Quills Group Acquisition of Whitecrest and Hurleys 1st February 2025

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We are thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter in the Quills Group story with the acquisition of Whitecrest & Hurleys, effective from 1st February 2025. This significant milestone reinforces our commitment to delivering unparalleled service and solutions to our valued clients while expanding our reach and capabilities.

Adam Benbow, Director at Quills, shared his thoughts on this exciting development: “For Whitecrest & Hurleys customers, the acquisition will mean the same high level of service with the additional benefit of our internal infrastructure, enhanced customer services, and features like Live Chat to provide answers quickly to any queries or questions. We’re an organisation constantly striving to improve how we do business every day.”

(Photo: Adam Benbow – Quills Group Director)

Why this Acquisition Matters 

The decision to acquire Whitecrest & Hurleys stems from a shared vision of innovation, quality, and exceptional customer care. By joining forces, we are creating a stronger, more comprehensive portfolio that enhances our ability to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Together, we will:

– Broaden our product and service offerings across key areas.

– Leverage combined expertise to drive greater innovation.

– Strengthen our ability to deliver seamless, end-to-end workplace solutions.

Director Whitecrest & Hurleys Director John Whitehead said “When we started thinking about our retirement and who we would want to look after our customers and employees, Quills became an obvious choice. Not only are they close by location wise, they also have the same values as Whitecrest & Hurleys, and above all, their first priority is people. We believe that this is a progressive step that will strengthen and expand the range of services and support that will be available to our valued customers, and also provide stability for our employees.”

 

A Seamless Transition 

To ensure a  seamless transfer, the existing Whitecrest & Hurleys logistics team will move across to Quills and continue delivering to customers and the Directors will be on hand to ensure a smooth integration of the business. Both teams are working closely to ensure minimal disruption while maintaining the high standards of service you have come to expect. Over the coming months, you can look forward to exciting new opportunities and expanded resources designed to benefit your business.

Looking Ahead 

The acquisition of Whitecrest and Hurleys is not just about growth; it’s about setting the stage for a future where we can better support our clients’ success. As we move forward together, we remain deeply committed to our core values of integrity, innovation, and outstanding service.

We look forward to working with Whitecrest & Hurleys employees and customers and extend a warm welcome to all. Here’s to a bright future ahead.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to grow together.

branded goods for outdoor enterntaining

Branded goods for outdoor entertaining

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With lockdown restrictions easing and the warmer weather on its way, we’re all looking forward to the outdoor dining and socialising that’s scheduled to return on 12th April. Obviously social distancing rules need to be followed, but there’s no reason why you can’t combine keeping your diners and drinkers as safe as possible whilst still making sure your brand stands out.

Over the past year, the British public has become used to socialising outdoors. Most of us are quite happy to put on an extra jumper or fleece if it means we can spend more time with friends but we would like to be sheltered from unpredictable British weather! Now is the time to boost your brand and offer your customers warmth and protection to encourage them to book in advance and more importantly encourage them to stay for longer at your premises … plus showcasing your brand is always a good move!

Branded goods for outdoor entertaining white parasols

What’s more, the expectation that the excitement of being able to eat out with friends again will surely lead to an upsurge in selfies posted on social media channels. Imagine how great these images will look with your branding in the photos which in turn could increase your footfall once they have been viewed by hundreds of people who have liked and shared the post! It’s also a great photo opportunity for your website and social channels once your branded umbrellas, crowd divides and some nice outdoor heating is in situ.

Branded barriers / dividers

Barriers and dividers are a great way to direct traffic and keep customers distanced from each other. Our fabric barrier panels are mounted on steel frames, are discreet and stylish and give you the flexibility to easily move them to wherever you need them. So, as we leave lockdown and are allowed to socialise with more people, you can create designated areas according to your needs.

branded dividers for pubs and restaurants

Branded Gazebos

Whatever size of gazebo you need, we can brand them for you. Whether it’s a 3m x 3m version to provide a small table of diners with shelter from the wind and rain as they eat, or one that’s double the width for larger tables or to support an event with your company products on display , a gazebo will continue to be useful long after the pandemic is over. They are strong and sturdy, and are easy to put up, take down and store, so you’ll get great future value for money from them by putting them to use at festivals or parties, or just to shelter customers who enjoy being in the fresh air.

