Category Archives: Business news

Sheffield business 2023 roundup

There has been a lot of doom and gloom on the news this year, but business goes on. One good new story from this year is that there are some really great businesses in Sheffield who are going from strength to strength and growing well. Here is around up of some of those businesses:

1. Prime Tooling – Sheffield business & supplier of quality cutting tools for all trades & industry, sign-making, graphic arts, crafts & modelling, hobbyists, DIY & woodworking

Prime Tooling is a specialist supplier of knives, tools, and blades based in Sheffield, England, known as the “Steel City” for its rich history of metalworking. Established in 1936, Prime Tooling has a long-standing reputation for providing high-quality cutting tools to businesses, professional tradesmen, and individuals across the UK.

Prime Tooling’s Expertise:

  • Trimming Knife Blades: Prime Tooling is a leading supplier of trimming knife blades, catering to various industries, including packaging, printing, and plastics. Their blades are known for their precision, durability, and sharpness, ensuring clean and accurate cuts in demanding applications.
  • Hand Knives and Safety Knives: Prime Tooling offers a comprehensive range of hand knives and safety knives, catering to various trades and applications. Their knives are designed for safety, comfort, and efficiency, ensuring user protection while maintaining precision and performance.
  • Hand Tools and Power Tool Accessories: Prime Tooling provides a wide range of hand tools and power tool accessories, including screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, and cutting tools. Their tools are sourced from reputable manufacturers and are known for their quality, durability, and value for money.
  • Bespoke Tool Kits: Prime Tooling specializes in designing and supplying bespoke tool kits tailored to specific customer requirements. They work closely with clients to understand their needs and create custom-made tool kits that meet their exact specifications.

Prime Tooling’s Commitment:

  • Quality: Prime Tooling is committed to providing the highest quality cutting tools and accessories. They source their products from reputable manufacturers and subject them to rigorous quality control checks.
  • Sharp Pricing: Prime Tooling offers competitive pricing on its products, ensuring that customers get the best value for their money.
  • Sharp Service: Prime Tooling is dedicated to providing excellent customer service. They have a team of experienced staff who can provide expert advice and support to customers.

If you are looking for a reliable and experienced supplier of cutting tools and accessories in Sheffield, look no further than Prime Tooling. They can help you find the right tools for your needs and ensure that you are equipped for success.

2. Millhouses Accountancy – Sheffield business – a modern, forward-thinking accountancy practice

Millhouses Accountancy is a modern, forward-thinking accountancy practice based in Sheffield, England. They were established in 2011 by Jason Scholey, a chartered accountant with over 20 years of experience in the accounting profession. The company has since grown to a team of experienced and qualified accountants who provide a wide range of accounting services to businesses of all sizes, from sole traders to SMEs.

Core Accounting Services:

  • Bookkeeping: Millhouses Accountancy can handle all of your bookkeeping needs, from day-to-day transactions to month-end reconciliations.
  • Year-end accounts: The company can prepare your annual accounts, ensuring that they are compliant with all relevant accounting standards.
  • Tax returns: Millhouses Accountancy can file your tax returns on time and accurately, ensuring that you pay the correct amount of tax.

Specialist Services:

  • Capital allowances on commercial buildings: The company can help you to maximize your capital allowances claims on commercial properties.
  • Solicitors’ accounts: Millhouses Accountancy has a team of specialists who can provide accounting services to solicitors and law firms.
  • Tradespeople and CIS: The company can help you to manage your finances if you are a tradesperson or contractor.
  • Virtual FD: Millhouses Accountancy can provide you with the services of a virtual finance director, on a part-time or full-time basis.
  • Start-up businesses: The company can provide guidance and support to start-up businesses, helping them to get off to the right start.

Millhouses Accountancy’s Approach:

  • Client-focused: The company is committed to providing its clients with a personal and professional service.
  • Proactive: Millhouses Accountancy takes a proactive approach to accounting, helping its clients to identify and avoid potential problems.
  • Up-to-date: The company keeps up-to-date with the latest accounting regulations and tax laws.
  • Competitive rates: Millhouses Accountancy offers competitive rates for its services.

If you are looking for a reliable and experienced accountancy practice in Sheffield, look no further than Millhouses Accountancy. They can help you to take control of your finances and achieve your business goals.

3. Sheffield Engraving – Sheffield Business – providing beautiful, custom engraving that makes a world of difference

Sheffield Engraving Ltd is a laser marking & engraving company based in Sheffield, England. They specialize in laser marking and deep laser engraving on a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, glass, and wood. They offer a variety of engraving services, including:

  • Product engraving: Sheffield Engraving can engrave a wide range of products, including trophies, awards, pet tags, jewelry, watches, and plaques.
  • Industrial engraving: Sheffield Engraving offers a range of industrial engraving services, including engraving on tools, equipment, and machinery.
  • Medical engraving: Sheffield Engraving can engrave medical instruments and devices.
  • Gift engraving: Sheffield Engraving can engrave a wide range of gifts, including personalized gifts, corporate gifts, and wedding gifts.
  • Laser marking: Offering a laser marking service for all sectors of industry and for the individual customer. They are able to mark or engrave many diverse materials, ranging from leather all the way through to tungsten carbide.

The company is proud of its reputation for quality and craftsmanship. They use the latest laser engraving technology to create high-quality engravings that are durable and attractive. They also offer a lifetime guarantee on all of their stainless steel pet ID tags.

Sheffield Engraving is a member of the British Engraving and Signmaking Association (BESA) and the Federation of European Engravers (FEE). They are also committed to environmental sustainability and use recycled materials whenever possible.

Here are some of the benefits of using Sheffield Engraving:

  • Quality: Sheffield Engraving is committed to providing its clients with the highest quality engravings.
  • Experience: The company has a team of experienced engravers who are skilled in using the latest laser engraving technology.
  • Versatility: Sheffield Engraving can engrave a wide range of materials and products.
  • Customer satisfaction: The company is committed to exceeding its clients’ expectations.

