Don't Get Tangled By Tinsel

Does the thought of opening your old Christmas decoration box next year fill you with dread? Do you have nightmares about tangled tinsel and fairy lights? If your organisation has spent valuable money on creating Christmas spirit in the workplace, be sure to organise your decorations into reusable plastic crates to keep them protected from the elements.

Plastic crates from PPS are strong, weather proof and stack securely when full which also makes for safer handling. It’s easy to stick to the usual routine of stuffing it all back into the same old box, but just imagine the headache you’ll save yourself next December if you get it prepared now.

 Call our head office on 01283 821 502 to purchase your Christmas crates.  

Movers and Storers Show 2014

Having returned from this year’s Movers and Storers show it is clear to see why it is becoming such a huge part of the removals and storage industry. For anyone in the business this was the place to be and an ideal opportunity for PPS Crate Hire to showcase its services.

The event organisers, Amino Events, did a wonderful job of creating a buzz around the show before the doors even opened. The waves through social media certainly ensured that visitors were up to date with all the latest competitions and news while highlighting the range of products and services that would be on offer.

Our stand was in a fantastic location, greeting visitors through to the centre of the exhibitors hall. With our eye catching coloured crates and show boards it wasn’t long until we were discussing our services with many new faces. Never ones to let our visitors leave empty handed we had pick n mix bags in our PPS mugs, and the opportunity to win our PPS Crate Hire Hamper show prize. Congratulation to Lisa Bell from Bell & Sons Removals and Storage on winning this prize.

It was an excellent opportunity to catch up with our existing customers also, and support those entering the show competitions.

We’re already looking forward to next years event! 

Meet the Team- Claire Bourke

Name: Claire Bourke.

When did you join PPS? 1^st September 2014.

What was your first ever job? Waitress.

What is your favourite food? Chocolate hobnobs.

What are your hobbies? Going to the gym and reading.

PPS Welcomes New Members to the Team

In recent years the market for Returnable Transit Packaging (RTP) has grown considerably as the financial and environmental benefits become apparent. As a result PPS, an experienced provider of RTP services, has experienced continued growth. To accommodate this growth PPS has relocated their head office to much larger more modern premises in Marchington, Uttoxeter.  

Since the move in June PPS have appointed two new members of staff to work in the offices.  Karen Bradbury has joined the operation team as the Operations Assistant. She will be largely working on our full service customer accounts and using our online asset tracking system, Enable. The management of equipment is of upmost importance when using returnable equipment and the Enable system prevents losses.

Claire Bourke is the newest member of the accounts department where she will be working as the Accounts Assistant. Claire will be liaising with customers and suppliers on a regular basis.

PPS Managing Director David Peggie commented ‘We are delighted to welcome both Karen and Claire to our growing team. This is an exciting time for PPS as we grow to meet our customers increasing demand for RTP services.

At PPS we supply Returnable Transit Packaging solutions to the food, automotive, retail and removals industry. The services that we provide include the rental, management, repair and washing of plastic boxes, crates and pallets. 

We have expanded our team to continue to offer our customers with the excellent customer service that they expect from PPS.’

When Sales Met Ops

Normally your first port of call when contacting PPS with sales enquiries, Lucy recently switched roles and spent time working in our operations team over the summer to help assist with the day to day reporting while the team continues to grow since our move to Marchington.

With our warehouse operating 24/7 and thousands of equipment movements each week, it is essential that the day to day tasks are up to date on Enable, stock sheets and wash reports.

“It was an ideal opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the business and the varied aspects involved in running the warehouse operationally. Having been using Enable for over 4 weeks, you appreciate how essential this system is for our business and see ways in which other customers could benefit from using it.

Whilst it was a great experience I am now looking forward to getting back into the sales vibe, catching up with customers and seeing many more as we start to look ahead to upcoming events, exhibitions and the New Year.” 

Meet the Team- Lucy Allsebrook

Name: Lucy Allsebrook

When did you join PPS? May 2013

What is your role at PPS? Sales Administrator

What was your first ever job? First Saturday job was a waitress. First full time job was lettings assistant.

How do you take your tea? No sugar, milk, couple of squeezes of the tea bag.

What is your favourite food? Cake and curry- maybe there’s an experiment in that.

