Icknield, a special needs school for severely learning disabled children, ranging in ages from three to nineteen, seems to have overcome a small, logistical playground design problem that was poorly implemented at inception. Stannah, a local company that has long since supported the school, had successfully raised money from local businesses to give the school its current Cognitive Learning Specialist status, supplying the funds necessary to remedy the problem. The status gave them an additional funding of £300,000 in total over the next 3 years.

When Stannah asked if there might be any other help it could offer, this poorly architected playground problem, a storage cabin that prohibited free access to a marked pathway in the playground where the children traversed on their bikes, on foot, or in wheelchairs, was mentioned. The problem could be solved by simply moving it just 90 degrees to stand alongside the track instead of in the way of it, making life easier for the special needs students and the caring staff.

Gary Woods, Stannah Premises Maintenance Manager, had previously considered several ways to ameliorate the problem, but was overcome with obstacles each time. In the first place, the cabin was exceptionally heavy, weighing 2.2 tons empty and 4 tons full. The weather was also uncooperative, and snow made the situation seem almost impossible to rectify. Stannah came to the rescue with the kindness and help of a father and son team, Brian and Jim Bailey, contracting suppliers for Hannah who run Meon Valley Crane Hire, the crane being the very piece of equipment necessary to solve “the smallest of problems.” Along with some minor tree pruning provided by Stannah’s maintenance team to make room for the new positioning of the cabin, with precise direction to relocate the suspended structure, it was finally placed perfectly.

The “smallest of problems” revealed the smallest of treasures, and a lost teddy bear was found in this concerted effort that became the happy mascot of the whole endeavor. It is clear that these special needs children and young adults are considered a very important part of the community, not only by the special needs staff, but by many others who contribute their time and efforts on their behalf. They are the ones who turn the tides of problems that seem insurmountable to “the smallest of problems.”

The 2009 GOOD DESIGN award has been awarded to KONE Design because of the sleek, and creatively designed, appearance of their KONE Design Signalization Series. The KONE Design company is the first and only escalator and elevator company to have ever been given a GOOD DESIGN award in the past 60 years, and they have proved worthy of the award.

First founded back in 1950, GOOD DESIGN is now renowned everywhere, and has even become the most recognized award for design in the whole world. The GOOD DESIGN awards are given by The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies as well as the Chicago Athenaeum. The GOOD DESIGN awards are meant to highlight the greatest new designs and the best design innovations for graphics and for products which were created between 2007 and 2009.

Anne Stenros, Vice President of Design for KONE has been quoted as saying: “We are very proud once again to have received this award for our latest innovative design concept,” and “The new KONE Design signalization series represents a new perspective in modern elevator design. It is a bold jump from standard stainless steel signalizations to a new world of colors and unique graphics, which can match any kind of cabin design.”

First developed and launched in 2009, the KONE Design Signalization Series offers both durable technology and contemporary design. This Series of designs has been built to last for many decades. The panels of these designs can be modified very easily simply by changing the design or the color of the faceplate, adjusting it to fit your wants and your needs. The signalization panels will also enable the integration of the guiding information on the panel, this brings the usability to a whole new level, and this will also allow localization to accommodate the specific regulations and functions of various regions and all across various countries.

KONE received their very first ever GOOD DESIGN award back in 2008 for their innovative KONE FourSeasons™ design concept, that award made KONE the first escalator and elevator company to ever receive such a prestigious award.

Forklift trucks are an essential part of any warehouse operation. They perform heavy lifting quickly and efficiently. Many companies that use these indispensable machines employ entire fleets of forklift trucks, spending thousands of dollars to do so. The forklift business is rapidly growing, as many more businesses recognize the benefits of using these machines.

Along with playing a vital role in any warehouse operation, forklift trucks can also be extremely dangerous if not properly operated. Each year about 8,000 forklift truck accidents are reported, and about ten of these accidents are fatal. Many of these accidents could have been prevented if the proper safety measures were in place.

One of the most important safety measures that can be taken is to make sure the operator of the forklift is competent to drive the machine. All companies should make certain that forklift operators have been trained for the job, are familiar with the vehicle’s controls, and adheres to the rules of the company. It is recommended that prospective forklift operators earn a Certificate of Basic Forklift Truck Operator Skills. This certificate can be obtained by completing a course on the subject at a qualifying location. Drivers should also be sure to check that all components of the machine are in working order before attempting to operate it. Doing this can prevent many unnecessary accidents from happening. Letting an untrained operator drive a forklift can be compared to allowing someone without a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.

