B.E.C Group News

Filling up for the future

2010-02-01T02:04:00.000-08:00

B.E.C Group is proud to anounce that we have been working closely with Manitowoc Beverage Systems (formally Scotsman Bevergage Systems) to prototype a new way to fill a pint!

We have been developing the injection tooling for the vessel and dispense head with the designers at Manitowoc and now have the first offs ... using an innovative new plastic. The product is called TRUfill and here's what they say about it:

TRUfill is a revolutionary new dispense filling system that allows faster filling by dispensing through a non-return valve in the bottom of a drinking vessel. TRUfill is patented technology and is adaptable to a wide range of disposable and re-useable dedicated beverage vessels.

The TRUfill system can be applied to a multi-point dispense application, particularly for stadiums and high footfall events where it is critical to get the maximum revenue yield from concentrated pouring periods. Pouring at between 5-10 seconds per pour the multiple tap system allows one person to manage 4 dispense points continually!

TRUfill filling method validates how to ‘de-labourise’ the beverage pouring process thus enabling the pourer to achieve faster pour and simultaneously receive payment as the TRUfill system takes care of the filling without operator interface!

We are looking to automate the injection moulding process so watch out for TRUfill coming to a sports arena or concert venue near you soon. If you see any let us know what you think by leaving a comment.

I saw this on Times Online and thought you might be interested

2010-01-04T03:48:00.000-08:00

Made in Britain: How manufacturing is returning to the UK

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/industrials/article6973958.ece

B.E.C Group supports the Best of British

2009-12-12T03:11:00.000-08:00

We are thrilled to announce that we shall be supporting the Best of British South Pole expedition. Fortnum and Masons are supplying the hamper at the end so we are going to lend the best of British engineering knowledge to help the team create a new type of tent.

The brief from Manley Hopkinson, Team leader of the expedition (bottom right) has been to help prototype a a tent that can withstand the conditions in the Antarctic whilst being lightweight and versatile enough to repair if the 'the worst comes to the worst'.

The team (pictured right) will need all the help they can get as the walk 460 miles unaided and unassisted. They are challenging for Scott's record which is currently held by the pesky Norwegians. They need sponsorship to make the attempt so we are helping by developing the new tent which will hopefully help them achieve their goals.

To appreciate the full scale what they are trying to achieve and follow their training progress click here

Shorlisted for Innovation

2009-11-17T09:42:00.000-08:00

B.E.C Group, the design, mould tooling and manufacturing firm based in New Milton, has been shortlisted for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award by the New Forest Business Partnership.

The Award, sponsored by ExxonMobil, is one of just six to be won and will be awarded to the business that is leading the way in product development or business practice.

The Awards open to all businesses in the New Forest and run by the New Forest Business Partnership, seek to recognise local businesses for their efforts in particular areas. There are six categories which include best new business, customer service, online technology, sustainable business and the coveted ExxonMobil award for innovation and entrepreneurship. The winners will be announced at an Award ceremony on 24th November 2009 at Carey’s Manor Hotel, Brockenhurst.

Mark Elvy, Business Manager at B.E.C Group said “We are very excited to be shortlisted for this prestigious award. Much of our work as engineers involves working with others to take an idea and develop it into something tangible..and profitable! This is what we’ve done with Bohle, the international glazing firm and it’s great to receive recognition for it. Winning the Award would be the icing on the cake.”

Chris Conway, Purchasing Manager for Bohle re-iterated this by saying “I’m glad B.E.C Group has been shortlisted for this award. Bohle’s new Verigauge tool, designed to measure both the thickness and depth of glass in situ, is a great example of how businesses working together use innovation to solve everyday problems in the field and is likely to become a ‘must have’ item for every glazier. They are true experts in their field and I hope they go on to win!”

B.E.C Group has a long history working closely with their customers from inventors to multinational organisations - they developed the first ever credit card machine with RACAL, now in the science museum and more recently helped develop the RUROC helmet currently used by F1 champions Brawn GP pit crew.

Contact me for more info

AFCB get a roasting from Rochdale

2009-11-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

OK so it was one of the worst results of the season so far - click the heading to get a full match report.... if you dare!

