new markets, alongside

current product and service enhancement. He

New CSO at

isoplus

soplus GmbH has

iappointed Tobias

Langer as the new

Group Chief Sales

Officer (CSO) and

member of the

Management

Board. As Group

CSO, Langer will

be responsible for

the Group-wide sales

strategy of the Europewide

sales companies

from 1 January 2025. His

focus will be in developing new

markets, further evolving existing customer

relationships and positioning the ISOPLUS Group

as a leading provider of district heating systems

in Europe and beyond.

Tobias Langer brings with him more than

20 years of experience in sales, project

management and corporate management. After

studying civil engineering, he began his career

as a project engineer at an internationally active

Swiss construction specialist in the field of

tensioning and stay cable technology as well as

lifting technology, where he gained his first sales

experience.

His next position took him to a renowned

Munich-based construction specialist, where

he became an authorised signatory and head

of the geotechnics department for Europe.

This sales-orientated role not only gave him

in-depth insights into purchasing and production

processes, but also allowed him to gain his first

experience in a private equity-led company.

In 2012, Langer switched to the district energy

industry and took over the management of the

German unit of a well-known manufacturer

of district heating systems. In the years that

followed, he was responsible for the DACH,

BENELUX, France, Italy and Spain sales

territories as well as the global service unit. At

the same time, Langer completed a part-time

MBA programme from 2019 to 2020.

Contact

www.isoplus.group

previously held head of operations and

chief operating officer roles at British

Gas Energy and JLA respectively.

In his role as Chief Revenue

Officer, Stuart will embed

innovative customer central

solutions, while seeking

new initiatives to help drive

sustainable top line growth. He

also previously spent two decades

in commercial lead roles within the

vehicle and rental sector.

Nexus is already known as the UK’s

leading B2B vehicle and plant hire solution,

with Gerry and Stuart set to take the business

New Technical Director

Physical Security Systems

C(CLD), a design led supplier

of perimeter security solutions,

is pleased to announce the

appointment of Trevor Donlin

as Technical Director of the US

business.

Over the past 15 years,

Trevor has excelled in various

positions within the security

industry delivering safety and

peace of mind to clients and

customers alike. Prior to joining CLD,

Trevor worked as a Physical Security

Engineer where he gained invaluable experience in

designing innovative data centre security solutions

that offer resilience and cost effectiveness.

Working closely with project managers and valued

customers, Trevor will lead technical and design

strategies for the US business, and play an integral

role in positioning CLD as a global security leader.

Trevor will ensure that CLD stays ahead of new

industry and technological developments, allowing

Pall-Ex celebrates key

appointment

all-Ex, the leading palletised freight

Pdistribution network which is headquartered

in Leicestershire, has announced a key new

appointment to help further expand the business’s

global presence.

Ellie Harman has been named International

Quality & Compliance Manager, the

latest milestone in a journey which

saw Ellie join the Pall-Team as an

apprentice in 2018.

Working out of Pall-Ex’s Ellistown

HQ, Ellie will be predominately

working with Pall-Ex UK’s

shareholder members and

their customers. Ellie will also

provide training and support on

the network’s cross-border services,

ensuring compliance with international export

regulations and custom clearance across Europe.

Speaking of her new role, Ellie said, “I look forward

to educating our members and engaging with our

partners about the strengths and capabilities of our

APPOINTMENTS NEWS

to the next level, driving innovation and strategic

development across new and established markets.

They will also be looking to shape the company’s

brand awareness, growth, and overall proposition.

Commenting on his appointment, Gerry said, “I am

delighted to have joined a great team at Nexus. A

one-of-a-kind business, delivering world class service,

paired with market-leading technology. Having

managed fleets, I understand the benefit of having a

true partner and I can see the real difference Nexus

makes in the marketplace.”

Contact

www.nexusrental.co.uk

CLD to provide the best possible

products for its customers. He

will also coordinate with other

departments to ensure that

existing solutions are working

effectively and exceed industry

standards.

