Connect PR hit the headlines!

“Push, push, push,” implored our boss Hazel, as she willed us on to produce even stronger press releases and more colourful campaign ideas this week.

Wiping the sweat from our brows and assuming a comfortable position, we obliged, stopping briefly to snort some gas and air and sip a cup of tea.

Becki went on to send out some perfectly formed press releases from the HiQ network, one of which detailed the ultimate driving anthem of all time. (we’ll reveal all this time next week)

Lee gritted his teeth and pushed out some wonderful ideas for Goodyear Dunlop and their Mountain Rescue partnership.

Sue got cravings for Lucozade after a selfless, concerted effort for her clients Amtico flooring and Weston Park. (she also ran 35 miles this week in her spare time – she’s fit!)

Zoe looked flush after some intensive Volkswagen work, which was all worthwhile again, while Lizzie kept her focus and determination for uni-ball.

Meanwhile, Ben and Kathy exposed their credentials to a captive company audience for the first time, as Connect PR was unveiled as a new member of the Uponor family at their national sales meeting this week.

And finally, but by no means least, Richard and his beautiful partner Sarah became parents with the arrival of baby Poppy on Tuesday. (See picture of Richard and the little smasher!)

Rumours that Rich’s first words to Sarah were ‘You made that look like hard work’ are wide of the mark.

We’re raising a glass to you three this weekend.

Hope the rest of you have a bundle of fun too!
Connect PR

New solicitor for growing commercial property team

Higgs & Sons has appointed a new solicitor to strengthen its commercial property team.

Philip Gray (26) joins Waterfront-based Higgs from Kirwans in Liverpool.

Higgs’ nine-strong commercial property team is one of the leading providers of advice in the West Midlands. The team’s expertise includes acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold commercial property, acting for property investors and property portfolio managers, acting for clients looking to develop or sell land for development and acting for financial institutions to provide advice and assistance on property-backed security.

Speaking of his move to the Black Country, Philip said: “This is a great move for me. The commercial property team has an excellent reputation and is supported by leading lawyers from other departments within the firm. I’m looking forward to helping the department grow even further in the future.”

Peter Coleman, head of Higgs’ commercial property team said: “2010 has proved a busy year for our department with work from existing clients and new businesses. Philip will support the team and enable us to provide a service to even more businesses across the region and beyond.”

Higgs shortlisted for another award

Following its success earlier this year in being shortlisted for the prestigious Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards 2010, Higgs is celebrating once again after making the list for the Birmingham Post Business Awards.

The leading Midlands law firm, which moved 150 of its team into a new £1.5 million office at the start of this year, is shortlisted for the Legal & Business Advisory Award.

Senior partner, Ian Shovlin, said: “This is fantastic news for the entire Higgs & Sons team. The Birmingham Post is a well respected publication and to be recognised as a leader in our field is brilliant.

“Our philosophy at Higgs is to work together to achieve great things for our clients and this latest recognition demonstrates this commitment to client care.”

The award ceremony takes place on Monday September 20 at Birmingham’s ICC.

CHARITY TEAM RISES TO THE OCCASION

A team of intrepid adventurers from south east London has just completed a gruelling challenge, raising thousands of pounds for charity.

Six employees from Maracom Limited, a firm of commercial heating engineers, completed the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Supported by colleagues and the supply of a fantastic new Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle Minibus for travelling between the peaks by Beadles’ Volkswagen van centre, Jo Tunbridge, Dean Bertie, Garry Connor, Chris Wood, Pat Lynch and Ted Birks completed the challenge in exactly 23 hours.

The team is now hoping online donations can help reach the target of £7,500; currently the total is just over £3,500.

Team leader and driver Pat Lynch said: “We’re delighted to have completed the event in under 24 hours and hope people can help us reach our target.

“The support from everyone at Maracom and partners including Beadles Volkswagen van centre have meant every penny raised is going to charity.

“There were a few blisters and tired legs at the end but plenty of smiling faces at our achievement.”

Beadles’ brand manager, Keith Banks, said: “It’s important we support local charity events and fundraising activity. This is a magnificent feat by the Maracom team and we’re pleased the loaned Transporter helped all donations go to charity.”

To help the team reach their target and make a donation go to www.justgiving.co.uk/maracomA team of intrepid adventurers from south east London has just completed a gruelling challenge, raising thousands of pounds for charity.

Six employees from Maracom Limited, a firm of commercial heating engineers, completed the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Supported by colleagues and the supply of a fantastic new Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle Minibus for travelling between the peaks by Beadles’ Volkswagen van centre, Jo Tunbridge, Dean Bertie, Garry Connor, Chris Wood, Pat Lynch and Ted Birks completed the challenge in exactly 23 hours.

The team is now hoping online donations can help reach the target of £7,500; currently the total is just over £3,500.

Team leader and driver Pat Lynch said: “We’re delighted to have completed the event in under 24 hours and hope people can help us reach our target.

“The support from everyone at Maracom and partners including Beadles Volkswagen van centre have meant every penny raised is going to charity.

“There were a few blisters and tired legs at the end but plenty of smiling faces at our achievement.”

Beadles’ brand manager, Keith Banks, said: “It’s important we support local charity events and fundraising activity. This is a magnificent feat by the Maracom team and we’re pleased the loaned Transporter helped all donations go to charity.”

