Willerby appoints sales manager

Leading holiday home manufacturer Willerby has appointed a new senior sales manager to oversee the sales department of its bespoke park home and luxury lodge division. Jennifer Hughes has joined Willerby as the National Sales Manager for Willerby Bespoke. Her role will focus on growing sales and increasing the exposure of the Willerby Bespoke brand, which enables customers to buy and design their own park home or luxury lodge. These bespoke homes offer low-maintenance and energy-efficient living spaces tailored to individual preferences. Established in 2018, Willerby Bespoke complements the company’s range of holiday homes and lodges. Recently, the Willerby Bespoke brand has been aligned more closely with its parent brand, Willerby Ltd, with an aim to leverage Willerby’s market-leading position and outstanding industry reputation to grow the park home arm of the business. Jennifer said: “I am thrilled to be a part of Willerby Bespoke at this exciting juncture. The company’s investment in the bespoke sector is commendable and I look forward to contributing to its future growth.  “By aligning our brands more closely, we aim to reinforce the message that our park homes and lodges bear the hallmark of Willerby’s quality and expertise.” With extensive experience in the park home sector and a background in senior roles at various manufacturers and park groups, Jennifer emphasises the importance of customer feedback in driving innovation. “Understanding our customers’ needs is paramount. Their input shapes the development of new models, ensuring that our offerings align with their lifestyle preferences.” Darren Black, Willerby’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jennifer to the business. Her expertise will be invaluable as we expand our bespoke offerings and strive to increase market share.”  To learn more about Willerby Bespoke, please visit www.willerby.com/bespoke

Wrexham Solar Firm reduces energy costs at luxury holiday park

A growing renewable energy company launched at the beginning of the pandemic is on a mission to aid holiday parks reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. R-EV Power began offering EV chargers in early 2020 when Vaughn Rawson saw a gap in the market. Vaughn himself was looking for workplace EV chargers during the lockdown but found there were a few obstacles to overcome. With the sale of EV chargers taking off, aided by government grants to help households and companies cut the installation costs. With more companies looking to cut fuel bills and become greener it was the perfect opportunity. This led to Vaughn employing 5 dedicated staff to run the business. With a long list of big names under their belt on Wrexham Industrial such as Wockhardt Pharmaceutical who opted for multiple EV chargers, 4 single sockets and 2 twin socket EV chargers were installed that are visitor and staff use. Other customers on Wrexham Industrial Estate include JCB Continental, Limpet Labels, V4B, Ash Waste, Hoya Lens and Bryn Roberts Workshop to name but a few. Vaughn said “After the huge success we had with EV chargers, it seemed like a natural progression to expand into other renewable solutions such as solar panels, battery storage, air source heat pumps and infrared heating. This was where Rawson Solar – https://r-evpower.co.uk/ – was born. Headed up by Vaughn’s daughter Millie Rawson along with Gregg White, and 4 other dedicated individuals. They are a team dedicated to reducing carbon emissions in and around the Wrexham area. “We hope to see real growth in this area with renewable energy and electric vehicles having started to take off with the 2050 net zero targets in place.” “We created Rawson Solar in early 2022 and have already installed over 10,000 solar panels on homes and businesses in and around the Wrexham area, we only see this side of the business getting busier and busier.” A recent install completed by the Rawson Solar team was at The Plassey Holiday Park in North Wales https://r-evpower.co.uk/case-studies/the-plassey-holiday-park-solar-panels/. A luxury 5-star holiday park nestled within 250 acres of woodland within the Dee Valley, North Wales. The Luxury holiday park approached Rawson Solar looking to plan for a renewable future while protecting themselves from the uncertainty of electricity prices by reducing their reliance on the grid, while reducing their carbon emissions. The holiday park installation consisted of 188 x 410W solar panels across three separate roof spaces, generating around 65,000 kWh of electricity per year. Enough to provide more than 25% of The Plassey’s overall electricity consumption. John Brookshaw managing director of the Plassey had this to say about the installation: “We were delighted with Rawson Solar who carried out the installation of a 77kWp solar PV system across 3 separate buildings.” “From our first call to request a site visit to Rawson Solar quoting the system, all the way through to commissioning. The process was swift, smooth and extremely well-coordinated!” “The highly competitive price beat all other quotes, with the installation of the system completed to a tight timeline with minimal disruption to our business.” “We are now looking into the next phase with the installation of multiple EV charging points with Rawson Solar without a doubt being our first choice.” Gregg White, Rawson EV Technical Director, had this to say about the installation of more EV charging points in Wales: “EV charger availability within Wales is not as good as it could be. But with government grants such as the EV infrastructure grant now available. We hope more Welsh businesses will follow The Plassey’s example taking advantage of the funding options available to them.” R-EV Power And Rawson Solar are part of the Rawson Group. Which includes a very successful photocopying business Rawson Digital – https://rawsondigital.co.uk/. If you’ve recently visited the recently renamed SToK Racecourse to watch Wrexham AFC, you may have seen R-EV Power and Rawson Solar sponsor the club along with other local community projects. For more information go to – https://r-evpower.co.uk/commercial-solar-panel-installer/

