SAFETY PRODUCTS: PARKER MERCHANTING

SAFETY PRODUCTS: PARKER MERCHANTING
26
HSE INTERNATIONAL
IN SAFE HANDS
Parker Merchanting received a British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Safety
Excellence Award in 2014. General Manager, Dominic Proctor spoke to HSE
International to discuss the company’s ongoing commitment to service, quality and
safety.
P
arker Merchanting are a leading UK supplier of consumables
to various industry sectors including: Construction, Food,
Utilities, Industrial and Rail. ‘Head to toe’ Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) specialists with over 129 years’ experience, Parker
Merchanting pride themselves on providing a first class service to
their customers with a simple ethos: “the right product to the right
place at the right time.”
The company was formed in 1886 as Frank Parker & Co Ltd in
Houndsditch, East London and started life supplying a basic range
of contractors’ tools (shovels, wheelbarrows, picks and hammers) to
London based builders and contractors. The business took off and
in the 1930s the company launched their first range of protective
clothing with the introduction of oilskins, wellington boots and
donkey jackets.
War forced the company to move to Curtain Road in Shoreditch
when the original premises were badly damaged in a bombing raid.
This was also a busy period for business, with Frank Parker trading
heavily with companies engaged in bomb damage clearance and
re-building work during the war and in the immediate post-war
years. In 1963 the company opened their first regional depot in
West Yorkshire and the business grew rapidly, with many more
depot openings and acquisitions following shortly after.
The company is part of the Rexel Group, a worldwide group of
companies specialising in business to business distribution services.
Other operating businesses owned by the Rexel Group include
Newey and Eyre, Denmans Electrical Wholesalers, Wilts Wholesale
Electrical and WF Senate.
Parker Merchanting supply a vast range of industries within
the UK with a high quality selection of products. In each of these
markets customer demand for improved productivity is satisfied
through innovative services, products and partnering. As a
market leader in PPE, Clothing, Road Works & Equipment, Tools,
Site Equipment, Janitorial and Hygiene and Workplace Health
and Safety, Parker Merchanting offer a service provision that
is representative of industry best practice. Their service level,
Dominic Proctor
General Manager
Peter Swain
Commercial & Marketing Manager
breadth of range and product availability makes them supplier of
choice for a number of businesses. The strength of their business
lies in sourcing the most practical and contemporary solutions
for the workplace and passing them on to the customer. They
support some of the largest organisations in the UK with a detailed
knowledge and service offering that has been refined over many
years.
The company partners with product manufacturers to deliver
innovation, value added services and best practice and this sits
at the core of their service proposition. They recognise that every
organisation is different and each has its own method of working.
“Their service level, breadth of
range and product availability
makes them supplier of choice
for a number of businesses”
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NWT FM Solutions are proud providers of tea, coffee and all other
ancillary lines to Parker Merchanting.
Parkers stock a wide, customer led range including popular brands such as Nescafe
Coffee, Tetley Tea, PG Tips as well as more up market products such
as Gold Blend and Cappuccino lines.
Parker Merchanting also have a range of Fairtrade products from Clipper Tea & Coffee to
Tate Lyle Sugar etc…
Waters in 24 x 50cl are available with the ever popular Harrogate brand leading the way.
NWT005 / 1030033708
NWT007 / 1030000386
NWT010 / 1030021069
NWT055 / 1030000389
NWT057 / 1030033707
NWT123 / 1030000384
NWT254 / 1030048999
Peter Churcher, Sales Manager from NWT FM Solutions commented: “Parkers
really do have the complete range on offer, everything you could possibly need
in the sector is provided for. Parkers are constantly reacting to their customer
needs and working closely with ourselves in developing the offering.”
www.northwestteas.co.uk
Subsequently, they work diligently to continuously understand
the individual needs of each business they supply. This personal
approach, coupled with their wealth of industry knowledge and
technical expertise, sets them apart from their competitors. When
an operation depends totally on health, safety and environmental
compliance, Parker Merchanting are close at hand to offer advice
and practical support. Members of the external sales team,
complimented by preferred key suppliers, are at customers’
disposal to offer free training and advice, enabling them to meet
their key obligations.
