Archive for February, 2012
Even the outside of the building was bar coded!
Tim Bloch & John Winter visited the new TENESO Europe SE central hub in Germany. Udo Scheffler, TENESO’s deputy MD, hosted the event and welcomed his TENESO colleagues from around Europe to see the recently openned 100,000 sq metre warehousing complex that is strategically located just outside Frankfurt Airport.
John said, “You just cannot help but to be impressed by the sheer size, scale and modernity of this new operating centre. Inside, it had all of the very latest state of the art technology. I saw one of the warehouse operatives select a spare part sitting at his desk. It then got picked and was delivered back to him via a network of cages, conveyor belts and robots”
He added, “I also found my way to the GB transport lane to see tomorrow’s consignments (of catering and medical equipment) that was being prepared for dispatch that evening to Swindon. It is quite rewarding to the see the goods that are going to be delivered tomorrow in the UK, sitting in Germany that very afternoon”
There were still some painters applying some finishing touches to the offices but it is amazing to think that this whole structure was built in less than 6 months.
Even the outside of the building was bar coded but I was assured by Nils Grundman, Simon Hegele Sales Manager, that this was only a cosmetic design feature. He did add though, “Being so close to the airport, we had to take full advantage of the free advertising opportunities open to us by sign writing the whole of the roof. The next time you fly into Frankfurt Airport…check it out! But to give you and idea about the sheer size of the building the dot in the i of Simon Hegele is 800 sq feet.”
Telephone Downtime – System Upgrade
As part of Bishopsgate’s IT and technology improvement scheme our telephone system is being upgraded today, 24th February, and as part of the upgrade our phone lines are experiencing some downtime. We are aware and all involved are working to rectify the situation as soon as possible.
If you need to contact us the best way is via email to your designated Customer Services contact or to customerservices@bishopsgate.co.uk.
For any critical issues please call on 07917 168 780.
The issue will be resolved at some point today and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
On-line hardcopy POD’s now available!!!!
As part of our continued commitment to the improvement of our systems and services, Bishopsgate are pleased to announce that our new facility for the downloading of hardcopy POD’s has now gone live on our on-line booking interface.
The new feature will allow our customers who use the on-line booking interface the opportunity to download hardcopy POD’s as and when then require them. Scanned POD copies will be uploaded during the working day following the day of delivery/collection. Once the POD is available customers are able to download scanned images of our collection/delivery note containing recipients name, signature, time on – off site, plus any comments relating specifically to that delivery/collection.
If you are not already using our on-line booking interface and wish to gain access please contact: customerservices@bishopsgate.co.uk who will be happy to set you up with a log-on ID and password.
For current users please click on the link below for full instructions on how to set-up and use the new POD facility.
User Instructions for online POD (38)
Is that the only way into the basement?
We were recently asked to deliver 4 x 250kg 4-drawer fire proof filing cabinets into the basement of an Edwardian office building. But the only way to get these cabinets into the basement was through a trap door from the hallway entrance. Armed with a site survey, the crew arrived with a stair robot, aluminium plates, a 2t gantry large enough to do the job but small enough to manoeuvre inside the 
restricted access and plenty of time to complete the task
Kris & Martin were pleased on how well the job had gone. Kris said afterwards, “I was a bit worried when I couldn’t get the gantry hook to move across the top of the beam but a few apologies to the client in advance of a few whacks with the hammer clearly did the trick. Martin added, “It’s not an everyday occurrence that we get installations like this but the challenging ones are still the most fun”
Christine Sommerville
“I just wanted to say how very grateful I am to the team who attended my delivery today in Leeds. They went above and beyond to ensure that the delivery went right first time. They were fantastic and I think I would have been in tears without their help.”
Christine Sommerville
Bishopsgate’s Frozen Planet Employee
When one of the team asks to broaden his education and experience by taking a 6 month sabbatical abroad, initiatives such as this are always well received and where possible supported. But it is pretty rare that that opportunity is to work in the Antarctic to support the British Antarctic Survey Team!
In the UK, Wayne works closely with the operations and customer services team at our Royal Wootton Bassett headquarters. He remains an invaluable member of the team and his ‘can do’ attitude makes him very popular with customers and colleagues alike.
In the Antarctic, Wayne has taken on the role as Station Support Assistant for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Team. His daily duties involve all domestic duties on the station including catering duties, waste handling, laundry and night watch checks and any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Station Management. A team of 3 Saint Helenian’s work on a 2 week day shift followed by a 1 week night shift to enable the daily maintenance of the base.
But it’s no
t all work as Wayne describes below
“I have also had the opportunity to visit Fossil Bluff, a small base camp, which involves working out in the field with one other person giving weather brief reports to pilots, refuelling aircraft and basic daily up keep of the camp. I have been privileged to provide co-pilot assistance (this includes having ‘a go’ at flying the plane under the pilot’s supervision – which is an awesome experience) on short one day trips to field workers delivery and/or collecting supplies. The wild life is spectacular and amazing and is one of the highlights that my time here has allowed me to enjoy. As for stories about the cold, well….there are days when you feel the cold but unbelievably there are days that feel hot….no kidding, it’s so easy to get sun burnt due to the ozone being so thin. Eye and skin protection is paramount!
Weekends bring the opportunity to snow board; do mounting climbing, boating, hiking or wildlife watching etc and so far I’ve done it all! Visiting ships are a regularly sight and opportunities to go on board is welcomed. Recently a visiting ship with researchers allowed me to go out to sea and to assist the scientist with their research”
He adds, “I have been lucky enough to experience all of the above and more and it’s with huge thanks to Tim Bloch and all at Bishopsgate for allowing me to take this opportunity to experience life in one of the most exotic places on earth. I have been made to feel that I am still very much an invaluable employee of Bishopsgate and I will undoubtedly be eternally grateful for”
Wayne returns in the Spring so watch this space for updates