If you are looking for a reliable and experienced engraving company in Sheffield, look no further than Sheffield Engraving. They can help you create the perfect engravings for your needs. Sheffield business but shipping all over the UK

4. Image Sign – Sheffield based but providing bespoke signage for businesses all around the UK

Image Sign (formerly Image Sign Studio) is a Sheffield business that specializes in designing, manufacturing, and installing a wide range of signs for businesses and organizations. Established in 2006, the company has a proven track record of delivering high-quality signage solutions that meet the specific needs of its clients.

Image Sign offers a comprehensive range of signage services, including:

  • Shop and office signs: The company can create eye-catching and informative signs that will help your business make a great first impression.
  • Illuminated signs: Image Sign can design and manufacture illuminated signs that will make your business stand out, even at night.
  • 3D signs: The company can create unique and eye-catching 3D signs that will add a touch of class to your business.
  • Vehicle signage: Image Sign can design and install vehicle signage that will help your business advertise its services and products.
  • Safety signs: The company can create safety signs that will help to keep your employees, customers, and visitors safe.

Image Sign is committed to providing its clients with the highest quality signs and services. The company uses the latest technology and equipment to create signs that are durable, attractive, and effective. The company’s team of experienced designers and installers is dedicated to providing its clients with the best possible service.

Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Image Sign for your signage needs:

  • Experience: The company has a proven track record of delivering high-quality signage solutions.
  • Quality: Image Sign is committed to providing its clients with the highest quality signs and services.
  • Expertise: The company’s team of experienced designers and installers is dedicated to providing its clients with the best possible service.
  • Customer satisfaction: Image Sign is committed to exceeding its clients’ expectations.

If you are looking for a reliable and experienced signage company in Sheffield, look no further than Image Sign (formerly Image Sign Studio). The company can help you create the perfect signs for your business or organization.

5. 360 Virtual View – based in Bakewell & Sheffield – providing visual services such as Matterport Virtual Tours, drone photography, drone mapping & promotional films

360 Virtual View is a Sheffield business that specializes in creating virtual tours, photography, drone film, drone photography, 3D walkthroughs, virtual reality tours, and other promotional photography. They have offices in Sheffield and Bakewell – but working all over the UK – and have a team of experienced photographers and videographers.

The company has a wide range of experience in creating virtual tours for a variety of businesses, including factories, workshops, showrooms, shops, hotels, holiday lets, B&Bs, restaurants, gastro pubs, wedding venues, tourist attractions, bars, estate agencies, letting agents, holiday lets, etc. They also have experience creating virtual tours for schools, universities, and other educational institutions.

360 Virtual View is a Matterport Service Provider, which means that they are trained and certified to use Matterport cameras to create high-quality virtual tours. Matterport cameras are some of the most advanced on the market and can create incredibly realistic and immersive virtual tours.

The company has a 5-star rating on Google and has been praised for their professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail. They are a great choice for businesses that are looking for a high-quality virtual tour that will help them to promote their business and reach a wider audience.

Here are some of the benefits of using 360 Virtual View:

  • Increased website traffic: Virtual tours can help to increase website traffic by giving potential customers a virtual tour of your business. This can help them to make an informed decision about whether or not to visit your business in person.
  • Improved customer engagement: Virtual tours can help to improve customer engagement by giving potential customers a more interactive experience of your business. This can help them to feel more connected to your business and make them more likely to become a customer.
  • Increased sales: Virtual tours can help to increase sales by giving potential customers a more realistic view of your products and services. This can help them to make an informed decision about whether or not to buy from you.

If you are looking for a company to create a virtual tour for your business, I highly recommend 360 Virtual View. They are a professional and experienced company that can create a high-quality virtual tour that will help you to achieve your business goals.

All about Network Marketing

Network Marketing, also known as multi-level marketing (MLM), is a business model in which independent distributors sell products or services to consumers and earn commissions on their own sales as well as on the sales of the distributors they recruit.

Network marketing companies typically sell a variety of products, such as health and beauty products, household goods, and personal care products. They also offer training and support to their distributors, who work from home or other remote locations.

To succeed in network marketing, distributors need to be able to build a large network of customers and distributors. They also need to be able to sell products and recruit new distributors.

Network marketing can be a legitimate way to make money, but it is important to do your research before joining a company. Some MLM companies are scams, and others are simply not very profitable.

Here are some things to look for when evaluating a network marketing company:

  • The products or services they sell. Are they high-quality products that people actually want?
  • The compensation plan. How much money can you make? Is the plan fair and transparent?
  • The training and support they offer. Will they give you the tools you need to succeed?
  • The reputation of the company. Do they have a good track record? Have they been accused of being a scam?

If you are considering getting involved in network marketing, it is important to do your research and choose a company that is reputable and has a good product or service to offer.

About Network Marketing MLM – how they work

“Network marketing are alternatively referred to as structural sales or multi-level marketing, or MLM for short. It is referral marketing. The difference to classic direct sales with the sale of one’s own goods via sales representatives in network marketing is that some of the customers become network marketers These customers generate sales and receive commissions. For the most part, Network Marketers are not professionals, but function in their role as a layperson first. Thus, everyone gets a chance to build a new existence through network marketing. Working one’s way up presents a problem without reputable structures. Everyone starts small and gets the same chance, so to speak. Sales talent will rise quickly.”

Network Marketing MLM

Network Marketing MLM are a link between the MLM companies and those looking for MLM opportunities. Their website provides useful information along with job listings, partner programmes and FAQs

Engraving Near Me: Sheffield Engraving Ltd

Have you just typed ‘engraving near me‘ into the search engine? Are you looking for an engraving service near you? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Sheffield Engraving Ltd is a leading engraving company in Sheffield, offering a wide range of services to customers in the area.

We can engrave a variety of materials, including metal, wood, glass, and plastic. We also offer a variety of engraving styles, including laser engraving, hand engraving, and die stamping.

Whether you’re looking to engrave a trophy, a gift, or even your own custom design, we can help. We offer fast turnaround times and competitive prices.

So if you’re looking for an engraving service near you, look no further than Sheffield Engraving Ltd. We’re the best in the business.

Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Sheffield Engraving Ltd:

We’re a local company, so we understand the needs of our customers.
We have a team of experienced and skilled engravers.
We offer a wide range of services and styles.
We have competitive prices and fast turnaround times.
If you’re looking for an engraving service near you, contact Sheffield Engraving Ltd today. We’ll be happy to help you create a truly unique and memorable piece.

