News

Employment Status

The so-called ‘gig economy,’ where individuals are engaged by businesses on an ad hoc basis, has brought the issue of employment status back into the spotlight and readers may be aware of the recent decision to hit the headlines regarding Pimlico Plumbers.

Questions about employment status often arise in relation to those working on a freelance basis within the plumbing industry. In this article, Louise Walker, Senior Solicitor at Just Employment Law, explains the different types of employment status and the importance for businesses of getting this right

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Plumb Center consolidates PVF brand to offer lower prices

Plumb Parts and Drain Center has enhanced its exclusive range of Center Brand copper fittings and moved to offer customers a competitively priced range as well as simplify the ordering process in branches.

The change comes as part of a wider initiative to provide customers with even more choice by expanding all of its exclusive own brands including Nabis, Saracen and Swan.

Plumb Center has invested in clearer merchandising for their fittings range which promises for an easier transaction. This includes fast track ordering pads which merely require the customer to tick boxes, counter mats which provide added clarity on pricing and range, and a take-away guide for the van.

Superior apprentices run The Extra Mile for Julia’s House

Superior, a leading manufacturer based in Dorset, hosted its own ‘Apprentice Extra Mile Marathon’ on Saturday March 18 to raise funds for Julia’s House.

This year Superior is sponsoring The Extra Mile, a new fundraising concept for Julia’s House. As part of its sponsorship, the manufacturing company marked out a mile circuit in the factory car park, encouraging apprentices to take part in the run. The apprentices launched the event by raising money and completing their own Extra Mile Marathon.

13 Superior apprentices, aged 16 to 24, completed the marathon in a relay style, dressed in colourful headbands, leg warmers and tutus. The apprentices raised more than £1,000 with the ‘Apprentice Extra Mile Marathon’ for Julia’s House.

Hopping To Hygiene Excellence

The Redring Instant Electric Hot Water Tap has again proved itself as a vital solution for an unusual application. The innovative tap has been installed in the brewhouse at Stoney Ford Brewery to ensure the business meets environmental health regulations.

Located in Stamford, Lincolnshire, Stoney Ford is a small batch brewery that specialises in craft ale and serves local pubs within a 20-mile radius of its headquarters. Tim Nicol, joint owner of Stoney Ford Brew Co Ltd commented on the difference the Redring installation made to the company’s operation:

Whirlpool Dishwasher Wins Waterwise Award

Whirlpool has won a UK Water Efficiency Product Award at the recent Waterwise Awards 2017.

The Waterwise UK Water Efficiency Product Awards recognises products and technology that contribute to water efficiency that benefit the economy, society and environment. The esteemed, expert judges considered the extent to which the nominated appliance demonstrated noteworthy achievements such as water savings and changes to water-related attitudes and behaviours.

Building a Better Business with our Expertise

Are you looking for a new and more efficient way to manage your company’s accounts? At Together We Count we understand how difficult and time consuming it is to run your business day after day. Every successful business needs expert financial knowledge in order to grow and avoid the potential pitfalls that comes with managing your own company. So have you considered hiring an accountant to assist your business and allow you to take back control of the day to day running of your company?

Student plumber wins Plumb Center bath full of tools

A budding plumber on the search for an apprenticeship has been crowned the champion of Plumb Center’s recent #FillANabis competition.
Richard Stone, from Cardiff, was recently awarded a Nabis bathroom suite full of £1,000 worth of Rothenberger tools at his local Plumb Center Showroom.

The light-hearted #FillANabis competition was launched in February to celebrate the launch of eight new brassware and four new sanitaryware ranges to Plumb Center’s exclusive Nabis bathroom brand. The merchant asked plumbers and installers on Twitter what they'd fill a Nabis bath with for their chance to win it.

Richard Stone from Cardiff tweeted, “@plumbcenterUK I'm a plumbing student looking for an apprenticeship so I'd #FillANabis with all the tools I would need for the job.”

Pumps Mean Points For Installers

SALAMANDER Pumps is promoting its latest incentive scheme which rewards installers who choose pumps from its wide range of brass, shower-specific whole-house and mains boosting pumps.

The loyalty scheme is part of Salamander’s long term commitment to developing a two-way partnership between itself and installers, which includes training, support and a technical advice helpline.

It forms part of Salamander’s ‘Added Benefits’ campaign, which launched in January and is designed to cement its position as the ‘plumber’s partner’ and a manufacturer which listens to feedback and puts the installer at the heart of everything it does.

Superior announces its Apprentice of the Year at exclusive local business event during National Apprenticeship Week

Superior, a leading manufacturer of high integrity o-rings and seals, awarded 21 year old Ashleigh Phillips as its Apprentice of the Year, at an exclusive event on Wednesday March 8 at its headquarters in Ferndown.

The free event ‘Everything You Wanted To Know About Apprenticeships But Were Afraid To Ask’ took place at Superior to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (Monday March 6 – Friday March 10). It was attended by a variety of local Dorset employers, including Elite Marine Solutions and Whitefox Chartered Surveyors, showcasing how apprentices can benefit and add value to a business.

New Training Manager Takes The Reins At Salamander

Salamander Pumps has appointed a new training manager. With 13 years as a qualified plumber under his belt the new manager is well placed to help further develop Salamander’s UK-wide training framework for installers, merchants, support staff and college students.

Ken Vance joined Salamander in 2010 on the technical help desk, and has worked towards completing a two-year HNC in Manufacturing Engineering at the same time.

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