Birmingham Business Post Edition 36

Edition36 The Midlands Leading Business & Lifestyle Publication

Tel: 08000 807 809 Email: hello@birminghambusinesspost.co.uk

www.birminghambusinesspost.co.uk

Tel: 08000 807 809 Email: hello@birminghambusinesspost.co.uk

www.birminghambusinesspost.co.uk

31494 HPD:Eviva Services Ltd HPD 28/09/2012 15:19 Page 1

• •

EVIVA Services Ltd has taken off in a massive way since its launch just over two years ago - and that’s not just because one of its happy customers is Birmingham Airport.

It was only in March 2010 that David Lee, after 17 years working for other electrical contractors, established Eviva to offer electrical and mechanical services to commercial and industrial businesses - and it has sparked into a £500,000 turnover concern employing 10 people.

Powering its success is the customer survey, conducted shortly after being established and whose findings have, ever since, guided Eviva’s modus operandi.

“We asked what clients looked for in a business to help us understand what we needed to do to create new opportunities,” explains David. “We could then establish 10 areas which were critical to their deciding who they wanted to support them.

“Using their comments we have tried to implement a company ethos that stands out from that of our competitors.”

A key finding was that a low cost service was not the driving force behind clients’ choice of supplier - with 70% ruling that out.

“It was the overall perception and service they had, from initial enquiry to programming and executing the work to a high standard and knowing that they had the reassurance of a quality service,” says David.

The other key elements were: • Time Keeping.

Overcharging.

Dishonesty – claiming a total rewire is required rather than upgrading a distribution board.

• Attitude – how the client would like to be treated.

• Poor workmanship.

• Lack of respect for property.

• Lack of written information – quotations that don’t cover what work is being carried out and what hasn’t been included.

• Failure to admit responsibility when things go wrong – things do go wrong, it is how they’re dealt with that affects the perception of a company.

• Scruffy and dirty appearance – no corporate wear and untidy and dirty vehicles.

• Incessant talking – not listening to what the client really wants.

“Many also appreciated that we had pushed our company to gain accreditations including; NICEIC, Chas and Constructionline,” adds David.

Today, from its Solihull base, Eviva provides a comprehensive range of electrical services to the region’s industries, including: Installation, equipment power relocation, maintenance, testing and inspection, refurbishment and energy saving lighting installations.

Its biggest customer is Birmingham Airport, to whom, as its recognised business partner Eviva brings expertise, knowledge and service.

“As its nominated electrical contractor we carry out electrical services throughout the terminals and on the runway, installing and maintaining various systems including, general power, lighting, emergency lighting, fire alarms, PA/VA, Data and AGL Lighting (runway lighting),” says David proudly.

“The airport has benefitted from Eviva, thanks to our fast out-ofhours response to its critical operations as well as our personal service.”

Its airport work has also demonstrated the company’s ability to diversify within the industry, flexibility that has served it well through the harsh economic climate.

“It’s been a tough time in the construction industry but we have found that as companies’ budgets get tighter, we are able to offer external support to in-house maintenance engineers who are modifying and upgrading systems rather than installing costly new systems, thus allowing spending in other areas,” says David.

“We are always looking to grow our business and build relationships with new clients by offering a service tailored to their needs.”

For more details about Eviva and its services, visit www.evivaservices.co.uk Alternatively telephone 0121 695 9581 or email hello@evivaservices.co.uk

Birmingham Edition 36 Contents pg:Layout 1 16/01/2013 12:45 Page 1

C O N T E N T S

Birmingham Business Post Welcome to edition 36 of the Birmingham Business Post showcasing the best of business and comment throughout the region.

In this edition we continue to discuss the issues and strategies surrounding the implementation of the Government’s new Workplace Pension Scheme.

We celebrate the role Engineering plays in the prosperity of our region, and discuss the role that the new apprenticeship schemes are playing in securing the future of many of our core industries.

We look at the role exhibitions and trade shows play in promoting our businesses, fleet management, with a particular emphasis on security, and commercial property.

We also feature an interview with Theo Paphitis discussing the expansion of his lingerie chain, Boux Avenue and the philosophy behind it.

In our next edition we will continue to review the implementation of the Government’s Pension Reforms, Recruitment issues, and the role our regional airports play, including an interview with Henri Hourcade, the General Manager of KLM and Air France.

Birmingham Business Post 11 Canalside Office Complex, Lowesmoor Wharf, Worcester WR1 2RR Tel: 08000 807 809 Fax: 01905 726 467 E: hello@birminghambusinesspost.co.uk W: www.birminghambusinesspost.co.uk Publisher: PIL (Europe) Limited Print & Design: Heron Press UK ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduction in whole or part prohibited without permission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictorial media for this publication are sent at owners risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PIL (Europe) Limited or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorial submissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope.

DISCLAIMER Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, PIL (Europe) Limited cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication.

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor.

Rice Media Zoober Aon Art Attack Design Associates FinditinBirmingham Winning Moves Wilson Field QualitySolicitors Talbots Ballard Dale Syree Watson Salhan Accountants Coface IMSM Finance 4 Business Envantage Positive Outcomes GB Training Walker Health & Safety Services Shires Fire and Safety Ltd Eversheds FSC Investment Services Limited RSM Tenon BROADSTONE Smith & Williamson Johnson Fleming Travel de Courcey H&S Haulage and Storage Ltd Albany Equipment Heinrich Georg Denner Kelford Grinding Mellish Engineering Services Ltd Windsor Materials Handling Spline Gauges Nimgrove Holbourne Industrial Plastics Ltd Chapmans Garden Machinery Phoenix Balancing Ltd Mills CNC Ltd ABB Select Catering Solutions Kingston Commercial Property Consultants Aston Builders Ltd Renray Healthcare E. C. Joseph & Sons LTD VPS - The Vacant Property Specialists The Old Rectory Care Home Hoar Cross Nursing Home Europa Worldwide Logistics etc.venues Roundhouse Events Donington Park The LG Arena Hogarths Hotel & Restaurant Theo Paphitis Brittons Colonel Mustards The Vaults

4 5 6 8 9 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 38 40 43 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 58 59 60 62 64 66 67 68 70 71 72 74 75 76 77 78

31462 1pg_Feature Template 11/12/2012 15:48 Page 1

4

31674 1pg_Feature Template 21/12/2012 10:36 Page 1

Online Marketing Training Courses Zoober offers varying levels of training, designed to suit anyone from internet marketing novices, to companies with an advanced understanding, looking to optimise their online performance. Courses last from 1 to 6 days.

Basic A step-by-step understanding of how to harness the basics of digital marketing, social media and online activities, to generate concrete improvements in sales results.

Need to make more sales online? Inbound marketing is the answer Online and digital marketing is on everybody’s mind at the moment. Social media, blogs and the Internet... but can they make a concrete difference to business? Zoober Digital Training offers a range of courses aimed at professionals and companies looking to make Internet marketing work for them.

“Zoober gave us a brilliant introduction into online marketing. We’ve been able to get to grips with social media, inbound and content marketing. Most importantly for me, we’ve also been able to cut down on marketing spend and see a much better ROI.” Frank Lovett (MD, Capital Badges)

Advanced A more in-depth exploration of employing inbound marketing to transform your business. This training course is thorough; attendees leave as Certified Inbound Marketing Professionals.

Bespoke Everything you learn will be highly tailored to your business, effectively producing a bespoke online marketing strategy for your company.

“Going through Zoober meant that we were left with a thorough understanding of where we wanted to get and how to get there, and a robust digital marketing strategy we could never have done on our own. The improvements speak for themselves.”

Sally Lucas (Executive Director, CWT)

The inbound approach Zoober teaches business owners and marketing executives how to get more leads and customers in less time, at lower cost. You learn a tried-and-tested method, employed to great success by established marketing consultancy Tomorrow People, Zoober’s sister company.

The inbound marketing approach helps you create an online presence that attracts people in the market for your products and services, be they anything from financial services to electrical goods. Course attendees learn how to use content — articles, blogs and videos, social media, targeted emails — to take online prospects from browsing to buying.

Zoober digital training courses teach these essential skills: 1

Listening: How to use the internet and social media as a tool to learn about your market and your customers’ demands

2

Creating: The secret to creating content that informs, entertains or helps your prospects, building their trust and keeping your business front-of-mind.

3

Engaging: How to use social networks like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, to build a loyal community and get to know your target audience so you can deliver results.

4

Transforming: Using lead nurturing and technology, you can judge how far along each online prospect is on the buying cycle, and act when they are ready to buy.

5

Growing: Greater return-on-investment (ROI) and lower marketing costs are the aims of the inbound marketing approach. Learn how to monitor results and update your strategy in order to continue growing and improving.

Kickstart your online marketing now...

FREE EGUIDE Did you realise LinkedIn is a great way to attract customers and win business?

