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).

The 2012 Decathlon Challenge is well underway, with the first of ten sporting events occurring on the 21^st of February- The Badminton Challenge!

 Sponsored by CCV, The Badminton Challenge takes place at the Westgate Badminton Centre, and will allow participants to play in mixed double games, with the opportunity of playing against a celebrity or international standard player!

 R&M employees are also in training for the R&M sponsored “Walking Event” taking place at Manor Farm Country Park, Southampton, on the 25^th of March.  With over 50 entrants taking part from R&M, the organisers are anticipating that there will be over 400 participants in this mixed ability event. 

The event caters for all levels of fitness and provides a variety of courses from 5 to 20 kilometres and with a barbeque, bouncy castle and climbing wall being laid on it promises to be a great family day out!

 The 123 Decathlon Challenge aims to raise £100,000 for local charities – The Rainbow Centre, Wessex Cancer Trust and The Rose Road Association through a series of 10 sporting events to celebrate the 2012 Olympic Year.  With over £25,000 already raised the organisers are well on their way to achieving this goal!

 To take part in any of the events or for more information click on the link to the 123 Decathlon website

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!”

As part of the launch of the Olympic themed charity event, The 123 Decathlon Challenge, a team of local business people set off on a 17 mile bike ride to visit the charities being supported. The challenge officially kicks off in February 2012 and has already raised £25,000 for Hampshire based charities in its bid to raise £100,000.

The 19 strong team took to their saddles, starting at The Rainbow Centre in Fareham, where they were waved off by three year old, Felix Snell, who suffers from cerebral palsy. Following a thoroughly planned out and picturesque cycle route, the cyclists headed towards Southampton visiting the Wessex Cancer Trust and finally finishing the journey at The Rose Road Association on Aldermoor Road.

R&M are excited to be involved in the Decathlon by sponsoring the Walking section of the 10 stage event.  Our aim is to raise a minimum of £20,120 towards the final goal of £100,000 with R&M employees and their friends and families taking part in a 5, 10 or 20 kilometer walk, being held at Manor Farm Country Park on the 25^th of March 2012.

To get involved or to sponsor the 1  2  3  Decathlon (1 Decathlon, 2 Fellows, 3 Charities) go to:
http://www.cwfellowes.com/123/

Purpose-made single channel, ideal for multi-tiered installations. Brand new design to facilitate site installations.
Ideal for fast suspension of cable containment, air conditioning cassettes, chilled beams, etc.

• Tapered design – accommodates all slots sizes
• Discreet – fits completely inside the channel
• Pre-fits onto channel to ease working at height
• Pin allows rapid adjustment
• Aesthetic design
• Load rated at 45 kg with a 5:1 safety factor
• Available as an accessory for multi-tiered installations
• Supplied as a ready-to-use kit

Hounds for Heroes founder (Gulf War veteran Allen Parton) was pleased to announce that due to the generosity of donators in the region, training of the initial 5 puppies purchased through the charity, commenced this month!

The puppies will undergo extensive training over the next two years to ensure they are the perfect companion and “helper” to injured and disabled men and women of both the UK armed forces and civilian emergency services.

Each puppy will be provide specially trained assistance in areas such as collecting the post and flicking light switches for their owner.

Fund raising for the charity continues with a long way to go to achieving their goal of training and providing 50 assistance dogs – with each one costing approximately £20,000 in its life time covering food, training and insurance.

For more information on how to help Hounds for Heroes in its appeal contact info@houndsforheroes.com or go to their website Hounds for Heroes

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 excited to be involved in the Decathlon by sponsoring the Walking section of the 10 stage event.  Our aim is to raise a minimum of £20,120 towards the final goal of £100,000 with R&M employees and their friends and families taking part in a 5, 10 or 20 kilometer walk, being held at Manor Farm Country Park on the 25^th of March 2012.

“We are very pleased to be associated with the 1  2  3 Decathlon, and our employee have been more than enthusiastic in supporting the event.  With 40 of our local employees having already signed up to participate in the walk and with many other “not so sporty” members having agreed to “marshal” the event we are confident that we will raise the £20,120 target we have set ourselves!  It is for a great cause and will be a great family day out and with all participants being invited to a free BBQ after the event we anticipate a large turnout on the day!”  William Crook – Financial Director

To get involved or to sponsor the 1  2  3  Decathlon (1 Decathlon, 2 Fellows, 3 Charities) go to:

http://www.cwfellowes.com/123/

The 123 Decathlon Challenge 2012 is made up of the following events:

• February – Badminton
• March – Walk
• April – Cycle (Track)
• May – Tennis
• July – Triathlon
• September – Athletics
• September – Run
• October – Road Cycle
• November – Table Tennis
• December – Swim

A number of R&M staff have donated there top lips in order to  raise awareness and funds for men’s health; specifically prostate and testicular cancer. Joe, Pete, Andy, Mike, Dave, Nick, Martin and Brian are growing there moustaches for the whole of November all in the name of raising vital awareness and funds for cancers affecting men.

Here are some facts to show just how important raising awareness is

•  1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime 
•  This year 37,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed 
•  1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime 
•  26% of men are less likely to go the doctor compared to women 

To find out more about Movember please click here

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