Caswells Group News

Caswells Group placed number 39th in Fastest 50 Growing Businesses

We were honoured to be included in the Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 2025. The award, launched in 1998, is a list compiled yearly by Ward Hadaway of 50 local, privately-owned, profitable organisations that have seen the biggest average annual growth rate in their turnover.

Growing businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and Ward Hadaway want their efforts to be recognised and celebrated on a wider scale, which is exactly what the Fastest 50 does.

A huge thank you to everyone at Ward Hadaway for the accolade, and for celebrating business growth across the region.

National Clean Off Your Desk Day

It’s National Clean Off Your Desk Day and while cleaning your workspace might feel like a small, even mundane task, the benefits go far beyond aesthetics. A tidy desk can help you think clearer, reduce stress, and even spark creativity.

Why a Clean Desk Matters
A cluttered desk can contribute to a cluttered mind, making it harder to focus, prioritise tasks, and feel motivated. On the other hand, a clean and organised workspace promotes clarity, reduces stress, and gives you a fresh perspective on your work. Even a few minutes spent tidying up can give you a noticeable productivity boost.

Simple Steps to Declutter Your Desk
Here’s how you can make the most of National Clean Off Your Desk Day:

1. Start with a clean slate - Remove everything from your desk, including papers, office supplies, and personal items.
2. Sort and purge - Decide what you truly need and what can go. Recycle, toss, or donate items that no longer serve a purpose.
3. Organise essentials - Use trays, drawers, or desk organizers to keep frequently used items within reach.
4. Add personal touches - A small plant, a favourite photo, or a decorative item can make your desk feel inspiring without creating clutter.
5. Maintain daily - Spend just 5 minutes at the end of each day putting things back in place to keep your desk tidy long-term.

Beyond the Desk: Benefits
Cleaning off your desk isn’t just about appearances. Research shows that a tidy workspace can improve focus, boost creativity, and even reduce stress. Walking into a neat, organized area gives your brain a sense of control and calm, which can help you approach tasks with renewed energy and clarity.

Make It Fun
Turn this decluttering task into a mini self-care ritual. Play your favourite music, sip a cup of tea, or make it a friendly competition with colleagues to see who can create the most organized workspace.

So today, embrace National Clean Off Your Desk Day as more than just a cleaning task - see it as an opportunity to refresh your mindset and create a workspace that fuels productivity and creativity.

Find products to help with your desk cleaning here: https://www.caswellsgroup.com/Janitorial-%26-Personal-Hygiene/Housekeeping

Workplace Experience School Visits

Over the months of November and December, we had the pleasure of showing pupils from Huntcliff School in Saltburn, Macmillan Academy in Middlesbrough, and Bishopgarth in Stockton around the Caswells Group Site. 

The visits gave pupils an opportunity to experience a workplace up close, see what kind of jobs they could get at Caswells Group, and (most importantly) had the opportunity to use our heat press machines and print their own tshirt!

This initative helps pupils, who might need additional help in the classroom, see where they could see themselves in the workplace and gives them the confidence and knowledge to understand what is available to them once they leave educational.

We received some fantastic feedback, including from a Year 10 pupil who didn’t want to leave to return to school and asked how he could apply in the future. It’s exactly the kind of enthusiasm Caswells values, and we hope he remembers us and applies one day.

Thank you to Ductu Portal for getting in touch and asking us to take part!

What you breathe matters with 3M

3M is a globally recognised leading manufacturer, renowned for its innovation, quality, and wide-ranging solutions trusted by industries worldwide. As a proud distributor of 3M products, we are excited to highlight two of 3M’s best-selling respirator platforms in Europe: the 3M™ Aura™ Particulate Respirator 9300+ Series and the 3M™ Maintenance Free Reusable Respirator 4000+ Series. Both product ranges are designed to offer trusted comfort and performance, backed by 3M’s renowned science and innovation. 

The 3M™ Aura™ Particulate Respirator 9300+ Series is engineered for ease of breathing, thanks to 3M’s Advanced Electrostatic Media (AEM). This innovative media helps enable users to work comfortably for extended periods. Additionally, the 3M™ Cool Flow™ Exhalation Valve helps release warm and moist exhaled breath from inside the respirator, enhancing comfort and reducing heat build-up. The respirator's 3-panel design helps to accommodate a wide range of face shapes and sizes, ensuring a secure and comfortable seal. It is collapse-resistant, making it suitable for work in hot, humid conditions while maintaining its shape and effectiveness. To help with clea  r vision, the embossed top panel reduces the fogging of eyewear, a common issue faced by disposable respirator wearers. The sculpted nose panel provides a good field of view and improves compatibility with eyewear, while the curved, low-profile design conforms well to the nose and facial features. 

In terms of sustainability, the 3M™ Aura™ Particulate Respirators 9312+, 9322+, and 9332+ contain at least 25% recycled content*. The packaging also reflects 3M's commitment to sustainability, with individual product wrap containing at least 30% recycled content, the shipper case containing 76% recycled content, and the primary carton containing 100% recycled content*. These respirators are manufactured in the United Kingdom, using 100% renewable electricity*.

For those facing a broad range of respiratory hazards, the 3M™ Maintenance Free Reusable Respirator 4000+ Series has integrated filters that help reduce exposure to hazardous airborne particles, gases, and vapours. Offering trusted comfort and performance, the 4000+ Series is simple and ready-to-use straight out of the bag, making it a great choice for busy professionals. The respirator is maintenance-free, so it can be used until your change-out schedule indicates a replacement is needed or when the filters are full, and then simply discarded. Like the Aura™ 9300+ Series, the 3M™ Maintenance Free Reusable Respirator 4000+ Series is engineered for ease of breathing and features a centrally-positioned exhalation valve that helps reduce heat and moisture build-up in hot and humid conditions. The enhanced valve assembly, compared to the previous generation 4000, helps to reduce exhalation breathing resistance, providing improved breathing comfort. Additionally, the two large, bonded-carbon filters offer low breathing resistance, ensuring that users can work comfortably for extended periods. 

Comfort on the face is another key benefit of the 3M™ Maintenance Free Reusable Respirator 4000+ Series. It has a soft, close-fitting non-silicone face seal made with textured material, and a light, well-balanced design. The adjustable head-cradle helps adjust to a broad range of head shapes and sizes, and the neck straps are easy to fasten. The low-profile design helps to prevent the 4000+ from hindering your peripheral vision, making it ideal for various work environments.

Both the 3M™ Aura™ Particulate Respirator 9300+ Series and the 3M™ Maintenance Free Reusable Respirator 4000+ Series exemplify 3M’s commitment to providing high-quality, comfortable, and effective respiratory protection solutions. Whether you need a disposable or reusable option, these respirators are designed to meet the diverse needs of various industries, assisting with the safety and comfort for all users.

Female PPE Day for PD Ports

In November we had the pleasure of hosting a Female PPE Day for PD Ports, in collaboration with Portwest.

It’s hugely important to us that women on site don’t have to simply “size down” in men’s PPE - safety and comfort should never be compromised. Everyone deserves workwear and PPE that allows them to feel confident, protected, and included in the workplace.

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.

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.

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

Do you require a PPE Fitting Session?

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.

A huge thank you to all the women at PD Ports who came along, tried on the PPE, and shared their feedback. Your voices continue to shape a safer and more inclusive future for everyone on site.

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
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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.