Trevor said, “I am proud to

be joining CLD at a pivotal

time for the business. With my

background within the sector,

I’m confident that we can further

strengthen the US branch and continue

to innovate with our tailored and designled

perimeter security solutions.”

Russell Wells, CEO at CLD, said, “It’s been really

positive to see the expansion of the US team and

I’m excited to see how Trevor will enhance our

range of industry-leading security systems.”

Contact

www.cld-systems.com

international service. Since Brexit, there has been

some uncertainty around sending freight to Europe,

my role is to provide clarity and guidance to help

strengthen confidence amongst our members and

their customers.”

“Pall-Ex Group has invested heavily in

its IT infrastructure and international

service offering, both here in the

UK and across the continent,

providing added benefits for

not only our UK customers but

customers internationally. With

new advancements in cross-border

visibility, global track & trace

and the launch of new European

networks such as Pall-Ex Ireland, we

are uniquely positioned to provide a

leading service across Europe.”

To find out more about our European service

offering, please reach out to the team at:

quotes@pallex.co.uk


ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS NEWS

Mark Crabtree OBE awarded

Outstanding Achievement Award

MS Neve founder and managing director,

AMark Crabtree OBE, has been awarded the

prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award at the

BusinessCloud Northern Leaders Awards, held at

KPMG in Manchester.

and a Grammy and has created hit-making equipment

for the likes of Snoop Dogg, The Police, Peter Gabriel,

Phil Collins, and Sam Smith in his illustrious career.

He’s been making music for nearly 50 years – and

now he’s a Northern Leaders winner.”

A panel of esteemed judges whittled down the main

list of 540 names to just 19 winners in 15 categories.

The awards aim to shine a light on the leaders who

continue to make the biggest positive difference to

the North of England.

The award was presented to Mark to respect his

extensive career in the audio equipment field. The

judges said, “Mark has won two Oscars, an Emmy

BSC announces winners

ritish Safety Council recently revealed the 789

Bwinners of its prestigious annual International

Safety Awards. The highly prized accolades reward

organisations for their work in health, safety, and

wellbeing.

Now in their 67th year, the International Safety

Awards recognise and celebrate organisations from

around the world which have

demonstrated to the satisfaction

of the scheme’s independent

judges their commitment to

preventing workplace injuries

and work-related ill health during

the previous calendar year.

The awards also acknowledge

organisations that have shown

commitment to wellbeing and

mental health at work.

In 2025, 789 organisations won an International

Safety Award. They span all sectors with significant

representation from the construction, manufacturing,

oil, gas, mining, power and utility sectors. Winners

were drawn from 45 countries worldwide. 212

organisations were awarded a Distinction, 371

organisations were awarded a Merit and 206

organisations achieved a Pass.

Announcing the winners Mike Robinson, Chief

Executive of the British Safety Council, said,

“Sincerest congratulations to all organisations,

individuals and teams that have won a prestigious

International Safety Award. Our winners have clearly

made substantial and ongoing efforts to protect

and improve the health, safety

and wellbeing of everyone in their

organisations. All the winners,

and those who were shortlisted,

have gone the extra mile in terms

of dedicating additional time,

resources and commitment to

ensuring their work, teams and

workplaces remained healthy and

safe during 2024. I would also

like to say thank you to all the

organisations who took time to

apply for these awards and to our panel of judges

who volunteered to adjudicate them.”

Food Producer of the Year

he Kennet Crayfish

TCompany has been

nominated as one of

three finalists in the main

category ‘Food Producer

of the Year’ at the BBC

Food and Farming Awards

2024.

‘The Producer of the Year’

category was judged by

food journalist Sheila

Dillon, the presenter

of Radio 4’s The Food

Programme and who hosts the annual BBC

Food and Farming Awards. Finalists are judged

by an expert panel of judges led by chef Hugh

Fearnley-Whittingstall. According to BBC Food &

Farming Awards 2024, judges are looking for those

individuals and businesses who make life better

through food. They could be at the cutting edge

of innovation, leading on the best environmental

practices or bringing communities together.

