The Last Word with Richard Parker, Group Head of Sales at Amthal

by Featured NewsFire Detection

Richard Parker, Group Head of Sales at Amthal, discusses the company’s 25-year journey, investment in skills, and future goals in life safety technology

Can you give us a brief introduction to Amthal and its place in the fire and safety industry?

Amthal is an independent life safety and security technology company that’s been operating since 2000.

We provide a full range of services from system design and installation to maintenance and monitoring; all with a focus on making sure buildings stay safe, secure and fully compliant.

What defines Amthal is the clear strategic mission where we combine technical knowledge with a practical, down-to-earth approach.

We work closely with clients across sectors, building long-term relationships based on trust.

It’s a company that values doing things properly and takes real pride in the work and the people behind it.

Can you share some highlights of your journey with Amthal so far?

Although it’s only been a short time since I joined Amthal in February, I’ve already learned a great deal not just about the business, but also the people who make it work.

What’s impressed me most is the level of professionalism and pride across the team.

There’s a real commitment to doing things the right way right from the start, which creates a strong foundation for delivering quality and building trust with customers.

The openness and support I’ve experienced have made it easy to contribute from the outset and I’m genuinely looking forward to what we can achieve together.

Amthal is celebrating 25 years this year, how has it navigated the industry over this period?

Over the last 25 years, Amthal has responded to industry change by evolving its focus from traditional fire safety to presenting life safety systems.

This reflects how customer needs have shifted, with greater emphasis on integrated, people-first solutions.

We’ve adapted by investing in technology, strengthening compliance and building a structure that supports consistent service across the UK.

What’s driven this progress is a practical mindset: listening, learning and improving.

From day one, we’ve aimed to deliver work we’re proud of, with the flexibility to grow responsibly alongside our customers and partners.

How is Amthal working with the industry to tackle the skills shortage?

We operate in a very busy sector, striving to address the skills shortage in life safety and fire protection by developing skills, building expertise and shaping future leaders in fire and security.

Our new Fast-Track Programme is designed to accelerate technical knowledge, compliance and hands-on experience, with direct involvement from our senior management team.

We continue to invest in apprenticeships and run a rolling recruitment programme to bring in and support new talent.

We’re also proud members of The 5% Club – an industry-led initiative committed to ‘earn and learn’ opportunities – which reinforces our pledge to long-term skills development across the business.

It’s a team effort focused on practical learning, real progression and long-term development to ensure we continue to deliver safe, compliant solutions.

What are Amthal’s primary goals for the future of the fire and safety industry?

Looking ahead, we aim to continue to grow as a trusted life safety partner by continually enhancing how we protect people and property.

We’re embracing the latest technologies, including AI, machine learning, cloud-based platforms and IoT, to deliver smarter, more responsive fire detection and monitoring solutions.

Our partnership with industry leaders like Honeywell Gent strengthens our technical capabilities and supports our commitment to compliance and quality.

By investing in our team and working closely with our customers, we continue to provide tailored solutions that meet evolving safety needs and set the standard for reliable, future-ready fire protection.

This was originally published in the July 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here. 

The Last Word with VELOX

by Featured News

Philip Witts, COO of ATEIS Middle East, talks culturally-sensitive fire safety innovation

Could you introduce us to VELOX’s Buhkoor Mode?

The burning of Bukhoor, or Incence at home daily, sometimes more than once per day, is an inseparable part of Arab culture. The heavily fragranced smoke comes from burning scented pellets on a bed of live charcoal in a traditional incense burner called the Mabkhara. This smoke is used to cleanse and fragrance the house as well as personal items such as clothes.

Here at VELOX, we have first-hand experience of the local traditions. Our company started in the United Arab Emirates in 2006 and our innovations are all executed with both local and global requirements in-mind.

The VELOX R&D team were set the challenge of providing the best in detection technology, along with the flexibility for the home-owner to use Bukhoor without causing ‘nuisance alarms’ on the system.

We are proud to say that the VELOX R&D Engineers pioneered and developed a special ‘Bukhoor Mode’ for the VELOX Vita panel to overcome the challenges detailed above. We were the first manufacturer to recognize the importance of adding this mode and it’s subsequent invention, approval and implementation.

How does the Bukhoor Mode maintain safety while reducing false alarms?

The VELOX multi-sensor has 9 different sensitivity levels of smoke and heat detection. In normal operation both the smoke and heat elements are active and will respond to both smoke and heat presence at industry approved levels.