By working together and following safety rules, many forklift truck accidents can be prevented. This also helps to protect employees and customers, as well as any visitors that may be in a warehouse. When used correctly, forklift trucks provide an indispensable service to warehouse workers. These machines are able to complete the work of multiple men in a timely manner and with minimal effort. In order to function at the highest quality, it is important that these powerful machines be maintained properly by their operators. By following safety measures and workplace regulations, businesses can be assured that they are receiving the most productivity from their forklift investments.

Broward County prosecutors have dropped all charges against a Sunrise Florida man after reviewing an elevator surveillance tape.

22 year old Joshua Daniel Ortiz was charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer.

The incident started when Ortiz and a group of friends were getting into an elevator at 200 SW First Ave. They were heading to a parking garage after a night out when acquaintances of Ortiz’s began fighting in the lobby.

Police were called to the scene to break up the fight.

The police claim that upon arriving, Ortiz began yelling at the officers from the elevator. Officer Dereck Lade, of the Fort Lauderdale police department, said in his official report that Ortiz walked up and stood nose to nose with him. Lade said that he shoved Ortiz back, and made an attempt to take Ortiz into custody.

Lade stated that as he tried to take Ortiz into custody, Ortiz assumed a fighting stance, with both fists clenched, and his body bladed.

Ortiz ended up with a broken nose during the arrest.

The event caused many inconveniences for Ortiz. Ortiz said, “They were just sitting there watching my life go down the drain with those charges. I’ve been going crazy thinking my life is over.” The incident delayed Ortiz’s enrollment in college.

That all changed when prosecutors reviewed the tape. The surveillance footage showed 3 officers, Derek Lade, Stefan Silver, and Steve Smith, aggressively rush and beat Ortiz. The charge of felony battery was then downgraded to a misdemeanor resisting arrest charge.

Prosecutors again reviewed the tape, and dropped all charges.

Sgt. Frank Sousa, the department’s spokesperson, insisted that it was not a beat down, and said that the Fort Lauderdale Internal Affairs investigators found nothing wrong in the video, noting that no policy or procedural violations were found .

Sousa also said that the video clearly showed Ortiz making a movement toward the officers.

Ortiz said that the claims made against him by the officers were completely false, and that they were simply on a power trip.

Stephen Melnick, Ortiz’s defense attorney, said that the officers lied in their reports to justify their actions, unaware that the entire incident was being taped.

SPAR International, a global retail network has named Toyota Material Handling Europe UK, LTD as Supplier of the 2009 year. The SPAR International yearly Suppliers’ Round table was held in Amsterdam on November 19, 2009. The yearly event gives out two awards, Supplier of the Year and another award for non saleable products.

The Managing Director of SPAR International, Gordon Campbell, said, “The service level that SPAR International has enjoyed from Toyota Material Handling Europe played a major role in this year’s award.”

His praise of Toyota Material Handling in Europe was impressive. Gordon Campbell said further, “Toyota won because it has increased its business with SPAR steadily over the past couple of years and topped it with this year’s super performance.” To further justify their selection of Toyota Material Handling in Europe as the Supplier of the 2009 Year, Gordon Campbell finished his praise by saying, “Toyota has distinguished itself with high quality products, backed up fast, reliable service and excellent communication between our organizations.

The organization known as SPAR International is a chain of wholesalers and retailers that joined in 1932 and do business in 33 countries as SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR and SPAR Express.

The organization and its stores which number over 12,600 in 33 countries attract at least 10 million customers per day and do more than L27 billion in gross sales per year.

In response to their award from SPAR, Jonathan Morris, Toyota Material Handling in Europe’s Director responded by effusive appreciation for the award with these words: “We are very honoured to be recognized as Supplier of the Year by SPAR International. Toyota Material Handling Europe is dedicated to being a reliable business partner – particularly in today’s challenging market. Our relationship with SPAR underscores the benefits of such a partnership – for our customers as well as our organization.”

SPAR and its chain stores is now the biggest food retailer in 35 countries with more than 20,000 stores worldwide. SPAR was founded in the Netherlands in 1932 and now has stores in European countries as well as South Africa, Asia and Australia. Its principle form of doing business is to procure bulk discounts from wholesalers and suppliers.

