Mitsubishi Electric welcomes air conditioning engineers of the future

Posted on by Posted in Bathrooms and Kitchens

Mitsubishi_apprenticesMitsubishi Electric and its partners are running a national apprenticeship scheme to train the air conditioning engineers of the future.

At two launches in Hatfield and Manchester, the company came together with 13 of its partners to welcome the 21 new apprentices who have joined the industry through the scheme.

Steve Hayward, technical services and after sales manager said:

“We have been pleased with the results – particularly the support from our partners – as this is only the first year of our new National Apprenticeship Programme,”

“Along with our partners, we recognise the importance of developing the engineers of the future to ensure that we can continue to meet market demand as an industry.”

The companies will now work closely with co-ordinator Building Engineering Services Training (BEST) to monitor and support the development of the new recruits, who will be receiving a mixture of college-based modules and on-the-job training.

Skills Minister Nick Boles commended the scheme, saying:

“Support from leading companies like Mitsubishi Electric and its partners means that it is fast becoming ‘the norm’ for young people to choose either university or an apprenticeship as a route to a great career.

“I would encourage other companies to follow Mitsubishi Electric’s lead in recognising the value apprentices add to their businesses in helping them to build a skilled workforce. There has never been a better time to become an apprentice – to get in, and go far.”

The partner companies include 21 Degrees, Air Master Air Conditioning, Airway Solutions, Bry-Kol Developments, Crowther and Shaw, DOC Building Facilities, Neville Tucker Heating, NDS, Oxford Refrigeration, Servio, Orbital Climate Solutions, Temperature Control, and Watford Refrigeration.

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Scottish Government Wins Winter Maintenance Action

Posted on by Posted in Health and Safety

scottish_gritterA supplier of de-icing salt has failed in its claim for damages from the Scottish government, which it said breached tendering rules.

Between January 2010 and March 2011, the Scottish government bought £10m-worth of de-icing salt from several sources, but none from Southampton-based Nationwide Gritting Services (NGS).

NGS said the orders should have gone out to tender and launched legal action. The Scottish government said that it had only not gone out to tender when there was an emergency situation.

Judge Lord Woolman has now found in favour of Scottish ministers. A Scottish government spokesperson welcomed the opinion “which found that the case against the Scottish government had no merit”.

They added:

“In the face of extremely severe winter weather the Scottish government acted properly to keep the economy going and to protect public safety. Securing additional salt supplies helped to keep the majority of our roads open and to keep people on the move in exceptional circumstances.

“Following the two severe winters Transport Scotland and its partners have made significant improvements to the winter service. Additional gritters, greater use of technology and getting information to people when they need it most are just a few of the ways winter treatments, decision making processes and communications have been strengthened.”

The full opinion can be read by clicking here

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Ribble Valley Showroom launched by Stuart Frazer

Posted on by Posted in Bathrooms and Kitchens

Stuart-FrazerThe UK’s largest SieMatic dealer Stuart Frazer launched its Ribble Valley showroom with a two-night gala and a cooking demonstration by celebrity chef patron Nigel Haworth from Northcote.

Over 120 guests joined the Stuart Frazer team for drinks and canapés at the new showroom, Stuart Frazer’s third.

Mark Harrison, managing director, Stuart Frazer Kitchens Ltd, said:

“The Ribble Valley showroom is amazing and displays some of the most beautiful and advanced kitchen designs available in the UK. It made sense to celebrate there and invite customers, VIPs and our industry partners to come and experience top of the range SieMatic kitchens in action. For me, I’m proud to have breathed life into an old mill building, created new jobs and achieved our aim of bringing Stuart Frazer to East Lancashire.”

Designed by Mark Harrison, the new showroom is a complex £150,000 renovation of the former loading and storage bay at the old Friendship Mill in Read. Over £100,000 was spent fitting out the 4,000 sq.ft. space to complement its sister showrooms in Manchester and Preston. It showcases five fully-operational SieMatic kitchens and has the potential to expand to 6,000 sq.ft..

Guests attending the launch included customers, designers, architects, property developers and VIPs attending the event included Carl Fogarty, former world superbike racing champion, who has a kitchen designed by Mark Harrison. Northcote provided a delicious array of classic canapés for both nights including signature dishes such as mini Yorkshire puds with rare roast beef.

Michelin-star chef Nigel Haworth demonstrated how to make Northcote-style Steak Tartar and Mulled Autumn Pear, Chilled Soup, Mace Honeycomb and Orange Syllabub on Thursday evening. Chef and Head Tutor of Northcote Cookery School Michael Vanheste provided demonstrations on both gala nights and showed guests how to make Home-Cured Treacle Salmon, Pickled Ginger and Coriander Salad, Lime and Ginger Marshmallow and an Apple Crumble Soufflé.

On Friday night, he was joined by Gaggenau’s leading home economist Sarah Gardner who demonstrated a range of Gaggenau appliances, cooking several dishes including brownies.