Visit this exclusive webpage for your free how-to guide: www.zooberdigitaltraining.co.uk/free-linkedin-guide

6 toays to 6 GWeanyesW etaedsLeads L r a e t a r e Gen UsLiningkeLdinIn kedIn Using

5

31514 Aon Services_Feature Template 10/01/2013 16:44 Page 1

winningtogether in Birmingham Aon plc is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services.

Stuart already works on a number of the area's key accounts and his in-depth knowledge and understanding of both insurer and client needs ensures that we are able to continue to help and support the region's business community.

Aon is committed to strengthening its regional network across the UK and the Birmingham hub is a critical part of this.”

Stuart’s arrival coincides with a move into new premises at Colmore Gate, which was formally launched on Wednesday 14th November 2012 at a gathering attended by prominent members of the business community and prestigious clients, including Andy Myers, CFO of the McLaren Group.

The Aon Risk Solutions Group is going through some exciting changes. As part of their long term investment in Birmingham and the Midlands, Aon Risk Solutions, the global risk management business of Aon plc, has appointed Stuart Hutchings as Branch Director for Aon Risk Solutions’ Birmingham office.

Stuart was previously responsible for leading the Bristol office and has worked at Aon for the last 10 years of a 28 year career in insurance.

Craig Preston, Area Director, welcoming the appointment, said: “I am delighted that Stuart will now be leading our Birmingham office. Stuart has a proven track record of delivering excellence and value to our clients.

It is an illustration of Aon's depth of talent that we are able to make such a crucial appointment from within.

6

New open plan style offices bring Aon’s various Birmingham departments and 300 employees together under one roof, including the teams that previously occupied the building at Edmond Street, providing risk management solutions and HR business to clients from industries as diverse as manufacturing through to education There is a real buzz in the new offices; Craig Preston explained the open-plan layout is leading to even better customer service now that the different teams are able to liaise face to face. The relationships being forged in the new environment are resulting in improved communication both internally and with clients.

“This allows us to collaborate more and act effectively as one firm,” agrees Stuart Hutchings, adding that all the changes, including his own arrival and that of other employees were probably the biggest challenges Aon Birmingham has faced this year.

Founded in Chicago 25 years ago, Aon is the world’s largest insurance broker and risk advisor, looking predominately after commercial clients.

31514 Aon Services_Feature Template 10/01/2013 16:44 Page 2

The company, which takes its name from the Gaelic word for oneness, has grown by acquisition and now has 62,000 employees in 120 countries worldwide and, thanks to its legacy firms, has had a presence in Birmingham for centuries.

Aon leads the world in providing risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, human resources solutions and outsourcing services.

Backed by broad resources, industry knowledge and technical expertise, its professionals help a wide range of clients develop effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions.

Craig Preston

For further information about the company and its services, visit www.aon.com.

To contact the Birmingham office, telephone 01212 62 5000 7

31551 QPD_Art Attack QPD 1pg 06/11/2012 10:11 Page 1

Unfortunately he was made redundant but, undaunted, he set up Art Attack and has never looked back.

During its first few years he was constantly being asked for signage which he would broker out to other signage companies.

However, 10 years ago, he ended up buying out the one with which he worked the most and now provides full signage solutions himself.

Key to his operation is his dedication to providing other businesses with a highly personal service that will help them serve their own customers’ needs and sell to the target audience.

D E S I G N A S S O C I AT E S

“I serve people like Joe Bloggs builder who’s dealing directly with the public to companies which are turning over millions and millions.

ly ture supp als ri g the fu Shapin marine mate of

6th

ele

men

t Pa

intb

all

m aluminiu eel st stainless alloys copper sites compo plastics

I U M P R E M

S M E N

“I can undertake projects for medium-sized businesses who want to reestablish their brand or manage their existing print requirement,” Roland promises.

Bi lford, Bir int, Ho w.r xus Po 4 4558 ww 34 Way, Ne Elliott 41 F: 0121 6 11 0121 35

WH

Will Harrington S

tyres t yres

UBER

T:

O

L

I

C

I

T

O

R

S

& Co.

“I can produce business cards, brochures, catalogues, general stationery, advertising - anything that goes into print production.

“I will do all the design work and also manage the facility for it - that is I can produce some of the printing in-house and, if not, I will buy in the printing at an extremely competitive rate.”

Such is his expertise that Roland doesn’t just have customers for his print services from the Midlands, his design work is sought after all over the world, especially in America, Germany and France.

R E L A P PA

m i c r o t r a d i n g

ROLAND Smith has really put the art into Art Attack Design Associates.

His skill and expertise, honed throughout a 25-year career which began straight out of school, are at the heart of this successful Birmingham business offering professional design services.

Customers keep returning to Roland, knowing that their projects are in safe and creative hands.

“The biggest reason for my repeat business is the cost competitive customer service I provide,” he says. “I’ve never missed an advertising deadline for a company and will jump through hoops for customers.”

If you have a project you wish to discuss with Roland, or would like to find out more about his services, telephone 0121 357 0773 or email design@artattack.org.uk.

Corporate Brand Identity Multimedia Production Brand Development Advertising Media

His creative flair is also much in demand - one of his greatest delights is seeing clients using Art Attack designs originally produced more than 10 years ago.

Packaging Design

Based in George Road, Great Barr, Art Attack provides a complete range of design services such as:

Print Production Graphic Design

•

Graphic design; including brand design and management, printed material management and production, illustration and technical illustration.

•

Advertising design and placement.

•

Packaging.

•

Signage; design manufacture and installation.

•

Vehicle livery

•

In-house large format printing.

•

In-house small run digital printing.

•

In-house vinyl printing.

•

Web site design.

Although Roland has worked on some projects with associate designers, all of the above are his area of expertise, the result of a craft he began as a 16 year-old school leaver.

“The studio I worked for specialised in brand development, graphic design and technical illustration and my seven-year apprenticeship covered all that work and undertaking print ready artwork,” remembers Roland, now 41. “I was also trained in packaging design,producing artwork for packaging, screen printing.”

8

“I can create a market brand and image to serve the sector they’re in,” Roland explains. “You don’t want create something full of panache when they’re trying to sell things at bargain prices but, if it’s a company with a turnover that’s in the millions and they want to serve companies that are world recognized, then I’ll create a brand which does that.

THE COMPLETE SERVICE

Signs Exhibitions

Website Design

D E S I G N A S S O C I AT E S

T. 0121 357 0773 F. 0121 358 6882 E. design@artattack.org.uk W. artattack.org.uk George Road Great Barr Birmingham B43 6LG

31659 1pg Right Hand Pg_FSC Investments Services Ltd QPD 1pg 19/12/2012 10:21 Page 1

9

31596 2pg_Feature Template 13/12/2012 13:20 Page 1

In exciting news for businesses, Winning Moves, the international business support consultancy, has launched Winning Portal, a free to use online business support portal showcasing national and local support, offering a one stop shop for information and guidance. http://winning.co.uk

showing that businesses that engage with Winning Moves benefit from an increase in profits of up to £75,000. Our clients include government agencies, Birmingham City Council, National Skills Academies, the Australian Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.”

Winning Moves was established in 1996 and has offices in Birmingham and Stafford. The company provides, amongst other things, 1-2-1 consultancy services for businesses to help them to start and grow.

For an example of a project undertaken with Birmingham City Council; in 2010 Enterprising Communities asked Winning Moves to provide in depth business support to retail businesses in the Fox and Goose Shopping Centre, based in the Hodge Hill constituency of Birmingham, classified as one of the most deprived areas in England.

In the early days the business started by delivering a management development programme that aimed to solve business problems through developing people. The business grew rapidly as it picked up a number of management best practice programmes that were delivered on behalf of central government.

Since then, they have focused on delivering high-quality consulting and coaching; experiential learning through their accredited training programmes; and tools and methodologies that improve the impact that their consultants have with clients.

Adrian Davies, CEO, says: “The solutions and support we provide to businesses are proven to generate results with independent research

10

Winning Moves worked with the businesses to creatively review their products and services, consider their current and potential markets as well as assessing the overall shopping experience they were delivering. The support provided was bespoke to the individual needs of the business and was all about helping them to differentiate themselves and their offering in order to stand out from the crowd.

Winning Moves’ successful “tool kit” includes on line support for businesses as well as 1-2-1 consultancy and training support for businesses that encourages them to challenge their perspectives and operations and enables them to achieve their growth potential.

31596 2pg_Feature Template 13/12/2012 13:20 Page 2

Presently, Winning Moves is delivering a number of activities to support businesses in Birmingham and the Midlands, including: Growth Accelerator, a national programme, funded by BIS and designed to help ambitious businesses double their turnover in three years.

As the word spreads about the Winning Moves way, the company are very excited to launch http://winning.co.uk which the company is using to help businesses start and grow by putting their knowledge online (for free!).

The company has impressive plans for the future, over the next few years they plan to move to different ways of working.

