On the 11th December 2019 at the age of 86 Dr David Bellamy passed away from causes incident to old age. Dr Bellamy will be ever remembered for the way he positively influenced millions of TV viewers around the world and particularly here in the UK with his engaging way of explaining our natural world. Here at Fenn 1875 he will be particularly remembered for his wonderful support and enthusiasm as our ‘Keynote Speaker’ for the Fenn 1875, 2011 Green Exposition held in Stoke-on-Trent.

For further details on the life of Dr Bellamy please see link below.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/12/david-bellamy-obituary

Dr David Bellamy sharing sage advice on the environment with Phil Harris (Fenn 1875 Chairman)

Phil Harris (Fenn 1875 Chairman welcomes delegates to our 2011 Green Expo)

Thursday 21st November 2019 and it’s a cold morning in the heart of the picturesque Derbyshire countryside – the perfect day to plant some trees.

Fenn 1875 took part in the Carbon Capture tree planting day with the Woodland Trust and Premier Paper in Derbyshire. Joined by TV’s Julia Bradbury and the Outdoor Guide, the 300 plus tree planters included staff from Michelin, Currys PC World and The PDSA. The event even attracted staff from the global forestry organisation the PEFC (Program for Enforcement of Forestry Certification). The volunteers met at the Woodland Trust’s Heanor site in Derbyshire and were greeted with fresh breakfast sandwiches, hot coffees and teas. After a series of brief introductions, the intrepid eco-warriors took to the fields armed with spade, wellies and determination, despite the bitterly cold November air.

BBC TV Presenter Julia Bradbury and Elle Harrop from Fenn 1875 Environmental Support Specialist.

The tree planting took place near Heanor in Derbyshire, previously the site of a former opencast mine the area has been transformed into a haven for wildlife and people. The Woodland Trust plan to develop the site further, creating the Young People’s Forest – a giant classroom for children and young people aged 10-20; they’ll be planting trees, learning about nature as well as designing, delivering and taking in part in activities.

As the day came to an end the final number of trees that had been planted totalled an impressive 13,000. Amongst the saplings that were planted were maple, oak and silver birch, hawthorn and hazel – all of which are broadleaf trees native to the UK.

Fenn 1875 Managing Director Louise Harris says, “this one-day event has meant that these 13,000 trees will grow to capture 3,250 tonnes of CO2. That’s the equivalent weight to 722 female African elephants! We are extremely grateful to all our customers who have taken part to support us”.

Carbon Capture is the market leading environmental initiative. Through the Carbon Capture programme Fenn 1875 offer their clients the opportunity to mitigate the CO2 emissions from their product purchases by planting new native woodland in the UK with the Woodland Trust and the Woodland Carbon scheme.

From left; Dave Shaw (Fenn 1875), Stuart Thorne (Managing Director of U-Power Footwear) & Louise Harris (Managing Director of Fenn 1875). ‘Digging for Victory’

300 volunteers across several acres

Rachel Tait (National Account Manager at Fenn 1875) with one of the PDSA volunteer tree planters

During a series of broadcasts about Staffordshire, the BBC News conducted a live interview with Louise Harris (Managing Director of JG Fenn Ltd) regarding her plans to cope with uncertainty of Brexit in Sept 2019.

Amongst other things Louise was asked about concerns of price increases due to the fears of Brexit and what impact this might have on Fenn 1875 and the wider Workwear and Office Supplies industry. Louise explains that due to the spread of business across various industrial sectors, where a particular sector is struggling such as construction, Fenn 1875 other areas of growth have compensated for these losses.

If you would like to see the interview or read a full transcript please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fenn 1875 have just begun a very exciting pilot recycling scheme for customers Plastic Drink & Milk Bottles from their places of work. Like our customers we are trying to raise awareness amongst our client base and stakeholders of the need to reduce plastic and our impact on the environment.

The novel approach we have adopted is by supplying a cardboard bottle collection box in the shape of a tree with recycled plastic desk top accessories appearing to be hanging in the boughs of the tree. Customers are asked to rinse out their drink and milk bottles, separate the caps to help with the recycling process and pop the bottles and their caps in their recycling tree bins. Customers then contact Fenn 1875 when the bin is full and ready for collection.

This scheme helps to compliment the new range of office desk top products made from recycled water bottles from the French Drinks manufacturer ‘Danone’.

If you would like further details, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fenn 1875 have been awarded for the 3rd consecutive year the status of ‘Qualified’ supplier by Achilles, the prestigious international supplier vetting company for procurement professionals. Our accreditations, qualifications, insurances and financial independence, policies and procedures are rigorously vetted by Achilles so customers can have the confidence when they choose to trade with Fenns1875 they are dealing with an ethical and reputable organisation.