Having a strong heritage in construction and in supplying the
industry for many years, Parker Merchanting have witnessed every
stage of growth within the construction industry and understand
the importance of ensuring the right products are in the right
place at the right time. They have the capabilities and expertise
to manage a broad supplier base of national and international
manufacturers and integrate this within their customers’ supply
chain. Parker Merchanting understand the importance of stock
availability and being able to meet site needs on the spot. Stock
holding and service delivery are still high on the agenda for the
company with continual investment in these areas. Their network
is backed up by a real-time stock system and a team of inventory
planners, all of whom are experts in stock management. The
planning team is essential to the company’s operations and works
“When an operation depends
totally on health, safety and
environmental compliance,
Parker Merchanting are close
at hand to offer advice and
practical support”
HSE INTERNATIONAL
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PROUD TO BE A LEAD SUPPLIER
OF SKIN CARE PRODUCTS TO
PARKER MERCHANTING
- Skin care system for mobile workers -
- Heavy duty hand cleanser -
Deb has been supplying Parker Merchanting with skin care
products for over 10 years. We look forward to continuing our
unique working relationship for years to come.
For more information visit www.parker-direct.com or www.debgroup.com
The world’s leading away from
home skin care company
“Parker Merchanting
understand the importance of
stock availability and being able
to meet site needs on the spot”
closely with their branches, branded clothing division and suppliers to
guarantee customers a high quality of service.
The National Service Centre, based in Rothwell, West Yorkshire
was formed in 2009. It functions as a service centre for customers,
giving them a dedicated central point of contact. The 20th Parker
Merchanting branch in the UK opens in Aberdeen in April and the
business is continuing to evolve. Alongside the new Aberdeen
branch, the company opened two additional locations in Scotland
(Glasgow and Edinburgh) in 2012 and are always looking for the right
opportunity to expand and grow their range.
Having 20 branches throughout the country allows Parker
Merchanting to easily supply all parts of the UK, from as far north as
Aberdeen, to Exeter, Maidstone and Southampton in the south. The
company has 75 vehicles and the majority of deliveries are performed
using their own transport wherever possible. Carriers are used for
areas that can’t be delivered to by their own transport day-to-day.
Whether they place an order over the phone, by email or by fax,
customers can be sure their local branch of Parker Merchanting
will deal with their order promptly and efficiently, as over 90% of
all orders are delivered next day. The extensive network of Parker
Merchanting field sales executives, national account managers and
branch staff have a wealth of experience of the site environment and
an excellent working knowledge of their local areas.
Experienced consultants are available to offer clear, realistic and
efficient advice, leaving customer’s time to concentrate on other areas
of their business. Parker Merchanting respect that customers may
have full time on-site safety professionals, but there may be occasions
when they require additional external support, independent advice or
project specific solutions that the company can assist with.
Parker Merchanting have several of their own brands, all of which
have become well established in recent years. The eski janitorial brand
was launched in 1978, followed in 1986 by the Defiance tools brand for
the construction industry. Re-launched last year, the Graft Gear range
of high quality PPE is the latest addition to the Parker Merchanting
brand range.
Last year, Parker Merchanting also launched their Training
Consultancy offer and they are a company that are always looking to
evolve and improve their services.
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Praybourne Limited has had its roots since 1979, firmly set in Redditch, Worcestershire. With its
focus on design and delivery of the company's extensive collection of technical and high
performance apparel.
During the past 15 years, building brand reputation and awareness throughout the UK has been
critical to the success of the company. Praybourne carefully select its global manufacturing
partners through rigorous examination, to construct garments to its exacting standards. This
gives every wearer the confidence that in selecting a Praybourne product, be it Pulsar®,
Pulsarail® or Xcelcius® branded, they can be confident in the knowledge the garment will
protect them from all elements and potential workplace hazards.
The above statement is proven in that, following almost 3 years in development, Praybourne have
introduced its Pulsar® FR High Visibility orange Class 3, GO/RT 3279, Flame Retardant, Anti-Static,
Electric Arc protective combat coverall, together with its Class 2 combat trouser.
