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Faster vehicle loading and unloading with less manhandling is being achieved at Firebox.com as a result of using Thorworld loading bay equipment.

The on-line retailer, which specialises in toys and games for boys of all ages, recently moved to larger 47,000 sq ft warehouse premises in Croydon which has four loading docks.

Thorworld supplied counter-balanced drawbridge type dock levellers to two of the docks used by courier vehicles. During the busy pre-Christmas sales period, which runs for three months starting in October, as many as 15 collections are made each day.

The levellers are ideal for fitting to existing docks as they eliminate the need for any structural work, with any height differences between the vehicle and dock self-compensating.

Strong springs counterbalance the levellers during lifting and lowering, and safety side curbs are fitted as standard. When not in use the levellers are stored and locked in the vertical position.

Both bays with counter-balanced levellers were also fitted with a steel goalpost and protective bumper supports.

A third bay used to unload containers bringing in products from overseas has been equipped with a Thorworld hinged ramp combination unit that sits inside the warehouse doors.

The unit consists of a hinged type ramp and a hinged bridge plate, with additional dock bumpers and associated vehicle protection equipment.

Thorworld hinged bridge plates are manufactured from high tensile aluminium alloy and are available in capacities from 500 to 4,000kg. They have a safety tread finish and 75mm guidelines painted on the edges.

The combination unit is easily moved via cuts-outs under the ramp, built to suit fork lift or pallet truck design. Optional locking pins and a handrail are available for increased safety.

The fourth bay was fitted with a dock plate, for more lightweight applications in busy periods.

Steve Low, Operations Director for Firebox.com said that considerable time savings were being achieved now that they now longer had to manually load and offload vehicles.

Thorworld is firmly established as a leading, one-stop, single source supplier to the loading bay and materials handling sectors, and is recognised as both a leader and innovator in the provision of quality engineered equipment.

BSI registered with ISO 9002 accreditation since 1992, as well as CE mark certification, it was one of the first companies in the industry to achieve the ISO 9001:2000 international quality management standard.

The company provides a comprehensive selection of high quality loading & unloading equipment and loading bay accessories & safety aids, such as: dock shelters & seals, dock levellers, modular loading docks, dock plates & boards, dock & vehicle bumpers and wheel chocks, as well as the Truckloada mobile yardlift and the Dockloada scissor lift platform.

The Thorworld product range also includes their market leading mobile yard ramps.

Ideal for the fast and efficient loading and unloading of vehicle trailers and containers by fork truck, particularly where there is no raised loading dock, the ramps are CE marked and conform to all European quality & safety standards and legislation.

Available as Standard, Deluxe and Super Deluxe (light, medium and heavy duty) models, with 7,000 kg, 10,000 kg, 12,000 kg or 15,000 kg capacities and in lengths from 11 to 12.2 metres, Thorworld mobile container loading ramps are ruggedly built of solid beam construction, with a serrated open grid deck for positive traction in all weathers.

In addition to outright purchase, a ramp rental facility is also provided through the company's RentARamp operation, with a sale or return option.

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We are all aware of the current economical crisis the UK is suffering at the moment. House prices are falling and estate agents are selling less than one property a week. With this in mind consumers are looking to update their existing homes to increase their value. A wetroom makes a statement and adds real value to any property.

Impey’s innovative Aqua-Grade wetroom floor former is the perfect product to use when fitting a wetroom into a new build or extension. The design allows for it to be laid at the same time as the concrete floor and produces a perfect 1:40 gradient. You simply fit the colour coded sections of the Aqua-Grade matrix together to form a pattern and then screed over the top. The modular construction of the matrix system means that the wetroom area can be as big or as small as necessary. It is suitable for use with insulated floors and compatible with underfloor heating.

Impey can provide you with everything that is needed to install a wetroom, saving you time and money. Please visit www.impey-showers.com to see our full range of pumps, drainage, waterproofing, underfloor heating and shower screens. Impey is also a wetroom training Centre of Excellence.

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AMTECH Power Software has chosen the educational facilities operated by the UK’s largest electrical safety specialist CLM as the perfect venue for training courses in the North West of England. Located at CLM’s headquarters in Warrington, the Learning Centre offers the ideal environment for AMTECH’s comprehensive, CPD registered courses.

‘Demand in the North West for our training courses has been overwhelming so we are delighted to have found such an ideal facility,’ said AMTECH Sales Director James Cooper. ‘This will enable us to deliver a consistently high standard of training to customers in a comfortable learning environment,’ he added.

The first course to be held at the Warrington training centre is on AMTECH’s FastTest Test & Inspection software on the 4th September 2007. There are a few spaces left, so please call 0800 028 28 28 ASAP to reserve your space.

AMTECH is an Institution of Electrical Engineers (IET) Endorsed Training Provider and is registered with the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as a course provider. All AMTECH courses attract Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours, which are credited towards an individual’s CPD.

