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Hemsec Sponsors Cold Chain Live 2023
Sep 20, 2023
Cold Chain Federation Live 2023 - Resilience and Opportunity in the Cold Chain
Last week between 14th – 15th September, Hemsec were proud to be Gold Sponsors of Cold Chain Live 2023. We had a great time at the Cold Chain Federation Live 2023. It was fantastic to connect with so many inspiring people across the sector and be part of important discussions surrounding the future of the industry.
Our Highlights
The event was buzzing with excitement around the key themes of Resilience and Opportunity in the Cold Chain. There were many thought-provoking discussions and presentations throughout the conference, here are some of our key speaker highlights:
- PWC's Claire Fox and Alex Shaw told us that nearly 40% of CEO’s don’t think that their companies will be economically viable a decade from now if they remain on the current plan. Also 60% of their survey respondents expect ESG initiatives to be a key part of their agenda in the year ahead. PWC also added that ESG initiatives are key to attracting new talent to the industry. People are now very well educated on well-being, and it is important that the industry meets the expectations of workers to retain and recruit successfully.
- Clive Thornley from Styne Refrigeration, reviewed CCF's 2023 stats and the opportunities & challenges for refrigeration engineering in the short and long term.
- Chris Hall, Asda Supply Chain VP, delivered a fantastic speech urging companies not to wait until all the stars are aligned to try something new. The idea that not everything needs to be successful at first and we should be working as an industry to ‘fail fast to succeed quickly’ was inspiring.
- The On-Site Heat Company talked through how they have implemented a system to recover heat energy from one place and utilise it in the same building for different processes.
- Shane Brennan Chief Executive of the CCF, asked the industry whether we can reduce the blast freeze standard from -18 to maybe -15 or less. He believes the answer is ‘probably yes’, but the need is for more research and data to drive customer acceptance. Tom Southall mirrored this and suggested that the CCF could be a great forum for lobbying for this.
- In the 'Energy Zone' break out session, Jakob Tercon discussed the opportunities around ‘waste as a resource’ and gave examples of manufacturers that are collaborating with their neighbours to redirect waste energy in the form of heating or cooling. This localised approach was an insightful idea, and something that really got us thinking.
Hemsec on the Panel
Our Sales & Marketing Director, Sarah Gazzola, joined the panel in the Energy Zone on day two. The topic of conversation was ‘Right First Time – Principles for Excellence in Cold Store Construction and Refurbishment’. Sarah highlighted the importance of collaboration in the supply chain and ensuring that investment in new, more energy efficient technologies, is not ‘wasted through the walls’. An holistic approach is needed to optimise investment in green technologies and make maximum impact on emissions and energy waste reduction, reminding people not to neglect the fabric of the building.
Competition Time
Hemsec’s ‘Rock & Roll’ competition saw people competing for the top prize and a chance to be entered into the draw from 2nd place to 10th.
After some extremely fierce competition, congratulations to Rachel Lenton from Zestec Renewable Energy for winning the top prize with an incredible time of 20.76secs!! The Apple AirTags are on their way. And well done to Ellie Card from ISD Solutions for winning an Amazon Echo Pop for ‘Best of the Rest’ with a time of 26.38secs.
Thank you to Cold Chain Federation for organising the event, and to the brilliant speakers and our fellow partners for making it happen – we look forward to the next one!
About Hemsec
Hemsec has been one of the UK’s leading independent composite insulated panel manufacturers since 1923. With nearly 100 years of experience in the industry, Hemsec has played a key role in shaping the use of insulated panels across many industries, including the cold chain.
Find out more about the Cold Chain Federation here.
(4 min read) Liverpool City Region Mayor Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Press Machine at Hemsec’s New £4 Million SIPs Manufacturing Hub. Today (Liverpool, UK - 22 April 2024) marks a significant milestone in the region’s manufacturing landscape as Mayor Steve Rotheram officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art press machine at Hemsec’s new £4 million Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Manufacturing Hub, located in the heart of Knowsley, Liverpool. The unveiling ceremony, attended by key stakeholders and industry leaders, showcased Hemsec’s ambitious vision and cutting-edge capabilities of the press machine, which stands as the only one of its kind in the world. This groundbreaking technology is positioned to drive crucial innovation in the construction sector and a fabric-first approach to achieving a net zero built environment, particularly in the area of social and affordable housing. With a manufacturing capacity unlike any other, the new manufacturing hub and press promise unparalleled efficiency and precision in the production of SIPs, a building material known for its superior energy efficiency, speed of build and long-term sustainable impact. This advancement comes at a crucial time as the UK faces a significant shortfall in social housing, with communities across the country in dire need of affordable and high-quality accommodation. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram emphasised the importance of this new manufacturing hub and its potential to address the housing crisis and other key issues important to the region's communities. Managing Director at Hemsec, Stephen Painter commented: "The opening of Hemsec’s SIPs Manufacturing Hub represents a transformative moment for Liverpool and the British manufacturing industry. With the capabilities of this pioneering press machine, we have an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the construction of much-needed truly affordable social housing, providing safe and sustainable homes for our communities. A fabric-first approach to sustainable buildings is crucial for ensuring the performance of our homes is optimised now and remains for the lifetime of the building, securing longevity in energy efficiency."
