Formbar

Formbar is very pleased to announce the appointment of Charlotte Carlisle to the position of Operations and Finance Manager. Charlotte will be tasked with improving the organisation’s processes and procedures whilst helping drive the business forward.

Charlotte joins the team with an excellent pedigree in finance and operational management having spent the last 5 years fulfilling a similar role within the charity sector. In this challenging role, Charlotte was tasked with developing strategies and planning to ensure the charity was as efficient as possible whilst ensuring the maximum financial funding for the charity. Charlotte brings experience and qualifications to the team in administration, HR and operations which will enhance the day-to-day running of Formbar. Charlotte also brings experience in events management which will certainly help the business when exhibiting at events such as Glee in Birmingham.

Managing Director of Formbar, Hannah Lewis, purchased Formbar in 2019 and despite the challenges of the pandemic the business has grown even faster than expected. Hannah commented: “I am so proud of the whole team, everyone has worked so hard to respond to the massive increase in demand for Formbar trolleys and baskets" This significant upturn has created the need for improved and enhanced procedures and Hannah is confident that Charlotte is the right person for the job, Hannah continued “We made the strategic decision to bring an Operations and Finance Manager into the team earlier in the year but knew we had to make the right hire. Charlotte’s experience, knowledge and experience made her an ideal fit for the team, and we look forward to her joining the team. Her appointment will also mean other team members can focus on customer service and further developing opportunities”

Formbar was founded in 2005, and launched due to the breakup of a larger business. Formbar retained the distribution agreement with Marsanz and the supply contracts with a few convenience symbol groups. From this small foundation, Formbar has grown to be a specialist UK supplier of trolleys and baskets to National Retail Chains, Convenience Symbol Groups, Independent Retailers, Garden Centre Groups, Independent Garden Centres, Launderettes, Hotels, Academic Institutions and more.

The first Earth Day was held on 22 April 1970, aiming to spread an important environmental message 🌍

At Formbar we try our best to keep the environment in mind with everything we do!

For example; We only buy recycled paper!

We get many questions about our plastic Polycart trolleys from all retailers. Here are the answers to the most asked ones:

They come in great colours but will they fade?

These trolleys are UV protected meaning sunlight should not fade them, and we have never heard of this happening. They can be kept inside or outside.

Does the plastic become brittle/do they break easily?

Although they are plastic, they are incredibly strong and have a flex in them which allows them to bounce off of fixtures and fridges etc. They are made from a strong plastic which ensures they do not crack or fall apart, as long as the maximum weight limit is not exceeded. They should last as long as they are needed to providing they are used properly.

Are they bad for the environment?

They are actually better for the environment than wire trolleys. Wire ones are chemically dipped, whereas plastic trolleys are made using injection moulding. They last longer as they do not rust and they can be recycled after use, whereas wire trolleys get scrapped. All parts of the plastic trolleys can be replaced whereas most wire cannot, however we make sure our wire trolley have replaceable parts.

At Formbar we do everything we can to be sustainable and protect the environment. Whether that's in our office, making sure lights are only on when needed, computers are switched off at the end of day, only printing when necessary and making sure to always use both sides of the paper, using post - it notes to take notes instead of a whole page in a notepad. We also make sure to order in full truck loads from our manufacturers in Spain, instead of ordering a few trolleys at a time.

We are always trying to source products that are sustainable so we can offer our customer's an environmentally friendly alternative.

- Firstly we announced our black 24 litre shopping basket which is made from 100% post industrial waste. It only comes in black however, we do have green, red and blue in a non recycled range. The basket is made from strong, high quality materials which allow for years of use. It has one lockable handle which will stay upright when the basket is placed down, making it easy to pick back up again. Shop here.

- The Oceanis Range. This range has been around for some time but is only just being added to our website. We are very excited about the range and cannot wait to see it in more and more stores. It was exclusively launched at Glee 2021 and was very well received to Garden Centres because of it's environmental facts. In the range are the Loop trolleys, trolley baskets and shopping baskets. Read more here.

