Stress Awareness Month: Move More & Reduce Stress

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It’s Stress Awareness Month and so we wanted to talk about moving more and reducing stress. We know that getting active is not easy in this profession. Being behind the wheel for long hours leaves little room to stretch your legs. This can sometimes lead to a build-up of tension and stress. Fortunately, we have some simple steps to help you relieve such feelings.

 

Many of these steps can also help improve your overall health as well, including your mental health. Exercise is one of the best strategies for combating stress and supporting your mental wellbeing. Getting active can help lower your overall stress levels and improve your quality of life, both mentally and physically. It can also improve the quality of your sleep, which can be negatively impacted by stress, depression, and anxiety. Another positive is that it can also boost your confidence levels.

 

How Does Exercise Help with Stress?

Getting active, even if it is just a short walk, improves your body’s ability to use oxygen and also improves blood flow. Both of these changes have a direct effect on your brain. Exercise also increases your brain’s production of endorphins. Endorphins are the “feel-good” neurotransmitters that can boost your mood and help you build healthy habits.

 

Physical activity can also help take your mind off your worries. The repetitive motions involved in exercise promote a focus on your body, rather than your mind. By concentrating on the rhythm of your movements, you experience many of the same benefits of meditation. Focusing on a single physical task can produce a sense of energy and optimism. This focus can also help provide calmness and clarity.

 

Some people notice an improvement in their mood immediately after getting some exercise. But the great thing is these feelings aren’t just a one-time thing, they build up over time and boost your mood. Stress Awareness Month is a great time to start considering what you can do for yourself to help reduce stress.

 

In addition to having a direct effect on your stress levels, regular exercise also promotes optimum health in other ways. Improvements to your overall health may help to indirectly moderate your stress levels.

 

Among some of its additional benefits, exercise can help:

 

  • Strengthen your muscles and bones
  • Boost your immunity, which can decrease your risk of illness and infection
  • Lower your blood pressure, sometimes as much as some antihypertensive medications
  • Increase levels of good cholesterol in your blood
  • Improve your blood circulation

Help you sleep better at night

 

What Types of Exercise Help with Stress?

There are many ways to get moving but what are some of the most effective?

 

You don’t need to be a marathon runner or elite athlete to experience stress relief from exercise. Almost any kind of exercise can be helpful.

 

For example, consider trying moderate aerobic exercises such as:

 

  • Biking
  • Walking
  • Jogging
  • Swimming
  • Playing tennis or other racquet sports
  • Football

 

Even something as simple as gardening or choosing to take the stairs rather than the elevator can give you an emotional lift. Any type of exercise can increase your fitness and decrease your stress. However, it’s important to choose an activity that you enjoy rather than dread. If you don’t like the water, don’t choose swimming as your activity. If the thought of running makes you anxious, training for a 5K race won’t help relieve your stress. Try a variety of activities until you find some you enjoy. When you’re having fun, you’ll be more likely to stick with your workout routine.

 

If you have any tips for getting active that you’d like to share, during Stress Awareness Month and beyond, please let us know on Twitter or LinkedIn, we’d love to hear from you.

 

To read more of our blogs, click here.

 

2021: The Road Out Of Lockdown

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2020 and 2021 have brought us some of the most challenging months of our lives so far. Coming up on a year now since the first national lockdown began, we are finally beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

 

The recent announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the government’s proposed plan to cautiously ease lockdown restrictions in England, revealing that we could be free of all restrictions as early as 21st June.

 

Following the announcement, government published a four-step roadmap to ease restrictions across England and provide a route back to a more normal way of life. Each step is to be assessed against four tests before restrictions ease. The PM was also clear that the decision on each stage will be based on data not dates.

 

What are the four tests for easing restrictions?

Each stage of easing lockdown will be a minimum of five weeks apart, but four conditions must be met at each stage before proceeding to the next one:

  • The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go to plan
  • Vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying or needing hospital treatment
  • Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions
  • New coronavirus variants do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions

 

If all these criteria are met, the country progresses to the next phase of reduced restrictions. Currently, as of the 8th March, all children and students have returned to face-to-face education in schools and college and people can also leave home for recreation outdoors such as a coffee or picnic with their household or support bubble, or with one person outside their household.