(3 min read) Hemsec are committed to reshaping the build environment for a better tomorrow. We are proud to sponsor 23 mental wellbeing boxes created by UK Unplugged and support families in our local community in the North West. The 23 boxes will help 23 families promote and prioritise mental wellbeing, in a time where this has never been more crucial. UK Unplugged started as a local community group in 2019, dedicated to supporting parents and carers to balance their family time on and off screens. The group is made up of professional and student volunteers from Liverpool John Moores University, who create learning activities and experiences for families in Liverpool in the form of an activity box. Families can subscribe to the boxes on a monthly basis. UK Unplugged work to bring local, regional and international communities together to share experiences, all whilst ensuring that the activities reduce screentime and improve mental wellbeing for the families they support. In April, UK Unplugged will be working to donate their boxes to low-income families & those on the CAMHS waiting list. They have pulled together a team of Architecture students and volunteers who are creating specialised boxes and Hemsec has agreed to sponsor the creation of 23 these boxes. The boxes provide: · 10 hours of screen-free fun · Education on new ideas and cultures · They are accessible & eco-friendly This year UK Unplugged – Architecture box are focusing on Sustainability and diversity; the boxes will educate families on different living spaces and sustainable choices around the world. Investing in the education of sustainable buildings for families across the northwest is a brilliant cause that we are proud to be part of.
(2 min read) Hemsec hosts Riverside College & Cronton Sixth Form students at SIPs Manufacturing Hub for Aspire Week. Last Friday, (15 th March 2024) we welcomed students of digital built environment, architecture, and built environment skills from Riverside College Widnes & Runcorn and Cronton Sixth Form College to our Huyton SIPs panel factory. Students enjoyed an informative morning learning about SIPs And getting hands-on with our panels to help inform their studies. The students received a talk from Dan Haworth , Head of Manufacturing, and a factory tour, followed by round table speed meetings with staff from all areas of the business. They also had the unique opportunity to get hands-on with building miniature SIP Panel structures. And to add a little extra fun, we set up a bit of friendly competition with a structural design challenge with custard creams! Because why not? SIPs panels and custard creams are distant cousins, after all! We're looking forward to hosting more students and future construction talent in the future.
(4 m in read) On Tuesday Hemsec employees came together in good Christmas cheer at our annual Christmas party. Through a spirited raffle, the company successfully raised an impressive £1000 for The Big Help Project . What is The Big Help Project? The Big Help Project was set up with the mission to feed the hungry, overcome poverty, free people from the burden of unmanageable personal debt, help people into affordable housing, and to assist people onto a better future. For over ten years Big Help Project has formed a social impact eco-system, providing on-the-ground wrap-around services to make sure nobody is left in crisis. Every day of the week Big Help Project is making a difference and helping people break the cycle of poverty. So far, the project has helped thousands of people across the UK — but they still have a lot of ground to cover. That’s where local businesses like Hemsec, our customers, suppliers and partners come into the picture.
To avoid disappointment, place your orders ready for Christmas and the first few weeks of the New Year. (2 min read) It’s that time of year again! In an effort to allow our hardworking team some well-deserved time with their families, Hemsec has scheduled our usual temporary shutdown over the Christmas period. We want to ensure our customers are well-informed about the key dates to avoid any inconvenience in the run up, during and following this period. We encourage all our valued customers to place their orders in the coming weeks to avoid any disappointment over the Christmas period and the first two weeks of January. Our team is committed to ensuring your needs are met, and early orders will help us achieve this goal. **Place Your Orders Before Monday 20th November to secure delivery before Christmas** Production slots are booking up fast, so please plan your orders accordingly to ensure timely delivery and secure lead times running into the new year. **Final Dispatch Day - Monday 18th December, 2023** To ensure your orders reach you before the holiday break, our last day of dispatch will be on Monday, December 18th, 2023. Please place your orders early to guarantee timely delivery. **Last Day in the Office - Friday 22nd December, 2023** Our team's last day in the office before the holiday closure will be on Friday, December 22nd, 2023. We will be available to assist with any inquiries until this date. **Reopening - Tuesday 2nd January, 2024** Hemsec will resume operations and be fully open for business on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024. We look forward to continuing to work with you in the new year. All the team at Hemsec wishes you a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year. Thank you for your continued support and understanding during this temporary shutdown. We look forward to working with you in 2024!
(2 min read) Earlier this month, our Macmillan Coffee Morning at Hemsec was a huge success! There was fierce competition in the ‘teacup toss’, along with an impressive 'Is it Cake?' panel replica competition, and a mouthwatering bake-off, all while raising an amazing £489 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The fundraising didn't stop there! We held a second coffee morning for our staff who couldn't make it, and the deliciousness and generosity did not disappoint. 🙌💚☕ Together the Hemsec team smashed last year's total! So we are already looking forward to the next event, keeping the momentum going, and making a difference for those who need it most. 💪☕🍰 Our Competition Winners Teacup Toss – Lyndon Gaskall Hemsec Bake-off – Liz Moran Is it Panel? Is it Cake? Competition – Stuart Cottle All our winners helped to raise an impressive sum of money for Macmillan and received a half-day holiday for their efforts in the process.
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HEMSEC MANUFACTURING LTD.
Rainhill Factory
Stoney Lane, Rainhill, Prescot, Merseyside.
L35 9LL
Huyton Factory
Huyton Business Park,
Stretton Way, Liverpool
L36 6JF
CONTACT US
Tel: 0151 426 7171
Email: contact@hemsec.com