To help the team reach their target and make a donation go to www.justgiving.co.uk/maracom

OVER HALF A MILLION POUNDS INVESTED INTO A LOCAL BUSINESS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF BUSINESS

A former LDV dealership is celebrating after being in business for 50 years in addition to completing it’s transformation into a new Ford Dealership.

Imperial Commercials on Park Road, Halesowen has been in business for 50 years and self generated £725,000 to refurbish their whole site to become a new Ford Commercial Vehicle dealership in the West Midlands.

The investment has seen Imperial Commercials transform their original showroom. The new showroom allows for three vans to be displayed in addition to the 25 vehicles outside.

The move to a Ford dealership has already reflected positively on half yearly sales, with Imperial Commercials smashing target in quarter one and quarter two looks to be just as successful.

Franchise manager, John Asbury said: “We’re moving forward from our days as an LDV dealer and looking towards the future. The investment to be a Ford Dealership, we hope, will continue to grow the business and improve the services available to commercial vehicle customers in the area.

“I believe Imperial Commercials success comes down to key business fundamentals which are promises on price, products, delivery and aftersales support. By exceeding these customer expectations we can expect another 50 years in business.”

The site which employs 130 people, offer customers 24 hour aftersales service, parts supply, bodywork, paint and accident repair.

To find out more about Imperial Commercials Halesowen call 01384 424 500

Installers told: A change is as good as a rest with Uponor

Tradesmen across the UK are being told to welcome a ‘family of proven products’ to their toolkits, which have been labelled as a revolution in the plumbing industry.

Uponor believe that a big breakthrough in the UK market is now imminent, courtesy of its clean, professional and versatile plumbing systems, which are already being heralded across more than 30 countries worldwide.

If current market trends in other parts of Europe are replicated in the UK and installers see the benefits of Uponor’s product, the market share of plastics and composites will continue to increase rapidly to a point where copper pipework becomes almost obsolete.

At present, Uponor plumbing systems are being regularly installed across Europe and North America with a combined total of 3 billion metres of pipe being sold – enough to stretch around the world three times.

Without the disadvantages of corrosion, incrustation and hot-works requirement - not to mention the inconvenience of having to paint - Uponor is winning acclaim in the UK for its quick, safe installation in the domestic and commercial plumbing and heating sector.

Uponor’s Multi-Layer Composite pipe (MLCP) and PEX pipe both offer a light and remarkably easy system, which boasts jointing on the inside of the pipe with no moving parts.

Moreover, installers are switching from traditional copper pipework to either product because of its price stability, ease of use, cleanliness and secure jointing.

Uponor’s applications manager Richard Haworth said: “It is too simplistic to call our product plastic. Our PEX pipe has been developed over a long period of time, being the only product of its type to have successfully completed a live 30 year test cycle.

It is cross-linked polyethylene that gives performance and stability. And because of its thermal memory, each joint will tighten over time as the pipe will try to contract to its original state.


“Our MLC pipe is similarly advanced. With no welding, thread cutting, soldering or gluing, the range of fittings are perfectly co-ordinated, with a simple cut, bevel and press required to complete an otherwise challenging job.

Further advantages of a Uponor plumbing system include the decreased threat of theft, and the removal of copper price uncertainty.

Richard concluded: “We cannot stress enough that this is a professional, well-designed system.

“Our big challenge is to communicate this with the industry and to showcase our range of solutions so that professionals can see this for themselves.”

Motorists urged to mirror, signal, manoeuvre to HiQ Erdington

A flagship Birmingham fast fit centre is urging motorists across the city to make the most of three days of free festivities to celebrate its £170,000 makeover.

HiQ in Bromford Lane, Erdington, is enjoying a huge upturn in fortunes since it was radically rebranded and is now officially commemorating its new look with a series of safety orientated, charity themed events on Thursday July 29, Friday 30th and Saturday 31st.

Fast fit technicians will be on hand to provide free vehicle and wheel alignment health checks for every visitor, while a free, no purchase necessary prize draw will also be offered to win a plasma TV, a Sat Nav system, a mountain bike and a barbecue.

HiQ’s official charity Breast Cancer Care will also be represented throughout the days with their ‘pink ladies’ as HiQ attempts to educate more families and women about the good work that the charity carries out.

HiQ’s retail director Juergen Titz will be on hand to cut the conveniently pink ribbon on Thursday July 29 and it is hoped that the ceremony will cement HiQ Erdington’s position as one of the most reliable, friendly fast fit centres that motorists can be sure of.

The Bromford Lane centre has undergone the facelift to become Birmingham’s ‘flagship facility for motorists.’
The HiQ centre has been purchased by the Easy Tyre & Autocentres Ltd, which specialises in all sections of the motor industry including service and MOT centres and tyre and exhaust centres.

Ben added: “Since we carried out the refurbishment, we have been astounded by the results, with a whole new customer base recognizing us and relying on us for our work.
“We are excited by the prospect of three open days to celebrate a new chapter for the business and we hope as many people can attend as possible.”
To further entice motorists to the HiQ forecourt, the centre is offering four for two offers on selected tyres, 50 per cent off exhausts, £35 MOTs and £99 for an interim service and MOT.
There will also be a chance to pick up official HiQ charity pink caps, in return for a donation to Breast Cancer Care, along with a host of other offers and giveaways.

For more information about HiQ Erdington, the centre’s relaunch and its three open days, contact 0121 328 0278.