Pictured are Graham Blake (holding the match ball) and Geoff Elvy the original founders of B.E.C Group. They started the business as toolmakers over 30 years ago and now it's one of the only remaining 'in house' tooling and manufacturing facility in the South of England.

Graham, a long suffering season ticket holder at AFC Bournemouth said "It was a good turnout but a poor result, we just didn't look good going forward" Alongside him was the man of the match Alan Connell and Grahams' Grandson. Geoff said "We always enjoy sponsoring Bournemouth Football Club, they have great facilities and it's always well organised... pity about the result as we are doing well this season already. We have sponsored the ball for about 10 years and I think this is only the second time they have lost!"

For more information on tickets go to AFCB official Website

B.E.C Group sponsors the ball at AFC Bournemouth

2009-10-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

We're back at Dean Court this weekend and hoping for a big turnout for what is going to be a very competitive game against Rochdale. B.E.C Group have been avid supporters of the Cherries for a long time and have sponsored the ball since 2002. As a local manufacturing firm we're passionate about supporting local sports and it's fair to say we're football mad...

We'll let you know how we get on!! Come on the Cherries!!

New Plastic protective helmet proves winner for Brawn GP

2009-10-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

B.E.C Group would like to congratulate Jenson Button and all the Brawn GP racing team on winning the F1 drivers title and the constructors title in their first ever season....it’s unprecedented!

B.E.C Group designed and manufactured the injection tooling required for the Brawn Pit Crew helmets at their factory in Hampshire, also manufacturing the plastic parts, including the outer shell, used in producing this unique full-face protective helmet.

For more information or if you require design, mould tooling and manufacturing expertise like this then go to www.becgroup.com or contact us directly:

Local sponsorship improves conversion rate

2009-08-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

B.E.C Group, the design, mould tooling and manufacturing firm based in New Milton, have announced a sponsorship deal with Bournemouth RFC for the 2009/2010 season.

The association forms part of the company’s strategy to raise the profile of what the local area can offer in terms of manufacturing, as well as continuing to support sports and events within the community. Historically the company has sponsored specific events like the ball at Bournemouth FC or Christchurch regatta.

Geoff Elvy Director of B.E.C Group said “We have always supported local sporting events or clubs since we began as toolmakers 30 years ago. It is a great way to bring people together and also to raise awareness of our company in the local community. To date our support has been fairly ad-hoc so this partnership with Bournemouth RFC enables us to give continued support over the year to a fantastic organisation, whilst helping us to achieve our strategy.

Bournemouth RFC has an excellent youth programme with great facilities and this is proving essential when attracting new sponsors like B.E.C Group. There is a growing trend in UK companies addressing their purchasing strategy and moving away from sourcing abroad. Manufacturing and engineering companies across the South of England possess huge amounts of experience and expertise and this makes them competitive. They can offer services to potential customers that the Far East cannot. Raising awareness of this can only help the wider community in difficult times whilst benefiting the youth sports projects championed at Chapel Gate.

Jeremy Ramsden, the clubs commercial spokesperson said “I’m happy to accept B.E.C Group onboard for the 2009/2010 season as they have been great supporters of local sport and Chapel Gate in the past and we will look to build on this support for the future. It’s a prestigious achievement for Bournemouth Rugby Football Club to attract this high profile client into our ever expanding portfolio of sponsors. We anticipate taking them on a stimulating journey with us and I speak for both club and the members alike in expressing great pride in our new association.”

The first home league game is on the 5th September 2009 at Chapel Gate and B.E.C Group will be out in force to support the team for the opening match.

B.E.C Group joins BuyDorset

2009-04-24T05:43:00.000-07:00

B.E.C Group has joined the BuyDorset scheme.

The BuyDorset website has been developed to bring together Dorset business to offer the Dorset community excellent value for money from local businesses, there are over 28,000 businesses trading in Dorset providing a whole range of products and services BuyDorset’s role is to promote the local business to the local community thus supporting Dorset people. The aim is to get Dorset people to use Dorset businesses.

The sharp ones among you will have noticed that our factory actually resides in Hampshire, however given that there is no scheme at present promoting Hampshire Businesses we thought we would go next door. Given that a large majority of the workforce live in Dorset and we are right on the border the guys at BuyDorset didn't seem to mind.

