The new biometrics system adds an extra benefit to the previous pin number I.D. system in that it utilises multispectral imaging that can swiftly and accurately recognise fingerprints, whether hands are wet, dry, greasy or dirty. Improving the speed and accuracy of data capture.   

Since installing Mitrefinch’s time and attendance software two years ago, Balloon Tree managers have used the data captured to record time spent by staff working on the farm and in the shop and measure this against productivity. The end result is an effective means of calculating profitability of crops grown on the farm. With as many as 75 seasonal staff working in a full or part time capacity across the farm at any one time, it also cuts down on operational costs by enabling managers to plan and manage complicated rosters more efficiently.

The Balloon Tree Finance Director, Diane Darley, said: “I’m delighted to be trialling this new biometric time management system that will help us measure our productivity even more accurately and efficiently. Having used the data captured from Mitrefinch’s time and attendance management software for the past two years, we have already been able to successfully calculate the profitability of crops grown on the farm, as well as manage our staff roster more effectively. The new biometrics system speeds up this vital process of data capture, providing more accurate information that we can then use to analyse the total costs of the farm, focusing on each individual crop  and the labour costs involved. Integrating the costing and turnover information provides us with accurate information to help drive down prices. Ultimately this is of great benefit both to our business and to our customers.”

Mitrefinch are one of only a small number of companies in Europe to apply this particular type of multispectral imaging to time and attendance management. Unlike other optical and thermal chip sensors, the multispectral sensors see beyond the surface of the skin, providing accurate I.D. and flawless imaging, regardless of the condition of the skin.

Debbie Guppy, CEO at Mitrefinch said: “As an already valued customer who use our time and attendance software, The Balloon Tree are the perfect organisation with whom to trial this new biometrics system. With a large number of seasonal staff working in complex shift patterns across different sites and in different conditions, the multispectral sensors in the biometrics reader enables Balloon Tree managers to capture and use the data even faster and more accurately. This will benefit the business both in cutting down on operational costs and in running their business more profitably.”

www.mitrefinch.co.uk/

Competing against companies from across the US in the BIA Awards ‘Product of Excellence’ category, Duraweld entered a specially designed travel card holder made from their own 100% recycled polypropylene. The company adapted its standard vinyl travel card product using sonic welding instead of a heat sealing manufacturing process, producing wallets which were both environmentally and ethically sound, as well as attractive and durable.

The BIA Judges commented: “We were very impressed with the design and use of materials. The travel card holder is creative, very practical and it really stood out amongst the other entries.”

In The Sunday Times, Duraweld was ranked 39 out of 60 companies throughout the UK, and featured in the Top Ten for having the ‘greenest employees’.  According to The Sunday Times, “…competition for places in the Top 60 was intense and the quality of entries very high. Only those organisations demonstrating the highest environmental standards, with workforces wholly engaged and in tune with their green initiatives, have made it onto the list.”

Victoria Pitts, Durawelds’ Green Team leader said: “It is very rewarding to have our green initiatives and products recognised by both these organisations and it positions us as being up there amongst the best in employing environmentally friendly business practices. Our commitment to protecting the environment remains firm and we will continue to improve and develop both our internal processes and our recycled product ranges.”

These two new accolades support Duraweld’s ISO 14001 accreditation and carbon zero status.

www.duraweld.co.uk

The Awards were launched in 2010 following the introduction in 2008 of the Three Pillars System, upon which Duraweld’s strategy is based.  The Three Pillars are:  Simple efficient operations;  Excellent people; Outstanding customer service

Jon Reeves, production job supervisor, won the ‘simple, efficient operations’ category,  Lisa Fullerton, sales supervisor, won the ‘excellent people’ category and Ann Cooper, machine operator, won the ‘outstanding customer service’ category.

Since its introduction, the Three Pillars System has brought about significant changes in how the company operates and how it serves its customers.  The Awards serve to highlight best practise and all employees were asked to nominate colleagues who they thought had excelled in each of the Three Pillars areas. 