Keywords: engraving near me, sheffield engraving, sheffield engraving ltd, laser engraving, hand engraving, die stamping, trophies, gifts, custom designs, competitive prices, fast turnaround times, local company

Call to action:

Visit our website or give us a call today to learn more about our engraving services. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you create the perfect piece for your needs.

The advanced technology of 3D printing

3D printing is an advanced technology that allows the creation of three-dimensional objects from digital models. This process involves the layer-by-layer deposition of materials such as plastics, metals, ceramics, and even living cells. 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries, from healthcare to aerospace, by enabling faster prototyping, customization, and manufacturing.

The process of 3D printing begins with a digital model or design that is created using computer-aided design (CAD) software or obtained from a 3D scanner. The digital model is then processed by slicing it into thin layers that the 3D printer can read and print. The printer then builds the object layer by layer, using various types of materials that are melted, deposited, or cured to form the desired shape.

One of the significant advantages of 3D printing is its ability to produce customized and complex designs that may not be possible with traditional manufacturing techniques. For instance, 3D printing can create objects with intricate geometries, internal cavities, and overhangs that would be difficult or impossible to make with other methods. This makes it ideal for creating prototypes, models, and unique, one-of-a-kind objects.

3D printing has already revolutionized several industries. In healthcare, for example, 3D printing is used to create patient-specific models, prosthetics, implants, and surgical instruments. It is also used to produce drugs and vaccines and to print living tissues and organs for transplant. In aerospace, 3D printing is used to create lightweight and complex parts, such as fuel nozzles, turbine blades, and satellite components, which reduces weight and improves performance. It is also used in architecture and construction to create scale models and customized building components.

Despite its many advantages, 3D printing still faces several challenges. One of the main challenges is the cost and availability of materials. Currently, the materials used in 3D printing are limited, and the cost of some materials, such as metal powders, can be prohibitive. Additionally, 3D printing is a slow process and may not be suitable for high-volume production. Another challenge is the quality and consistency of the final product, which can be affected by factors such as printer calibration, material properties, and post-processing.

In conclusion, 3D printing is a rapidly evolving technology with the potential to transform the way we design, manufacture, and consume goods. While it still faces some challenges, its ability to create complex, customized, and patient-specific objects makes it a powerful tool in many industries. As the technology advances and the materials and processes become more accessible and affordable, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of 3D printing in the future.

Power Bed Fusion

Powder bed fusion (PBF) is a category of additive manufacturing (AM) techniques that use a laser or electron beam to selectively fuse powdered material to create a three-dimensional object. In PBF, a bed of powdered material is spread over a build platform, and a laser or electron beam is directed over the powder to selectively melt and fuse the material together. The process is repeated layer by layer until the desired object is created.

PBF is a versatile and precise manufacturing technique that can produce complex geometries with high accuracy and resolution. The process is commonly used to produce metal parts for aerospace, medical, and automotive applications, among others. PBF can also be used with a variety of materials, including metals, ceramics, and polymers.

There are several variations of PBF techniques, including selective laser melting (SLM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), and electron beam melting (EBM). SLM and DMLS use a laser to melt and fuse the powder, while EBM uses an electron beam. In SLM and DMLS, the laser beam is directed onto the powder bed, selectively melting the powder and fusing it to create the desired geometry. EBM works in a similar way, but uses an electron beam to melt and fuse the powder.

One advantage of PBF techniques is the ability to produce complex geometries with intricate details and thin walls that may not be possible with other manufacturing methods. PBF also allows for the production of high-quality, fully dense metal parts with properties similar to those of conventionally manufactured parts.

However, PBF also has some limitations. The process can be slow and expensive, and the size of the parts that can be produced is limited by the size of the build chamber. In addition, PBF typically requires extensive post-processing to remove excess powder and improve surface finish, which can add to the cost and time of production.

In conclusion, power bed fusion is a category of additive manufacturing techniques that use a laser or electron beam to selectively fuse powdered material to create complex geometries with high accuracy and resolution. While PBF has some limitations, it is a versatile and precise manufacturing technique that is widely used in industries such as aerospace, medical, and automotive, and has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing of complex, customized parts.

3D printing machine manufacturers

There are several companies that manufacture 3D metal printing machines, also known as metal additive manufacturing machines. Here are some of the notable manufacturers:

  1. EOS: EOS is a German company that produces industrial 3D printing systems for both metals and polymers. Their metal 3D printing machines use various metal powders, including aluminum, titanium, and nickel alloys, to create high-quality parts for applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical.
  2. Concept Laser: Concept Laser is a German company that produces metal 3D printing machines using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technique. They offer a range of machines that can process various metal powders, including stainless steel, cobalt chrome, and titanium alloys.
  3. SLM Solutions: SLM Solutions is a German company that specializes in producing metal additive manufacturing machines using the selective laser melting (SLM) technique. Their machines are designed for industrial applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical, and can process a variety of metals including aluminium, titanium, and steel.
  4. GE Additive: GE Additive is a subsidiary of General Electric that focuses on developing and producing 3D printing machines and materials for various industries. Their metal additive manufacturing machines use the electron beam melting (EBM) technique and are designed for high-volume production of parts in industries such as aerospace, medical, and automotive.
  5. Renishaw: Renishaw is a UK-based company that produces metal additive manufacturing machines using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technique. Their machines can process a variety of metal powders, including titanium alloys, cobalt chrome, and stainless steel, and are used in industries such as aerospace, medical, and dental.
  6. AddUp, a 3d printing machine manufacturer, was born in 2016 from the desire of two major French industrial groups, Michelin and Fives, to create an important player in the field of metal additive manufacturing. The joint venture relies on Michelin’s expertise, which has developed the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LB-PBF) technology and operates it for large-scale industrial production.

Airport security & X-Ray scanning

Airport security is a major concern for many people who travel through airports or on aeroplanes, but did you know that this is not a actually a modern-world problem? In fact, the first documented case of airport security was in the 1920s when officials would inspect hand luggage to make sure that passengers weren’t carrying bombs.