branded gazebos for open-air restaurants and pubs

Branded Parasols

Outdoor tables always benefit from parasols to shade your customers from the heat of the sun as well as giving them enough protection to stay where they are if there’s a mini shower! They offer the perfect opportunity for branding, whether you’re delivering a luxurious dining experience or a colourful and cheerful one. Having individual storm umbrellas available to lend to customers if it begins to rain and they’re not quite underneath the parasol is also a nice touch. This could make the difference between your diners going home early or staying on to order pudding and another drink.

branded parasol from Quills Group

Antimicrobial face masks

Create a good impression on your customers by providing employees with quality branded antimicrobial face masks. They are washable without losing their antimicrobial qualities and will help protect your staff from possible exposure to the viruses and bacteria. More attractive than disposable masks as well as being the more sustainable and responsible choice.

AeraMax Pro for Dental Surgeries

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AeraMax® Pro 2 Air Purifier - Wall Mount

AeraMax® Pro 2 Air Purifier – Wall Mount

Air Quality

Air quality has always been a concern for dental surgeries, but during the pandemic it is a vital element in helping surgeries to open and operate safely. Ventilating treatment rooms through opening the windows can be effective, but in the winter months is not a practical or a pleasant option. Many surgeries get around this by installing air purifiers like the AeraMax Pro, which has the advantage of being fitted with High Efficiency Particulate Air or HEPA filters as they are more commonly known. The air purifier can be seamlessly integrated into the workplace and is key for rooms with no windows where it is not recommended to carry out applications which require the use of aerosol equipment.

Government guidelines are clear that ventilation reduces the possibility of aerosol transmission: “increasing the occupancy of a space increases the probability of airborne transmission by four-fold. Exposure risk may be further increased if distances between people are reduced to <2m.” Unsurprisingly, the recommendation is: “Ventilation should be integral to the COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy for all multi-occupant public buildings and workplaces.”

Dental surgeries are particularly at risk because, in addition to proximity, out of necessity, the procedures use high velocity air and water streams that create aerosol droplets leading to an even higher risk of respiratory transmission.

Post procedures that generate aerosols, the government has recommended that dental surgeries have a downtime of between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the amount of ventilation there is which affects how many air changes there are per hour (ACH). This will clearly have an impact on the number of patients a dental practice is able to treat and can cause a frustrating backlog of patients needing an appointment.

Air purifiers

Government guidance into COVID-19 infection prevention and control suggests that: “Recirculating air cleaning devices with HEPA filter systems or UV-C are likely to be effective,” concluding that the: “addition of recirculating air cleaning devices could enhance the effective air change rate. Devices should be correctly sized and the impacts on the room air flows considered. The effectiveness of air cleaning devices will depend on the flow rate of the device, the efficiency of air cleaning and the size of the room.”

AeraMax® Pro 3 Air Purifier - Wall Mount

AeraMax® Pro 3 Air Purifier – Wall Mount

HEPA filters are recommended because they can remove 99.97% of air pollutants, which includes germs, bacteria, allergens, pollen and mould. The AeraMax Pro range uses extra thick filters in a four-stage filtration process that includes an antimicrobial layer to trap bacteria and take it out of circulation.

In addition, the AeraMax has laser sensors which monitor the air quality, as well as sensors that not only detect when people are in the room but also how many people there are, using this information to automatically adjust its efficiency and increase ACH. As soon as anyone is in the room, the device adjusts the speed of the fans to improve circulation, and when the room is empty, it will go into sleep mode to save energy.

AeraMax® Pro 4 Air Purifier - Wall Mount

AeraMax® Pro 4 Air Purifier – Wall Mount

In cleaning particles from the air, purifiers have the additional advantage of reducing colds and flu, as well as the symptoms of sick building syndrome, all of which can potentially result in reduced productivity and staff absenteeism.

