Fifth generation, family-owned luxury bed and components manufacturer, Harrison Spinks, has announced a raft of sustainably-focussed initiatives in its new Impact Report from both the main beds business and its components manufacturing company to further improve the planet whilst enriching the local environment and enhancing colleagues and communities. The business, which employs around 500 people and is already one of the largest growers of hemp in the UK, will increase its flax crop from 20 to 120 acres to replace cotton – not only is the crop more suitable for the British climate, there is no requirement for pesticides or irrigation for it to grow. Meanwhile its Yorkshire-based spring manufacturing business has introduced a patent-pending, pocket coiling machine that reduces energy consumption by 60%, as well as minimising raw materials needed in the process. Manufacturing production within the beds division at the 180-year-old company has moved to a four-day working week with longer production shift patterns after identifying the benefits of an improved work life balance – which they achieved without a reduction in overall output – and central operations has moved to a 4.5-day week, leading to increased productivity and reduced direct and indirect emissions. Harrison Spinks' partnership with Scottish luxury accessories manufacturer Alex Begg is now enabling the business to upcycle clean, high-quality cashmere offcuts to replace the virgin cashmere wool in its mattress fillings, also leading to lower transport emissions. Last year alone, the company’s hemp crop absorbed over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions – which is equal to all of its annual Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Further changes to improve its production, CO2 emissions, and local biodiversity have been announced within the newly-launched Impact Report. These include: Further investment in weaving its own mattress ticking fabric from naturally fire-retardant wool, covering 100% of production needs and saving 28 tonnes of fire-retardant chemicals being used each year. Creating its own pocket springs through efficient wire-drawing processes that save 330,000kWh of energy each year. Becoming members of the UN Global Compact – the world’s largest corporate sustainability programme. The business is also boosting the local natural habitat, shifting from overseas carbon offsetting and investing into programmes in Britain, such as the Wild Ingleborough initiative led by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to help restore the natural habitat and combat climate change. Harrison Spinks has committed to becoming Nature Net Positive across all operations and as part of this the two farms are working towards being fully organic by September 2025. It is also planting 2,750 metres of native hedgerows in Yorkshire to support animal welfare and encourage wildlife, while 47 acres of Ings grassland on the farm is left unstocked in spring to allow ground nesting. Furthermore, a higher stewardship grant from Natural England has enabled 33 acres of wildflower, bird, and butterfly margins to be created and maintained. Simon Spinks, Chairman at Harrison Spinks, said: “Our Impact Report details how we’ve adapted our business in the last year and the fundamental commitments we’re adopting for the future to make beds and components in the most responsible way possible." “We are a business that’s been recognised with seven King’s and Queen’s Awards, including two for Sustainable Development, so we understand the importance of playing our part in making the world happier and healthier." “We’re making some big commitments, going from 20 to 120 acres of flax crop production – allowing us to replace cotton with Yorkshire-grown luxury mattress fillings – and we have a patent pending on a coil manufacturing machine which reduces energy consumption by 60%." “This machine was designed and built by us here in Leeds and we aim to share this technology in our sector and beyond to allow others to benefit from these energy savings." “From using renewable energy at our Leeds manufacturing site to our partnership with children’s bed charity Zarach, providing them with 20 mattresses every month to give every head a bed, we want to make sure we’re supporting local communities and the environment." “Owning a farm gives us a unique and unbreakable connection to nature, and that’s why we’ve taken more steps to monitor exactly how we’re affecting the local environment, from making sure we lower emissions, right down to encouraging rare bird species onto our farms." “We have been refining our manufacturing processes to be more responsible, and we’re now working on industry-leading ways to repurpose clean waste back into production and looking further ahead to re-purpose our mattress components.” Harrison Spinks is the only UK bed manufacturer to have its own farms, blend its own natural filling layers in-house, weave its own naturally fire-retardant mattress fabric and manufacture 95%* of its mattress components in-house. It has 180 acres of arable land where it grows hemp and flax, and a further 200 acres of grassland where sheep are raised. Further commitments Harrison Spinks is making include: Investing in Solar PV technology to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which is projected to create 400,000 kWh of energy per year. Digitising the wire-drawing process within its components division to reduce CO2 by 40%. Working towards becoming Net Zero by 2050 under the net zero strategy approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. Planning to decrease carbon emissions from direct operations by 95% within 10 years To read the full Impact Report, please visit here. *By weight – Harrison Spinks manufactures its own mattress components in-house, equating to 95% of the total mattress by weight.