As the U.K. marches further into the 21st century, its trend towards urbanization poses many challenges for an ever increasing number of city dwellers. One of the largest problems already facing many Brits is a lack of parking spaces. Even with the high number of multi-storey car parks in denser cities such as London, many motorists are forced to search for parking spaces as far away as half a kilometer from their destination. One innovative solution to this parking problem is making its way into car parks across the globe, and it is nearly as old as the motor vehicle. Hydraulic lifts, similar to those used for vehicle maintenance, are now being used to stack multiple cars in once space.

These devices can hold upwards of ten cars where there was once only room for one, and they are available for indoor and outdoor locations. This novel device has already found its way into the homes of a growing number of wealthy Londoners who want to save space in their garages. While private lifts can cost over £50,000, a rising number of commercial institutions are adopting the design to save motorists time and petrol. Even street level parallel parking spaces have been proposed as candidates for vehicle lifts, allowing people to store their cars underground so that several drivers can park in one place.

In addition to its growing popularity, the lift’s design is being honed for maximum efficiency. The Autostadt, Volkswagen’s sprawling showcase complex in Wolfsburg, Germany, features a 20 storey vehicle storage facility that uses a single central lift to store and retrieve over 400 cars. The lift can retrieve a vehicle in less than thirty seconds, and can hold nearly 50 percent more cars than a conventional car park of the same size. While not yet available in UK car parks, many entrepreneurs have their eyes on the design as a solution to the increasing density of large cities.

Though still somewhat rare, parking lifts are widely seen as a savvy solution to the UK’s mounting demand for parking spaces. Their increasing frequency heralds a new era of space conscious design for Britain’s major cities. Combined with more efficient public transit and more bicycle friendly roadways, vehicle lifts may play a large part in alleviating parking woes for a growing urban populace in the coming decade.

86 year old Doreen Farrington has been stranded upstairs in her own home since August 19th. After a stroke a stairlift was installed for her to use and maintain her independence, but it has been broken since August 19th. Dorren Farrington has been essentially stranded upstairs until repairs can be made to the stairlift.

Birmingham City Council blames the delay on a backlog in repairs being called in and claims that Doreen will simply have to wait her turn inline. Wait time could be as long as six months. Meanwhile, Doreen is stranded upstairs.

Doreen’s daughter, Sue Carney, called Urban Design, which organises Birmingham City Council to no avail. There is no rush order here available.

Doreen is basically marooned in her own upstairs home. Boredom is quickly setting in. Used to being able to do things for herself this is a definite trial for her.

Meanwhile Doreen is waiting in her upstairs bedroom, unable to get around as she has become accustomed to. Unable to make herself lunch or even a hot cup of tea.

Getting through to the manager of the company was not helpful either, Doreen’s daughter Sue was again told the wait time could be as long as six months or more. After an inspection of the stairlift, it was recommended that the stairlift be replaced. Will this delay the process even more?

Still, Doreen is waiting, upstairs, alone in her own home. In an effort to be helpful, Birmingham Mail approached the council and did implement plans for an officer to go in and see Doreen Farrington. Hopefully he will at least bring her a sandwich and a cup of hot tea.

Birmingham city Council spokeswoman states that “We are working with Mrs. Farrington and her family to rectify the situation as quickly as possible”.

Thankfully, Social Services has finally stepped up to the plate and is putting some extra cash available to good use in order to pay for a caregiver to visit three times per day. The caregiver is making sure that Doreen Farrington gets meals and has her basic needs met.

Two weeks into this Doreen was already becoming distraught. That won’t speed tings up however, she will still have to wait her turn in line.

Leicester General Hospital, located on the outskirts of Leicester and affectionately dubbed the ‘Palace on the Hill’ by locals, is where the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is located.

When the education department of the Trust had to replace its aging platform lift recently, they discovered that they could not easily find a local company that made lifts of the dimension that would be able to squeeze within the small area of available space. Every company that the Trust contacted to come out to the hospital to provide a quote simply didn’t have a suitable product.

Eventually, the education department identified and contacted Midlands based Invalifts Their product line includes the MC2000 self contained powered access platform lift that would meet the tight space requirements and prove to be easy-to-use and extremely reliable. The foot print of the lift is just 1250mm by 1250mm and was able to fit the small space available.

