Could the Industry be on the turn??

Hi All

Firstly, i must say a big thank you to all the people that have visited and purchased on our website over the past few weeks.
After venturing into the world of online selling in 2010, things have gone from strength to strength.

The icing on the cake has got to be our new range of Welding machines. To be appointed Authorised Distributors of Oxford Mig Welders has certainly helped to drive traffic to the site.

But should i be surprised? After all, the Oxford welders are smaller and more compact than any other welder of equivalent power that ive seen, People we have shown them too, experienced welders, can't get enough. Smooth welding action, backed up with fantastic technical service, really make for a welding machine that is hard to beat.

Since introducing these machines 2 weeks ago, we have already sold 10+ machines both locally and online. Thats a phenomonal success. And we really haven't begun to proactively advertise these machines in our local area.

Are these purchases, that are in addition to our normal machine sales, a sign that the fabrication industry is on the upturn? We certainly hope so. It's encouraging to see that most of these machines have gone to welding workshops due to the upturn of business they have seen.

One local company to us is now open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, taking on new welders all the time. Fingers crossed that this carries on.

As a final note, please be sure to check out this excellent welding forum. It's relatively new, but run by a great guy, sponsored in part by us. We list member only offers and discounts there, so please sign up and take part.

Until next time
Andy

Health & Safety Not Gone Mad

Hello to all

Lately I've been giving a lot of thought to the PPE products we have on our website.

I follow quite a few twitter users that specialize in Health & Safety matters and some of the news reports coming from them are very concerning.

I am sure like me you have shook your head in disbelief at some of the new H&S laws. I do think there are many changes that have been made that not only cost businesses a lot of money but take up so much time implementing and checking. Time is money.

But when it comes to kitting your staff out with clothing and equipment needed, really can you take the risk?

Safety glasses, Hi Viz clothing, gloves, ear defenders, hard hats, safety footwear - these are all what i would class as "standard" items. If you work in construction, warehousing, workshops, even packing jobs - these items should be on your list before you ever set foot in the workplace.
Any employer or employee for that matter skipping these is really setting themselves up for disaster.

"You can replace PPE, you cant replace your eyes". But the same goes for your hearing, your skull, hands, feet. Protect them and do a better job.

Times are hard, the economy isn't great, and particularly for small businesses, the idea of cutting costs is appealing. But cut costs elsewhere, not when it comes to your safety and the safety of those around you.
It could be very costly in the long run.

Until next time

Andy

Long time no write

Apologies to all our readers

I cant believe how time flies when you are having fun!
Not only have we been constantly updating our website, adding welding consumables into the mix, but we have also become an Authorised Stockist of Oxford Welding Machines. We are now the sole distributor for the machines in the North West.
Which is a great addition to our already impressive range.

Oxford machines are well known and have been used in heavy duty fabrication for over 50 years.
We now stock all the main sizes of machines. Well built, robust, durable. 2 year guarantee.

Outside of our  hectic work schedule, our manager (me) and his wife have just had their 3rd child. Esme' Rose was born 3 weeks ago.
So, personally, things have never been busier.

Please take a look on the website at our new Aerosols section. We have adjusted all our prices and are confident that we are very competitive.

So until next time, thanks again for reading and please keep checking the website for more products

Andy

Stock Take

Every year, the last week before xmas, we do a full stock take.
Now, just saying that line probably doesn't do it justice.

But, read that line again and look here
The products on there are probably a 5th of what we do.

The worst things to count have got to be these. Oh how long it takes. We hold so many in stock its difficult to appreciate it until you try and count every pair!
Its always freezing cold, so thermals and gloves are essential. Now i dont really suit hats, but xmas stock take is never done without one. I favour this style. At the end of the day, i look stupid in all of them anyway, so why worry!

Normally, December is a quiet time for us. With workshops, warehouses and garages shutting down for xmas, our last 2 weeks leading up to the Big day are somewhat calm and stress free.
But this year, somethings changed.
Apparently we are out of the recession now. Although i totally disagree that everything is looking up and rosy for the UK climate, i must admit that its been busier these last 2 weeks than it has ever been in Decembers previous.

Ive been here 4 years now, and i think this is going to be the first year i am busy right up until xmas eve.
There will be no toasting my nuts and sipping sherry this xmas eve. Ill be fulfilling all the website orders and shipping the last few parcels out the door.
If the weather continues to be cold and icy then more of these are going to sell, i have no doubt.

So ill keep you all updated as the next couple of weeks go by.

Have fun

The Joys of Facebook

Ok, so ill start by warning everyone that todays post, the first of what i hope are many, is actually a rant about the frustration i have had at the hands of Facebook.

We have just launched our newly designed website, ecommerce, full of products etc. And of course, high on our priority list is to set up Social Media links. You Tube is great.

Facebook was our number 1 choice.

We set up our page, photos, About Us etc. But, in order for the facebook link to work on our website, you need to have a unique user name with facebook.
To do this, you need to verify your Facebook account by receiving a text message.

3 phone numbers later.....still no verification code.
So today i tried a landline. At last, success!
But no, not only does the beautiful toned BT woman read the verification code out at the same speed as the jimmy Saville enquiry, its also case sensitive.

So after trying 1 million combinations of the same code i tried a different mobile number on a different network.

Did it work.....cant tell you. Would appear i have had too many attempts at receiving the code, which is apparently my fault, and am now directed to their "help" menu.
I use the term "help" lightly!!!

There is no telephone support for this huge global empire.
So what shall i do now?

Well, ive issued the staff with these and will be picking the bits of my computer up off the floor shortly.

Please, be sure to checkout our website at www.arc-rite.co.uk