- At Glee this year we also launched our brand new shopping basket, perhaps our most sustainable product so far. It is 24 litres and the same style as our standard range but instead it is made from 100% POST CONSUMER waste. This is a great basket to shout about in all stores and show users that the store they are in are trying to make a difference.

Wire trolleys are known across the world by all sectors and their customers, they are so popular because of their strength and durability. Plastic trolleys are new retailers and therefore have not got a big fan base lime the wire, however plastic is becoming increasingly popular and this is due to their robust basket and customising options i.e. the basket can be any colour. 

Now, what if there was a trolley that combined both plastic and wire together to create the perfect trolley?

Meet the Hybrid trolleys...

Marsanz, who we source our wire trolleys from have released an all new hybrid trolley. They make a pretty good wire trolley so there was no doubt the hybrid was going to be top tier for quality. It has an extremely sturdy metal chassis which is able to carry the trolley smoothly throughout the period of use. The basket is made from a robust plastic which is available in a range of colours and sizes which is easy to keep clean and is very low maintenance due to not rusting. 

If you have any questions or would like a quote on these Hybrid trolleys please do not hesitate to get in contact. 

It’s not a secret that our world needs our help urgently. Retailers can have a huge impact on the health of our planet, through packaging, in store systems and through their shopping trolleys and baskets. 

We have a range of products made from recycled materials including plastic shopping baskets, trolley baskets and Loop trolleys. We have a new range in stock by Araven called Oceanis. 

The Oceanis range comes in all standard colours and still remains the same style and quality as usual. This range is made from 25% of materials that would have ended up in the ocean, a process known as Ghost Fishing. Ghost Fishing is when fishing boats throw any fishing apparatus such as nets, ropes and lines into the ocean, this equipment then traps marine life and eventually they’ll reach the bottom of the ocean. As the fish begin to decay, the netting etc is released up back into the Ocean to start the process again. By purchasing something from the Oceanis range you are preventing this from happening, not only that, you are spreading awareness and allowing more research to be done to hopefully increase the percentage that is included in the range. You will also show your customers you care about sustainability as the baskets and trolleys all come with a sticker which identifies them as part of the Oceanis range.

If this is something you are interested in or have any questions, you can contact us on [email protected].

Independent research completed by Formbar Limited. 

These are the results of what customers believe surrounding #Covid19 safety when shopping in supermarkets. 

We are excited to bring you the new Bioshield for trolley handles. Bioshield is a simple clear plastic wrap, made from thermoplastic polyurethane film. Once on a trolley handle it will save users from touching and breathing in microbes known to cause a number of diseases and infections including Respiratory Diseases such as: Pneumonia, MRSA, Escherichia Coli (E.Coli), Chloridoids Difficila (C.Diff), Impetigo, Food poisoning and much more – through JISZ2801 (ISO22196) tests (Japanese Industrial Standard test for antibacterial activity and efficacy).

Trolley handle cleaning is something that people overlook so this wrap will ensure the safety of users, so stores do not have to remember to do regularly handle disinfecting.

Trolley handles are covered in microbes, a supermarket shopping trolley has 361 times more microbes than a toilet door knob, laboratory test reveals. In current circumstances with Covid-19, it is even more important to keep them clean for users and staff. As Covid-19 is still new there is no evidence to prove that the Bioshield wrap can protect users from the virus, however this is something that is being worked on so we hope to have clarity on that soon!

It gives HD clarity to any surface with its specifically formulated clear coated thermoplastic polyurethane film construction, the appearance of the trolley handle will not be altered – all artwork will be seen underneath.

The wrap can be cleaned with a wide variety of both bleach based and non-bleach based cleaning products, alcohol based cleaning products and ammonium germicidal based cleaning products. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning products.

