News: SoloProtect open new headquarters

SoloProtect (formerly Connexion2), the company that uses innovative technology solutions and associated services to improve the safety and productivity of lone workers, has officially opened its new headquarters.

Moving from Dinnington in Rotherham to Tinsley in Sheffield, the growing firm has established an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) at the new HQ - Suzy Lamplugh House.

The firm was launched in 2003, backed by investors including the South Yorkshire Investment Fund, and has grown to around 60 staff. It developed and manufactures Identicom, which is now the UK's most widely deployed dedicated lone worker device.

The business was acquired by the US leading emergency communications company, Kings III of America, in 2013.

The new HQ is part of a planned expansion in the UK, combined with established lone worker operations in the USA and a burgeoning presence in mainland Europe.

Joining SoloProtect at the opening, were Clive Betts MP for Sheffield South East, Sir Keith Povey, President BSIA, and Rachel Griffin, Director of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

The day featured a range of industry presentations to guests, lunch and networking, plus a full guided tour of SoloProtect's brand new ARC facility.

Designed to look like a normal ID badge, the Identicom system allows lone workers to raise an alarm, make an emergency phone call or send a text message. It is part of the lone worker solution SoloProtect, which includes the device, 24/7 manned monitoring, SIM card, mobile network usage, training, inclusive billing and monthly reporting.

Once an alert has been raised this then goes through to an approved ARC where a dedicated member of the lone worker team can listen into and assess the situation, and escalate to police if necessary.

The ARC will begin handling SoloProtect customer "red alerts" from 2016 and will imminently be audited in order to be the first dedicated Lone Worker ARC to receive accreditation against BS 8591 and the European Standard EN 50518 (both standards relate to ARCs).

Craig Swallow, managing director of SoloProtect UK (pictured front, second left), said: "Our goal is to deliver the quickest response to our customers with the most qualified staff today and in the future."

The building is named after Suzy Lamplugh and SoloProtect's nominated charity is the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. Craig Swallow developed the idea for the Identicom after attending a Suzy Lamplugh Trust event about personal safety in 2002.

SoloProtect and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust officially announced a new strategic partnership in June 2015. This partnership sees SoloProtect give ongoing support to Suzy Lamplugh Trust part of the new building being made available to the trust to deliver safety training. The opening day also featured a prize draw in aid of the Trust, which managed to raise just under £300.

SoloProtect website

Images: SoloProtect

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News: Danone signs with Peoplesafe

Global food company Danone has signed up South Yorkshire lone worker experts Peoplesafe to look after more than 200 of its employees in the UK.

Based at Dinnington, Peoplesafe is the brand for lone worker safety solutions offered by Rocksure Systems Ltd. Partners, SoloProtect (formerly Connexion2) are the manufacturers of the award winning Identicom device.

Two divisions of the multinational company, Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition and Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition, have given special devices to 200 field staff, so they can call for help if necessary while out and about. The device, an Identicom 877, looks like a name badge, but has an alarm button on the back, which calls through to Peoplesafe's monitoring centre.

Gerry Jarvis, Danone's head of safety, said: "As a responsible employer we take the well-being of our employees very seriously and their safety is a priority for us.

"We do training to make sure all employees understand the importance of safe lone working practices, so having the Identicom gives us back up assurance. Our teams now know that help is only a button push away should they need it."

The 200 employees issued with the Identicom include 100 nurses who work for Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition who visit patients' homes to provide medical nutrition products and check on associated equipment.

The Identicom also has a GPS locator, so people can easily be found in an emergency. It is one of a range of products supplied by Peoplesafe, which is one of the UK's leading providers of simple and lightweight equipment, training and monitoring services for lone workers.

Ian Johannessen, managing director at Peoplesafe, said: "We are delighted to be working with Danone and helping them keep their staff safe doing the valuable work that they do.

"There are millions of lone workers in the UK doing important jobs, whether they are working in the health field, working in shops, protecting premises or delivering groceries. These are vital jobs and all the personnel deserve protecting."

Peoplesafe website

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News: SoloProtect to take on more staff

SoloProtect (formerly Connexion2), the Dinnington company that uses innovative technology solutions and associated services to improve the safety and productivity of lone workers, is taking on more staff, and employees will earn upwards of the living wage.

