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Business Argus

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

In brief...
New product from firm
ABERTILLERY-BASED SteriTouch has unveiled its latest breakthrough product in the form of an antibacterial yarn. Branded freshfibres, when woven into other materials such as polycotton the resultant fabric offers excellent protection against bacteria and mould. SteriTouch has already begun supplying antimicrobial bedsheets and pillowcases into Asian hospitals. Enquiries are emerging from several key markets including sportswear, workwear, underwear and upholstery manufacturers.

Work gear doesnt have to be unfashionable

By Jo Barnes
01633 777240 jba@gwent-wales.co.uk Twitter @SWABusiness
COUNTY Industrial Supplies has added one of the worlds leading brands to its stable of products by signing a deal to supply Portwest work-wear clothing The Gwent firm will stock a comprehensive range of the renowned products at its recently refurbished showroom in Pontnewydd, Cwmbran. The company has stocked industrial clothing for years, but has introduced the new high-end line to meet increased customer demand. James Pugh, of County Industrial Supplies, said: The demand for this particular brand has been growing over recent years. The full range runs to thousands of items. Adding this brand makes us even more of a one-stop shop for our customers. They can buy their tools and equipment and also the clothes they wear to do their work all from the one location. James said clothing was becoming an ever more important part, adding up to some 25 per cent of its annual business. We supply the shop floor and also places such as health centres and offices with personalised embroidered clothing. Health and safety is becoming increasingly significant, but wearers dont want the uncomfortable, clumpy clothes of the past, but something which is both safe and practical but also stylish. James says fashion is play-

PHS helps charity

CAERPHILLY-BASED workplace services provider PHS Group has aided with the refurbishment of a two-and-a-half acre site for childrens charity, Little Miracles. The Peterborough-based charity provides care and activities for children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions. It currently helps more than 700 families and has 2,500 children registered to use the centre. PHS Group supplied essential items for the build and development of the new site as part of Children in Needs big build project last month. The dedicated centre will provide help, support and specialist facilities for disabled children and their families.

James Pugh, with some of the new Portwest clothing, and inset with Alistair Ritter, of Vent Air Fabrications, Cwmbran ing an significant part in the clothes people choose to wear to work. Some of the clothes we sell to be worn at work in a number of jobs such as electricians, carpentry, plumbers and engineering almost wouldnt look out of place being worn out at the weekend, its so fashionable. The materials, such as the waterproof breathable fabrics, are the same as those used for branded clothing people wear to climb mountains, but at a fraction of the cost People, even those working in hazardous conditions needing fabric which can protect them from coming into contact with chemicals, for example, are becoming more discerning about their work wear and how they look. We are catering for this new demand. The days of throwing on any old clothes to go to work are fast disappearing. The Gwent business offers a range of clothes suitable for a number of different applications and to suit the seasons. The current range caters for the cold, wet autumnal and winter conditions. The range will change in the spring with the onset of better weather. County Industrial Supplies recently made a major investment in expanding its showroom and warehouse and is creating new jobs. The business, projected to turnover 1.8m in 2013 up from 1.51m in 2012, has been established for more than three decades. It numbers some of UKs most progressive and blue chip concerns as clients. The privatelyowned business, which employs 11 people, plans to boost the size of the existing premises, which supplies trade, industry, engineering and retail customers, by building an extension to the rear. Job numbers are projected to increase by a quarter as a result of the 150,000 investment. This is on top of a recent 70,000 investment on a refurbishment, both inside and out, of the Chapel Street premises.

Bank expands its team

HSBC has made a number of appointments to its Cardiff and South East Wales commercial team, which covers Chepstow to Swansea. Barry Greenslade and Chris Richards have joined the team as deputy area commercial directors, reporting to area commercial director Roger Pratt. Paul Blud, Anthony Couzens and David Wherry have joined the team as international commercial managers, joining Andrew Coles. The banks international proposition in Cardiff and South East Wales has been bolstered by a newly-created international business banking manager position, which focuses on companies with a turnover of up to 2m. This role has been filled by Joel Dunning.

Finance advice specialist in UKs top 200

SOUTH Wales Independent Financial Adviser Andrew Gait has been voted one of the top 200 Rated Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) in the UK by his clients. Andrew has been an adviser at Newport-based Kilsby Williams & Gould since it was founded in 2001 and his achievement was announced in The Times newspaper this month. Andrew said: There are more than 20,000 Independent Financial Advisers in the UK so Im thrilled to be in the VouchedFor.co.uk Top 200. What makes it even more special is that Ive been selected thanks to my clients. It means a lot that they have gone out of their way to support me and Id like to thank them all. I am passionate about independent financial advice. While talking about how to look after your money may not sound sexy with a growing pension and savings gap, planning your financial future is more important than ever. In a nutshell thats what financial advice is all about making sure you make the most out of your hard-earned cash and are not left short of funds in retirement or on a rainy day . Andrew was selected as a result of local clients reviewing and rating his services on consumer ratings website VouchedFor.co.uk. The site, which enables people looking for financial advice to find a recommended IFA, works like TripAdvisor. Visitors can search for an adviser free of charge based on location and services provided. Advisers are then listed based on client reviews giving those seeking advice confidence that the adviser can be trusted. Andrew is managing director at Kilsby Williams & Gould. Based at the Celtic Springs Business Park on the outskirts of Newport, the company specialises in providing financial and retirement planning and investment advice.

Andrew Gait, managing director at Kilsby Williams & Gould

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