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TG Lynes has added Billi Taps’ innovative drinking water dispensing systems to its range of products. Here Richard Blake, Channel Development Manager at Billi Taps, lifts the lid on what makes the growing brand stand out from its competitors.

Tell us a little bit about Billi Taps 

Billi is a leading manufacturer and supplier of boiling, chilled, and sparkling filtered drinking water dispensing systems. 

We manufacture our own products from our facility in Australia, we have total control of the quality and traceability of all our products. The brand is synonymous with innovation and quality. 

Consequently, every system is rigorously and individually tested before leaving the warehouse for distribution globally. 

From the design stage right through to manufacture, distribution and installation, every element of the Billi operation is monitored and measured for quality. 

In addition, our substantial Research and Development department operates on the principle of continuous improvement. Due to this, the latest Quadra systems incorporate advanced eco-technology and safety features that continue to ensure that Billi leads the market. 

What stands Billi Taps apart from its competitors? 

In the early ’90s, the Billi Research and Development team started work. They took the concept of heat-exchange technology and applied it to a conventional water boiler, but with a significant and far-reaching difference. 

The product they designed became the world’s first under-counter boiling and chilled drinking water system. The Billi engineers harnessed thermodynamic heat-exchange technology to recover waste heat energy generated by the chilled water-cooling cycle. Therefore, this enabled Billi to reuse this waste heat to preheat the water entering the hot water tank. 

The energy saving is an enormous 40% in comparison to other competitor taps. 

TG Lynes works with suppliers with sustainability at their core. How does Billi Taps ensure it is minimising its carbon footprint? 

Every new Billi product is designed with the environment in mind to meet ecologically sustainable development guidelines. By carefully selecting each component for every unit, Billi achieves a very low carbon footprint. 

Individual parts are recyclable and bear globally recognised codes. Just because an effective refreshment system is requested, it doesn’t mean it has to be costly to the environment. Rather, the two elements can be combined, as in the Billi Quadra systems. 

Moreover, our technology allows you an environmentally responsible choice. We don’t compromise when it comes to filtered boiling and chilled drinking water - and now you don’t have to. Billi units consume less energy than a kettle, in addition to a far less environmental impact than that of bottled water. In the UK we have attained ISO14001 certification, in addition to the globally recognised Gold Global Green Tag certification. This means we continuously examine our systems and procedures to see how we can fine tune them further. 

What’s the most exciting product in the Billi Taps range at the moment? 

Offering a superior product and being known for innovation, we are continually developing new and exciting products for our customers. The Billi Quadra range with Billi’s heat exchange technology is our flagship model as it recovers and reuses this energy to preheat the boiling water, thereby making a significant cost saving. In addition, it reduces the carbon footprint. 

These effective water and energy-saving initiatives help us meet the UK Green Building Council objectives. While offering unique power consumption advantages:

- Thermodynamic Heat exchange technology recovers and reuses heat energy; 

- High-performance polyethylene insulation holds water temperature and saves energy. 

- Stand-by mode conserves power during selected non-use periods. 

How’s the relationship with TG Lynes? 

Here at Billi, we strive to be the best business in our markets and to continually improve, continue to grow, and be the product choice for our customers. Working with TG Lynes as our stockist since late 2022 has been an excellent partnership and opportunity for our customers to source our Billi products from TG Lynes stock along with the other products they provide. 

And finally, tell us something we wouldn’t know about Billi Taps? 

Founded in Australia, the name derived from the Australian billycan which is commonly known as a billy. The billy can is a cooking pot, which is used for boiling water or cooking over a campfire. Moreover, Billi designed the world’s first under-counter boiling and chilled drinking water system. 

Interested? Contact the TG Lynes sales team on 0208 216 1900.

Management Accountant Lindy McChesney-Tilley says the increased number of women at TG Lynes – particularly in senior roles – has helped to bring diversity and balance to the business.

Lindy started at TG Lynes as an accounts assistant in 2007 and has worked her way up in today’s five-strong accounting team.

Lindy was one of only four women in the business when she first joined – and she was the very first to work in the warehouse.

Reflecting on her career on International Women’s Day, Lindy said: “The company was much smaller at the time so during the busy summer months everyone in the office would chip in and help with picking and packing after 3pm until close.

“Warehouses are historically male-dominated environments and 15 years ago I was the first woman they had seen picking and packing.

“As it was something new, not everyone was comfortable with it. I was keen to help the team though and quickly reassured some of the sceptics that I could do the job to their high standards.

“Eventually I won them round and was accepted – and I’m really pleased I did that. In a small way I helped pave the way for other women to work in the warehouse.”

