~ Shortlisted entries demonstrate energy, bravery and determination ~

Over 150 of the UK’s most innovative and resilient public and private sector businesses have been announced today, Wednesday 28^th July, as finalists in the National Business Awards in partnership with Orange. Organisations shortlisted this year range from the well-known – Unilever, Camelot, Marks & Spencer, American Express, Coca Cola, The Co-Operative Group and Kwik Fit – through to the rising stars of Ella’s Kitchen, Freesat, Coffee Nation, Naked Wines, and Cheapflights.

“Orange has sponsored the National Business Awards for the past nine years and I
am delighted that the calibre of entrants keeps on improving.  It's been a tough
couple of years for business but the UK's organisations have not let this stop
them from delivering success.  I'd like to congratulate all the finalists for
being a real inspiration for what is possible in business”, 
said Martin Stiven, Vice President, Orange UK.

The total number of organisations entering the National Business Awards in 2010 increased by over 40 percent compared to last year despite the challenging market conditions. From eco breweries to family-run medical recruitment companies, the diversity of the finalists is staggering, while competition for the big prizes is red hot.

Commenting on the encouraging figures and the calibre of entries, Philip Forrest, Chairman of Judges, the National Business Awards, said: “The economic climate continues to present UK businesses with an unprecedented challenge and it is therefore encouraging that the entries in this year’s National Business Awards have shown no drop in quality or performance. Congratulations to all finalists for demonstrating great strength in the ability to adapt and innovate quickly which no doubt reflects the resilience and optimism that are the hallmarks of UK enterprise.”

Finalists will as of today prepare to make their presentations in person before an independent, expert judging panel from 20^th September – 6^th October.

2010 winners will be unveiled at a glittering award ceremony on 9^th November at the Grosvenor House hotel in London. Current title holders include Peter Marks, Group CEO, the Co-op, who won The Orange Leader of the Year in 2009 and Tristram Mayhew, CEO, Go Ape, who won The Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award 2009.

“Applying for the National Business Awards was in itself a good business discipline since it required a rigorous assessment of our strengths and weakness as an organisation.  Going on to win an award has been a great boost for all the 350 people who have dedicated themselves to making Go Ape a success.  It has given us fantastic PR opportunities right across the country and provided a small company with added commercial credibility”, said last year’s winner of the 2009 Santander SME Award and Go Ape Founder, Tristram Mayhew.

Analox are nominated in the following category:

The Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year

• Abriox, Newport, NP10 8UH
• Analox Sensor Technology, Stokesley, TS9 5PT
• Coffee Nation, London, EC2A 4HH
• Crafter’s Companion, Bishop Auckland, DL14 8LG
• Easi-Drive, Wythenshawe, M22 4RW
• Glencairn Crystal Studio, East Kilbride, G75 0YG
• La Fosse Associates, London, SW1Y 4PH
• Make It Cheaper, London, SE1 7UE
• Media Ingenuity, London, EC1R 4RP
• Piccadilly Backpackers (PB), London, W1F 7BR
• SJD Accountancy, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4AY
• SpiriTel, London, EC4N 7BP

About the National Business Awards

Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK, the National Business Awards in partnership with Orange is the UK’s most prestigious independent business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on excellence, innovation and ethical business. The National Business Awards connects the nations’ professionals through its annual awards ceremony; year-round conferences and round table events; and is United Business Media’s leading awards programme. Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for further information.

Analox Sensor Technology has launched the Sub Aspida, a new portable dual-gas monitor designed specifically for use in locations such as submarines where there are variations in atmospheric pressure.

At launch, Analox has also confirmed that the Dutch Navy have signed a contract for nine Sub Aspidas to be used on their fleet of four Walrus Class submarines.

Vicky Brown, Sales and Marketing Director – Analox Military Systems, said: “The Dutch Navy requires accurate dual-gas monitoring in a compact unit, in an environment which is prone to fluctuations in atmospheric pressure. The Sub Aspida addresses this need, and ensures the submariners remain safe whilst at work.”

From March to May 2010, the Sub Aspida was tested by Lt Leppink of the Dutch Navy in the control room of a submarine.  He said: “We were very impressed with the Analox Sub Aspida.  One of its most important advantages is the pressure-correct read out which remained accurate even during rapid changes in the atmospheric pressure, making it a vital tool to have on board any submarine.”

