Fever detection technology donated to West Bromwich care home to fight coronavirus

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Fever detection technology donated to West Bromwich care home to fight coronavirus

As the UK begins to enter phase two of the coronavirus response many believe that fever screening technology will play a crucial role in protecting frontline care providers and their patients.

Bromsgrove based, GMS Group and security technology distributor, Fortus UK, have teamed up to fund and donate a handheld thermal screening camera to Kaleidoscope Plus Group’s West Bromwich care home, Nicholl Grange, to help staff & patients combat the disease as the UK starts to ease lockdown restrictions.

Distributed by Fortus UK, the Hikvision fever screening handheld camera, is designed to detect elevated skin-surface temperatures, and can be used for rapid and preliminary temperature screening with accuracy of up to ±0.3°C.

Monica Shafaq, CEO of Kaleidoscope Plus Group said, “Every person who enters our care home will be asked to take part in a contactless fever check using our new thermal screening camera, which will ultimately protect our team and patients. We’re extremely grateful to both GMS Group and Fortus UK for their generous donation, which I hope will provide comfort to both our team and patients who can be safe in the knowledge that their health and wellbeing is our number one priority.”

Neil Male, CEO of GMS Group said, “As a security technology integrator, at the forefront of the customer experience, we decided to initially trial the fever cameras in three of our customer’s sites and this approach has been welcomed by senior stakeholders. We are proud supporters of Kaleidoscope Plus Group and the work they do, so once we had seen the cameras being applied in the workplace, we were keen to get this technology to the front-line where it will make a significant difference, so we partnered with Fortus UK to make it happen.”

Brian Honan, CEO of Fortus continued “We are delighted to support Kaleidoscope Plus Group in this positive way. As we prepare to exit lockdown, thermal screening solutions will help to reopen the economy and provide a more Covid secure workplace. Our new normal will involve not only thermal screening as a frontline tool but will also see density control and access solutions as part of daily life”.

As well as helping to fund the care home’s new fever detection camera, GMS Group has recently donated £3,000 to the mental health and wellbeing charity, in an effort to support their services in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kaleidoscope Plus Group’s handheld fever screening camera will be delivered and rolled out in May.

Bühler Virtual World continues for all of May

Posted on May 18, 2020 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Bühler Virtual World continues for all of May

Due to the positive response and over-subscription of virtual meetings, Bühler has decided to keep the Bühler Virtual World open at least until the end of May. Over the three days, more than 12,000 people from 132 countries visited the digital platform, around 500 private meetings are ongoing. “We are amazed by this level of engagement and positive feedback,” says Germar Wacker, CEO of Bühler’s Consumer Foods business.

In just six weeks, Bühler transformed its physical interpack program into a fully digital experience, which was planned to be open until May 15. The positive feedback from customers and the market has now prompted Bühler to extend the digital show. “This is one of the key benefits of being digital. We are always available, continuously addressing customer needs,” says Germar Wacker. The platform will be accessible until end of May and Bühler invites everyone who has not yet experienced the Bühler Virtual World to use the opportunity to join and sign-up for a virtual meeting with Bühler experts.

The Bühler Virtual World, a unique platform consisting of a fully interactive visitor experience, with solution spaces, virtual meeting rooms and a live program with a wealth of insightful material and know-how sharing to address the following key topics:

Resilience in the current environment, e.g. by digital customer services to maximize utilization of the existing asset base;
Bouncing back by the ability to quickly commercialize consumer and market trends by highly flexible, integrated solutions and equipment;
Sustainability and how to turn the many challenges into good business.

The content from the live program, held on May 12-13, is fully available on the platform, with speeches of Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President (EVP) at Microsoft, Henning Hartnacke, President Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME) at Givaudan, and Paul Beck, Head of Production and Logistics at Maestrani, to name a few. Bühler experts explain how to increase capacity, yield, reduce plant downtime, energy and waste consumption through intelligence services. They introduce fantastic food creations from Bühler’s global application centers and new solutions, for example ChocoX , that will unlock the innovation capability of the industry. “This is a unique platform that combines inspiring knowledge on new products, Bühler’s leading processes and solutions, market trends and business disruption,” says CTO Ian Roberts.

Bühler’s Virtual World is accessible at virtualworld.buhlergroup.com .

Battery care: How to store your forklift battery during the shutdown

Posted on May 18, 2020 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Battery care: How to store your forklift battery during the shutdown

The coronavirus crisis is creating huge amounts of disruption for business and society all over the world. Companies are having to deal with high levels of staff absence, reduced demand for services and products and even mandatory shutdowns in some countries.

Many businesses’ services have become even more vital – for example, in the food distribution or medical equipment industries. However, other sectors are experiencing a serious slowdown, and for companies that have a materials handling operation, their forklift fleet may be at a complete standstill or utilised much less than normal.