Using Waxman Fibres' patented blend Protal® 5, these garments have a 16 Cal/cm² ATPV rating,
which is virtually double the performance of the next market leading fabric currently available.
Combine that with the Xcelcius® Electric Arc base layers and protection increases to a staggering
42.6 Cal/cm² ATPV rating.
The new Pulsar® FR garments are a huge leap forward in high visibility orange multi hazard
clothing, with initial stocks already selling well and further scheduled deliveries in place up to the
end of the 2015.
Another new garment recently introduced is the Pulsarail® Foul Weather Salopette. Being
breathable and waterproof to class 3 and meeting the requirements of the latest EN ISO:20471
Class 2 and GO/RT 3279 standard. The Salopette has combat and knee pad pockets, zip opening
at the hem of the legs for easing over work boots, 3M Scotchlite tape and quick release reflective
elasticated braces. It is designed to be worn over the top of a light layer of clothing next to the
skin and in conjunction with either the Storm Coat or Bomber Jacket.
Pulsar® and Pulsarail® high visibility clothing is regarded as the best designed collection available
in the market to date with functionality, performance and longevity ensuring best value for money.
For further information please contact Praybourne on 0844 669 1860, email
[email protected] or visit www.praybourne.co.uk.
“We are here to make it easy
for customers by making sure
we get the right products
for them at the right price,
delivered on time”
Dominic Proctor - Roles and responsibilities
As General Manager, Dominic Proctor heads up the Parker
Merchanting banner. He reports to the Rexel UK Chief Executive
Officer who oversees all Rexel business in the UK.
“My role is about giving leadership in the business, setting the
direction and creating the right environment so that people feel
empowered and motivated to go out and deliver success for us.
I’ve got full financial responsibility for the business from a
purchasing and inventory perspective to deliver results. I also have
the health and safety responsibility, the moral responsibility for
people and I am responsible for liaising with our customers. I also
liaise with our employees, customers and suppliers, all the key
stakeholders in the business.
“My job is to create the right environment and make sure
we’re driving the business forward to achieve sales growth by
keeping people motivated and delivering results. I also make sure
customers are kept absolutely happy while working to innovate our
service offer.”
Delivering targets through training and customer care
As part of a large multi-national organisation Parker
Merchanting always strive to achieve their sales targets. One of
the key goals for Dominic is launching a customer centric service
model. The customer is very much at the heart of everything the
company does and they work hard to continually offer superior
levels of service.
“I feel that we took a massive stride forwards by launching our
Training Consultancy offer, selling a solution and being seen as
experts in safety, which we are. The Training Consultancy allows
us to offer that solution to our customers, making sure that their
employees stay safe and their businesses stay compliant.
“We are here to make it easy for
customers by making sure we get
the right products for them at
the right price, delivered on time.
For me, a key part is customer
centricity. Customers are at the
heart of everything we do.”
To support their
commitment to
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SAFETY PRODUCTS: PARKER MERCHANTING
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HSE INTERNATIONAL
customer care, Parker Merchanting engaged with an external
provider, TLF, earlier this year and conducted a customer survey.
The results of the survey will allow the company to make sure that
they are fully aligned with their customers’ requirements and take
their service to the next level of improvement.
The company’s heritage is in the construction sector but
they are looking to expand as they feel that their products are
applicable to other markets. They are actively expanding into
Facilities Management, the food sector, waste recycling and rail
sectors.
The right product at the right price
There are over 6,000 product lines in the Parker Merchanting
catalogue spread across 7 core product ranges. These products are
stocked across the branch network.
“Our view is that we are providing essential consumable items
and PPE safety equipment to our customers. They can effectively
come to us as a one stop shop and we can supply them with the
essential items that they need to keep their workforce safe and
equipped to do a good job. On a construction site, that’s critical
and is why our next day delivery performance is so crucial to us.
We know that if a site hasn’t got wheelbarrows, shovels, tools,
janitorial equipment, even tea and coffee, and the essential PPE
they need they can’t operate. We’re there just to make it easy for
them. They can order quickly, we can supply quickly, and we keep
them working.
“We want to keep people safe but we also want to make sure
that people have the tools to be able to work. That’s our offer
really. We’re always looking to expand our offer and come up
with innovations. We always try to be the first to market with any
product innovation and we have a good reputation for that in the
marketplace.”
