2015 in pictures

As 2015 now draws to a close it is time to look back on the year here at PPS. It has been an eventful 2015, we began the year settled into our premises here at Marchington. 

With new members of the PPS team starting throughout the year, our sales team grew in April with Hannah joining as Sales Advisor, handling enquiries and quotes along with social media and marketing aspects. After a busy Easter period the spring drew to a close and we welcomed summer with open arms, the accounts department greeted Diane to their team as Accounts Administrator to handle invoicing and credit control.

Into summer the temperature are really started to hot up as we prepared for the Meat Up exhibition held at Stoneleigh park, it happened to fall on the hottest few days of the year. An event for the whole meat industry to come together to see the latest innovations and technology alongside competitions.  

During August Charlotte was introduced to the Operations department working alongside Andy Moss our Operations Manager in running the day to day logistics of deliveries and collections, booking in drivers and handling stock control from our 24/7 wash site. We also redesign our lorry curtains which are part of the Jeffreys Haulage fleet.

As the summer drew to a close we were thrilled to announce the news of PPS acquiring Alison Handling Services, an exciting venture increasing the services of the PPS group. Alison Handling stocks 1000’s of plastic products suitable for a multitude of industries from bakery trays to pallet boxes to plastic dollys, all available on a next day delivery.

In September PPS attended the Movers and Storers show, a key exhibition in the Removals Industry held at Silverstone racetrack. The show was held over two days and consisted of keynote seminars held in the learning zone. Another successful event enjoying the company of both new and current customers. We also had the pleasure of staying in a Snoozebox, a 40ft container made into four bedrooms perfect for short stays.

September was a huge month for our Grimsby operation with the move to our new warehouse facility, almost tripling the size of our wash site. To celebrate, our open day was held to coincide with the World Seafood Congress of which we had the pleasure of welcoming Pete Ward, CEO of Youngs to cut the ribbon.

After introducing our Re-Fresh box to the fish industry in May at the Seafood Expo in Brussels, it was then released for purchase, rental and wash to industries including food, automotive and pharmaceutical. A brand new machine was also installed design to specifically wash the new box and lid to BRC standards.  

With an increased focus on waste throughout 2015, it is sure to continue to receive strong focus into 2016. Our MD Joanne Moss spoke with Food Manufacture to discuss returnable transit packaging in the food industry, inevitably reducing waste in the supply chain. Click here to read the article.

We wish all of our customers a very happy Christmas and look forward to welcoming many more of you on board during 2016.

Do you use Instagram? Follow us via @PPSMIDLANDS for our images throughout 2016.

Grimsby factory tours in pictures- The Wash Site

Since our expansion to a larger site, we give you this opportunity to visit the premises via a virtual tour around the factory in our latest series of blogs.

 We wash around 50,000 trays and boxes used by seafood processing factories and fish suppliers for transporting fresh fish. Our boxes are also used for fish being sold on Grimsby fish auction market each week.

We also wash plastic pallets, bulk bins & tubs, fish smoking racks, freezing spacers and sometimes filters from smoking kilns along with our new ReFresh box which has its own specialist BRC washing machine.

It’s not just fish, Grimsby also wash equipment for the food industry.

Despite the high numbers of crates washed, PPS pride ourselves on the highest standard of hygiene using our BRC accredited wash plant.

Dirty crates are swiftly dispensed on to the machine belt with a box being washed through our machine every 30 seconds.

Once cleaned they are removed and stacked.

To protect the crates from being soiled in transport, they are placed on to a pallet wrapper, ready for dispatch.

Once wrapped the stack is barcoded ready for collection.

Have you got dirty crates, trays, boxes, totes, pallets or Dolavs? We'd love to have them in for a wash- call us on 01283 821 502 to organise your trial.

Grimsby factory tours in pictures- The Office

Delve into our PPS office on this factory tour.

As you enter the Grimsby office via our reception area, here you find our BRC certificate proudly displayed along with a range of artwork. The artwork on display demonstrates our warehouse facilities and reusable plastic packaging, this is also where visitors can signed in. The visitor hatch is also located in our reception area where you will be met by Paul Durrant our Operations Manager.

