LINPAC ‘supplier of the year’ in first SOCIUS NETWORK award

THE St Helens based LINPAC Packaging has been given the Supplier of the Year Award by the SOCIUS Network in the association’s first ever award event.

The accolade was decided by the members of The SOCIUS Network, an association of independent non-food distributors in the catering sector, who voted for their favourite suppliers across a range of criteria including communication, product quality, customer service, account management and strategic commitment.

LINPAC Packaging beat off 49 other suppliers, coming out ahead of Disposables UK in second place and Wrapfilm Systems in third.

This latest accolade follows an award-winning year for LINPAC Packaging picking up the European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations (EPRO) title, and the Wakefield First Business Awards ‘People make Performance’ trophy.

Linda Smith, Key Account Manager at LINPAC Packaging, said:- “As this award covers so many aspects of our business it demonstrates the team commitment of everyone here to give the best service possible This will inspire us to work harder to ensure the products and customer service we provide are even better. We were extremely proud to be the first winner of this award, it means a great deal to everyone, from the production staff to our customer service team and our account managers, who have all worked hard to deliver to SOCIUS’ members.”

Commenting on their decision, Mike Revell, Managing Director of the SOCIUS Network said:- “Although LINPAC Packaging were clear winners this year, the award as a whole highlights we have high standards in the UK non-food catering sector. I hope the award will inspire other suppliers to improve the way they do business with our members, driving up the quality of products, improving customer service and enhancing account management. I’m sure LINPAC will have to build upon the high standards set this year if they want to impress our members again next year.”

The SOCIUS Network is an association of well respected and established Independent Distributors covering all of the UK who seek to promote the benefits of purchasing goods and services together.

Merseyside businesses prescribed recession hangover tonic

IT’S official! The recession is over, but many Merseyside businesses are still feeling the hangover.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) North West is prescribing a recession hangover remedy for businesses still feeling the pain, or those seeking to put their profits and performance in better health.

“The MAS medicine is a proven tonic that has brought a total £739 million return to the region’s manufacturing businesses over the past eight years. We offer free and subsidised support to small and medium sized manufacturing companies that can make a big difference to bottom line performance.” said Paul Fewtrell, Head of MAS North West.

MAS, which is delivered in the region by The Manufacturing Institute, is urging businesses to take advantage of a free on-site manufacturing review, available to companies with fewer than 250 employees.

This is designed around individual company needs and can identify areas for improvement that offer immediate cost savings and productivity improvements, or could be used to address innovation or supply chain issues.

The service is delivered by experienced manufacturing practitioners with years of achievement in industry who can provide a fresh perspective and a valuable second opinion.

Added Paul Fewtrell:- “As businesses start the long road to recovery, maintaining cashflow is critical. Money that is often tied up in excess stock and slow production can be released within a few weeks, generating significant cash benefit. Removing waste processes will also free up capacity and enable businesses to redeploy staff to more valuable activity such as product development or supplier management. This will also reduce lead times, which means customers get quicker delivery of completed products and the manufacturer gets paid faster. But businesses must now also look forward and address how they can perform better in the long term – looking strategically at opportunities to focus on sustainable activities that lead to stability and growth.”

To book a free MAS manufacturing review visit log on to:- www.mas-nw.co.uk.

A TRAVELWISE WAY TO GET FIT

PEOPLE across Merseyside can get fit and save money - without spending precious time and money at the gym - thanks to a new TravelWise scheme offering all residents free cycle skills training and bike maintenance courses.  Both initiatives are being launched this week and are open to everyone in Merseyside, from school pupils to grandparents. The cycle skills sessions are the perfect way to learn to ride a bike for the first time or improve your confidence and on-road cycling skills. Both one-to-one and group sessions are available throughout Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, Wirral and St Helens and can be tailored to suit all needs and abilities.

Bike maintenance courses are also available, offering the perfect opportunity to learn more about your bike, whatever your level of expertise. There are two levels of training; “Basic” to find out how to fix punctures, adjust brakes and gears and generally ensure your bike stays in full working order and “Intermediate”, covering more complex repairs and adjustments.

Jane Moore, TravelWise Co-ordinator, hopes the scheme will encourage more people in Merseyside to cycle more often. She said:- “I regularly meet people who would like to cycle more but feel they’d like to gain more confidence first, there are also people who have just never learned how to ride a bike and there are those who simply want to learn more about how to keep their bikes roadworthy. Cycle training and maintenance sessions are designed to address all of these points. I would urge anyone interested in taking part to contact us as soon as possible, as places are limited. I think people will be surprised just how easy it can be to discover their inner cyclist!”

The scheme forms part of the Merseyside Transport Partnership, which aims to create a cleaner, greener and healthier region by reducing congestion and increasing cycling, walking and public transport usage.

A range of TravelWise cycle maps for Merseyside, which highlight quick and easy cycling routes around each Merseyside district, are also available free of charge.

For more information, course dates and to book a place, ring Amy on:- 0151 707 3936 and quote:- “TravelWise”. You can also visit:- www.LetsTravelWise.org/cycling to request or download a cycle map and for further information on cycling in Merseyside.

Natural England urges Northwest residents to keep New Year resolutions and enjoy a walk in the country

AS winter lessens its icy grip in many areas and life in the country begins to return to milder norms, walkers and ramblers throughout the region will be looking forward to getting out amongst the rolling farmland, hills and dales of the Northwest.

But the myriad of paths and bridleways that criss-cross the region are not just for the experienced walker. Many are perfect for all those who resolved to take a little more exercise in 2010, offering fresh air, great views, wildlife and quite often a warming cup of tea and a bun if not something quite substantially more, at your local farm house cafe.

