A couple of the following personal comments might emphasise the point better


than I can – “At BPT we are approachable, open, honest and helpful. We are welcoming


and friendly, we enjoy each others’ company and are respectful of others while we deliver the results.” “We work together as one team to do the best for our customers. We


understand the needs of other departments and support each other. We celebrate the success of our own and other’s achievements and enjoy working together” “We are proud of the service we give and of the products we sell. We are


passionate about doing a great job in a safe environment in every department.” “The BPT team prides itself on its ambitious plans for growth fuelled by


developing outstanding People, Products and Brands, and by keeping promises to our valued customers”. I am trained to be sceptical but it was clear that no matter how I framed the


questions or however many examples I asked for, Reena, Tim and Anna showed me that they were committed to working for a company that was equally committed to them. The wider community in


Nottingham also benefits from BPT’s work in local charities, apprenticeships and other training opportunities – so the company is not just an added extra – it really does belong. From my point of view, it is great news for a British company to have such a modern and progressive outlook that it can look to the future with confidence. But back to the products in the


Blue Room. The long-established VanVault has become what Hoover is to vacuum cleaners – whatever make the steel van box many consumers still ask for a Van Vault. Although it has been around for years it is still being developed to take into account changing conditions. When it was first launched there was no such thing as a cordless angle grinder that can cut a padlock in seconds. Now that such things exist, Van Vault has developed new locking systems that resist both cutting and levering forces in order to protect the valuable tools inside. While Tim acknowledged that there was probably no such thing as thief proof, nevertheless


having a VanVault that offers strong resistance is more likely to be passed over in favour of an easier target. Tim also showed me some newer designs of van floor vaults. The ones I saw


stood about 250mm high and fit flat in the back of a van. They have very large and secure drawers and are the perfect height for storing power tool cases. In this way, even in a van, the power tools are not on display, but also securely stored behind the locks on the van as well as the VanVault. The VanVault now has so many forms and specialised adaptations that individual user groups are catered for specifically – everyone from single contractors to large road contracting companies. Another idea that caught my


attention was the battery bank – basically a secure method of charging batteries on a worksite. Workers can leave their valuable tool batteries charging behind a locked door in a (hopefully) supervised area. An example of how new ideas have to be developed to suit changing conditions. Defender Power and Light products


are another BPT brand that has developed rapidly in recent years. The use of LEDs, lithium Ion battery power and very efficient generators have


allowed the product development team at BPT to offer a huge range of lighting products – as the 75-page catalogue indicates. Again, the range is wide enough to encompass the one-man-band plasterer up to major national contractors, with a few film production companies realising that the lighting could suit them too! It is clear that we can look forward to many more innovative products from


Birchwood Price Tools. Reena, Anna and Tim indicated that they viewed the future post-Brexit with confidence – and perhaps Brexit might offer more British companies the opportunities to design and manufacture in the UK as well? My interviews at Birchwood Price left me feeling positive and inspired – so


maybe some of the BPT magic rubbed off onto me. I look forward to testing and reviewing some of the new products in the future.


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