First Choice in Toy Distribution

Abgee April

A little bit about us… Founded in 1975 in the heart of the Midlands, A.B. Gee are the UK’s leading distributor for toys. In partnership with major suppliers as well as importing our own ranges, we are the number one choice in ensuring a smooth and consistent supply chain, from sourcing of products through to delivery to trade accounts. Our 75,000 square foot head office, distribution centre and showroom provide the base from where we supply wholesalers, retailers, large high street and online stores, garden centres and holiday parks. We have, for a long time now, supported the UK toy trade with products from some of the largest companies in the world and with our own exclusive toys. Our vast product range of currently more than six thousand sku’s covers Toys, games, and accessories. We also currently carry one of the most comprehensive ranges of high profile branded and TV advertised toys in the UK. Why choose us? We offer buyers a quality and variety of services which is second to none such as: ■ Professional & friendly sales team ■ Trade website/ordering facility ■ Low carriage paid orders ■ Multiple payment options  ■ Individual shipping solutions ■ Next day delivery  We are official distributors for Hasbro, Mattel, Funko, Zuru, MGA, Zapf, Moose Toys, Spin Master, Jazwares, Ravensburger, Character Options, Learning Resources, Aurora and many more plus, we offer our exclusive ranges from World’s Smallest, Make It Real, Tooky Toy, Bullyland, Fubbles, Hotwheels cases and Kidicraft Puzzles. We have an extensive and exceptional showroom which features the top lines from many of our suppliers, this is updated constantly throughout the year, so we are always showcasing the newest ranges of the season. We have lots of product out of packaging too so you can really get a feel for the product you are buying. With something from every supplier on display, it really is a remarkable sight.” Give our sales team a call to find out how to make an appointment. Visit our website to apply for an account and view our full ranges. Pricelists and catalogues can also be downloaded here once you have a live account. https://www.abgee.co.uk

Franke Coffee Systems 

Franke Coffee Systems – Here to grow with you A company that began in 1911 as a small manufacturer, has developed steadily over the decades. Today, Franke Coffee Systems distributes professional coffee machines all over the world from its headquarters in Switzerland. Our coffee solutions are carefully engineered to showcase the best of Swiss innovation embodied in well-designed machines which serve consistently high quality beverages. We provide equipment that enables guests to enjoy freshly brewed traditional classics and customised specialities at the touch of a button.  Whether you want to prepare larger quantities or offer more variety – coffee, milk-based drinks or iced options, Franke has the perfect solution. Imagine being able to cover the entire spectrum for your customers, from 50 to 500 cups a day. Whether in food service, self-service or as a mobile coffee service, our range of fully automatic machines puts you in the best possible position to serve them. Create unforgettable coffee moments cup after cup Does your coffee service during rush hours in the morning and mid-afternoon break create long queues and even longer faces amongst customers? Do you struggle to repeatedly train new staff on the machines? Fast and smooth operations of the coffee machine are a sure criterion when selecting your coffee system, but with rapidly changing consumer behaviour in the UK and an expectation of quality and wider preferences for coffee beverages, this is no longer enough.  Exceptional high in-cup quality is required cup after cup.  Meet the tastes of your guest with the A-Line The A–Line modular system with its powerful technology and ease of use, whether attended or self-service, will gain you better reviews and build a loyal clientele.  A800 This fully automatic coffee machine with a milk system, is a popular choice.  For larger operations, it’s the ultimate multitasker. Designed to efficiently handle up to 250 cups per day, this machine delivers uncompromising quality, variety, and performance. One customer who recently upgraded to Franke A800 commented how not only coffee sales rose by 16.5%, but also that the total costs were reduced by 13.7% since operating the Franke machine. A600 Businesses relying on returning customers need a reliable cleaning solution that ensures peak performance for every cup served each day, whether 20 or 200. The A600 takes care of that. Its fully automatic CleanMaster module with an integrated cleaning cartridge allows for efficient and intuitive cleaning. This machine is an exceptional solution for self-service operations. With a choice of bean hoppers, intuitive self-service guides, and an automatic height-adjustable coffee outlet, the A600 machine puts you and your customers in total control for an outstanding coffee experience.  A300 In the past, finding space for the machine and finding the right staff may have affected the quality of the coffee experience. But this is no longer an argument that should stand in the way of a great cup of coffee. Our award-winning Franke A300 coffee machine has been designed to fit into the tightest of spaces and still deliver quality coffee, cup after cup. Featuring the EasyClean system and an intuitive display, this stylish machine is ideal for smaller operations. S700 This semi-automatic coffee machine equipped with Franke’s iQFlow technology extracts more flavour than any other traditional espresso extraction system, giving the customers a consistently delicious coffee experience. Not only do you have the freedom to delight your customers with a changing menu of seasonal beverages, you can also tailor your offering to include your own in-house recipes. This machine can produce 160 espressos an hour.  Perfect in-cup quality Many of our loyal clientele commented on the different beverages and choices available, such as cappuccino, latte with hot or cold milk foam or seasonal coffee drinks. “Ultimately, the upgrade to Franke was a remarkable success”, said one of our clients. “While sales increased and costs decreased, customer satisfaction and loyalty increased. The large and intuitive touch screen is particularly important to our customers. They can choose the drink they want on the spot as they can see all the options on offer on the screen. I agree that the user-friendly coffee machines, which are easy to operate without much help from our staff, are particularly important to us in the self-service sector. This allows our staff to concentrate on their main task – serving the customer, not the coffee machine,” says the new partner. Partner  It is on us to ensure your business keeps delivering the same memorable coffee quality day in and day out. That’s why we see you as our partner. We are based in St Albans and have a large customer service team available seven days a week to help you with any queries you may have, whether you need help building a consistent coffee programme across multiple sites or choosing a machine to suit your unique business and needs. Partnering with us gives you access to our long history of industry expertise, with the freedom and flexibility of a highly modular machine. Your Business Spend more time providing personalised barista quality coffee, lattes and flavoured drink creations, and less time cleaning and maintaining your machine. Regardless of whether your customers place an order or use self-service, Franke’s flexibility of continuous customisation gives them a great reason to walk back through your door. Where we are Franke Coffee Systems UK Ltd. | 6A Handley Page Way, Old Parkbury Lane, Colney Street | Saint Albans AL2 2DQ | United Kingdom | 01923 635700 | www.franke.com

