Bibby Consulting and Support compliance specialists, respond to the government??™s ‘Red Tape Challenge’.

Reducing red tape for businesses can only be a good thing, compliance specialist Bibby Consulting & Support has said in response to claims that the government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’ might actually mean more work for companies as opposed to less.

The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has revealed that many visitors to the ‘Red Tape Challenge’ website have called for existing regulations to be maintained or even increased. The suggestion is that fewer regulations could mean diluted rights and protections, particularly in health & safety.

Although he said the site had been “bombarded” by such messages, Cable insisted that one of the government’s top priorities was to reduce the amount of regulation that small companies and start-up businesses face. But he warned companies: “Please don??™t pretend this is easy.???

Bibby Consulting & Support understands that many regulations are essential to protect businesses and employees but also supports efforts to minimise the amount of complex legislation that companies have to abide by and which has been generated over the years.

Managing Director Michael Slade says: “Clearly, it is in everybody’s interest to have health and safety safeguards within businesses to ensure that all staff members are able to work in a safe environment. This is not in dispute.???

“However, it also needs to be recognised that there is a considerable amount of employment law regulation that does nothing to help businesses work at maximum efficiency and to expand as they become more successful. As long as rights are maintained, we consider the time and effort required to cut down on regulation to be a very worthwhile investment.

Unfortunately however recent reports state that the site currently appears to be used more by members of the public and consumer groups who are expressing a one-sided view that existing regulations should be maintained or more worryingly still, increased. We are strongly urging business leaders to add their own views and ensure that their voices are heard.”

For employment law specialists and health and safety advisors, consult Bibby Consulting & Support http://www.bibbycas.com

Why get your torque wrench or torque tool calibrated?

If you care about the reliability of your products, about how well they’re put together, about your customers’ safety. And you care about the reputation of your company. You’ll know that regular torque wrench calibration or torque tool calibration is an essential part of your quality assurance activities. It may even be a legal requirement.

Let’s face it, most torque tools get a lot of abuse in service. Yet most people expect them give reliable, accurate performance day after day, month after month.

Lambda have an established UKAS torque calibration laboratory and have been providing torque wrench calibration services to customers throughout the UK for many years.

Although the work is usually performed in our accredited UK laboratory. If you have a large quantity of air or electrically operated torque tools such as screwdrivers for instance, which are difficult to remove from site, we can perform torque screwdriver calibration on your premises.

Nobel Fire Systems announces Exclusive European Agency Agreement for Stat-X with Fireaway Inc.

Nobel Fire Systems has entered into an exclusive Agency Agreement with Fireaway Inc to manage the distribution and provide technical assistance for its patented Stat-X fire suppression systems throughout Europe.

Ian Bartle, Managing Director of Nobel Fire Systems commented, ???This agreement ensures that Nobel continues forward with its objective and mission of combining science and economics through the provision of environmentally friendly and totally efficient fire suppressant systems???.

The agreement covers the whole of Europe and Nobel is charged with the responsibility for increasing sales through existing distributors while at the same time identifying and capitalising on emerging and potential markets through the development of strategic business relationships.

Fireaway has appointed Nobel Fire Systems based on Nobel??™s impressive track record to date. The Company currently accounts for over 50% of total European sales of Stat-X and has already established the product in a number of newly identified sectors such as the CNC market. It is that kind of entrepreneurial thinking and ability to create niche opportunities that convinced Fireaway that Nobel should be the distributor of choice for the critically important European market.

As well as the proven entrepreneurial skills, Nobel will also bring an abundance of practical product understanding and European application knowledge to the distribution agreement.

Founded in 2005 to commercialise condensed aerosol technology for use in fire suppression systems, Fireaway was searching for a distribution partner that shared its single minded objective to always save lives and property through developing fire fighting strategies. This new Agency Agreement with Nobel Fire Systems has created an opportunity for a long term commercial partnership that will also benefit existing and new customers throughout Europe.

Nobel Fire Systems designs, installs and services a range of fire protection, fire detection and fire suppression systems. Their range of systems are distributed nationally and internationally both from their base in the UK and through a growing network of agents.