We are offering our fellow BuyDorset members an exclusive deal to celebrate bringing our Design, Mould Tooling and Manufacturing services to Dorset. We will be offering our Design expertise for free to businesses who are members of BuyDorset and commision Injection Tooling orders in 2009.

Have a look at our website to see what we can offer you too.... http://www.becgroup.com/

Top Story: Budget is renamed 'Fudgeit'

2009-04-24T04:42:00.000-07:00

I have started this blog so many times hence it being posted so late after Wednesday's umm... annoucement? It just turned into a rant and got me all upset.

So I have decided not to write anything to complex...(I'm started to tense up) or anything of serious note other than the government have again failed to support the only people to get us out of a recession, namely small to medium sized businesses.

Again, they have made the figures fit their philosophies, solely for political gain (my teeth are clenched) when they should be working on behalf of the people. No tangible help for the manufacturing industry, about the only industry able to effect growth output in the short term, to halt the slide towards deflation.

Whilst we are trying to support inventors and innovation they are trying to give themselves a bonus for turning up to work??? Call me ridiculous but isn't that called wages? (my right eye is twitching and my fingers hurt from typing too hard) OK OK calm down....

Basically they have totally lost it, encouraging people to spend and create debt to drive the mirage a growth economy. It all goes pear shaped because finally somebody says "hang on... I'm not lending you anymore money because there's not a hope in hell you're going to pay me back" then everbody stops lendng because well basically they didn't have any money in the first place and any money they did have they have spent it because the government told them to....

"Oh but hang on what will happen to my Utopian ideal that there will be continuous growth in the UK economy... I've had 10 years and there's more growth I know there is...." whines Presdient Brown. No you idiot you must have been locked in the cupboard by school bullies at the time everybody else did GCE Economics which clearly states that can't happen..... "but my 10 years ..." yes you dribbling baffoon probably realistically 7 years growth in line with the world economy but a babboon with a limp could have been CoE whilst that was happening.

'Oh look we made loads of money this year, what shall we do with it?' Asks deputy CoE
'Let's spend it all because we'll all have loads of money for ever because I say there will be infinite growth and in my GCE Economics lessons nobody said that couldn't happen...... says babboon with limp.

(I'm about to explode and also I have ranted alot)

I'll leave you with a picture (top) which I think sums it all up.....

An award winning product

2009-04-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our friends at Curventa for winning a prestigious Good Design Award 2008 for their work on the Ruroc Helmet.

We are proud to have been part of taking this innovative British collaboration project all the way from product consultation, mould tool manufacture through to full scale plastic injection production. It has been a very steep learning curve for all involved and only now are we beginning to see the fruits of our labour!

Although origionally designed with skiers and snowboarders safety in mind the concept is so origional that is is being applied across a range of sports, from BMX, motorcross even to Formula1!! Below is the back page of the Times showing the new helmet launched to coincide with the very first ever night race, can you tell which one??

Check them out at the race in Shanghai this weekend and see how many teams you can spot who have the helmets??

B.E.C Group is now uniquely placed to offer the Tooling design and manufacture expertise for helmet construction and production. Our experience dealing with this projects makes us one of the very few British manufacturers still invovled in Helmet design.

Combine this with the innovation and creativity used to take this product to market we should be the first people you call if you are thinking about designing new safety equipment especially in the sports industry.

Call us now on +44 (0) 1425 613131

or email info@becgroup.com

I'm back....

2009-03-24T02:07:00.000-07:00

Hi there,

Sorry to disappoint but the UK's first Manufacturing blog is back and this time we are here to stay. After our initial forage into the world of blogging I have a much clearer picture of what we can write, say and do.

To be honest whilst we were developing our new website we changed tack and have the developed the most incredible site. It's a hybrid combining the design aspects of our Flash site with optimisation of a HTML site. .... FlasHTML! The flash site started as a technical exercise to see if we could break out of the boring manufacturing sites that you trawl through all the time!!