 

Step 2

This will remain the case until the 12th April at the earliest. If all goes according to plan, we will enter Step 2 on this date meaning more restrictions are lifted. Changes include but are not limited to:

  • All non-essential retail, personal care premises, such as hairdressers and nail salons, and public buildings, such as libraries and community centres, will be allowed to reopen
  • Most outdoor attractions and settings, including zoos, and theme parks, will also reopen (with added safety). Drive-in cinemas and drive-in performances will also be permitted.
  • Indoor leisure facilities, such as gyms and swimming pools, will also reopen.
  • Hospitality venues will also be allowed to serve people outdoors only. There will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcohol, and no curfew – although customers must order, eat and drink while seated.

 

Step 3

The next step is set to come into effect no earlier than 17 May. This will lift more restrictions; however, it is only permitted should the four criteria be met. The new restrictions will include:

  • The lifting of most outdoor social contact rules – although gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal.
  • The reopening of indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector, and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes.
  • Larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is lower) to be allowed, as will those in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4000 people or half-full (whichever is lower).
  • In the largest outdoor seated venues where crowds can spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower).

 

Step 4

And finally, the 21st June is upon us. It is hoped that by then, all legal limits on social contact can be removed and large events and performances can go ahead.

 

What does this mean for logistics?

From now on, the demand for logistics services will only increase as people filter back to their normal lives. The logistics industry is set to go from strength to strength as its services will be required to support the reopening of all non-essential shops, recreational activities and other businesses shut down by the pandemic.

 

What are your thoughts on the current roadmap out of lockdown? Will we be spending 21st June in the pub or in our pyjamas? Let us know via our Twitter or LinkedIn pages.

 

HGV Drivers: The Importance Of Sleep

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Sleep is arguably the most important factor in maintaining a healthy body and mind. Without it, our minds become sluggish, and our bodies weary. HGV drivers are often working long shifts and on the road for many hours, so it is crucial for their physical and mental health that they take breaks and get the sleep that they need during in-between and overnight stopovers.

 

Most adults need between 7–9 hours of sleep per night, according to the Sleep Council. Getting the right amount of rest is essential for our long-term health and mental performance, and when we don’t get enough over a consistent period, our overall alertness and concentration is badly affected. If we’re starved of sleep for long enough, the neurons in our brain stop functioning properly, leading to temporary mental lapses and reduced reaction times.

 

Sleep for the Body

Not getting enough sleep can seriously impair your health. In addition to the common side effects, a lack of sleep over a prolonged period of time can cause cardiovascular problems; lead to obesity and Type-2 diabetes; and reduce immune system functioning.

 

Getting plenty of high-quality sleep, on the other hand, is very healthy. Your body is getting enough time to heal damaged cells, lower your blood pressure, and boost your immune system as well as making sure it is properly regulated.

 

If you have any infections or feel ill, sleep is your body’s chance to do the repairs that it needs to do. Most of the physical benefits of sleep occur during NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep, which makes up around 75% of your total sleep.

 

Sleep for the Mind

Sleep is also directly related to your mood, and in the long term, to your mental health. If you don’t get enough sleep for one or two nights, you may notice yourself getting grumpy and irritable. Lack of sleep over long periods can be a factor in depression in anxiety.

 

The other type of sleep is REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This makes up around 25% of total sleep. You may already know that it is during this time that we dream, even if you don’t remember having one. Dreams help us to process our emotions, memories and reduce the stresses of the day. It’s important to get a good night’s sleep so that you get time in both NREM and REM sleep. This way, your body and mind can recover fully, and you will wake up the next day feeling refreshed.