Moving on inside the office you will be greeted by the operations team. They are the first port of call for visitors. Operations is easily accessible from reception making it ideal for handling equipment movement.

The office is set out as an open plan environment making it easy for the team to work together efficiently, whist having their own space to work on their individual tasks.

Moving around the office, finance is located to one end of the room making it more practical to deal with confidential matters.

The last area is sales and marketing, here the team handle pooling, washing and fish box sales along with social media and other aspects of the business.

Our break out areas include an office room with desks for private working and meeting room. 

Caption Our Goldfish

To celebrate the release our our new Re-Fresh box and the run up to Christmas, we are giving you the chance to win a Christmas gift box. All you need to do is enter the "Caption Our Goldfish" competition. You can enter by emailing enquiries@ppsequipment or via twitter. Entries must be received by Thursday 17th December. Terms and conditions apply. Good luck!

Terms and conditions

1.     Entrants to the competition shall be deemed to have accepted the following terms and conditions.

2.     One entry per person.

3.     Entries via twitter must include a PPS twitter handle

·        @PPSEast

·        @PPSMidlands

·        @PPSCrates

4.     By submitting an entry you are giving PPS permission to publish your caption.

5.     The competition will close on Thursday 17^th December at 12:00.

6.     PPS will announce a winner by Friday 18^th December at 17:00.

7.     When selecting a winner the judges will consider the most original, witty, funny and surprising caption.

8.     The judges decision is final.

9.     The prize given will reflect the contents of the caption photo but may not include the exact items. 

Bright Star Ball

PPS were delighted to attend the 4^th annual Bright Star Ball on Saturday 7^th November in support of the Boparan Charitable Trust. The glamorous event was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London featuring a star studded itinerary. 

Guests were treated to a champagne reception followed by a top class three course meal, all before a line-up of top performers including Jack Carroll, Sam Bailey and Tom Jones. Presenter duties for the evening were courtesy of Jack Whitehall, successful comedian and actor and last seen as the face of ITV’s rugby world cup adverts.

The charity has held a number of fund raising events throughout the year and the ball was no exception. Johnnie Gould, the UK’s number one auctioneer took responsibility for running a successful auction on the night. The lots included a South African Surprise, Golfers Delight, Meet and Greet with Amir Khan and an Equipment Pledge which gave the gift of mobility to those in need.

The team at PPS had a great evening and would like to wish everyone involved in next years charity challenges the best of luck, including our very own Operations Director taking on the Great Wall of China. 

Hannah talks Movers and Storers Show, and those Snoozeboxes!

On Monday 14^th September both Lucy and I were on route to the Movers and Storers Show. After hearing so many fantastic things regarding the show from the previous years I was glad to be seeing what all the fuss was about.

We set up our stand and checked into our Snoozebox hotel, this a small and ultramodern design to transform your over night stay. The overall concept of the Snoozebox started life as a 40ft container split into four contemporary pods, sleeping 3 people in just a 10ft x 10ft space. Cosy you may say, comprising of a double bed with a single bunk above and ensuite shower room. The design is innovative and provides a cost- effective solution for temporary accommodation.

The Movers and Storers Show is always the perfect opportunity for PPS Crate Hire to showcase it's rental services. Show organisers Amino events did a fantastic job creating a vibe with social media before and throughout the event and developed a successful learning zone and competitions.

Overall we received a vast amount of interest and held a great stand location. It was fantastic to meet so many knowledgeable people from industry and I am already looking forward to attending next year’s event. Hannah Swinson, Sales Advisor, PPS Crate Hire.

The perfect day for a round of golf.

The belfry Golf Club was the venue to hold this year’s Boparan charity golf day organised by Two Sisters Food Group. Thirteen teams were privileged to play on the fairways of the award winning Brabazon course. 

PPS were thrilled to sponsor the event and provide a team for the golf challenge. Jeremy Tutt Finance Director, with Paul Durrant Operations Manager attended with newly acquired Alison Handling Services Director Ray Hawley and previous Managing Director Tony Deardon. Joanne Moss (Managing Director) and Andy Flynn (Operations Director) joined for the evening celebrations.