We offer a 2 year warranty against yellowing, cracking and delaminating. This warranty does not cover damage caused by normal wear and tear, accidents, or intentional damage of any kind. The wrap has a 7 year half life.

Covid-19 has had a massive impact on all industries but the Grocery Industry has definitely been at the sharp end with a rapid shift in consumer habits and a responsibility to interpret the government guidelines implementing social distancing and queueing systems.

From the early days of stock being stripped from the shelves to now with organised queueing and restricted purchasing in order to ensure supply for all it has been quite a journey in just a few weeks. There have been winners and losers but the way the whole industry and supply chain have coped I believe is truly impressive.

Larger supermarkets have lost 1% of market share to local convenience stores, neighbourhood independent retailers and rural farm shops. This is a major change and providing a boom to many of the smaller retailers financially, but it has been a huge effort on their part to keep shelves stocked and their staff and customers safe.

Over 60% of convenience stores have seen a big uplift in sales but the 26% of convenience stores in city centres or on industrial parks have seen a complete loss in trade.

Online grocery ordering is up by 7% on this time last year with 16% of consumers buying groceries online since lockdown.

62% of convenience stores have implemented a home delivery service during lockdown and now the sector completes 600,000 weekly deliveries. I find this statistic astounding, for so many businesses to change their business model and to introduce the infrastructure and process for home deliveries in a matter of days is extraordinary and very inspiring.

Consumers, all of us, have in the main followed the guidelines laid down by the government. We stayed home, we stopped using our cars for unnecessary journeys and we have put on our trainers or got on our bikes and explored our local neighbourhoods. This has led to people finding what is available locally and discovering that a good quality and great value weekly shop can be done without going to a large supermarket and coping with long queues of people.

Store visits are down by 24% but when we shop we are spending 45% more per visit. Consumers are back to a weekly shop routine rather than popping to the supermarket every few days and picking up a few meals at a time. With restaurants closed and children not having school dinners we have all had to buy more groceries than usual, I know I have found it hard at times to keep enough food in for my two growing boys.

In 2018 there was a survey that showed 55% of consumers would prefer to buy local. Now they have had the time to find out exactly what is available locally and to start getting to know the retailers, I really am hopeful that this trend will continue and sustain.

The online shopping trend I can only see continuing and growing. Once someone has placed a few orders online and got over the initial learning curve of how to order groceries online it can quickly become a habit. It really is simple and convenient and there is a large range of retailers from your standard cupboard staples to organic vegetables and wholefoods.

Simple advice to shoppers on staying safe: When going shopping wear gloves and a mask if that makes you feel more at ease. Take alcohol gel and tissues so you can wipe over the trolley or basket handles. Sanitise your hands before and after shopping. Make a list and only pick up from the shelves items you intend to purchase, no browsing. Most importantly follow the direction of the staff; it is a very sad fact that despite all the community spirit that this out break has encouraged, 40% of convenience stores have noted an increase in violence and verbal abuse during lockdown.

During this difficult time where Covid-19 has disrupted the world, Formbar would like to offer as much support as possible. We applaud everyone for what they are doing to help.

In the last few weeks we have received a number of orders so we are trying our best to provide quick delivery. If you have a need for trolleys or baskets please do contact us. We are despatching orders most days of the week and our couriers are doing a fantastic job of delivering.

Online shopping is incredibly important at the moment so we are receiving many orders for warehouse products, such as stock picking trolleys and stack nest crates. So stores can quickly implement local delivery or click-and-collect services for their community. 

We have two options for stack nest crates, 15 litre and 35 litres, both available in black, green, red and blue. Other than black, these colours are not very popular so we have many sitting in our warehouse, we will offer our very best price on these as we would love to sell them. With no minimum order quantity you are welcome to order as many as you need. 

