Products and Services Review Issue 829-830

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025

ISSUE 829-830

Tel: 0121 824 7700

www.productsandservicesreview.co.uk

THE FUTURE OF

OPERATIONAL

CLOUD SOFTWARE

STARTS HERE

Page 5

AEL OUTDOOR

SOLUTIONS

4

MELIOR ESSE

13 BM CATALYSTS

17

PRINT & PACKAGING PRODUCTS & SERVICES

4 benefits of offering whitelabel

reseller printing services

W

hat if you could take the shackles off your

print business and manage any volume

of work without increasing overheads?

Discover print without limits – discover white label

printing reseller services.

Every business reaches its limit. A garage can only

fix as many cars is it has mechanics and bays.

A hairdresser can only deal with a set number of

customers, unless someone changes the number

of hours in a day. And there’s a limit to the amount

of time a print shop can spend bringing in new

business, because sooner or later someone has to

get the print projects completed.

Except that last one’s not entirely true.

What is white label printing?

With white label printing services, a potentially

infinite team of resellers offers your print services

under their brand. They bring in the clients. They

build the customer relationships. They carry out the

design and revisions.

But you handle the printing, supplying it to each

reseller using their own branding, so the customer

gets the swift, seamless service they expect from

the brands they trust.

FREE DOWNLOAD: 2024 Print Industry Report

What products can be white label printed?

Pretty much anything you can think of. From flyers,

leaflets and calendars to the sort of branded

products you’d either sell at gigs and festivals or

give away at expos and conferences.

Think tote bags, water bottles, mugs, towels, caps

and other wearables.

Benefits of white-label printing for resellers

1) Control overheads

There’s a lot of cost involved in setting up a

business. For any company where printing’s

involved, the skill and experience of the printer and

the cost of the equipment are two of the biggest

overheads.

White label printing services enable a reseller to

offer all the printed products they wish without

taking on any of the cost or risk of setting up their

own print shop.

2) Make product development easy

Suppose a company’s branded products have

been a big success, and now it wants to expand or

diversify the range. If it was handling the printing inhouse,

that might mean bringing in fresh equipment

or expertise, all of which would increase the cost

and risk of introducing new products.

That makes experimentation more challenging. It’s

harder to give new strategies a try when the cost of

failure is high.

As a reseller, however, there’s no risk, as the print

partner is already set up for a wide range of print

products. It means you can test, try and switch

much more easily to help you develop just the right

product mix.


3) Avoid stock issues

Print inventory costs money. You need somewhere

to store it. You need to manage it. And if it doesn’t

get used, it’ll be taking up valuable storage space.

But a white label printing reseller can avoid print

material stock issues entirely, because they’re not

the ones doing the printing. That doesn’t just mean

they save on storage space. It means there’s no time

spent managing and rotating stock, no time spent

ordering and taking delivery, and no time or money

spent disposing of surplus materials.

4) Stay flexible

The problem with running a print shop is that, once

Written by

Ella Faulkner,

Internal Sales

you’ve invested in it, you need to keep feeding it

so that it earns its keep. For white label printing

resellers, business is nimbler. Quiet parts of the year

don’t leave people and equipment idle and unused.

Peak season doesn’t place demands on the print

team that they can’t manage.

For a reseller, the natural ebb and flow of business

through the year is much easier to balance by

simply dialling up/down the amount of work sent to

the printer.

And as the market shifts and adopts new trends

(e.g. on demand services or eco-friendly products),

it’s much easier to respond fast.

Benefits of white-label printing – for printers

White label printing makes a huge amount of sense

for resellers. But it makes sense for print shops too.

Because when your resellers are the ones handling

the customer queries, marketing the brand and

designing up the products, you can focus on what

you do best.

That means you can enjoy real economies of scale.

You don’t have to employ designers, marketers or

salespeople. You can just get on with the business

of print.

As your growing army of resellers increase the

throughput of jobs, you can also take advantage of

print automation to ensure that scaling the orders

doesn’t have to mean overheads increasing at the

same scale.

All of which means more profit for you.


Talk to Soyang

A growing white label printing services business

needs a print materials partner it can rely on to

enable it to scale fast and respond swiftly to its

customers. Talk to Soyang about how we can

help you.

Contact

+44 (0)161 765 3400

sales@soyang.co.uk

https://soyang.co.uk

2

PSR IS SPONSORED BY – SEE THEM ON PAGE 20

CONTENTS 829-830

EDITOR’S NOTES

Welcome to our January edition. Explore our hand-picked

features on innovative companies across Software,

Education, Transport and many more sectors.

Featured on page 5 is jobmate, our ERP Software Company

of the Month. Named as one of the first providers of Native

Cloud ERP software to SMEs and mid-market organisations

who were required to report under MTD, the key three verticals

jobmate focuses on are: Transport and Logistics, Field

Service and Construction services (i.e. HVAC).

In this issue we have a number of show reviews from 2024 for you to explore: Road

Transport Expo (RTX), SOLEX (Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition), Childcare &

Education Expo, GLEE, The World of Learning Conference & Exhibition, The Motorhome

and Caravan Show, The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, and CIPD Festival of Work.

For over 20 years, AEL Outdoor Solutions has been at the forefront of innovative

outdoor solutions for the UK’s hospitality industry, offering stylish umbrellas, awnings,

premium furniture, and lighting. Turn to page 4, where we spotlight AEL as one of our

Top Exhibitors from SOLEX 2024, showcasing their expertly engineered products with

premium fabrics and advanced sun safety – perfect for elevating any outdoor space.

Other topics covered: Print & Packaging, Manufacturing & Engineering, Leisure &

Tourism, Cleaning & Hygiene, Health & Safety, Warehouse & Logistics.

We hope you enjoy this month’s edition.

COVER

STORY

Gina Burton

Editor

THE FUTURE OF

OPERATIONAL

CLOUD

SOFTWARE

STARTS HERE

AEL OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS

SOLEX REVIEW – TOP EXHIBITORS

ROGER DYSON GROUP

ROAD TRANSPORT EXPO REVIEW –

TOP EXHIBITORS

ELKLAN

CHILDCARE & EDUCATION EXPO REVIEW –

TOP EXHIBITORS

4

7

9

See page 5

CONTACTS

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Kimberley Best Publication Manager

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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

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and

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The entire content of this publication is

advertorial based. To place an advertorial or

an advert, please call 0121 824 7700.

BM CATALYSTS

UK GARAGE & BODYSHOP EVENT REVIEW –

TOP EXHIBITORS

ADAGIOVR

CIPD FESTIVAL OF WORK REVIEW –

TOP EXHIBITORS

SPONSORED BY

17

20

REVIEW – TOP EXHIBITORS

The Trade Exhibition for Summer Living

OLEX (Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition) is the

Spremier event for all things outdoor living. This

dynamic three-day exhibition brings together the

leading outdoor leisure brands, offering an extensive

selection of top-tier products tailored for outdoor

leisure, BBQ enthusiasts, and garden furniture

buyers.

SOLEX 2024 was held at Birmingham’s NEC from

9th-11th July 2024. There was a remarkable

variety of products on display designed for trade

professionals and business visitors who are

passionate about outdoor living. SOLEX provided

the ideal platform to connect with vendors, explore

innovative products, and stay ahead of the latest

industry trends.

outside entertainment solutions and outdoor living

accessories from some of the biggest brands in the

industry including Bramblecrest, Celtic Leisure, Daro

Trading, Firmans, and Garden Furniture Global.

SOLEX caters to both the retail and contract

markets offering buyers a unique opportunity to

preview the latest trends that will grace shop floors

in spring/summer 2025. SOLEX 2024 offered nine

distinct product areas, including garden furniture

and shading, barbecues, garden decoration, leisure

buildings, outdoor spa and heating products,

A new year, a new

outdoor space

or over 20 years, AEL Outdoor

FSolutions has been transforming

outdoor environments with

innovative solutions tailored to the

hospitality industry. As the UK’s

leading manufacturer and supplier of

commercial furniture and structures, AEL

is your go-to choice if you’re looking to

start a new year with a new look. From

stylish umbrellas and elegant awnings

to premium furniture and ambient

lighting, AEL offers a comprehensive

range of products designed to impress.

At the heart of AEL’s offerings is the

outstanding GLATZ parasol range.

With over 125 years of expertise, Glatz,

a Swiss family-owned company, has

established itself as a global leader

in crafting premium umbrellas that

The ‘Ultimate Party Night’ which coincided with

the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals, created a vibrant

and relaxed atmosphere which was perfect for

networking, and the BBQ Hero Competition was

also another highlight.

The Loving Outdoor Living area was back for a third

year running where visitors sampled

delicious food and experienced the latest

BBQs, Grills, Firepits, and Outdoor Heaters

in action. The second day of the show

closed with the Fire Food and Outdoor

living Evening that ran in partnership

with BBQ magazine taking place in the

show’s Loving Outdoor Living Zone. Six

teams took part in the Chicken Euro’s

competition where they competed for

the grand prize of the BBQ Hero Trophy!

TV personality and horticulturalist David

Domoney and BBQ Magazine’s esteemed

chef, farmer, and events guru Ian Jones

(BEM) hosted the event, creating a fun,

excel in innovation and style. Last

year, AEL proudly showcased Glatz

products at SOLEX 2024, where

its team demonstrated in-depth

product knowledge and showcased

the remarkable application of Swiss

technology by Glatz.

AEL stocks a vast range of Glatz

products with unique styles and

purposes. Whether you’re looking for

Centre Post Umbrellas or Cantilever

Umbrellas, choose Glatz because of

their precision engineering, premium

fabrics, sun safety design, longevity, and

stain & water-resistant technologies.

If you’re interested in finding

out more about the Glatz range,

or any other product, get in

touch below:

0118 9230 300

sales@aelsolutions.com

https://www.aelsolutions.com

Royalcraft Garden Furniture

specialises in premium outdoor

furniture crafted to enhance

your garden or patio. Renowned

for its durability, comfort, and

stylish designs, Royalcraft offers

a diverse selection of furniture to

complement any outdoor space –

whether it’s a cozy balcony or an

expansive garden.

Our collections include:

u Luxury Dining Sets: Perfect

for hosting outdoor meals with

family and friends.

u Lounge Sets: Elegant and

comfortable seating for

relaxing afternoons.

u Sofas and Armchairs: A blend

of style and comfort for your

garden retreats.

u Bistro Sets: Ideal for small spaces

or charming garden corners.

u Storage Solutions: Designed

to keep your outdoor space

organised and clutter-free.

u Pergola Structures: Some of

the best on the market, offering

practical features and an eyecatching

design to transform

your outdoor area.

memorable and hilarious evening for everyone

involved.

This year’s event: SOLEX 2025

Tuesday 8th–Thursday 10th July 2025 Hall 5 – NEC

Birmingham | 09.00–17.30 Tuesday & Wednesday

09.00–15.00 Thursday.

This is our pick of the best exhibitors from last year’s

show, listed here in alphabetical order: AEL Outdoor

Solutions & Royalcraft Garden Furniture. Further

details can be found below.