The Analox Sub Aspida is a compact, portable monitor capable of detecting both carbon dioxide (CO₂) and oxygen (O₂).  By combining continuous monitoring of partial-pressure O₂ and the volume of CO₂, the monitor is ideal for use on submarines.  With a pressure sensor incorporated, the Analox Sub Aspida is the only monitor which automatically corrects O₂ and CO₂ readings in relation to changes in atmospheric pressure, resulting in a more accurate and trusted reading.  This prevents spurious alarms caused by pressure variations typically found on board submarines.

The Sub Aspida offers audible, visual and vibrate alarms.  Where silence is vital, the audible alarm can be disabled.  To ensure its practicality the unit is easy to use, rugged in design and comfortable to wear.  It offers 12 hours of battery life from one charge and can also be powered by a 9 volt DC supply.  The software enables easy configuration, calibration and downloading of data and also ensures optimum performance of the unit by informing what maintenance is required and when.

For more information about the Analox Sub Aspida, contact Vicky Brown on +44 (0)1642 711 400.

I’ve recently returned from the BevTek exhibition in Shanghai, China. This was my first ever visit to China and it was quite an experience (not at least the high humidity levels and endless rain and the subsequent effect on my hair!!).

Analox attended BevTek through the organisation of BFBI, and although it was primarily a packaging show, Analox had the opportunity to present at the Annual Brewers conference as well as attending the Annual Brewers dinner.

Mark Lewis (MD, Analox) presented a paper on ‘the dangers of carbon dioxide within brewing’ which was well received by all. As well as Analox, BFBI had also arranged the same trip for two other British companies: Brewfitt and Hypotech both of whom presented at the conference too.

I managed to get some great footage at the show and I’m busy editing the video now (Steven Spielberg I am not) but I’m hoping this should be uploaded onto the Analox YouTube account next week.

A big thank you to Ruth Evans at BFBI for organising the event and to the Chinese Brewing Association for being most welcoming and allowing us to present at their conference.

Michelle Morley

Ok, well, not THAT World Cup.

We did win the Glastonbury World Cup though, with a crushing 6-4 victory over the Rest of the World. The game was preceeded by a rousing performance by Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs and was watched by around 1000 people.

All in all we managed to raise over £9000 for WaterAid, which should help them to provide 4 or 5 much needed wells in the developing world. The weather managed to stay nice for the entire festival too, which makes a change. Roll on next year…

Chris Martin – IT Controller (and England Goalkeeper!!!!)

Analox recently sponsored me for a coast-to-coast bike ride spanning 147 miles. The money raised will provide Woodham Community Technology College in Newton Aycliffe with equipment for its pupils to participate in cycling.

Seventeen of us set out from Whitehaven, Cumbria on Thursday morning at 9am, travelling for four days across the north of England to Roker Beach, Sunderland. Eleven students – ranging from 12 to 16 – were accompanied by four Woodham teachers and two assistants who supplied us with the equipment to complete the challenge and provided their expert help as one of them had done the journey twice before.

Everyone emerged relatively unscathed, although there were a couple of accidents and crashes. One of the group lost control while riding down a steep hill approaching a tight left-hand bend. He crashed into the grass bank at the side of the track and flew straight over his handlebars into a thorn bush. A few scratches aside, he was injury-free and managed to join in the laughter with the rest of us.

The only other major crash involved a mis-communication between two of the riders, which resulted in the rear of the two taking evasive action to avoid a collision, but lost his back wheel in the slippery conditions and fell into a patch of nettles. Again, only a couple of stings were suffered, and he managed to carry on straight away.

As for myself, the worst thing I encountered was my chain snapping on the second day. With the teachers helping me fix it, we were only held up for five minutes and were soon back on our way.

After the first day of riding – 32 miles from Whitehaven to Keswick – we stayed at a campsite in a large tent. While it had only rained on and off during the day, the heavens opened on the night and large gales started to blow so we all got little sleep and were delayed getting started the next morning.