AMS Neve Limited are creators of digital and

analogue audio equipment found in the world’s most

prestigious studios worldwide, which are all designed

and made in Burnley. Their pioneering products –

including many ‘world firsts’ – have changed the way

that Music, TV and Film production is carried out

worldwide. AMS Neve export over 85% year upon

year, to 90 countries and have been awarded five

Queen’s/King’s Awards for Enterprise.

Contact

www.britsafe.org

invasive species and their

capture and processing

governed by new laws

introduced five years ago.

These crayfish are delicious

to eat but we have had to

find investment, develop

new bio-secure facilities

for their processing and

are now having to create a

market for them in the UK.

Prior to the law change we

sold vast quantities of live

crayfish to Scandinavia and

Eastern European markets.”

“We hope this nomination will help the hospitality

and catering sectors, as well as consumers in the

UK learn to appreciate the wonderful taste of quality,

wild crayfish from the River Kennet, one of only

200 chalk streams in the world, whose nutrient rich

waters contribute to the outstanding sweet, delicate

flavour.”

All AMS Neve products are designed and

manufactured in Burnley, and 85% of these are

exported to more than 90 countries worldwide.

You can see more about AMS Neve here:

www.ams-neve.com

Eurowings

receives 4-star

airline award

urowings has been awarded the coveted four-

seal of approval by Skytrax, the British

Estar

consultancy specialising in aviation. The German

airline is thus increasingly setting itself apart from

competitors in the low-cost airline market segment

such as Ryanair and Wizz Air, which each have a

three-star rating from Skytrax. For Eurowings, the

award is the most visible evidence to date of its

successful reorientation from a former regional lowcost

carrier to a value airline for Europe.

The second largest German airline after Lufthansa

has not only invested massively in the renewal of its

Airbus fleet (including the purchase of 13 brandnew

A320neo and A321neo with a volume of 1.5

billion dollars), but has also consistently improved

products and services on board and on the ground:

lounge access for business and status customers,

award miles with Europe’s largest loyalty programme

Miles & More, the free middle seat starting at ten

euros or flexible rebooking options up to 40 minutes

before departure are now unique selling points in

the Eurowings market segment. The company’s

successful economic turnaround is fueling further

investment in products and services.

The Skytrax testers travel with a customer’s

perspective. For their judgement, they evaluate the

service of the respective airline comprehensively:

in up to 800 areas on the ground and in the air. This

includes in-flight service, seating comfort, catering,

security measures, in-flight entertainment, duty-free

offers and other services.

Andrew Leech, managing director of The Kennet

Crayfish Company, said, “We are absolutely beyond

thrilled with this nomination. The team has worked

very hard since Signal crayfish were declared an

Contact

www.kennetcrayfish.com

Contact

www.eurowings.com

20


Unlocking

wealth

he landscape of wealth in the UK is evolving rapidly,

Twith women playing an increasingly prominent

role. Women now comprise about 46% of Britain’s

millionaires, growing by 11% annually, according to

Reuters. With 25 female billionaires in the UK & more

women advancing into senior roles, their financial

influence is rising. However, despite this increasing

clout, investment in real estate debt remains an

under-explored avenue for many women. Indeed,

less than a third of real estate investors are women

according to online recruitment firm, Zippia, despite

the fact that they represent 39% of global employment

in the sector (according to McKinsey & Co).

Looking at real estate more specifically, investing

in real estate debt opportunities offers distinct

advantages in terms of capital preservation and

growth. With potentially more efficient returns

compared to stocks or shares and without the

burdens of property management, investment in real

estate debt is a compelling opportunity.

Investment in property debt strategies, particularly

through investment platforms, offers flexibility that

suits women juggling careers, family, and personal

goals. For instance, the ASK model allows investors

to choose opportunities aligning with their risk

appetite, time availability, and financial goals. This

model provides control over investment choices,

offering empowerment often missing in traditional

investment vehicles.