For more information, please see below:

https://www.solexexhibition.com

Royalcraft Garden

Furniture

Whether you prefer weatherresistant

materials like wicker,

metal, or wood, Royalcraft

Garden Furniture is committed to

delivering long-lasting products

that enhance your garden’s beauty

and functionality.

Click onto our 2025

Interactive Brochure below:

Royalcraft Home &

Garden Catalogue 2025

(flippingbook.com)

0800 014 6214

info@royalcraft.co.uk

https://royalcraft.co.uk

4


ERP SOFTWARE COMPANY OF THE MONTH

jobmate: The future of operational

cloud software starts here

We are delighted to feature

jobmate as our ERP Software

Company of the Month in this

issue of Products & Services Review.

jobmate was created in 2018 as one

of the first providers of Native Cloud

ERP software to SMEs and mid-market

organisations who were required to report

under MTD.

Company founders: Chris and Wendy

Dalton are both experienced business

leaders, with expertise ranging from

startups to fortune 500 Director. With the

introduction of MTD (Making Tax Digital)

in the UK, Chris and Wendy saw that MTD

compliance required a micro-ERP where

data was collected through digitalisation of

workflows and integrated into an accounts

package – with vertical reporting.

Democratising ERP

Traditionally, ERP has been ‘on-prem’ and

exclusive to those that could afford it,

with a select number of highly expensive

organisations serving the upper-end of the

business markets. However, the jobmate

founders saw this changing, especially with

tax legislation driving smaller businesses

into requiring more mobile-friendly, featureled

and cost-effective ERP solutions.

The advent of Native Cloud hosting is a

much understated yet very significant

event, whereby the operating

system and the data storage

(database) is hosted by a cloud

service provider (typically AWS or

Azure). This means highly secure,

scalable, low cost and easy

connectivity with other Native

cloud software which may be

required for specialist services.

jobmate is hosted in the AWS cloud

and is leveraging this global facility;

the founders knew competitors would

struggle to change old habits and high

costs structures, but as true pioneers, they

created a market-leading opportunity, and

jobmate was born for scale-up to global

enterprises.

Deep dive into jobmate

jobmate focuses on the digitisation

of actual work tasks, procurement of

items, stock management, workflows,

HR, planning, customer service, assets,

costings, quotes and invoicing. In fact,

complete data collection of every action

and function within an organisation to

enable instant financial assessment

and managerial decision making for

any business.

jobmate is not a FMS Financial

management system: it is an ERP

system. There is a significant difference

to many other software providers of CRM,

FMS, MRP etc, who often ‘piggyback’ the

ERP terminology as they try to emulate

‘True ERP.’

Founder insight

“The number one key problem jobmate

addresses is the user interface with

Christopher Dalton, Co-founder of Jobmate

software: designing from the mobile to the

desktop, offering as standard, Android and

Apple apps, designed for desktop access

as a PWA (Progressive web application

which sizes automatically to any screen)

– for example with jobmate there are no

overly-complicated and expensive devices,

or the high servicing and maintenance

costs which come with them.”

“The key three verticals jobmate focuses

on are: Transport and Logistics, Field

Service and Construction services (i.e.

HVAC) However, businesses which have

any form of job management workflow can

use jobmate, as it can be customised to all

working methods.”

“jobmate is all about leveraging the latest

technology: the tech’ world is changing fast

and software development is becoming

global, but it’s not all about software

development, rather it’s about ERP

business knowledge. jobmate are business

people not developers. We understand

business outputs and deliverables and

focus on efficiency and cost reduction,”

explains co-founder: Christopher Dalton.

To enquire about jobmate’s fully-native

cloud operational software (ERP),

click here:

https://jobmate.cloud

PSR IS SPONSORED BY – SEE THEM ON PAGE 20 5


Road Transport Expo 2024 review:

‘It’s all about the truck!’

he award-winning third edition of the Road

Transport Expo (RTX) was back to wow the

Tsummer crowds at NAEC Stoneleigh from the

4th–6th June.

With over 280 leading suppliers, the show attracted

visitors from the truck sector, including HGV fleets.

From tipper, trailers, tyres, to safety equipment and

much more, all the latest models were on show

over the three-days. Licensed HGV drivers were

invited to test drives new models in the ‘Ride & Drive

Experience’ including new cutting-edge batteryelectric,

biogas and Euro-6 diesel models on a

bespoke track.

This year saw 10,500 visitors flock to the show,

an impressive 24% increase on 2023, with fleet

operators, manufacturers and industry experts are

converging on NAEC. The footfall was impressive:

70% of the visitors were owners, directors or

managers and a further 64% had purchasing or

specifying influence.

Hot topics this year included fleet carbonisation,

technology innovation, freight crime and vehicle

compliance, with these topics and more discussed in

the Knowledge Zone. The ‘Inn on the Green’ was the

networking zone for new and old colleagues to catchup

throughout the event.

The covered International Truck of the Year (IToY)

Trophy was handed to the delighted Volvo Truck UK

and Ireland for the FH Electric: a battery-operated

truck. As part of Net Zero targets, electric trucks

are starting to make traction across the industry.

Furthermore, Volvo brought 20 trucks to the Expo

including the exclusive showcasing of the FM Low

Entry: a zero-tailpipe-emission truck.

With sustainability the talk of the show, the BP Pulse

EV charging station provided much interest for HGV

decarbonisation. Whilst the cost

of installing chargers remains a large barrier for

many, BP is offering instead a ‘charging as a service’

approach, where the cost is recovered instead from

the pence per kWh charged.

With so many new models on display, there was a

real buzz around the show. One of the highlights was

the long-distance eTruck from MAN Truck & Bus

manufacturer. Dispelling myths about electric trucks,

this truck can power up to 800km (497 miles) daily,

runs at a gross weight of 42T, and has a power output

of 330kW and torque output of 3,150Nm. The first

eTruck was recently delivered to the Elfein Group.

The customised bright orange T 480 High Tubo

Compound 6x2 Tractor from Renault caught the eye

of many visitors, with its colour-coded windscreen

pillars, mirror covers and glorious interior. The

customised dashboard, and stylish red-stitched

steering wheel impressed many. The Renault team

explained that trucks can all be customised at the

factory. Renault now supplies the largest range of

zero tailpipe-emission trucks across the UK,

making it a formidable force on the path to Net Zero.

The great thing about RTX is that everyone is welcome:

the smaller companies right alongside globally-leading

players. CMG exhibited for the first time this year: a

nationwide-fleet assistance business. The company

has a fleet of 150 vehicles, including the all-important

50 recovery trucks. The coverage is carried out

seamlessly through a partnership with more than

500 contractors, with services including vans, trucks

available to recover HGVs.

With road safety a perennial issue, Exeros Technologies

was on hand to showcase its fascinating range of AI

safety systems. This included the DV BSIS system and

AI Sky View 360 cameras. The DV BSIS system includes

winning features such as blind spot information and a

left turn audible alert to warn of cyclists on the road.

Tyres are always a problem

for the circular economy

across the sector, so kudos

to Vaculug for prioritising

sustainability at the core of

its operations. The company

retreads tyres by taking old

grade one or two casing and

retreading it into a new tyre,

thereby extending the longevity

of the tyres.

Sticking with tyres, Hankook

Tyre UK brought along its

range of commercial vehicle tyres, including the

e-SMART City AU56: a new electric bus tyre line.

This tyre has been expertly designed with a low

rolling resistance, reduced noise and can easily

withstand instant torque and heavy loads. The AL51

and DL51 tyres can be regrooved and retreaded, to

further support sustainability goals.

For war history buffs, the distinctive WWII khaki D-Day

Landings truck was a poignant reminder of the 80th

anniversary of the D-Day landings. The nationwide

auctioneer Manheim brought the truck along, which

has been lovingly restored to its former glory. This

truck was part of the first 80 to land on Juno Beach

in 1944. Manheim has seven centres across the UK,

with more than eight auctions monthly of trucks,

trailers, plant and machinery.

With such a successful show this year, exhibitors are

invited to book for the return show next year. It is the

perfect opportunity to showcase all new models and

innovations to the wider truck sector.

This is our second pick of the best exhibitors from

last year’s show, listed here in alphabetical order:

Air Brake, International Tyres & Roger Dyson Group.

Further details can be found on the next page.

Save the date:

Road Transport Expo 2025

24th-26th June

NAEC Stoneleigh

https://roadtransportexpo.co.uk/rtx2025/en/

page/home

6


Driving forward with

Fortune Truck Tyres!

ortune Truck Tyres was one of our

FTop Exhibitors at Road Transport

Expo 2024 (RTX) held at NAEC

Stoneleigh from the 4th-6th June.

Fortune Truck Tyres are manufactured

by Prinx Chengshan in their state-of the

art facility in Thailand and distributed

exclusively by International Tyres in the

United Kingdom. Prinx Chengshan are

within the top 25 largest tyre producers

globally (announced 24th largest in 2024),

and in the Top 5 Chinese manufacturers

of Truck Tyres, and boast a long and

distinguishable history, crafted with

sustainable and intelligent manufacturing.

Fortune Truck Tyres have over 50 SKUs,

with solutions for most vehicle types and

applications found across the UK. The On

Road range: FAR603 (Steer) & FDR606

(Drive) are TUV certified, an accreditation

only given to tyres that perform ‘above

the industry average.’ The FAR 603 tyre

for example is a durable, high-mileage,

all position axle tyre providing enhanced

stability and the joy of precise steering

performance. Designed for steer and

trailer applications, this tyre is perfect for

regional, or highway driving conditions,

even in extreme weather. The excellent

The Road Transport Expo works

very well for us. It is local to our

Worcestershire Head Office manufacturing

site which makes it easy for us to move

our exhibits and stand personnel without

them incurring extra cost for hotels.

As a smaller company, it gives us a

chance to the attend the Expo and take

a larger stand area to accommodate our

big displays of vehicles and equipment

where visitors can see our exhibits

totally without being jammed in, nose

to tail. The lower exhibiting cost give us

the opportunity to take more space and

display our vehicles as they should be

lateral grip provides short braking

distances, giving extra reassurance

on the roads. The impressive features

include: multi-angle grooves, smart

‘Movematic’ sipes, optimised casing

shape, cool running/highly abrasionresistant

tread compound and cuttingedge

LCI technology.

The Fortune Truck Tyres also provide

users with exceptional Usable Rubber

Ratio’s (A measurement of Tread

Depth vs Tread Width) that will bring

assurances to fleet operators looking

to find some value in their total cost

of ownership, especially given the

tyres can be extended into multilives

(all Fortune Truck Tyres are

regroovable and retreadable).

For more information regarding

the Fortune Truck Tyres, please

click on the following link:

linktr.ee/FortuneTruckTyresUK

or contact: 0121 552 6888.

displayed, giving visitors

the opportunity to look

at the total vehicle and

equipment in a calm and

friendly environment.

The highlight of the Expo

at Stoneleigh is that it is

located very near to the

centre of England, it has

a good road network,

giving people from all

parts of the country the

opportunity to travel and

visit the Expo and enjoy

the friendly, busy but calm

environment.

ith over 35 years

Wof expertise

in ABS/EBS braking

systems, Doctor Air

Brake Ltd, led by

director Jeff Lowe, has

developed a world-class

Autobraking safety

solution — Reverse

Smart. Designed

for all commercial

vehicles and plant

machinery, Reverse Smart sets the

industry standard for both reversing

& forward safety.