Our Engineers knew that if we could make an easy-to-use interface, the home owner could utilize the possible changes of sensitivity in the detectors to prevent unwanted alarms if they were about to burn Bukhoor.

After a lot of customer interaction and feedback from the necessary bodies/authorities, a series of easy to navigate screens were implemented to activate the ‘Bukhoor’ mode and put the system into a lower sensitivity for temporary period as and when required.

The process for activating the Bukhoor mode is protected by a password and also by a ‘countdown’ timer that will automatically put the system back into it’s normal operating mode in either 5,10 or 15 minutes depending on the user’s selection. The user also can select the specific device they wish to apply the mode-to, meaning that if any other device in the system detects smoke/heat, it will override any timer and put the system into alarm.

What has been the market response to the ‘Bukhoor Mode’?

Our Bukhoor mode enabled system is now protecting thousands of villas in the UAE. The Bukhoor mode feature has been endorsed by the local authorities and is recommended by the Civil Defense for Villas. We are delighted by the response.

What are VELOX’s future plans for culturally-sensitive fire safety innovations?

We at VELOX are always assessing requirements of local markets and how we can align our products with their requirements whilst maintaining the approvals. With the recent opening of our manufacturing and R&D centre in Canada we are broadening our knowledge of possible requirements and working on new innovations – watch this space!

This article was originally published in the January 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

The Last Word with Fire Dept. Coffee

by Breaking News

Luke Schneider, Founder and CEO of Fire Dept. Coffee talks giving back to the firefighter and first responder communities

What is you connection to the fire sector?

I served four years as a shipboard firefighter in the Navy, working on various firefighting systems on an assault ship and an aircraft carrier.

After leaving the Navy, I aimed to become a firefighter and tested for fire departments.

I joined the Rockford, Illinois Fire Department, a busy unit in a city of 150,000 people.

My role involved maintenance, training, and supervising, and I also obtained a paramedic license.

What was your incentive to start Fire Dept. Coffee?

My incentive to start Fire Dept. Coffee stemmed from my passion for coffee and the desire to support firefighters and first responders.

My wife, a barista, and I began roasting coffee together, creating a unique fire department blend.

Launching the company in 2016, we aimed to build a community and give back, especially to those sick or injured in the line of duty.

This led to the establishment of the Fire Department Coffee Charitable Foundation.

Our team, composed of active and retired firefighters and first responders, maintains a strong sense of camaraderie and purpose, mirroring the fire service culture.

Our growth from a small strip mall to continuous operation reflects our commitment to this mission and the sense of community we foster.

Can you tell me about the fire department clubs?

Our Fire Department clubs initiative, launched with Green Bay Metro Fire Department, involves creating custom designs and coffee blends for different departments.

We sell these special coffee bags and shirts, donating $2 per bag and $5 per shirt to department members who are sick or injured.

Customers can also make additional donations at checkout. This collaborative effort raises awareness about departments and honours firefighters.

For example, we recently collaborated with Metro Dade firefighters for a “Salty Flamingo” theme for shirts and a Colombian coffee blend.

What makes a good coffee to you?

Good coffee is characterised by its freshness and craftsmanship.

We roast each type of bean individually in small batches, ensuring the best flavour profile.

Specialty grade, high-quality beans are key.

I prefer a developed, medium roast, avoiding sour or ashy flavours.

Consistency is crucial; each batch should taste the same.

Strict quality controls and quality assurance, including colour reading and profile tracking, are essential.

Finally, the grind is important; we use high-quality grinders for optimal taste, as inconsistent grinds from inadequate equipment can affect flavour extraction.

Can you tell me about your crew rewards programme?

Our Crew Rewards program incentivises continued shopping by offering various perks and gifts.

Customers earn points with each purchase, which can be redeemed for items like tumblers, shirts, or coffee.

The more points they accumulate, the more they can redeem.

We strongly recommend signing up for this rewards program to make the most of these points during purchases.

What is your vision for the future of Fire Dept. coffee?

Our vision for Fire Dept. Coffee is to continue growing, expanding distribution, and innovating new products, like our proprietary spirit-infused coffee and upcoming instant coffee plus protein.

We aim to serve our customers with great products and service, which in turn allows us to give back to our local and fire communities, supporting first responders in various ways.

Our focus is on building community and maintaining a mission-driven approach, ensuring customer satisfaction with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

This article was originally published in the December 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.