“The Parker Merchanting
Branding Team are one the
best in the industry and are
able to cope with even the
most unusual of orders”
The National Branding Centre
Branded clothing is an essential part of any company’s
corporate image. Whether working on a motorway, in a
warehouse, building site or rail line, projecting the correct
corporate image is vital. Not only does branded clothing help
promote businesses, it aids identification of colleagues and is also
tax exempt.
The Parker Merchanting National Branding Centre, located
in Dagenham, Essex manages the branding process from start
to finish, guaranteeing customers consistency of image and a
single point of contact. Badges are heat sealed in minutes and,
with a variety of transfers available, Parker Merchanting will find
the correct badge to complement corporate logos and workwear.
The company have been producing branded clothing, in-house,
for over 7 years and have the capability to heat seal over 24,000
logos per week. They have a wealth of experience of the badging
and branding process and pride themselves on making the whole
process run smoothly.
The latest addition to the National Branding Centre is the
company’s very own embroidery facility. A team of embroidery
specialists with a wealth of industry experience oversee the whole
process from start to finish. The facility’s machines are software
driven and are capable of converting any logo into a digital image
for embroidery. The facility is capable of producing over 6,000
logos per week and customers can choose from over 300 colours
for their embroidered logo.
The Parker Merchanting Branding Team are one of the best
in the industry and are able to cope with even the most unusual
of orders. Whether customers require high visibility clothing in
Aberdeen or 1,000 polo shirts in central London, the Branding
Team can handle every request, overseeing orders from origination
to completion.
The job of kitting out operatives can be hard work and at times
stressful. Parker Merchanting have a solution to this problem that
cannot be beaten in the industry. The company’s system provides a
detailed report of customers’ kit bag requirements and each report
is tailored to their specific needs, highlighting every individual size,
logo and colour ordered. Once the clothing is produced, it arrives
in a bespoke kit bag for each specific employee.
HSE INTERNATIONAL
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Be spill prepared not ill-prepared
Free OnSite Survey’s
Certificated Spill Response Training
At Ecospill® we don’t just offer a market leading range of spill
prevention, control products and services, we really do work for you.
Offering an unrivalled level of sales support together with a
comprehensive product range that includes our own manufactured
high performance absorbents, spill kits, spill pallets, external steel
drum stores and industrial wipes. We also have extensive experience
in assisting businesses of all sizes across all industries to find practical,
sensible and cost effective solutions to their oil and chemical spillage
control problems.
“Ecospill offer innovative technology and top quality
spill solutions”.
It’s what makes Ecospill® uniquely different in a very competitive
marketplace and at the same time makes us an altogether better
choice to do business with. Whatever your requirements, we are
confident that we have a product or service that meets your needs.
Parkers are an approved and valued Ecospill® distribution partner.
We recognise that our distribution partners perform a vital role
and form an essential part of our commercial operation. In order to
provide them with the very best support, all of our partners enjoy a
comprehensive, technical and sales support package including free
spill risk audits and certificated spill response training.
Spill C
Centre
Parker Merchanting brands
Using the wrong tool for the job can be time consuming and
potentially dangerous. The company’s extensive range of Defiance
tools, fixings, maintenance and repair products means that there
aren’t many jobs that customers can’t tackle. Defiance products
deliver confidence, accuracy and quality. Manufactured from the
highest quality raw materials and tested to the most rigorous
standards, Defiance tools ensure a ‘professional performance’ every
time.
The eski hygiene range contains the company’s widest selection
of products, including site safety signs, janitorial supplies and kit for
maintenance staff. The eski brand is a sure way to guarantee good
quality products. eski products are designed to be a reliable, cost
effective solution to any business’s site maintenance, janitorial and
hygiene needs.
Graft Gear is a functional and stylish brand of PPE, brought to
the market by Parker Merchanting. This robust and rugged brand
provides the highest level of protection and has proven popular
with a large number and range of customers. The Graft Gear
range includes a wide variety of styles and products including:
Eye Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Protection, Hand
Protection, Weather Protection, High Visibility Clothing, Workwear
and Foot Protection.