Stuart Frazer has a long association with Northcote, working with them to develop the recently-launched Northcote Cookery School kitchen and chef’s table, and its development kitchen.

Nigel Haworth said:

“Stuart Frazer helped us produce the best possible facility – a SieMatic kitchen with Gaggenau appliances. Its cutting-edge design, appliances and equipment have given Michael, head chef Lisa Allen and me the perfect platform to teach cookery to Northcote Manor’s excellent standards. It was a pleasure to be a part of the Ribble Valley showroom launch and show guests how satisfying it is to cook in a brilliantly-designed kitchen.”

Mark Harrison said:

“This was the first of many gala events that we will hold with Northcote Manor and Nigel and his team, and it was enjoyed by everyone. We were delighted to see past and present clients at the launch event. Some were new customers buying their first Stuart Frazer kitchens as well as some customers who are now buying their eighth kitchen from us.

“We are a kitchen company and proud of our specialism because it ensures we’re at the forefront of every technical innovation and design nuance. That’s why we have a design team that’s constantly winning awards as the best in the north and nationwide.”

http://www.stuartfrazer.com/

www.siematic.co.uk

www.gaggenau.com/gb

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Renewables likely to be the cheapest low carbon option by 2030

Posted on by Posted in Renewable Energy

NimaSkorupskaThe Renewable Energy Association (REA) is calling on European leaders to set effective renewable energy targets for EU Members States in the 2030 energy and climate framework, which will be finalised at a meeting of the European Council.

With continued growth and an effective carbon price, almost all renewable technologies – across heating, power and transport – could be providing low carbon energy without subsidy by 2030. This means renewables are likely to be the cheapest supply-side option for achieving the stretching 2030 greenhouse gas targets that will be required to avoid dangerous climate change.

Dedicated renewable energy targets for Member States will assure investors of the ongoing market opportunity in renewable technologies, facilitating stable growth, the development of domestic skills and supply chains and, ultimately, the sustained cost reductions that will take these technologies to zero subsidy.

The Commission has proposed an EU-wide renewable energy target of “at least 27%“ (alongside a 40% reduction in greenhouse gases and a 30% increase in energy efficiency). This is a weaker market signal than the 20% renewables target in the 2020 framework, as the figure is not ambitious and the target is not binding on individual Member States.

The REA echoes the call of the European Renewable Energies Federation for a trio of targets for greenhouse gas savings, energy efficiency and renewable energy, each of at least 40%. To maximise their effectiveness, these targets should be legally binding and distributed to Member State level. This would give a UK renewables target of approximately 30%.

REA chief executive, Dr Nina Skorupska said:

“People working in UK renewables simply don’t know whether the government wants the industry to keep growing or not. There have been so many mixed signals this Parliament that it has become almost impossible for our members to plan and invest for their future. 2030 renewables targets for Member States will give businesses the certainty they need.

“If this doesn’t happen, it will be up to the UK government to set out its own vision for renewables in the 2020s and beyond. As renewables businesses are usually smaller and younger than fossil fuel and nuclear companies, a ‘technology neutral’ framework will leave them at a disadvantage. With clear market signals though, renewables will be the cheapest source of low carbon energy, without the need for subsidy, well before 2030.“

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Calor: Top tips for rural fuel safety

Posted on by Posted in Health and Safety, Heating, Plumbing Industry News, Useful Resources

As the dark nights creep closer, Calor Gas is running its Rural Fuel Security Fortnight to emphasise the importance of customers’ fuel security to installers.

Taking place from Sunday 26 October to Saturday 8 November 2014, the event encourages installers to get on board by sharing their tips for fuel security via the Twitter channel @CalorInstaller.

For a start, Calor advises the following:

  • Fit a level gauge to tanks for alerts about unusual drops in oil level
  • Think about where the oil tank is situated. If possible, re-site to an area where it is more secure or out of sight
  • Install a CCTV system or security lighting around the tank to illuminate any suspicious behaviour
  • Install security fencing or spiked plants around the tank
  • Regularly check tanks for signs of tampering.

Paul Madge of Calor Gas said:

“Fuel theft is a major issue in off-grid areas, and those using heating oil will often find themselves targeted,”

“Calor wants to use Rural Fuel Security Fortnight as an opportunity to raise awareness of off-grid fuel theft.”

One recommendation for enhanced off-grid fuel security is to convert to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), according to Calor. With heating oil installations, thieves typically target quiet, rural communities, siphoning oil from storage tanks outside people’s homes. This is at a time when many homeowners will refill their storage tanks in preparation for the colder weather, making oil installations especially vulnerable.

Therefore, the company proposes that LPG offers a secure alternative. Highly specialised equipment is required to extract the gas from the tank, the latter of which can also be buried underground, making it harder to locate. In addition, homeowners looking to convert to LPG can receive a free gas connection and above ground tank installation if they switch to Calor LPG before 31 March 2015.

Mr Madge said:

“We understand that homeowners see installers as an integral and trusted source of information, and want to help by providing clear guidance about how LPG can offer a safe and secure alternative,”

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