Historically they have worked directly with client businesses in delivering growth consultancy and mentoring, and while this will remain at the core of their practice and remains extremely important to them, different ways of working, such as http://winning.co.uk, will enable them to do other things.

Adrian explained that the extension of their services will include: “Using the best practice we have developed to improve the service offered by other consultancies or business support intermediaries.

The Local Enterprise Partnerships represent a group of organisations that we want to work with. We have considerable experience of programme design and delivery; we have well established tools and techniques; and we believe we can accelerate their speed to market as well as improve the impact they can make.

Enterprise Catalyst, delivered on behalf of Birmingham City Council’s Enterprising Communities Team and part funded by ERDF. This programme gives businesses support to develop their strategic direction and assistance in accessing funding of up to £10,000 to support business growth.

“Making our knowledge available online; as a knowledge-based business it is scary to put what you know online, in the public domain; for all to view and review. However, our mission is to “make a real and measurable difference to business performance” and giving other businesses a boost or foot up from what we know is exactly why we exist.”

Adrian doesn’t underestimate the impact of the banking crisis on the business. “The banking crisis of 2007, that saw a bailout of the banks, meant that our customer had no money. Our public sector funders had no money and we saw what could have been a ‘catastrophic’ drop in turnover. We are an innovative business that is financially prudent and these things meant that – unlike many of our competitors – we were able to come through this period. Our business is once again growing rapidly and is very strong.”

The delivery of benchmarking, through Winning Moves proprietary software suite, Benchmark Index.

Provision of software, tools, content and skills development for other business support providers.

® Zoë Wallis, General Manager explained that the company was going through a second period of high growth as other business support organisations seek to benefit from the tools and approaches Winning Moves have developed; using them with their clients.

She said: “It is easy to take for granted what you do. When other people value what you do and want to replicate it, you know you must be doing something right. We now have clients all over the world that we train in the delivery of our consulting approaches and in the use of our tools. Over 30,000 businesses have experienced the Winning Moves way of doing things”

0121 285 3800 www.winningmoves.com http://winning.co.uk Winning Moves Ltd Baskerville House Centenary Square Birmingham B1 2ND Winning Moves Ltd 3 St Mary’s Mews Stafford ST16 2AP

11

31594 QPD:Wilson Field QPD 1pg 15/01/2013 11:02 Page 1

No matter whether it’s a sole trader, partnership or larger business in trouble, Wilson Field is here to help.

“We aim to remove the black clouds and show you how to take control of your finances, get back onto a sound footing and start to sleep at night again,” assures Nick.

From opening its first office with just a handful of people in 2001, Wilson Field now has additional offices in the West Midlands, Manchester and Leeds and more than 80 staff.

They comprise seven insolvency practitioners and a large team of experienced and dedicated professionals, including staff with a wealth of experience in the accountancy, finance, factoring and banking sectors”

Photo : Nick Wilson (Managing Director) and James Mortimore (Director of Business Development).

THE last few years of tough trading conditions have tested some of the country’s oldest, well-established and biggest businesses.

Not all of them have survived - so it’s good to know that those still battling to stay afloat and navigate the inclement economic climate can call on the experts of Wilson Field to come aboard and help.

One of the leading independent business recovery, insolvency and personal debt practices in the UK, Wilson Field has been instrumental in helping others to climb out of the seemingly deepest of pits.

In the last nine months, Wilson Field saved more than 1,250 jobs and 70 businesses nationwide. Last year the company returned more than £5.5m to creditors.

It’s an impressive result for a company which, managing director Nick Wilson admits, finds its greatest business challenge is operating in a niche area with most people having limited knowledge of what it does and how it does it.

“Our potential clients are often very stressed and resistant to marketing,” he adds. “We realise it can be a worrying time and a daunting task trying to resolve financial problems, but that is our specialism.

“We understand how easy it is to find yourself or your business facing problems. It doesn’t matter whether it is a serious cash flow shortage or difficulty paying personal credit cards repayments, we can help and advise you.”

“We listen to your problems and talk through what options are available to address and solve them.

“We explain how they will affect you in practical terms and how you can regain control of your finances.”

12

Photo : Neil Jeeves (Business Consultant based in the West Midlands).

“Wilson Field has built up relationships and links with many banks and other financial organizations. This opens up many funding solutions,” says Nick.

Its success in helping businesses turnaround allows Wilson Field to face the future with confidence and it plans to expand its existing offices and open more offices on the east coast and north east regions.

It is also set to expand and develop Wilson Field Financial Solutions, the division which helps businesses identify appropriate sources of finance.

Photo : Nick Wilson (Managing Director).

Nick says: “Our vision is to continue to provide the highest levels of advice and service to clients and partners and never to compromise these in achieving our growth objectives.

“Despite our rapid success, we retain a family friendly feel which puts employees and clients at the heart of everything we strive to achieve.”

For further information on how the company can help your business, visit www.wilsonfield.co.uk. Alternatively call Neil Jeeves on 01564 711581 for some free advice. n.jeeves@wilsonfield.co.uk

31610 QPD 1pg:Quality Solicitors QPD 1pg 15/01/2013 11:02 Page 1

Photo: Vic Younis and Martyn Morgan prepare to take on the Faceless Solicitors at a recent PR event in Birmingham

Photo: Talbots arranges many charity events - such as this lunch where Martyn Morgan (left) joined with celebrity Adrian Chiles

Ask QualitySolicitors Talbots to state their case and the response is people - pure and simple.

Human contact, direct access, immediate response and an active charity fund-raising programme - no wonder clients become friends for life.

This is not an offshoot of a multi-million pound organisation filled with faceless distant lawyers - you’ve only got to look at the 50+ smiling team photos on the company website for proof of that.

This is a thriving legal practice with roots in the early 1800s but which is a modern, go-ahead concern that’s fighting back against the challenges posed by the 21st century.

It’s not just the recession and government reductions in access to Legal Aid, explains Senior Partner Martyn Morgan.

“In October 2011, the legal market was opened up to enable other approved bodies like banks, supermarkets and motoring organisations to offer legal services such as will-making, conveyancing and divorce,” he says.

“However QualitySolicitors Talbots is determined to show that it is far better to deal with innovative, forward-thinking and personable solicitors for specialist advice and to keep it local, rather than faceless lawyers from across the country.”

Established in 1828, the practice has more than140 staff, with offices in Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Codsall offering the full range of legal services.

They include: family and children advice, divorce , separation, residential property, trusts, estates and will-making, business services, dispute resolution, debt collection, mediation, motoring offences, court hearings and police station attendances.

A proud holder of Lexcel and Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditations, it is also a several-times nominee for Birmingham Law Society Law Firm of the Year awards.

With the common complaint about many law firms being that it’s hard to speak to an actual lawyer, QualitySolicitors Talbots, which puts customer services at the heart of everything it does, gives pride of place to direct contact.

“Our clients have a named lawyer with responsibility for their matter,” insists Martyn. “They have their direct email and, where possible, a direct dial number too.

“Of course there are times when a lawyer is busy. For example if they’re at court or in a meeting, but then there will be others in the team available and they will be familiar with your details.”

The rule is simple - to speak to the lawyer running your case, just pick up the phone.

Martyn adds: “You will never feel like an inconvenience. We’ll respond to any questions on the same day.”

First contact with the legal experts is always free, giving people the opportunity to discuss their legal worries fully and Martyn promises that once work begins, costs will be fully outlined at the start.

What will also be clear is the language. “We use plain and simple words, not legal jargon,” he smiles. “The law is complicated enough.”

The clear, easy and friendly approach has served the practice well through the centuries and will continue to carry it forward.

“We see our greatest business success in terms of the staff, the clients we serve, who often become clients and friends for life, the excellence of our service and our contributions to charity,” says Martyn.

With Saturday opening and extended week-days from 8am to 6pm another boost to the direct and easy access philosophy, it’s no surprise that QualitySolicitors Talbots is the first choice for so many requiring legal help and advice. Case closed in fact.

For further information on the practice, its services and individual office contact details, visit www.qualitysolicitors.com/talbots Tel: 0800 118 1500 13

31628 2pg_Feature Template 18/12/2012 10:21 Page 1

Chartered Accountants

A lively, well established accountancy practice based in Droitwich, Worcestershire, Ballard Dale Syree Watson have their clients’ fiscal and commercial well being at the core of their practice.

may be quicker and generally liked but some clients still prefer all business communications to be in writing, the balance is usually about 50/50. Business critical communication is, however, always face to face or by telephone.

Ballards specialise in assisting not only owner managed and family run firms but also large corporate entities operating inside and outside of the UK. The firm is particularly well known for its personal taxation and planning department and have well established links with banks and lending institutions.

