Despite having thousands of products available on our e-commerce site, there is one, in particular, that is very close to my heart. The Parrs kick step. This step, affectionately known in the retail industry as a Dalek, represents Parrs’ philosophy. The product quality, integrity, manufacturing excellence and sustainability are unsurpassed; and it is completely unique to Parrs. We manufacture the Parrs kick step here in The Midlands using only the highest quality raw materials. In a world of single-use plastic, we believe in making our steps from only recycled materials. We injection mould the ..read more

The UK has always loved a good, solid, steel truck. We mentally associate the weight of the truck with its ability to carry a heavy load. Steel has benefitted from some wonderfully positive marketing over the years; ‘nerves of steel’, ‘a steely resolve’ and ‘as strong as steel’ are all commonly used phrases. So, when you want to move something heavy you would naturally choose steel, right? Well not quite. Across Europe and The States, Aluminium has been the material of choice for sack trucks for many years. Its lightweight, durable, and rust-free. When you are out delivering, the truck you use ..read more

This is often the beginning, middle and end of the thought process when buying a kick step. And, to a certain extent, this is true. So, the price becomes the easiest factor to think about when you buy this piece of equipment. The problem is that when we buy the cheapest step, it is very rarely the best quality and the safest. At home, you might be happy to use a cheap step to get those ‘out-of-reach’ items from the top kitchen cupboards; but you might be uncomfortable giving it to an elderly relative or a child to use. In the office, you might be happy using a cheap step in the stockroom yours ..read more

We all know about the supermarket trolley which needs an exorcist, its wheels spinning around as if possessed by Beelzebub. Or the sack truck who’s with one wheel that has gone on strike and decided that it ain’t gonna roll for you no more. Handling equipment is all about the wheels. From the cheapest Chinese import to the most expensive German aluminium truck, the quality of the wheel is going to be the key to the usefulness and life of the truck. It is very rare that a frame will fail before a wheel. So, what should you look for when you are buying a truck or trolley? There are three things ..read more

Fire safety in the office is a crucial aspect of risk management, and ensuring that you have the correct precautions in place in the work environment should be taken seriously. At PARRS, we help businesses ensure that they have the appropriate fire safety equipment at their disposal.  To help your business improve its fire safety operations, we have created a list of the top fire safety tips for the office and a checklist for you to consult current practices against.  Table of contents  Equip your business with the right fire safety tools Carry out regular risk assessments  ..read more

We often see fire extinguishers in commercial buildings and offices –but if a fire broke out in your workplace, would you know how to use a fire extinguisher? If you don’t, then this could have unthinkable consequences. At PARRS, we value fire safety and provide businesses with a wide range of commercial equipment. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to use a fire extinguisher in the workplace, so you have the knowledge you need to protect your people and your property.  From fire extinguisher usage to storage and aftercare, our guide explains all. Table of contents ..read more

In 1886, Francis Parrs set up business as a wheelwright in the heart of Birmingham. It was and still is, a very skilled profession. Soon the market traders were coming to Francis for new wheels for their porter’s trucks, the flower girls were asking him to repair the wheels on their wicker flower trollies and the undertakers relied on Francis to make sure the funeral biers were always in working order. By the start of the Great War, Parrs had become a major UK manufacturer of wooden wheelbarrows. Many were shipped to the western front to help with trench building and the movement of armaments ..read more

You’ve got the state-of-the-art bike, the aerodynamic helmet, the body-hugging lycra, and the king of the mountain attitude. It’s time to saddle up your carbon fibre pony and ride in to work! Cycling is, without a doubt, a major health and environmental lifestyle choice. On the face of it, it is a cheap alternative to car travel; but once you have invested in a great bike you need to know that your investment is properly and securely stored at home and at work. You should always be able to store your bike upright and if it is outside, you must secure the frame to a fixed object. At work, it is ..read more

In 1886, Francis Parr set up as a Wheelwright in the heart of Birmingham. In this year the Victorian era was in full swing; Gladstone became Prime Minister as a result of difficulties with the Irish question, and Karl Benz filed a patent for the World’s first motor car. When we look back on our history, it is obviously with a sense of pride. However, there is also an understanding that history is simply a list of events from which we need to learn. Parrs often considers itself a new company and our advantage is that we can look to the future armed with lessons from the past. Our manufacturing ..read more

Staircases are a pain in the backside if you are trying to transport anything heavy. It is one manual handling task which will have every Health and Safety officer rolling their eyes and reaching for the red pen. In Parrs’ experience, stairclimbing products on the market are either safe or productive (and sometimes neither!). But as stairs are going to continue to exist, and people are going to continue to need to move things up and down them, we need to find a solution that keeps Health and Safety happy at the same time as enhancing productivity and efficiency. Parrs have offered a number of ..read more