Stepanovich Blog

Bibby Consulting and Support announce their last exhibition road show of the current tour.

It’s not too late to attend the last in the series of exhibiton road shows put on by Bibby Consulting and Support. June 6th and 7th sees the road show at its final destination, the Care Forum, Heythrop Park Resort, Oxford.

With 5 major events planned in just 6 weeks the team are busy preparing themselves to talk to business leaders up and down the country explaining why Bibby Consulting & support are the supplier of choice.

May 4th saw the start of Bibby Consulting & Support’s exhibition road show at the Manchester Central Business Complex before heading to Newport, Liverpool and Oxford.

Bibby Consulting & Support is part of the Bibby Line Group, a family run business with a distinguished 200-year heritage, encompassing financial services, retailing, logistics, shipping, marine and offshore services.

With businesses and business owners being safeguarded through the expert management of human resources and ensure essential compliance with Employment Law, Health, Safety and Environmental obligations.

As part of a family owned and run enterprise, Bibby Consulting and Support (Bibby CAS)understand the needs of smaller businesses. Their membership of The Bibby Line Group has given them a unique insight into the importance of maintaining a strong customer-focused and people-based culture, to support the growth and development of a successful business.

If you would like to join the Bibby CAS team at the Heythrop Park event, or just find out more about how Bibby CAS can help your business through their employment law specialists and health and safety advisors, visit http://www.bibbycas.com

Mail forwarding is becoming more and more common both for business and domestic uses.

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 using a UK mailing address 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 a Uk mailing 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.
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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.

Grip tape is the same as non slip tape, isn’t it?

Put simply, yes and no!  Modern skateboards have their origins in the late 1950s, when grip tape started appearing in the 1970s the most commonly available mineral in the US was silicon carbide (also known as carborundum tape).  From the 1980s onwards throughout western industry aluminium oxide became more prevalent as an abrasive mineral and began replacing silicon carbide; it was more readily available, more quality consistent, had the same level of hardness and was cheaper.  Grip tape can be produced with either, with some non slip tape only produced using aluminium oxide or S2 (a form of silica).

I have heard that silicon carbide is better and tougher?
Completely untrue.  As mentioned above silicon carbide was the original grip material however from the 1980s onwards moves were made towards production using aluminium oxide.  Mineral hardness is measured by the MOHS scale, both aluminium oxide and silicon carbide register the same mineral hardness, 9.  1 is talc and 10 being diamond.  Silicon carbide retains its place in grip tape usage mainly as an ‘old school’ remnant, reminding boarders of its vintage 1970s roots, in performance there is little difference with aluminium oxide offering better quality output.

What about the adhesive?
Most grip tapes have a lower level of adhesion compared to non slip tape.  A skateboard is an easy substrate to adhere onto, in the worst case it might have a lacquer coat.  Non slip tapes might be applied onto extremely low energy substrates, the most difficult materials include PP, PUR and siliconised powder coat.  Non slip tapes have to possess an adhesive capable of permanently and instantly bonding to these surfaces, this can only be achieved with modern, advanced and often application specific adhesives.  The old system of simply applying a higher coat weight is no longer seen as an effective approach.

Is the base material different?
Grip tape typically use a thin PVC base.  Anti slip tapes will normally use thicker PVC and various thicknesses of PVC dependent on the end application.  Other plastics that are utilised which include: PET (provides extra strength and zero stretch tolerances), PE (full biodegradability), PP (can easily be hot welded instead of adhered), aluminium foil (formability and extreme flame retardancy) and PU (cushioning abilities but very expensive compared to other plastics).
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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

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.

Portable and modular buildings have progressed in both design and usability in recent years. We only used to see portable and modular buildings on building sites. They were shabby and with poor construction. Portable buildings have moved on substantially in recent years. Now schools are using them for extra classroom space and businesses are using them to extend office and storage space. Other uses are mobile toilets, marketing suites, surgeries and clinics. Portable buildings come in a wide range of models specifications and sizes, each for different functions and even multi-storey. Once inside a portable building, it is impossible to tell you are in a temporary structure with their suspended ceilings, fitted carpets and decorated walls.
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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.

Pre-owned modular buildings have been recognised by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as being extremely environmentally friendly compared with an equivalent new manufactured building.

The reason for this is that 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.

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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.

With the soaring cost of fuel, any saving for a business is welcome hence this article explaining the plus points for using fuel cards.

Some people think they should not get a fuel card if they have a credit card. Even if there might be similarities, the fuel card is not a credit card and has its own use and benefits. The similarities pretty much stop at the way they both look and at the fact that the need for having cash is eliminated.

The first and most obvious benefit of fuel cards would have to be the possibility of buying petrol, diesel or other fuel at a discounted price. This is important especially because of the ongoing rise of the fuel. If you have a transportation business or your company has several cars for the employees, then the fuel card is the way to go. You do not have to give your drivers cash and all the invoices come with tax shown individually. This is important for your business because it smoothes the progress of tax recovery.

Fuel cards can be programmed in such a way that one can use them to buy one type of fuel or more depending on your needs. Because the fuel cards use Smartchip technology the number of fuelling transactions can be limited. These and other advantages make the fuel card more and more popular for both business and particular use.

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!