[Cardiff - 24 June 2009]
TB Davies help the monorail at Chester zoo keep running
The monorail at Chester Zoo will shortly be back in operation, due to the completion of a programme of engineering works. The monorail runs every day around the 110 acre park allowing visitors to get close to over 7000 animals from 400 different species.
Parts of the works require regular safe access to the trains for essential maintenance and inspections.
Following a consultation with our internet executive Paul Creeden the zoo decided that a fixed industrial step from our Summit range would be the ideal solution. The steps are both robust in their construction and the wide base ensure there is little movement. The high hand rails to the side and pulpit add to the user’s security both when climbing and working from the platform.
For more information visit www.tbdavies.co.uk or contact TB Davies on 029 2071 3011 or info@tbdavies.co.uk
[Cardiff - 18 November 2008]
Retailers forced to remove telescopic ladders from shelves
A number of European multiple retailers have been forced to remove a range of “aspiring” telescopic ladders from their shelves, following concerns that they infringed current European Patents.
Incumbent market leaders Xtend & Climb® are one of only two telescopic ladder brands to hold current Patents for products of this type. Having invested heavily in research & development, both brands have established a strong market presence with their high quality ladders for the commercial and domestic user.
In recent months a number of “alternative” non-branded telescopic ladders have appeared on the market in a bid to challenge the incumbent’s market share.
For more information contact us at TB Davies Cardiff 029 2071 3013
Access company bucks trading trend
Cardiff – 2 May 2008
Access equipment specialist T.B. Davies (Cardiff) Ltd is bucking the negative business trend that many companies are citing in 2008. Record sales figures in the first quarter have contributed to the Cardiff based firm recording 17% growth versus the same period last year.
Director David Gray commented; “We are absolutely delighted with our first quarter performance, but at the same time we’re mindful that market conditions are challenging and we expect this to continue for a significant part of the year. This latest set of results has come about because of the huge amount of work invested last year in business development, branding and improving our back-office processes. We are in a strong position to face the tough challenges that lie ahead, but we need to keep our ear close to the ground and keep working smarter.”
With consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) predicting company insolvencies to increase by a remarkable 21% for the first quarter of 2008 (versus previous three months) – the figures announced by T.B Davies show it is not all doom and gloom for British businesses.
Telesteps forced to concede patent limitation
Cardiff 23 October 2007 – Core Distribution, Inc. – manufacturer of Xtend & Climb, filed an opposition against Telesteps European patent No.1402143, putting forward the view that claims of the patent as granted were not inventive. The result of the opposition process was that the European Patent Office agreed with Core Distribution, Inc., and decided that the claims of the patent as originally granted were indeed not inventive, and that Telesteps did not deserve to be granted this patent. Telesteps were allowed to make an amendment to their patent, which resulted in a narrower scope of protection.
This result has no bearing on the products presently supplied by Core Distribution, Inc. – these products do not infringe Telesteps’ patent, either before or after the scope of the patent had been narrowed.
You may recently have received a “press information” document from Telesteps, with the title “Telesteps wins patent battle on telescopic ladder”. This document has been circulated principally for the purpose of causing alarm among customers of Core Distribution, Inc. We wish to address some of the points raised in the “press information”.
Firstly, and most importantly, Core Distribution, Inc. presently does not supply any products which infringe any patents held by Telesteps. In particular, the Xtend & Climb ladder supplied by Core Distribution, Inc. falls clearly outside the scope of Telesteps’ patents. You will see that the “press information” carefully avoids any mention of patent infringement.
The “press information” stated that Telesteps patent will be maintained, but it should be understood that the patent has not been maintained as granted. The patent was only allowed to be maintained once the scope had been narrowed.
The heading “Telesteps wins patent battle” is intended to convey the impression that Core Distribution, Inc. has fallen foul of Telesteps’ patent. Please rest assured that this is not the case – “the opposition” that is mentioned in the “press information” related only to the validity of Telesteps’ patent, and the proceedings had nothing to do with any question of whether Core Distribution, Inc’s products infringe Telesteps’ patent.
The decision of the EPO is appealable, and it is presently Core Distribution, Inc’s intention to appeal the decision, and request that the patent be revoked in its entirety.
We would reiterate that the “press information” appears to have been circulated for no other reason than to cause concern among customers of Core Distribution, Inc. We would like to reassure all customers that none of the products presently supplied by Core Distribution, Inc. infringe any patent held by Telesteps, or any other patents of which we are aware.
Patrick Gray, Managing Director, T.B. Davies (Cardiff) Ltd
T: +44 (0)29 2071 3000 F: +44 (0)29 2070 2386
New Xtend & Climb Pro
The Xtend & Climb Telescopic Ladder has been further improved for enhanced performance. Xtend & Climb Pro has a new coupling design that sits more comfortably in the hand making adjustment far easier – especially for smaller hands. As an additional safety feature, red and green indicators on the lock tabs have been added to show when rungs are locked in position.
Xtend & Climb Pro has a new blue colour scheme & design, replacing the current black tab model which has taken the building & surveying market by storm. The new model stills offers robust, reliable performance and the same flexibility, adjusting rung by rung.
The Xtend & Climb Bag has also been improved – providing the professional user with a heavy gauge, dual-pocket bag, than can easily be carried on the shoulder or under the arm – and fits easily in the car boot!
For more information visit www.xtendandclimb.co.uk or call T.B. Davies on 029 2071 3000.
Xtend & Climb Home
7 August 2007 (Cardiff) – Building on the huge success of the original Xtend & Climb Telescopic Ladder – the Xtend & Climb Home version is now here.
The Xtend & Climb Home is brand new to the market – with a vibrant yellow colour scheme. Like the original, Xtend & Climb Home will open up rung by rung to exactly the height needed. This slightly shorter version is intended for the domestic user – for chores in and around the house. Great for mobile homes, caravans and other leisure pursuits.
The Xtend & Climb Home is 0.68m when closed; 2.59m fully extended and weighs a mere 9kg. It will store in the smallest of spaces – in the boot of the car, under the bed, in the cupboard under the stairs or even between the washing machine and the fridge.
The new ergonomic coupling design means adjustment is easy – even for smaller hands.
Xtend & Climb Home is anticipated to retail for around £109.99.
For more information visit www.xtendandclimb.co.uk or email info@tbdavies.co.uk