This innovative system uses radar

technology unaffected by weather

conditions, dirt or even tar, as we use

this on Tar sprayers ensuring reliability

in all conditions. Mounted to the

vehicle, the radar continuously maps

the surroundings, similar to air traffic

control monitoring aircraft. If an object

or person enters the danger zone, the

system delivers in-cab visual and audible

alerts. If the risk increases, the brakes

are automatically applied for 3 seconds,

giving drivers critical time to assess the

situation via cameras or mirrors.

Ideal for Refuse trucks, Road sweepers,

Tippers, Rollers & vehicles operating

This is our fourth Expo exhibition at

Stoneleigh; people know where to find

us, the exhibition has come of age in

a good environment where everything

is on one site that is required, making

a visit to the Expo an enjoyable and

pleasant time and we, as an exhibitor,

enjoy this time and look forward to the

new 2025 Expo giving us the opportunity

to display our new vehicles and products

at a relatively new, but well respected

exhibition for the transport industry. The

organisers are very friendly, co-operative


Reverse Smart:

Revolutionising reversing

safety

in tight, high-risk environments like

schools and city streets, Reverse

Smart prevents accidents where

pedestrians might go unnoticed

by drivers.

Manufactured in-house in the West

Midlands, the E11 Type Approved

system is customisable to meet

individual customer needs.

For more information on

how Reverse Smart can enhance

your fleet’s safety, watch our

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/

LcAUrGeEGrU, please visit our

website: www.air-brake.com or

email Doctor Air Brake on:

john.grindey@air-brake.com

today.

Roger Dyson Group: Always leading the way

and always around to help visitors enjoy

the atmosphere and to see so many large

vehicles and products on display.

Contact

https://www.rogerdyson.com/

home.html

https://www.facebook.

com/p/Roger-Dyson-

Group-100088164986622

https://www.instagram.com/

rogerdysonuk

https://www.linkedin.com/

company/roger-dysongroup/?viewAsMember=true


MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Manufacturer’s multimillion

pound move

ne of the UK’s leading steel door

Omanufacturers has moved to a new

£6 million production facility. Robust

UK have relocated to their brand-new

factory on Lymedale Business Park, in

Newcastle-under-Lyme which is more

than double the size of their previous

premises in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.

New machinery has been invested in

which will increase capacity, reduce

lead times and provide smoother

fabrication and precision – all with the

aim of benefitting their customers.

The firm, who employ over 150 staff

and manufacture many thousands

of door sets every year to customers

across the UK, have more than 40

years’ experience in making custommade

steel door solutions.

The company’s custom-built powder

coating line is also now one of the

largest in the UK, as a result of the move.

Robust UK was founded in 1999

and supplies an extensive range of

products including fire and security

doors, personnel doors, and glazed

and louvered options. All doors are

custom built to order.

The door manufacturer, who became

part of the Novoferm Group in 2019,

By Carl Patrick, Robot Sales

Manager – Machine Tool

Automation, FANUC UK

he UK is currently the

Tworld’s sixth largest

economy and eighth

largest manufacturing

nation . But despite

being the third biggest

aerospace manufacturer,

and boasting a worldleading

premium automotive sector,

there remain concerns around labour

shortages and our low productivity

rate. These issues are – and always

have been – linked to automation.

In order to remain competitive,

industrial companies need to produce

more goods, to a higher quality and

in less time. Since the first industrial

revolution through to the current fourth

iteration, automation has been proven

to boost productivity. Yet whereas the

UK was once the world leader in its

adoption, we now rank a lowly 25th

in the world for robot density, with 98

robots per 10,000 workers. Germany,

the leader in Europe, boasts 415 .

There are some signs of improved

take-up, however; 2,534 new robots

have ambitious plans for the new

facility with a target to grow by 50%

by 2030 and beyond.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held

to mark the site’s official opening,

attended by a number of industry

guests including the Novoferm Chief

Executive Rainer Schackmann, Tony

Doba, Director/Senior Managing

Executive Officer and Kaz Tanaka,

General Manager at Sanwa Holdings

Corporation (Novoferm’s parent

company).

Robust UK’s new website is

currently being constructed:

www.robust-uk.com

To find out more, please call:

01782 592900 or email:

sales@robust-uk.com.

Busting the automation

myths: 7 reasons to

embrace robotics

were installed in the UK in 2022 – 54%

more than in 2015. But the productivity

gap persists and reluctance to invest

in automation is still a major challenge,

especially among SMEs.

By working with a reputable,

experienced automation expert,

manufacturers of all sizes can

reap the benefits of robotics and

ensure their business continues

to thrive for years to come.

For more information on how

FANUC’s range of robot and cobot

solutions can transform your

manufacturing enterprise, please

visit: www.fanuc.eu/uk/en

1) https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/

uk-manufacturing-sector-climbs-to-eighth-inworld-rankings-make-uk-analysis

2) IFR report, 2023

Jomas Associates’ CEO, Dr

Roni Savage named, as UK

Government unveils new

SME Council members

membership of

Tthe new Government

led SME Business

Council was unveiled

this morning, as their

first meeting was held

at No10 Downing Street,

Westminster.

The Council, chaired by

Small Business Minister,

Kevin Hollinrake MP,

has been set up by the

Government to reaffirm

its commitment to the

UK’s 5.6 million SMEs. The Council

will serve as a forum for action

orientated engagement between

small businesses, representative

organisations, and HMG, providing an

opportunity for small businesses to

shape actions in agreed priority areas,

and give feedback on Government

policy ambitions for UK small

businesses.

The Council will be a powerful voice for

small businesses within Government

and has been tasked with overseeing

three key areas – Access to finance,

skills and support as well as, removing

barriers (including access

to procurement).

Jomas Associates,

a business at the

forefront of providing

Engineering and

Environmental solutions

to the Construction

Industry across the UK,

are delighted to have

this opportunity to

contribute to shaping

policy decisions that

will empower SMEs,

and drive growth in the economy.

Almost every business in the country

is a small business (99.9%) who in turn

support 27 million jobs across the UK,

accounting for £4.5 trillion of annual

turnover.

Link to Government’s

announcement: https://www.

gov.uk/government/news/smecouncil-membership-revealedahead-of-first-meeting

https://jomasassociates.com

8



Childcare and Education Expo: Education in Celebration

rom the 27th to the 28th of September, the

FChildcare and Education Expo was held at

the Coventry Building Society Arena. The twoday

event was presented for Early Years and

Primary practitioners and presenting the visitors

with the potential tools to enthuse, stimulate

and inspire the attendees plus offering a range

of educational opportunities for them to apply

within their home settings.

The event has, since 2010 with its inception,

welcomed over 40 thousand professionals,

ranging from Practitioners, Childminders,

Managers, Nursery owners, Teachers and

Headteachers. This year, the Expo offered over

80 exhibitors, 30 hours of CPD seminars and 40

speakers from the nursery and early year’s settings.

The events Managing Director, Emma Barrett

said of the event, “We are thrilled to bring even

more interactive elements and opportunities for

support this year, ensuring that everyone leaves

with valuable insights and connections.”

The new elements and opportunities referred

to included a SEND conference specifically

for Early Years practitioners, CPD seminars

providing discussions with industry leaders on

the changes coming to the industry plus insights

on how to deal with them and the free workshop

programme that, on this occasion, offered

interactive and wellbeing options for the practical

side of the classroom to the mental and physical

support needed in the early years setting.

There were a number of key speakers that

attended the event, including Stephen Morgan MP,

who discussed his engagement in the field and

his thoughts on the early education environment

and Kate Silverton, former BBC presenter and

journalist, now a child therapist, who led a seminar

on how parents can create the best environments

for their children and discussion of her book ‘Why

there’s no such thing as naughty.’

Additional contributions to the event included

Alice Sharp who is a well-known teacher, trainer,

Elklan: Training to support

children’s language and learning

author and entrepreneur and John Parnell, who is

better known as the ‘Hoop Guy’ from Britain’s Got

Talent, who lent some light relief in the interactive

workshops.

The Marketing Executive from the Childcare and

Education Expo, Elizabeth Hearn, said, “This event

really is a must for anyone who works in the industry.

It helps to inspire and drive the future of early year’s

education and is also a fun day out for all who attend.”

The next Childcare and Education Expo for 2025

will again be at the Coventry Building Society

Arena and will run from the 26th September

and the 27th September 2025.

This is our pick of the best exhibitors from last

year’s show, listed here in alphabetical order:

Elklan. Further details can be found below.

Contact

www.childcareeducationexpo.co.uk

Empowering early years practitioners: Enhancing

speech, language, and communication skills

n the ever-changing landscape of early years

Ieducation, creating strong speech, language,

and communication skills is vitally important.

Elklan, a leader in this area, offers comprehensive

training and accreditation to empower early years

practitioners to enhance these essential skills

among children.

Speech and Language Support courses

Elklan’s ‘Speech and Language Support’ courses

are designed to equip practitioners with practical

strategies to support children’s communication

development. These courses explore the

complexities of speech and language acquisition,

providing tools to identify and support children with

Speech, Language, and Communication Needs

(SLCN). Participants gain Level 3 accreditation,

reflecting a high standard of professional

development.

Communication Friendly Settings (CFS) Award

The Communication Friendly Settings programme

is Elklan’s fastest-growing training initiative, yielding

significant impacts on both staff and children within

early years environments. The process begins

with select staff completing Elklan’s acclaimed

10-week Speech and Language Support course.

These Lead Communication Practitioners (LCPs)

then cascade core messages and strategies to

the entire staff through five bite-sized sessions

called Communication Counts. Elklan provides

comprehensive support throughout this process,

including mentoring from an experienced Elklan

Tutor. Upon successful completion, the setting is

accredited as ‘Communication Friendly,’ creating an

environment that enhances and develops children’s

communication skills.

Let’s talk courses

Elklan’s ‘Let's Talk’ courses are tailored for parents

and practitioners, focusing on practical strategies

to support young children’s communication

development at home. This course empowers

parents and carers to create enriching language

environments, facilitating better outcomes in

children’s speech and language skills.

Benefits and outcomes

Elklan’s training programmes have demonstrated

significant positive outcomes. The ‘Talking Matters’

initiative, independently evaluated by the University

of Sheffield, revealed that children receiving Elklan

support progressed by an average of seven months

in language development, compared to two months

in control groups. Practitioners reported increased

confidence and a broader range of strategies to

support children’s communication needs.

Moreover, settings that achieved Communication

Friendly Status reported improvements in children’s

attainment. For instance, St Thomas’s C of E School

observed that after implementing Elklan strategies,

more children achieved higher levels in writing, with

notable progress among boys.

Conclusion

Elklan’s evidence-based training equips early

years practitioners with the skills to create

communication-rich environments, leading to

enhanced language development and improved

educational outcomes for children. By investing in

Elklan’s programmes, early years settings can ensure

they provide the best support for children’s speech,

language, and communication needs, laying a solid

foundation for their future learning and wellbeing.