What are your hobbies? I love socialising with friends and family over some good food and wine, running, baking and long walks with the dog. 

PPS in Marchington

Last weekend saw the move of our PPS Midlands site relocate from Measham in Leicestershire to Marchington in Staffordshire. The move has more than doubled our capacity enabling us to increase our services to existing customers and welcome many more new ones on board.

Our Operations Director has spent month’s onsite with our construction team from Skubala Ltd who have converted the empty space into a fully functioning wash plant, office space and repairs unit with a brand new gas supply, wash machines, loading docks, security barriers, lighting, extractor fans and much more. They have ensured all structures and functions are in place for it to be a successful setup for PPS.

A large part of our move was warehouse based but we still had the challenge of moving an operational office. Having our own crates and handling equipment on hand was a huge benefit so we could pack as and when and select the correct size crate for the application. The plastic crates proved ideal with their durability as nothing was damaged, they stacked perfectly in storage and transport and were easy to nest and store away once emptied.

We owe a huge thank you to Britannia Premier in Burton on Trent whose team made our move as smooth as possible and even worked on a Saturday.

Here’s to the next chapter of Returnable Transit Packaging with PPS. 

BAR Annual Conference- Glasgow

A fantastic few days was had by all in Glasgow for this year’s annual conference for the British Association of Removers. Held at the Marriott Hotel, it was a fantastic occasion to network with the whole industry with people having travelled from all over the world. A variety of business sessions were provided with many influential speakers, social activities and all finished off with a grand gala dinner and awards night.

Joanne Moss, Sales and Marketing Director reported “It was an excellent opportunity to get together with a variety of people who all work in the removals industry. We were able to discuss industry trends and make many new contacts, as well as show off our golf skills on the indoor simulator. Well done to BAR for another outstanding events and a huge congratulations to all the award winners.”

Meet the Team- Joanne Moss

Name: Joanne Moss.

When did you join PPS? April 2010.

  

What is your role at PPS? Sales and Marketing Director.

What was your first ever job? I was an internet shopper at Sainsbury’s.

How do you take your tea? Very milky, no sugar.

  

What is your favourite food? I love curry and most cheeses!

  

What are your hobbies? I enjoy going to the gym, reading and going to the theatre.

How PPS became animated

PPS provide a vital service to the food industry through returnable packaging. As the largest event in the UK for processing and packaging in this sector was fast approaching we thought it only to appropriate that we started to think outside of the box in order to give everyone a full understanding of The Complete Package and the services we offer.

Visuals are key in drawing attention to a subject, and a video enables you to create an impact beyond an individual element. We wanted something that told story in a way a single image never could and demonstrate the products and services we have available.

We worked closely with Make It Media, a local video production company who specialise in corporate videos for marketing and internal communications. From the word go they understood exactly what we were wanting to create, and their expert advice and organisation soon pulled together all elements of the animation from images to voice over to sub titles. The PPS animation was born!

We now have complete flexibility to show the video at exhibitions and in house. One of the main advantages is the immediate distribution through social media to our target market via twitter, Facebook and Google+. It demonstrates to our audience the PPS service in one short piece.

Could PPS improve your supply chain sustainability?

PPS are specialists in the world of Returnable Transit Packaging (RTP) and have many years experience in the field.

Our expertise ensures we are able to work closely with you to develop and implement a sustainable supply chain strategy to fit your company requirements, whilst also working towards waste legislation targets.

It is important across all sectors to review the sustainability of your supply chain in order to consider the key issues of economic growth, social impacts and environmental protection.

New developments through RTP is an important drive towards sustainability.

We are continually noticing increases in companies wanting to move away from single trip packaging such as cardboard boxes and polystyrene, to consider their RTP options through bale-arm crates, tote boxes, pallet boxes and other equipment.

The use of RTP will reduce your carbon emissions through lessening the disposal of packaging and transport with maximised design for storage on vehicles.

With the benefits of full service management and tracking systems, PPS are able to deliver an efficient supply chain while maximising your opportunities for sustainability.
 

Meet the Team- Andy Flynn

Name: 

Andy Flynn.

When did you join PPS? 

October 2003.

  

What is your role at PPS? 

Operations & Logistics Director.

  

What was your first ever job? 

Trainee Manager in a Fuel Oil Distribution Company.

  

How do you take your tea? 

In a mug!