Lindy, who worked in fast food retail before joining TG Lynes, said she is pleased to see more women working at the business, from delivery drivers to members of the senior management team.

“It helps to bring balance to the business,” said Lindy, who lives in Harlow. “If you work with a group of people and they are all the same sex or race it can cause people to clash. You need diversity, and it’s good that people bring different views, too.

“I have seen big improvements at TG Lynes in my decade-and-a-half. The diversity of the workforce was starting to improve as I joined, but it really accelerated when we became part of the Grafton Group in 2015.

“When I left school there were obvious barriers to what women could achieve but it is changing.

“Sheryl Kara Sandberg (former chief operating officer of Meta Platforms) is a hero of mine because she is a champion of women in the workplace. She inspires me to want to progress in my own career.”

Lindy said she has enjoyed being part of TG Lynes’ growth, adding: “Being part of a large corporation has meant we have enjoyed a nicer working environment and a better structure.

“There are benefits for colleagues as well such as the wellness programme, which is well used.

“I am enjoying my job and hope to keep pushing on in the years to come.”

TG Lynes Managing Director Andrew Ingram has spoken of the importance of equality, diversion and inclusion within the business – and the goals for the next seven years.

Leading heating, plumbing and air movement supplier TG Lynes has made significant strides towards building a more diverse workforce, particularly since becoming part of the Grafton Group in 2015.

Celebrating International Women’s Day this week, Andrew said: “Diversity and inclusion is a high priority for TG Lynes. That is a goal we were already striving towards but it has accelerated since we became part of Grafton Group.

“Our individuals do not need to mask who they are. We want them to be their authentic selves and we’re committed to treating everyone equally regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

“Having people from a range of backgrounds has been very beneficial to the business. It helps to have a variety of thoughts and ideas to draw from.

“International Women’s Day gives us a chance to reflect and celebrate the progress that has been made in TG Lynes and our industry as a whole, as well as reaffirming our goals for the future.”

TG Lynes recently appointed Gurcu Karakurt onto the senior management team, becoming the first female to hold the position.

The company is also welcoming the first female Finance Director to the team in the coming weeks while there are other women in senior positions, including Management Accountant Lindy McChesney-Tilley and Warehouse Supervisor Donna Hart.

Andrew added: “The most important thing is we have the best calibre of people in the right roles – and we give people the chance to build their careers with us.”

Grafton Group has made a series of pledges to continue improving diversity between now and 2030, including a year on year increase in percentage of colleagues that are female.

The Group also plans to be in the top 100 in the FTSE 250 for board diversity by 2030.

TG Lynes stocks industry leading brands and supplies thousands of products including valves, steel and copper tubes and fittings, press systems, composite and plastic plumbing, drainage solutions and support systems and tooling. An extensive plant hire service is also available.

Gurcu Karakurt has spoken of her pride of being the first female member of TG Lynes’ senior management team in the business’ history.

Gurcu was promoted to Commercial Manager last year after seven years at the company.

It meant she became the first woman to sit at the table for the regular meetings of TG Lynes’ five-strong leadership team.

It is further evidence of the significant strides TG Lynes has made around inclusion and diversity in recent years, particularly since becoming part of the Grafton Group in 2015.

Gurcu said: “I am very proud to be making a little bit of history within the company. I hope it paves the way for more women to be part of the senior management team in the future.

“I am fortunate to have never felt disadvantaged as a woman in work – but I am very aware that is not the case for everyone.

“International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate the achievements of women – and to accept there is still more to be done to reach true equality.

“Diversity at TG Lynes has improved noticeably even during my seven years with the business, and that can only be a positive.”

Gurcu started at TG Lynes as Procurement Executive/ Data Analyst before being promoted to Commercial Supervisor and later Commercial Manager.

Her current role focuses on procurement as well as managing buyers, suppliers, prices and margins.

Gurcu praised TG Lynes for its support when she had her twins in 2019.

“I began my maternity leave in 2019 and then Covid meant I couldn’t return to my job at the time,” she said.

“TG Lynes agreed to extend my leave and then, when I could finally return, they were flexible with hybrid working.

“TG Lynes is so supportive as a business. I never felt excluded, and my input was always valued.

“If anyone wants to work, regardless of gender, race or any other difference, they should be able to. TG Lynes puts that belief into practice.”

Gurcu said she is enjoying her new role and is happy at the business.

“I have much more responsibility now and it is more challenging, but feel more content than ever before,” she said.

“Despite being an industry leader and part of a larger group of businesses, TG Lynes has still retained its family feel. Everyone is close and it’s a good place to be.”