News

Sustainable Washroom Systems from Franke Sissons at Ecobuild, Excel, London 20 - 22 March 2012

Following on from their first years success at Ecobuild last year, Franke Sissons, are back this year with a bigger stand in the Southern Hall, Stand S551. Customers are encouraged to meet the team who can offer technical expertise and advice for your projects, no matter how big or small.

A one stop solution provider, Franke Sissons will be showcasing some of their comprehensive washroom technology including the stainless washroom product range such as the water saving waterless urinals and range of taps offering both touch free and central control technology. The revolutionary Aqua3000 open water management system, used where economical operation is of prime importance and the new range of Miranit sanitaryware.

Visitors can register for free at www.ecobuild.co.uk.

Chesterfield Manufacturing Expansion

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has formally opened the latest investment project at Franke Washrooms Chesterfield site.

Franke Sissons’ manufacturing centre now houses a second Franke company, after a major reorganisation of the factory buildings.

Franke Food Service, key supplier to the UK quick service restaurant and fast food enterprises, brings 7 jobs to the site, which consists of a sales office and logistics centre including warehousing.

The whole project was successfully completed by Barton Contractors Ltd over an eight week period. It was undertaken with no loss of service by either company and means substantial benefits to both activities of the Franke Group.

“A company like Franke which has key manufacturing and distribution in Chesterfield and where exporting is a measurable element of the activity is of major importance to this region,” said Toby Perkins.

“This new location will be great for our business,” said Franke Food Service Key Account Manager Richard Godbehere “Our market is growing and service is the key. We will be able to save time on stainless steel manufactured products that might have come from Eastern Europe, but can actually be produced competitively in Chesterfield and also provides for a better service to our customers.”

Franke Sissons Managing Director Andy Dukelow is also certain about the benefits of the arrival of Franke Foodservice. “This project involved a major reorganisation of the whole of our warehouse and raw material stores facilities. At the end of the project we were able to improve the existing Logistics facilities and integrate our sister operation from Food Service. The synergies we will realise will allow further opportunity for the site to manufacture additional product for the Food Service market”

Franke Sissons is one of the area’s oldest manufacturing companies having been founded over 227years ago. There are over 100 staff employed at the site and the company is a key member of the region’s apprenticeship scheme.

New approved semiar for Architects

Franke Sissons have a new CPD seminar for Architects and specifiers which has been approved by the RIBA. The seminar is called Water Management and Conservation in Commercial Washrooms and covers the key areas of the different methods of water management, the level of control and monitoring of water usage that is currently available and environmental and sustainability issues of water management and washroom materials.

The seminar covers issues relating to BREEAM points, cost savings of different water controls and recent advances in technology for water management.

The RIBA architect who assessed the presentation gave the following comments "The resultant presentation is informative, generic, and memorable and provides much that will help architects. I think it is a very good presentation and I have no hesitation in recommending this be approved."

To book a lunchtime seminar please contact Amy Matkin at Franke Sissons on 01246 450255 or amy.matkin@franke.com

Franke Sissons Approvals

Franke Sissons products are covered in part or wholly by the following Approvals and Standards. The Approvals are for Water Efficiency Product Labelling Scheme (WEPLS), DEFRA Water Technology List (WTL), Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), CSA International Canada, Australian Watermark Approval for WCs, CE Approvals, LGA German Approvals, Australian Standard Approval and ISO9001 Quality Management Approval.

Franke Sissons is awarded the Water Technology List logo mark

Franke has been awarded the Water Technology List (WTL) logo mark for the AQUA200 self closing mixer tap. The award to the WTL logo means that the products can be specified for projects in which the clients can claim reduced Capital allowances for using water saving products. The use of WTL listed products also assists with gaining BREEAM points. Other Franke water control products are currently being assessed for adding to the WTL listing in the future.

Franke Sissons water saving and waterless products for Urinals
Franke Sissons achieve 4 Litre flushing standard for range of WCs

Franke Sissons new range of stainless steel Campus WC have passed the new 4 and 5 litre flushing standards as part of the EN997 performance standard as certified by the LGA testing laboratory in Germany.

The products are also Watermark Approved in Australia and are labelled as being water efficient as part of the WEPLS scheme run by the UK Bathroom Manufacturer’s Association.

The product are totally designed and manufactured at the Company’s facility in Chesterfield, England and are supplied worldwide for security, stadiums and public toilets. Recent installations have included two new Euro 2012 stadiums in Poland, public toilets in Sydney, Australia and high security holding cells for the Metropolitan Police in London.

The range of products include floor standing and wall hung models which can be fitted to duct walls or to installation frames and can be supplied with a range of coloured toilet seats and lids.

Certificate

Apprentices

Manufacturer grows apprenticeship numbers

Franke Sissons the Derbyshire manufacturing company that last year celebrated its 225th Anniversary, has now got four apprentices, two of whom are celebrating their first year anniversary.

The four apprenticeships are all based at the company’s manufacturing centre in Chesterfield, which this year exported over 20% of its sales. Three of the apprenticeships are in manufacturing and one is a commercial traineeship.