Douglas & Grahame, a family-owned men’s fashion house based in Carrickfergus is marking its first 100 years in business. Chaired by Donald Finlay and now led by sons Adam and Michael Finlay, the company which employs 124, is aiming to achieve its target of £50m turnover in the next five years. Douglas & Grahame designs all its garments in the modern Carrickfergus plant and is aiming to further develop its portfolio of brands. These include Remus Uomo, Daniel Grahame, DG's Drifter, 1880 CLUB and others. Managing director Adam Finlay says the centenary is an opportunity to re-establish the firm’s position at the heart of the fashion sector. “We have built tremendous foundations over our long history and have managed a strong recovery post-covid resulting in record turnover levels last year in excess of £30m,” says Mr Finlay. “We are an ambitious team and we are setting our sights on achieving £50m turnover in the next five years. The company says it is now pursuing all routes to market to achieve that growth across all territories of the UK and Ireland. Particular areas of focus include retail partnerships such as branded shop-in-shops, franchises, concessions and national chain retailers. The development of Douglas and Grahame’s online presence is also a priority. Douglas & Grahame brands are sold in over 400 independent stores and department stores across the UK and Ireland. The firm also has dedicated showrooms in Belfast, Dublin, London and Manchester. Mr Finlay says: “We have spent the last 100 years in the menswear trade, which means 100 years of fabric, of needle and thread and dedication to our industry." “From our humble beginnings selling fabrics to the tailors of Belfast, to the design and production of readymade garments to the building of brands – we are now one of the UK and Ireland's leading menswear fashion houses.” The firm is planning to mark its centenary with a series of profile-building events culminating in October this year with a gala evening for past and present associates and friends of the company.

It is a sure fire sign that summer is on the way - the first Hampshire-grown strawberries of 2024 have been harvested and have hit the shelves at a Meon Valley farm shop. The arrival of the super-sweet, famous Westlands strawberries brings memories of long, lazy summer days, Wimbledon tennis and picnics on the beach. It’s a strawberry harvest to bring a smile to everyone’s lips. There is now no need for shoppers to rely on high food-mile strawberries shipped in lorries from Spain and Morocco when they can get Hampshire grown and harvested, sweet strawberries at Westlands Farm Shop near Wickham once more. And with a strawberry and raspberry growing and picking season running right through to late October early November there will be plenty of fruit to go round right throughout this summer and beyond. Shop manager Harry King said Westlands’ soft fruit is always a top pick for the shop’s customers. “Our strawberries are by far one of our most popular products - they’re very quick to fly off the shelves." “You can even see the glasshouses where these strawberries are grown from the window of the farm shop - keeping our food miles to a minimum and the shelves well-stocked for months.” During summer of 2022, Westlands farm harvested a record-breaking 200 tonnes of strawberries and raspberries - keeping shelves stocked all the way through to mid-November. Westlands’ Graham Collett said he is expecting another successful soft fruit season in 2024. Graham said: “We harvest an enormous amount of soft fruit throughout the year. Even if the weather is hot and dry, our own water reservoir means we can irrigate the plants using collected rainwater." “We’re a family-owned business committed to ethical and sustainable farming. Stocking our shelves with produce we’ve grown and picked ourselves means a lot to us - it’s so important we encourage our shoppers to support local agriculture.” Westlands Farm Shop is based in the Meon Valley and offers a range of locally sourced groceries and gifts as well as its own butchery.