The event consisted of a day’s golf at the Belfry, followed by an evening’s entertainment by the legend that is Tony Christie who performed 5 of his hits.

Finance Director Jeremy boasted to be the only person to putt the ball in to 10^th hole.

Managing Director Joanne Moss who attended the evening’s reception said ‘The evening was a well-planned event with great entertainment but most of all raising money for a great cause.’

We thank Two Sisters Food Group for inviting us to the event. We are already looking for next year’s fundraiser. 

Meet the Team- Charlotte Harrison

Name: 

Charlotte Harrison

When did you join PPS? 

3^rd of August 2015

What was your first ever job? 

I worked part time at a local garden centre whilst studying for my A levels. I then went into banking and worked at Barclays Bank.

How do you take your tea? 

Strong with a little bit of milk, no sugar!

What is your favourite food? 

Anything Italian.

What are your hobbies? 

Anything that involves being outside! I also enjoy shopping and socialising with friends. 

On the move with our own crates

The end of July saw our PPS East branch pack up and move over the road to a new warehouse facility boasting over 70,000 sq. ft. of internal space. The move from the existing 20,000 sq. ft. unit will enable the group continued growth and service the ever increasing demand in Returnable Transit Packaging. You might think it would have been an easy job as we have only moved over the road, but moving an operational wash facility and office comes with its challenges.

 Our operations team have spent months on site with contractors refurbishing what was an unused warehouse space into an environment that could be used for hygienically washing plastic food and fish crates to a BRC standard. Contractors worked tirelessly including over weekends to ensure we experienced as little down time as possible, this can always be tricky when you are operating 24/7.

Being a provider of reusable plastic crates to the removals industry has great benefits when you are moving yourself. With PPS2 standard crates being used for personal desk items, PPS3 metre crates for filling system and C2 IT crates for computers and accessories, it’s safe to say the move went to plan.

We look forward to welcoming customers and suppliers to our open event on Wednesday 9^th September to raise a glass to our new chapter. 

Lucy talks soiled crates and seasonal demands.

Each week we help a variety of customers when it comes to washing their crates during busy seasonal periods, prime at the moment is fresh produce. Food producers have spent so much time nurturing their goods, and putting it into dirty containers could lead to contamination and spoiling.

Fresh produce crates often arrive in various states of soiling with anything from dried tomato seeds, blood, dirt and fats. The boxes are then washed to high food industry standards, did you know we are approved by the BRC in storage and distribution? To ensure both parties are happy with the equipment washing we will run a small trial on the crates, we’re sure you’ll be impressed!

Minimal downtime is also key to ensure you have the equipment back on site to use, maximising your production. Operating a 24/7 warehouse we are able to schedule your washing and work closely with you to cause little disruption to your supply chain.

  

With the facilities we have in place we can offer washing on a variety of products from bale arm crates, bread trays, confectionery trays, tote boxes and collapsible crates, and with label removal and drying on offer it’s all catered for.

Year after year we see more companies building greener supply chains and food manufacturers love returnable packaging because it keeps food fresh and it can be reused. PPS provides the quality services your RTP needs to keep it in tip top condition. To arrange your wash trial you can contact me on 01283 821 502. 

Colour Obstacle Rush

PPS Marchington is located minutes away from the town of Uttoxeter which provides ideal transport links to major motorway connections for us to despatch returnable packaging thoughout the UK. Saturday 4^th July saw the idyllic area host an event that is taking the world by storm. The Colour Obstacle Rush was originally founded in Finland in 2014 and has toured Finland, Germany, UK and USA in 2015, pit stopping at Uttoxeter Race Course. Combining a powdered colour run and obstacles sounded like a great afternoon out for the sales team at PPS. 

With our clean white colour rush t-shirts and sunglasses on, all that stood in front of us was a distance of 5k, 10 inflatable obstacles and 9 colour stations. With the sun shining we were soon through the foam pit, over the hurdles and climbing the finishing tower before sliding into one final pool of paint powder.

It was a great to support the local areas activities, and having showered and cleaned out all the paint from our hair we are back in the office for a new week of washing, repairing, renting and selling.

If you are looking to build a greener supply chain, contact the PPS office on 01283 821 502.