Contact Charlie McLachlan, Elklan Director of

Marketing & Business Development,

charlie@elklan.co.uk

www.elklan.co.uk

www.elklan.co.uk/Training/Practitioners


lee is the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living

Gtrade show, hosting the most exciting brands,

innovative products and inspiring garden retail

insights. Glee 2024 took place on the 10th-12th

September at the NEC in Birmingham, attracting

hundreds of visitors interested in all things Home &

Garden.

Glee’s diverse mix of products makes it unique,

setting it apart from any other industry event.

Where could be better than Britain, the true home of

gardening, to find fresh perspective, merchandising

ideas, breaking trends and new products that will set

you apart from your competition.

Marking its 50th Show, Glee has nurtured the art

of garden retail to become the UK’s leading garden

Introducing Grass Gains, a premium organic

lawncare range designed to meet the needs

of modern homeowners who prioritise quality,

sustainability, and ease of use. Co-founded by

ex-Premier League footballer Henri Lansbury,

Grass Gains combines fresh ideas, cuttingedge

technology, and a passion for excellence

to deliver a lawncare experience like no other.


Glee 2024 celebrates its 50th anniversary!

and outdoor living trade show for many years. As

the central hub for the garden industry, Glee gives

exhibitors an essential opportunity to connect with

key, purchase-ready buyers.

The Show is carefully curated to put brands in the

best position to be discovered by the buyers that

matter most to businesses. It’s the perfect platform

to launch new products, discuss ideas and increase

brand awareness. From exhibitor toolkits to the

innovators zone, all awards

and initiatives are designed

to celebrate and promote

individual brands!

Hosting 400+ exhibitors

and 130 new brands, the

quality of products at Glee

2024 was unmatched! The

Show incorporated lots of

festivities to celebrate its

50th anniversary, including

an unforgettable anniversary

Grass Gains: Bulk up your lawn

party sponsored by Shark Ninja!

The Show also honoured Glee’s

industry greats with the Glee Hero

awards. The Overall Glee New

Products Award went to Ecofective

Slug Stoppa, Sipcam Home and

Garden. The winning Talent Store

team, Nemesia, made up of Lucia

Hopcraft and Annie Gundry won with

556 votes. They showcased their

Urban Oasis display which showed

how houseplants can create and

transform urban spaces. Glee’s Hero

Award went to the people who have

made a lasting impact on both the

industry and Glee over the past 50

years. The two categories included:

The Character of Glee's 50 years,

and Most Influential Person of the past 50 years.

From gardening innovations to marketing plants,

the seminar programme delivered inspired live

content and exclusive insights and trend forecasts

for the year ahead. The live content on The Stage

was inspiring and practical, including talks titled ‘Is

Everything Rosy in the Garden? Unearthing the Trends

Influencing the Garden and Outdoor Living Sectors,’

‘Exploring New Technologies and Their Impact on

Gardeners and The Businesses Supplying Them,’

and ‘Marketing Plants Online and IRL.’

This is our pick of the best exhibitors from last

year’s show, listed here in alphabetical order: Ebtech

Glasshouse Systems & Grass Gains. Further details

can be found on this page and a half.

Contact

https://www.gleebirmingham.com

growth throughout all seasons.

u Super Seed: Our best-selling seed blend,

Super Seed is coated with Head Start Gold

treatment, promoting optimal germination.

It also contains Red Creeping Fescue,

perfect for covering shaded areas and

ensuring a lush, green lawn even in lowlight

spots.

Grass Gains products are pet and childfriendly,

providing peace of mind for

families who want a beautiful lawn without

compromising safety. The organic ingredients

are free from harmful chemicals, making it

safe for kids to play and pets to roam. With

a strong emphasis on eco-friendliness, the

entire range is designed to be sustainable,

with recyclable packaging that’s easy to reseal,

keeping the product fresh and effective for

longer. Grass Gains stands out with fresh,

modern packaging that reflects the highquality,

eco-conscious products inside.

At the heart of our range is a brand-new,

controlled-release premium lawn feed,

crafted with cutting-edge technology to

nourish your lawn steadily over time. Unlike

traditional products, this formula ensures

a long-lasting, consistent growth cycle.

It features a unique gold prill – a small,

encapsulated pellet that releases nutrients

slowly, much like a footballer’s winning goal

that lingers in the minds of fans long after the

match. This gold prill not only ensures that

your lawn gets the nutrients it needs but also

represents the spirit of victory and excellence

– a nod to Lansbury’s football career.

Products in the range include:

u One-Shot Wonder: A liquid fertiliser

designed to provide a 24-hour green-up

for your lawn. It holds onto moisture and

uses a drip-feed process to hydrate plants.

This means your lawn stays nourished and

hydrated even in dry conditions, making it

ideal for drought-prone areas.

u Black Edition: A 100% organic, yearround

root starter fertiliser designed to

strengthen root development. Ideal for new

lawns or reviving tired grass, this product

provides essential nutrients for healthy

In summary, Grass Gains offers a range of

organic, sustainable lawncare products

that provide effective solutions for every

lawn. With One-Shot Wonder, Black Edition,

Premium Lawn Feed and Super Seed, Grass

Gains makes it easy to achieve a healthy,

beautiful lawn that’s safe for pets, children,

and the environment.

Contact

020 3861 5929

sales@grassgains.co.uk

https://www.grassgains.co.uk

10



Ebtech Glasshouse Systems

Ltd offer everything from a full

Design and build turnkey package

for your commercial glasshouses

or polyhouses from conception to

completion, along with maintenance,

spare parts, service contracts and

glass washing.

Benching and benching systems,

Energy saving, shade and blackout

screening, heating, irrigation, climate

control systems, electrical, inspection

services and reports.

Garden Centre Specialists offering

full design and build, bespoke turnkey

project solutions tailored to your

individual requirements.

We offer New & Used structures,

existing building extensions,

renovation, conversions,

polycarbonate replacement,

composite insulated panels,

repair and maintenance.

Composite cladding system

specialists, Widespan or Venlo style,

Portal Frame Buildings, pack houses,

boiler houses, plant rooms and

warehousing.

Renewable energy systems, air, water

& ground source heat pumps, solar

panels and solar car ports.

All your Horticultural requirements

provided as turnkey or stand-alone

projects. Find out how we can help

your business grow.

View past projects on our website:

www.ebtechglasshouses.co.uk

Contact us: phil.crocker@

ebtechglasshouses.co.uk

Telephone: 01964 621726

– Option 2

LEISURE & TOURISM PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Bracknell business marks

20 years of care for the

community’s much-loved pets

n 2004, when Myspace was the top

Idog of social media and Motorola’s

iconic Razr flip phone was barking up

a storm, something else would launch

that would leave indelible paw prints

on the community for years to come.

Petpals would open its doors in the

area, ushering in a new era of premium

pet-care services to the town’s furry

friends and their devoted owners alike.

With April marking two decades since

the launch of the local business, the

Petpals team is excited to celebrate

this momentous occasion with their

furry friends (and their much-loved

owners too!).

First opening under the management of

Nick Skinner, Petpals Crowthorne swiftly

established itself as a cornerstone

of the pet-loving community, shortly

followed by Petpals Bracknell.

Following significant growth, Nick

entrusted the business to one of his

loyal customers, Ruth Wall, in 2009.

A testament to the enduring

relationships and reputation cultivated

by Petpals with its customers, it came

as no surprise that in 2018, when Ruth

decided to retire, the role was assumed

by yet another familiar face in the

Petpals family. Peter Lea, a devoted

pet parent and former customer

himself, decided to leave behind the

corporate world and step into the role

with a deep commitment to upholding

the standard of exceptional care set by

his predecessors. Petpals Crowthorne

is now known as Petpals Wokingham

& Sandhurst and, along with Petpals

Bracknell, has grown considerably

over the last six years.

To find out more about Petpals

Bracknell’s range of pet-care

services, please visit: https://

www.petpals.com/area/bracknell


CLEANING & HYGIENE PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Cardiff entrepreneur

clinches top spot

in prestigious Welsh

business award

B usiness

owner,

Oli Ford of

My Window

Cleaner

Cardiff

City & the

Vale, is

celebrating

a huge

success after being crowned the winner of the

prestigious Federation of Small Business (FSB)

Celebrating Small Business Awards 2024 in Wales.

Aged 29, Oli has been honoured by a panel of

judges with the Franchise Business Award for

performing exceptionally well in all areas of his

business and will be presented with the accolade

at a ceremony in Cardiff on 28th March.

Launched in February 2022, My Window Cleaner

has become a core pillar of the local home services

industry and is the number one rated window

cleaning business in Wales. Serving hundreds of

households in the last year alone and transforming

the community’s expectations of a historically

unreliable and inconsistent service, Oli sees

this award as further motivation to reach more

people in Cardiff and to transform his business and

operation into a true community-driven place to help

foster positive change.

The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards

celebrate the best small businesses from the

length and breadth of the country, offering national

recognition for those who have made the biggest

impression over the last 12 months. As a finalist,

Oli Ford will now proceed to the national UK finals

taking place on 9th May in Blackpool.

Contact

https://www.mywindowcleaner.co.uk

Food Guard, a leading food safety

consultancy, today released an analysis of

Asda’s food hygiene ratings for the first half

of 2024. The data, sourced from Food Gov UK

and analysed by Food Guard’s Food Safety

Expert, Louis Ryan, reveals a concerning

pattern in the supermarket giant’s hygiene

standards.

The Cleaning Show 2025 to highlight

innovations leading the future of cleaning

he Cleaning Show, the UK’s

Tlargest cleaning and hygiene

event, will return to the ExCeL

London from 18th–20th March

2025, showcasing the latest

innovations that are shaping

the future of the cleaning

sector. With over 130 exhibitors

offering solutions to sectors

such as facilities management,

healthcare, hospitality, retail, and contract cleaning,

the show will provide visitors with a first-hand look

at the latest innovations in cleaning technology,

sustainability, and business management.

A focus on sustainability

Sustainability continues to be a major theme in

the industry, with several leading companies set

to demonstrate their commitment to eco-friendly

innovations at The Cleaning Show 2025. Tork, a global

leader in professional hygiene, will introduce its Focus4

Sustainability program, which helps businesses meet

their environmental goals by providing clear, reliable

n Aberdeenshire company

Awhich exports its worldbeating

products across the globe

is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The OTL Group’s interests are

diverse spanning offshore

cleaning, firefighting foams, foam

testing and infection control

products. Since opening for business in 1984, it

has grown to encompass four divisions, over 200

products and almost 30 staff.

Managing Director David Evans explained, “Right from

the start, we have always been about four things –

great products, being as environmentally sustainable

as possible, great people and great customer service.”

“In the early days, we worked from small facilities in

data on the sustainability benefits

of Tork products. This program

will help to empower attendees

looking to make informed,

impactful decisions that reduce

their business’ environmental

footprint.

Next-gen air freshening solutions

Innovations in air freshening will

also be on display, with P-Wave launching its Slant6

Midnight Coast limited edition urinal screen for highend

hospitality venues. The Slant6 offers the highest

fragrance load-to-plastic ratio of any urinal screen,

outperforming standard 30-day screens and providing

a unique anti-splash design.