“We definitely see our advanced tax department as something that sets us apart from our competitors” says Mr Jones, “Tax minimisation is something that all of clients look for and the key to this is understanding what the client is looking to achieve short, medium and long term. We have invested a considerable amount of money in attracting the very best tax specialists in the area and are looking to build on this success even further going forward”

Steven Jones welcomes the 2012 graduate intake Accountancy is changing and has become an exciting, varied and very personal profession, based not just on tax expertise, but the provision of expert business advice.

The partners all came originally from larger well known firms but became frustrated at the limited time available to actually spend with clients.

This frustration led to the ethos behind Ballards, one of putting the client at the centre of what they do. This more personal approach, where the accountant can address specific issues and concerns is greatly appreciated by clients.

It is the investment in new technology, resulting in considerable time saving on the bread and butter number crunching that enables the practice to implement their policy of increased face to face time.

The policy is paying dividends with many new clients being attracted away from larger firms by Ballards being able to offer the same or better service at lower rates, evidently better value.

As the company expands, recruitment has become a priority and Steven Jones Business Development Director explained that their trainees are drawn from a wide range of graduate backgrounds. He said “We look for the right set of analytical skills, and fresh ways of thinking”. Of the four graduates recently taken on as audit and accounts trainees three have a background in Chemistry, and one in Dance!

Ballards hit just the right balance between the professional and the personal; their policy of keeping clients informed by their preferred method for non-business critical is illustrative, email

The practice is also particularly well equipped to assist the medical sector. Jeremy Syree (Partner) is also ICAEW Chairman of the Healthcare Special Interests Group which gives clients access to the latest information regarding NHS changes.

Also Matthew Watson (Partner) who heads up the Medical Team represents circa 50 GP practices in the region, 500 medical based organisations and individuals both locally and on a National basis, allowing the team to focus on sector specific issues.

Ballard Dale Syree Watson offer over 30 years of experience in helping clients maximise their profits, manage their business efficiently and reduce their ever increasing tax burdens.

The firm is also delighted to have Mark Skellum recently join from Ernst & Young. Mark has joined as Senior Manager Audit & Accounts.

Mr Skellum qualified as a chartered accountant in 2001 whilst working with Top 10 firm BDO Stoy Hayward later moving to Big 4 firm Ernst & Young. He based his decision to move to an independent firm on being able to work more closely with clients and to be able to spend more time with them on a strategic level.

“Although working with large national firms has given me excellent training and experience, I am looking forward to being able to work more closely with clients and to get to know what really makes them tick. Ultimately, I am bringing the same large firm know how and experience at a dramatically reduced cost” Mr Skellum said.

Mark Skellum, FCA

For more information please visit their website

www.ballardsca.com or telephone on 01905 794504

14

31628 2pg_Feature Template 18/12/2012 10:21 Page 2

T=A+E-J Trust

Advice

Expertise

Jargon

An Addition That Gets The Correct Results

Chartered Accountants

01905 794 504 www.ballardsca.com

15

31627 1pg:Transport Warehousing 15/01/2013 10:48 Page 1

Salhan Accountants named Business of the Year with third accolade in 18 months

Managing Director Madan Salhan said: "To be shortlisted for such a prestigious award was fantastic news, but to be named as the winner is a great honour and a testament to the hard work of everyone at Salhan Accountants."

Director Anjulika Salhan, who also heads sister company Salhan Consultancy Ltd, said: "As a firm, we have worked extremely hard to develop a wide range of specialist services for our diverse client base. To have all this hard work recognised with this award is wonderful news."

This is the third awards success for Salhan Accountants in the past year and a half, with the firm having won Entrepreneur of the Year at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group Business Awards in April this year, as well as being highly commended in the Best General Tax Practice category at the 2011 Taxation Awards, recognised as a gold standard of excellence within the tax sector.

Not just another accountancy firm, the practice is frequently called upon to assist clients referred by other accountancy and legal practices. As well as having a number of former HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff among its team, Salhan Accountants draw on the skills and expertise of a wide range of consultants in order to provide a complete business solution for its clients.

Birmingham-based specialist Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisors, Salhan Accountants is celebrating its third awards success in 18 months after being named Business of the Year at the Institute of Asian Businesses (IAB) Awards.

The firm was presented with the prestigious accolade during a ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on 17 November as part of the IAB’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

Salhan Accountants won the award on the strength of its growth over the past year, as well as its wide range of specialist services, including forensic accountancy, tax litigation, tax fraud investigations and VAT investigations. The firm is also launching a new asset protection service, covering issues such as inheritance tax, creditors, divorce, cohabitation, business failure, litigation and disputes, long-term care, high net worth individuals and Sharia law.

In order to expand services to clients still further the firm has two sister companies, Salhan Consultancy Ltd and Wealth Administration Ltd. The company has also recently launched its specialist website www.taxation-investigation.co.uk to offer its further tax investigation services.

Salhan Consultancy is headed by Dr Anjulika Salhan, a mathematician of international repute, who has a wealth of experience in delivering professional mathematical solutions.

This company provides highly specialised, tailor-made mathematical solutions for finance, business and industry, as well as mathematical analysis and forensic audits of consumer credit agreements, using the practice's own bespoke algorithm and computer software.

Wealth Administration provides specialist services relating to estate planning, inheritance tax planning, trusts and wills. The company's bespoke solutions are designed to help clients make the most of their money by planning ahead in the most tax-efficient way.

Voted for by their peers, Salhan Accountants are the experts to consult on all aspects of tax and accountancy.

Contact by telephone, 0121 607 1901, Email: enquiries@salhanaccountants.co.uk or visit the web site for more information.

www.salhanaccountants.co.uk www.taxation-investigation.co.uk 16

31658 1pg_Carford Group 07/01/2013 09:41 Page 1

• Prevention of future potential losses – approved named buyers are monitored by the insurer throughout the policy period. If detrimental information is obtained, the borrower may be advised so that the credit line on future shipments will either be reduced or discontinued to avoid any potential losses.

Credit insurance more than bad debt protection Grant Williams, Risk Underwriting Director, Coface in the UK & Ireland How credit insurance can make businesses more attractive to commercial lenders A customer’s late payment or insolvency can be crippling for any business. Not only have you lost the revenue from the sale, but the squeeze on your cashflow will make it far more difficult to pay wages, suppliers and invest in growth.

• Protection against excessive credit losses – insurance against excessive credit losses on the debtor book that the business offers as collateral for a loan. •

Loss payee benefit – businesses can name a commercial lender as the beneficiary of any loss payments made under the policy.

Presented with a choice between lending to a company which has taken steps to secure its position and a company whose debtor book leaves it vulnerable to default, you can be sure a lender will prefer the former.

Coface has a variety of credit insurance solutions to suit the cover requirements of most types of businesses whether trading domestically or overseas. We also specialise in providing business and credit information worldwide allowing businesses to make informed decisions about trading on credit terms. Our database holds information on over 55 million companies worldwide.

Additionally we also offer flexible, scalable debt recovery solutions both domestically and overseas.

References:

Cashflow problems are actually a major cause of business failure.

Little wonder that the collapse of one company can cause a ripple effect for creditors down the supply chain, leaving more insolvent companies in its wake.

Credit insurance enables you to be proactive and protect your business against the possibility of a customer’s insolvency or protracted default. For example, despite the fall in company liquidations in England and Wales in the third quarter of 20121, it is likely that many are only keeping their heads above water because of the continued low interest rates.

But credit insurance is not just about protection in bad times.

There is an equally important argument in favour of obtaining credit insurance in order to attract further investment and finance.

In the last few years, the difficulty of obtaining bank finance has become a familiar theme in business surveys. In recent months, efforts have been made to address this situation through initiatives such as the BoE’s Funding for Lending scheme launched in August which aims to increase bank lending by roughly £60bn by January 2014. And there are some grounds for cautious optimism: for example, the latest FSB small business survey showed that a higher proportion of small firms who applied for finance were accepted (49.3 per cent compared to 42.8 percent in Q3)2.

1 Statistics release: insolvencies in the third quarter 2012, The Insolvency Service, 2 November 2012 2 FSB research indicates growth ahead for 2013, FSB, 18 December 2012

&RIDFH IDFLOLWDWLQJ WUDGH ‡ &UHGLW ,QVXUDQFH VROXWLRQV WR SURWHFW GRPHVWLF DQG H[SRUW WUDGLQJ ULVNV ‡ %XVLQHVV DQG FUHGLW LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ RYHU P FRPSDQLHV ZRUOGZLGH ‡ 'HEW UHFRYHU\ VROXWLRQV GRPHVWLF DQG RYHUVHDV

While this is welcome news, your business may not be able to take advantage unless it represents an attractive prospect to potential lenders. One effective way to ensure it does is by taking demonstrable measures to manage your company’s credit risk, such as obtaining credit insurance.

In my experience, a credit-insured business offers the following benefits to commercial lenders: •

Provisions of credit analysis – credit limits on named buyers are thoroughly investigated by trade credit insurance underwriters, eliminating additional detailed work for the lender.