  

What is your favourite food? 

Roast Lamb and Chinese.

  

What are your hobbies? 

Sqn Ldr in RAFVR(T) working with Royal Air Force Air Cadets,  Duke Of Edinburgh Award Scheme Manager for Central & East Region & Season Ticket Holder at Leicester Tigers RFU.

Meet the team- Lisa Stephenson

Lisa Stephenson - PPS

Name?
Lisa Stephenson.

When did you join PPS?
1st July 2013.

What is your role at PPS?
Accounts Administrator.

What was your first ever job?
Dish Washer at a local hotel.

How do you take your tea?
With milk.

What is your favourite food?
Croissants.

What are your hobbies?
Reading and going to the cinema.

Taking the stress out of Foodex.

The food industry is one of our biggest markets through poultry, meat, fresh fruit and bakery, and Foodex 2014 was a fantastic visual event for PPS to showcase The Complete Package and Returnable Transit Packaging options. With the launch of our new animated video, show banner and merchandise it certainly gave us the right elements to highlight the range of services available.

Our merchandise was on hand to demonstrate just how our PPS pool trays are used in line with our hygienic plastic pallets. Stacked and filled with PPS stress apples and chickens, they soon became a hit and were popping up all over the exhibition.

Have you got a chicken on your desk?

Meet the Team - Paul Mountney

Name:
Paul Mountney

When did you join PPS?
A very snowy day early in January 2010

What is your role at PPS?
Project Manager

What was your first ever job?
Paper round

How do you take your tea?
Often & strong

What is your favourite food?
Cake

What are your hobbies?
Getting out & about, racquetball and being a “roady” for my wife who plays Alto & Tenor Sax plus Clarinet for two orchestras and a swing band.

PPS Exhibits at Foodex 2014!

PPS are pleased to be exhibiting again at Foodex 2014 between 24th and 26th March at the NEC in Birmingham on stand K349.

This will be the second time that PPS Midlands and East are there to promote the benefits of Returnable Transit Packaging through The Complete Package and additional services including rental, management, washing, purchasing and repairs.

PPS will aim to highlight the environmental and cost saving benefits of RTP.

With two state of the art wash facilities accredited to BRC standards in storage and distribution, PPS are already involved heavily in the food industry through manufacturers, suppliers and end users supporting sectors such as poultry, meat, fish and bakery.

Joanne Moss, Sales and Marketing Director has reported 'We exhibited at the last show in 2012 and found that it provided us with an excellent platform to display our RTP services to the food industry. We are looking forward to meeting new and current customers at this year show.'

PPS Crate Hire Sponsors BAR North West AGM

Thursday 22nd January saw the night of the British Association of Removers North West area AGM.

PPS Crate Hire were honoured to sponsor the event which was held at Knutsford Golf Club.

The night included a three course meal and drinks followed by committee reports and guest speakers. Stephen Vickers (Director General of the British Association of Removers) provided an informative presentation on the introduction of the Primary Authority partnership with Hertfordshire Trading Standards, giving the removal companies the benefit of new and enhanced terms and conditions.

This is a huge benefit to members and a fantastic marketing tool. Joanne Moss reported “Lucy and I were pleased to be able to represent PPS Crate Hire at the event and would like to thank Annette Harris (Area Secretary) for arranging a successful evening and securing such a great turnout.

Having already established a hub in Manchester it is important for PPS to develop relationships within the region and expand the already prosperous service that we provide to the removals industry.

We look forward to meeting many new faces at future BAR events.”

Meet the Team - Helen Adams

Name:
Helen Adams

When did you join PPS?
3rd June 2013

What is your role at PPS?
Operations Assistant – I input the incoming deliveries of dirty equipment onto the Enable system so that we can track what equipment we have had in. As well as what has come into us, I keep an up to date record of what has left us by updating stock sheets. I help to resolve any problems by adjusting equipment stock for customers and looking into statement and discrepancy queries. I also send out the monthly statements to customer so they can keep an up-to date record and so that they can let us know if their records show different to ours. In addition to this, I support Andy Flynn with any other work that he needs me to do.

What was your first ever job?
Waitress

How do you take your tea?
Milk, half a sugar

What is your favourite food?
Mexican What are your hobbies? Running, swimming, cooking/baking, socialising with friends and family