When it comes to supplier brands, Parker Merchanting carefully
select suppliers to ensure they give customers the most practical
and contemporary solutions for the work place. They work closely
with customers to deliver the products they need when they need
them, along with first class service. Supplier brands currently stocked
by the company include Bolle Safety, Centurion, EcoSpill, JSP and
Regatta Professional amongst others.
Serious about safety
Health and safety is of the utmost importance to Parker
Merchanting. The company have their own Health and Safety Policy
that ensures the welfare of all employees. Ethics guides are in place
and these are closely followed at all times, promoting health and
safety in all areas of the business and all company facilities are
subject to health and safety audits. Dominic Proctor’s Operations
Manager sits on the Rexel Health and Safety Committee and they are
active members of both the BSIF and RoSPA.
Parker Merchanting were delighted to win the BSIF Safety
Excellence Award in 2014. The company received a special mention
for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest levels of
on-site safety with their comprehensive ‘head to toe’ approach. The
award was presented at the Safety and Health Expo on the 17th June
at the London Excel Exhibition Centre, where Parker Merchanting
launched their new Training and Consultancy offer.
“Parker Merchanting carefully
select suppliers to ensure
they give customers the most
practical and contemporary
solutions for the work place”
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SAFETY PRODUCTS: PARKER MERCHANTING
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HSE INTERNATIONAL
TM
K
K
EMAR
IT
TM
K
EMAR
TM
BSIF is the UK’s leading trade body within the safety industry.
The organisation has over 160 members including manufacturers,
distributors, test houses, certification bodies, safety professionals
and service providers. It provides support and guidance on a wide
range of occupational safety issues. Parker Merchanting are active
members of BSIF and sign up to its accredited schemes.
As part of their commitment to supplying ethically sourced
products (for example, when buying from the Far East), the
company ensure that they only supply products that are fit for
purpose and are compliant to all the required standards. In
addition, Parker Merchanting are a Registered Safety Supplier
of BSIF; a scheme launched to combat the increasing risk that
counterfeit safety goods pose to the market. The accreditation
means the business has demonstrated integrity and a commitment
to ethical trading. They have bindingly declared that the safety
equipment offered meets the appropriate standards, fully complies
with PPE regulations and is appropriately marked.
“Last year we put forward for, and were delighted to win,
the Safety Excellence Award. The award was for a case study we
presented, working in partnership with Carillion, one of our key
customers, and our preferred supplier Polyco. We carried out
Hand Protection Surveys, performed a number of drop trials and
came up with bespoke solutions and products for the different
environments that their construction operatives work in, making
sure that the hand protection they were provided with was fit for
purpose. The case study directly influenced the development of
our Training Consultancy Offer.”
IT
K
“Health and safety is very much
at the heart of our business.
We don’t just talk about it, we
do it ourselves and we do it to a
very high standard”
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Rexel UK also received a RoSPA Gold Award last year in
recognition of its approach to Safety Management and ongoing
commitment to improving safety standards.
“Health and safety is very much at the heart of our business.
We don’t just talk about it, we do it ourselves and we do it to a
very high standard. I think that’s important. Customers can know
that we are real experts in safety, not only with the price we can
offer and the products we provide but as we live and breathe it
ourselves.
Achilles UVDB (Utility Vendors Database) accreditation to
UVDB standard No: 061930 further demonstrates the company’s
commitment to quality. Achilles UVDB is the community for the
UK utilities industry. It enables the utilities sector to use Achilles’
proven supplier pre-qualification system to manage risk within the
supply chain and comply with EU regulations.
HSE INTERNATIONAL
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SAFETY PRODUCTS: PARKER MERCHANTING
NEW ANTI-FOG AND ANTI-SCRATCH
PLATINUM COATING
Crédit photo : Getty Images/Joan Vicent Canto Roig
CLEARLY
INNOVATIVE
Washable **, this permanent coating on both sides
of the eye gives them a high scratch resistance and
delays fogging.
In all circumstances and at every moment,
PLATINUM provides the highest safety for eyes.
* COBRA foam models, IRI-S except diopters. ** Washing using water and soap.