Dunsters Farm is proud to announce a three-year sponsorship deal with Bury FC, the beloved fan-owned team, situated in the same area as our humble beginnings. The partnership, extending until the 2025/26 season, will entail our sponsorship of the esteemed ‘Starkies Bar’, located within the historic Gigg Lane ground. Bury FC began its incredible comeback, after the club was saved by its own fans, after falling into administration in 2019. Dunsters Farm are committed to making a positive impact in the community, and this collaboration underscores our commitment to serving the area we proudly call home. Bury FC aligns seamlessly with our core values – with a community-centric ethos that resonates deeply with us here at Dunsters. Not only is it an organisation ‘for the community, by the community’, but the football club also works as a local hub, supporting people with its foodbank, community spaces for vulnerable adult training, as well as the Kidzone area for families who need it. Tom Mathew, our Commercial Director said of the exciting new partnership: “We’re delighted to support Bury FC, not only were we inspired by the recent developments at the club, but we also identified with their journey. Just like us, Bury FC boasts a rich local heritage and serves as a force for good within the community, a principle that has driven our business since its inception.” Tom and Hannah, Directors and third generation members of the family business, also have a personal connection to the club. Attending matches as youngsters with their grandfather, and Dunsters Farm founder, Les Ratcliffe – a keen Bury fan, who was also awarded an MBE for his charitable work locally. “My first memories of attending Gigg lane are with my Grandad, and his legacy looms large in how we do business. No matter how much Dunsters Farm has progressed, we are still focussed on being a force for good in our community – it’s in our DNA. Whether it be by feeding our local schools with quality produce, or supporting community groups like this one." "This partnership means we can support a like-minded organisation and continue to do good nearby – something our grandfather would be proud of.”

New technology, sustainable materials and smart designs are all key trends driving the evolution of PPE for a safer tomorrow. Workwear safety expert Arco has revealed its predictions of the five top innovations influencing the future of personal protective equipment (PPE) over the next decade. 1. Technological advancements Over the years there has been an increasing rise in robotics, which has revolutionised manufacturing environments and how we produce goods. In 2023, the robotics industry generated £29 billion in revenue worldwide and is projected to hit £33 billion by 2027. As robots continue to develop to be more advanced and widespread, working safely and collaboratively alongside them is becoming crucially important. Dr Ian Pearson, a respected Futurologist, commented: "We can anticipate a future where an increased number of robots operate on sites, which will mean that there is powerful equipment present in these areas. Augmented Reality (AR) and other technologies will play a crucial role in supporting individuals in adapting to these conditions.” 2. Sustainable materials Manufacturers are striving to achieve a more sustainable production line, with consumer demand showing a growing interest in PPE made from recycled fibres, biodegradable/reusable options and alternatives to plastic. Leading safety brand Arco has expanded its Responsible Choice product range by 72 per cent over the last year. Jim Harbidge, Head of Sustainability at Arco, commented: "At Arco, we focus on durability and circularity: garments made from recycled materials, designed to be washed multiple times, and at the end of their life are ready to recycle again. These offer the best opportunity to reduce carbon and water usage." 3. Customisation and comfort Achieving comfort in PPE involves a tricky balance between effective protection and user wellbeing. Selecting materials that offer both safety and comfort is key, requiring innovation in design and construction. Nick McLaren, Head of Range Proposition at Arco, said: “There is a sharp focus on developing breathable, flexible, and user-friendly materials to satisfy both safety and wearability. This ongoing effort reflects a commitment to safeguarding individuals in hazardous environments without compromising their comfort.” 4. The new world of AI, AR and VR AI, AR, and VR are reshaping health, safety, and PPE in industries like construction and healthcare. Advanced AI-driven CCTV systems instantly monitor PPE use, inspect compliance and identify hazards using cutting-edge algorithms. This technology can help to eliminate human error, speed up processes and enhance overall site safety. 5. Post-pandemic preparedness In August last year, the UK Government National Risk Register declared a 5-25% chance of another pandemic striking in the next five years. This month, Arco released its whitepaper on Emerging Disease Preparedness which highlights key insight on pandemic planning, PPE stockpiling and PPE compliance. Futurologist, Dr Ian Pearson, said: "In the years ahead, we may witness the emergence of more viruses, which will no doubt show the need for detection measures in workplaces with close human interaction. The integration of rapid testing, possibly within or in conjunction with PPE, will prove to be a valuable asset for organisations."