Luckily the other two nights were spent indoors – a caravan and a youth hostel were provided for us. These were much more comfortable and we were able to rest ourselves properly for the following day’s excursions.

A fantastic time was had by all, but we were all relieved to finally finish around 4pm on Sunday. We were met by family and friends who cheered us on for the final few yards as we dipped our front tyres in the North Sea to complete the journey.

I think shattered is the right word to describe how I felt on Sunday night but I was very glad at getting the chance to take part in such an event. I enjoyed pushing my body to new limits and exploring more of the country, and having two days off school wasn’t bad either.

Anybody wanting to find out more from the expedition can do so by visiting http://www.woodham.durham.sch.uk/Coast-to-Coast.php

Many thanks to Analox for sponsoring me.

Craig Robertson

Analox Sensor Technology supported three of its product distributors on their stands at the National Restaurant Association’s annual exhibition, the NRA Show, in Chicago in May 2010.

John Byrd, Regional Sales Manager with Analox Sensor Technology based in US, joined Chart Industries, NUCO2 and Helget Gas all of whom were exhibiting at the NRA Show.  Analox supplied information on products designed for use in the hospitality industry – the Analox 50, a wall-mounted carbon dioxide (CO₂) monitor and the Aspida, a portable dual-gas monitor which alerts the wearer to high CO₂ levels or low oxygen (O₂) levels.

The NRA Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals.  The event attracted 58,000 attendees and featured 1700 exhibitors from more than 100 countries.

If you have ever attended a Race for Life event you will understand when I say it’s a ‘buzzing’ day.

Hundreds of women attended the event along with the ‘4 amigos’ at Ormesby Hall in Middlesbrough on Saturday 19^th June. What I love about Race for Life is everyone gives it a go regardless of age, colour, size or mobility; the event is all about having fun whilst raising money for a great cause.

As usual, the day started off with the local radio station TFM motivating the crowds and getting everyone warmed up for the race. Dressed in a ‘Pink Princess’ theme, the 4 amigos were joined by two little racers who, aged 4 and 5, walked, ran and sung their way around the 5km course. We had only reached the 1km marker when the first person had crossed the finishing line; I can only presume that they had followed the warm up routine better than us!

All six of us crossed the line in 53 minutes and happily collected our Race for Life medals to the sounds of cheers and clapping by the encouraging group of supporters who had gathered.

The 4 Amigos plus 2

I can confirm, for all those who wanted proof, that trainers (shock horror!!) were worn for the day and yes injuries were sustained (well I did get a bloodied heel and a HUGE blister thanks to a stone!!) but we finished the event with smiles and with ideas of a Disney theme for next year. I would encourage anyone to give the day a go, in two years we increased from 3 to 6 people doing the event, next year we hope to increase this number again to 10.

Michelle in 'trainers!!'

Thanks to everyone who supported the 4 amigos, sponsorship is still being taken so if you would like to donate money to Cancer Research please click here: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/mimi-m

Analox Sensor Technology is introducing a new, portable carbon monoxide (CO) analyser which can help in the prevention of sport diving accidents.

The new CO Portable is sufficiently compact to fit easily into a dive bag, and is a vital piece of equipment to ensure that all dives are safe.

The analyzer can measure CO levels from 1 to 100 ppm (parts per million).  Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas, and breathed at depths a small concentration can affect the human body.

Patti Clarkson, of Analox Sensor Technology, said: “This analyser was purpose built for scuba diving, and it will save lives.  By using the CO Portable, divers can be confident that they are diving safely.  Being portable, sports divers can keep it with their kit, take it with them whenever and wherever they choose to dive, and enjoy their sport in safety.”

The CO Portable is available to purchase online and it can only be shipped to addresses in the US.

Mark Lewis, MD at Analox Sensor Technology has signed up to complete ‘Pedal for Polio’.

This three day event takes place from 11th to 13th June 2010 and covers 150mile bike journey around the North Yorkshire Dales.

Read more about the Pedal for Polio

If you would like to show your supoort for this charity then why not sponsor the event? Simply visit www.charitygiving.co.uk and choose ‘Harrogate Brigantes’ to make your donation.

Mark will be submitting a blog post after this ride along with some pictures of his trip.