The most recent infamous case of aeroplane terrorism, or at least the one that springs to mind first for people, is the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the 11th September 2001. This attack killed almost 3000 people and continues today to claim the lives of people who were there, due to related health problems. 19 militants from al Qaeda – the Islamic extremist group – hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in America. Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York, a third plane was flown into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia (near to Washington, D.C.), and a fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, probably ultimately due to an attempt by the passengers and crew to regain control of it.

Anyone who remembers travelling through an airport before September 2001, and again afterwards, will tell you that this was the event that changed really the experience. Suddenly security was strict, and restrictions on what you could carry were uncompromising. The role of airport security was suddenly in the spotlight.

The ultimate goal of airport security is to identify potential threats and keep them out of the airport so in 1985, a new form of security was introduced, which was the metal detector. The technology was now more easily available and airports were experiencing an increase in terrorist attacks and hijacking attempts. In American, it became mandatory for all passengers to go through a metal detector before boarding their flight in 1987 and it has not changed since then. However, even earlier than that, in 1974, the Air Transportation Security Act sanctioned the FAA’s universal screening rule, forcing United States airports to adopt X-ray inspection systems for carry-on bags. X-ray baggage scanners are one of the most common security x ray scanner solution in airports and other high-security areas. They are used to detect any potential threat, such as explosives, in baggage and people. Hold baggage x-ray scanners are also used in airports to scan luggage that is placed on the belt for any potential threats. These scanners are usually large and stationary. Cargo x-ray scanners can be mobile or stationary and they scan cargo containers for any potential threats before they enter a country’s borders. Portable x-ray scanners can be used by security personnel at events to scan through bags of attendees or visitors for any potential threats. Each airport has a different set of requirements for scanning baggage including size, weight, and other factors like its destination airport or country. Some airports have more than one type of scanner installed at different locations in order to meet these requirements.

Sport during lockdown

From what I’ve seen, there are two main types of people at the moment here in the UK; those who relaxed and took things easy during the worst of the pandemic, and those who increased their exercise and outdoors time when they weren’t able to do all the normal things whilst everything was closed. A lot of people expected things to be over pretty quickly so the strictest lockdown rules were a shock to many people. Outdoors exercise was almost banned for a while – certainly all organised sports – but nevertheless, many people carried on doing what they could. As a regular in the countryside – before, during, and after lockdown – I’ve been amazed to see normally difficult-to-find paths suddenly well-trodden, and even new paths springing up. Many people who may not have really spent so much time in the countryside must have suddenly discovered a love for nature.

Basketball court

One of the most accessible sports is running and this has continued its meteoric rise in popularity right the way through lockdown regardless of any restrictions placed on people. Other sports have sadly been much more difficult to continue in the recent couple of year – in particular, sports played in-doors such as badminton, table tennis, gymnastics, and snooker. However, those lucky enough to live near open-air sports facilities may have been able to continue partaking in their chosen sports.

The main problem in relation to outdoors sport in the UK is that it just rains so much. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter – the only thing predictable is that we just don’t know what the next month or even next week holds in store for us. This is where open air but covered sports facilities come in very handy. For example, the image here shows a covered basketball court. This
basketball construction has covered the court in a rain-proof cover meaning you can still play regardless of the rain (or snow). One of the market leaders in covered courts and sports areas is SMC2 Construction, based in France.

The differences between ferrous & non-ferrous metals

Ever wondered about the differences between ferrous and non-ferrous metals? The very short answer is that ferrous metals contain iron and non-ferrous metals don’t contain iron. In practice, ferrous and non-ferrous metals have their own very distinct properties which determine which applications they’re use for. Copper is probably the first non-ferrous metal you’ll think of – the discovery of this metal sparked the end of the Stone Age and the beginning of the copper age around 5000 BC. The bronze age followed that – as you probably know, bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. The wider use of ferrous metals started around 1200 BC when iron production became widespread and so began the Iron Age.

Well known ferrous metals you may have encountered are cast iron, wrought iron, tool steels, and engineering steels. Carbon steel is the most common structural steel and used in tallest sky scrapers and longest bridges. You’ll also find ferrous metal in everything from cars & shipping containers to domestic whitegoods & cutlery. Stainless steel is resistant to rust due to its chromium content and wrought iron is resistant to rust due to its purity. An easy way to find most ferrous steels is to see if they’re magnetic.

The most common ferrous metals include:

  • Carbon steel – a higher carbon content than other types of steel making it very hard.
  • Cast iron – made from iron, carbon and silicone. Hard and resistant to wear
  • Steel – made by adding carbon to iron to harden the iron. The properties can be further adjusted by adding elements like chromium and nickel (to make engineering steel)
  • Wrought iron – so little carbon it’s near pure iron. Has excellent resistance to corrosion and oxidisation

Non-ferrous metals include common materials like aluminium, copper, lead, zinc tin, gold and silver – many precious metals are now commonly used in electronics besides jewellery. Non-ferrous metals are normally more malleable than ferrous metals, and as they don’t contain iron, they normally have a higher resistance to corrosion and don’t rust. The other main benefit is that they’re not magnetic so can be used in electronic applications.

The most common non-ferrous metals include

  • Aluminium – lightweight but low strength – easily cast, forged, welded and machined.
  • Copper – high conductivity of both electricity and heat.
  • Lead – soft, heavy with a low melting point. Withstands corrosion from moisture
  • Tin – soft and malleable. Is often used to coat iron to prevent corrosion or used in alloys
  • Zinc – low strength butr very commonly used in galvanising or protective coating to steel or iron

If you’re looking for a specialist in non-ferrous metals, supplier of welding consumables, supplier of good tin ingot, or moreover zamak alloys, you could give the Metaconcept Groupe a call or get in touch with them via their website

The A to E of vitamins – what they are and what do they do

We’ve all heard of vitamins – for example, they’re one of the main selling point for many common foods like breakfast cereals – but how much do actually know about them? This is an A to E of vitamins – what they are, where they come from, and what they do

Vitamin A is a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds that includes retinol, retinal, and several provitamin A carotenoids such as beta-carotene. It has multiple functions in the human body, for example, it’s important for growth and development, for the maintenance of the immune system, and for vision (vitamin A is needed by the retina of the eye in the form of retinal). It also functions in a very different role as retinoic acid which is an important hormone-like growth factor for epithelial and other cells

B vitamins are water-soluble compounds that play an important role in cell metabolism and the synthesis of red blood cells. B vitamins (e.g. B1, B2, B3, etc.) are actually chemically distinct from each other but often coexist in the same foods. Often, in dietary supplements containing all 8 B vitaimins, thay are referred to as a ‘vitamin B complex’. When sold individually, B vitamins are more commonly referred to  supplements are referred to by the specific number or name of each vitamin, such as B1 for thiamine, B2 for riboflavin, and B3 for niacin, as examples.[1] Some are more commonly recognized by name than by number: niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin and folate.