Novus Property Solutions has appointed Sean Ryan as head of operations for Partnerships, part of its dedicated Interiors service which is a vital element of the national contractor’s five-year growth strategy. Sean brings over 23 years’ experience in facility and project management services across multiple sectors, including healthcare and education. An accomplished engineer who has spent the past 12 years in senior leadership roles, Sean has led services in both central consulting and operational capacities, which has developed his ability to deliver exceptional quality-driven services. Sean’s varied experience will be invaluable as Novus continues to expand its Interiors service, which offers a streamlined approach to turnkey refurbishment services through the contractor’s team of technical experts and trusted supply chain. Interiors features the three distinct areas of Partnerships, Major Projects, and Fast Track Fit Out to ensure all work – which spans small one-off projects to multi-million pound national refurbishments – is completed on time, on budget, and to the highest standard. Partnerships provides a single source hard maintenance, minor works and small projects service for long term MTC clients and framework agreements. Commenting on his new role, Sean said: “I am delighted to join Novus as Head of Operations for Partnerships at what is a very exciting time for the business. I’m looking forward to managing and enhancing our existing portfolio of clients in the healthcare and education sectors, as well as driving our overall business strategy through my passion for forming successful teams and creating strong customer relations." “My decision to join Novus was bolstered by its highly regarded reputation within the industry, and its commitment to maintaining a personable yet quality-driven service that is not eroded by its ambitions for growth. The onboarding process has been outstanding, and it’s clear that Novus prides itself on holding true to its core values as a family business.” Matt Hiley, Executive Director at Novus Property Solutions added: “Novus has a long-held reputation for delivering operational excellence and reliability across our key sectors, and the structure of our streamlined Interiors service allows us to continue to build on this. We’re pleased to welcome Sean to Novus, and have no doubt that his impressive experience will play an important role in helping us achieve our business growth targets.”

Allied Vehicles are pleased to announce the latest acquisition in exciting plans for growth for the north-Glasgow based business. Allied Autocare and Fix Auto Glasgow North are two brands in the Allied Vehicles Group, repairing vehicles through the largest independent bodyshop in Scotland. Allied Vehicles are expanding their bodyshop offering into the north-west of England through the acquisition of Fix Auto Wigan. It's hoped the purchase will help bring Allied Vehicles headcount of employees to nearly 750 across the group. The move signals a programme of expansion for the Scottish repairer with owner Gerry Facenna stating the purchase was the first of several planned over the next three years. The sale includes the two main units that totals 17,500sq ft of bodyshop workspace and the additional 7,500 sq ft purpose-built bodyshop opened in March 2019 as the company’s dedicated smart repair centre that also houses its alloy wheel refurbishment facilities. Shortly after securing the sale Gerry, said: “These are certainly exciting times for the industry as a whole and for our business. After 30 years repairing cars in Glasgow where, I am extremely proud to say, we have built one of the largest bodyshops in Scotland, the time is now right to expand our business and explore other avenues." “Andy has run an extremely tight ship, the business is in a great place and is ideally placed for further investment and expansion. It really is a perfect acquisition.” Ian Pugh, Managing Director for Fix Auto UK, added: “We are so delighted Gerry and his team have stepped in and taken Fix Auto Wigan over and kept it firmly within the Fix Auto UK family. Anyone who knows his business will know it’s a colossal organisation with several world class divisions to it. Gerry’s decision to invest and expand his own repair footprint is truly exciting, not just for Fix Auto UK but for the industry as a whole.” Fix Auto Wigan has been bought from previous owner, Andy Sankey, who will continue the day-to-day running of the site, reporting directly into Fix Auto Glasgow North's General Manager, Ronnie Stewart. Said Andy: “I have dedicated a huge part of my life to the business and fulfilled my personal ambition of owning my own repair centre. But, the time is now right for me to spend more time with my family, especially my grandchildren. Thankfully, while I’m still going to be helping to manage the day-to-day running of the site, my arrangement with Gerry and Ronnie will hopefully give me that much needed time.” Andy concluded: “What has been absolute paramount to me has been to safeguard my team and to ensure the business remains part of the Fix Auto UK network. I know the business and each and everyone who works within it is in the safest of hands thanks to Gerry and his team. It really is a new chapter for Fix Auto Wigan.”