The company is also associated with the Meadows school in Chesterfield where students access work experience and project opportunities at the site.

“Apprenticeships are a crucial process for a company like ours, said Franke Sissons managing director Andy Dukelow “We have skilled staff who have been with us for a long time, and their skills take years to acquire. It is important to us that the investment in skills is an on going process. We are delighted by the progress being shown by these young recruits.”


Jack Braithwaite, Manufacturing Apprentice start date 06/10/2009
Jack Butterworth, Design Apprentice start date 28/02/2011
Amy Matkin, Commercial trainee start date 23/08/2010
Tom Roberts, Manufacturing Apprentice start date 06/09/2010

Circular Wash Trough Application

A Hand Washing Story

Break time and the girls at Chesterfield’s Meadows School would be queuing to use the wash basins, as there are less of these than there are toilets.

The solution

The Franke Circular Wash Trough offers a number of advantages in the school environment. Principle amongst these is the use of space. Wash basins need to be against a wall. The Circular Wash Trough sits in the middle of the room enabling multiple use at any time. Additionally, wash basins have plugs and soap to lose and taps to leave running. The Wash Trough has no plugs, dispenses soap as required and features self closing taps so that no tap can be left on and are very reliable and robust.

If all these benefits don’t immediately convince the toilet monitors, the ultimate benefit is the environment, as water use with self closing tap technology should reduce by over 30%.

The Headteacher, Lynn Asquith is delighted with the new facility and is hoping to install 2 further units later in the school year and is more than happy to recommend the Franke Sissons circular wash troughs to other schools in the area.

In terms of the girls at Meadows School – they will be able to enjoy more of their breaktime!

All In One Wash Station installation at Ashgate Hospice

North Derbyshire’s Ashgate Hospice have received an unusual and very effective donation this New Year, in the form of an “All in One” wash station.

The new design wash station incorporates no touch electronic water control and spout, wash basin, mirror, paper and soap dispenser. The discrete space requirement of the one piece unit is particularly appropriate for the limited area available at the Hospice.

Franke Sissons continue to generously support registered charity Ashgate Hospice as it is local to the manufacturing facility, and the new All in One wash station offered a particularly appropriate solution to them. The station is manufactured in stainless steel as one unit, offering hygienic and user friendly washing with water triggered when hands are placed in front of the sensor.

Ashgate Hospice’s Support Services Manager, Jane Bridge, said, “Our relationship with Franke Sissons has been incredibly productive for us and we are very pleased to continue working in partnership with them and to accept their kind offer of such installations. The design and material of the wash hand basin works extremely well with our infection control policy.”

Customer Questionnaire release

A Big Thank you

Thanks to our customers who completed the recent Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire. The questions enabled customers to report on their experiences with the company, warts and all, enabling us to continue to improve the customer experience.

The responses indicate that the vast majority of customers are either satisfied or very satisfied with the service and products provided by the company but also useful feedback on those areas where there is still greater expectation.

Those responding were put into a draw for a free digital TV, and the winner (Pictured) was Kevin Kerr of Stevenson and Reid. Ireland Kevin was presented with his prize by Head of Sales Mike Gillett,

Obese weight WC supplied to regional hospital

A WC for the heaviest people in the UK has been designed and is being manufactured by washroom manufacturers Franke Sissons.

 

“We have supplied the first order to Lincolnshire hospital”, said commercial director Paul Markwell, “where it is thought the country’s heaviest man is being treated.” The Bariatric WC is large and floor standing and features a stronger designed and constructed toilet seat 50 cm wide. Designed specifically designed for use in hospitals, doctor’s surgeries, specialist clinics and nursing homes, the Bariatric WC is manufactured to order.

 

Franke Sissons manufacture a range of stainless washroom systems, and the Bariatric WC has been developed to specifically answer the demand for studier WC bowls and seats where conventional facilities may be unusable. The Bariatric WC is secure to a final weight of 841 kg and is manufactured at the company’s headquarters in Chesterfield.

Baby Change Station

A brand new baby change station introducing new materials and safety features has been introduced by Franke Sissons. The Comfort Baby Changing Station offers child safety, hygiene, hand washing facility, safe storage and uniquely utilises Miranit for the change mat, a strong material that is both room temperature and smooth finished for easy cleaning.

The Baby Changing Station is manufactured a safe, solid and durable product that is free standing and designed for location within washroom or changing facilities where water and waste facilities are available.

The WRAS approved self closing tap has an anti-scald feature toTMV3 water regulations combining ease of use with safety. The restraining strap is made to BS1888 regulations and has an easy to release clasp.

The Base unit is available in two product options, 2 door or 4 door for storage and access for maintenance to plumbing and services. The lockable doors are made from scratch resistant laminate and their hinges open to 170° to prevent trapping little fingers. An additional range of related stainless products such as a paper towel dispenser, soap dispenser and nappy bin is available alongside the Baby Change Station.