 

Staying Safe

Not getting enough sleep affects your ability to perform physical and mental tasks. After a bad night’s sleep, you may notice that you have difficulty with concentration, as well as absorbing and processing information. If you drive for a living, it’s especially important that you get a good night’s sleep, falling asleep at the wheel or even driving drowsy could have serious repercussions. A report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that drivers who only got 5-6 hours of sleep (as opposed to the optimal 7-9 hours) were 1.9 times more likely to be involved in an accident than those who got 7 hours sleep or more. Those who got less than 4 hours sleep were 11.5 times more likely to be in an accident.

 

What Can You Do to Improve Your Sleep Habits?

When it comes to getting enough sleep, there’s only so much an employer can do. As a driver, you have a personal responsibility to be well-rested on the job and must do what you can to try and get the best sleep possible.

 

If you are struggling to get the recommended amount of sleep, then there are a number of things that can help:

 

Optimising sleeping environment: Blackout blinds or curtains can be especially helpful for shift workers.

Ensuring bedding is comfortable: A mattress should support the hips and spine completely, and a pillow should keep the neck in alignment with the body. Natural-fibre bed linen can also help keep the body cool at night.

Consider a daylight lamp: Daylight lamps can boost natural waking. They’re especially useful for shift workers, who may need to get up at night.

Reduce blue light before bed: The blue light on our phones and computers interferes with the body’s circadian rhythm, so electricals should be swapped for a book at least an hour before bed.

Learn more about your unique sleep pattern: We’re all different, so you should pay attention to your own unique needs. For instance, some people can fall asleep very easily, while other people are more sensitive to caffeine, alcohol or certain foods, which can keep them awake. You need to know your own body and try to avoid things you know will keep you up.

Maintain the rhythm: It is also important to maintain your sleep habits whilst at home or on days off. This will make it easier to get the correct amount of sleep when you return to work and avoid having to reintroduce yourself to a certain sleep pattern.

 

If all these measures fail, or you should feel tired on the road, you should drink some caffeine and take a short nap which can provide a burst of energy during a long shift. Studies have shown napping after caffeine can boost your energy more than normal upon waking. You should also know what you can do if a lack of sleep is becoming a problem, including reporting it to your manager and seeking medical treatment.

 

If you have any other tips or tricks for a better nights sleep you’d like to share, please let us know on Twitter or LinkedIn, we’d love to hear from you.  To read more of our blogs, click here.

 

 

Warehousing and Automation: The Benefits

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Automation is a powerful tool and comes in many shapes and forms. In warehousing, automation is generally used to improve existing methods by increasing efficiency, speed, reliability, accuracy and (eventually) cost savings.

 

Robotics in manufacturing has been well established for many years and applications within warehouse operations will become more mainstream. We’ve compiled a list of pros for modern warehouse solutions.

 

PROS

  • Modern warehouse automation technologies are more flexible and scalable compared to older automation solutions like conveyors, which are bulky and fixed in place.

 

  • Warehouse operators can rent additional robots to accommodate increased demand during peak season, returning them when demand returns to normal.

 

  • Collaborative mobile robots also don’t require infrastructure changes, unlike conveyor systems, so they’re easier to implement.

 

  • Space optimisation is another benefit of warehouse automation, allowing warehouses to maximize the use of vertical space by storing items in higher locations that are typically difficult for warehouse operatives or forklifts to reach. Drones, cranes and some AS/RS solutions make it easier to access these higher storage locations, so warehouses can monetize more cubic feet.

 

  • Many automated and robotic systems are well developed, and it is often a case of establishing suitability of the technology within the logistics operation.

 

  • The potential flexibility of some of the robotic technologies may reduce the risks traditionally viewed with large automated systems.

 

  • Robotics will no longer be the domain of just the larger businesses who have driven much of the development to date. Some of these robotic solutions can be adapted and utilised in a small traditional warehouse to support existing staff.

 

 

WAREHOUSING TECHNOLOGY TRENDS 2021

Many warehouse operations have some form of mechanised material handling solutions to improve productivity; forklift trucks, conveyors, sorters, product to picker systems to automatic storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). The easier jobs in the warehouse have always been the quick wins for automation.

 

Pallet stacking robots and robot de-layering are well established undertaking repetitive tasks that can be mechanised reasonably easily.

