SEPTEMBER 2012 ISSUE 36 WWW.LAMINARMEDICA.COM

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1: STAFF SURVEY 2: CHRISTMAS PARTY 3: GROUP NEWS 4: CHARITY FUNDRAISER 5: PEOPLE NEWS6: BAD WEATHER RESULTS IN PUB QUIZ 7: DEPARTMENT NEWS 8: LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

9: BRAINWAVES 10: EH&S FOCUS ON 11: COFFEE BREAK 12: MARKETING UPDATE

During May we conducted a staff survey which achieved an 82% response rate, which was good for our first ever voluntary survey. The results were encouraging, as most responses scored over 90% for an answer that was strongly agree/agree.

The majority of sections completed had high scores and it was interesting to find that staff have the following views:

I have a clear understanding of the purpose of my job and what my duties are: 97%

I know the performance standards that are expected of me: 97%

I understand how I contribute to achieving my department’s objectives: 97%

We received lower scores in some areas, such as:

There is good communication between departments: 54%

I find it easy to obtain information from other departments: 53%

There is a high degree of co-operation between all employees: 44%

We will be looking at ways we can improve such as:

• How we work together and cooperate between departments and ourselves

• How we encourage the sharing of information within the departments, so that we understand why we need to do something (the bigger picture)

• Encouraging a “We are one” approach. We all work within our own department, but we all work for the same company

We intend to repeat the survey againnext year, to follow up on the areashighlightedonwhichweneedtoimprove.

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THE LAMINAR MEDICA

Christmas PartyWILL BE HELD AT

CHILTERN FOREST GOLF & COUNTRY CLUBASTON HILL, AYLESBURY, BUCKS HP22 5NQ

ON FRIDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2012

FESTIVITIES WILL COMMENCE AT 7.00PM, FINISHING AT 12.00AM

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY

A HOT BUFFET WILL BE PROVIDED, ALSO COMPLIMENTARY DRINKS AND TRANSPORT

(WHERE APPLICABLE)

DRESS CODE: INFORMAL

PLEASE CAN YOU RETURN YOUR SLIPS BY 19TH OCTOBER

A DATE INYOUR DIARY

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GROUPNEWS

PROMOTIONALACTIVITIESCLINICAL PHARMACY CONGRESS20th - 21st April 2012. Excel Centre - London

At the Clinical Pharmacy Congress Helapet launched their new disposable Syringe Transporter, specially designed for contained transportation of pre-filled syringes. Delegates were introduced to Helapet’s product portfolio, including their specialist range of SteriClean disinfectant sprays and wipes. With a dynamic sales team and a new Marketing Manager, the Clinical Pharmacy Congress was a terrific success and is now booked again for 2013.

MTEC EXHIBITION23rd May - 24th May 2012. NEC Birmingham

Coinciding with the MEDTEC and 3C exhibitions, Helapet used the MTEC event to promote the Filter Devices division, showcasing various filter types to delegates specialising in process engineering and cleanroom technology. Supported by their dedicated Sales Engineer Baljit Randhawa, MTEC was very successful in generating interest and enquiries, highlighting this niche area of Helapet’s business operations.

BBTS ANNUAL CONFERENCE26th - 28th September 2012 - Harrogate International Centre

As part of the Helapet 2012 Porter marketing campaign, they are booked to exhibit at the British Blood Transfusion Society Conference to showcase the new BloodPorter® range - another new event for Helapet. This 3-day event will attract over 500 delegates with professional interest in blood transfusion and other related activities.

Helapet LimitedLister House, Blackburn Road, Houghton Regis,Bedfordshire, LU5 5BQ, England, UK

Tel: 0800 0 328 428 Tel: +44 (0)1582 501 980Fax: +44 (0)1582 501 981 E-mail: sales@helapet.co.uk

www.helapet.com

In our last issue, our Group news section focused on CareFlex. This edition features Helapet.

With over 25 years of specialist experience, Helapet Limited is a highly reputable supplier of quality medical and cleanroom disposables to the hospital pharmacy, aseptic manufacturing and cleanroom based industries.

Based at Lister House in Houghton Regis, Helapet deliver a diverse and innovative range of its sterile and non-sterile products, supporting critical cleanroom activities across all areas of aseptic manufacturing and healthcare provision.