If you have had to shut down your operation, your forklifts will be able to stand still for long periods without any problems. However, lead-acid forklift batteries must be stored in a much more careful way if you want to be able to resume your operation quickly when things get back to normal, without having to waste time on battery service or recharging.

Here’s some of the most important rules to follow if you need to store your forklift batteries unused for long periods:

Make sure that your batteries are fully charged before storing them

If you need to store unneeded batteries over long periods, make sure they are fully charged first. This helps prevent sulphation, which can be difficult and expensive to fix and seriously affects your battery’s performance and lifetime.

Store the forklift batteries in a dry, frost-free environment

It may be getting warmer across the country as spring approaches, but temperatures may still dip below zero in certain regions, especially overnight. Always make sure your batteries are kept indoors, away from moisture or frost to ensure their good performance in future.

If the batteries are still in the trucks, disconnect them

Even when your truck isn’t turned on, if a battery is connected to the truck it will still slowly discharge over time as it may be under a ‘parasitic load’. When this occurs, you will find that your batteries are completely discharged when it’s time to start work again. If you must keep your unused batteries mounted on trucks, disconnect them.

Refresh charge the batteries once a month

Even if you are expecting that your batteries won’t be used for a long time, you should still refresh charge them once a month. This ensures that they’ll be fully charged and ready to go when you need them again. If you are storing them in charger racks, keep the batteries connected to the chargers. The chargers can be programmed to automatically refresh charge the batteries when needed, making sure they will be fully operational when business resumes.

This health crisis is creating disruption for everyone, and it’s having a major effect on business. Recovery may take time, but if you follow these basic battery care rules while your batteries are out of use, you can at least be confident that they will be able to perform when you need them again.

If your materials handling operation has been affected by the crisis and you need advice on how to get through it before business get back to normal, click the button below to get in touch with us. Our team of materials handling experts will be able to provide solutions to your problems during this difficult time.

Aviko Partners with Flipdish to Help Operators Get Delivery Ready

Posted on May 18, 2020October 1, 2020 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Aviko Partners with Flipdish to Help Operators Get Delivery Ready

Aviko Foodservice has joined forces with online ordering service Flipdish for an exclusive deal that will allow operators to create an online presence for their takeaway offering and get delivery ready.

Through this new partnership with Flipdish, Aviko Foodservice is offering its customers the chance to showcase their delivery service online with an exclusive package designed to get fast food, restaurant and pub operators up and running within two working days.

Mohammed Essa, Commercial Director UK and Ireland, Aviko, explains;
“In the midst of uncertainty, we are seeing a huge amount of resilience and entrepreneurship across the foodservice industry with operators adapting their offerings to best serve their communities. Delivery is now the number one route for operators to reach customers and we are delighted to have partnered up with Flipdish to make it even easier for operators to get set up in a matter of days. This new partnership will make all the difference in helping operators increase awareness of their takeaway service during these unprecedented times.”

The Flipdish package will provide Aviko customers with a free website enabled with an online ordering system to start taking orders straight away through third party delivery company Stuart Delivery. The offer also includes a complimentary android app and lower transaction fees of 6% (usually 7%) and 1.5% card fees (instead of 2.5%) – notably lower than other delivery service providers. Instantly receive orders via email / tablet or if operators prefer Aviko is also offering the chance to purchase a printer at the lower rate of £199 (usually £299) – providing a saving of £100.

Aidan Gaffar, Country Manager, Flipdish, says;
“At Flipdish we pride ourselves on building up food brands, boosting their sales and driving customer loyalty, giving operators the tools to track sales growth and boost their marketing efforts. This partnership will give Aviko customers the opportunity to take their businesses online, equipping operators across the foodservice industry with the resources they need to make their takeaway offering the best it can be.”

To redeem this special offer, Aviko customers can visit www.aviko.co.uk/news/flipdish-special-offer and start delivering to their communities.

With a range of products designed specifically for the takeaway and delivery market, Aviko’s new partnership will give pubs and restaurants everything they need to get their takeaway business up and running. Aviko’s dedicated range includes Coated Chips, Fries, Sides, Snacks and Sharers, all developed to retain their heat and keep their crunch. Loved by consumers, Aviko’s Sweet Potato Fries have a longer holding time than competitors[i] and can increase profits as a premium extra and, as well as be loaded with lighter healthier options.

Adding an appetiser range to your menu is ideal for home delivery and gives you a profitable addition to your orders. Aviko’s Mac N Cheese triangles have an extra thick, crispy coating to keep in the heat, they are perfect as a side, loaded or part of a sharing meal deal. Additionally, having vegan options on your delivery menu is a great way to boost sales even further and appeal to the growing number of flexitarians. Aviko’s Spicy Sweetcorn Bites consist of juicy sweetcorn with flecks of bell peppers for a chilli kick.