In conclusion, the real estate debt market is a

relatively unknown asset class often assumed to be

reserved for institutional investors not individuals,

but it offers a unique blend of control, flexibility, and

efficiency that resonates with individual investors. As

women’s financial power continues to rise, so should

their presence in this market.

Contact

www.askpartners.co.uk

IET YWE: Young women engineers

o celebrate Ada Lovelace Day, five

Tyoung women engineers have

been announced as finalists for

the Institution of Engineering and

Technology’s (IET) Young Woman

Engineer of the Year Awards

2024.

These prestigious engineering

industry awards celebrate women

working in modern engineering

– and aim to help change the

perception that engineering is

predominantly a career for men

by banishing outdated engineering

stereotypes of hard hats and dirty overalls.

Alexia Williams (25) (pictured), Erin Lowe (19),

Marisa Kurimbokus (34), Natalie Parker (30) & Salma

Al Arefi (33) have all been shortlisted for awards.

As well as highlighting engineering talent, the IET

Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards seek

to find role models who can help address the UK

science and engineering skills crisis by promoting

engineering careers to more girls and women. Just

40 years of progress

er Royal Highness The

HPrincess Royal, Patron

of the WISE (Women into

Science and Engineering)

Campaign, joined the

organisation to meet leading

women from the Science,

Technology, Engineering

and Maths (STEM) sector

to champion inclusive

workplaces for women – and

to celebrate 40 years of WISE

moving the dial towards

gender parity in the sector.

Taking place at IET London, Savoy Place, at WISE’s

annual conference, Her Royal Highness took part in a

photo with leading women across the STEM industry

and EDI champions from the likes of Amazon,

AtkinsRéalis, AstraZeneca, BAE Systems, Fluor,

Jaguar Land Rover and Natwest. She met with WISE

members and conference exhibitors and spoke with

attendees on the history of the organisation and its

mission to pioneer gender equity in STEM.

The high-profile event looked at how organisations

and leaders can develop an inclusive environment

15.7% of those working in engineering

occupations are women (source:

Engineering UK).

2023 Young Woman Engineer of

the Year, Titi Oliyide, said, “It has

been a huge privilege to be the

IET’s Young Woman Engineer of

the Year and to be a role model

to the engineers of tomorrow,

showcasing engineering

excellence and the immense

impact that engineering has in

creating a more sustainable and safer

world for us all. I am thoroughly enjoying

and appreciate the platform that the award has

given me; I’ve been able to work closely with the

IET on various exciting opportunities that aim to

encourage and retain diversity within engineering, as

well as inspire curiosity about engineering careers in

the next generation.”

for women to thrive at

work, ultimately enabling

businesses to move closer

to gender parity in the sector.

WISE and expert speakers

from the Equity, Diversity

and Inclusion (EDI) field

explored four key areas that

directly contribute to this

goal: Allyship, Progression,

Leadership and Programmes.

With 26% of women making

up the current STEM workforce this remains

the biggest and largest untapped talent pool for

engineering, science and technology – and as the

engineering skills deficit widens, WISE wants to

increase the pace of change. During the conference,

WISE launched its new Gender Equity Framework,

which supports organisations in identifying areas of

improvement and enables them to form a solid plan

to start or improve their EDI journey.

‘Power of Inspirational Women’ Podcast

A ward-winning

Staffordshire

consultancy Map Room

has launched a brand-new

video podcast series, ‘The

Power of Inspirational

Women’, celebrating the

stories of female leaders

who are shaping industries

across the UK. Map Room

partners with some of

the UK's largest and most successful businesses,

and this podcast aligns with its purpose: ‘Creating

Outcomes that Change Lives’.

Hosted by Vicki Heath, the series marks International

Women’s Day on 8th March and features influential

female leaders from leading companies, operating

on a national stage. In this no-holds-barred podcast

series, each interview strips away the ‘corporate

polish’, and focuses on the reality of being a female

leader in business – from

hard choices and balancing

family life with a career

to overcoming imposter

syndrome and building

resilience.