 

Collaborative robots are becoming increasingly common directly supporting human activity such as independent load carrying robots that can move a completed pallet to a loading bay determining their own route through a warehouse.

 

Piece picking robots are another area of development, with the ability to move around a warehouse and pick items from shelves at multiple levels using an extendable arm with grip and sucker technology. They will become more sophisticated as they are developed for differing operations in conjunction with AI.

 

Other systems are based upon the product to picker concept. These robots sequence the product presentation, usually the shelving unit and appropriate pick shelf to the pick station, reducing picker travel time, improving pick productivity and space utilisation.

 

Here at Barnes, we maintain 50,000 sqft of modern racked warehousing which uses wire guided VNA trucks to maximise efficiency of space. We also have a bespoke Warehouse management system that allows us to track product location whilst on site. We also offer pick and pack operations, as well as full pallet movements to fit your needs.

 

Investing in the right warehouse automation solutions could be a smart financial decision. With technology ever evolving more trends will come and go so keep your eye on the world of warehouse automation.

 

Get in touch to find out how our warehouse solutions can support your business.

 

 

Logistics Services: How Investing in Roads Can Help

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Logistics services are an important element of a successful supply chain that helps to increase the sales and profits of businesses that deal with the production, shipment, warehousing and delivery of goods worldwide. A reliable logistics service can not only boost the economic strength of any business but also help to maintain a positive public image.

It is therefore imperative that this service is able to operate as effectively and efficiently as possible and that is hugely reliant on the improvement and maintenance of UK roads. In August, Highways England unveiled the details of plans for a £27.4 billion investment in the strategic road network across the country.

They promise to deliver £14 billion of projects improving the quality, capacity and safety of the motorways and major A roads that have helped keep the country going during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UK’s road network is a vital part of everyone’s life. It continues to serve the country well during the ongoing pandemic, keeping supermarket shelves stocked and enabling key workers to get where they need to be.

However, operations can only continue to run smoothly if proper funds are injected into the maintenance and improvement of this country’s roads. Over the next five years, Highways England plan to increase capacity where it is most needed and continue to upgrade more of the network which has suffered from decades of under-investment.

Improved roads could mean an easier drive for many hauliers. Less instances of acceleration and deceleration due to the lack of potholes, narrow roads and maintenance vehicles will mean a decrease in the level of fuel consumed during transport. If routes were more efficient or roads were improved, vehicles would produce less emissions. Not only would this lead to cheaper overall costs in terms of fuel but it would also contribute to the management of future environmental damage.

Further improvements will lead to a decreased need for maintenance on vehicles. Many roads have cracks that are just waiting to turn into dangerous potholes that could potentially cause collisions. Local roads where hauliers make their last-mile deliveries are often in an even worse state and the damage to HGVs – in particular, to their suspension systems – can have quite an impact. Resurfacing those roads would incur less damage to hauliers and other road users.

More potholes mean more breakdowns, more roadworks and more delays. These delays for a ‘just-in-time’ industry can be disastrous. Faster travel times with less obstacles and more efficient routes would make journeys faster and more reliable for haulage companies across the UK.

The FTA reports that improving the country’s roads is the most important thing politicians can do to support an efficient logistics industry. Implementing seamless logistics is a key element in keeping pace with consumer demands and outperforming competitors. In 2018, over 193 billion tonne kilometres of domestic freight was moved within the UK, of which 79% was transported by road. If these transport routes are not kept in tip-top shape, these figures will only decrease.

Share your view on this countries’ roads and the difference proper investment would make, on our Twitter or LinkedIn. You can also follow us for regular updates on the logistics industry as well as information on our logistics and warehousing services.

For more Barnes blogs, click here.

“Just In Time Logistics” – Why Should You Use It?

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Here at The Barnes Group, we specialise in Just In Time Logistics (JIT) – designed to make use of precise timings, ensuring maximum efficiency.  This type of logistics allows for goods to be re-stocked and distributed before they are sold.  Our highly trained warehouse operatives keep our warehouses running smoothly, allowing for efficient logistics targets to be met.