If opening windows is an impractical way of ventilating your dental surgery, opticians or healthcare practice, either because of the cold or proximity to a busy road, create a cleaner, safer, less noisy working environment by installing air purifiers.

For more information, to shop the Aeramax Pro range or receive a free quote, please click here. You can also get in touch at hello@quillsuk.co.uk or via live chat.

aeramax air purifier for corporate industry

Air Purifier – AeraMax Pro

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An AeraMax Pro with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can remove 99.97% of air pollutants which includes germs, bacteria, viruses, allergens, pollen and mould.

On average, we spend 90% of our time indoors within shared spaces like the workplace, schools, healthcare environments and many other public places. Even before the outbreak of Coronavirus, the quality of the air indoors was a worry for many, and with good reason – indoor air is estimated to be around five times more polluted than outdoor air. This makes it imperative for companies to improve the air quality in order to protect the health of employees, teachers, students and visitors; especially in buildings with air conditioning and sealed windows.

Why AeraMax Pro Air Purifier?

We understand the need to use face masks during the pandemic to help block particles and quite frankly, the more layers the better! The AeraMax Pro has a four-stage filtration process which includes a carbon layer to capture and neutralise odours, and an antimicrobial layer that traps bacteria and fungi, therefore taking them out of circulation.

The Pro has extra thick filters, making it suitable for commercial environments. Intelligent sensors detect when and how many people are in the room and will adjust its efficiency accordingly. High grade laser sensors monitor the air quality as it enters and leaves the purifier.

When people are in the room, each unit will automatically adjust fan speeds to control the air quality. When the room is unoccupied, units will go into sleep mod

Air purifiers and COVID-19

The Coronavirus is an airborne virus transmitted on small particles which are inhaled, enabling it to spread. Researchers have discovered that it can linger in the atmosphere for up to three hours after emission. Government guidance focuses on the importance of ventilation in the fight against the coronavirus: “Ventilation should be integral to the COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy for all multi occupant public buildings and workplaces”. Recommending that companies: “take appropriate actions to improve ventilation and deal with health and comfort related consequences such as providing adequate heating.” In the winter months, it is clearly impractical to expect staff to work with the windows wide open which is why an air purifier like the AeraMax Pro is such a useful weapon in the fight against infection. However, it must be used alongside other hygiene measures such as social distancing, hand washing, antimicrobial surface coatings, protective sneeze screens etc.

Sick building syndrome

Inadequate ventilation may also lead to what is known as ‘sick building syndrome’ – a generic term which covers discomfort and the feeling of being unwell. People report symptoms such as throat irritation, nausea, headaches, mental fatigue, and dry skin. One of the possible causes, according to the HSE, is “air pollution including airborne organic matter”. An air purifier can help reduce the symptoms of sick building syndrome.

Aeramax pro air purifier in hospital

ROI

By improving the air quality of your business premises, you can improve productivity at the same time as reducing absenteeism. This has made the AeraMax Pro popular with organisations such as schools, healthcare facilities, dentists, vets, laboratories, as well as offices, shops, theme parks and gyms.

Sustainability & Environmental Commitment

Eco purchasing for your office products

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At Quills, we take sustainability very seriously. As a company, we have introduced a number of steps to increase our own environmental commitment, as well as sourcing products that have environmental credentials to satisfy growing customer demand. 

These days, eco-friendly and sustainable office supplies are more plentiful, making them easier to find and cheaper to buy. Being environmentally aware is no longer an additional expense which your company will find hard to justify, so we’ve made it easier for you to choose green office products with our website’s new Eco-Friendly Office Supplies section and Eco-Aware Search & Filter function. 

This makes it quick and easy for you to choose products with green credentials, as well as products to encourage your staff to recycle. When you think of eco-friendly stationery, recycled paper is the product that springs to mind. But there are many more, sometimes surprising, products that will help you embrace sustainability in the stationery cabinet. These include ballpoint pens that have been largely created with recycled plastics, recyclable packing tape, lever arch files made from recycled PVC, and recycled and recyclable labels, not to mention recyclable recycling bins. 