The series will be rolling

out across Map Room’s

social media channels in

the lead up to International

Women’s Day. Map Room’s Senior Relationship

Manager, Vicki Heath, who has been inspired by

female leaders throughout her career, is now paying it

forward by leading these conversations.

Her interviewees include:

1. Mandy Beech – Executive Director, Nationwide

2. Simone Fox – Director of Specialist Services, The

Co-operative Bank plc

3. Angela Norman – Managing Director, YBS

WOMEN IN BUSINESS NEWS

Contact

www.theiet.org

Contact

www.wisecampaign.org.uk

4. Rose Buckler – Head of Business Banking

Operations, Starling Bank

5. Leah Spears – Head of Brand, Paddy Power

6. Lucy Rawles – Senior Product Manager, Lloyds

Banking Group

7. Zoe Gwilt – Head of Fraud Operations, Virgin

Money

8. Josie Morris – Managing Director, Wool Cool

9. Lisa Bridgewood – General Counsel, Knights

10. Becky Owen – Director of Commercial Banking,

Leonard Curtis

11. Toni Long – Head of Barclays Direct-Regions,

Barclays UK

12. Zoe Evans – Company Secretary, Map Room

13. Emma Ames – Managing Director, People &

Talent, Map Room

Contact

https://map-room.com


ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE NEWS

AI companies set for consolidation

I companies continued to dominate the global

Ainvestment landscape in 2024, receiving

almost a third of global venture funding

– more than any other sector. The

total AI investment figure, measured

at over $100 billion, was higher

than any other year in the past

decade.

According to Victor Basta,

Managing Partner at Artis

Partners, the sell-side M&A and

growth financing specialists for

technology companies, founders

that understand how to cultivate a

close network of buyers and position

themselves to potential acquirers stand to

benefit from bumper AI valuations.

Expert

comment on

UK AI Action

Plan

Following the longawaited

update on

the UK’s AI Action plan

in January, see the

below comment

from Sam Ward,

Head of AI at Enate,

on what this means

for the tech sector

and for the country

as we move forward

towards an AI-powered

future.

Sam Ward, Head of AI at Enate, comments,

“Keir Starmer’s commitment to integrating

AI into the UK’s future is a positive step,

especially for sectors like planning and

building consents, which are burdened by

bureaucracy. However, such changes should

be made regardless of AI’s role, as they hold

merit independently. The inclusion of Small

Modular Reactors (SMRs) is particularly

encouraging, signalling the need for a more

energy-efficient nation to support AI initiatives.

“With AI’s potential in mind, the country needs

stronger infrastructure, but there’s a significant

challenge in unifying and normalising core

data. For example, the National Data Library

proposal is a promising step toward improving

data accessibility, but the fragmented state

of national data, especially within the NHS,

remains a pressing issue. Legacy systems

need significant upgrades to truly unlock

value. While the 50 recommendations are

commendable, addressing data and system

integration must be prioritised as the first step

in creating a future-ready AI framework.”

Contact

www.enate.io

Basta said, “2024 was a landmark year for

AI investment, with the rise of large

language models (LLMs) and GenAI

triggering a wave of new companies

and a mass injection of capital.

A second phase is on the

horizon, as large companies

look to leverage AI within

their organisations at scale.

Achieving this integration

requires qualified software

partners, something that we’re

seeing sparingly despite the

record AI funding to date.

“So far investment has been divided

between two key areas. The first is

infrastructure, with unprecedented computing

Pursue accessible AI solutions

ecent research from Make UK has identified a

Rlack of understanding as the primary barrier to

AI deployment for UK manufacturers. The ‘Future

Factories Powered by AI’ report revealed that only

16% of firms view themselves as ‘knowledgeable’

on the subject, with just a third implementing AI in

their manufacturing operations.