Helapet also manufacture a specialist range of in-line filtration devices, used to filter out particulates in liquids, gas and air. Providing effective protection for many types of machinery including autoclaves, laboratory equipment and inkjet printers, Helapet’s Filter Devices Division offers custom solutions based on specific customer requirements.

Porters

Helapet were delighted to announce an addition to their range of specialist cold chain porter systems, as Laminar Medica handed over the CliniPorter range in June 2012. Helapet have now set up a dedicated porter service line for customer enquiries. During the handover Joanne King spent time with the team, at Helapet, providing them product training and knowledge. Helapet have now re-named the rangeto incorporate the porters intotheir existing range. They are now knownas Helapet Porters.

For enquiriesregarding theHelapet Porterrange, pleasecontact theirfreephone number0800 230 0191or emailporters@helapet.co.uk

CLINICAL PHARMACY CONGRESS

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CHARITYFUNDRAISERThank you to all who baked and bought the cakes for the charity fundraiser for prostate cancer in June, we raised over £150!In future we intend to support a local based charity. Any volunteers who wish to take part in a charity committee please see Fiona Knox.

OLYMPICCAKESTo celebrate the start of the Olympics the management team purchased some cakes from Irina to mark the occasion.

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PEOPLE NEWSWELCOME...LAMINAR MEDICA WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME, CONGRATULATEAND SAY GOODBYE TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF STAFF:

Laminar Medica would like to say farewell to the following members of staff:

Stephan Claparede:Who left us in April 2012Nathalie Dorville:Who left us in August 2012

JitkaKUPSOVÁJoined us as the:QUALITY &LOGISTICSCOORDINATORFor Laminar Medica (CE)

StephanieFITT

Joined us as a:BUSINESSDEVELOPMENTMANAGER

CarinaTILLO

COMPLETED10 YEARS

SERVICE IN JUNE 2012

StevePOLLMERJoined us as a:PRODUCTIONOPERATORIN THEMEDICOOLS TEAM

VikkiFRAMPTON

COMPLETED10 YEARS

SERVICE IN JULY 2012

GeoffRUTTER

COMPLETED10 YEARS

SERVICE IN MAY 2012

DaveDUMBARTON

COMPLETED10 YEARS

SERVICE IN MARCH 2012

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BAD WEATHERRESULTS IN PUB QUIZIn July the Sales & Marketing Departments had planned a night out at Wendover Woods. A game of rounders and a BBQ was the plan, but the good old English ‘summertime’ put a stop to that, it was just too wet! So at the last minute a pub quiz, with a meal afterwards, was cobbled together as a plan B.

We had invited our friends in Tech and R&D to come along to the rounders, and so they were invited to the quiz as well. Our colleagues from Vodnany were also over in Tring for the Sales Meeting and so there were 20 of us in total.

The teams were randomly selected to include at least one Sales/Marketing member, one from Tech/R&D and one from Vodnany. Will was quite vocal about the fact that he was in a team of 3 (most had 4 members) and the fact that he was in a very young team (Mike Houlding and Chloe being the other members) so they were at a disadvantage. We’ll see later how they got on!

Benedicte was slightly concerned that her team members (Jiri S, Gee and Peter) were all very competitive - she didn’t want to let them down! And so we were ready to start. There was a general knowledge round, a sports round, and a guess the brand by the logo round. After these 3 rounds the scores were very close and so there was one final deciding round - all questions based around Laminar, its staff, customers etc! You’d have thought they would have all been experts in this round...

The final result was very close, with all 5 teams coming within 9 points of each other! However, winning by a clear 3 points was the amusingly named ‘Norfolk In Chance’ team, made up of Chloe, Mike Houlding and Will – well done! See Will, no need for all that moaning!

Nathalie had kindly offered to supply prizes for the winning (and losing) teams. Mike and Will in particular were very pleased with their gold chocolate medals! Milan’s team came in last place and were awarded a wooden spoon, which no-one seemed that keen on taking home!

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DEPARTMENT NEWS

METHODS OF DISPOSAL Over the past twelve months we have changed the methods used for disposal of certain types of waste. This has resulted in Laminar reducing the impact its operations have on the environment and achieved significant cost savings. Two of the most significant waste types have been timber and EPS dust disposal.