 

Through the clever calculation of lead times and reducing the cost of carrying extra stock inventory, JIT provides a desirable method to create more streamlined lead times and less money spent on inventory costs.

 

JIT is well thought of as a cost saving method – reducing the amount of inventory that is needed through the supply chain.  This is otherwise known as the pull-method, where goods are produced at each stage, but only when they are required at the next stage.  This process also prevents wastage caused by defective products, as every output is monitored before moving on to the next stage in the supply chain.

 

An optimised supply chain will help to deliver stock to customers in a timely manner, a strategy that spends as little money as possible.  In turn, a streamlined supply chain will have a positive effect on customer satisfaction.  Keeping down costs, reducing waste and keeping customers happy?  JIT is certainly worth considering.

 

Here at The Barnes Group, we run a successful JIT strategy, that is well synchronised at every stage – helping to compress time and reduce cost for customers.  With JIT, you have a faster turnaround on stock, therefore there is less of a need for so much warehouse or storage space.  This frees up cost for spending on other aspects of a business.

 

For smaller companies, JIT is ideal for inventory management, as the process doesn’t require the purchase of large amounts of stock in one go.  This logistics strategy instead, is economical and promotes a healthy cash flow for a business.

 

If you’re looking to introduce Just In Time logistics into your business plan, get in touch with The Barnes Group today on 0161 684 3070, to find out how our strategies can help to make your company more economical and reduce waste.

 

 

Clear Air Zones UK – Good News Or Bad News?

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Clean Air Zones (CAZ) are areas in the UK that have been introduced by local authorities to improve air-quality by introducing fees for drivers. In a daring bid to reduce emissions, Clean Air Zones were first proposed in 2015, and have finally come into force this year. They fit into the UK’s target to be at almost a “net zero” emissions rate by 2050.

Originally, the UK was set a target to reduce their emissions by 80%. In 2019, they decided to do one better and announced that their revised goal was to achieve a “net zero” status, meaning they wish to eradicate emissions completely from homes, industries and transport in 30 years.

But are Clean Air Zones good news or bad news? Let’s think about the logistics industry and how CAZ may affect it.

How Will Clean Air Zones Affect The Logistics Industry?

There’s no argument that cleaner air is a universally desired outcome, we are all working towards creating an eco-friendlier environment with nearer to no emissions. However, are Clean Air Zones the best way to approach this?

It was recently announced that CAZ restrictions will be applied to non-compliant private vehicles. That’s as well as buses, taxis and most importantly HGVs – who’ve already been told that the charge will affect them. This latest development was big news for those following the evolution of this scheme, but for HGV drivers and logistics workers, ever since Clean Air Zones were first considered in 2015; we’ve always known they were to have some effect on our industry.

Clean Air Zones – How They’re Bad News

The government has made a bold statement that they not only plan to reduce emissions by a percentage by 2050, but rather strive for “net zero” status by this date. It is, of course, going to take some significant changes to accomplish this, and Clean Air Zones are just one contributing solution.

However, they are set to crucially impact the logistics industry and how it operates.

Clean Air Zones - What cities will they be in?

Image credit: Arrow Self Drive

Charges Could Have Financial Implications On The Logistics Industry

The charges are set to be steep for large vehicles such as HGV’s, with most fees ranging from £50-£100 per day depending on the city. The transport and logistics industry is crucial for the safe passage of goods from one place to another, and without HGV drivers, the world we’re used to would look rather different. These crippling charges are set to seriously impact the logistics industry and its revenues, which in turn could create a ripple effect wherein the distributions of goods are delayed, and services are impacted.

The Problem Could Be Worsened With Longer Driving Routes

Cities that are operating CAZ such as Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham and London may find the problem becomes exasperated, rather than eradicated. It has to be assumed that some, who would like to avoid the fine, may choose alternative routes and accumulate more mileage. Therefore, outputting even more emissions. By actively discouraging drivers from entering these major areas, we’re left to wonder whether the knock-on effects could actually be worse than the situation as it is now, with increased fuel consumption and increased out-of-city traffic?