There are some products that have always been recyclable that find themselves in the limelight again after years of being considered somewhat second best to their now frowned-upon plastic counterparts. The humble paper cup, for example, or a wooden broom with which to make a green clean sweep. Some traditional products are now going even further, with the advent of biodegradable paper plates and compostable cutlery.  

Our sustainable purchasing solutions will help you in a number of ways. These include adding green icons in our catalogue; providing eco alternatives to products you regularly order from us; recycling batteries, technology and toners; and offering Replaceable Ink Pack Systems (RIPS) technology. This is part of our CSR commitment to minimise our own environmental impact, which also includes using recyclable cardboard packaging materials, minimising delivery routes and offsetting carbon emissions through the World Land Trust. At head office, we recycle paper, cardboard, plastics and toner cartridges; encourage staff to minimise the amount of paper they use; and even use glass milk bottles. 

Look for the green icons

When you’re looking through our catalogue, you’ll notice that we use icons to show where a product has environmental credentials. The ones to look out for are the green leaf symbol, which shows that a product has greener credentials, and the green recycling symbol which shows that paper has been made from recycled content. To find out more about a labelled product’s eco-credentials, check the Specifications at the bottom of the product description page.

How to safely wear a reusable face mask 

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Wearing a face mask or face covering is an essential step to help stop the spread of Covid-19. However, it’s important to use masks safely and hygienically to prevent cross-contamination and ensure that you’re wearing a face mask that offers ultimate protection for your needs. 

When wearing a reusable face mask, there are some vital do’s and don’ts to consider before choosing and wearing a civilian face mask in public. Take a look at our handy infographic:

safely wear a reusable face mask

What face mask is right for me?

Now that wearing a face mask in shops, galleries, museums, hair salons and on public transport is compulsory, it’s important to choose a mask that is comfortable and offers complete protection. Surgical masks are for use in a surgical environment.  Fabric masks are suitable as a civilian mask for use in public places. 

Antibacterial Coated Masks

Our top picks for eco civilian face masks with enhanced protection is the Nano-Silicon Antimicrobial Mask.  It’s a reusable and eco-friendly face mask and provides enhanced protection due to its antimicrobial coating. Click here to find out more. 

Already have a disposable face mask? Check out our top tips for safely wearing a disposable face-covering here.

Which face mask should I choose and why?

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face masks blog

Now that it’s compulsory to wear a face mask in shops, galleries and on public transport, it’s vital to have a face mask as part of your daily essentials. However, it is equally important to choose a face mask that will offer you protection against bacteria and airborne pathogens and one that is comfortable enough to last a long time (after all, it’s been a long time since we’ve been allowed to go on a shopping spree right?)

Our top pick for face masks to help keep you protected and cool during this hot weather is the Nano-Silicon Reusable and Eco-friendly face mask and here’s why:

 

Firstly, what are Nano-Silicon Face Masks? 

Let’s get technical: the photocatalytic antimicrobial surface of the mask has 25 nanometers diameter of nano silicon on each of the three mask layers which absorb light and produce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). These powerful microbiocides can kill and bacteria and other harmful pathogens by breaking down the bacteria cell wall and attacking their DNA, ensuring they die and cannot reproduce.

Each mask has 3 layers of nano-silicon fabric with the antibacterial surface to prevent cross-contamination each time the mask is put on or removed.  They are made from 100% cotton which means it’s comfortable and breathable. The cotton is biodegradable and recyclable reducing the environmental impact that disposable masks can cause. The mask can kill 99% of bacteria on contact and the masks can be worn for up to 24 hours or for several hours per day over 3-8 days and there are no bad odours due to the bacterial coating. 

Nano-Silicon Face Masks

 

How long will a Nano-Silicon mask last?

One mask can last at least 6 months so they are a highly cost-effective solution. Tests have proved that the mask is still 99.9% bactericidal effective after 50 washes. Great value and great for the environment as less waste that you’d find with a surgical mask.

 

How do Nano-Silicon face masks offer more protection than other masks? 