Registration for The Cleaning Show 2025 opened

on 31st October 2024. Entry remains free, but

visitors should pre-register online. To register

and find out more about this year’s event,

please visit: https://cleaningshow.co.uk/london

The OTL Group toasts 40 years of success

Torry, Aberdeen, before expanding

into our purpose-built facilities

at Gourdon. We now have our

offices, warehouses, workshops,

lab and testing facilities and

we’re actively exploring how we

can expand the site to facilitate

further growth.”

“We started out with our Sobo range of rigwash and

industrial oil degreasers and then expanded into

firefighting foams which are used to suppress fires

offshore and in high-risk sites like chemical plants, as

well as in the marine and aviation sectors. We’re known

for developing highly effective, specialist products.”

Contact

https://www.the-otlgroup.com

Asda’s food hygiene performance raises

concerns in H1 2024

Key findings for Asda:

Total stores analysed: 1,190

Stores rated ‘Pass’: 1,461

Stores rated ‘1’ (Major Improvement

Necessary): 14

Stores rated ‘2’ (Improvement Necessary): 82

Stores rated ‘3’ (Generally satisfactory): 20

Stores awaiting inspection: 1

The data shows that while 1,461 Asda stores

received a ‘Pass’ rating, indicating good

compliance with food hygiene standards, a

total of 116 stores fell below this benchmark.

Of particular concern are the 14 stores that

received the lowest rating of ‘1,’ indicating that

major improvement is necessary.

The 82 stores rated ‘2’ also represent

a significant challenge, indicating that

improvements are necessary across a

substantial portion of Asda’s store network.

Food Guard calls on Asda to take immediate

action to address these issues, particularly in

the stores rated ‘1’ and ‘2’. The consultancy

also suggests a comprehensive review of

Asda’s food safety training and implementation

processes across its entire network.

Consumers are advised to check the hygiene

ratings of their local Asda stores and to be

vigilant about food safety when shopping.

Contact

www.foodguard.io

12



Source new solutions and ideas for your organisation

he World of Learning Conference & Exhibition

Tis a two-day event that brings together leading

experts, brands and professionals from the

Learning & Development (L&D) community under

one roof. Last year’s event took place at the NEC in

Birmingham from 8th-9th October 2024, and offered

an unrivalled opportunity for L&D professionals to

learn, discover, interact, and network.

The carefully curated conference programme offered

delegates the opportunity to hear from thought-leaders

from the L&D community, in an informative yet informal

setting. Combining a mix of interactive presentations,

thought-provoking panel sessions, and lively debates,

delegates came away with practical solutions and fresh

ideas to apply within their own businesses.

Alongside the conference was the free-to-attend

Exhibition that showcased a wide-range of solutions

in everything from AI learning and coaching &

mentoring to experiential and immersive learning.

The event was marked as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for

L&D professionals looking for a complete blend of

learning solutions and inspiration.

Visitors also had access to 70+ seminars and sessions,

as well as interactive zones and features including:

the Mental Wellbeing zone, the Business & Networking

Lounge, World, the Immersive Learning Suite, Learning

Design Live seminars, and more. By combining

extensive research with authoritative input from key

industry figures, the World of Learning 2024 conference

programme provided an up-to-the-minute overview of

the vital issues facing senior L&D professionals.

Visitors were inspired by the learning & development

of industry leading thinkers and practitioners, and

discovered all the current issues affecting L&D

professionals today, whilst looking ahead to the

future of workplace learning.

The event offered a fantastic platform for L&D

professionals to expand their platform, share

experiences, and collaborate. Each visitor went away

gaining valuable insights from L&D experts on the

latest industry challenges and how to overcome

them. The 2024 show offered an abundance of free

content, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in

the world of L&D with free seminars and exclusive

show features, as well as discovering new tools

whilst experiencing a complete blend of learning

solutions and inspiration from industry-leading

providers.

The World of Learning Conference & Exhibition

returns this year to Birmingham’s NEC from 7th-8th

October 2025.

Further details can be found on this page.

https://www.learnevents.com

Operational Excellence Accelerator launched in 2024

eadership development consultancy, Melior

LEsse, have brought this flagship development

programme to market aimed at developing your

operational leaders of tomorrow.

Accelerate your operations leaders into accomplished

and effective professionals with their blended

learning program, designed to strengthen your

operational leadership. Participants will transform

from hands-on managers into strategic leaders by

mastering the application of strategy, structure,

data, objectives, and team motivation.

Each module, supported by their expert coaches,

includes practical exercises where participants will

present improvement suggestions to your senior

leaders, directly contributing to the enhancement

of your operation.

If you find management apprenticeships demand

too much time off the job, and more traditional

development programmes feel a bit too generic,

then this product could be the ideal choice to develop

your managers into forward thinking leaders whilst

improving your business systems and culture in

the process.

Rob Mackley, Managing Director Red Box Webdesign,

“I would whole heartedly recommend this programme

to any business owner that’s growing that business

knowing that you’ve got a strong operational leader

driving things in the same direction as you.”

Take advantage of our free 45 minute

consultation by booking a slot here:

https://calendly.com/vince-hannant/opsaccelerator-strategy

0333 3356073

https://melioresse.co.uk


IMMERSIVE SPACES’ COMPANY OF THE MONTH

Immersive spaces: How

theatricality is changing how we

experience installations and events

We are delighted to recommend our Immersive Spaces’ Company of

the Month: Sandpit Creations to our readers

mmersive Spaces are designed to impact all

our five senses through beautifully curated

Iinstallations. Sensory themed experiences are

now possible with everything from fibreglass

modelling, carpentry, textiles, through to cuttingedge

prosthetics, 3D modelling and robotics. If you

were lucky enough to catch the ongoing Vincent

van Gogh immersive art exhibition touring the

country recently, this is a prime example of how

impressionistic art can literally ‘come to life’ through

projected moving images and physical installations.

Sandpit Creations were one of the teams working

behind the scenes on the ‘bedroom’ section: inspired

by van Gogh’s iconic ‘Bedroom in Arles’ painting.

Bringing the room to life, visitors now experience

the painting in a physical space, with the trademark

wooden bed, side chair and floor contrasting with

the red bed cover and sea blue walls. It’s visually

arresting and gives a completely new meaning to

art exhibitions.

With the advent of e-commerce, virtual art and

museum tours, many shoppers and art lovers simply

click at home for next-day delivery, negating the

need to visit shopping centres or art galleries. The

pandemic shifted our cultural mindset towards retail

therapy and virtual art in general – but what if there

was a way to entice consumers back into physical

spaces?

“One way of doing this is through carefully curated

immersive experiences/spaces. This could be

interactive multi-sensory experiences or installations,

all through storytelling elements, interwoven with

integrated brand identity. Consumers love to be

enchanted and surprised and this can come in

the form of bespoke brand carpentry, fibreglass

modelling, textiles, to touchscreen technology, 360°

visual, sound, light displays, in integrated interactive

environments. Experiential retail, art or installation

design creates positive experiences for shoppers,

pushing boundaries in visual merchandising and

artistic experiences,” explained Sandpit Creations

Founder and Director, Dan Barr.

Sandpit Creations was established in 2023 and yet

this newcomer has already been a finalist in The

Access All Areas Event Production Awards: ‘Ones

to Watch Category’ and won the ‘Most Innovative

Theatre & Events Creative Workshop 2024’ in the

South East England SME News Enterprise Awards.

With the intriguing mantra, ‘see you in the sandpit!’

the award-winning team of creative/concept

designers, scenic artists, textile specialists, creative

technologists, prop makers, carpenters, sculptors

and metalworkers have largely known each other for

years, having previously collaborated on the Crystal

Maze Live Experience.

“We are a young, diverse group of creatives who

thrive on eclectic projects, offering a non-prescriptive

approach to all project briefs. Sandpit Creations

offers a unique intersectionality between many

trade and creative industries and have worked on

a wide range of exciting projects from immersive

bar experiences like the Alcotraz prison bars and

Moonshine Saloon, micro-electronics in London’s

infamous Sherlock Holmes Museum, We’re Going on

A Bear Hunt installations at Wakehurst: Kew’s wild

botanic garden and imaginative carpentry and textile

installations at the new CBeebies Rainbow Adventure

at Westfield Shopping Centre.”

Sandpit Creations are like DC creative superheroes.

Defeatist words ‘impossible’ or ‘difficult’ don’t exist

in their vocabulary and the team attracts the best

freelancers across the industry. Thriving on the weird,

wonderful and idiosyncratic, they don’t just do the

extra mile, they re-invent the wheel.

“With our creative theatre background, we can

work on any projects from seasonal Halloween or

Christmas decorations in shopping centres, through

to life-size installation models for hotels, bars,

restaurants, water parks and corporate spaces.”

“We can create ‘old-school’ nostalgic magic, with

carpentry and textiles, like the van Gogh bedroom,

bespoke custom props for the Alcotraz bars, through

to a recent ingenious ‘Mind Control Safe Game’ for a

trade show exhibition. The headset detects electrical

signals in the brain to measure levels of focus and

when optimal focus has been achieved, the dials on

the safe start moving and when the green light is

activated, the contestant can claim the prize inside

the safe. The safe can be customised for different

companies to use on exhibition stands during trade

shows and in such a competitive market, it’s an eyecatching

feature to draw professionals to your stand

with purchasing power and potential sales leads.”

“This country is a hive of creative activity across

multiple sectors and we want to be in the thick of it.

We are open to all commissions across all sectors -

the more outlandish the better! and can happily work

on specific briefs or come up with our own ideas.”

Please contact

07547 352391

info@sandpitcreations.com

https://www.sandpitcreations.com

#seeyouinthesandpit

14


Creatives shun AI as

cheating, says new

research from Designit

reatives are

Ccontinuing to play it

safe when it comes to

using AI and avoiding

it in the belief that

it’s a ‘creative cheat,’

according to new

research from Designit,

the Wipro-owned global

experience innovation

consultancy.

Some 84% of creatives

see AI as merely a

helpful assistant, and a significant

minority believe strongly that using

AI as part of the creative process

amounts to cheating.

The findings come from a Designit

poll that canvassed 1,200 creatives,

including leading industrial, product

and UX designers, on their feelings

about using AI as part of their

creative processes.

Qualitative feedback included

one respondent likening AI to ‘an

enthusiastic junior prospect with

exceptional math skills.’ Another

Drovo, the UK’s

market leader

in transit media

advertising technology,

has today announced

a new partnership deal

with mobility giant Bolt.

The agreement sees

Drovo become the

singular promotional

display partner for Bolt’s fleet of

hybrid taxis nationwide.

The combination of Drovo’s

innovative technology and

Bolt’s fleet coverage will ensure

that on-vehicle advertisements

make an unparalleled impact on

outdoor audiences in London.

Audiences’ familiarity with Bolt’s

branded fleets and positive brand

perceptions associated with the

company will further enhance

advertising effectiveness for

Drovo’s clients.

Bolt’s drivers are the most active

in the UK, primarily operating

in densely populated areas

including central London. Drovo’s

respondent commented that the

use of AI was inevitable but likely to

be abused in the creative sector in

the same way ‘as steroids are to the

fitness industry.’

