Caswells Group News

Winter Essentials 2025

It’s that time of year again, when we pull out the gloves, hats, winter coats and de-icer! It’s time to take stock of the ‘Winter Essentials’ we might have ran out of last year.

Caswells Autumn Winter Essentials catalogue is your one stop for the most useful items for these colder months.

Warmer Workwear

For staff that spend a lot of time outside, insulated workwear is essential during the colder months. Our Winter Essentials range includes knit caps and balaclavas and insulated base layers from tops to leggings. To help your people complete their tasks safely whilst staying warm, we also have a beanie featuring an LED headlight for additional visibility, and latex grip gloves designed to deal with cold and wet conditions.

Vehicle Maintenance

Maintaining vehicles regularly is vital during the winter, whether you have a fleet of commercial vehicles or simply want to keep your staff safe during their commutes. At Caswells, we offer a variety of Winter Essentials kits (including products like de-icer and screen wash), perfect for keeping in the vehicle or stocking in the office for staff use. We also stock de- and pre-icers, antifreeze, demister pads, diesel exhaust additive, and even booster cables to ensure that everyone can get to and from work safely.

Prepared for Darker Nights

Visibility and temperature are both key considerations during the winter - luckily, the Caswells Winter Essentials range has you covered! We have included a variety of mini torches to help your people navigate the darker conditions. The range also features both convection and fan heaters to help keep your workplace comfortable. 

Top Winter Buys

•  Fan Heater – https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workplace%2c-Maintenance-%26-Storage-Equipment/Heaters/Electric/2kW-Fan-Heater

• Torch - https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workplace%2c-Maintenance-%26-Storage-Equipment/Power-%26-Light/Torches/Torches/Hilka-1-3W-100-Lumens-Variable-Aluminium-Torch

• Screen Wash - https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Janitorial-%26-Personal-Hygiene/Housekeeping/Hard-Surface-Cleaners/Vehicle-Cleaners/Jangro-Screen-Wash

• De-icer - https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workplace%2c-Maintenance-%26-Storage-Equipment/Winter-Products-%26-Car-Care/Blue-Star-De-Icer?search=Blue%20Star%20De-Icer

• Essential Knit Hat - https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workwear-%26-Clothing/Accessories/Hats%2c-Caps-%26-Neck-Tubes/B013-Knit-Cap-Insulatex-Lined

• Long Sleeve Thermal Vest - https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Workwear-%26-Clothing/Base-Layers/Espro-Long-Sleeved-Baselayer-Top

To view our entire Winter Essentials range, you can browse our products here or contact the Caswells team for more information.

Global Handwashing Day

Every year on October 15, the world comes together to celebrate Global Handwashing Day — a global call to action to raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene.

Every year on October 15, the world comes together to celebrate Global Handwashing Day — a global call to action to raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene.

Why Handwashing Still Matters
It’s easy to take handwashing for granted, but it remains one of the most effective defences against the spread of germs, viruses, and infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), proper hand hygiene can reduce respiratory illnesses by 21% and diarrheal disease by up to 40%.

In industries where teamwork and shared spaces are essential e.g offices, warehouses, hospitals, and manufacturing sites, hand hygiene is a frontline defence that keeps everyone healthy and productive.

Building a Culture of Clean in the Workplace
For employers and facilities managers, promoting good hand hygiene isn’t just a health measure — it’s part of building a safe and responsible workplace culture. Here’s how to encourage clean hands every day:

1. Make handwashing facilities accessible
   Ensure every washroom, kitchen, and break area has well-stocked dispensers, soap, and hand towels or dryers.
   
   
2. Use signage as a reminder
   Simple visual reminders near sinks or entrances reinforce the habit — especially during busy shifts or cold and flu season.
   
   
3. Provide quality supplies
   Reliable hygiene products make all the difference. Choose antibacterial soaps, alcohol-based hand sanitisers, and disposable gloves that staff can trust.