For picking trolleys there are a few options. Firstly there is a picking trolley which has slots for 6 x 35L picking crates that act like drawers. It is easily pushed around the store and we can add a clip board to the handle for the order paperwork. Another option is to use a tiered stock trolley and put the crates on the trolley, this is more multi-use as can be used for shelf re-stock when not being used for order picking. We also have a narrow shelved stock trolley which is great for replenishing stores. Or we do have a more traditional 2 tiered stock trolley that most stores use for replenishing shelves in a store, this os available in both new and refurbished. 

If we can supply any trolleys and baskets at this time we will always offer the best price we can and deliver as quickly as we can.

Do get in contact with us if you would like a quote

[email protected]

01235 850368

Formbar Limited are thrilled to announce that from 1st July 2019, ownership will transfer from its founder Simon Nickson, to long term employee Hannah Lewis. 

“Starting and building up Formbar to a business I am very proud of has been an exciting time, and having worked with Hannah for many years there is no better person to take it onward.” said Simon when discussing the sale. New owner Hannah commented “I am extremely pleased that Simon and I were able to agree this deal, and that he trusts me to take Formbar forward, building on the firm foundations he has laid down.”

Simon will be remaining as a part time consultant to ease the transition, he will provide support to the Formbar team. Hannah is well known to all Formbar’s customers and suppliers, having worked at the company since 2010, and she really appreciates the ethos of the business and understands its operation.

Formbar will continue to provide an excellent service and supply the same products under the same terms as are currently in place. Over time Hannah will develop the business responding to changes in the market, there are no plans in the short term for any major changes. 

One of the new trolleys we are very please to be announcing we will be selling. We have agreed with Polycart to be their UK distributor. We have compared as many of plastic shopping trolleys on the market with their hybrid competitors and the wire traditional.

The most demanding time of the year for retailers is upon us with Christmas just round the corner followed by the January sales and with the recent retail innovations of Black Friday and Cyber Monday thrown into the mix, it is a very hectic time.

Customers can only spend if they have a trolley or basket in which to collect their shopping and take it hopefully full to the brim to the check out to get those tills ringing over the festive season.

Formbar Limited have available for hire a limited stock of shopping trolleys and wire hand baskets and orders coming in daily for hiring from retailers.

From as little as £5 per trolley an additional 10 to 100 trolleys can be delivered and collected on specific dates. Baskets start at just £2 per week.

Formbar Limited is launching a Try Before You Buy offer on their range of innovative, stylish and high quality plastic shopping trolleys and hybrid trolley.

Across the world retailers are swapping out their metal shopping trolleys and replacing with a large variety of plastic trolleys. As retail specialists Formbar have looked at and had samples from different manufacturers and have made the decision that the fully plastic range from Polycart and the hybrid range from Araven are the most superior in design, construction, usability and aesthetics.

Formbar are keen to get retailers recognising the benefits of plastic and hybrid shopping trolleys and so have stock available for stores to trial. These trolleys have a number of advantages over the traditional wire trolleys including:

Ø  Compact, robust, light weight design that is very easy to manoeuvre

Ø  Rounded shapes minimising impact damage on shopfittings, glass doors and vehicles in carparks

Ø  Low steal rate due to much reduced scrap value

Ø  Never go rusty so very long lasting and therefore savings on maintenance costs

Ø  Non-deformable – the plastic bends and goes back to shape on impact so wheels stay in alignment and baskets or frames cannot twist out of shape

Ø  Easy to keep clean and tidy for customers

Ø  Innovative look, corporate colour matching and distinct

Ø  Produced through a clean manufacturing process and recyclable at the end of life

By providing customers with high quality hand baskets or trolleys that perhaps are a different shape or feel from the standard, retailers establish their brand values from the moment the customers enter the store. Customers are more likely to fill a trolley or basket that feels strong and comfortable in their hand, than one that feels like it will not take the weight of their shopping. Also customers are more likely to return if they had a positive experience, and a trolley which was difficult to push or clumsy to manoeuvre round the store sits as a negative in their minds.