Finals of the 2024 Scottish Hospitality Awards

Largo Leisure Holidays are proud and excited to announce that two of their holiday parks have been named as finalists in the 2024 Scottish Hospitality Awards. Braidhaugh Holiday Park and recently acquired Campsie Glen Holiday Park have both made it to the final stages of the prestigious awards, which aim to highlight and reward the best of the hospitality industry in Scotland. Braidhaugh Holiday Park which sits in a prime position on the banks of the River Earn in Crieff has made it to the finals in the Best Caravan Park category with sister park Scottish countryside gem, Campsie Glen in Fintry, named as a finalist in the Best Holiday Park category. Largo Leisure Parks, Commercial Director, Rachel Mabbs said “We are absolutely thrilled to have two of our parks named as finalists in different categories in the Scottish Hospitality Awards 2024. The teams on park do an amazing job and this wouldn’t be possible without all their hard work. The awards are a fantastic way of recognising the work they do. We will keep our fingers crossed for a good result on the night.” To find out more about Largo Leisure and their six award winning parks , visit www.largoleisure.co.uk

MKM Acquires Leading HVAC Oceanair

MKM, UK’s leading independent builders ’ trafficker makes a strategic move into the HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) sector with Oceanair UK Ltd. Established in 2002, Oceanair has erected a great character as a main distributor for request leading brands similar as Daikin, Fujitsu and Panasonic. Their successful transition into the air to water request makes them absolutely immaculately placed for significant growth. Oceanair are an award- winning distributors of HVAC, operating from locales in Mansfield and Crawley. The business has erected strong connections with both guests and suppliers over the times. Kate Tinsley, CEO of MKM said “This is an intriguing accession for MKM and enables us to expand into farther arisin commercr, Oeanair is a great company with a lot of veritably talented people. I’m really agitated about our growth plans ”. Oceanair will continue its operations under its being name, icing durability for both guests and suppliers. Tony Evanson, he’s the proprietor of Oceanair, will also remain involved in the business for the foreseeable future furnishing support during this transition. He emphasised that the significance of chancing the right home for the business and expressed pride in its growth over the times. He said “ I’m incredibly proud to see the business grow over the times and its developed some fantastic connections with staff, guests, and the suppliers. I’ve allowed about dealing the business and i was adamant it demanded to go to the right home. I ’m veritably pleased to be around the business and will carry on to support the MKM platoon and look forward to seeing Oceanair grow under its new power ”. air con unit. Rob Barnes, MKM’s Business Development Director leading the accession, expressed confidence in the growth eventuality of Oceanair. “ This accession fits impeccably with MKM’s plans for expansion, it’s allowing us to fan out further into the HVAC assiduity. Continuing to work nearly with the current Oceanair platoon guarantees a flawless transition, guests and suppliers can anticipate business as usual. “He addded ‘Oceanshp.co.uk, part of Oceanair, we specialise in heating and concentrates on designing, supplying, commissioning, and supporting air-to-water heat pumps. Their Heat Pump Training Acadamy conducts courses on design and installation and has lately also earned recognition ass a ‘Centre of Excellence’ by Panasonic. This fits absolutely impeccably with our commitment of offering further sustainable options to guests. ” With a development of circa£ 1 billion, MKM is a prominent player in the UK’s structure and construction assiduity, standing out as the leading independent builder’s trafficker. Established in 1995, the company since has fleetly expanded its footmark with branches strategically located across England, Scotland, and Wales. From Redruth to Elgin, Norwich to Llandudno, MKM has a public presence, icing availability for guests throughout the United Kingdom https://caravanindustryandparkoperator.co.uk/features/air-conditioning-gym/