We wanted to make a statement and by god we did .... Neil Stevens from Deshok has totally blown us away with what we can do however, there is now a need to use the site for a business purpose. As there is not much point of having this fantastic beacon reflecting how we innovate at B.E.C Group, if nobody knows it's there. Therefore we took a couple of steps back after our giant leap forward. The new site will give us much more versatility when it comes to marketing especially on the web..... have a look www.becgroup.com

We launch tomorrow so have a look and tell us what you think! We are very proud and it has been a long slog so thanks to all involved and the patience demonstrated by those at Deshok. We will be keeping the creative site so we can improve further without affecting the usability of the new site which is great.

We feel this site really reflects B.E.C Group well as it's creative, professional and fun!

Coming Back to Blighty....

2008-12-23T04:48:00.000-08:00

How businesses can save thousands by sourcing local manufacturing rather than looking abroad....

In recent years many businesses went off-shore to have their new product or invention taken from concept to manufacturing, as a way to cut costs. With the crash of the British Pound affecting imports and the increase in local know-how, smart businesses are taking a fresh look at local suppliers as a way of cutting costs.

One industry that particularly has seen this trend is tool making and plastic injection moulding. When business inventors come up with a new idea for a product, they need to take their concept from an idea through to prototype, tool manufacturing and then finally product manufacturing.

This is a complicated and time consuming process that needs a high level of skill to ensure the finished product meets end customers’ needs. Inventors need to be able to communicate with their tool making and plastic injection moulding company to discuss options for effective manufacture as well as create design modifications for the best outcomes.

What the tool making industry is seeing is a resurgence of businesses looking at innovative British suppliers to meet their needs. Geoff Elvy, Director of B.E.C Group is a typical case of the fresh approach of innovative local suppliers.
“Tool makers used to adopt a piecemeal process with customers having to source different people to do different parts of the process. This meant that most toolmakers weren’t competitive and the process was complicated. We have for a long time now worked with businesses right from the light bulb moment of inspiration, through the design and prototyping phase, into the dies and moulds phases, until the product is manufactured that way they can get the most effective results.”

“We have had a number of high profile companies come to us to help them take their concept through prototype and patenting into manufacture. We work closely with their research and development departments as they go through the full process of a new product development, helping them create plastics solutions that get results both for them and the consumer”.
“More recently we have had companies, who we initially worked with on the R&D side, contacting us asking us to sort out the problems with their tooling and take on large scale production. Unfortunately, we usually advise them to check whether they own the tooling, as there has been some sharp practice in Asia especially where you find in the small print you have only paid for a contribution to the tooling. They find it is cost prohibitive to produce new tooling and therefore they are stuck!”

The obvious benefits of sourcing within the E.U. is now plain to see as transport, storage and distribution costs rise across the board ordering the same quantities that made the product cheap now becomes risky. The things to consider are no longer cut and dry. For example the solvency of your suppliers becomes important whereas before it was irrelevant. Purchasing managers are slowly looking towards their neighbours for help with production. So next time you’re driving to work .... make a note of who you pass on the way you may well need them in 2009.

B.E.C Group is a privately owned Hampshire based business, which has been established since 1978. See their new website at www.becgroup.com.

REACHing out to you...

2008-12-10T06:32:00.000-08:00

As you may or may not be aware some new legislation has been passed which supersedes about 40 other pieces of legislation that covered the dark and dangerous world of regulation. More specifically:

Regulation for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It entered into force on 1st June 2007 to streamline and improve the former legislative framework on chemicals of the European Union (EU). REACH places greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks that chemicals may pose to the health and the environment.
In principle REACH applies to all chemicals: not only chemicals used in industrial processes but also in our day-to-day life, for example in cleaning products, paints as well as in articles such as clothes, furniture and electrical appliances.

Now I'm not mucking about here because this is serious stuff. However you may view this legislation B.E.C Group. is taking it very seriously. We have designated a specific REACH single point contact to deal with all customer and supplier enquiries or question. This is unusual for a company of our size but demonstrates our commitment to making this massive piece of new legislations implementation as smooth and as hassle free for our customers as possible.

To this end we have posted a statement to all our customer and I'm happy to announce we have now received assurances from all our suppliers that we will be compliant.

See below and if you have any questions regarding this or any other matter please call Mark Elvy on 01425613131 or email mark.elvy@becgroup.com or if you would like more general information click the title link.

REACH Statement 25th November 2008

B.E.C Group. understands its’ role and responsibilities in respect of REACH and is dedicated to helping its customer achieve a smooth transition to this new legislation.