According to Samppa Lahtinen, Senior Industry

Solutions Manager at M-Files, manufacturers

who are unsure of

how to best utilise AI

should focus on steady

integration, rather than

complex and multilayered

projects.

Lahtinen said, “Despite the fact that there is a

myriad of opportunities to reap the benefits of AI

in manufacturing, the sector is still lagging behind

when it comes to the adoption of this technology.

Before pursuing a total overhaul of their operations,

firms struggling to formulate a clear pathway to

mass AI integration should first concentrate on

identifying tools that can be implemented quickly

and simply.

“In order to do so, it’s crucial to consider whether

the building blocks are in place to deliver an

effective AI strategy. This mainly entails correctly

structuring the data that AI tools will rely upon

to produce accurate results. It’s important to

remember that steps we take make employees’

lives easier; such as auditing files to ensure they’re

easy to navigate, which will also have a positive

effect on the performance of AI and AI agents.

“Manufacturers could begin

by considering how AI can

improve their methods for

installing, repairing, and

maintaining machinery.

This technology can provide

recommendations specific to a piece of equipment

that enable staff to fix faults efficiently. As a result,

manufacturers can benefit from reduced downtime

as employees are empowered to solve technical

issues without external assistance.”

Support UK AI innovation

win Path Ventures, the UK’s leading and only

Tdedicated pre-seed investor in AI-first startups,

has received support from British Business

Investments for its strategy to invest in UK-based

tech founders building and launching innovative

and novel AI powered solutions that solve big real

world problems.

British Business Investments, a commercial

subsidiary of the British Business Bank has

committed to invest £10 million alongside Twin

Path Ventures earlystage

AI-focused

investment fund and the

fund’s existing angel and

family office investors.

This partnership will

see British Business Investments contribute

c.£3 million annually over the next three years,

supporting Twin Path’s mission to drive innovation

and growth in the UK’s AI sector.

Twin Path Ventures, led by experienced partners

John Spindler, Nick Slater, and Katie Lockwood,

is dedicated to backing transformative AI-first

businesses across the UK. This funding from

British Business Investments will enable Twin Path

Ventures to invest c.£10m into 15 companies per

power and data centre capacity required to continue

scaling. The other is applications, where growth

stage companies are creating applications on top of

evolving LLMs.

“This second group, in sectors as diverse as

managing development processes and financial

analysis, have all innovated at record speed to enable

AI to be used across the spectrum of business

requirements. This mirrors the way the internet

spawned a new generation of vendors, many of

which have gone on to become some of the largest

companies in the world today.”

Contact

https://artis.partners

Contact

www.m-files.com

annum, prioritising opportunities across all Nations

and regions of the UK, both inside and outside of

London, to foster regional economic growth and

technological advancement.

Early beneficiaries of this investment include:

u Sention – An East London based startup with a

world-first innovation that combines advanced

ultrasound technology and the latest in AI to

offer manufacturers of batteries and fuel cells

the ability to diagnose faults.

u Amply Discovery

– A Belfast-based

next-generation drug

discovery platform

that combines the

latest in machine

learning and synthetic biology to mine vast

biological datasets to discover novel drugs.

u Composo AI – A London and North West

England startup, Composo AI has built and is

now presently deploying a simple to use, highly

novel platform.

Contact

www.twinpath.vc

22


RECOMMENDED SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

PET TRADE INNOVATIONS

was founded in 2016 to bring new innovations

and ideas to the pet trade.

We are master distributors for the UK and

European markets dealing with major accounts

in both the pet and vet sectors. We also offer

consultancy, coaching and help for companies

and individuals wanting to launch new products

or grow sales.

Established in 1975, Dual Pumps Ltd is a leading

supplier of pumps, fluid handling components,

agricultural & industrial spraying products,

pressure washers, pressure wash accessories &

cleaning equipment. Preferred supplier for many

leading manufacturers, distributors, hire shops

across a broad range of industries in both the

UK and export markets.

