As part of their 25^th Anniversary Celebrations R&M are pleased to announce the first stage of their commemorative year festivities  by launching the long awaited “Technical” area of their website.

The section went live on the 1^st of February and has been developed to bring together all the vast technical knowledge available through R&M into one convenient location.

Specifically designed to focus on the diverse specialist markets supplied by R&M the area has particular relevance to those working in hazardous areas, both in the international and domestic markets.

The Technical Area has been split into 7 distinct areas for ease of use:

• General Information – contains information regarding certificates and permits, product conversion tables and comparison charts.
• Hazardous Area – a specific area designed to impart information regarding ATEX and DSEAR compliance.
• Product Guidance Notes – a developing section to aid users in the use of particular products.
• Product Selection Charts – focusing on hazardous area selection charts e.g. Hawke Gland selection.
• Technical Data Sheets
• Technical Information – with particular focus on Cable Specification
• Technical Training – highlighting the training and advice R&M are able to provide with regards to the complex legislation surrounding working in hazardous area conditions.

“We are delighted with the Technical Area and hope that users of our website find it useful.  The area has been specifically conceived to be constantly updated, with new information being added all of the time – R&M welcomes any feedback or suggestions users of the area may have to make the area more informative and user friendly!” comments Rachal Wilson (Commercial Manager).

R&M Fixings and Supports Director – Steve Cargill – is taking on the gigantic challenge of joining the “Saints Big Bike Challenge” on the 9^th of April next year (Easter Monday), involving a 85 cycle ride from St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, to Selhurst Park – the home of Crystal Palace, to coincide with a 3pm kick off!

“As anyone who knows me will tell you, I am not world renowned for my fitness regime!  But being a life-long supporter of Saints this cause is one that is very close to my heart and I am really looking forward to the challenge – saddle sores and all!  I am looking to raise a whopping £1,000, so any donations, large or small are gratefully received through my Just Giving page” Steve Cargill (Director).

The cycle ride is in support of registered charities “The Saints Foundation” and their official partner “Help the Hospices”.  Funds raised will directly support the operational costs of the Saints Education Centre, set up by the Saints Foundation to improve the education of young people in Southampton through literacy, numeracy and IT syllabus which supports the National Curriculum.

Funds raised will also support local hospices; Naomi House and the Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity. From Physiotherapy and pain relief to a listening ear and home cooked meal, your local hospice does whatever it can to help seriously ill young people and adults in the local area to live well until they die. Hospice care is free for everyone who needs it, but is not free to provide.

Saints Foundation Ambassador Iwan Thomas is fully behind the event; “I would recommend the Big Bike Challenge as a great way to get fit and raise funds for three worthwhile causes. I’m aware of the great work of Saints Foundation and the two local Hospices make a huge impact to people’s lives at a difficult time for those involved. Good luck to everyone who takes part and let’s raise plenty of money!”

R&M are pleased to announce that they are to exhibit at the prestigious HazardEx trade and conference to be held in 2012.

The event is one of the largest and most comprehensive trade events held in the UK to facilitate the exhibiting of products and services to the safety and hazardous area industry.

Keenly attended in 2011 – with over 40 specialist exhibitors – it is the event to attend for those interested in this highly complicated and specialist area.

Complementing the trade show, attendees and exhibitors can attend a two day conference, culminating in an awards ceremony celebrating innovative leaders in the Safety and Hazardous industry in such categories as:

• Technical Innovation
• Contribution Towards Safety-sponsored Intertek
• Environmental Contribution to Industry
• Best User Application
• Lifetime Contribution to the Industry

“This is the first time that R&M have exhibited at this event and we are really looking forward to attending and highlighting the specialist products and services we can offer to the industry.  We will also be taking the opportunity to unveil some exciting new products we have the exclusive distributorship rights to within the UK – so watch this space!”  Dave Norris (Group Sales Manager).

HazardEX 2012 takes place from the 29^th of February to the 1^st of March, and is hosted in the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, United Kingdom.

For further information on the exhibition see the HazardEx website

R&M are pleased to reveal that they have been ranked 49^th in the Solent 250 listings guide for 2011.

In its second year the Solent 250 is a listing of top private companies within the Solent region, and is sponsored by key organisations based in the area – Grant Thornton, Santander Corporate Banking, Paris Smith and Randall and is additionally associated with Business Solent and Business Growth Connections.

Together the organisations listed in the Solent 250 substantially contribute to the economy in the South East by employing over 81,000 people in the area, and contributing £11 billions of combined turnover within the region.