Convenient & Reusable 

Whilst most other cotton and reusable face masks need to be washed after every use, the Nano-Silicon face mask can be worn for up to 24 hours or for several hours per day over 3-8 days and there are no bad odours due to its antibacterial self-cleaning properties. 

 

Safety & Cross-contamination

Throughout Covid-19, there’s been an ongoing worry that bacteria, viruses and other pathogens remain on face masks which we then touch and this causes the pathogens to quickly spread to your hands, face and key touchpoint areas. Unlike other masks, the Nano-Silicon face mask tackles this problem by providing a self-cleaning surface which instantly kills 99% of any bacteria that comes into contact with the mask. This then also helps to prevent the risk of cross-contamination when the mask is removed. 

 

Help protect our environment 

Most disposable face masks are made from polypropylene which is hard to recycle and takes decades to decay. The Nano-Silicon face mask is 100% cotton which means it is biodegradable, recyclable and reduces the environmental impact that single-use masks cause. Nano-Silicon masks have no added bleach, fluorescent agents or chemical additives and one mask can last for at least 6 months!

For more information on the Nano-Silicon face masks or to stay protected for you or your employees, head over to the Quills web store here: https://shop.quillsuk.co.uk/nano-silicon-face-masks. Colours available include: black, blue, pale green and branded options are available too.

Find Quills in the Evening Standard & win a £50 Love2Shop voucher

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Are you going to be in London on Tuesday 24th September? Pick up your copy of the Evening Standard and look out for Quills feature in the ‘Be Your Own Boss’ article (psst…it’s just past the middle pages!).

We’ve snuck a hashtag in the article and your job is to tag us in a post on Twitter or Facebook and comment what the hashtag was we used for your chance to win a £50 Love2Shop voucher!

You must also be following the account you used to submit your entry.

Entries are open until Sunday 29th September 2019 and the winner will be announced on Monday 30th September.

Good luck!

 

Terms and conditions:

  1. Entries should be based in the UK&I and must not be a Quills employee
  2. Closing date for entries is 11.59 pm on the 29/09/19
  3. Only one entry per person can be submitted on Twitter and Facebook
  4. A winner will be selected at random on the 30/09/2019 and the winner will be notified via the relevant social media channel that their entry was submitted on
  5. Entries must be submitted via Quills UK Facebook or Quills UK Twitter and the participant must be following the social media account used to qualify
  6. A £50 Love2Shop voucher will be sent to the winner by post and no cash alternative or prize will be provided
  7. Quills Group is a trading name for Quills Office Supplies Ltd and our registered address is Unit 2 Spitfire Business Park, 1 Hawker Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 4WD
Croydon Business Awards

Quills are finalists for the SME Business Excellence Award!

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We are delighted to share that Quills has made it to the finals for the Croydon Business Awards, SME Business Excellence category.

After a very busy five years with four acquisitions, a full rebrand and various other challenging internal projects we decided to enter the Croydon Business Awards for the first time. We answered the five questions which formed ‘round one’ and were delighted to find out that we’d successfully made it through to ‘round two’ as a finalist and answered a further six questions supplying supporting documentation.  We also attended a face to face interview on Friday 6th September at Croydon College to complete the final stage of the competition.

Jerry Irving, independent adjudicator and business consultant praised the high quality of submissions and said “2019 has seen more entries than ever and the overall standard was excellent. Deciding who should go through to the next round was very tough as several categories were hotly contested, including SME Excellence, Women in Business, Customer Service and Digital, Data and Technology.” Read the full Croydon Business Excellence shortlist article here.

Quills supports the community and will always looks to use a variety of local suppliers including Square Mile Insurance Brokers, The Studio (design company), VOW (wholesale), Step Ahead Recruitment, Wallington Couriers and The Hilton Hotel to name but a few. We also support the future of tomorrow by taking on work experience students and recently recruited a local Croydon digital marketing professional who had just completed an apprenticeship and was looking for her next challenge.

The winners from each of the 14 categories will be announced on Thursday 3rd October at the Gala Dinner & Charity Ball being held at the Grand Sapphire Hotel.

Good luck to everyone who has entered and Quills have everything crossed for our category and a positive outcome!