We’re dedicated to supporting hygiene excellence through high-quality cleaning products, hand hygiene systems, and education on best practices. Because everyone deserves access to safe, effective hygiene solutions.

Browse our full range of hand hygiene and janitorial supplies here.

A successful first Supplier Open Day at Caswells

We want to send out a huge thank you to all our customers and suppliers for a very successful first open day at Caswells Group – we are grateful for the support everyone showed. 

Although we experienced all the elements, sun, clouds, rain and wind (a LOT of wind) it was a fantastic day with a great turnout thanks to our amazing customers.

We loved catching up with customers and suppliers alike and can't wait for the next one! 

All prizes (36 of them!!) for our free raffle have now been drawn and our sales team will be contacting the lucky winners this week, however, if you would like to check the winners list please see below.

Below is the winner, prize and the supplier it was kindly gifted by. All winners were chosen via a generator. 

Back-to-School Cleaning Essentials

Whether you’re getting a classroom ready for September or you just want to give your workplace a thorough clean heading into the Autumn months, a good range and stock of cleaning products keeps germs down and routines running smoothly.

Here’s a quick, practical checklist - each item is available from Caswells Group.

1) Hand hygiene that kids will use

• Antibacterial hand wash - pick bactericidal options for science rooms and food spaces.
• Foaming hand wash with dispenser - for non-drip hand hygiene.

Tip: Place pumps at child height and pair with a reminder poster about how to effectively wash their hands.

2) Surface wipes for high contact touch spots

• MediPal Disinfectant Wipes for desks, door handles, keyboards. They are alcohol free with broad-spectrum efficacy.
• Pal Clean & Protect wipes when you need tougher grime removal (art classrooms, maintenance). 
  
  

3) Spray sanitisers & multi-surface cleaners

• Jangro Antiviral Disinfectant - a go to spray for hard surfaces, multi-purpose and effective against enveloped viruses.
• Probiotic multi-surface cleaner for daily maintenance. The concentrated formula reduces plastic waste and helps with odours. Pair with a reusable trigger bottle.

4) Washroom restock (don’t run out mid-term!)

• Soaps, sanitisers, tissues and rolls. Keep a small buffer stock to avoid midweek shortages. Caswells Washroom category consolidates these staples for easy reordering.

5) Floors & windows that stay presentable

• Window Essentials - Window squeegees and sleeves to clear smudges and fingerprints - great for internal glass.
• Floor care – as well as weekly deep cleans the floors need a quick clean every day. As let’s be honest, they get a lot of wear!
  
  

6) Kitchen & food hygiene

• For food prep or breakfast clubs, a chlorine-based hypochlorite is useful for compliant sanitising of equipment and contact areas (use as directed and store safely).

Safety notes

• Always follow label instructions and store chemicals out of pupil reach.
• Use PPE (gloves/eye protection) where required and never mix cleaning agents.
• Keep COSHH info accessible for staff.

Caswells Group Supplier Showcase Open Day

We are hosting our first ever Supplier Showcase Open Day!

Join us at our Billingham HQ for our very first Supplier Showcase Open Day! With over 45 confirmed suppliers attending, it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore a wide range of products and speak directly with the experts.

Enjoy complimentary food and refreshments throughout the day (first come, first serve) and don’t miss your chance to win a brand new 2025 Apple iPad 11 inch, and other prizes from suppliers on the day.

____________________________________________________

📆 Wednesday 10th September 2025
⏰ 9am - 4pm
📍 Caswells Group, Lagonda Road, Billingham, TS23 4JA
____________________________________________________

Confirmed Suppliers
We have over 45 suppliers from all areas of industry confirmed

SEND Enterprise Week Winners Visit Caswells

In June we had the amazing opportunity to be part of the SEND Enterprise Challenge Week in collaboration with the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

We had the pleasure of welcoming students from Abbey Hill Academy, winners of the best logo and strapline in the challenge, to bring their design to life by printing it on their very own t-shirts!