Working at height specialists from Arco Professional Safety Services abseiled down the lastminute.com London Eye with BBC Breakfast presenter John Maguire to give the iconic attraction a fresh coat of paint on the first day of spring. Positioned high above the capital, the Arco team worked at heights of 68m from the hub of the London Eye to help safely carry out the abseil and painting on live TV. The team had to utilise a range of work at height kit to ensure safe access and egress, including fall arrest lanyards, work positioning systems and personal suspension (abseil) equipment. The full paint refresh, which takes place every three years, requires around 5,000 litres to cover the entirety of the 135m high observation wheel - roughly the equivalent of painting 1,660 cars. Taking a team of eight painters working five nights a week for six months, this iconic London landmark requires a staggering 9,360 hours of painting maintenance to look its best. The Arco team consisted of Steve Dawson, work at height training manager, and Level 3 IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) training instructors Pete Hancock and Chris Fricker. Steve Dawson said: “The London Eye has been a great partner of ours for the past 20-25 years and it was a pleasure to work with the team on this event to showcase a British landmark and ensure it was carried out safely and securely." “This event showcases the truly bespoke offering that we are able to deliver at Arco and demonstrates the strength and breadth of expertise within our team.” Arco Professional Safety Services covers a complete range of safety solutions, including working at height, confined spaces and respiratory services visit here for more information.

More than 160 JCB employees will put their paddling skills to the test at the weekend for a charity event which is set to raise at least £20,000 for the company’s NSPCC Appeal. They are set to take to the waters of the lake at Trentham Gardens on Saturday in a fleet of nine dragon boats watched by hundreds of supporters. The fundraiser is the initiative of JCB employee Robert Canning, aged 34, of Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, who is also Chairman of Trentham Canoe Club. Seasoned paddler Robert said: “All the teams have had one practice session and even though the course is only 200 metres long, it is going to be a tremendous work out for everyone as well as lots of fun. One of the biggest challenges for everyone taking part will be ensuring they paddle in unison with one another and go in a straight line! Whatever happens, the weather is set fair, and we are really looking forward to a fantastic day.” Competitors will participate in two heats, with the fastest two teams going head-to-head to compete for the winner’s trophy at around 4pm. Among the nine crews bidding for glory will be a team of JCB Directors. Originating from the Far East, dragon boating involves single blade paddling in a boat of up to 18 paddlers including one who acts as a drummer to help the team maintain timing with the beat of a drum. In addition, each boat has a helmsman to help maintain a straight course. Money raised at the event will go towards JCB’s £2 million appeal to support the work of the NSPCC in Staffordshire. The appeal is the biggest fundraising drive in JCB’s history and will culminate in 2025 when the company celebrates its 80th anniversary – and 40 years of support for the UK’s leading children’s charity. The NSPCC helps to keep more than a million children safer through its work with schools, national helplines, and specialist centres such as Carole House in Newcastle-under-Lyme, which was named in honour of Carole Bamford. It was through Lady Bamford that the NSPCC originally became JCB’s nominated charity, with millions of pounds raised over the years.

St Austell Brewery has signed a new 10-year deal with fellow Westcountry drinks brand, Thatchers Cider. The two companies have been working in close partnership since 2002. As part of the new, long-term strategic deal, St Austell Brewery will stock Thatchers cider in its managed pubs, from the Isles of Scilly to Bath. Thatchers will also continue to be a key drinks partner for publicans across the company’s 122-strong leased and tenanted estate. As the South West’s leading wholesale drinks distributor, Thatchers brands are also widely available to St Austell Brewery’s 3,000+ free trade customers across the region. Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive, St Austell Brewery said: “We’re delighted be continuing our longstanding partnership with Thatchers by signing this new 10-year deal. It’s a fellow family-owned drinks company, which shares many of our values." “Working collaboratively with other businesses in our region, and building strong long-term relationships, is something which has always been important to us. It’s fantastic to continue supporting one another by growing Thatchers’ Westcountry distribution whilst bolstering our drinks portfolio and cider offer for pub guests and wholesale customers.” Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker, said: “Working in partnership with St Austell Brewery just makes sense; we share our values, roots and commitment to giving customers a great experience. This 10-year deal, which may seem short in comparison to the combined 292 years of family expertise our companies have, is a testament to our shared commitment to collaboration and sustainability. We look forward to raising a glass in a St Austell pub to celebrate!” Thatcher’s cider has been made on Myrtle Farm in Somerset since 1904. A family business just like St Austell Brewery, they’re on their fourth generation dedicated to its craft with a fifth already learning the craft. St Austell Brewery was founded by Walter Hicks in 1851. It remains an independent, family-owned business 172 years later. The company’s range of award-winning beers - including Tribute pale ale, Proper Job IPA and korev lager - are available in pubs and supermarkets nationwide. The business owns over 160 pubs, inns, and hotels across the West Country - including managed houses and leased and tenanted sites. It also operates two breweries, in St Austell and Warmley, near Bath.