The product categories covered within the scope of Fenns1875 vetting are:

2.3.3 Controlled waste recycling services

3.1.3 Office furniture

3.1.4 Office supplies

3.2.1 Waterproof clothing

3.2.2 Work wear and corporate clothing

3.2.3 Footwear

3.4.1 Corporate gifts

3.4.2 Promotional items

7.3.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE)

7.3.3 Protective clothing

7.3.4 Safety and protective footwear

7.3.6 Signage

7.3.7 Disposable and non-disposable gloves

11.2.1 Kitchen appliances

If you would like to review JG Fenn (Fenn 1875) accreditations or please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

From April of this year Fenn 1875 have been committed to starting a journey to review our plastic packaging materials. One example is the way we have worked with our main hi vis supplier. Where we have made arrangements to reduce our packaging for hi vis vests (waist coats). Previously every vest came in its own plastic bag. Now we have 100 waistcoats supplied in one large bag and box. Saving the following based on 2018 customer supply of 58,224 hi vis vests:-

• Saving: 58,224 plastic bags or 5,544 sqm of plastic sheeting. That’s equivalent to ¾ size of the Wembley stadium in one year
• Saving: 2.75 kilometres of white nylon box strapping
• Saving: 776 Black Plastic Bin Liners for large production waste bins
• Saving: 58,224 sheets of A5 paper or 29,112 A4 sheets (instruction sheets)
• Saving: 17% of cardboard box manufacturing

If you would like a quote on any Workwear or PPE please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fenn 1875 are pleased to announce the launch of Phase Two in their Carbon Capture partnership with the Woodland Trust by joining an outstanding initiative in the form of paying a levy on every metric tonne of paper we purchase from our paper merchant regardless of the brand to the Woodland Trust Carbon Capture Programme.

Phase One meant we helped to contribute to 1.99 Hectares of new native woodland during 2018 capturing 795 tonnes of C02  (the equivalent weight of 177 African female elephants !). Phase Two is on target to deliver an additional 120 metric tonnes of CO2 in 12 months over 2018/2019. Phase Two has developed into a great success story and set to provide significant ever-increasing carbon mitigation for years to come.

If you would like to be involved in this Carbon Capture initiative or purchase the Woodland Trust Brand of Paper, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Drawing the line between respecting someone’s space and excessive clutter is tricky. With today’s office design driving towards open multi-functional spaces, it’s almost impossible to hide any eyesores from visiting clients.

Less clutter not only means less wasted time hunting for what you want, it can help hide essential cabling and even generate a sense of greater well-being because personal storage space makes people feel more ‘permanent’ – instead of homeless in the vast open space of a modern working office.

Here’s where a little bit of clever storage can go a long way, helping you to manage your paper mountain and even inject some personality into your workspace…

STORAGE CAN CREATE QUIET SPACES

Often overlooked, but it’s important to consider your office demographics before taking the plunge into a complete office refurbishment. Recognise how individuals work best – not just the younger generations – and tailor the environment to support that.

Often an array of work spaces work best, where staff can choose to chat and brainstorm new ideas coupled with quiet spaces where individuals can concentrate without distraction.

Shelving units can help divide working spaces, while providing storage space for different departments which is easily accessible. These can also provide acoustic benefits for those trying to focus on a particular task.

STORAGE CAN INJECT BRAND PERSONALITY

Utilising colour to reflect the personality of a brand can really bring character and life to a workspace. Current trends include using bright ‘pops’ of colour to office space, which works perfectly with storage where cabinet doors can be coloured, shelving units can be sourced in colours beyond the usual white and black and filing cabinets can be customised.

Other interiors trends include filling your office with greenery and biophilic designs, which is where storage with nice wood finishes or with green doors or drawers to match the biophilic theme work well.

STORAGE CAN BE SKINNY TO MAXIMISE SMALL SPACES

Gone are the days when one size fits all when it comes to office storage. Almost everything from mobile pedestals to office desks, filing cabinets and office cupboards come in slimline versions available in a range of colours and materials.

Tambour cupboards are great for space saving in the office as the door is built with a roll mechanism instead of on hinges, meaning you can open the door without using up any additional space. These cupboards can easily be used as room dividers or in tighter spaces.

STORAGE CAN BE MORE THAN CUPBOARDS

More modern office buildings are being designed with movement and flexible space in mind. Formal meeting rooms are giving way to more flexible, multi-functional spaces that can be used for well-being and activity-based functions. This could include open spaces for lunchtime yoga sessions or basement areas being given over to bike storage and office exercise equipment. Multi-functional spaces need flexible furniture solutions, which is where mobile caddy storage styles can work well, making it easy to flip the room from meeting space to eating place.

NEED SOME HELP?

Office furniture reflects the workplace as the interior design directly impacts how office staff interact with each other. Done well, it can make for happier, healthier and more engaged employees.

There are as many types of storage as there are things to store, and the Fenn 1875 design team will choose the right combination for you. From free-standing cupboards to bespoke storage that’s practical, affordable and looks great, we’ll help you make the best use of your space.

Ready to start thinking outside your boxes? Call our interiors team today on 01782 344000.