As your preferred manufacturing partner we will only be concerned with the Supply of Articles, “An article is the legal term under REACH for any object that has been given a specific shape, surface or design so that it can be used for a specific purpose”,

To this end B.E.C Group. can confirm that there will be no interruptions to the supply chain. We have contacted all our suppliers asking them to confirm they will be pre-registering any product that is imported outside the E.U. We are pleased to say that as yet we have 89% confirmation and are just awaiting a few suppliers who are downstream users and are awaiting confirmation themselves.

We can confirm that no substances used by us are of very high concern (SVHC).

We can confirm Polymers are to be exempt from pre-registration and that any articles supplied with greater than 0.1% of a substance of concern will be communicated to you before 1st January 2009.

Welcome to B.E.C Group.blogspot

2008-11-28T04:16:00.000-08:00

Welcome
Hello and welcome to the inaugural blog for B.E.C Group. I shall be writing a monthly blog for the enjoyment of all of you lucky people out there....
I have been studying other blogs and well I think I can do better. You have to let me know how I’m doing but I can envisage being the most read blog ever, am I aiming to high??

You are probably wondering why I am wearing a helmet well, this is a new product we helped design, build and manufacture for Ruroc and also I thought I looked a bit like 'the stig' which is useful incase this blog goes badly wrong and I need to hide my identity.

Why Blog?
Well it’s quite simple really, firstly exposure and secondly innovation:

B.E.C Group has a fantastic new website and we want to tell people about it. Blogging I’m assured is a really good way of communicating with your customers and potential customers. So here I am blogging....

B.E.C Group has always innovated in the field of Product Design, Plastic Injection Moulding and Tooling so when I was hunting around to see what was out there in the manufacturing industry I was horrified to discover there are no blogs covering this field! Now I know the field of plastic injection moulding is not as glamorous as say .... motor racing but this is where it all starts, the innovation of design and the knowledge and experience to actually make it! It goes all the way back to the wheel.... somebody has an idea and somebody else makes it happen.

About B.E.C Group
This is a bit sales oriented but it was the catalyst for the blog so we can’t ignore it we must respect it....actually it is interesting and succinct!
B.E.C Group was founded over thirty years ago by Graham Blake, Geoff Elvy and the late Barry Cox all specialist toolmakers. Their friendly approach to business and technical skill won them long term customers some of whom we still do work for today!
From those humble beginnings B.E.C Group has grown our range of services to suit customer needs, changes in industry and in many cases have been the first to innovate within the industry, all giving us the advantage over our competitors.
We are now proud that we are able to deliver the full range of services ‘in house’ that you would expect from a modern plastics manufacturing company:

Innovation and Design consultants

Product design

Prototyping and rapid moulding

Mould Tooling manufacture

Tool modification and specialist finishing

Full Production Moulding

Contact us today to see how we have satisfied a very wide variety of customers for the last 30 years and how we can help you for the next 30! You will find that our team, although now grown from 3 to 25, still hold true that original business ideal of creating lasting business relationships for the profit of all involved.

So whether your project is just a drawing on a scrap of paper, a prototype, you need advice to understand the next steps of production or you have a multi-tool requirement with mass production in mind we are the only person you need to call.....

What next?
Well another blog I guess....

I will write one for December actually I might write two...

One on REACH which, if you haven’t done something about by now and you’re in our industry ‘there may be trouble ahead’ (sing this bit). This will be a good way to communicate to our customers and potential customers that we are fully REACH compliant and looking forward to working with you.

The other I haven’t decided yet but it won’t be as serious....

Caption Competition

In a homage to Have I got news for you .... you know what to do! Write your caption in the comment...

Random Links:

Deshok.com - Website Design & Marketing
Our website designer.... of course not that random but they deserve it:
http://www.deshok.com/

Henchman - Tough tasks made easy
Just got one of these for the father-in-law and they’re brilliant, unless of course you want them to fall of a ladder:
http://www.henchman.co.uk/index.jsf

Cygnus Instuments
Saw this being used on Deep Wreck Mysteries thought it was fascinating technology so looked them up.... it is fascinating and I don’t understand it at all:
http://www.cygnus-instruments.com/