Ways to Reduce the Cost of Employee Absences

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We all know that germs can be spread easily when someone sneezes and then touches a handle whether it be on the tube, a bus, the toilet or your desk phone.  Germs spread like wildfire and this, in turn, will increase your employee absenteeism.

Did you know that touching door handles is one of the most common ways bacteria spreads throughout the workplace? This is because the virus is spread by direct contact with the contaminated object and then we touch our face and so on…the everyday dangers are obvious.

In fact, there are a number of shocking statistics that may put you off of your breakfast or lunch so be careful when you read on…

80% of infections are spread by touch Copper Development Association Only 33% of people wash their hands after using the toilet British Toilet Association 1 in 4 Britons had faecal matter on their hands The Sunday Times Common microbes found on door furniture include E-Coli, Salmonella and Staph Aureus

So we’ve all heard of the NHS slogan ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ which refers to us sneezing into a tissue (catch it), and then placing the tissue in the bin (bin it!) and then wash your hands (kill it…the germs we mean!) which is one way to stop the spread of germs but we’ve got another way to share with you.

There’s a new kid in town and it goes by the name of P-Plate and P-Hold which are antibacterial push plates and door handle covers.  The innovative technology uses silver ion technology which helps kill 99% of germs on contact and in turn could help your business reduce employee absenteeism and help save your company thousands of pounds.

Antibacterial door handle – P-Hold

The P-Hold antibacterial door handle can be fitted onto a pull door handle in 30 seconds. You simply ‘snap’ it into place!

Using silver ion technology, the P-Hold handle kills 99.9% of bacteria and combats pathogens deposited onto the surface by users and then works continuously 24/7. This prevents cross-contamination between one user and another which ultimately reduces the spread of infection and germs.

The action lasts six months and has a visual indicator to advise when it needs to be changed. There are no tools required to change the handle either.

Key facts:

  • Kills 99.9% of bacteria using silver ion technology
  • Proven to be 96.4% cleaner than standard handles
  • The action will last for 6 months and has a visual indicator when it needs to be changed
  • Will fit any cylindrical pull door handle with a diameter of 19mm, 20mm or 22mm – the three most popular handle sizes in the UK and in less than 30 seconds
  • Extremely robust and sturdy
  • Available in 2 colours: ice blue and black
  • Recyclable


Antibacterial door push plate – P-Plate

This innovative door ‘push plate’ is robust and sturdy and is proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria using silver iron technology. The P-Hold technology action lasts 12 months and has a visual indicator that notifies staff when it needs to be changed.

The push plate is incredibly simple to install, it comes with the fittings required and an instruction guide and there is also no maintenance required.

Key facts:

  • Magnetically secured to backplate
  • Changed effortlessly with no tools needed
  • The action will last for 12 months
  • Visual indicator when it needs to be changed
  • Available in silver


How does it work?

So, check this out: the handles and plates are made using silver ion technology which penetrates the cell membranes of any microbes that land on the handle. The ions then suffocate and attack the cells to prevent them from reproducing. Sounds cool right? But don’t worry, we will deal with all the science stuff so that you can relax knowing that your handles are safe to touch, all the time.


How will it benefit my workplace?

Whether you’re swaying towards the P-Hold handle or the P-Plate, each handle type is guaranteed to directly benefit your business. Less bacteria will be spread through the touching of handles and this will, in turn, reduce sickness levels as well as the number of office borne illnesses. A win-win for both organisations and employees!

To put this in perspective, the annual cost of a handle or push plate is actually less than the cost of even a single day’s basic salary at the minimum wage rate.

Having the handle or push plates installed throughout the office will also help your employees recognise that the organisation cares for their wellbeing and health and safety. This means that they’re likely to work harder and be more productive in their day to day roles.

How do I find out more?

To take the first steps towards a healthier workplace, contact us for further information. We can also arrange a free site survey to identify your office germ hotspots and send across a proposal suggesting the areas that need attention. Your equipment can then be installed and our team can also help advise on education and awareness programmes for your staff. It really is as simple as that.