Vitamin C is also often referred to as ascorbic acid and is found naturally in various foods such as oranges. It’s also sold as a dietary supplement as it’s believed by many to help protect again colds and flus as it is important for immune system function (note there is some evidence that regular use of supplements may reduce the duration of the common cold, but it does not appear to prevent infection). In the body it’s an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters and also functions as an antioxidant.

Vitamin D is actually a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, and many other biological functions. In humans, the most important compounds in this group are vitamin D3 (also known as cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). The major natural source of the vitamin is synthesis of cholecalciferol in the lower layers of skin epidermis through a chemical reaction that is dependent on sun exposure (specifically UVB radiation). Only a few foods, such as the flesh of fatty fish, naturally contain significant amounts of vitamin D. In many countries, cow’s milk and plant-derived milk substitutes are fortified with vitamin D, along with many breakfast cereals. Mushrooms exposed to ultraviolet light contribute useful amounts of vitamin D. Dietary recommendations typically assume that all of a person’s vitamin D is taken by mouth, as sun exposure in the population is variable and recommendations about the amount of sun exposure that is safe are uncertain in view of the skin cancer risk.

Vitamin E is a light yellow oil, a fat soluble vitamin, that is actually a family of substances, the tocopherols and tocotrienols, collectively known as ‘tocols’. They are found in nature in both plant and animals, however, since they are biosynthesized only in photosynthetic organisms, main sources are vegetables and seed or nut oils. There were first isolated from wheat germ oil, which is still a commonly used source of Vitamin E. The primary function of Vitamin E is as an antioxidant. Vitamin E is protective because it helps reduce oxidation of lipid membranes and the unsaturated fatty acids and prevents the breakdown of other nutrients by oxygen.

Many vitamin and minerals we buy in supplements are produced by companies like EXTRASYNTHESE  who manufacture, qualify and sell phytochemical substances as reference materials and analytical standards on a worldwide basis. Their highly purified reference substances are used in research, development, regulatory and testing activities in fields like biology, metabolomics, agronomy, crop protection, nutrition, nutraceuticals, food and feed, flavour and fragrance, cosmetics, healthcare, pharmaceuticals. For more information on herbal standards reference materials, see the EXTRASYNTHESE website

Tips on starting a new business from Millhouses Accountancy

If you’re currently starting your own business or just considering it, you have a great opportunity to build it properly from the ground up, creating a great foundation for a successful business. Even more importantly, however, it’s a great opportunity to avoid some of the most costly mistakes than can ruin a business or worse!

You’re either working on your own dream or someone else’s – anon

Avoiding the biggest mistakes people make when starting a new business

Many people, when starting a new business, don’t give enough thought to the accounting and bookkeeping side of things. But of course, it’s perfectly understandable how that might happen. Our first worry with any new business is about the first sales, and then getting paid, and then creating steady some cash-flow, and then managing customers, and then finding the next sale… and it goes on. However, before you know it, you’re a year down the line and you’ve got a pile of invoices & receipts to sort through. Whichever way you look at it there’s a better way to do it – start with a solid financial foundation and get your accountant in place from the start.

A good way to think about starting a new business is to think of it like building a new house. Who in their right mind would try to do the architects drawings themselves, or save money by just not following building regulations, or just estimate the materials instead of using an engineer? And before all of that comes the foundation of any business – the financial side of things. Get the foundations right and you give yourself a solid base to build your business on.

Make sure you’ve for the right training you’ll need

Millhouses Accountancy have many years’ experience helping people start and grow their businesses. They provide the full range of supportive services – from standard business accounting and tax returns right the way through to virtual financial director services.

These days you’ll probably need an online accounting package so get some training on how to use it. Do you know how to properly do a VAT return or if you need to? Find this out too. Who should pay Corporation tax and when? How is best to pay yourself? Book some time in with your accountant and learn the basics of good business financials from the start

Other business support services:

Consider booking in some sessions with your accountant on:

Call Millhouses Accountancy today if you’re thinking of starting a business – and make sure you build a solid foundation for a successful business 

Insurance Claims Management

Can I first start by saying I’m not an insurance expert and any statistics quoted here are not from my own research, rather taken from other companies websites I found during my research. In other words, this article is just for fun – please don’t use any information here to make financial decisions and make sure to get proper advice and do your own research first. According to a recent article I read on the Statista website (link at bottom of page), the insurance industry in the United Kingdom is the largest in Europe. Or even more surprisingly, it turns out it’s the fourth largest in the world! These is even more surprising when you consider that in terms of population, we’re only the 21st biggest country in the world (out of 235) behind countries like Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt and Iran. We’re also only 82nd in the world in terms of land area – a medium population on a little island. So, as one of the worlds leading exporters of insurance, we’re certainly appear to be punching above our weight!

The article goes on to say that in 2016, the UK insurance industry employed over 111 thousand people, and by 2017, the tax contributions from this industry were over 72 billion pounds which apparently is the largest contribution of any sector in the country. You can broadly define insurance into two main categories – life and non-life. Life insurance premiums in the UK in 2016 amounted to 168.9 billion euros whereas the rest of Europe combined amounted to under 700 billion euros in total. in the UK, there are also a further 82 billion euros of non-life insurance (e.g. car, business or home insurance) which is the second only to Germany in Europe.

Suddenly it makes sense that many of the leading companies in Europe’s insurance industry are found in the UK – 5 of the top 10 reside in the UK with Prudential being the largest with a market share of almost $54 billion USD. So you can imagine the huge scale of insurance claims management these companies will have to undertake even in an average year so moving away from the old fashioned paper style insurance claims to digital presents opportunities for huge savings. “In an increasingly digital world, removing the need to submit paper bills to health insurers offers medical providers and their patients a fantastic opportunity for improvement. The savings for insurers can be dramatic: manual claims submissions in the US are estimated to cost 74 cents, electronic submissions just 26 cents – a 63% improvement.” – Cegidim Insurance Solutions

Statista article link: https://www.statista.com/topics/4511/insurance-industry-uk/

Have you ever needed a debt collection agency?