For more information on Nobel Fire Systems fire suppression products and services including water mist fire protection, visit http://www.nobel-fire-systems.com/

Even though mail and parcel forwarding has been available in the United Kingdom for some years, most notably offered by Royal Mail, for business and domestic use in the form of ???Mail Redirection???. With more and more businesses either moving premises or having operations in other countries, mail forwarding is now offered by other companies and to suit more specific requirements.

Mail forwarding is used for many different purposes but it is the onset of internet that has created the need for more mail forwarding options. Internet based businesses for example who wish to have a valid postal address but who do not have business premises and that do not wish to have a PO Box address. Purchasing goods online from abroad is another reason why both business and domestic consumers would require a mail forwarding address. A parcel forwarding company will set up an address, in the United States for example, where goods purchased will get sent to you and then they will organise the shipping of the goods back to the United Kingdom. By ordering goods in such a way, shipping costs can be greatly cut down.

The latest in mail forwarding in the UK is an international mail and parcel forwarding service offering consumers and businesses the advantage of a hassle free UK postal address from which they can ship anywhere in the world. A UK mail forwarding address also enables overseas businesses to have a presence in the United Kingdom. A mail and parcel forwarding service streamlines businesses and enables even more efficiency when carrying out operations overseas and internationally.

Mail forwarding how it works

Sign Up to a mail forwarding service to get a UK address.
This typically involves following quick and simple steps to register. Choose the right account to suit your need parcel forwarding needs. Click here to compare our parcel forwarding membership options. Once you??™ve decided on which service account is right for you, you??™ll be given a unique and genuine UK street address.

Make sure your goods are legally importable to the country of delivery
Its your responsibility to make sure that your goods are legally importable to the country of delivery. The forwarding service company will have a list of excluded items to make sure your package isn??™t among them.

Get a quote
Find out how much it will cost to get your parcel to the destination country.

Order you goods
Get shopping and place your order. Make sure you enter your mail forwarding UK address when prompted to fill in the shipping address.

The packing forwarding company will receive your parcel
The company will let you know as soon as we receive delivery of your parcel. When you sign in to the online mail forwarding account, you??™ll be able to track the status of your parcel as it is prepared for shipment.

The parcel will be prepared for shipment
The parcel forwarding company will sort out all the paperwork for you and make sure your parcel is securely packaged.

Your parcel arrives at your doorstep
You can typically expect to receive delivery of your parcel within 5 days of the date of dispatch from the warehouse.

Since 1966, First in Service Ltd has been helping customers all over the UK look after their building and its environment. This includes air conditioning servicing, heating, ventilation, electrical, catering, coffee and refrigeration equipment maintenance and building services.

First in Service will design and install air conditioning and ventilation systems, and electrical equipment and installations. Their helpdesk is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call. Their planned, preventative maintenance contracts are available across all disciplines to ensure that your equipment is kept in peak condition. All our Engineers are employed by the company and are CRB checked.

If you are looking to save energy or utility costs within your business First in Service can help you by installing energy/utilities meters, and they can assist in your application for an interest free loan from the Carbon Trust to help you install new equipment that will save energy.

For more information about First in Service, or any of their servicing, installation and maintenance services please visit www.firstinservice.co.uk.

Llite is a Private Limited organisation based in New Cleveland Street Hull with further sites in North and North East Lincolnshire and Sheffield. Established in 2001, Llite was developed in response to local people not accessing local jobs in construction and allied trades. People from out of town were being brought in by the local construction companies. Llite wanted to turn that around so that local construction jobs were accessible to local people and Llite would help to supply learners with the skills and resources to achieve this.

Llite have since developed a workforce of 45, and are now the largest deliverer of construction training in Yorkshire, working with 1,200 clients per annum. Despite their growth, Llite are as passionate about developing local people and enabling them to achieve their potential as they were when first established.

James Epworth, Strategy Director of Llite said “The Construction Industry is a very good career option. For local unemployed people enrolling with Llite, learners will have the potential to develop skills in a range of Construction Industry roles. But it doesn??™t stop there; we also help learners to find a job through our employability support services”.

Llite have an aftercare service which means once the learner has entered employment, they can still contact Llite to resolve any issues they may have. James continued “the aftercare service is proving to be a valuable resource to learners. If they feel they need further skill development in the future or any help or advice, then we have the facilities and resources to provide this”.