Hannah Senior, Managing Director, Duraweld said:  “We had a fantastic response to the Awards and I would like to congratulate Jon, Lisa and Ann on their success.  Their attitude and performance exemplifies the qualities the company strives to achieve and they make a fantastic contribution to the success of the business. What makes the Awards particularly special is that they are voted for by their colleagues, which gives everyone an opportunity to express their thoughts and appreciation about how good these people are to work with.”

Comments from the Winners colleagues included:

“Since Jon has moved into the main production area he has had a massive impact on product quality.  His attentiveness and positive attitude are exemplary and he has made a fantastic difference to the efficiency of our operation by reducing errors and re-work”

“Lisa is a very dedicated member of the team.  No task is too much, and she is always giving.  She’s very enthusiastic and driven to give her best to Duraweld!”

“Ann’s recent work with Purple Results was a fantastic example of customer focus.  She was thinking about the finished product, about the customer and by querying the vinyl/encapsulation sheet colour combination she put the customer first.  We can’t ask for more!”

The exciting new business space — known as The Catalyst — is part of a major project, supported by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Science City York, to stimulate the regional economy through a range of new developments being undertaken by the University and by the Food and Environment Research Agency at Sand Hutton. 

Together with embedded space for businesses in the iconic Sir Ron Cooke Hub and academic department buildings on the campus expansion at Heslington East, The Catalyst will help to keep York at the forefront of work to promote economic development around world leading universities.

Science City York’s major project application to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme in Yorkshire and Humber secured £19.7 million to develop new infrastructure to stimulate R&D and improve regional competitiveness in the science and technology sectors. More than £15 million of this is being allocated to help fund the expansion of facilities on the University’s campus expansion including  The Catalyst, a further circa 750 square metres of knowledge exchange accommodation in the Sir Ron Cooke Hub and the new Higher York Creative Technology Centre.

The Catalyst is designed to support the growth and development of early stage companies in the creative, IT, digital and media sectors.  It will give new businesses the opportunity to access the facilities and the teaching and research expertise of the University’s academic departments, including Computer Science, Law and Management and the new Department of Theatre, Film and Television. 

York Science Park Ltd. will lease and manage the building and use its long track record of successful incubation on the Science Park to facilitate the close integration and knowledge exchange between the commercial and academic environments. The Catalyst will provide rewarding networking and collaboration opportunities for its occupants, plus a range of specialist business support services dedicated to assist early stage businesses.

Due for completion in the Autumn, The Catalyst will feature 2,755 square metres of flexible, modern, fully serviced and managed office space, with a range of all inclusive, short term rental options on spaces from just 15 to 126 square metres.   There will be a range of meeting spaces available for both internal and external organisations to use, and the building is set to achieve a BREEAM rating, which measures a building’s environmental performance, of ‘very good’ .

The Catalyst will expand the already extensive range of facilities on offer and further enhance York Science Park’s reputation as a leading location for science and technology based businesses.  

Dr. Chris Henshall, Pro Vice Chancellor for External Relations at the University of York said: “The University of York is proud to be building on its strong track record of support for businesses and the knowledge economy through the innovative facilities being developed in the first phase of the Heslington East Campus expansion.”

Tracey Smith, General Manager of York Science Park said: “The Catalyst will provide the perfect space for early stage companies in the creative, IT, digital and media sectors to innovate and grow.  Its unique location will enable new businesses in these sectors to draw on the wealth of knowledge and expertise available in the University, and give them a real head start on their road to commercial success.”

Andy Gurnell, Science City York said: “Accelerated growth of the creative and digital industries is a key element in promoting York’s economic success. Securing European funding has enabled the development of an innovative infrastructure initiative which will cement York’s position as a leading centre for knowledge exchange and as a city of science. We’re delighted to be centrally involved in this important new opportunity for business.”

The main contractor for The Catalyst is BAM Construction.

For more information and to find out how to rent space in The Catalyst visit http://www.yorksciencepark.co.uk or call 01904 435100

The buy-out strengthens the company’s position as one of the UK’s leading producers of customised stationery, presentation and packaging products, and provides a new platform to develop the business going forward.   

Hannah Senior, Richard’s daughter, joined the company in September 2008, after completing an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business, California.  Before attending Stanford, Hannah worked as a strategy consultant at Marakon Associates, and as a manager at Tesco.com. 