There were more than 2500 visitors through the gates of a Meon Valley farm to meet its newest bundles of joy. Visitors flocked to Westlands Farm Shop for its lambing days - an annual four-day springtime event much-loved by families across Hampshire and beyond. Despite the muddy conditions, guests donned their wellies to greet and cuddle the newest additions to the Westlands flock of Romney sheep. The event provided a unique opportunity for children to witness farming in action and learn about the lambing season first-hand. There was also face-painting, a bouncy castle and a barbecue grill. Kayleigh Collett of Westlands Farm Shop said she was delighted to see another great turn-out for the lambing days. She added: “We had so many messages this year asking when our lambing days would be returning - it’s always been a really popular event and I was so pleased to see so many visitors once again this year." “Being aware of local agriculture and food production is so important for children. We like to use these days as an opportunity for learning and seeing farming first-hand.” One visitor said: “We had such a fantastic time at the lambing event and our children are already counting down the days until next year! It was so lovely to see them have such a close encounter with the lambs.” Westlands Farm Shop is based in the Meon Valley and offers a range of locally sourced groceries and gifts as well as its own butchery.

Chris Harris admitted it was the most “insane” two minutes of his life after getting a race win for his team…just seconds after jumping out of his van! The three-times British Champion was caught in a FOUR-HOUR traffic jam on the M6 as he travelled from his home in Rugby to Glasgow’s home circuit at Ashfield Stadium. He is scheduled to take part in the opening race for his Tigers team and roared into the stadium as the riders were almost ready for Heat 1 on Friday night. Harris, 41, jumped out the back of his van in his racesuit and helmet on, got on a borrowed bike and went straight onto the track. He then passed both opposition riders from the Edinburgh Monarchs to win a maximum race win with team-mate James Pearson! The video of his remarkable exploits has gone viral on social media with over ONE MILLION views. Harris, nicknamed ‘Bomber’, admitted: “I think that was the most insane two minutes of my life. Someone told me that when I crossed the finish line to get a 5-1 with James Pearson, I had only been in the stadium for 120 seconds!" “It had come after the most stressful afternoon of my life, that’s for sure. I left home at 10.30am but we got stuck on the motorway. Suddenly as time went on we realised time was running out. We did two miles in three hours on the M6. I had to be in Glasgow for 7.30pm at latest for the first race. The sat nav was then saying arrival in Glasgow for 8pm." “However we thankfully got clear of the traffic and the estimated time came down. I told the team boss Cami Brown and he said we’d try to go for it and get me in Heat 1. I got changed in the van, I was sitting in my racesuit and helmet ready for the last few miles!" “My team-mate Steve Worrall had his bike ready for me to jump on. We arrived just about 7.45pm, I got out the back of the van, on his machine, and then managed to get past the Edinburgh boys to join James for a 5-1." “To get a race win like that on a borrowed bike I’m not used to was quite special. I’d like to thank Steve for being so helpful. To be honest, it was a really horrible feeling. I was thinking I was going to let my team and fans down and miss the meeting. I hate being late as it is, I’d rather be five hours early. So I was just relieved in the end.” After all the drama, the meeting was eventually RAINED-OFF after six heats following a torrential downpour of rain. The result doesn’t stand and the meeting will need to be re-staged. So the remarkable race against time by Harris didn’t even count in the end! He added: “That was just typical I guess. Next time I might even leave home even earlier just in case!”