If you’ve been running your own business or involved in company accounts for any length of time you’ll know how difficult it can be to keep up with all the different financial tasks that need to be kept up-to-date. Even more so if you’ve ever run a small business you’ll certainly understand what it’s like managing the sales, the marketing, the invoicing, the bookkeeping, the VAT, the admin, the purchases, the accounts, etc. And this is even before we get to dealing with overdue invoices! It’s a fact of life that we’ll all one day have one of those customers who simply won’t pay for whatever reason – and this is where you may need the services of a debt collection agency. Maybe your customer is just doesn’t want to pay or perhaps they’re just one of those irritating companies that avoid paying anything they can get away with. Whatever the reason, it might be time to type ‘debt collection Sheffield’ or ‘debt collection agency near me’ into the search engine.

B2B Debt Collection Sheffield

B2B Debt Collection Sheffield

Even if you’ve never needed to use the services of a debt collection agency, it’s very likely that one day you will. A debt collection agency is an independent company who job it is to recover money owed to your business on your behalf – agencies that specialise in collecting debt where the original creditor cannot get arrears paid by themselves.

Business to business debt collection agencies can take the stress out of chasing your debtors. And problem debtors are a big problem according to a recent report – it’s been estimated that 63% of small businesses are struggling with late payment issues at any one time and this is only likely to get worse during the Coronavirus lock-down as unemployment rises and businesses increasingly struggle here in the UK and further afield. It has probably never been more important to stay up to date with invoices by making sure they are constantly paid on time. Small problems can sometimes snowball and cash-flow problems are something that can cause even the most profitable businesses to struggle.

If you do feel you would like some help chasing your debtors, and need a debt collection agency in Sheffield, give Collective Solutions 4 Business (CS4B) a call on 0114 231 6080. With many years’ experience providing the full range of bespoke debt collection agency services such as debt recovery, credit control, debt collection, invoicing, tracing, and company reports, they’re on-hand to help you get your finances back on track.

Sheffield SEO services help your website reach its potential

To make sure that your website indexes will within the Google search results, its content needs to be well-optimised. This is vital when it comes to the implementation of successful SEO strategy – which needn’t be a tiresome process. When done right, it can generate plenty more genuine traffic to your site, so it’s well worth your consideration. As Sheffield SEO experts, Seven Creative are well-placed to help and have put together a guide surrounding their top tips to make sure you do it right.

The Importance of Long-Term SEO Services in Sheffield

For monthly campaigns in particular, patience is vital as SEO needs to be something that you invest in for the long term. A website rewrite can improve your positions fairly quickly depending on how competitive your keywords are, but if you then don’t continue to add regular, organic content -whilst your competitors do – you’ll soon find yourself sliding back down the SERP’s.

Get Blogging with Valuable Content

When optimised correctly, business blogging content is perhaps the most important factor with relation to how the Google Algorithm deciphers your website. Engaging news articles, case studies and blog articles are the best way to show the search engines that you have something of value to offer on your site, so this really is an opportunity not to be missed.

Decide Your Focus

Always plan how you want your SEO campaign to pan out. If you work within a competitive trade, for example, you’ll be more likely to see page 1 results by targeting one of your niche services. Similarly, adding a geographical focus to your activity can also help you maximise the benefits of SEO.

Optimise, Always

If you’ve hired an SEO company for one-off site work but now want to try it yourself, it’s essential to maintain good practices such as adding descriptions and alternative title text to any new images you add to your site. Whenever it comes to adding new content to your site, make sure that it’s optimised for the search engines.

The Company You Work with Should Provide a Report

If you’ve had a bad experience with paid services previously, that will only be heightened. A company that provides you with detailed monthly reports can be worth their weight in gold; and you’d be wise to choose such a firm to carry out any SEO work that you need. The mystery surrounding SEO needn’t be a problem, as the right company will be fully transparent.

Contact These SEO Experts in Sheffield for More

Seven Creative’s SEO experts in Sheffield can provide you with engaging web copy; that will stand the test of Google updates to fire you up the rankings – and then keep you there. Call them today on 0114 383 0711 to find out more.

The Coronavirus & the effect on oil & gas production

We’re currently in the midst of world Coronavirus pandemic meaning that many countries have had to ‘lock-down’ their residents – especially here in Europe – to stop the spread of the virus. Here in the UK, workers have been told to work from home if possible, and certainly not travel unless necessary & important. As a result of this, many factories and other industries have simply had to close down for the foreseeable future, either following the government advice, to protect their workers or simply because their customers aren’t using their services anymore. However, one of the effects of this huge slow-down in manufacturing and industry has been a massive reduction in pollution.

residents of Punjab in India are able to see the peaks of the Himalayas for the first time in 30 years

For example, on the news today, apparently residents of Punjab in India are able to see the peaks of the Himalayas for the first time in 30 years, after a massive drop in pollution caused by the country’s Coronavirus lock-down (implemented on 22nd March 2020). In China, NASA and European Space Agency pollution monitoring satellites have detected a significant decrease in nitrogen dioxide over China. The evidence points to the economic slowdown following the outbreak of Coronavirus. And here in the UK, some cities have seen levels of nitrogen dioxide plummet by up-to 60% compared to the same period last year due to people simply not using their cars since the country went into ‘lock-down’.

According to the website Offshore Technology, one important impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on the downstream oil industry is that the price of crude oil has fallen significantly in a short time

However, has this also had an effect on oil producers? According to the website Offshore Technology, one important impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on the downstream oil industry is that the price of crude oil has fallen significantly in a short time, taking billions off the stock prices of major oil and gas companies. Demand has dropped, oil workers travel has been restricted, and infections from Coronavirus have been found on some oil rigs. However, what about the long-term effects of this? What happens when this is all over? For example, in recent years, many oil & gas companies have been looking towards more non-traditional methods areas of oil production such as deep-water offshore exploration. On the one hand, these unconventional resources are said to contain at least as much as the total conventional oil reserves extracted since the start of the oil industry, so the potential profits are there. However, on the other hand, developing these new, large-scale sites comes with significant cost associated with R&D and the new technology required for extraction. What happens if demand for oil never goes back to pre-Coronavirus levels? If, for example, many workers simply find they prefer working from home and continue to do this even when they have the choice to commute? This, in conjunction with things like the ongoing development of alternative forms of transport and the large-scale changes to government policies on things such as home heating may mean this is indeed the beginning of the end for the traditional oil industry. Whatever happens it’s going to be an interesting time!