The company's Identicom system is designed to look like a normal ID badge and allows lone workers to raise an alarm, make an emergency phone call or send a text message. SoloProtect recently announced the development of a brand new, purpose built Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) within a new 10,000 sq ft head office in Sheffield.

The firm was launched in 2003, and was acquired by the US leading emergency communications company, Kings III of America, in 2013. It currently employs around 45 staff, and the move to Vantage Park means the creation of 15 new jobs by Autumn 2015.

From June 2015 all SoloProtect employees will earn upwards of the living wage – in the UK the Living Wage Foundation benchmarks a living wage at £7.85 per hour outside of London, and £9.15 in the Capital. All UK SoloProtect employees will now earn a minimum wage of £11 an hour – significantly above the UK threshold.

Craig Swallow managing director at SoloProtect UK, said: "When SoloProtect was sold in 2013, "passion for lone working" was top of my list for any potential new owner. In George [Broady, chairman] and the Kings III team, we've found that in spades. It's really important we let our staff know they’re valued, whilst making an ethical investment and ensuring we retain and attract the best new personnel. This will enable SoloProtect to continue to offer customers a high level of service and a return on their investment."

Paul Woodcock, director of Planning, Regeneration & Culture at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, said: "Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO) - the borough Council's regeneration arm - has worked with SoloProtect since it started in Dinnington, in Rotherham.

"Through our South Yorkshire Sector Growth Enhancement Programme, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, we have worked with SoloProtect for a number of years, helping them with their expansion plans through property, finance and recruitment support.

"The commitment and professional approach that the team has shown has been overwhelming. Their passion for ensuring a high standard of service delivery is apparent throughout the organisation, and their new facility and commitment to the living wage for staff reinforces this further."

SoloProtect website

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News: Connexion2 announce expansion plans as it becomes SoloProtect

Connexion2, the Dinnington company that uses innovative technology solutions and associated services to improve the safety and productivity of lone workers, is to be formally renamed SoloProtect Limited and move to new premises as part of significant expansion in the UK.

The firm was launched in 2003, backed by investors including South Yorkshire Investment Fund, and is based at Carrera Court on the site of the former Dinnington Colliery. Connexion2, which employs around 45 staff, developed and manufactures Identicom, which is now the UKs most widely deployed dedicated lone worker device.

The business was acquired by the US leading emergency communications company, Kings III of America, in 2013.

SoloProtect Limited is planning to expand in the UK, combined with established lone worker operations in the USA and a burgeoning presence in mainland Europe.

Central to plans is the development of a brand new, purpose built Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) within a new 10,000 sq ft head office in Sheffield. The facility, which will be a state of the art ARC, will be the first in the UK to be audited against BS8591, the forthcoming British Standard and the new European standard, EN 50518.

Once operational, all Alarm Receiving Centre support services for UK SoloProtect customers will be provided through the facility.

Designed to look like a normal ID badge, the Identicom system allows lone workers to raise an alarm, make an emergency phone call or send a text message. It is part of the lone worker solution SoloProtect, which includes the device, 24/7 manned monitoring, SIM card, mobile network usage, training, inclusive billing and monthly reporting.

Once an alert has been raised this then goes through to an approved ARC where a dedicated member of the lone worker team can listen into and access the situation, and escalate to police if necessary.

A spokesperson for the company confirmed that SoloProtect's new facility is set to be at the Vantage park development on Sheffield Road (pictured), and being a 24/7 operation, it could lead to a significant increase in staff.

Since it was acquired in 2013, the parent company has launched a SoloProtect US division and European operations have expanded into The Netherlands, Germany and France with a SoloProtect New Zealand division also launching this year.

Craig Swallow, managing director of SoloProtect UK & EU, said: "Naturally, this is a hugely exciting project. One that enables us to work even more closely with our customers, giving greater control to deliver tailored solutions to clients. Whilst a move like this is naturally a boost for all of our staff, our key focus remains on facilitating a great lone worker service and fulfilling our customer promise.

"We're delighted with the support shown by our parent company, and their vision for SoloProtect to be a genuine international provider of credible lone worker solutions. Something that we believe is a first in our market place."

SoloProtect website

Images: SoloProtect / Knight Frank

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