The poll findings from practising

creatives chimes with those from a

smaller student survey carried out as

part of Designit’s recent AI residency

at the School of Visual Arts which

revealed that future designers see a

reliance on AI as cheating.

Contact

www.designit.com

It’s a wrap: Drovo agrees

exclusive UK OOH display

partnership with Bolt

advertising partners can therefore

expect to receive maximal reach,

increased on-street impressions

and boosted brand awareness

from their campaigns.

The association with Bolt makes

Drovo the largest committed

transit media fleet in the UK,

while the longstanding nature of

the agreement allows for more

efficient branded vehicle wrapping

turnarounds, lower-cost campaigns

and smoother scalability for its

advertising clients.

Contact

https://bolt.eu/en-gb

https://www.linkedin.com/

company/drovo

TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Dudley College of Technology

unveils new universal access

STEAM Hub in partnership

with Millennium Point

udley College of Technology has

Drevealed its brand new STEAM

(Science, Technology, Engineering,

Arts, and Mathematics) hub that will

enhance education and accessibility

within the community. The project,

funded by Millennium Point has

transformed an existing space which

the college had outgrown into a

dynamic space fostering innovation

and creativity in students.

Nestled beneath Dudley Castle, the

renovation of the current Design &

Technology room, formerly an elephant

house, is a result of collaboration

between dedicated staff and students,

and the financial aid provided by

Millennium Point Charitable Trust.

Approximately £17,500 of the total

grant has funded the purchase of a

wide array of cutting-edge equipment,

including a 3D scanner compatible

with 3D printers, height-adjustable

workbenches, a laser cutter, and an

F24 Greenpower kit-car. This array of

tools is designed to cater to learners

of all abilities, and empower an

inclusive educational environment.

Part of the Millennium Point funding

will also enhance the STEM library,

n a world where being a digital nomad

Iis rapidly gaining popularity thanks

to technology and the power of the

internet, UK virtual phone number

provider, Xpatfone has conducted a

study to identify the best destinations

for remote workers. Utilising the

Travellers’ Choice Awards, Best of the

Best Destinations 2024, Xpatfone has

meticulously ranked these locations

based on criteria essential to the

digital nomad lifestyle.

50% rise in Google searches for

‘digital nomad jobs’

In response to the 50% surge in Google

searches for ‘digital nomad jobs’

between February 2023 and February

2024 (rising from 2,400 to 3,600

searches), Xpatfone initiated a study

aimed at identifying the most favourable

destinations for digital nomads among

TripAdvisor’s top-ranked travel spots.

making it a valuable resource for local

Dudley Academies Trust (DAT) schools

and the broader community. This

vision extends to Brierley Hill’s Inspired

Art and Design Centre, which is under

consideration as a dual site for the

STEAM Hub, offering specialised

support for students with SEN.

The iZone, Dudley College’s upcoming

purpose-built engineering block, is

another integral part of this project.

Boasting a laser cutter and an existing

printer, the iZone epitomises the hightech

aspirations of the STEAM hub

initiative.

Contact

https://dudleycol.ac.uk

Xpatfone reveals the

best travel destinations

for digital nomads

The data provides valuable insights

for the growing community of digital

workers looking at crucial factors such

as the internet cost and download

speed, mobile phone plan pricing, and

the cost of accommodation for a month.

Hanoi: The best destination for digital

nomads

Hanoi, Vietnam, emerged as the

ideal location for digital nomads, not

necessarily topping all criteria but

consistently ranking in the top 5 for

4 out of 5 criterias. The city’s internet

cost and accommodation affordability

were particularly impressive, securing

3rd and 4th places, respectively.

Kathmandu’s remarkable rise in digital

nomad rankings

Kathmandu, Nepal, experienced a

significant leap in its appeal to digital

nomads, ascending from the 24th

position in TripAdvisor’s rankings to

an impressive 6th place in Xpatfone’s

study. It stood out for offering the most

affordable accommodation, ranking

3rd in mobile plan affordability, and 6th

for the cost of internet data.

Contact

https://xpatfone.com



Record breaking attendance

The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event returned to the

NEC in Birmingham on the 5th-6th June 2024. This

dedicated garage and bodyshop event allows end

users to focus on their core skills and requirements,

as well as gain access to 60+ free skills training

sessions and demos on all the latest technologies

and products for the garage and bodyshop sectors.

The Show saw a significant increase in attendance

from its inaugural edition in 2022. Attracting 120

exhibitors that combined to a total of 180 suppliers

and 5,125 industry professionals, the Show more

than established its place as the national face to

face event for suppliers of tools, technology and

training to showcase their latest developments, with

last year’s event giving exhibitors the opportunity to

meet over 1,500 detailing business owners.

UK Trio: Vehicle Customising, Refurbishing &

Detailing made its debut at the UK Garage &

Bodyshop Event in June 2024, providing a platform

for detailing and customisation professionals to

access the latest products, tools and techniques for

their trade. With the growing profession for vehicle

refurbishment, customisation and detailing in the

anufactured in the UK, the Selson Air Jack

Membodies British ingenuity and a commitment

to sustainability. Designed for longevity, these highquality

jacks are built to last, minimising the need

for frequent replacements. However, recognising

the importance of resource conservation and

circular economy principles, Selson has developed

a comprehensive repair program that extends the

lifespan of its products while delivering significant

cost savings for users.

Selson Air Jacks are uniquely designed for easy

repair and refurbishment, its modular construction,

with no welding and all parts readily replaceable,

allows for efficient component-level servicing, this

approach minimises waste by preventing perfectly

functional components from ending up in already

overcrowded landfills, significantly reducing

needless waste and contributing to sustainability

targets. We simplify the program for users with

UK, the event placed a spotlight on the trade marking

it as one of the most important gatherings for the

community in 2024.

Centred around the Vehicle Customising & Detailing

Hub in association with the UK Detailing Academy

(UKDA), the 2-day event hosted an interactive

exhibition, live demonstrations, workshops and

discussions with leading industry experts. Topics

covered included everything from car wash & care

to paint correction, leather repair, scratch & chip

repair, paint protection film (PPF), wrapping, brake

calliper painting and more. The entire event layout

was well received and served as a dynamic learning

and networking platform to experience first-hand the

latest products, trends and technologies.

The 2024 Show was a huge success! With the UK

Aftermarket in the midst of its biggest shift in living

memory as it transitions to EV and ADAS-enabled

technologies, coupled with rapidly advancing service

and repair technologies, the need for this event had

never been stronger.

fixed-cost servicing and the

option to use recycled parts,

keeping costs down while

fully managing the process for

you. While our jacks may not

be the cheapest on the market

upfront, their long-term value

and repairability ensure you

only need to purchase them

once, minimising overall costs

and environmental impact.

The impact of the Selson

Repair Program is undeniable.

In one recent case study,

a customer saved over

£100,000 in 2024 alone by

opting for repairs instead

of replacements. These

impressive results highlight

the program’s economic viability and underscore its

environmental benefits. By extending the lifespan of

its products, Selson helps reduce the carbon footprint

associated with manufacturing new equipment and

minimises the consumption of valuable resources.

Recognising the global significance of this

approach, Selson is actively expanding its repair

program internationally. By training distributors and

encouraging users to embrace repair and reuse,

Selson is driving a shift towards a more sustainable

future for the automotive industry. This commitment

to sustainability aligns with industry trends and

demonstrates Selson’s dedication to responsible

manufacturing practices.

Exhibitors chose UK Garage and Bodyshop Event

as the place to launch more than 25 new products,

showcasing the latest advancements in service and

repair products, diagnostics, and garage equipment

direct to visitors.

The UK Garage & Bodyshop Event is organised by

Messe Frankfurt UK Ltd, owned by Messe Frankfurt

Exhibition GmbH.

The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event will return on

the 3rd-4th June 2026 at the NEC in Birmingham but

its sister event Automechanika Birmingham will be

returning on the 3rd-5th June 2025.


show, listed here in alphabetical order: BM Catalysts,

MANN+HUMMEL & Selson Air Jacks. Further details

can be found on this page and the next.

Contact

https://garage-and-bodyshop-event.

uk.messefrankfurt.com/birmingham/en.html

Selson Air Jacks: A sustainable solution for

the automotive industry

When considering your next purchase, factor in

the long-term costs and environmental impact.

The Selson Air Jack, with its robust design,

comprehensive repair program and commitment

to sustainability, represents a smart investment

for businesses seeking both economic and

environmental advantages. Reach out today to

discover how our repair program can save your

business money while reducing its environmental

impact.

Contact

01670 712112

sales@selson.com

https://www.selson.com

16



BM Catalysts launches two garage-focused

initiatives at UK Garage and Bodyshop event

Garage Pro and Rewards Pro programmes gather widespread popularity

M Catalysts, Europe’s

Bleading manufacturer of

aftermarket hot end emissions

products, has successfully

launched two new initiatives

aimed at supporting UK

garages: BM Garage Pro and BM Rewards Pro.

Unveiled at the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event

on June 5th–6th, both programmes received an

overwhelmingly positive response from garages

and other industry leaders.

BM Garage Pro is an e-learning

platform designed to help

technicians enhance their product

knowledge.

The training scheme offers an array

of video content, helping technicians

get up to speed on the latest

technical and product information,

while receiving an official certificate

from the company upon completion

of each course.

The initiative provides garage

professionals with access

to invaluable technical

content and news updates,

creating a community

dedicated to long-term

professional development,

helping to futureproof the

aftermarket and enabling

technicians to stay ahead of

evolving emissions control

technologies and regulations.

BM Rewards Pro is a rewards scheme where

garages can earn points, or an extended

manufacturers’ warranty, for installing and

registering BM Catalysts products.

These points can then be redeemed for a reward of

choice from thousands of items ranging from the

latest technology to branded merchandise.

The launch of these initiatives at the UK Garage and

Bodyshop Event was a major success. Technicians

and notable industry figures eagerly visited the BM

Catalysts stand to learn more about the programmes

and sign up.

Mark Blinston, Commercial Director at BM Catalysts,

said, “We’re so excited to finally introduce BM

Garage Pro and BM Rewards Pro, which reflect

our commitment to supporting both UK garage

professionals and motor factors alike. These

initiatives are the result of extensive research

and development to ensure they meet the needs

of installers and we’re confident that they will

help bolster knowledge and ultimately enhance

businesses throughout the aftermarket.

“The widespread interest and positive feedback

we’ve already received highlights the demand for

quality training and loyalty programmes in the

industry.”

For more information about BM Catalysts and its

new initiatives, please visit BM Garage Pro and

BM Rewards Pro:

https://bmgaragepro.com

https://www.bmrewardspro.com/welcome

MANN+HUMMEL (UK) Ltd: Exhibiting at the UK

Garage & Bodyshop Show (NEC, Birmingham)

ANN+HUMMEL is a global market leader in

Mfiltration, with 22,000 employees based at over

80 locations worldwide, making 32 filters a second

for cars, machinery, and life-science applications.