A quick guide to grinding media

Some days, certainly in my line of work, you learn something new and interesting about a new industry. On the other hand, sometimes when you investigate a new industry you’re simply overwhelmed and inundated with new, apparently meaningless phrases, words, acronyms, jargon, and lingo simply leaving you confused none-the-wiser. If you consider yourself to be someone firmly based in the former camp, now might be a good opportunity to go and make yourself a cup of tea with a biscuit. For fans of the latter, you’re in for a treat as we delve fearlessly into the subject of grinding media!

According to their marketing material, the Magotteaux Group are the global solution provider to ‘high abrasion extracting industries’ with their unique ‘grinding media’ brand Ecomax. You’ll also be pleased to discover that Magotteaux has also recently extended its offering to ‘Ecomax Forged’ meaning their grinding media is now available in both cast and forged!

As solution provider to high abrasion extracting industries, they start with a cross section insight into their customers value chain before combining all relevant levers from expert advice, service, resources, products & equipment to help their customers save money and optimise cash generation. Although it’s hard to believe, some people don’t yet know that Magotteaux developed their first cast chromium balls in 1950 in in their foundry in Vaux, Belgium. Roll on to 2020 and the firm now, according to their website, produce more than 250,000 tonnes of grinding media per year! Apparently, grinding media, or in this instance, grinding balls help reduce wear in some crushing and grinding processes. Coupled with special chemical compositions and heat treatments, they can now remove 150 alloys.

These ‘grinding media’ are used in a very diverse range of industries such as mines, cement plants and quarries all over the world including far-flung places like Alaska, Southern Africa, China and Chile.

What is aesthetic medicine?

We’re all familiar with general medicine, however, a subject along the same lines that not many of us know a great deal about is aesthetic medicine. This broad term covers specialties that focus on improving people’s cosmetic appearance through the treatment of conditions such as scars, excess skin, wrinkles, moles, liver spots, excess fat, cellulite, unwanted hair, skin discoloration, and spider veins. This branch of medicine includes dermatology; oral & maxillofacial surgery; reconstructive surgery; and plastic surgery. Aesthetic medicine includes such procedures as liposuction, facelifts, breast implants, radio frequency ablation, radio-frequency skin tightening, non-surgical liposuction, chemical peel, high-intensity focused electromagnetic field, radio frequency and fat removal. Practitioners will often use a combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures. Aesthetic medicine procedures are typically elective and have been often been show can significantly improve people’s quality of life, their psychological wellbeing and their social engagement.

A well-known company at the forefront of the production of machinery used in aesthetic medicine (such as the aesthetic medical machine) is Deleo (established in Saint-Raphael, South of France). They produce machines used in aesthetic treatments such as the treatment of cellulite, anti-aging procedures, facial contouring procedures, body contouring procedures, the treatment of scars, the reduction of stretch marks, the treatment of alopecia, and dynamic phototherapy.  

An example of one of the machines produced by Deleo is their Medisol – a high powered LED lamp used for Photobiomodulation (the cytochrome stimulation of mitochondria by photons emitted by LED’s.) This process leads to an adenosine triphosphate production that allows cellular renewal. This process stimulates the neocollagen in the skin.  This technology is used to treat a number of pathologies such as post-operative and repair treatments e.g. scars, burns, and stretch marks, dermatologic treatments e.g. acne, and other aesthetic medical treatments e.g. anti-ageing treatments and alopecia. For more information about Deleo, visit their website at deleo-medical.com

Inspection cameras

If you’re a homeowner, you’re probably already familiar with the concept of inspection cameras. A relatively recent application of modern camera technology, the inspection camera is able to provide an inspector with the ability to visually inspect in real-time things like drains from within by introducing a digital camera. Probably something you’re less familiar with are the inspection cameras commercial applications such as on building sites, by law enforcement, by utility companies, and for industrial applications. The problems with drains and pipes is, once they’re buried in the ground (or even encased in concrete), it’s often not economically or even physically possible to access them when there is a problem.

An example of a manufacturer and supplier of visual inspection equipment is VisioProbe, a company based in Montbrison, France and Paris. They have a very wide range of equipment such as a remote inspection camera and a radiation tolerant camera.

Image you’re Her Majesty’s Custom and Excise working at Dover and a suspicious lorry pulls up. A small camera on a pole which can view small areas would be an invaluable in helping to outsmart a drug trafficker hell bent on getting their illicit cargo into the UK. These inspection cameras can Pan & Tilt for 360° view, are tough and lightweight, have a long vbattery life, are lightweight being on carbon fibre telescopic poles, are compact and easy to setup & use, and allow photo and video recording which can be used in court to present the evidence. From their website: “[inspection cameras can] inspect containers, loads, look for suspicious items, explosives, weapons, packs, control trucks, boats, ceilings, cavities. VISIOPROBE pole camera combined with a large range of fibre carbon folding poles provides you with 360° vision in any situation. Designed to meet operational requirements in the most extreme working conditions. Visioprobe pole camera is among the most compact, robust and light weight with high end image quality.”

About Ash, Beech and Oak

Of the 32 species of trees native to the UK, three of the most recognisable and widely known are Ash, Oak and Beech. These three species are slower growing, deciduous and broad-leaved which distinguishes them from softwood trees such as pines. Hardwood is very well suited to furniture as it’s tougher than softwood, however, generally more expensive.

Beech wood is quite easy to identify – the wood is typically a pale cream colour, occasionally having a pink or brown hue. Preparing the wood with steam will often give it a more golden tone. Flatsawn surfaces tend to be very plain, while quarter-sawn surfaces exhibit a silvery fleck pattern.