Training and Consultancy Services
The new Training and Consultancy offer from Parker Merchanting
provides specialist services to customers as required. Experienced
consultants are available to offer clear, realistic and efficient advice,
leaving customers time to concentrate on other areas of their
business.
Qualitative Face Fit Training: Up-to-date nationwide research
indicates that over 49% of all Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
used does not offer the wearer the level of protection assumed and
one of the major reasons is that it simply does not fit. Yet under
regulation, RPE must be correctly selected and this includes, for many
types of RPE, a face piece Fit Test conducted by a competent person.
As individuals, we come in differing shapes and sizes, and it is
unlikely that a “one size” mask indeed fits all. Fit testing by accredited
staff ensures the equipment selected is suitable for the wearer.
Parker Merchanting can arrange for participants or members of their
staff to train employees to fit test for themselves. Fit2Fit accredited
staff are able to visit participants at their own location, or they can
attend one of the company’s regional centres at their convenience.
Qualitative Face Fit Training will allow businesses to fit RPE as
stipulated in document OC 282/28 paragraph 24, with the overall
40
Bollé Safety revolutionizes eye protection with an
innovation that meets all international standards,
particularly EN166 option K and N. The new
exclusive anti- fog and anti -scratch PLATINUM
coating is now available on many models COBRA*,
IRI-s*, RUSH +, CONTOUR, SILIUM+, SLAM+,
B808, TRACKER, ATOM and BACKDRAFT.
It guarantees more safety, reliability and comfort fit.
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bolle-safety.com
“Parker Merchanting can
also recommend how to stay
in accordance with current
regulations and best practices”
intentional outcomes as: Understanding HSE 282/28, grasping the
theory of Qualitative Testing and setting up a Qualitative Test kit
in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Participants
will then be able to complete a Sensitivity Test, record details of
participants and the results of the test, and instruct the candidate
in the test requirements. After training participants will be able to
identify poorly fitted face masks, interpret results with effective
failures and carry out a fit test.
Workplace Site Spill Audit: Includes a written report highlighting
any non-compliance with on-site Fluid Management Systems. Parker
Merchanting can also recommend how to stay in accordance with
current regulations and best practices. These are particularly relevant
to businesses seeking to gain ISO 14001 or similar Environmental
Management Standard accreditations.
The importance of giving employees the confidence to respond to
a spill in the correct manner, and with safety in mind at all times, is
not to be under-estimated. It is training that can save lives as well as
profits. Three course levels are on offer, all of which include a handson introduction to the components of the spill kit. These can be
updated with a refresher course, keeping employees knowledgeable
and up to date.
Toolbox Training Courses provide an introduction to spill control
50 YEARS
OF AWARD
WINNING
PROTECTION
LEADING MANUFACTURERS OF PPE
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RESPIRATORY
EYEWEAR
HEARING
WORKING AT HEIGHT
Tel: 01993 826050
[email protected] www.jsp.co.uk
absorbents and their deployment. The Intermediate Training Course
offers in depth training, covering awareness of current legislation
including ISO14001. The Advanced Training Course for the highest
level of spill response is aimed at first responders and trainers.
Professional Environmental Management is good for business
and industry. Many pollution incidents are avoidable and failure
to comply with the law could result in personal prosecution and
huge fines. Parker Merchanting help businesses prevent possible
prosecution, work in a safe place and aid the protection of the
environment.
Hand Protection Assessment Survey (HPAS): Selecting the most
appropriate hand protection will help safeguard employees against
unavoidable hazards and support organisations in taking steps
towards improved health and safety practices. During 2012/2013, the
estimated average number of days lost for each handling injury was
10.8 days. HPAS is an ideal starting point to help any organisation
ensure their employees and business are protected from the risk of
injury.
With such a wide choice of hand and arm protection available, the
process of selection is becoming increasingly complex. HPAS surveys
provide a documented process to support organisations in their risk
assessment procedures. The surveys help to ensure organisations
“Parker Merchanting help
businesses prevent possible
prosecution, work in a safe
place and aid the protection
of the environment”
comply with the current EN standards and
legislation, in particular the Use of Personal
Protective Equipment Directive 89/656/EEC.