Learners enrolling with Llite will develop skills in the following trade areas:

??? Bricklaying
??? Plastering
??? Joinery
??? Plumbing
??? General Construction Work
??? Painting and Decorating

Llite works with a number of stakeholders including local colleges, Jobcentre +, LSC and HLC to offer these courses to local people. Llite assess each learner on their own merits, and their learning progression is very much tailored towards that individual. If the learner needs more practical skills, a qualification or if the learner has the skills but can??™t get into employment ??“ then Llite can offer them a service that best suits their needs. If the individual doesn??™t have a CSCS card for example (a passport for construction sites) then Llite will make sure they have the skills to obtain one. James Epworth continued “This (CSCS card) is great for anybody who may have been made redundant in the Construction Industry fields. Obtaining this passport along with employability sessions can greatly enhance someone??™s employment prospects”.

Llites Employability Quest teams includes life coaches, basic skills tutors and recruiters. They aim to develop learner??™s confidence through learning, activities and events which encourage learners to develop achievable career goals.

In January 2007 Llite obtained a Grade 1 (outstanding) Adult Learning Inspection (OFSTED). It is a major achievement and one Llite is very proud of. Further achievements in Matrix and Investor in People awards were coupled with praise of how well Llite deliver and integrate Basic Skills into Construction training programmes.

HLC have recently awarded an Adult Engagement contract to Llite whose staff have also benefited from HLC services by attending a Level 3 IAG course.

Looking towards Llites future plans James said “Key flexible New Deal contracts are essential to sustain Llite. We are hoping to expand further into North East and North Lincs and develop programmes in conjunction with local schools and colleges. We hope to be further involved in the regeneration of Hull, building schools for the future, and supplying labour from programmes run here at Llite”.

Hansons Used Caravans specialise in the buying, selling and transporting of quality used static caravans and mobile homes throughout the UK and Europe.

They provide second hand static caravans and quality used touring mobile homes to a varied customer base including;

Full ownership on or off a holiday park
Additional storage units
Temporary accommodation
Self build / renovation projects
Staff accommodation for companies with seasonal work

Mobile homes range in price from ??500 to ??20,000 and should they not have a suitable caravan in stock, they guarantee to source one.

Various layout options are available (e.g. 2 or 3 bedrooms, double / single glazing) and all used static caravans and secondhand tourers are fully cleaned and prepared to a very high standard before they are delivered, enabling our customers to be able to move straight in.

Hansons Used Caravans are always looking to purchase static caravans and touring mobile homes. If you are looking to sell your mobile home or tourer, then please call Hanson on 01759 304996 / 07980 669774 for a quotation.

In additon to caravan sales, Hansons also provide caravan transport throughout the UK and Europe and they provide timed deliveries. This is a very specialised service, which can be difficult to source as various “wide load permits” are required. Hansons offer free quotations and site surveys regardless of whether you purchased your static caravan from them.

Postal scales are not just found in a Post Office branch. They can be easily and cheaply purchased for both home and office. Research shows that incorrect weighing can account for over one-fifth of postage costs, guessing weight, adding too many stamps. Then, how annoying is it when an underpaid postage item of mail is received. This is not a professional look and can is severely irritating. The accuracy of electronic postal scales gives you the exact amount for your postage for all types of letters and parcels so you won’t waste any money on over-franking. Old calculation charts result in inaccurate postage costs and postage duties takes ages.
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Portable Building Sales recently won a contract to supply two modular buildings to the Coventry Primary Care Trust.

The first modular building we installed as a temporary walk in centre, was a used 6 bay modular building.

Prior to arrival on site, jackpad foundations were used to erect the building instead of traditional concrete foundations.

Portable Building Sales have agreed to purchase the building back after the Primary Care Trust no longer have a use for the building and in addition will also purchase the jackpad foundations leaving a clear and clean car park area once again.

The Portable Building Sales “buy back” scheme ensures that the building is removed safely, professionally and to the current Health & Safety and CDM regulations. They ensure that the Primary Care Trust has no disposal problems and receives payment for the building before it is removed.

Portable Building Sales Ltd is one of the few companies in the UK to provide this type of service.

The used steel framed modular building that was supplied consists of six plastic coated steel modules which have white Upvc double glazed windows. The building also has a plasterboard lined ceiling and walls and a double thickness plywood floor.

This used modular building was decorated internally, cleaned externally and reinstated electrically to the latest regulations.