Funded through Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, farmers and landowners throughout Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire have permitted access to many kilometres of pathways crossing working farmland as well as through woodland and along waterways.

Natural England’s HLS funding ensures fences and hedgerows are created and restored, paths maintained and upgraded, gates and stiles installed and kept in good working order whilst the land is managed for the benefit of both people and the environment including reversing the decline of farmland birds, the restoration of historic buildings and improving the resilience of nationally important habitats to climate change.

Ewan Nugent, Delivery Leader for Natural England’s agri-environment programme, said:- “We want to increase the uptake of agri-environment schemes and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) in particular, to deliver significant environmental benefits; with better funding available than ever before we are keen to discuss all of the options available through HLS schemes with interested farmers and landowners.”

Since 2005, permissive access payments through Higher Level Stewardship schemes have enabled the creation of more than 19km of permissive access routes in Cheshire, 55km in Cumbria and over 21km in Lancashire and Merseyside.

Liz Newton, Natural England’s North West Regional Director said:- “We are privileged to have a fantastically varied landscape throughout the Northwest. The network of permissive access paths in Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside go a long way to ensuring we can all enjoy it; indeed we have more and better access to the countryside now than ever before. For many communities and especially people with reduced mobility, these paths are a real and significant asset, providing easy access to the countryside, away from busy roads.”

Find a walk near you:-

More than 100 Conservation walks are available in the Northwest, all of which form part of Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship schemes.

Lancashire:- 

Plantation Farm Near Clitheroe  -  This permissive footpath links with existing Public Rights of Way to create a circular route around Plantation Farm. The path winds its way through flower rich pastures and woodlands which are being managed for wildlife. An historic limekiln can also be seen where this permissive path meets the public footpath near Hodder Side wood. The path is steep in places so it is essential that suitable footwear be worn.  LINK

Three Brothers Allotment Near Carnforth - Horse riders and walkers can take this attractive route situated on the northern slopes of Warton Crag, passing the Three Brothers Stones. A site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), it consists of a mosaic of species rich grassland, wide open grassy glades edged by hawthorn/blackthorn scrub and bracken, limestone pavement and areas of ancient semi-natural woodland which are being managed for conservation purposes under the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme, favouring populations of nationally scarce pearl-bordered fritillary and high brown fritillary butterflies.  LINK

Cheshire:-

ROSE FARM Near FARNDON - The permissive footpaths and bridleway link up with existing rights of way creating circular routes. From these paths you will be able to view the recreated wildflower hay meadows and wet pastures which will attract an array of wading birds.  LINK

Cotton Farm Near Chester - The River Gowy is graded as a site of biological importance for its aquatic and bankside fauna and flora. It is hoped that this stretch of the river will be inhabited by Otter in the not too distant future. This circular walk allows a peaceful link to the public rights of way footpath, via Cotton Farm, over the historic medieval sandstone bridges.  LINK

Merseyside:-

BARROW FARM Near ST HELENS - On this walk you can choose either a shorter or longer route because it offers two linked circular paths. Each route takes you around arable fields with some prominent tree lines as field boundaries. Adjacent woodlands offer variety within the landscape.  Wildlife likely to be seen include both woodland and farmland species such as the grey partridge.  LINK

Marshside Nature Reserve Near Southport - Wildlife can be seen all year round at Marshside. In the spring you can see brown hares ‘boxing’ and in early summer you can see ground nesting birds like avocets and lapwing. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds; some heading south to a warmer climate, other seeking refuge from the cold Artic. During the winter months Marshside hosts over-wintering waterfowl such as the pink footed geese and wigeons.  LINK

Cumbria:-

Whiteholme Near Hethersgill - Low Luckens and Whiteholme Farms are situated next to each other on the River Lyne in North East Cumbria. The farms are run as a single organic unit with traditional breeds of cattle, sheep and pigs. There is an on farm butchery for organic beef, pork and lamb and an organic resource centre which has a large room with information, displays, seating, large table and tea / coffee making facilities. The farm stock can be seen at all times of the year, at all stages of development, with new born lambs and calves in April and new born piglets in July. The holding is open all year round, every day of the week and is suitable for any age group. There are facilities for the disabled, toilets, picnic area, covered area for teaching and a wet weather centre.  LINK

Holme Farm Near Middleton - The farm has a beautiful landscape setting. This circular access route follows the river, allowing visitors and campers to enjoy some beautiful scenery, wildlife and birds in particular. Otters have been spotted along the river bank. There is some interesting plant life in and around the river and some good features of interest such as an old Roman road and disused railway line. This is a working farm and you are able to view various farm animals including traditional sheep, goats and cattle. The site also incorporates a bridleway, linking footpaths and a farm/cafe shop.  LINK

Greater Manchester:-

BOUNDARY FARM Near ALTRINGHAM - This footpath creates an opportunity to enjoy a variety of farmland birds and other wildlife. Linking with the Trans Pennine route, an interesting and varied walk can be undertaken on the Dunham Massey Estate from where the open landscape can be enjoyed.  LINK

Little Heath Farm Near Dunham Massey - This permissive footpath forms links and circular routes with public footpaths including one which crosses Dunham Park, an historic parkland.  The walk passes through mainly arable farmland where you may see some bird species that are declining in numbers e.g. grey partridges and lapwings. Walkers are asked to keep their dogs on the lead at all times to avoid disturbing wildlife and damaging crops.  A programme of hedge restoration is taking place across the farm, including hedges along the route.  LINK

MORE INFORMATION AND IDEAS...

Details of all walks that form part of Natural England’s HLS schemes can be found on the Conservation Walks Register use this LINK.