They provide a detailed report highlighting
the most appropriate specifications of hand
and arm protection and identify the areas
where improvements can be made, both
from a cost and best practice perspective.
HPAS surveys are undertaken by glove
industry experts and are conducted with
no obligation to trial or buy. The surveys
help safeguard against expensive claims
and time lost due to employee absence
through injury.
Safety Prescription Eyewear: It
is essential that safety glasses are
accepted and worn by the people they
are designed to protect. Prescription
safety eyewear must include the
same prescription as the worker’s
standard prescription spectacles and be adapted to meet the visual
demands of the workplace. Individuals who require corrective
lenses should not be forced to wear over-spectacles that are not
only uncomfortable but are also dated. Parker Merchanting have
introduced a large range of corrective lens safety options, including
spectacles and goggles, in conjunction with their preferred safety
eyewear supplier Bolle. The range features various frames that
can be glazed with four types of prescription lens: single vision,
bifocal, progressive or free form, and three different lens materials:
polycarbonate, CR39 or toughened glass.
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RAIL
OFFSHORE
CONSTRUCTION
AIRSIDE
SAFETY PRODUCTS: PARKER MERCHANTING
THE ULTIMATE IN
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FULL RANGE OF LADIES
SAFETY FOOTWEAR
ALSO AVAILABLE
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Super Lightweight
Enhanced AntiFatigue Footbed
Since 1987 we’ve been developing
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Robust enough for the toughest environments
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Major House, Unit 1/3, Wimsey Way, Alfreton
Derbyshire, DE55 4LS, United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1773 608616
www.rockfall.co.uk
“New technologies are
offering innovative ways
to improve efficiency and
reduce emissions”
Environmental responsibility
Parker Merchanting are accredited to the ISO 14001
Environmental Management standard. They make sure that all
products are sourced ethically and at the lowest cost. As part of a
continual commitment to ensure the company’s carbon footprint
remains low, minimum order charges have been introduced,
alongside working with customers to consolidate orders. Rather
than delivering several times on smaller orders customers receive
one large order, thus reducing the company’s carbon footprint.
Parker Merchanting are the first UK distributor to be able
to source and supply ethically sourced wood products. They
continually innovate and develop new ways of improving their
environmental credentials. The company made the decision to
apply for FSC certification, after increasing calls for FSC products
from their customers and their own desire to provide more
sustainably resourced eco-friendly timber products.
“We are continually looking to develop our environmental
credentials and last year we were the first UK distributor in safety
to source and become accredited, at chain of custody level, to the
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation. This means that the
timber products we supply to construction sites (such as settingout pegs and profile boards) can be sourced from alternative
products that have been manufactured in Rainforest Alliance
certified forests. These products are assigned a separate product
code number and we store them separately to make sure that they
don’t get cross-contaminated with other wood products. We were
audited by the FSC and we were delighted when we were able to
be awarded the accreditation.”
FSC is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to
promoting responsible forestry. FSC certifies forests all over the
world to ensure they meet the highest environmental and social
standards. Being FSC certified shows that a business complies with
the highest social and environmental standards on the market.
The FSC Multi-Site Chain of Custody certification is primarily for
larger companies that have multiple sites and share the same
function, methods or procedures, and is ideally suited to Parker
Merchanting.
After a stringent auditing process across the whole business,
Parker Merchanting are now able to show an unbroken complete
Chain of Custody, from the forest all the way to the end user. In
order to become certified the company teamed up with the nonprofit organisation NEPCon, which carried out
the audit to ensure compliance. NEPCon
manages the Rainforest Alliance’s
Forestry Programme in Europe
and provides services under their
accreditation. Parker Merchanting’s
head office will now be responsible for
controlling the Chain of Custody
systems and audits of all sites
annually. NEPCon will
then perform an
annual audit on a
sample, dependent
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on the number of sites within the certificate, to ensure that records
are being maintained as required.