Willerby reveals two new models

Leading manufacturer Willerby has launched two new models to fill an important gap in the park home and lodge markets. Willerby’s New Forest was one of the new models revealed for the first time at Scotland’s largest caravan and holiday home show in Glasgow. The New Forest’s design and key features have been influenced by market research and a major survey exploring what matters most to people buying a residential park home. Value for money, ease of maintenance and style were among the top requirements, with owners keen to avoid expensive refurbishment work without sacrificing on quality, style and comfort. With its timeless colour palette and clean, classic interior design, the New Forest is a residential park home which features two bedrooms, a spacious living room and separate kitchen/dining space, and an ensuite bathroom to the master bedroom. It’s the first Willerby park home – and one of the first from any major UK manufacturer – to be built to the new BS 3632 (2023) British Standard, which sets out updated regulations for the manufacture of residential park homes for use as permanent residences. The new British Standard will be mandatory as of September this year but, with the New Forest now going into production, it means Willerby is ahead of the game when it comes to legislation. The New Forest is cheaper to run and maintain than traditional or second hand park homes, without sacrificing any of the high-quality build and aesthetic which Willerby is renowned for. Building to the BS 3632 (2023) standard ensures superior thermal efficiency, reducing the energy consumption and cost for the owner. A new high-grade steel-coated roof provides strength and weather protection, and the render effect cladding is easy to maintain and clean. Released at an entry-level price point, the New Forest fills a much-needed gap in the residential park homes market – helping owners secure a brand-new home, rather than settle for a second-hand model. The New Forest is available in two different sizes – 36ft x 20ft and 40ft x 20ft. Willerby’s latest residential park home was unveiled at The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show at Glasgow’s SEC, a four-day consumer and trade event attracting tens of thousands of visitors to experience the latest products and innovations in the industry. Willerby Product Manager James Burling said: “Following detailed feedback from owners and customers we’ve focused on three key areas with the New Forest – value for money, build quality and desirability. “The New Forest is competitively priced to give customers an alternative to a second-hand park home. “It offers all of the benefits of owning a brand new residential park home at a more affordable price, saving the cost, time and hassle of refurbishing and maintaining an older home.” The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show also saw Willerby launch the special edition Boston, a spacious entry-level lodge which gives owners all the benefits of lodge living at a great value price. The Boston comes as either a two-bedroom or three-bedroom lodge, both at 40ft x 20ft. The layout features improvements to open up new space in the kitchen and the bedroom dressing areas. Balancing practicality with a modern style, the Boston’s colour scheme is on trend, with blush pink and graphite accents adding visual interest to a palette of khaki, grey and dark oak. Willerby has designed both its new models to be low maintenance, with contemporary build materials delivering a consistently high-quality finish. Willerby Sales Director Keith Holland said: “By launching new entry-level models to the market, we’re bringing a desirable lifestyle choice to more people, offering a superior alternative to second-hand units. “The New Forest and Boston are stylishly designed, offering modern living spaces to which owners can add their own touches.  “We’re delighted to have launched two new models which will fill important gaps in the market, enabling even more people to realise their dream of owning a new park home or lodge and enjoy the fantastic lifestyle this offers.” The design and build of both the New Forest and the Boston have been guided by consumer research, including feedback from existing park home owners, and a 2022 Government survey into the residential park sector. In the Government survey of 1,500 residential park home owners, more than half of owners who had purchased a second-hand home had done so due to affordability. However, many had subsequently carried out refurbishment work to bring the home up to date and  match the interior to their style and tastes – an often expensive and time-consuming process. Almost 40 per cent of the owners surveyed had replaced an old kitchen, with other common refurbishments including the bathroom, windows, doors and insulation.