&RQWDFW XV W Z ZZZ FRIDFHXN FRP &RIDFH LV DXWKRULVHG LQ )UDQFH E\ WKH $XWRULWp GH &RQWU{OH 3UXGHQWLHO DQG LQ WKH 8. LV VXEMHFW WR OLPLWHG UHJXODWLRQ E\ WKH )LQDQFLDO 6HUYLFHV $XWKRULW\ 'HWDLOV DERXW WKH H[WHQW RI RXU UHJXODWLRQ E\ WKH )LQDQFLDO 6HUYLFHV $XWKRULW\ DUH DYDLODEOH IURP XV RQ UHTXHVW

17

5224 1pg:CD Engineering 15/01/2013 11:04 Page 1

Information security is a major area critical to the survival of a business. A system that is not secure and maintained with great vigilance is going to be at threat, with catastrophic results.

Ultimate loss of reputation and business are the minimum you would expect as a result, a massive cost that most business will never recover from.

The fall out From a recent Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) survey; 82% of small and 93% of large companies suffered an information security incident in 2010. These incidents typically cost the respective businesses between £27,000 and £690,000. This figure is expected to increase and the exposure will cost dearly.

A breach of information security can result in other cost areas; crippling fines for the business and in certain cases imprisonment may be levied upon the personnel responsible.

Taking cover

Call: 01793 688990 Email: emmabett@imsm.com Web: www.imsm.com

Easy Target In the line of fire Your competition has stolen all of your valued customers from under your nose. You lose business. You are forced to fold.

Your customers’ contact details are like gold dust to the competition. With ease they can know, straight away, what is being sold, to whom and at what price. Why wouldn’t they want to steal it?

In a competitive and threatened marketplace an effective Information Security Management System (ISMS) monitors and maintains your business’ information security. The ISMS for any business must protect the three main areas required of it; confidentiality, integrity and availability.

ISO/ IEC 27001: 2005 Information Security Management Standard has been designed to ensure the correct and effective implementation, operation, maintaining and improving the business ISMS. ISO/ IEC 27001 is the best way of demonstrating to all concerned that you take the security of all your information seriously.

How well is your data protected?

Your information and data resources are one of the most important assets your business holds.

Number 1 target Information and data resources remain a number one target for hackers and cyber criminals; they have a real value in, and from, any marketplace.

Hackers and fraudsters are working overtime, over the Internet, to ensure they can break into the known forms of protection available at any time.

w w w. i ms m . com 18

31700 1pg:Layout 1 14/01/2013 15:52 Page 1

Need help with Commercial or Corporate Finance?

Finance 4 Business is one of the largest, most innovative and respected commercial finance master brokerages in the UK. They are whole of market and completely independent, offering a range of solutions including Commercial Mortgages, Bridging Finance, Development Finance, Buy to Let Mortgages (including Portfolios), Invoice Finance, Factoring, Asset Finance, Secured Loans, General Insurance and Business Protection.

Commercial Mortgages and Bridging Finance have become a substantial and quite specialised growth area for the company, as in today’s restricted financial market, companies looking for short term commercial funding are still finding their choices very limited.

Despite various Government initiatives, SMEs in particular, are still struggling to access affordable funding.

Interest rates have been at a historic low for sometime, and many of the banks have used additional lending as a pretext to restructure existing borrowing, which may not only render the whole project unaffordable, but isn’t actually suitable, if all that is required is a comparatively small, short term loan.

Banks are also extremely cautious, requiring an absolutely squeaky clean profile, or, “the computer says, “No!””

As Russell Martin, Managing Director, explained “Today there is an array of financial products available, but, the trick is matching the correct product or mortgage with the requirements of your business.”

It is their wide market knowledge, and over 100 years of combined experience, that makes them so successful in this “matching” process. They source funding from a wide range of accredited lenders, ranging from the high street to smaller specialist lenders.

They have successfully assisted professionals and businesses of all sizes to achieve their short and long term goals, by using their many years of experience within the market, to review all aspects of the client’s business.

Clients, who have previously been unsuccessful in obtaining funding elsewhere, find by discussing their requirements with Finance 4 Business a bespoke funding solution can be obtained based on their specialist product knowledge and relationships with lenders.

Their clients return to them time and time again, secure in the knowledge that they will receive a totally professional service, overseen right through from application to completion, and recommend them very highly.

Finance 4 Business takes a far more pragmatic and refreshing approach. They sit down with the client to establish their requirements in detail, face to face. Rather like one’s bank manager used to do years ago.

Finance 4 Business is totally professional and absolutely scrupulous, in the application of due diligence, reviewing credit profiles, the directors’ trading history and the overall viability of the business, before any credit application is undertaken.

This way they can assess which lender is most likely to be helpful, and advise the client on any changes to aspects of their business practice, which would improve the application’s chance of success.

To arrange an initial discussion please telephone their new business team on 01827 230 045 or email enquiries@f4b.biz or visit our website www.f4b.biz

19

31639 Envantage Ltd_Feature Template 19/12/2012 10:12 Page 1

For further information, telephone 0161 448 7722 or email savings@envantage.co.uk. To find out more about the company and its full range of services, visit www.envantage.co.uk

ENERGY management consultant Envantage is calling on the region’s businesses to sign up to newly revamped government scheme which will see them save money and help the planet at the same time.

Companies who are eligible for the Climate Change Levy Agreement (CCLA) which comes into force next April will miss out on major savings if they do not have one, warns Envantage MD Colin Hindmarsh.

The CCLA scheme enables energy-intensive industries to claim valuable discounts from the Climate Change Levy in return for agreeing to meet energy reduction targets and qualitative energy and carbon management criteria.

A number of significant changes have been made, including the introduction of much stricter targets. However, if met, increased discount levels of up to 90% are available for electricity and 65% for gas.

“Companies cannot afford to miss this opportunity and should take action now,” declares Colin.

“Here at Envantage we can manage your application to maximise your savings while ensuring that you are compliant.

“Alternatively, for those who already have a CCLA, we can transfer it to a new agreement and ensure that their obligations are met under this one.”

Companies would do well to heed his words - other changes incorporated into the new agreement include an increase in target periods from 12-24 months and the 90/10 rule becoming a 70/30 rule.

20

It’s a complex situation but Envantage’s experts can successfully guide companies through.

“We have a range of experienced consultants with demonstrated knowledge in successfully establishing and managing these complicated agreements over a range of industries,” assures Colin.

“Ensuing your agreement is set up correctly and is effectively managed is paramount to protect compliance in the event of a Department of Energy & Climate Change audit.”

Based in Manchester, Envantage works in all business sectors to offer a wide range of services to encompass all carbon and energy requirements, specialising in carbon management and reduction, carbon legislation and low carbon solutions and procurement.

It’s worked with some of the country’s biggest names, such as Bentley Motors, Ocado and Arnold Clark, helping them to achieve big savings on energy costs and turn noticeably greener.

Taking such steps does not always cost money, insists Colin, adding: “We work with energy suppliers, green fund managers, renewable installers and third party service suppliers to ensure our clients benefit financially from going greener.

“Our sales team is not target or commission driven which means our engineers or consultants never pressure a client to make difficult choices. We simply advise and consult.”

With Envantage ensuring its experts are constantly trained in in new market advancements and developing technologies, the team is always ahead of the game in a fast moving market.

It’s that advance knowledge, combined with a commitment to customer satisfaction, that keeps them in regular contact with clients to advise them on market price, trading, legislation or efficiency changes as they happen.

So if you didn’t know about the new CCLA changes it’s time to find out from one who does. It could be that Envantage will be able to help you make some considerable savings.

31533 1pg new:Transport Warehousing 14/01/2013 20:20 Page 1

Government support for

Apprenticeships Apprenticeships, the buzz word of the moment, tackling both youth unemployment and the looming skills shortage in manufacturing and engineering; currently often being filled from overseas.

Professor Bhattacharyya of the Warwick Manufacturing Group has argued for some time that we don’t need more graduates; we just need more engineers and technicians.

The Government has recognised the need and has put some key initiatives in place resulting in a transformation in the way in which apprenticeships are viewed in this country over recent years.

This is reflected not only in the growth in the number of people –young and adults – successfully completing an Apprenticeship but in the types and styles of businesses taking on apprenticeships for the first time.

More Advanced Level and Higher Apprenticeships are being offered through specialist providers, and supported by colleges and universities meaning that

Apprenticeships increasingly offer a vocational route to the top.

Impressive new businesses and new sectors such as financial and professional services are embracing Apprenticeships in large numbers for the first time. A case in point is the new higher level 4 NVQ qualification being embraced by the PR industry.

It is an exciting time for Apprenticeships and for the National Apprenticeship Service, as the Government continues to invest heavily in Apprenticeships and wider skills development at a time when public finances are very tight.

With more than 665,000 Apprentices in training last year, there is no doubt that Apprenticeships are an increasingly important part of the country’s response to bringing forward a strong economic recovery.