New technologies are offering innovative ways to improve
efficiency and reduce emissions. Later this year, Parker
Merchanting will begin implementing state of the art route
planning software. The software will allow routes to be planned
efficiently and ensure company vehicles are travelling at the lowest
cost while further reducing their carbon footprint. In addition to
this, customers will be allowed to sign electronic tablets to confirm
proof of delivery (POD). The company will then be able to sign
those documents into their POD collector system. This will mean
staff are no longer required to carry paper documentation. While
customers still receive a paper copy, there is no need to make a
duplicate copy for Parker Merchanting to keep and send back to
their depots to scan in for their own records. These technologies
are areas that the company will look towards developing further as
they continue to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Parker Merchanting hold ISO 9001 Quality Management
Systems and OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety
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accreditations. They also comply with Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations for recycling electrical
goods they supply to customers. Appliances such as kettles and
microwave ovens are recycled back from customers. The company
also recycle batteries as part of the WEEE regulations, further
protecting the environment.
The company are also members of Link Up. Link-up is the UK
rail industry supplier qualification scheme, providing a single
common registration, qualification and audit process for suppliers.
Membership assures the company understand the requirements of
the rail industry, the standards of their garment specifications and
supply products that are fit for purpose.
[email protected]
www.lsinternational.co.uk
Career opportunities and recruitment
As Parker Merchanting are part of a large organisation, there
are always career opportunities and vacancies available. All
vacancies are advertised internally and the company always tries to
promote from within. Every year the business actively run a Rexel
Academy in the UK for managers and team leaders. The Academy
is all about developing the next generation of stars, the people
who will be potential future managers and team leaders. It secures
them valuable leadership and management skills, which they can
then utilise in the workplace.
The Rexel Academy course runs over 9 months, with staff
taking time out during work across that 9 month period, for 2
days each month. They must also complete project work as a
follow-up. The course is a key part of staff career development and
raises the standards of all who take part. The Rexel Academy is a
comprehensive training course that people enjoy and benefit from
participating in.
The company are passionate about promoting apprenticeships
as a way of training future members of staff.
“We are very much encouraging apprenticeships. We’ve
recruited 5 apprentices in our branch network and it’s an area
that we will continue to be committed to, bringing young people
into the business, giving them a start, and training them up. We’re
very pleased by how these apprenticeships are going and we’re
committed to them, as are Rexel.
We also have a system called Success Factors, where we
evaluate employees’ performance every year through an annual
review. We also set targets and goals for the next year which
we’re then able to measure. The Success Factors system includes
employee training and development opportunities.”
Tel. 01902 497 626 Fax. 01902 495 638
Passionate about customer service
Parker Merchanting are passionate about supporting their
customers and are always looking to innovate and develop
their service offering. Customers are very much at the heart of
the business, and this inspired the launch of their new Training
Consultancy offer.
As part of their service commitment to customers the company
launched their new website last year. The website offers customers
the ability to order online if they prefer and has two unique, industry
leading features. All Parker Merchanting products are available online
“Parker Merchanting are
passionate about supporting
their customers and they are
always looking to innovate
and develop their service
offering”
LS International Ltd
Unit C8 Central Avenue
Hilton Trading Estate
Hilton Road
Wolverhampton
WV4 6DW
LS International are one of the largest
independent UK Clothing Manufacturers
of High Quality, fully EN Certified, Flame
Retardant Garments.
We are members of the PROTAL®
partnership, guaranteeing consistency of
compliance and traceability throughout.
Tel: 01772 693 766
Fax: 01772 693 760
www.moyneroberts.com
and customers can create a bespoke login, allowing them to review
their own contract prices as well as trade prices. Customers are able
to view product availability online so they can order with confidence
knowing their chosen products are in stock. They also benefit from an
8pm cut-off for next day delivery.
“Our job is to make sure customers are given the best possible
advice and the best possible products so that they stay compliant and
their employees stay safe. We achieve this by providing a local service
and the majority of our deliveries are completed next day. In fact, over
90 percent of our deliveries are completed next day for core products.
We’re always there to help, and we’re always there to source products
and make sure customers have got the right products, at the right
price, at the right time.
We’re here to make our customers’ lives easier as they’ll inevitably
have a million and one other things to worry about. Customers need
these essential products and a trusted partner who makes it easy for
them to acquire those products. I firmly believe that if we continue to
do this, we will be continuing to innovate and move forward.”
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