The Week, hosted by Tees Valley Comibined Authority and Altrad, is based around suitable transitions for all and preparing them for the world of work/volunteering or preparing for adulthood. Whichever route is right for them, having the chance to meet new people, build on their communication, teamwork and listening skills all helps to encourage and show them that they can get a job, they can go to college, and they can live a happy and fulfilled life. 

Thank you to Jill Collings from the TVCA for organising, and getting us involved in such an inspiring event!

Plastic Free July: Why Refusing Single-Use Plastics Matters More Than Ever

Every July, millions of people across the globe take part in Plastic Free July, a powerful movement that encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to reduce plastic waste. But it’s more than a challenge—it’s a reminder of how deeply single-use plastics are embedded in our daily lives and how impactful small, mindful choices can be.

What Are Single-Use Plastics?

Single-use plastics are items made primarily from fossil fuel–based chemicals (petrochemicals) that are meant to be used once and then thrown away. Think plastic straws, bags, coffee cup lids, cutlery, wrappers, and takeaway containers. Convenient? Sure. Necessary? Not really.

These items typically end up in landfills, waterways, or the ocean—where they take hundreds of years to break down and often harm marine life and ecosystems in the process.

Why Refusing Is the First Step

Recycling and reusing are important, but refusing single-use plastics altogether is the most effective action. Here's why:

• Avoiding waste is better than managing it. If the plastic isn't made or used in the first place, it doesn’t need to be disposed of.
• It sends a message. Refusing plastic straws or bags prompts businesses and governments to recognize consumer demand for sustainable alternatives.
• It creates awareness. Every time we say “no” to a plastic fork or a wrapped item, we question convenience culture and reflect on our consumption habits.

Easy Ways to Say No to Single-Use Plastics

Taking part in Plastic Free July doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Start with these simple swaps:

• Bring your own reusable bags, bottles, and containers.
• Say no to straws and plastic cutlery—carry a reusable set instead.
• Choose unpackaged produce or shop at bulk stores when possible.
• Avoid products with excessive plastic packaging (especially in personal care and snacks).
• Support businesses that offer plastic-free or refillable options.

The Bigger Picture

Plastic Free July isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. The collective impact of millions of people refusing single-use plastics—at home, at work, or in public spaces—adds up. It pushes companies to rethink packaging, encourages legislation to ban unnecessary plastics, and helps protect wildlife and ecosystems for future generations.

Visit https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/ to take the challenge and find tips, tools, and community support.

Raising £3530 for the Headlight Project Hike into the Light

This July 4th we took part in The Headlight Projects Hike into the Light. The Headlight Project aims to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in the Tees Valley, which has one of the highest regional rates in the country. The Headlight Project aim to achieve this by providing therapy to those bereaved by suicide, and delivering preventative education and training to schools, local businesses and the community.

12 of us from Caswells Group pooled our fundraising efforts and managed to raise an amazing £3530 for The Headlight Project. We walked 11pm – 4:30am in the dark of the night, through forest, fields and farms, ending up at a chapel and reflecting on the night we had just had. We then walked back to Cod Beck in Osmotherley down the long road as the sun came up. It was a hard walk, but to know how much we were raising helped spur us on.

About the Headlight Project

Founded in memory of Russ Devereux, the Headlight Project aims to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in the Tees Valley through therapy of those bereaved by suicide, and preventative education and training.

Introducing Our Tool Tethering Learning Hub

At Caswells Group, we are proud to lead the way in workplace safety and innovation with the launch of one of the region’s only dedicated Tool Tethering Learning Hubs. Developed in close collaboration with NLG (Never Let Go), this facility is designed to promote best practices and provide hands-on education around the critical importance of tool tethering in high-risk work environments.

Why Tool Tethering Matters

Dropped tools remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries (around a third of workplace injuries are linked to falling objects) and equipment damage, particularly in construction, industrial, and offshore sectors. Proper tool tethering not only helps prevent accidents but also supports compliance with health and safety regulations.