Quality is the key to sustaining growth in Apprenticeships. The recent National Audit Office review has confirmed the excellent return on investment in Apprenticeships.

Some of our major names are offering Advanced Apprenticeships, JLR’s scheme is open to GCSE qualified candidates and starts with a year in college studying for an NVQ2 in Performing Engineering Operations, followed by an NVQ3 in a chosen trade pathway, and a Technical Certificate, as well as training in key skills such as Communication, IT and Numeracy. Apprentices will then go on to fulfil roles in a variety of manufacturing and product development functions.

The Virgin Media apprentice scheme is going from strength to strength, with the main goal being to attract the best young talent into Virgin’s network teams and give them a great learning experience at Virgin Media by helping them to develop quickly in their roles, from a technical and personal perspective.

Smaller businesses too up and down the country are benefiting from the government’s programme. Retailers, builders, caterers, hairdressers and engineers to name a few, are taking the opportunity to transmit their skills to the next generation, and build in the training they need in their own workforce.

The future for apprenticeships is looking bright. In 2012-13 the Government expects to invest around £1.5 billion. This will be used to support over 700,000 apprentices in training in 2012-13, and to deliver up to 500,000 starts, while continuing to increase efficiency and deliver value for money.

www.apprenticeships.org.uk

21

31515 QPD:Postive Outcomes QPD 1pg 15/01/2013 11:23 Page 1

Since its 1996 launch, to offering NVQs in a number of service sectors, Positive Outcomes has gone from strength to strength, experiencing healthy and sustainable growth over the last few years in particular.

It is now one of the top training providers based in the East Midlands with an ever-growing national learner base, with links into more than 200 companies.

Chris joined in 2009 and his strategy to continue growing the business and expand throughout the UK, has seen turnover go from £1.6m to £15.5m in those three years.

TRANSFORMING lives and businesses is all in a day’s work for the Positive Outcomes training experts - and after 16 years they show no sign of stopping.

Things are busier than ever, with the launch of a dedicated website to help match 16 to 18-year-olds with rewarding careers that will allow them to earn a wage while training for nationally recognised qualifications; plus preparations are underway for exhibiting at the UK’s biggest skills and careers event in November.

WorldSkills UK, at Birmingham’s NEC from November 15-17 is a fixed point in the Positive Outcomes diary, as one would expect it to be for one of the country’s top 10 training providers.

This award-winning national organisation offers government-funded apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds, funded work-based learning for existing employees, regardless of age, plus corporate training.

Highly experienced, specialist trainers go into the work place to provide intermediate and advanced level apprenticeships in business administration, customer service, IT, retail, team leading, estate agency, management and warehouse and distribution, while its corporate training offers dynamic and interactive personal development workshops that incorporate management and leadership, plus business skills and compliance.

The training is tailored to an individual’s needs plus the specific needs of the business. Positive Outcomes will source an apprentice for you, and once placed in the company, handles the apprentice training. Those looking to take on new apprentices know that if they come through Positive Outcomes, they will be provided with eager young people ready to soak up all the new skills destined to come their way.

“Employing the right people and ensuring they have the necessary skills to perform effectively in a working environment is of vital importance to the productivity and success of a company,” says Group Managing Director Chris Longmate.

“Government-funded training is at the heart of what we do and we are dedicated to providing employees with the skills and knowledge relevant to their job role, as well as assisting employers in building and training a motivated and skilled workforce.”

Based at the Village Business Park just off of J28 of the M1, Positive Outcomes has a team of specialist trainers, qualified in delivering NVQ work-based training to employees aged 16+ and is among a specialist few approved to deliver NVQ Level 5 Management training.

At all times, the simple - but powerful - mission remains paramount: to be a dynamic people-oriented company that strives for excellence, delivering a first-class solution that makes a positive difference.

22

“Our headcount has also grown from 45 to 250 employees and our rapid expansion enabled us to beat the downturn.” he reports.

“We have managed to maintain a healthy business, while impacting on the market and individuals, which also created opportunities in the community.”

A positive outcome all around.

For information about the training provided, go to www.positiveoutcomes.org.uk. Those seeking apprenticeships and advice can view the latest vacancies at www.paidtolearn.co.uk.

Alternatively telephone 0845 6435566.

Looking for fresh new talent for your business or to train your existing staff?

Positive Outcomes can help!

We have lots of fresh, ambitious people who want to develop, learn and gain a qualification with you through our Apprenticeship scheme Apprenticeships available in different sectors including: Business Administration Customer Service IT Retail Management Team Leading Estate Agency Warehouse & Distribution Adults currently employed within your workplace can benefit too

Government funding available!

It’s time your company headed in a ‘new direction’ to find out more about apprenticeships please call 0845 6435566 or email: apprenticeships@positiveoutcomes.org.uk

www.positiveoutcomes.org.uk Positive Outcomes also offers corporate training to the market place

Scan this QR code with a smartphone for more information

GB Training UK_Feature Template 14/12/2012 10:02 Page 1

0121 622 4218 www.gbtraining.org.uk

BIRMINGHAM’S GB Training (UK) Ltd is proud to be one of the largest independent providers in the UK - just as well its determined founder Gill Barton refused to listen to the doom mongers back in 1995.

That was when, shortly after celebrating her 50th birthday, the mother of five sons submitted a business plan for setting up her own training and recruitment company in the face of warnings that it would never get off the ground.

Not only did Gill’s venture to develop the skills of managers and staff and deliver accredited qualifications get off the ground, however, it positively soared.

Today, 17 years on, GB Training is a 60-employee company, based in Bromsgrove Street but working on a national level, predominantly with small and medium size enterprises but also enjoying strong relationships with larger corporate organisations.

It’s proved the pessimists wrong in a big way and, continues to do so as it successfully rides the storm of one of the toughest economic climates in decades.

Already holding contracts with more than three large colleges and running its own training provision, GB Training most recently won a six-figure contract to deliver apprenticeships for 16-24-year-olds and is one of less than 100 providers to get a direct contract from the government-funded agency.

There’s plenty more achievements to note too. The company has a full awards cabinet and its milestones are many, including successful Inspections and National Accreditations which recognise excellence and quality.

“However, we believe our greatest business achievement has been maintaining group workforces of almost a 1,000 employees for over a decade with companies in the region such as GB Resourcing, The Loft Lounge, Good with Wood, The Village Inn and The Nightingale Club,” says Employer Engagement Officer Joanne Allsopp.

“Like many others globally, our greatest challenge has been successfully trading through the worldwide recession, depleting markets and depressed economies within our spread of partner organisations - however we are continuing to move forwards.”

Although GB Training became a limited company in 2001, it is, to this day, a family business with Gill’s son Lawrence at the helm as MD. It delivers a broad portfolio of intermediate and advanced apprenticeships, QCF and other recognised qualifications in Customer Service, Business Admin, Team Leading and Management, Warehousing and Storage, Hospitality, ICT and Health and Social Care, along with management and train the trainer courses.

Also offered is staff training in food hygiene, health and safety and first aid for restaurants, care homes and cafes.

To find out more about the company and the services it provides, please visit www.gbtraining.org.uk.

To make an enquiry, telephone 0121 622 4218.

23

31478 QPD 1pg:Walker Health & Safety QPD 15/01/2013 11:29 Page 1

"My clients confidence and satisfaction are first and foremost in my business. Ensuring that they are compliant and have a working understanding of their responsibilities through my efforts are primary."

"This engenders trust and respect thereby allowing the business to hold its leading position in the industry."

She also believes the business, based on Wolverhampton University’s Telford Campus in Shropshire, offers also a far superior service.

“Many health and safety companies lack something,” she suggests.

“They offer advice but don’t follow up with the client, leaving the business wondering what they should be doing and why they should be doing it. Often the health and safety folder will sit on a shelf until the audit comes around 12 months later, and nothing has been completed.

“By working with clients, we assist in highlighting the deficiencies and promote a proactive, cost-effective way to become compliant with current legislation.

“By bringing staff together it promotes a health and safety culture and shows them that their employers are being proactive which, in turn, improves workplace morale.”

Thanks to extensive contacts with a wide range of fully professionally qualified consultants, Walker Health & Safety Services, covers a comprehensive range of services, able to offer first aid training, fire training, fire extinguishers and advice on electrical and plumbing safety issues.

It also handles audits and inspections, risk assessments and accident investigation support as well as tailor-made health and safety management systems which feature procedures and policies destined to save time yet demonstrate commitment to keeping the workforce safe.

With all the negative feedback on health and safety excesses in the press these days, it's refreshing to find somebody in the business who has taken a thorough and common sense approach to this necessary evil.

Emma Walker knows the importance of health and safety in the workplace but she also knows that many find it a dull subject - that’s why she’s developed a fresh approach that’s gaining new clients every month.

