Exhibition Masterclass

On a surprisingly hot summers day in July, 500 eager business attendees gathered at the NEC for this year’s FacetimeUK Exhibition Masterclass. Now in its third year the packed day served up fun, informative and inspirational presentations and speakers, not forgetting some fantastic catering. With sessions including Rob Brown Networking Coach, Rachel Elnaugh ex Dragon and Red Letter Days Founder, and all things tech savvy it was a real opportunity to learn and engage with success stories and suppliers on how to take your exhibiting to the next step. The opportunity to reflect on your previous achievements and how you can implement even small changes to move forwards is priceless and something that should be applied to all aspects of business.

Now how would your business look if you applied this to your day to day operations and took a moment to literally think outside of the cardboard box?  Everyone is so busy and powering on full steam ahead to get the task in hand complete and finish the job in front of them, but if you took a moment to stop, reflect and review your packaging, what would you learn? How could you streamline your supply chain packaging to reduce costs, minimise waste and increase efficiency?

Working with PPS can help you implement all the opportunities you might be missing out on and even get you ahead of your competitors in this market. With our knowledge we can review your current supply chain practise and analyse how to move it forward with ReturnableTransit Packaging. PPS have been managing supply chain packaging for nearly 15 years and will tailor a solution to your business. Whether that be pallet pooling, complete supply chain management, roll cage rental or washing of your own crates, PPS have a solution to fit with your business.

To take the opportunity and speak to the PPS team call 01283 821 502. 

Andy treks China for charity

As you may be aware PPS’s Operations Director Andy Flynn will be taking a journey across to China with fellow volunteers to tackle the Great Wall of China. 

Training hard Andy has been preparing physically and mentally for what lies ahead in China. Whilst he is physically active being involved in the air cadets and taking part in numerous Duke of Edinburgh awards, preparation will be key. Walking in humid heats with no toilet facilities on the wall the hike will be no casual stroll.

However it is important to be aware of the reasons behind such a big excursion. Andy will be raising money for the Boparan Charitable Trust who support children with disabilities, life-limiting conditions or are in extreme poverty. Last month PPS Midlands had the pleasure of presenting Liam Hallet who suffers with autism, a specialist trike to help him keep active.

Liam has trouble speaking and with his movement due to autism, the specially designed trike will give him the opportunity to interact with other children and play outside as well as strengthening his limbs. 

The BoparanCharitable Trust provide such aid to children on a daily basis, this makes the gruelling trek along the Great Wall of China so important, to raise money to fund such aid. Andy will also be placing a commemorative brick on the wall in Liams name.

If you would like to sponsor Andy please visit his Just Giving page by clicking here.

Hygienic Swab Testing

Here at PPS one of our primary focuses is on the washing we provide to our customers. In this blog we give you an insight into the science behind us achieving the highest quality of washing standards for our food industry clients.

Alongside our state of the art industrial wash machines, we operate a swab system to keep track of our wash standards to ensure hygiene is always maximised. The most frequent swab tests that we carry out are ATP swabs, these are completed on site. Our BRC accreditation requires us to perform ATP Swab tests 4 times a shift however, we can swab test equipment more regularly at the request of a customer. These give an overall cleanliness rating for the washed equipment. The rating is measured in Relative Light Units (RLU’s,) a large proportion of the food industry manufacturers use these as on site tests also. We conduct external lab swab tests where we test for various bacterial hazards.

Should you require any information on washing please do not hesitate to call the sales team on 01283 821502.

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.

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. 

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.

Still using single trip packaging?

During our most recent exhibition at Meatup, one concerning fact became apparent. Whilst I stood watching the goings on of the show I couldn’t help but  notice the vast amount of polystyrene boxes transporting meat in and out of the competition area. After thinking that companies are moving away from single trip packaging and being more conscious of the environment, we were surprised that there is still a vast amount of polystyrene being used in industries.

photo by hakanforss.worldpress.com

Single trip packaging is not only a costly option to supply your products to your customers, it is also                                                      having a huge impact on the environment.

Making the change to returnable packaging can benefit your business and also your pocket, 95% of PPS customers said it was very simple and experienced savings. Alongside the cost savings experienced by switching to RTP there is the added impact of creating a greener supply chain.

At PPS we offer a wide range of products to suit your business needs with various bale arm crates, plastic crates, boxes and plastic pallets to suit your supply chain needs.

Please call 01283 821502 to find out how we can help your packaging needs.

Hannah Swinson- Sales Advisor

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.

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

For the love of cake

Here at PPS there is a definite love for cake, and even more so for our Sales Administrator Lucy Allsebrook.

At PPS Lucy is based within the sales team providing customers with a variety of returnable transit packaging options and assisting you with any queries regarding sales, crate rentals, washing and repairs, on hand to advise you the best equipment solutions.

Having made all the delicious cakes for our Macmillan coffee morning helping to raise over £150, Lucy also spends evenings and weekends preparing bespoke cupcakes, celebration cakes and wedding cakes.

As a registered home baker all cakes are designed to order for events such as birthdays, christenings and Christmas.

The PPS pool trays are an ideal alternative to cardboard for transporting the cakes.

Is Tray Washing a dirty subject?

Tray Washing at PPS

At PPS it’s not – it’s what we do every day!

We wash thousands of supermarket style bale arm trays 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

We do this because our customers don’t want the hassle of washing their own trays, that’s our problem and a problem solved for our customers, leaving them to get on with their core business.

We take tray washing seriously and we have exacting hygiene and quality systems.

These systems have enabled us to be certificated to BRC standard, which is recognised widely across the food supply chain.

So, if you have a tray washing problem don’t delay – contact PPS and let it be our problem.