TIMBER DISPOSAL COSTS

Although not part of our annual objectives and targets (O&T) programmes, this is one material which we continue to monitor.

Amount Laminar spent on disposal of timber:

Total 2010-2011: £1115.00Total 2011-2012: £215.38

£899.62 SAVING 2012

Although there will always remain a requirement for Laminar to dispose of timber, we do not expect costs to rise significantly above the 2011-12 amount. We have arranged with a local company to collect and use our timber waste to fuel their bio mass plant.

EPS DUST DISPOSAL COSTS

The overall amount of waste EPS dust we produce has increased since the beginning of the year as a result of the re-grind process. However, despite this, it is estimated that we will save in the region of £969.00 P.A. on previous costs. These savings have primarily been achieved through the introduction of a different method of disposal.

We continually look into ways of how we manage our waste, the aim to help reduce or eliminate the waste we produce. This leads to improvements to Laminar’s overall environmental and businessperformance. There are manyexciting projects in the pipe linefor the future, so watch this space!

Ultimately the successof what we achieve isdown to every individualdoing their bit, keepup the good work!...

Mark Church

BUSINESS CONTINUITYINCIDENT AT LAMINARAs you are all aware we carry out tests on our Business Continuity Management System each year to check how well prepared we are for an incident.

On the 20th July we had a real live BCM incident at Laminar. Pete Barrow was carrying out his Friday afternoon checks before leaving for the weekend when he smelt gas in the tool setting area.

Pete contacted our gas provider to report the incident and called Richard for his support when the gas engineer arrived. The engineer checked the pipe work and located the leak on the gas governor. At this point the gas supply was turned off, and could not be turned on again until the leak had been repaired by a Gas Safe engineer.

On Monday the 23rd the IMRT were notified and met in the Board Room. Production in Unit 4 was suspended and staff redeployed to other production areas.

A local gas safe engineer was contacted. He arrived at 11.00 am to seal off the leak on the governor and production in the mould shop recommenced at 12.30 pm.

Several lessons were learnt as a result of this incident.

1. We did not have a 24 hour emergency contact number for a Gas Safe engineer in the Incident Management Plan

2. A notice board to be installed by incoming gas main with clear drawings of the gas pipe work displayed on it, these drawings must show clearly the position of the governor

3. All gas pipe work to be clearly marked with gas tape at 2 meter intervals

These actions will now be added to our BCM system to make us betterprepared for future incidents of this nature.

All in all, things went very smoothly thanks to Pete and Richard, and reinforces the fact that our BCM has prepared us to deal with incidents in a structured manner.

Alan White

BUSINESS CONTINUITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - BS 25999-2:2007

This is to certify that:

Laminar Medica LimitedUnits 4 & 14Tring Industrial EstateIcknield WayTringHP23 4JXUnited Kingdom

Holds Certificate No: BCMS 581379and operates a Business Continuity Management System in compliance with BS 25999-2:2007 for the following scope:

The provision of a business continuity management system for the supply of validatedthermally insulated shipping systems to clinical trial, pharmaceutical and otherindustries.

The provision of a business continuity management system for the supply of validatedthermally insulated shipping systems to clinical trial, pharmaceutical and otherindustries.

For and on behalf of BSI:

Gary Fenton, Chair, Certification Body Management Committee

Originally registered: 14/10/2008 Latest Issue: 03/05/2012 Expiry Date: 13/10/2014

Page: 1 of 1

This certificate was issued electronically and remains the property of BSI and is bound by the conditions of contract.An electronic certificate can be authenticated online.Printed copies can be validated at www.bsigroup.com/ClientDirectory

Information and Contact: BSI, Kitemark Court, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes MK5 8PP. Tel: + 44 845 080 9000BSI Assurance UK Limited, registered in England under number 7805321 at 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL, UK.A Member of the BSI Group of Companies.

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LEARNING &DEVELOPMENTLEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

NVQ’s – we have had an excellent response from staff in relation to undertaking a government funded National Vocational Qualification(NVQ) Certificate whilst at work. We currently have Michelle Taylor, Billy Green, Matt Pryor, James Livingstone, Mike Taylor, Liam Jones and Dave Crawford completing a level 2 certificate in Team Leader, Cherri Gentry completing a level 2 certificate in Customer Services and Jane McGilvary, Lynne Cashen and Nicole Brown completing a level 2 certificate in Business Administration. Julie Underwood is going to complete a level 3 certificate in Management. They have all been through their initial induction and have been assigned an assessor who comes into the workplace every 6-8 weeks to meet with them, assess them on the job and discuss any support they need. We wish them every success in completing their units over the forthcoming year.