Vehicles On The Road Could See An Increase

We questioned back in November that if some areas replaced trucks with vans (as several local authorities are proposing in an effort to reduce emissions), will this end up increasing the number of vehicles on the road, along with their congestion and emissions? HGVs play an essential role in the national economy – irreplaceable in some respects. The largest truck can carry the load of 20 vans. Could disrupting the system we have in place now with introductions such as Clean Air Zones have adverse effects?

Clean Air Zones – How They’re Good News

By the same token though, we at the Barnes Group are committed to assisting the Government with their “net zero” emissions target and understand that re-evaluating the way the logistics industry operates has a vital part to play in this. Here are some reasons that we endorse the introduction of Clean Air Zones.

Certain Vehicles Are Exempt From CAZ Fees

Plus, not all vehicles will be subject to CAZ charges; compliant vehicles can enter zones free of charge, for HGV’s this includes Euro 6 engines, which are defined by all vehicles with 14 plate or newer. Buses and coaches that meet Euro VI emission standards, as well as cars, vans and taxis that meet Euro 6 (for diesel engines) or Euro 4 (for petrol engines) are also exempt, that’s as well as any ultra-low emission vehicles with a significate zero-emission range.

Clean Air Zones Work As Good Deterrents

There’s no doubt that Clean Air Zones will work well as a strong deterrent, resulting in some drivers avoiding major areas that are suffering from build-up. With this in mind, the idea of discouraging motorists in this way seems to be effective. We’re certainly an advocate of persuading individuals not to drive through populated areas when there’s no reason for them to do so.

However, this does leave us to wonder whether there are other means by which drivers could be motivated. Would the ‘carrot’ approach work better than the ‘stick’?

Ultimately, for the logistics industry, introducing extortionate fines only looks to cripple the sector financially. Is it fair to punish companies for simply operating as standard? It would be near impossible to halt HGVs driving through major cities completely, as every single one of us relies on logistics in our day-to-day lives. Without drivers such as ours at the Barnes Group, we’d all live a very different lifestyle.

Is there a better way to tackle the emissions crisis together, rather than working against one another?

Let us know your thoughts, or just keep up with what we’re doing on Twitter.

 

You can check whether your route will be effected by Clean Air Zones (CAZ) by clicking here.

International Women’s Day with The Barnes Group

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As part of our nod to International Women’s Day, we’ve taken the opportunity to talk to our very own Karen Cusick about her role at The Barnes Group, her career journey and her advice to other women considering joining the sector.

  • What is your job title at The Barnes Group and where are you based?

I’m an HR Manager at The Barnes Group and I’m based in Rochdale. 

  • How did you come to work in the logistics industry?

Purely by chance – the company was located near to my home.

  • How has your background helped influence your career at The Barnes Group?

My previous role was managerial. When I joined the company there were no female employees. My influence on the company definitely opened opportunities for more female employee roles.

  • What would you advise to other women who might be looking to venture into the world of logistics?

Go for it, it’s not a man’s world! 

  • What woman inspires you the most?

No one specifically but women who have the ability to run a household, look after children and also work full time are certainly inspiring. 

  • What have you learned on your career journey?

To keep fighting for what you believe in.

Women are already in the world of logistics; they just need to stand up a little taller!

Here’s to Karen and the role she plays here at The Barnes Group – if you’re interested in a career at The Barnes Group, click here.

 

Behind Barnes: A Day In The Life Of An HR/Administrator Assistant

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For our latest ‘Behind Barnes’ blog, we caught up with HR/Administrator Assistant, Laura Tomlinson.  We asked her about her career journey, what her role entails at The Barnes Group and the advice she has for other people looking to work in HR.

What does your role at The Barnes Group entail?

I work alongside Karen the HR Manager for Barnes Group. I assist her and others in the office to ensure the working day runs a little more smoother for everyone. I ensure all checks are up to date on each driver, that we have all the required documents that we need for ourselves and our supplies. One of the checks is to ensure all licences are in date and audit checks have been completed, alongside our health declarations.

Can you tell us about your career journey, how did you get your job at The Barnes Group?

