Look After Your Boiler During The Summer Months To Avoid Nasty Bills

1st Action advises consumers not to abandon their boiler until the winter

With the summer months upon us, it may not seem like a priority to think about getting your boiler ready for the cold winter, but this is what Richard Clarke, chairman of 1st Action is calling for homeowners to do.

Every central heating boiler should be checked and serviced each year to avoid problems such as pump failure, heating circulation problems, a noisy boiler, leaking radiator valves or cold spots on the radiator. If these problems are regularly experienced then the heating system could benefit from power flushing. A regularly checked gas boiler could improve its efficiency and lead to smaller gas bills. It could also reduce fuel waste and highlight any safety problems.

Clarke comments, “It is not only less expensive but you are likely to get a better service if you have your central heating system sorted out in the summer. During the winter, when the demands on boiler engineers is at its greatest, they tend to spend most of their time carrying out emergency boiler repairs and solving urgent heating boiler problems. During the summer they are under less pressure as heating systems are switched off. This is the best time to service your boiler and heating system.”

Clarke continues, “We know that after months of cold wet weather when the sun finally appears, the last thing you want to prepare for is a winter that is several months away. However every year for the last twenty winters as we get the first few days of colder weather our phone lines are crammed with callers whose heating is not working properly. You are not likely to be one of those customers if you have taken the appropriate steps during the summer.”

Many gas safe registered plumbing and heating specialists have special offers during the summer months to encourage homeowners to take care of the heating boiler and be prepared for next winter.

For more information, please visit www.1staction.com and the ‘Boiler Offers’ page

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Unibond rolls in a new generation of DIY adhesive tapes

This June, adhesive experts, Henkel, are set to invigorate the DIY adhesive tape market with the launch of their new dynamic range of UniBond DIY and specialist tapes.

The UniBond tape range comprises of eight sub-categories, including duct, masking and specialist tapes, with over 30 products to help you tackle hundreds of repair jobs around the house, the garden and in the office.

The hero product, UniBond Power Tape, is the first tape that adheres to wet surfaces* and is even 100% waterproof. The tape is composed of three triple powered layers which include a super strong adhesive; a toughened fabric layer; and a 100% waterproof layer. This new revolutionary power layer technology even allows you to use UniBond Power Tape outside!…

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Liverpool’s Luxury Retailer Tools Up With Technology

TASKERS, the Merseyside homeware store with premises in Aintree and Wavertree, has begun its second stage of major IT improvements following the £500,000 of technological investment already made since 2005.

The changes have already seen new budgeting, forecasting and accountancy software rolled out; the development of a Business Intelligence System; and the introduction of bespoke customer ordering and Customer Relations Management systems. The improvements will boost productivity and cement the retailer’s reputation for excellence.

The current phase of future proofing will include VMWare’s legendary Vsphere4 virtual data environment and further enhancements to the Electronic Point of Sale system, including the use of Pacific Retail’s Storetrader till network. Meanwhile behind the scenes forklift truck drivers and warehouse partners will be kitted out with ‘wrist watch phones’ to enable hands free communication, driving efficiency and giving customers a truly 21st Century service.

Taskers has also engaged Datel, a member of Sage’s ‘Circle of Excellence’, who will now be on hand to deliver support for software such as the acclaimed Line applications. Qlik View- the world’s fastest growing Business Intelligence Software- will also be used to dramatically reduce time spent running reports.

Customers will experience the benefits first hand, with new touch points being installed in stores, allowing users to search for stock by simply stating: ‘I want a dinner service, I want it white, I want it for £50’. Once they make their selection they will be given confirmation the item is available before being shown a map of the store detailing where the product can be found and how to get there.

The human face of the technology drive is Aled Morgan, who recently joined the retailer as IT Manager. Morgan was previously at European giant EDS, a company with a strong track record for providing IT support to Government departments and major corporations.

Speaking about the investment proposals Taskers Financial Controller Paul Schwartz said: “We saw the recession as an opportunity to invest further in our infrastructure as we could get better deals on the hardware and consultancy, as well as reducing the amount of disruption due to the quieter trading conditions.

“Our goal is not for Taskers to be the biggest company in the world but for us to be the best at what we do. For a long time Taskers has been selling the best products to the best customers via the best employees, now we are putting the finishing touches to helping us achieve our goal of having the best technology too.”

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New Rustins Premium Wax Polish Gives Furniture An Authentic Shine

Nothing beats real wax polish for giving both genuine shine and protection to wood surfaces – and Rustins, one of the best known experts in wood finishes introduces its new Premium Wax Polish.

Rustins’ new range of Premium Wax Polish is the perfect product to help wood furniture achieve an impressive classic sheen and glow, whilst protecting the wood.

Ideal for all types of indoor wood surfaces around the home and available in three popular colours – clear, a soft mid brown and a deeper rustic brown – the wax dries quickly and is virtually-odour free.

Simply apply a coat to the wood’s surface using a soft cloth or brush, working with the grain to achieve the best results. Once dry, buff the surface continually with a soft cloth to attain the desired level of sheen.

Rustins has been supplying homes with expert wood finishes for over 85 years. The product is available in 400ml tins and costs around £6.99, available from good local DIY stores. For more information, go to www.rustins.co.uk.

Tile Depot remodels management structure for future growth

Tile Depot, the UK’s largest independent tile and stone retailer is delighted to announce some important changes in its management structure, designed to facilitate the company’s plans for future expansion.

Earlier this month, Rob Gilbert, Managing Director and founder of Tile Depot became Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the company while Danny Steptoe, Financial Director, was promoted to the position of Managing Director. Danny now plays a key role assisting the Board with operational matters and continues to have full responsibility for the financial side of the business.

In addition, Graham Brown has been appointed as non-executive Director and Deputy Chairman to advise the Board on external matters and to help co-ordinate Board activity. Graham has extensive experience of growth within the retail sector, having held senior Board positions at MFI, Texas Homecare and several other large retail groups. With Graham as Managing Director, Ritz Video became the most prominent video rental chain in Europe before selling to Blockbuster. Graham is currently advising five major PLC’s on growth and internal management and is highly regarded within the financial and investments community.

Tile Depot was established in 1994 and now operates from 14 stores, all in prominent locations around London and the South East with its head office and 1,800sqm warehouse in Slough. There are plans to increase the number of Tile Depot stores to 30 in and around the M25 area by the end of 2012.

Rob Gilbert, CEO and Chairman of Tile Depot, said: “In order to grow in size and profitability it is important to have a strong management team and it is with this in mind that I have made these changes. I have every confidence in both Danny and Graham in their new roles, and we’re all looking forward to achieving the planned expansion of Tile Depot in an efficient and sensible manner.”
Luke Johnson, ex-Chairman of Channel 4 Television and writer of a weekly column in the Financial Times is also a shareholder in Tile Depot.

Tile Depot provides everything needed to complete any wall or flooring project, stocking a comprehensive range of ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles and an extensive selection of wooden flooring as well as underfloor heating and all adhesives, grout, trims, sealants and accessories, available to browse and purchase in-store and online at www.thetiledepot.co.uk.

For further information, contact Tile Depot on 08000 740720, visit www.thetiledepot.co.uk or email info@thetiledepot.co.uk.