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Dulux Trade is proud that the Ecosure paint range has been selected as a finalist at the Green Business Awards 2008, in the ‘Best Industrial/Resources Company or Manufacturer’ category.

The objective of the Green Business Awards is to highlight and reward leadership on environment, sustainability and climate change by British companies.

The awards are organised by Haymarket's leading title for senior business managers, Management Today who say “The Green Business Awards will be a barometer of the newest, most innovative, most ambitious and most effective initiatives by UK business to respond to the pressing challenges of global sustainability.”

All major business sectors will be represented and the 2008 awards will highlight this year's best efforts and achievements in each.”

Just some of the strict entry criteria are:

• Product must advance environmental sustainability
• Product must be outstanding in terms of efforts made and results achieved
• Benefits must be substantive, measurable and quantified
• Activities must represent a degree of originality or innovation

The award ceremony is to be held on 5th November 2008 at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.

With the new Ecosure range, Dulux Trade has achieved the optimum combination of sustainability and performance. Developed in conjunction with Forum for the Future, the Ecosure range of matt, gloss and undercoat formulations takes a real step towards greener products and demonstrates the brand’s long-term commitment to increasingly sustainable products.

Using an ‘Environmental Impact Analyser’, a cradle to factory gate analytical tool, Dulux Trade has been able to measure the reduction in environmental impact, in three key sustainability criteria, namely embodied carbon, waste created and water consumed, in addition to VOC.

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Wherever water, dust, and electrical lighting are combined, and especially in the presence of certain chemical vapours, dependable ?proof? lighting is essential. And that?s why Thorn has introduced a completely new range of general purpose water and corrosion resistant fluorescent luminaires – the AquaForce II series.

Lightweight and low-maintenance, the AquaForce II range is designed to do a tough job – and to do it well. Innovative production methods and advanced features make this the range that all others have to match. A seamless gasket set into a deeper channel within the canopy ensures a better IP65 seal. In addition to more light output, a sturdier all polycarbonate construction and the option of tamper resistant stainless steel toggles there is a choice of switchstart, high frequency and emergency gear.

Installation is delightfully easy for the contractor using the quick-fix brackets and wiring knockouts supplied, while the gear tray – which holds the circuitry – simply clips into position in the canopy. Optional extras include ?Connect? versions for rapid electrical connection and numerous suspension and through wiring kits.

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Contractor Pro, the new computerised estimating and invoicing system from Luckins, has been selected as an Electrical Industry Awards 2008 finalist in the Innovative Software Product of the Year Category.

The awards will be presented at the Electrical Banquet gala dinner to be held at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square on 29 October, hosted by Electrical Times magazine.

Contractor Pro is designed for smaller contractors working on domestic or light commercial or industrial installation and maintenance jobs and enables busy contractors to compile accurate, professionally presented estimates and invoices at the touch of a few keys. Contractor Pro users will be able to: win more work by responding quickly to every enquiry; improve profit margins by basing their quotations on accurate cost information; spend less time on tedious paperwork and more time on site; boost cash flow by invoicing promptly as soon as the job is complete.

The system is designed to be easy to use. Trials have shown that a new user familiar with any of the standard Microsoft Office products will be estimating in a matter of minutes.

Contractor Pro contains a selection from the Luckins product database (as used by most of the UK’s national wholesalers, distributors and contractors) and contains up-to-date trade prices and industry standard installation times for literally thousands of products. Discount data can be easily imported and the new related items feature, made possible through Luckins’ close relationship with manufacturers and suppliers, ensures that nothing is omitted when pricing each job.

Luckins’ Managing Director Donna Ward commented: “We are very proud that Contractor Pro has been selected as a finalist in the Electrical Industry Awards 2008. With more entrants in the awards than ever this represents a real achievement and is recognition of both Contractor Pro’s and Luckins’ unique position in the market. With the addition of Contractor Pro to our range, Luckins have a software solution suitable for every size of contractor and small contractors will now be able to achieve benefits previously out of their reach.”

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History

This Grade I listed structure has a labyrinth of unused basement areas. With space as a premium the courts looked at converting the brick basements to habitable space.

Methodology

The Newton System 500 LATH cavity drain system was designed and installed by our Newton Specialist Basement Contractor. The membraine system was mechanically fixed with Nuseal fixing plug, and thus created an air gap for water ingress to be guided to perimeter drainage conduits, which chanelled any water to natural drainage. The water management system installed negated the need for expensive surface preparation and was easily molded to the original building contours. In addition the system is deemed as removable (if required) in accordance with Listed building requirements.

Result

The vaults are now used as a luxury bar and rest area to Environmental Grade 3 (BS8102-1990). The photographs feature illustrate the first phase of this ongoing scheme.

The Benefits

The Victorian Bird Beak Arches were waterproofed without compromising the original features of this historic property.

The completed system was very well received by the clients and is in line with The British Standards and National Heritage guidelines.

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