I was at my previous job for 2 years, which was a personal injury firm. Where I built myself up to senior admin assistant, I was in charge alongside the manager of the whole admin team and general running of the office – based in Manchester city centre.

I applied for the job at Barnes due to my extensive office experience and dealing with difficult and different scenarios every day.  The HR side of the role was the part that appealed to me the most, the growth aspect and the possibilities the company could provide for me. Also finding a company that has ambition to reach each goal they set, to be bigger and better each year!

What does a typical day (or week!) look like for you?

On a typical day, I am handling a number of tasks to ensure the company runs smoothly for the following day:

  1. Each day I upload Optac downloads, this being what the drivers use to download their card to prove they have completed work
  2. Populate Fri, Sat, Sun and enter hours for wages for each region
  3. Opening letters and handing out to the relevant people
  4. Creating and sending POs
  5. Check wage reports
  6. HR Electronic and manual filing
  7. Unit checks
  8. Check DBS report for out of date certificates

What would you recommend to others looking to join the industry?

I would recommend others who are looking in to going into a HR industry to go for it, if you have experience even just in admin!  I was quite lucky and fell into this career path but I enjoy my work. The HR industry is fast paced, challenging and good problem solving skills are crucial.

I love the opportunity to make people’s working lives better, even in a small way.  The variety of work that comes into the department each day. We work with everything from recruitment, benefits, pay administration and workforce development. It keep you on your toes and mind challenged.

The Logistics Behind The Holiday Season

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Without logistics, your Christmas Day would look rather different. From the food to the presents, the decorations to the drinks – everything that makes the holiday season what it is, starts with logistics.

 

It’s estimated that 4.7 billion miles are covered collectively in the UK every year to deliver presents on time. A further 2 billion miles are travelled just to drop off Christmas cards. It’s a great distance that perhaps isn’t always necessarily appreciated nor considered.

 

When making online purchases, or posting packages, there’s a lot of work that ensues behind the scenes to ensure the safe delivery of a package. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of logistics and HGV drivers at Christmas.

 

Despite what the old fairytales would have you believe, your Christmas essentials aren’t actually made by elves in Santa’s workshops. They’re typically manufactured and then stored in warehouses, ready to make their way to their recipient in time for 25th. It’s very important that goods are stored somewhere safe and secure to meet supply and demand. To support of client’s businesses that require warehousing, we offer 50,000 sq. ft of secure storage space.

 

Your goods are then transported from manufacturer to supplier. This is a transition that ensures when you order something for Christmas, be it a tree, a toy or tinsel, it’s received from the company you bought it from.

 

Following this, is arguably the most important step of the logistics behind your Christmas day – the actual delivery of your goods. It takes a sturdy and reliable logistics company to ensure that the circa 130 billion cards and parcels that circulate the UK during the festive period make it to you safely. There’s an abundance of activity that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that buying gifts and essentials in time for Christmas is an easy and streamlined process for the consumer. That’s why at Barnes Logistics, we aim to maximise our efficiency through a ‘Just In Time’ strategy – flow times are reduced as orders are only moved to specific locations at the required time; reducing the amount of inventory, which in turn reduces waste and saves money.

 

Every step of the ‘logistics behind Christmas’ process requires hard workers and sound planning and organisation. Barnes Logistics is one such business that provides this kind of reliable service. With more than 100 drivers on the road each day, we ensure each of our nationwide customers receive the best logistical solutions to their delivery and distribution requirements, as well as storage. Our ‘just in time’ approach is dynamic and keeps the business of Christmas logistics in check.

 

Did you realise how much happens behind closed doors in the run up to the Christmas period? Tweet us and let us know. Merry Christmas!

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OUR ACCREDITATIONS

 

Contact Details

Tel: 0161 684 3070
Email: admin@barneslogistics.co.uk

About us

Barnes Logistics fleet operates from more than seven sites across the country and supports a nationwide client base.

Our Service

We supply ‘just in time’ logistics support and warehousing to business across the UK.

Registered Office

Barnes Logistics Ltd
Cowm Top Lane
Rochdale
OL11 2RG

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