What the Learning Hub Offers

Our Tool Tethering Learning Hub is a fully equipped space featuring:

• The latest in tethering technologies and solutions
• Access to industry experts and tailored advice
• Comprehensive training materials and resources

Whether you're looking to upskill your team, review your site safety strategy, or explore new innovations in tool tethering, our Learning Hub offers the perfect environment to do so.

Visit Us in Billingham

We welcome safety officers, procurement teams, operations managers, and anyone with an interest in reducing risk and enhancing workplace safety to experience the Learning Hub firsthand.

Interested in learning more? Contact our sales team today to book a visit or to discuss how we can help you implement an effective tool tethering program.

Fundraising for Headlight Projects Hike into the Light

We will be taking part in this year’s Headlight Hike into the Light. We will be walking 12 miles from Cod Beck reservoir and onto part of the Cleveland Way route from 10:30pm-5:00am finishing as the sun comes up.

Any support would be greatly appreciated - https://www.justgiving.com/page/caswellshikeintothelight2025

The Headlight Project aims to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in the Tees Valley, which has one of the highest regional rates in the country. We aim to achieve this by providing therapy to those bereaved by suicide, and delivering preventative education and training to schools, local businesses and the community.

There are also still spaces left to join the hike. Will you join us on a unique night-time hike (10:30pm-5am) which will be both physically and mentally challenging? It reinforces the mental health messages of hope and that nothing is permanent, as we move out of the darkness and into the light.

About the Headlight Project

Paving the way for Women’s PPE

At Caswells Group, we believe safety shouldn't come at the cost of comfort, and certainly not at the expense of inclusion. That's why we were proud to host our first ever Ladies PPE Fitting Morning, an event dedicated to addressing a long-standing issue in many industries: ill-fitting personal protective equipment for women.

For years, women across various industries - from construction and manufacturing to engineering and logistics - have had to make do with PPE designed for men. Oversized gloves, baggy trousers, and uncomfortable jackets aren’t just frustrating, they’re unsafe. Poorly fitting PPE can hinder movement, reduce productivity, and in some cases, pose serious safety risks.

Our goal with this event was simple: to provide women with the opportunity to get fitted properly, ask questions, and explore the range of women-specific PPE we offer.

On-Site Alterations

One of the highlights of the morning was having our on-site seamstress available for trouser length alterations. Attendees were invited to try on a variety of garments, with our seamstress providing advice on sizing and tailoring trousers to the perfect fit. It was more than just trying on clothing; it was about creating solutions tailored to each individual.

We also showcased an extensive range of PPE specifically designed for women, including fitted coveralls, safety footwear, gloves, safety glasses and more.

The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, and we’re already planning future events to continue supporting women having properly fitting PPE in the workplace.

If you’re a company looking to improve your PPE offering for female employees get in touch with one of our sales team, or, you can shop our women’s PPE range here.

New building to house PPE and Workwear

To support its expanding operations, Caswells has constructed a new building on its Billingham site. This facility will house the company's growing inventory of PPE and workwear, ensuring efficient storage and distribution. The expansion aligns with Caswells' recent investments, including its acquisition of Cutler Cleaning in Macclesfield, and reflects the company's ongoing commitment to meeting customer needs and expanding their next day delivery offering, by having stock ready to send.

Meeting Market Demands

The demand for PPE and workwear has seen sustained growth, driven by factors such as increased construction activity and a heightened focus on workplace safety. Caswells' expansion positions the company to better serve industries ranging from petrochemicals and manufacturing to education and renewable energy. The new facility will enable Caswells to manage larger orders and expand its customer base, reinforcing its role as a key supplier in the UK market.

Caswells Group's investment in a new building underscores its dedication to growth. As the company continues to innovate and expand, it remains focused on delivering high-quality products and services to its diverse clientele.

Shop our workwear and PPE today.