Page 2 - NewsLester Issue 02

INTRODUCTION
WELCOME TO NEWSLESTERS, OUR BI-ANNUAL AND COMPANY-WIDE PUBLICATION.
In the very first instance, I would like to thank all our customers across the UK and farther afield for their continued business during what has been a challenging time for us all. With that
in mind, I am pleased to report on the success of our Scottish and Northern regional activity which follows on from the opening of our Glasgow office in September 2019, as outlined on page 6.
For those of our customers who have recently participated or watched Nick Mellor’s recent LEIA webinar, you will be aware of the changes that are intended for the end of 2021 regarding CE marking. There are some of our products that require this certification, please see Mike Turner’s article on page 3, with regards to EN and CE marking.
We import some of the products we sell from countries in the Asia Pacific Region and the EU. As we all know from watching or reading the news, the UK is now experiencing Custom
delays at our entry ports. This in turn, is having an effect in creating delays, with freight companies now forecasting rises in transport costs. This may ultimately be reflected in some of the prices for our products. However, we are all hoping that with familiarity, Customs processing times will greatly reduce thus avoiding increased freight costs.
Over the past 12 months, the profile of our deliveries has significantly changed as shown within the projects described in this issue of NewsLester. Over this period, we have been manufacturing numerous lift and the occasional escalator controllers for installation into critical NHS facilities.
Some of the hospitals' lifts and escalators have been classified as essential for patient and staff transportation
in hospitals with COVID wards. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers and Lesters’ staff, who jointly worked together, to ensure that NHS lifts and escalators using Lester Controls equipment has been returned to service with absolute urgency.
With my fellow Directors and Management team, we are all immensely proud of our achievements during a very difficult period. At Lutterworth, we have developed new and improved ALMEGA II software and fully commissioned our new Blackwell Eurplacer, which has proven to be a great asset within our circuit board production line.
From our Head Office in Croydon, we have increased customer support with the addition of a new Southern Business Development Manager, Ian Carter who has already helped
us secure a preferred partner agreement with one of the principal Global lift companies. At Sarum Electronics, our HVAC controller division, we have secured new orders for HVAC controllers for a new arena under construction in Wales, along with orders for essential fresh air circulation controllers.
In closing, my fellow Directors and I would also like to thank you for your continued interest in our products and business and would like to take this opportunity to wish you, your family, and colleagues a safe and virus-free 2021.
Stuart Davidson, Group Managing Director
NEWSLESTER Issue 2 :: Page 2