Tel: 0121 550 7510 ● Issue 316 www.businessandindustrytoday.co.uk Inside this issue: Minimises downtime Aberdeen Open Day By installing MISTRAS Group invited eWON Flexy VPN people working within routers from M.A.C the Oil & Gas sector to their Offices in Aberdeen. Solutions and The event was held over using the Talk2M two days which allowed Internet-based MISTRAS group to remote access showcase the services system, Packaging they offer to the Oil & Gas Sector. Automation, a manufacture MISTRAS group shared of high speed technical presentations Solutions Training food tray sealing on industry hot topics machines is now such as Stress corrosion See them on page ................... 11 cracking, corrosion able to offer its under insulation and customers a range trunnion support of added-value He continues, “We can also offer inspection, as well as options. customers a live, web-based view live demonstrations of their machine and its current on advanced NDT and monitoring technologies. Rui Cardadeiro of Packaging operating state, as well as live Customers were Automation explains, “The production statistics including encouraged to bring eWON Flexy router and Talk2M output, current running speed and colleagues to the event to solution provide us with remote historic details of stoppages and help them understand the MISTRAS group have 3 more open days connectivity into the heart of changes to machine parameters.” many services that MISTRAS group can planned around the UK. The next Open offer to the Oil & Gas industry. day will be held at the Rotherham office the customer’s machine via the looking at traditional NDT methods. Verder internet, enabling our engineers The eWON Flexy can be From the event, MISTRAS group found For more information on these See them on page .............12-13 to remotely access and diagnose extended by modular expansion that the number one inspection open days, please contact: faults, regardless of the machine’s cards, thus offering an almost challenge within the Oil & Gas industry [email protected] location, so that we can get to the unlimited number of connection was varied from each attendee. From “Inspection of corrosion blisters getting Contact root cause of stoppages quicker. permutations. an accurate remaining wall thickness” T +44 (0)1954 231612 These features are critical to our to “Adopting new technology and [email protected] 24/7 customer support service.” T +44 (0)1527 529774 looking beyond what we currently use.” www.mistrasgroup.co.uk Mi Data See them on page .............20-21 Aurelius Environmental See them on page ................... 30 Search for us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @bait_uk and download our iOS app Funeral Planning Services Company of the Year Family First Business and Industry Today is most pleased to feature Golden Charter as its deserved Funeral Planning Services Company of the Year. Founded in 1989, Golden Charter was established with one core purpose: to safeguard the future of local, independent businesses (many of a family-run nature). Over the decades, under the careful ownership of an association of independent funeral directors, organisation. Pre-paid for extra ease, these businesses alike, and this reward reflects the the company has progressed in leaps and The past 12 months in particular have been low-cost alternatives are suitable for those progress we have made to fulfil that potential. bounds to become the UK’s foremost provider full of strategic activity according to Director who aren’t looking for a traditional send-off of pre-paid funeral services. The experienced of Communications, Gordon Swan, who said, and would rather have an unattended ‘direct “Aside from continuing to focus on our industry experts are well equipped to provide “After years of growth and strong market cremation.’ funeral director owners and protecting local people with a range of later life planning legal leadership, the past year has been about independent businesses around the UK, legal services and pre-paid funeral plans, and their taking stock, adjusting our direction of travel Golden Charter strives to help families save services are vital to our future plans. We are network of independent funeral directors is and making sure that we are set up for future money in the long run and this is achieved well placed to provide an entire suite of later able to assist with the meticulous organisation success. That has meant everything from new by freezing the costs of the funeral director’s life planning products, and are already a process, taking care of all of the necessary products and pricing strategies to internal services included in the plan at today’s prices. major source of wills in particular, alongside arrangements. revamps to our systems and ways of doing This technique has enabled the company everything from powers of attorney and things, right down to putting more money away to become remarkably resilient and is, in probate plans to asset protection. Growing Golden Charter has around 300 staff to protect us and help us expand further. essence, one of the factors contributing to the that business will help to protect independent members who work nationwide; competently brand’s acquisition of leader-worthy status funeral director businesses well into the facilitating the needs of families courtesy “Our sales results early in 2017 have been in this all-important industry. Gordon was future, and ensure families are as secure of its vast network (more than 3,000 encouraging, showing that we are absolutely pleased to discuss these accomplishments, as possible in their later life at a time of independent funeral directors carry out on the right track. Since introducing a new, particularly when asked to detail his thoughts economic uncertainty.” Golden Charter funeral plans all over the more competitive pricing strategy and new on receiving recognition from Business and UK, in towns and cities including London, products built around the idea of changing Industry Today, “It is wonderful to have our T 0800 111 4514 Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Blackpool, Ayr, attitudes and an increasingly price sensitive years of progress acknowledged, and this www.goldencharter.co.uk Cookstown and Bangor). The company is well customer, we have seen a notable uptick in award shows we continue to be on the right positioned to provide legal services as well sales across the business. The way society track,” he concluded. “It is only right that as, of course, high quality funeral plans. As thinks about death and dying is evolving it comes as we bring a renewed focus a result customers can reach out to Golden quickly, and our results so far this year have to consumers’ needs. Golden Charter Charter for support regarding wills, powers of shown that the business is moving with the has the potential to be a major force attorney and asset protection. times.” for good, for families and local A key community issue presented in UK parliaments and media reports relates to that of ‘funeral poverty’ and a frustrating lack of state financial support. Golden Charter has taken action and responded to these claims by developing its new Value Plan (https:// www.goldencharter.co.uk/funeral-plans/ products/value/), which was launched purposefully to extend the choice of plans for families. This specific scheme combines the benefits of the company’s core plans, reaching out to people who may not have Operating with a philosophy revolving around otherwise considered the possibility of reassurance, trust, expertise and security, planning for the future. Golden Charter aims to make the whole process as seamless as possible, taking The Golden Charter team understand the stress away from family members whilst that when it comes to funerals, providing them with a service built entirely everyone’s needs are different around their needs. If individuals feel and this is why they ensure particularly uncomfortable discussing the topic all wishes are specified and of later life planning then no-obligation home budgets taken into account visits can be arranged at a suitable time – this when devising a suitable plan. offering is highly convenient and provides a Some people are looking to greater sense of support and peace of mind forego a service altogether for the potential customer. The website www. and this cross-section goldencharter.co.uk is also a great resource of customers can now that can be utilised by those who prefer to be facilitated with consider their options from the comfort of the no-fuss Basic their own home – families can browse the and Basic Plus plans online, as this method of purchasing is a Plans recently growing trend that has positively impacted the introduced company in recent times. by the 2 is sponsored by Mistras Group – see them on the Front Cover Training & Development News Look after your people and they’ll take care of your business Focussed on delivering exceptional results for companies across “What makes us unique,” Paul continued, “is our ability to the UK, Beyond Theory is so much more than just a training link employee engagement and leadership with customer provider. Through superior knowledge and expertise, this experience. Everything we do is even backed by our money well-respected company helps businesses motivate and engage back guarantee, so, if you are not satisfied then you don’t pay. teams, improve leadership skills and increase business growth. “We have experienced a great deal of growth over the years It was set up in 2012 by Director and Senior Consultant and are currently taking on new associates that specialise Paul Beesley. Having worked in the corporate world for in different areas. One of our new associates is focussed on many years, Paul was extremely knowledgeable when it encouraging and engaging younger people. We feel this will be came to engaging staff and enhancing customer service.