Cirrus Research plc is a leading expert in the

creation and distribution of noise measurement

instruments. Established to innovate solutions

for noise monitoring, their product range

includes sound level meters, noise dosimeters,

and environmental noise monitoring systems.

Cirrus Research is dedicated to improving health

and safety in workplaces and communities

by providing precise, reliable tools for noise

assessment and management.

Kingston Engineering is a leading UK precision

engineering company with expertise in

manufacturing precision machined components

and assemblies. Our specialism is in producing

bespoke power screws, manufactured to the

highest quality standards. We provide solutions to

complex and challenging precision projects, based

on our extensive precision engineering experience,

expertise and cutting-edge technology.

Aqua Safety Showers are on hand to ensure

your workers remain safe, just about

everywhere. Our range of emergency products

and equipment offer protection against

serious injury and are all built to exceed

ANSI/EN safety standards. We have the

flexibility to adapt, modify or design bespoke

units for each individual customer in our UK

manufacturing facility.

Soyang Europe is a leading manufacturer and

distributor of digitally printable wide-format and

superwide-format media and surface coverings

for the multiple industries including sign & display,

design, marketing, construction, and décor.

Additionally, Soyang Hardware offers leading

edge wide and superwide format print production

hardware solutions from many of the industry’s

biggest and best-known printer brands.

Electrolab Biotech is a leading manufacturer

of bench-top bioreactors and fermenter

systems. With over 30 years’ experience

designing and building bioreactor systems

in the UK, you’ll find the partner you can trust

to deliver the equipment you need. We offer

the same high level of service and support

to all our customers.

We offer high-quality Explosion Protection and

Spark Protection equipment from our wide range

of Vent Panels, Flameless Vents and Isolation

Valves as well as Sensors, Environmental and

Safety Protection and our NEW Raptor Spark

detection kits.

We provide consultancy, calculations and a free

initial site visit.

ELAFLEX LTD are based in Hertfordshire. We are

the prime suppliers for the UK and Irish markets of

all ELAFLEX products including ZVA nozzles, petrol

pump hoses, breakaway couplings, and products for

CNG, LNG, H 2

, Chemical, Pharma, LPG, Bitumen and

Aviation refuelling industries. Discover our Rubber

Bellows and bespoke hose reels! We also operate

from Stockport, near Manchester.

Visit elaflex.co.uk and explore more with our

product configurators.

Chevronshop is a division of Bluelite Graphics,

a pioneer and UK market leader in the supply

of chapter8 compliant vehicle chevrons and

graphics. We have a growing design list of

products that fit over 110 models of vehicles used

in service across the UK. In 2021, the company

celebrates its 15 year anniversary

of supplying chevrons and graphics to not

only the UK but worldwide customers.

BIG-IMPACT,

GAME-CHANGING

LIQUID DISPENSE

SOLUTIONS

A REVOLUTIONARY, COST-

SAVING PUMP SYSTEM

With over 128 global patents, Quantex

brings a unique combination of features

and capabilities never before seen on

the pump market. Using the principle of

positive displacement with a rotary action,

this compact but powerful, high vacuum

pump system dispenses high viscosities

and concentrates, reduces product

waste, stops drips and saves valuable

equipment footprint. Designed for singlepack-use,

Quantex’s versatile and hygienic

pump system can eliminate cleaning,

protect product integrity during airless

dispense, greatly reduce maintenance

and equipment operator training time

– facilitating scalability and saving our

customers money vs other pump systems.

LIQUID DOSING

Adding flavour and colourants to food

and drink via Liquid Dosing is an area

that Quantex is vastly experienced in.

Take chocolate for example, a food

where liquid dosing is often used during

the basic manufacturing stages to help

to create coloured chocolate shells,

marbling, flavour-specific colours, as

well as small doses of enhanced flavours

like caramel sea salt, fruit infusions,

and alcohol.

For simple operation, no drips,

and pump reliability, get in touch

with Quantex Today!

psgdover.com/quantex

Products and Services Review Issue 831

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?