This temporary modular walk in centre building complies with the current Part L2A 2006 building regulations and is extremely environmentally friendly as it only uses 3% of the energy required to manufacture an equivalent new modular building. This is because the embodied energy is transportable and therefore can be relocated to a new site.

Also there are significant cost savings to the client and in this instance the tax payer as well, as this building was approximately a third of the cost of an equivalent new manufactured modular building.

Portable Buildings completed the installation of this building within four weeks from the date of order and to the client’s complete satisfaction.

Even though this modular building is pre-owned, Portable Building Sales still provide a 12 months guarantee with the building.

Portable Building Sales provided the Coventry Primary Care Trust with complete peace of mind throughout the process of attending meetings, submission of our Health & Safety plans, supply and installation of the used modular building, arrangement of the crane, to even organising the transportation and temporary traffic management to enable the building to be off loaded from a road adjacent to the site.

For more information please visit http://www.portablebuildingsales.co.uk or telephone 01482 656590

Modular buildings are constructed from prefabricated components made in a factory.

Modular buildings can be constructed for temporary, semi permanent or permanent purposes. As they are quickly and easily constructed, they are very well suited to provide temporary emergency housing or when disasters occur such a fires for example.

As modular buildings are constructed in a factory, the weather does not affect the construction time which means a more accurate and faster completion date is achievable unlike a traditional construction site where the weather and other factors often mean a building is delayed. Even electrical wiring is done in the factory.

Modular buildings are either constructed from a single section or in the case of larger structures, they are made using several sections. These structures can be ordered from a company’s standard range or they can be made to specifically designed and built to the needs of the end user/company. Once completed, the modular building is shipped to its location where foundations will have been layed and these foundations can be temporary or permanent depending on what the need is for the building.

Modular buildings are almost unrecognisable from those available 10 or 15 years ago. They are far more complex and are of far better quality with many incorporating state of art technologies and materials. In these tough economic times, the ability to save a great deal of money on office space, extra classrooms and temporary health care centres for example is crucial. Modular buildings fulfil all the criteria required whilst being quickly and cheaply erected.

From environmental perspectives, modular and portable buildings have advantages over traditional construction. The manufacturing process creates far less waste than traditional construction and can be built cost effectively but using materials that are both environmentally friendly in the construction process and for fuel saving when occupied. As mentioned earlier, not all modular buildings are permanent. Due to this, second hand modular and portable buildings are available. When purchased, these pre owned structures embody even more environmental effectiveness. The embodied energy required to manufacture a modular building is transportable as the embodied energy is locked within the fabric of the building.

Therefore the energy contained within pre-owned modular buildings can be transported and relocated to another site. In traditional buildings this is largely lost when they are no longer required and demolished, even when the materials are re-cycled. However, with modular and portable buildings the embodied energy can be relocated along with the modules to another site.

The conferencing industry is a market worth billions of dollars worldwide. Conferencing is offered in far more locations now from hotels and halls, even churches. Conferences are not just held by large multi-national companies anymore. Conferences for smaller numbers and smaller businesses are now very common and expectations of a conference have also moved on.

Now there are integrated audio visual, or AV, installations that can really make a difference at a conference, meeting or pitch to a prospective client. There are various audio visual and sound system installation packages available, many of which are tailor made to each specific requirement. For example, a large conference room can have 3 separate audio visual installations enabling the room to be divided into three, acoustically isolated rooms for hire to individual groups. Such installations can be operated completely independently but also have the ability for all of the projection systems to display the same image when the main hall is completely open for large delegations.

To further engage delegates and in addition to an audio video installation, interactive whiteboards can be used to energise presentations and motivate learners. Interactive whiteboards combine the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer and engages students and audiences. The touch-sensitive display connects to your computer and digital projector to show your computer image. You can then control computer applications directly from the display, write notes in digital ink and save your work to share later. And what is a huge plus point with these interactive whiteboards is that if a person can use a computer, they can use one of these systems.

With so many different types of online booking systems available choosing the right system for your accommodation business can be confusing. Here you will find a quick six point plan which will hopefully ease tourism operators through the selection process.

1.? Live availability and online bookings ??“ Many customers will not wait for you to get back to them with your latest availability, they will just go elsewhere. Therefore you need an online booking system that displays your live availability and allows customers to make a booking with instant online payments.