Founded in 1941 in Ludwigsburg, Germany, the

company is still family owned and originally focused

on engine filtration for vehicles. As time has gone on

and the company has developed, MANN+HUMMEL

now also diversify and offer filtration solutions for

alternative markets such as water, air and industry

whilst retaining its expertise with the ever-changing

vehicle market and the rise of Electric Vehicles (EV’s).

With the MANN+HUMMEL UK subsidiary based in

Wolverhampton, the UK Garage & Bodyshop show at

the NEC is a perfect forum to exhibit our Automotive

Aftermarket brands – MANN-FILTER and WIX Filters.

MANN-FILTER is the UK’s No1 brand for garages.

MANN-FILTER does not differ in specification from

any filtration MANN+HUMMEL provides to Original

Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s, i.e. well-known

vehicle brands), so is renowned for its quality and

reliability.

WIX filters is our quality aftermarket brand, and

offers a quality, respected filter product at an

affordable price, backed by years of experience

within the industry.

With the Garage & Bodyshop show

aimed at mechanics, garages,

and the automotive aftermarket,

we get invaluable exposure to the

people actually using and fitting

our products. We use distributors

(motor factors) as our route to

market, so to meet our customers

customer (the mechanics and

garages) gives us a really tangible

interaction with the people that

trust our brands for their business.

justifies our attendance. We

also have staff from multiple

departments of MANN+HUMMEL

(UK) on our stand, which makes

us an immersive and welcoming

brand and not just a pushy ‘sales’

focused experience.

Due to the central location of the

NEC and the targeted audience,

the Garage & Bodyshop show is

a perfect addition to our marketing strategy. We get

visited by people not just from the midlands, but all

over the UK and hence is a highlight of the year.

The opportunity to give technical information,

demonstrate existing and new products first-hand

and offer a face to a massive brand more than

With 2025’s Automechanika UK

show at the NEC (the Garage &

Bodyshop show’s bigger brother),

we will again be at Birmingham to welcome visitors

from across the UK to the world of MANN+HUMMEL.

Contact

01902 384081

www.mann-hummel.com


HEALTH & SAFETY PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Follow new legislation

and guidance for

safety, says AEI Cables

ables leader AEI Cables is

Chighlighting the need for the

supply chain to be aware of the

various pieces of legislation and

guidance in the selection of cables to

help make Britan’s buildings safer.

The systems powered by these cables

– including smoke and heat extraction

systems – assist fire services in

firefighting and a safe evacuation in

the case of life safety.

The company has been

communicating the importance of

following the technical guidance

for the selection and installation of

cables for Category 3 Control fire

performance cables under the revised

British Standard BS8519: 2020. These

cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic

gases and flame spread in the event of

a real fire.

At the same time, AEI Cables has been

raising awareness of the Building

Safety Act 2022 which makes new

demands on the supply chain in the

interests of safety and governance.

The Act – introduced from October

2023 – makes new requirements for

-SAFE, the global

Aleader in advanced

polymer safety

guardrails, barriers,

and bollards, has been

recognised with an

esteemed Red Dot Award

for Product Design

2024 for its Industry

4.0-ready, active racking

management product

RackEye, powered by its

IoT safety and efficiency

platform, Conek.

This recognition celebrates A-SAFE’s

remarkable journey of innovation,

quality, and industry leadership as the

Elland-based company celebrates 40

years in business.

The Red Dot Award, established in

1955, is recognised as one of the

most prestigious design competitions

globally. A-SAFE’s accolade in

the ‘Industrial and Manufacturing

Equipment’ category underscores

the company’s excellence in safety

technology. The winning products

Conek and RackEye, help manage

warehouse safety by detecting

impacts to racking and barrier

systems. It provides real-time alerts

and powerful insights enabling

preventative action. Conek will be

showcased alongside other winning

‘higher-risk buildings’ which are those

deemed to be of at least 18 metres

in height or at least seven storeys

containing at least two residential

units.

Under the terms of the Building

Safety Act, a Principal Accountable

Person who fails to register an

occupied higher-risk building ‘without

a reasonable excuse’ will be liable to

either a fine or imprisonment for a

term not exceeding two years.

For more information,

see the AEI Cables website:

www.aeicables.co.uk, contact:

0191 410 3111 or email:

sales@aeicables.co.uk.

A-SAFE marks 40 years

with Red Dot Award win

products at the Red Dot Museum, in

Essen, Germany, for the next year.

Founded in 1984 by the Smith

family, A-SAFE has transformed

from a small family business into

a global powerhouse in industrial

safety solutions. Over the past

40 years, A-SAFE has pioneered

high-performance polymer barriers,

revolutionising safety standards and

mitigating downtime for blue-chip

companies and Fortune 500 industry

giants. Now run by brothers James

and Luke Smith, the new generation of

innovators, A-SAFE tirelessly continues

to challenge the boundaries of safety

and technology.

For further information, please

visit: www.asafe.com

Gig theatre sounds alarm

for gender-equity and

corporate cultural change at

the Edinburgh Fringe

nspired by the work of world-leading

Itrauma expert, Dr Gabor Maté,

Adaptation: Enough Already – a

spellbinding gig theatre piece with

live music and immersive projections

– prepares to drive corporate social

change at the Edinburgh Fringe, 31st

July-24th August, with its warning

to business leaders, HR directors

and JEDI managers (responsible for

Gender Equity) that businesses must

radically reduce their expectations

on women to prevent an escalating

epidemic of autoimmune disease.

Women account for around 80% of

all autoimmune disease cases, with

a higher incidence among women of

colour. Adaptation: Enough Already,

written/produced by former corporate

training dynamo and founder of

Vegas Nerve Productions, Samantha

Graham, shines a light on the sociocultural

and epigenetic factors that

trigger such epic proportions of ill

health, including the outmoded gender

constructs that keep women (and

men) limited to certain roles.

Tilda, played by Kathy Owen (Dune:

Part Two/Third World Cop) is a

Sarah Piddington, Health,

Safety and Wellbeing

expert & founder of Safe

and Well Together

arah Piddington

S(pictured)is

one of the world’s

leading advisors

on Health & Safety,

workplace wellbeing

and leadership

development. Sarah

was the Interim Global

Director of Safety at

BT, reporting directly

to the Board and

launched her own advisory business

Safe and Well Together in 2011.

With over two decades of working with

blue-chip companies and organisations

ranging from easyJet and BT, to

Monzo, Deliveroo and British Transport

Police, today, Sarah’s work goes far

beyond physical safety. Encompassing

good mental health, teaching on topics

such as sleep and nutrition, Sarah

delivers unique programmes informed

by psychology, and the intricacies of

the brain, through neuroscience and

bridging the gaps to empower leaders

and to nurture teams.

Supporting everyone from the Board

and C-Suite to the construction

busy working Mum, caught in the

unsatisfying squeeze between huge

responsibilities at the office, the

invisible mental and emotional loads

at home, and a yearning to remember

who she is and what she loves. Add

menopause, unspoken social norms

that she’s unwittingly internalised,

teenage kids, an ageing mother – and

there you have it: enough already!

For more info & tickets for

Adaptation: Enough Already,

please visit: https://www.

vegasnerve.live/adaptationenough-already

site workers,

Sarah enables

executives and

managers to meet

their professional

development and

health and safety

objectives.

Born and bred in

Australia, Sarah has

used her childhood

challenges including bullying and

adoption to develop resilience and

the power of self-advocacy, which she

attributes to her business success.

Following a life-threatening illness,

Sarah redefined her sense of purpose,

which propelled her into a career

dedicated to safeguarding and

empowering others. Since realising her

calling in H&S, holistic wellbeing forms

a crucial element of her programmes

which perfectly align with her personal

core values.

Contact

https://safeandwelltogether.com

18



CIPD Festival of Work 2024: Shaping

the future of work with innovation,

insight, and connection

INTOO is a global HR consultancy specialising in

outplacement solutions. Leveraging extensive industry

knowledge and experience, INTOO delivers tailored

strategies designed to address the specific needs

and challenges of each business. Whether providing

outplacement services that support both employers

and employees or offering career development

programs to unlock the full potential of talent, INTOO

partners with organisations to enhance workforce

performance, develop skills, and facilitate seamless

transitions as business requirements evolve.

O

ver 11,480+ festival-goers were in

attendance of CIPD Festival of Work on 12th-

13th June 2024 at ExCeL London.

This unique Festival goes beyond skill development;

it’s about building connections, and attendees played

a crucial role in shaping the vibrant atmosphere

over the two days. Taking into account feedback

from previous years, the 2024 lineup was refreshed

with immersive features and an expanded range

of product and service solutions. The Festival was

packed with engaging, interactive content led by

inspiring thought leaders and industry experts,

providing valuable networking opportunities and

immersive activities across the Festival floor.

There were 130 content sessions across 7 stages:

Workplace Transformation on the Main Stage,

EDI, Employee Experience, Internal Comms, L&D,

Responsible Business and Wellbeing. Over the

course of two days, attendees united to celebrate the

future of work, gain valuable insights, and forge new

connections. The sessions covered a wide range of

important topics, including mental health, internal

communication, and accessibility.

Angela Senior, a self-employed consultant stated,

“The CIPD Festival of Work was a great platform to

learn, listen, discuss and bring attention to crucial

topics like mental health. We STILL need to shift

mindsets and reduce stigma around mental health,

especially as this week is Men’s Mental Health Week.

Sharing insights and raising awareness through

social media posts can make a significant impact.

Be prepared for more updates! First talk of the day

and so insightful and makes me look back at my

own personal journey!”

Another key topic covered on Day One of the

Festival was AI and the future of automation. Dr

Daniel Holme led an interesting session, asking the

important question ‘what does the right automation

look like for your business?’ Stacey Dooley MBE and

Elliot Rae also gave two thought provoking sessions

on how we can break barriers and ignite change.

Day Two welcomed Dex-Hunter-Torricke whose

presentation on ‘The Global Tapestry: Decoding the

future of technology, leadership and society,’ had the

audience gripped.

Always a favourite part of the Festival, The Wellbeing

Hub offered tai-chi and BSL sessions, as well as

discussions on hackathon and tasty treats including

smoothies and pancakes.

The atmosphere was positively glowing, with a real

excitement for the future of work. As thousands

of festival-goers used the Festival to network and

explore new innovations, they were immersed in

a backdrop of incredible artists, fun activities and

leading organisations, when combined, created an

unforgettable atmosphere for everyone involved.

The event featured a diverse range of exhibitors,

from first-time participants to seasoned, wellestablished

professionals. We have chosen three

exhibitors to focus on: INTOO, AdagioVR and Digital

Internal Investigations.

AdagioVR aims to make transformative mental

health techniques, once limited to clinical settings,

accessible to individuals seeking improved

wellbeing. Over 28 months, it developed a unique

suite of methods combining multiple therapies to

reshape emotional experiences and influence future

responses. Leading this innovation is AdagioVR,

the world’s first behavioural engineering tool for

wellbeing and performance, delivered via virtual

reality. Trusted by the NHS and UN, it targets core

triggers, beliefs, and behaviours behind issues like

stress, trauma, and addiction, while enhancing

leadership and performance. Created by a Fellow of

the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the programme

provides a personalised journey using techniques

backed by trauma treatment proven over twice as

effective as standard therapies.