The criteria for inclusion in the Solent 250 list is strict in that organisations must be;

• Private, independent businesses
• Un-listed (either on the LSE or foreign stock markets)
• Trading in and have registered headquarters in the Solent region
• UK owned

“R&M are very pleased to have made the Solent 250 list for the second year in succession.  We are proud of our association with the area and actively contribute to the environment in which we are located, through employment opportunities, sales revenue and by actively supporting the communities in which we are based through various initiatives.  R&M consistently strives to evolve, with diversification being key to our success, which is clearly reflected in the Solent 250 listings by our moving up the list in 2011 from 73^rd to 49^th place this year!”  Andrew Chandler – Sales Director.

See full Solent 250 Listing here

R&M and Vantrunk are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership agreement between the two companies for the Kazakhstan region. More…

R&M Electrical Group announces the completion of a project to upgrade our WAN infrastructure through the expertise of the London based SAS Group. The new infrastructure will be supported by a managed services agreement between the two companies which includes 24/7 network monitoring and proactive helpdesk services.

R&M Electrical provides a range of products and services to customers around the world, and as a business relies heavily on communications in order to process customer transactions, working with a managed service provider that responds quickly to any issues with network performance or availability is crucial to R&M’s continued success.

 “Most of our remote sites have business critical applications connecting to head office,” said Mark Stone, group IT manager for R&M Electrical. “We were having days of sites not being able to process any transactions because the circuits were down and we couldn’t get a response from our service provider.” More…

R&M Electrical have long recognised the obvious benefits of having a fit and heatlhy work force, and this year have taken policy further by installing a well equipped gym at both our Head Office at Sholing and in our Swansea Branch.

R&M’s employees through-out the group are additionally taking advantage of the newly introduced “Cycle to Work” scheme, with take up on the scheme expected to be high.

The BikeScheme is a government backed initiative where employees are able to save up to 50% on the cost of a cycle and safety accessories for the purpose of cycling to work.

R&M’s employees are being encouraged to choose a cycle through our partners in this enterprise – http://www.runabikescheme.co.uk/ which they then hire back off of R&M for a monthly fee.

“R&M takes its employees well being very seriously and believe that a fit work force is an engaged work force!  The benefits of introducing such a scheme are two fold - we encourage all of our employees to get fit and healthy and at the same time R&M reduces its carbon footprint, giving us a “Win, Win” situation”  William Crook – Finance Director

R&M Sponsored 15 year old Baily Cargill played 90 minutes in the  full back position in the Home Park vs Plymouth Reserves final Combination Reserves League last week.   In a match that saw Plymouth Coming out on top (3 – 0)  Baily played a good solid game for the Cherries finding the senior game to be considerably more physical and quicker than the youth games he has been playing in.

Baily Cargill during the second half was tasked with marking  a new trialist  Plymouth are looking at as a potential signing for their first team. 26 year old “Ludovic Quistin” (11 years Bialys’ senior!) who currently plays for Forest Green FC, is a Guadeloupian International and the cousin of Tottenham Hotspurs “William Gallas!”.  Despite this Baily wasn’t intimidated by his opponent and coped very well.

Baily found the experience both encouraging and  invaluable and recognises the level he is expected to achieve in order to be promoted to the First Team.

R&M says – Watch This Space!!!

R&M cables are now stocking the Extrem H07RN-F cable, in a variety of sizes from 25mm through to 400mm.

The H07RN-F/H07RNF is an extremely flexible rubber cable, specifically designed for use in extreme weather conditions and under high mechanical and thermal stresses.

Its oil, grease and water resistant sheath makes it ideal for use in power transmission applications, both in fixed installation or mobile portable equipment, and has a higher service temperature than standard H07RN-F, with a voltage rating of 1kV.

Contact us on 01179 824402 for a quote today – or e-mail us on cable@rm-electrical.com for a full technical specification!

R&M’s Portsmouth Branch – based in the Dock Yard, are looking forward to holding their 4^th Trade Day on the 11^th of May 2011.

With over 200 visitors to last year’s event, this is a popular and well attended day.

“The success of our open day is due, in no small part, to having the manufacturers that are most relevant to our customers exhibiting. The day has a nice informal atmosphere where customers can discuss both technical and non-technical matters directly with the experts, at their leisure.  We also make the day fun by having various competitions, with refreshments being served throughout the day.” Sally Fieldsend (Manager)

 To register your interest in attending the day, or to discuss who is exhibiting on the 11^th please contact Sally Fieldsend on 023 9285 1305 or Portsmouth@rm-electrical.com