The MC2000 is a free-standing platform lift that can be ordered partially or fully glazed, making it fairly easy to integrate attractively into the existing building design. It operates via single phase 240v power using a twin chain, Scandanavian based design that doesn’t need an overhead machinery room or basement. Because the model consists of a freestanding shaft completely containing the lift apparatus, almost no retrofitting of the building is required. Its easy integration into the existing building fabric makes it a cost effective solution for architects and clients. The units are widely accepted by Local Authority Access Officers and it complies with UK and EC regulations for fire and safety.

Invalifts were able to complete the whole project for Leicester General Hospital in less than a week, including almost no disruption to the functioning of the Education department. The actual installation took only two days.

Invalifts is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of powered access equipment. It has installed hundreds units in both public and private facilities. Recently they introduced an ultra small, self-contained passenger lift which is designed to fit into tight spaces such as stairwells.

The company prides itself on delivering next working day service. Invalifts also offers a free access survey for the prospective client, covering powered access for the physically challenged, including the visually impaired.

Contact Invalifts Limited on 0845 468 2543 or visit their website at www.invalifts.com.

It is recommended that every person perform 30 minutes of moderately challenging physical activity five times a week, though less than one third of adults in the United Kingdom commit to this lifestyle. This along with poor diet choices has helped over half the adults in the UK become overweight. Out of that number, 23% of women and 22% of men are obese. This has caused rates of type 2 diabetes in adults and children to skyrocket which can dramatically shorten one’s lifespan and cause blindness and circulation issues.

Obesity is spreading alarmingly fast and part of the problem is not just diet, but partially because of the modern sedentary lifestyle. People can get to work using cars and trains, then arrive at their desk thanks to escalators and lifts and really only walk a few steps a days in order to go about their daily lives. Every opportunity to raise the heart rate, burn more calories, and build muscle should be taken to prevent becoming overweight.

Many people overuse the wide availability of lifts today. Ideally, this convenience should be reserved for those who can not or would have a very difficult time traveling up the stairs. Instead, perfectly healthy adults will choose to use the lift when traveling up only a couple levels. Lazy habits such as this, if incorporated in everyday life, will make a person reliant on lifts and other modern conveniences.

As a nation, the United Kingdom is dramatically gaining weight. There is no doubt that using the stairs instead of the lift daily can help improve personal health. While 80% of weight loss is a result of dieting instead of exercise, it is well accepted in the medical community that regular exercise is key in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and living longer.

It is important in combating obesity to find ways to make the most impact with every activity. This will help lung performance as well as help build muscle tissue and start up the metabolism. Muscle tissue helps burn calories throughout the day, so even when sitting at a desk, a person that took the stairs that morning, is still burning calories from that work.

HINCKLEY – Leicestershire-based LTR Lifts and Escalators is pleased to announce the latest in an exciting series of business collaborations in Birmingham.

GB Building Solutions, recognized as one of the UK’s best new firms, recently awarded LTR a contract for work on a City Centre development. The mixed use property development on Bromsgrove Street will include eleven commercial units, nearly two-hundred apartment units, and underground parking.

Andy Burley, Commercial Manager at GB Solutions, explains why LTR is the partner of choice for the Bromsgrove Street job: “We used LTR to install the lifts because they had all the relevant process in place and seemed to anticipate what we needed as a client.”

In this case, LTR will be designing and installing three lifts. Two of the lifts are specialized firefighting lifts, meaning they can be used even in the event of a fire. In emergencies, they can be used under the direct control of the Fire Service. The lifts will run from the basement to the seventh storey, and will be located in the core of the building.

Before accepting the GB Solutions contract, LTR has been involved with several high-profile projects in well-known Burm landmarks. These include Aston Villa Football Club, Villa Park, Birmingham Midshires Building Society, Westly Richards, and Beatties Department Store.

Alan Dunkley, managing director at LTR, explains the company’s growing presence in The City of a Thousand Trades: “We are really proud to have been involved in these prestigious Birmingham projects and are keen to win more business in the city. We believe we have a great deal to offer developers here.”

“Birmingham has changed beyond recognition over the last 20 years and the regeneration shows no signs of slowing down over the next decade. We can see enormous opportunities for LTR and we’re very much looking forward to playing a part in the next chapter in the city’s story.”

With £16.7bn worth of city projects proposed or already under construction over the next decade, it is easy to understand why the relationship between LTR and Birmingham will continue to flourish.

For more information, contact LTR Lifts and Escalators on 01455 633760.