As one of the biggest potato processors in the world, Aviko has been the foodservice’s dedicated potato partner for over fifty years. With a range of chilled and frozen potato specialities made by chefs, for chefs, Aviko’s extensive also includes range includes Hash Browns, Premium Fries, Mash, Diced Sweet Potato and much more.

For more information on Aviko’s extensive range call 0800 633 5611 or visit www.aviko.co.uk

For everything Aviko visit: www.twitter.com/avikouk

[i] Independent Toluna Research, 300 UK consumers, June 2017

Exciting new eco-friendly packaging for BigFish™ range

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Exciting new eco-friendly packaging for BigFish™ range

JCS Fish has relaunched its BigFish™ range of frozen salmon products in completely redesigned packs that have also cut the brand’s use of plastic by around 60%.

The eye-catching new design features an image from some 25 years ago of JCS founder, Andrew Coulbeck, holding a large salmon. It appears on new cardboard packaging across the BigFish range of frozen salmon fillets, breaded salmon bites and fish cakes and has eliminated the brand’s use of dual polymer plastic bags.

Commercial manager, Jack Coulbeck, says: “Our aim was to cut as much plastic packaging as possible and give the brand a refresh at the same time. We’ve worked hard to find the most responsible supply chain for our salmon so it’s only natural that we should also want to find the most sustainable packaging solution to put it in.”

BigFish is the first brand in the UK to commit to responsibly sourced fish through the GGN aquaculture label, which appears on all the new packs. JCS Fish is also the only UK seafood company so far to have made the source of all its fish fully transparent through the Ocean Disclosure Project.

The new packs are already stocked in independent retailers across the UK and available online through Ocado and the BigFish website. The BigFish brand is perfect for consumers seeking to stock up on healthy, convenient frozen products and has seen an upturn of about 150%* in its online sales since the start of the current lockdown.

Co-founder Louise Coulbeck comments: “Although Andy was initially reluctant for us to use his mugshot on the packs, the younger members of our team all thought it was great and we’re delighted with the new look. Given that times got pretty tough in March with the Coronavirus lockdown, we initially held back on our relaunch but now feel the time is right for some colourful new branding. It certainly looks good in the freezer and is a boost to our hardworking team, helping us all look forward – hopefully to some more cheerful times ahead.”

Survey to treat surplus organic waste generated by Covid-19 lockdown

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

ADBA and REA launch joint survey to treat surplus organic waste generated by Covid-19 lockdown

The Environment Agency and devolved nations’ regulators have expressed concern over the issue of organic waste surpluses created by the Covid-19 lockdown.
In response, the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) and the REA have launched a survey to identify spare capacity across the UK AD industry for this additional feedstock to be treated.
Through this survey ADBA and REA will match organic waste producers with the nearest suitable AD operators for their surplus to be treated.
Operators are urged to complete the survey to support those efforts.

In response to the increase in organic waste surpluses caused by the Covid-19 lockdown, ADBA and the REA have launched a joint survey that will match organic waste producers to their nearest AD operators. A consequence of the lockdown has been the large amount of additional organic wastes generated by the closure of markets for food and drink producers such as farms, fisheries and breweries. To address this situation, regulators in England, Scotland and Wales have contacted ADBA and the REA to assess the AD industry’s capacity to take on this surplus waste for recycling into green energy and biofertilisers.

The UK-wide survey will help identify suitable AD plants for the various feedstock types. It also aims to assist Defra, the regulators and industries that generate biodegradable waste in identifying the overall spare capacity available to treat feedstock and prioritise recycling through AD; favouring it over other types of disposal lower down the waste hierarchy, such as energy recovery, incineration and the most environmentally harmful option, landfill.

ADBA and the REA will use the information from the survey to match suitable AD operators with the farmers and other food/drinks supply chain organisations that have surplus that needs to be recycled. This aims to ensure that organic waste is correctly treated and that AD operators have more opportunities to source feedstock throughout lockdown measures.

Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of ADBA, said: “In these extraordinary times, everyone must pull together to address the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 lockdown. This survey of AD’s spare capacity to treat various types of organic wastes shows how our industry can proactively play its part in supporting farmers and food and drinks producers with their surplus feedstock. Most importantly, it delivers a solution that not only tackles the current waste surplus crisis, but also, by recycling organic wastes into biogas for power, heat and transport as well as biofertilisers for agriculture, sustains the economy and establishes a building block towards a green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. We are proud to deliver such a valuable service to society and urge all AD operators to complete the survey so that our industry’s potential to help is fully assessed and realised, now and in the future.”

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE FEI, Chief Executive of the REA, commented: “It is our role as associations to ensure that our members and the wider industry can operate as normally as possible through these unprecedented times. With lockdown measures resulting in a drop in feedstock supplies in AD plants, this survey is a valuable tool that will not only aid the AD operators business continuity but prevent surplus waste from being disposed of in an inefficient and environmentally unfriendly manner.”

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