We have had three Work experience students this year.

The aim of the Work Experience is to provide learning and insight into the working life, by exposing them to a variety of tasks and experiences. It gives the students opportunities for them to learn more about specific industries, organisational cultures and job roles. Also, it benefits us as an employer, as it is an excellent opportunity to develop staff’s management capabilities and also enables us to build links with the local schools, helping to create a positive image of Laminar Medica within the community.

This is what they had to say about their time here at Laminar;

THEO KITCHING (MARCH) - said that the impression the experience gave him of Laminar was “one of a very high standard” and he was made to feel very welcome and in his words “couldn’t have felt more comfortable”. He learned about the technical procedures of business and production. He enjoyed his time in QA as he gained an understanding of the many arbitrary rules and regulations and found his time in the Mould Shop “physically-engaging” as he had the opportunity to put a product together.

TANYA DINESH (MAY) - found her week very useful and learnt a lot about the business, how to sustain a business and how we manufacture the products. She enjoyed working with everyone and felt very settled all week, despite initially being very nervous. She found it very interesting to experience being in a working atmosphere.

AMY SMITH (JULY) - said that her time spent here was both highly enjoyable and valuable, and was very grateful for the time everyone spent with her, she particularly enjoyed her time in R&D and it gave her an idea of the direction she would like to take in the future. She said that Laminar was a very friendly company which has a welcoming atmosphere and she was very appreciative of how much everyone did for her.

Thank you to everyone who spent time with all the students, it has certainly given them an insight into the ‘world of work’!

FLU VACCINATIONSUnfortunately the NHS only provides the Influenza Vaccination’s to those considered at ‘high risk’ from the serious complications it can cause. The large majority of the working population is therefore left unprotected.

Fiona Knox has arranged for Flu vaccinations to be carried out for all Laminar staff who want them. This will be in Unit 4 Board Room on Wednesday 10 October at the following time slots;

10.00am - 10.15am - 10.30am10.45am - 11.00am - 11.15am - 11.30am

If you have a preference for a particular 15 minute slot then please let Fiona know by Friday 5 October. The vaccination itself will only take approximately 3 minutes but you will need to be available outside the board room ready for the nurse at your allocated time slot.

SOME FAQ’S What is flu? Influenza (or flu), is an infection of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, airways, and lungs) caused by the influenza virus. Two types of influenza virus, A and B, cause the flu, but within these categories there are many strains. Although flu is similar in some ways to the common cold, it begins suddenly and symptoms are much more severe than those of a cold.

Does this year’s seasonal flu vaccine contain protection against swine flu? Yes.

Does it matter if I have had a Swine Flu vaccination in the past? No, further doses will act as a booster to reinforce immunity.

Is there a flu vaccine that I can have that just protects against seasonal flu strains and does not include the protection against swine flu? No

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Whilst Team GB were winning Gold after Gold at the London Olympics, Brainwaves were handing out their own Gold award to Geoff Rutter.

Our Warehouse Team Leader earned himself £50 for a great moneysaving idea of using redundant mesh to protect electrical cables.

Every implemented Brainwaves suggestion will receive an award as follows:

Gold = £50 Silver = £25 Bronze = £15Exceptional suggestions that provide quantifiable cost savings/increased profits will be eligible for a Platinum Award. This will be calculated at 5% of the net saving after costs,

in the first year of operation, up to a maximum of £500.

SINCE BRAINWAVES STARTED LAMINAR MEDICA HAVEAPPROVED PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE

AWARDS AMOUNTING TO A TOTAL OF AROUND £1035.Over the years we had many great ideas that have added real value to our business,

but we always need more. They do not just have to about Production; they can beanything to do with the business including Health, Safety and Environmental.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE? JUST GIVE IT TRY!