Since she launched Walker Health & Safety Services in June 2010, to provide small and medium businesses with support to implement and keep up-to-date with health and safety legislation, more and more of the Midlands’ most prestigious companies are flocking.

Shires Fire and Safety, the NHS, and Blist Hill Museum are among those who have already received the benefits of advice from Emma who is passionate about making health and safety understandable and interesting.

“I don’t want to reinvent the wheel but simply want people to be able to understand legislation and guidelines,” she says.

24

“We can highlight areas for improvement and offer information packs to all members of staff on any topic,” Emma says.

“If required, we will give a recommendation for training and carry it through to ensure clients are receiving our full attention and relevant material. What’s more, if we can’t provide the training we can recommend a service provider.”

With health, safety and environment issues becoming more important, Emma’s proud that her business offers a personal professional approach to helping companies find practical ways to comply.

She says: “We hope to give them a fresh outlook on the subject and, by working together, we can improve the health and safety culture in the workplace, update, review, transform or build health and safety documentation to suit the individual companies’ requirements and ensure that they stay within the law.

For further information about Walker Health & Safety Services, go to www.walkersafety.co.uk Alternatively telephone 0845 834 0400 or email info@walkersafety.co.uk

31480 1pg_Feature Template 22/11/2012 14:34 Page 1

Call Today 0800 542 3267

Shires Fire and Safety Ltd of Telford are delighted to announce the award of a contract with the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer, Pirelli.

Barry Mould, MD, said his team would be servicing and delivering all the fire extinguishers and hose reels for all of Pirelli’s sites in the UK. The contract is worth over £10,000.

Mr Mould who set up his company during 1990 recession, said that his 18 strong team of engineers would be working at Pirelli’s sites in Didcot, Carlisle and Burton on Trent, ensuring that all Pirelli’s fire equipment complies with all the latest regulations, and would carry out an ongoing programme of regular servicing and refilling of the extinguishers.

Shires work closely with Walker Health and Safety Services who provide SMEs with the support needed to implement and keep up to date with health and safety legislation.

Mr Mould, who serves on one of the committees of the industry governing bodies, the Independent Fire Engineering and Distributors Association, said that fire safety was vital in any industry, but especially so in an industry dealing with highly flammable materials such as the rubber used for tyres.

He said: “We are ecstatic to have won such an important contract with Pirelli. The company has 22 tyre manufacturing facilities on five continents, and employs 34,000 people, so who knows where this UK based contract could lead.

The bosses of Pirelli awarded us the contract because they were so impressed by the expertise and professionalism demonstrated by my engineers.

Pirelli is just one of the many national contracts we hold, but we are happy to service the smallest local business which may only have one extinguisher or hose reel, demonstrating our ability to meet the demands of every customer, regardless of size or need.”

Very much part of their local community, Shires contribute to various local charities, and recently supported Woodland’s Primary School Summer Fair, which helped to raise £3,100 towards an Eco Lodge, outdoor toys for the children and subsidise the cost of educational trips.

Shires Fire and Safety Ltd is a fire protection and emergency systems company, providing fire protection service by fully qualified and licensed engineers as well as free fire prevention and security advice. They are BAFE* approved and ISO: 9001 2000 UKAS accredited. They provide annual servicing of fire extinguishers, fire alarms and emergency lighting. Services also extend to fire safety training, fire warden training, fire risk assessments, PAT testing, safety signage, PAFSS (suppression system) and nurse call systems.

They install, supply and provide maintenance for all types of fire safety, fire protection and fire detection equipment.

Shires Fire and Safety Ltd is still based on Stafford Park 17 but has moved to Queensway Link Industrial Park, from their previous premises at the Business Development Centre.

For more information please visit their web site, www.shiresfiresafety.co.uk, Telephone 0800 542 3267, or contact Sarah Knowles, Business Development Manager at sarah@shiresfireandsafety.com 25

31634 2pg:Carford Group 14/01/2013 16:00 Page 1

s m r o f e ion R

s n e P e c a

l p k Wor

One month on from the announcement of automatic enrolment under new workplace pension reforms, how are businesses preparing for the forthcoming changes?

Workplace pension reform has been introduced in response to fears that the British public are not saving enough to provide for themselves in retirement.

1 October 2012 saw the first stage in the graduated implementation of the policy. Although affecting just four of the UK's largest employers, by June 2013, all employers with more than 4,000 workers in their PAYE scheme will be subject to the new duties.

The situation has been acerbated by Government “raids” on pension funds and low interest rates on savings. A generation that did save for retirement has seen the value of their pension pot dramatically decrease, with the result that even prudent, thrifty folk face some stark challenges, and others simply don’t see the point, given such low returns. Meeting day to day obligations tends to take priority over saving for old age, and for many “tomorrow” will be soon enough!

Commenting on the publication of the Government's reinvigorating workplace pensions paper, Peter McDonald, chief actuary at PWC, said: “The government has to be applauded for trying to tackle the challenge of how to get more people to save towards their retirement. The proposals hold a lot of merit, but the sticking point will be whether companies have the appetite to provide these types of pensions. Constant tinkering with the pension rules has left employers disillusioned and there is little appetite to take on any more risk than they need to.”

That is why automatic enrolment is the most significant reform to workplace pensions in recent times. All workers will end up with a pension. If a worker does nothing he will end up in a workplace pension scheme. If he wishes to avoid this, he has to take positive steps to opt out.

“What workers and employers most need is a simple, stable pensions regime so that they can plan for the long term.

People with defined contribution (DC) pensions are currently

There is, however, more to workplace pension reform than automatic enrolment. Employers will be under a duty to pay contributions into their workers' pension arrangements - no such duty existed before. Also, even those workers who fall outside the automatic enrolment requirements will still have new rights.

While many employers have strategies in place to manage their obligations under the reforms, some are still wrestling with what they mean for their business. Many employers are finding that the requirement to provide independent financial advice in order for their employees to make informed choices between the provisions of a qualifying company scheme, or the Government’s default option of NEST is placing an unwelcome additional strain on their HR budgets.

26

According to a survey by the Association of Consulting Actuaries, the majority of small businesses are yet to plan or budget for automatic enrolment. But with the countdown on, companies will need to act quickly to meet their "staging dates".

• • • •

Protection Retirement Investments Mortgages

• Insurance • Inheritance Tax & Estate Planning

We specialise in providing financial advice to individuals and companies based upon their own unique circumstances. We believe in a structured approach to financial planning. This helps you understand exactly what is happening, and gives you the time that you need to make these important decisions.

Harris & Associates, 37 Silver Street, Wythall, Birmingham B47 6ND Tel: 01564 829009 Web: www.harrisandassociates.co.uk Harris & Associates Financial Consultants Limited is an appointed representative of IN Partnership the trading name of The On-Line Partnership Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered Office: Black Country House, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 2DG. Company registered in England No. 4377009.

31634 2pg:Carford Group 14/01/2013 16:01 Page 2

m r o f e ons r

i s n e P › y c

i l o P uk ›

. v o g wp.

.d w w w

very much at the mercy of the stock markets, with little guarantee of what their final pension will be.

Much improved visibility and clarity on how a DC fund is performing over a worker's lifetime could significantly help with matching people’s savings and expectations.

“The proposal to create a middle ground between defined benefit and defined contribution pensions is a great idea if it can work. The challenge will be persuading employers to move back towards an arrangement where they are tied into a pension arrangement.”

5

-#*) -!! !)!"%/ . $ 1! +-* 0 ! *./ !""! /%1! "! /0-! -% $ +-* 0 / /$ / #%1!. !) '!. 4*0 /* ( ) #! '' .+! /. *" 0/* )-*'(!)/ 5 ..!..%)# 2*-&!-. ) .!#(!)/%)# %)/* /$! -!'!1 )/ /!#*-%!.

5 ' 0' /%)# /$! "%) ) % ' %(+ / *) /$! *(+ )4 5 ..!.. !3%./%)# +!).%*) . $!(!. 5 !//%)# 0+ )!2 *(+'% )/ . $!(!. !#%./!-%)# 2%/$ /$! +!).%*). -!#0' /*- 5 ) '%)# '' *((0)% /%*). 2%/$ 2*-&!-.

5 ) #%)# ) -! *- %)# *+/ *0/. ) *+/ %).

5 !!/%)# *)#*%)# -! *- &!!+%)# -!,0%-!(!)/.

AUTO-ENROLMENT IS HERE…….…THOMPSON PRIOR WOULD LIKE TO HELP – YOU. ! -! '! /* 0 %/ 4*0- !3%./%)# +!).%*) . $!(! ) 1%.! *) 2$ / $ )#!. -! )!! ! /* ( &! %/ 7 0 '%"4%)# $!(!8 !

)

1%.! *)

) )!2 !).%*)

$!(!.

! *""!*(+'% ) ! .*'0/%*). .4./!( /* (!!/ '' 0/* )-*'(!)/ )!! . ) /$! !).%*) !#0' /*! *!!+%)# !,0%-!(!)/.