Digital Internal Investigations specialises in digital

forensics, transforming the way companies address

workplace disputes by uncovering critical digital

evidence. To safeguard a company’s reputation, they

provide in-depth knowledge through digital evidence

reports, enabling informed decision-making, swift

action, and quick resolution. Every digital device –

whether a laptop, mobile phone, or tablet – leaves

a trace, and Digital Internal Investigations is adept

at collecting and analysing these traces in the

workplace. With over three decades of experience,

the company has a proven track record in providing

and interpreting digital evidence for UK courts.

The CIPD Festival of Work will be back this year on

11th-12th June 2025 at ExCeL London.


show, listed here in alphabetical order: AdagioVR,

Digital Internal Investigations & INTOO. Further

details can be found on the next two pages.

Contact

https://www.festivalofwork.com


By Robbie Jones, Commercial Director

’m writing this piece in the unique position of

I someone who has launched and run large-scale

trade events and now (gratefully!) finds himself

on the other side of the table as a supplier and

buyer on show floors. Now more than ever, your

time is a cramped commodity, so the rules when

deciding whether or not to trade in a day to

attend a trade show are simple: are the content

and exhibitors at this event going to transform

my job, my department, my year, and will I be

left behind in the years to come if I don’t absorb

the tools and education this event-organiser is

presenting? Because of the failure of organisers

to acknowledge these as the only questions that

matter, more often than not – out of that endless

wash of brochures, boasts about meaningless

numbers, irrelevant

keynote speakers

and the chaos of

throwing suppliers

and buyers together

on a floor with

email and social

blasts and without

consultancy – the

answer is No. For

People & Culture

leaders, the

exception to the

rule last year and

doubtless again

in 2025, June

11th-12th, London

ExCel, was the CIPD

Festival of Work.


In times of change, helping people with their

Careers is ever more important, explains

INTOO’s Managing Director, Owen Morgan

INTOO are a Career Transitions & Employability

Solutions provider.

u Our Coach-led, high-tech approach is tailored to

your needs

u We support over 100,000 global career transitions

annually

u Our service covers 102 countries delivered in 37

languages

u We have access to over 2,160 – Experienced and

local career coaches

u Our projects range in size from 1-10,000 people

In times of uncertainty and disruption people look

to their employers to help them through challenges,

Career Transition services can help people at

all levels and across all sectors deal with these

challenges quickly, effectively and with the minimum

disruption to the business. Whether individuals

are remaining in post and having to deal with new

employment options or are leaving (often as a result

of redundancy) supporting employees with career

choices is paramount.

Indeed the value of career transition support to

employees is revealed in our recent research survey;

Future World of Work Report 2024 revealing that

78% of respondents see career transition support

(or outplacement) as significantly beneficial. This

isn’t just about offering a safety net for departing

employees; it’s about enhancing your company’s

brand reputation, fostering loyalty, and reducing

litigation risks. In today’s competitive market,

companies that neglect transition support risk

losing trust and credibility. Manage this process

the right way, get our guide.

Many companies still view career transition

support as an optional extra rather than

a necessity. This mindset presents a

significant challenge, particularly as we face

an increasingly volatile job market. To truly

capitalise on the range of support available,

HR teams should:

u Educate Stakeholders on the value of

career-transition support beyond mere cost.

u Leverage Technology to deliver personalised,

flexible support that aligns with individual career

goals.

u Appreciate that career support has evolved

to address broader employee needs including

career-pivots, upskilling, reskilling, portfolio

careers and retirement as well as simply jobsearch.

u Embed ‘Career Thinking’ into the organisational

culture as a symbol of commitment to employee

wellbeing and development.

I decided that AdagioVR, our company,

had to exhibit and sponsor, a decision

that for the first time as a start-up led

to a substantial ROI for us. AdagioVR is

the world’s first mental health and high

performance business that uses scalable

tech to deliver permanent and preventative,

clinically underpinned support for individuals

and organisations through virtual reality

experiences. Co-founded by one of the

world’s leading psychiatrists, Dr Pawan

Rajpal, working with the NHS, United Nations

and now the business world, we are an

antidote for People & Culture leaders jaded

by a wellbeing vendor landscape that has

failed to make any impact on talent attrition,

absenteeism and worse. What impressed

me most about Jade Scaffardi, Claudia Laing

and the brilliant team at Festival of Work

was their approach to partnerships: Dr Rajpal’s

career is remarkable because of his groundbreaking

work in autism and ADHD, and to see this

event-organiser proudly associated with Autism

Unlimited, BSL, the NHS (one of our partners) and

building both a Wellbeing Village and a DEI stage,

was the green light we needed.

Managing physical and mental health is a complex

topic and, to be addressed seriously, DEI and

High Performance as focus areas for People &

Culture leadership have become non-negotiable

overlapping with wellbeing and HR. The artists on

these stages provided expertise and frameworks

from their own professional careers to help

the delegates assess existing or develop new

frameworks for an ever changing world. Despite

Keynoting on different stages, our Co-Founder

By partnering with experts like INTOO, who are at

the forefront of this evolution and understand the

nuances of career transitions, companies can ensure

their outplacement strategies are both effective

and empathetic, offering real value to departing

employees and meet your specific organisation

needs, emphasising transition success, please

get in touch.

Contact

+44 (0)808 164 2220

https://www.intoo.com/uk

Transformational mental wellbeing solutions in VR

Jade Scaffardi, Group

Commercial Director,

CIPD Festival of Work

Robbie Jones, Commercial Director, and Dr Pawan Rajpal,

Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder, of AdagioVR

and CEO, Sanya Rajpal, and Author Elliot Rae both

demonstrated this. The only way we can drive high

performance, wellbeing, inclusivity and accessibility

– in other words, to shape the talent and the culture

we want in work – we need everything under the

HR umbrella to interact. This means empowering

your L&D, Wellbeing, and DEI teams to trade

that day this year, get down to Festival of Work,

learning and investing in better tools together.

Your bottom line and the wellbeing of your people

are going to remain correlational whatever your

product and marketing strategies look like.

Contact

07471 100780

robbie@adagiovr.com

https://www.adagiovr.com

20




WAREHOUSE & LOGISTICS PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Italy’s Globalpesca selects

Dematic to add automation to

new cold storage warehouse

arehouse automation and

Wsoftware 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.

Headquartered northwest of Milan

in Gravellona Toce, Italy’s Piedmont

region, Globalpesca S.p.A. is a familyowned

business whose roots date

back nearly 125 years.

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

iven the horror stories in

Gthe press around Amazon

warehouses and the treatment of

staff, a new survey of warehouse

workers in the UK has found

that the picture is improving,

with various measures and

technological integrations easing

mental health in the workplace.

World Mental Health Day which

featured on October 10th 2024,

the study, undertaken by leading

warehouse management software

company StoreFeeder, found

that while 42% of warehouse

workers have seen their mental

health suffer because of their job.

That figure rising among younger

workers, under the age of 35, to 60%.

That follows the narrative in the

media and other surveys, which

structure designed to meet the load

and temperature requirements of the

warehouse, the second temperaturecontrolled

warehouse adjacent to the

distribution centre.

The 24-metre high new warehouse

covers approximately 1,400 square

metres. The Dematic solution includes

two RapidStore ® UL1200 stacker

cranes with an option of an additional

one for future expansion plans, a

pallet transport system using BK25

conveyors, and two Ergopal picking

workstations with an option for a

third workstation. Installation and

commissioning are scheduled to be

completed by early 2026.

For more information on Dematic,

please visit: dematic.com

and follow us on LinkedIn and

Facebook.

Almost half of warehouse

workers struggle with

their mental health, but

the tide is changing

have suggested half of Amazon

workers suffer burnout. This

report, which surveyed workers

at warehouses of varying size

and industry, follows a similar

pattern with almost 70% of people

working in warehouses of over 500

employees seeing their mental

health suffer, while it’s entry level

staff that struggle the most.

However, things were beginning to

change according to the results,

with 43% of workers stating they

care about the company they work

for and around 80% not expecting

to change industries as a result of

their mental health.

Contact

www.storefeeder.com

NF Global Logistics

expands use of Descartes

e-Customs solution

escartes Systems Group, the

Dglobal leader in uniting logisticsintensive

businesses in commerce,

announced that U.K. based freight

forwarder NF Global Logistics has

expanded its use of the Descartes

e-Customs solution to manage

customs compliance for specialised

goods consolidation import and export

services across continental Europe

(‘groupage services’). NF Global

has realised significant productivity

gains since deploying the solution to

automate traditionally manual customs

clearance processes and meet rising

customer demand for import and

export declarations post-Brexit.

“We manage growing volumes

of customs entries across road,

sea and air freight, some of which

are extremely complex requiring

multiple commodity codes. In

addition, as a specialist provider of

groupage services into Europe, we

offer a customs guarantee, which

means our compliance with HMRC,

auditability and traceability have to be

immaculate,” said Howard Nickerson,

Managing Director, NF Global. “Without

the Descartes solution, facing the

additional demands that Brexit

placed upon the freight forwarding

hen Scottish

Whigh-end alcohol

label printing company,

Spirit Label Solutions,

moved into a new £5

million warehouse, they

asked local business

Electrical Solutions

to come up with a

lighting scheme, and with the help of

Luceco, they delivered the solution.

Blank canvas

Starting from scratch in an empty

warehouse, Luceco carried out a

survey of the site to decide the best

indoor, outdoor and emergency

lighting for the space.

This warehouse had to double up as

both a printing warehouse and an

office space, so the lighting had to

be suitable for both applications, as

Chris Bryant, Group Managing Director

of Electrical Solutions (Scotland)

explains, “The brief we were given by

our contractors, Advanced Building

Contractors Ltd, was to supply a

lighting scheme for a manufacturing

space and a small office in the same

and customs compliance sector, we

simply would not have been able to

fulfil customer demand for services

with our existing levels of resources.

The software essentially underpins our

business productivity and operations.”

Descartes e-Customs is a secure, webbased

solution that helps filers, such as

NF Global, submit data to HMRC and

other government agencies through

a concise, easy-to-use interface.

From template-driven declarations,

client-specific data and the ability to

duplicate previous declarations, the

solution can adapt to the multiple

ways that companies operate.

Contact

https://nfglobal.co.uk

https://www.descartes.com

Luceco puts label printing

company in high spirits

with warehouse lighting

solution

warehouse. The client

had limited knowledge

of lighting, so working

with Luceco we were

able to recommend the

appropriate lighting

and fittings for the job.”

The perfect solution

LED lighting provides the perfect

solution for industries that require

the LG1 recommended Colour

Rendering Index (CRI), as it has only

a small oscillation in light output

and eliminates the strobed effect

often caused by traditional lamped

luminaires.

Following the site survey and lighting

design, Spirit Label Solutions chose to

use Luceco’s Elara Bay, cost-effective

LED luminaires ideal for high ceiling

mounting positions in industrial and

warehouse environments, and surface

mounted LuxPanels for the office

spaces.

Contact

https://www.luceco.com/uk

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.

Products and Services Review Issue 829-830

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