Workwear has come a long way since the days of boiler suits, aprons and overalls, and even the office staple of a shirt and tie has come under scrutiny. Working clothes for professional tradesmen and women has become something of a science, with fabrics and garments developed to suit everything from different working environments and weather conditions to body shapes.

While the general trend has been towards more casual workwear there are definite benefits to providing a uniform for your staff, from increased productivity to greater customer confidence in your business. Then there are professions where your commitment as an employer to health and safety standards and regulations require you to provide personal protection items.

HOW DOES WORKWEAR IMPACT ON PERSONAL WELLBEING AND PERFORMANCE AT WORK?

By ensuring your workers are safe it improves morale and reduces staff absence and sick leave, so start by identifying and risk-assessing the possible hazards in your business.

We always think of workwear as hard hats and high visibility jackets, but uniforms are worn across more sectors than you think, from the barista who hands us our morning coffee to the supermarket worker who stocks the shelves. Some, including cleaners and warehouse workers, are engaged in jobs that can expose them to chemicals or dirt which can affect their health.

Good health and safety measures, including the provision of protective clothing, allows your staff to complete their tasks easily and safely. This promotes a positive working environment where staff are motivated.

GOOD QUALITY AND SAFER WORKWEAR INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY AS WORKERS WHO FEEL UNSAFE WORK MORE SLOWLY

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used to protect workers from health or safety risks at work varies from safety helmets, gloves, hi-vis clothing, safety footwear, sensory protection and respiratory equipment. Your industry and the type of work your employees undertake will determine what PPE you are required to provide to be compliant with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

Make sure you are aware of your obligations and source quality equipment that is fit for purpose. Employers need to check PPE carries the CE marking which provides a measure of confidence that an independent third party has assessed the product against recognised standards or other specifications. Train your staff on how to use the equipment and introduce procedures for reporting damaged or defective equipment. 

WELL-FITTING WORKWEAR IS KEY TO WEARER ACCEPTANCE AND WELLBEING

Ensure your uniforms fit the individual as they are something your employees will wear every day so should feel happy and comfortable in. If they don’t understand why they need to wear PPE or have no say in choosing their workwear they are more likely to refuse to wear it and use it. By listening to the views of your workforce you can boost morale and productivity. Comfort is key, but safety and health are critical.

Other benefits from company workwear includes a boost in employee productivity by allowing the staff to save time during their morning routine, while in the retail sector uniforms are especially helpful for customers who need to ask for assistance which, in turn, will boost sales.

WORKWEAR HELPS PREVENT COMMON CAUSES OF ILL-HEALTH AND INJURY

Slips, trips and falls contribute to 31% of non-fatal injuries to employees, according to the Health and Safety Executive. In other research nearly 75% of working plumbers experience problems with their knees. Since these will affect an employee’s long-term health and business productivity, it makes sense for employers to try to reduce the risk of such incidents happening.

Many workers from nurses to postal workers and builders are required to spend a significant part of the day on their feet, so supportive, high-quality, comfortable footwear is important to minimise the risk of injuries. Safety codes indicate the level of protection boots offer against particular hazards and different ratings offer features such as anti-static, puncture resistance, toecap protection and water resistance. Matching the right safety code to the task will help to prevent work-related foot injury.

WORKWEAR BOOSTS WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE

When staff are wearing a uniform they are more conscious of their actions, so if they work in a public setting it can help to promote positive behaviours and attitudes. Uniforms also have the power to foster unity and prevent peer judgement, while also creating a professional image of your brand which can increase customer confidence and make the difference between a customer choosing to work with you or a competitor.

When efforts at personalisation to each individual staff member is also included in your workwear, this helps your employees feel recognised as people, not just as employees, where they feel part of a team working towards a shared goal. 

AND FINALLY…

Workwear should provide maximum comfort and functionality, and providing the required PPE and clothing your staff need sends out a clear message that you value your workforce and run a responsible business. 

Failure to do the above could leave you open to personal injury claims. If an accident happens and the injured employee states that they were not provided suitable PPE or been told how to use it, you could receive a hefty fine.

Our experienced workwear and PPE team can offer footwear audits for your business to ensure safety, quality and compliance to the relevant standards to give you complete peace of mind. They can also advise on different workwear materials and fits and on the relevant guidelines you need to adhere to in your sector. Call our workwear team today for more information about our wide range of branded workwear, corporate and safety wear on 01782 344000.

Fenn 1875 is excited to be appointed as a Major Distributor for ‘Riley Eyewear’ part of the Globus Group brand. In what Fenns believe is a significant step in identifying ourselves as a national leader in the PPE and Workwear industry, we’ve partnered up with Riley Eyewear. It marks our growing success in the PPE arena and means we can really begin to offer competitive products across the board.

Riley Eyewear offers value for money and excellent quality products and performs well against the likes of Bolle and Uvex. As one of only a handful of strategic national distributors it means we will truly be able to offer the best in Eyewear across the UK at competitive pricing. We’ll soon be offering a full prescription range too, so keep your eyes peeled.

In the meantime take a look at our new catalogue or get in touch with a member of our team today.