2.? Easy to use and install ??“ You should look for a system that someone with only basic web editing skills can install, with no complex installation instructions. This way you will easily be able to manage and maintain your booking calendar without the need to call on your web developer each time something needs amending.

3.? No commission charges ??“ You should look for an online booking system that can be purchased for a fixed annual fee rather than having to continually pay out a percentage of each booking taken through the system.

4.? Customisable booking pages ??“ It is crucial that your reservation system can be fully customised in order to fit in with the look and feel of your website in order to maintain the professionalism of your brand.? 

5.? Full Control ??“ Your booking system should enable you to deal direct with your customer and all payments need to go straight to you, not through an agency. You should also be able to choose whether to offer real time online bookings, or provisional bookings which allow you to liaise with the customer in order to confirm the booking.? 

6.? Help and support ??“ It is important to choose a booking system that includes telephone and email support, as well as a quick and easy guide to getting started with the system.

Real Fleet Limited are specialists in location based services ??“ LBS, vehicle telematics software and the development of GPS-based fleet management technology for vehicle tracking. Utilising the very latest GPRS technology, Real Fleet have developed a range of products, which allow their customers to view all their vehicles without having to make a call to the vehicle for its latest position. They enable the remote management of a fleet wherever the vehicles are and at any time. Real Fleet also pride themselves on their flexible approach: they adapt hardware and software according to each fleet operator??™s needs so the system fits the organisation, not vice versa.

For more details about Real Fleet and their GPS vehicle tracking systems please visit www.realfleet.co.uk

Cypher Digital Imaging is a total one-stop graphic solution shop including banner stands, exhibition stands, pop up stands, graphic design, website design, digital print, poster prints and business cards. ? 

When it comes to exhibition systems Cypher can cater for everyone, ranging from entry pop up stands and level starter packs through to large bespoke banner stands. Their entry level starter pack includes three banner systems with printed graphics, a carry case, a folding metal literature rack and 500 x A4 colour printed leaflets for just ??675+vat.

Cypher can provide their own creative graphic design and artwork team available for those who do not have their own design facilities available. Alternatively you can provide the artwork yourself.

Many of the exhibition stands are available to purchase online at www.cypherdigital.co.uk.

Property Plastics are an online retailer of building supplies products such as upvc doors, velux windows and conservatories to silicone sealant and installation tools. They cater for the DIY and trade market providing safe, easy ordering facilities saving you time and money.

They provide a host of installation guides providing step by step instruction of how to ensure your home improvement looks perfect with the minimum of fuss.

All products are delivered nationwide, with free delivery on orders over ??49.99 and their buying power brings the best prices to the customer. Property Plastics are so confident their prices cannot be beaten they offer a ???price promise??™. If you find the same product with the same specification anywhere else online within 7 days they will refund the difference.

All Property Plastics products are manufactured in their own ISO9001 registered facilities ensuring quality is second to none.

Cumbria ??“ the Lake District with its stunning scenery has been welcoming visitors for generations. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty, mountains reflected in still waters, picturesque villages, stunning shorelines and above it is tranquillity. What better place to go down on bended knee and what better to make fairytale weddings in the Lake District come true?

Take over a whole Lake District Hotel for the weekend for your friends and family or tie the knot with just the two of you in a special setting ??“ the possibilities are endless. All the facilities ??“ hotels, car hire, wedding photographers, catering etc. are already in place to help you plan your day, your way, with your ideas.

There is a vast range of choice of locations and options, formal and informal, including traditional church weddings in churches made of local slate with centuries of history and a wide range of venues for Lakeland Weddings to suit everyone’s tastes, with many offering civil ceremonies in their own grounds.

For more unique Lake District weddings you could hire a steamer to take your guests on a lake cruise whilst drinking champagne and at nightfall you could organise a spectacular firework display over the lake. For something more romantic and less formal you can enjoy a simple ceremony and a walk up one of the Lakeland fells with a picnic and enjoy the breathtaking views - the choice is yours.

As well as being an ideal location for weddings in Cumbria, the Lake District is one of the most romantic destinations to be found anywhere, which makes it an ideal honeymoon destination, with roaring log fires, cosy walks along country lanes and romantic candlelit dinners.

Experience the special magic of the Lake District for yourself and experience what makes it the perfect location for your wedding!