Oak, on the other hand, has many different species, often introduced. Therefore, there are many colour variations seen in oak timber. To add confusion, not only dependent on the variety of oak, the growing conditions will also influence the appearance of the wood. The English Oak – also known as the European Oak – is common to most of Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa. The heartwood is a light to medium brown – often with an olive cast – though there can be a lot of variation in colour. Nearly white to light brown sapwood is not always sharply demarcated from the heartwood. Quarter-sawn sections display prominent ray fleck patterns.

Ash is a light to medium brown colour, though darker streaks can also be seen, which is sometimes sold as Olive Ash. Sapwood can be very wide and tends to be a beige or light brown, not always clearly or sharply demarcated from heartwood.

Wood used in the production of furniture can be made from simple planks of wood or, more often, made from panels or sheets. A good example of a wooden panel producer is the Ducerf Groupe, based in France, who produce the Panoplot panel, which is made of solid full stave lamellas glued together on the side and in the width. See examples here: https://en.ducerf.com/products/solid-wood-panels-panoplot

The amazing world of ball bearings

When I was in junior school, we didn’t have mobile phones, tablets, or any other technology for that matter. When it snowed, we had snow-ball fights and when it didn’t, we played games like ‘tig.’ They were simpler times and almost unrecognisable to modern children 35 years later. One of my favourite games – and one I discovered I had a particular aptitude for – was ‘marbles. Firstly, we agree on a hole to use and then negotiate which marbles from my collection would be wagered against which marbles from my opponents’ collection. Finally, we’d tip the marbles out and take it in turns to try to get them in the hole. If you got one in the hole, you got another turn. If you didn’t, it was your opponents turn. The one to get the last marble in the hole won the lot. And I still have my marble collection to this day! The value of marbles was not set in stone but rather something that you’d negotiate over using factors such as rarity, size or material. The most common glass ones may be worth ‘2’ and, for example, rarer, larger black glass marbles may be worth over a hundred each. One of the most valuable types of marble, however, was the ball bearing. All different sizes and values, and I can’t remember for the life of me where we’d get them in first place, but we coveted them, and they were invariably worth a lot!

This was, however, the sum of my experience with ball bearings. I suppose in the back of my mind I know you’ll find them everywhere from car wheels and roller skates to machinery and space shuttles. Turns out there are many different types and uses for them and also many innovative companies continually developing newer and more efficient bearings. Example types of ball bearings available – besides the ones a 10-year-old may play marbles with -include deep groove, double row, self-aligning, and thrust ball bearings. Just goes to show you learn something new every day!

Memories of the Microwave Oven

Recently on Radio 2 (here in the UK), Sara Cox talked about her memories of the microwave oven, in particular, when she first used one and could make a baked potato in 2 minutes exclaiming to herself ‘what a time to be alive!’ Yes, that was a great time to be alive but technology has continued its relentless march way beyond electronic ovens. I remember watching old shows like the original Star Trek series when I was much younger and marvelling at the technology there’d be in the future, never for one moment actually believing it would be within my reach only a quarter of a century or so later. For example, pocket-sized communicators are now in all our pockets and we don’t even consider the technology at work when we use them. Speak to anyone, anywhere in the world, at any time (provided their awake and their phone isn’t on silent) or browse the sum of all the worlds knowledge from the bus stop on the way back from the pub – it’s up to you. I remember when I was young, if you had a difficult question, there was virtually no way to find out the answer. Not even in a library! Now I simply ask Google and I get my answer (usually) in seconds.

Another one of the amazing pieces of technology we’re all so used to these days are tablet computers. Not so long ago, no one would’ve believed that they’d be so ubiquitous and available to anyone, but they are now. In fact, screen technology is now everywhere, mainly thanks to LED technology. Dynamic LED screens can now be found everywhere from takeaway menus and road signs to advertising hoardings. The adverts around the pitch at big league football matches can be remotely controlled and food menus can automatically update themselves when breakfast service finishes. This really is an amazing time to be alive!

Reasons to get a virtual tour for your business

Not everyone is sold on creating a virtual tour for their business but the below reasons will show you why they are definitely worth your time. 360 Virtual View are a professional virtual tour company operating in and around Sheffield, Derbyshire and the Peak District and they’ve helped many businesses showcase their properties, businesses  and showrooms using virtual tours. Don’t shy away from this technology as it can provide you with so many benefits.

Increase the likelihood of receiving bookings

A virtual tour allows potential customers to get a more accurate feel for what you have on offer, increasing their confidence in you and your product and making it more likely for them to visit. Google shows that businesses who have a virtual tour on Google My Business experience an average increase of 85% in on-line bookings so by helping your customers get to know you better from the comfort of their homes definitely boosts your bookings.

Increase interactions with potential customers

It can be difficult to engage with new customers and attract people to your business using social media and on-line tools. This is where a virtual tour comes in. Virtual tours offer an excellent, natural solution as they provide an engaging post that can be accessed by anyone and at any-time. A virtual tour generates more interest and once it’s been created and posted on-line you don’t have to do anything else but sit back while potential customers enjoy the opportunity and experience of touring your business before actually visiting.

Showcase your business around the clock on-line

As mentioned above, once your virtual tour is posted it is available to potential customers at their convenience. This means even when you’re closed for the day your virtual tour can still be accessed and viewed 24/7. This increased exposure helps your business sell more and gain more customers.

Reach more customers with little effort

Having a virtual tour available is a natural draw for people, you’ll experience an increase in the number of customers visiting your site as well as your store. A virtual tour is an interactive experience and people will like, comment and share encouraging others to take a look too. Your customer reach will naturally increase and people will find the virtual tour a more personal and inviting touch.

Give your business a competitive edge

By having a 360 virtual tour you can get your business displayed on Google Street View allowing potential customers to find your location and take a look around your business before actually visiting. Many people take a look at nearby businesses using Google Street View so there is no doubt this will give you a competitive edge and will generate more custom.

Find out more

360 Virtual View is a professional virtual tour company, working around Sheffield, Derbyshire and the Peak District. If you’re looking for a Sheffield virtual tour or would like to find out more about our stunning virtual tours then do not hesitate to contact us. 360 Virtual View offer a range of services suitable for all business types. Call us today on 0114 383 0711