Whilst at Stanford, Hannah’s particular area of interest included entrepreneurship and family businesses.  These interests meant returning to Scarborough to bring her wider experience to her family business presented a great opportunity for father and daughter alike. Since joining Duraweld, Hannah has been closely involved with all aspects of the business, including the launch of its new website featuring the unique ‘build your own binder’ service.

Mark Yeung joined Duraweld in 2009, and took over the running of the company’s financial operations.  A graduate in manufacturing engineering and with an MBA from Harvard, Mark worked for management consultants McKinsey and Company and was part of the team which set up Tesco’s ‘Fresh & Easy’ retail operation in the US.

Richard Senior, who has led the company since 1972, will be staying on as a consultant for the next three years.  Richard commented: “I am delighted that this young, energetic management team will be leading the business into the future.  Since joining Duraweld, Hannah and Mark have brought with them lots of fresh thinking and new ideas that are having a very positive impact.   It’s great news for the company and I wish them every success in the future.”

Hannah Senior said: “We are thrilled to be the new owners of Duraweld and would like to thank our employees and customers for their fantastic encouragement and support.  Duraweld is a well known and respected name throughout the industry, and our decision to purchase the business has been based on the fantastic range of opportunities we see for it to grow and develop.

Our aim now is to strengthen and streamline our core business, whilst taking advantage of new opportunities along the way.  We will continue to develop and invest in our online service, be committed to environmentally friendly business practises, and in direct response to customer demand, have just expanded our product range to include an exciting range of ‘paper over board’ ring binders.” 

Mark added: “Whilst the economic climate continues to be challenging, we have great ambitions for the company. Our confidence in the committed and skilled team at Duraweld is absolute. We are especially delighted that Richard has agreed to stay on as a consultant, which will enable us to draw on his vast knowledge of the industry, and help ensure a seamless transition.”

 The company website is at www.duraweld.co.uk

It consists of an attractive mixture of drought tolerant wildflowers, herbs, sedums and perennials that flower from April to September, providing an excellent habitat for bumblebees, butterflies, birds and invertebrates, whilst still offering the drought tolerant characteristics of sedums.

The Biodiverse Green Roof Mat has been developed by Lindum, working closely with Dr Nigel Dunnett of the Department of Landscape at the University of Sheffield, who has extensive knowledge of green roofs, in particular, wildflowers. It has been developed to provide a habitat for conserving biodiversity in urban environments, and to be able to survive long periods without rainfall, a key feature given the UK’s changing climate.

Dr. Nigel Dunnett, University of Sheffield said: “We have been working with Lindum for a number of years now to help develop a range of products which are suitable for green roofs.  Research points to the huge potential of wildflower roofs in conserving diverse habitats in urban areas.  Green roofs that include wildflowers in the mix attract a wider range of wildlife than pure sedum mixtures and offer high visual appeal over a long season.  Sedums are included in the mixture to help to sustain the mix in particularly dry years.”

Requiring a deeper substrate than a minimum substrate sedum roof, the Biodiverse Green Roof provides an improvement in storm water attenuation, an increasingly important attribute of green roofs, which help to reduce run-off and flooding as well as helping with building insulation and reducing the urban heat island effect.

Britain’s stricken bumble bee population will also benefit from the new Biodiverse Green Roof mix.  According to recently published research green roofs are systematically used as habitats by wild bees, with multiple forms of vegetation attracting twice the number of bee species compared with green roofs planted with pure sedums.

Stephen Fell, Managing Director of Lindum said: “With the rising interest in green roofs, the Lindum Biodiverse Green Roof Mat offers a different type of instant green roof vegetation solution. Being able to move away from the monoculture of a traditional sedum roof to a thriving multi-species vegetation layer grown in a sustainable way is a great step forward for encouraging biodiversity in the urban environment.”

Lindum’s Biodiverse Green Roof Mats are supplied ready to roll out as an instant vegetation layer with the plants already established and growing in a biodegradable felt mat made from recycled British textiles.

For more information on Lindum’s Biodiverse Green Roof Mats and other green roof solutions that the company offers visit Stand 1366 at Ecobuild 2010 exhibition which takes place at Earls Court, London 2-4 March 10 or see www.turf.co.uk