OUR NEXT REVIEW MEETINGWILL BE ON 26TH OCTOBER 2012

If you have any please post them in the boxes,situated in both Tea-Rooms by the notice board

REMEMBER, THIS IS OPEN TO ALL STAFF(With the exception of Senior Managers, Directors & Committee Members)

ManythanksPete,LynneandPaul

At Laminar Medica we are committed to reducing any negative affects that we may have on the environment (just talk to Mark Church).

A NUMBER OF ACTIONS HAVE BEEN PUT INTO PLACE TO HELP IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS SUCH AS;

• 3½ tonnes of polythene has been recycled (instead of going to landfill)

• 10½ tonnes of EPS re-ground and re-used

• Changes to cooling towers and lighting has seen a reduction of 7% of energy used in U4 These projects have created big improvements. Though many smaller ones (when combined together) are just as effective in reducing; the emissions, energy and resources we consume. All this goes to making Laminar Medica a more environmentally responsible company.

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E H&S FOCUS ON...

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COFFEEBREAK

Across1. Dock (5)4. Sore (7)8. Rubbish (7)9. Sacred song (5)10. Boulders (5)11. Sincere (7)12. Real (6)14. Blemished (6)17. Ancient Japanese warrior (7)19. Concur (5)21. Ashen (5)22. Before (7)23. Least difficult (7)24. Viper (5)

Down1. Bet (5)2. Fruit (7)3. Emblems (5)4. Fragments (6)5. Endanger (7)6. Fire (5)7. Restricted (7)12. Relieve of blame (7)13. Abbreviate (7)15. Concerned (7)16. Straightforward (6)18. Relocates (5)19. Main artery (5)20. Mistake (5)

GUESS WHO? ______________________________

1. Where is your ideal holiday destination? The Seychelles

2. What is your favourite meal? Fillet steak with peppercorn sauce, followed by chocolate cheesecake

3. If you had to describe yourself in three words which three would you use? Positive, Easy- going & Considerate

4. What fashion trend you followed was very cool then but ridiculous now? Perms (I’ve had some beauties in my time!)

5. If you chose to have a tattoo, what would your tattoo look like and where would it be? Jonny Depp (unfortunately it’s the closest I’ll ever get to him). I’ll leave the 2nd answer to your imagination

6. If you had to choose a super power which one would you choose? The power to heal

7. If you made a movie of your life what kind of movie would it be and who would be cast as you? Is your life an adventure, drama, romance or horror flick? It has elements of all of these at times. I would choose Audrey Hepburn

8. If you won the lottery what would you do with all the cash? Buy a beautiful house by the sea, travel the world, then set myself up in business

9. If you could have taken a different path in life, what would you have chosen to do, knowing what you know today? I would have married Mr Depp!

Fill out two puzzles to be in with a chance to win a £20 M&S voucher. All entries are to be handed to Hannah in the Sales & Marketing office

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MARKETINGUPDATE

PENGUINPOSTARTICLESIf you have anything you would like to see featured in the next edition of Penguin Post please contact Hannah in the Sales and Marketing office. Articles do not have to be work related they could be activity or hobby related.

Issue 37 due out in March 2013.

SOCIALMEDIADuring 2011 Q4 the marketing team started to explore the benefits of social media. In March 2012 we launched a Linkedin company page which promotes our activities and products. We also launched a company facebook page in August, with a view to participating more on this in the future. We ran two advertising campaigns on LinkedIn which have been successful and we are considering a third campaign.

COMPETITIVEINTELLIGENCEThe Marketing team have now populated the new IBM Focal Point system with in-depth information on fifteen key competitors: further profiles will be added in the coming months. This system has proved a very useful resource, as it has allowed the Marketing team to collate all of the relevant competitor information in one database, which can then be interrogated for specific information, and has proved particularly beneficial for the new product development projects. Training sessions for all relevant Laminar staff has been conducted to allow them to access the system.

MARKETINGCOMMUNICATIONSACTIVITYIn addition to the four strategic marketing projects, the Marketing team is responsible for various operational marketing activities, a selection of which are listed below;

• Created Media section on the Laminar website

• Created an email and target list for UK pharma email campaign to be distributed in June

• Created online support advert for Healthcare at Home in Business Review Europe

• Created the online questionnaire for the Laminar Staff Survey

• Created the Laminar Mission Statement and 2012 Objectives posters for distribution around both units