! ) #%1! 1% ! *) /$! *./ . 1%)#. *" 0.%)# ' -4 3 $ )#! 6 *./ . 1%)#. /* ! $ /* 4 +'0. */$!- (+'*4!! !)!"%/. %" 4*0 .* 2%.$ 0''4 ,0 '%"%! ) !+!) !)/ %) ) % ' 1%.!-. 2!

-!

-#*) -!! !)!"%/. '% !).! "%-( *""!-%)# *./ !""! /%1! .*'0/%*). "*- 4*0- *(+ )4 Call us now on 01746 716767.

Thompson Prior LLP, Hilton House, Hilton, Bridgnorth, Shropshire,WV15 5PD Tel: 01746 716767 Fax: 01746 716787 Web: www.thompsonprior.co.uk E-mail: info@thompsonprior.co.uk $*(+.*) -%*-

%. 0/$*-%.!

) -!#0' /!

4 /$! %) ) % ' !-1% !. 0/$*-%/4 *

$! %) ) % ' !-1% !. 0/$*-%/4 *!. )*/ -!#0' /! / 3 /%*) ) /-0./

1% !

27

31620 1pg_Manor Golf Club 1pg 19/11/2012 20:05 Page 1

Auto-enrolment – what you should know From 1 October 2012 through to 2017 all existing employers will have a duty automatically to enrol their eligible employees into a workplace pension scheme which meets certain minimum quality requirements. The date the duties will apply is determined by the size of the payroll as at 1 April 2012. Employers can find confirmation of the date applicable on the Pensions Regulator’s website.

Employers will have to contribute at least 1% of qualifying earnings until 30 September 2017, 2% from 1 0ctober 2017 and 3% from 1 October 2018.

Preparing for auto-enrolment should not be left to the last minute; the Pensions Regulator will be writing to an employer 12 months in advance of the date the duty applies but this is probably the minimum employers should allow to get ready.

Things which will need to be done include: t t t t t

VQEBUJOH QBZSPMM BOE BENJOJTUSBUJPO TZTUFNT BTTFTTJOH UIF XPSLGPSDF GPS FMJHJCJMJUZ SFWJFXJOH DPOUSBDUT PG FNQMPZNFOU QSFQBSJOH FNQMPZFF DPNNVOJDBUJPOT DIPPTJOH B TVJUBCMF TDIFNF

Employers may also wish to consider a salary sacrifice arrangement for the payment of employees’ contributions to use the resulting NI savings to offset the additional costs of auto-enrolment.

It is also vital that employers don’t forget: t UP BEESFTT UIF JTTVF PG EBUB QSPUFDUJPO BT UIF recent fine of £250,000 imposed on a local authority in relation to inadequate protection of pension records demonstrates t UIBU GSPN +VMZ BMM FNQMPZFST NVTU DPNQMZ with certain employee safeguards including a prohibition against screening job applicants on grounds relating to potential pension scheme membership.

Failure to comply is not an option. The Pensions Regulator has a number of enforcement powers including civil penalties of between ÂŁ50 to ÂŁ10,000 a day. Wilful non compliance could lead to criminal prosecution. An employee may also make a tribunal claim in certain circumstances.

Don’t bury your head in the sand

Let us steer you through the auto-enrolment minefield If you fail to act on auto-enrolment then you could face a fine of up to £10,000 a day. This is an issue you simply can’t ignore.

Eversheds’ quality team of pensions and employment lawyers will guide you through the process and the legal issues involved.

It’s never too early to prepare.

Contact Ingrid Everson Partner, Pensions 0845 497 1493 ingrideverson@eversheds.com

28

Teresa Dolan Partner, Employment 0845 497 1540 teresadolan@eversheds.com

31583 1pg_FSC Investments Services Ltd QPD 1pg 21/12/2012 10:42 Page 1

Capital Protected Investments

If you have money in Banks or Building Societies and are moaning about how little interest you are getting, stop moaning and do something about it!

Many deposit accounts and Building Society fans have been very shoddily treated in recent years, indeed if you take into account the tax on your interest and the fact that your net returns have failed to keep pace with inflation and you have a recipe for financial failure.

Three of the main obstacles that has often put people off investing into 'other' areas such as stocks and shares, Gilts or Corporate bonds has been the fear of either a market crash and your potential to lose your original investment or the high costs of commissions payable to the adviser or lastly the complex nature of investing into a market you know nothing about.

Well help is at hand!!

Capital Protected Investment bonds are a simple tax efficient and easy to understand, and if set up correctly there are no commissions and heavy exit penalties, which can be an obstacle to investing in these areas.

If you want an investment where you have the opportunity to benefit from real rates of return by investing in collective investment funds, these are professionally managed for you, you can lock-in the gains you make as you go along, add to this there is no direct income tax payable if you’re a basic rate taxpayer and even if your fortunate enough to be a higher rate taxpayer you only pay a marginal payment, no direct Capital Gains Tax liability. The contract is set up without any initial commission being charged (you simply pay a fixed cost for the advice you receive).

The biggest advantage to this investment is the fact that if the markets fail or you have no growth whatsoever your entire initial investment is guaranteed so all you ever 'risk' is the amount of interest you may receive, but this is somewhat offset by the fact you are locking in your growth as you go. (AEGON’s 70/30 Core portfolio fund has returned a respectable +8.3% over 1 year and +20.23% over 3 years –Source: Trustnet 21/11/2012) Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.

One criticism we often get is, "it sounds too good to be true" we'll that may be, but with these specialist investments you have a very solid guarantee to back up the contracts, the minimum investment is £25,000.

We offer a free initial consultation to allow any sceptics to come along and without obligation we can show you how these plans can significantly benefit the typical Deposit investor-so you’ve no excuses now! The purpose of this article is to provide generic guidance and should not be interpreted as a personal recommendation.

Full details are available by calling

01902 422333 FSC Investment Services Limited is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

29

31589 QPD:RSM Tenon Birmingam Full Page 15/01/2013 11:46 Page 1

Implementing auto enrolment Beware the common pitfalls Is yours one of the 200+ businesses in Birmingham with more than 500 employees, faced with implementing auto enrolment by the end of 2013? Our latest Business Barometer research (October 2012) shows that only 16% of businesses have made detailed plans around auto enrolment. As the adage goes, ‘to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail’.

Here’s our guide to the potential pitfalls you might face when implementing auto enrolment: Not allowing sufficient time to prepare and plan Auto enrolment involves finance, HR, advisers, consultants, lawyers, tax experts, as well as IT and payroll providers. It takes time to consult such a wide group.

Assuming existing schemes will work for auto enrolment You can’t assume that just because you have a pension in place, it will work for auto enrolment. The provider that runs the scheme may not want to take on all your staff or may increase member charges in order to do so. If so, you might need to take a split-scheme approach and work with a low cost provider such as NEST or The People’s Pension.

Not re-examining your default fund choices You can’t assume that your existing default fund will be appropriate – many older style default funds won’t promote good outcomes for new scheme members. In any case, best practice is to review your choice annually.

Focusing too much on the scheme and not enough on the administration Many employers will need to bring in new skills and processes to enable them to continually assess their workforce and ensure they keep on top of auto enrolment. It’s important to remember that this is an ongoing workstream and not a one-off activity.

Failing to integrate the pension system with other business systems Most pension providers offer a ‘black box’ system free of charge that in theory links your systems – but in many cases we find these only do part of the job. A more bespoke system (full disclosure – we offer one of these, 4pensions, which was built to address the issues some of our major clients were having) may work better.

Neglecting the communications This is a great opportunity to engage with your workforce. Done well, your communications plan can turn auto enrolment from an extra cost of doing business into a really worthwhile activity that generates a measurable return on investment.

Where do you start?

Tip 1:

Appoint an individual to manage auto enrolment.

Tip 2:

Develop a detailed project plan with tasks, deadlines and action owners.

Tip 3:

Consider what level of outside help you will need in terms of payroll, HR systems, risk management and pensions consultancy.

To download our employer guide to auto enrolment, visit www.rsmtenon.com/autoenrolment The term “partner” is a title for senior employees, none of whom provide any services on their own behalf. RSM Tenon Financial Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, FSA register number 192618. A subsidiary of RSM Tenon Group PLC. RSM Tenon Group PLC is an independent member of the RSM International network. The RSM International network is a network of independent accounting and consulting firms each of which practices in its own right. RSM International is the brand used by the network which is not itself a separate legal entity in any jurisdiction. RSM Tenon Financial Management Limited (No 03953153) is registered in England and Wales. Registered Office 66 Chiltern Street, London W1U 4GB. England.

MSO39771012

30

31613 QPD 1pg:Broadstone 1pg 15/01/2013 11:47 Page 1

It is not only the employer that will have concerns. Individuals (although they can opt out) will have to contribute to the scheme as well as the sponsoring employer. Employees who have registered to protect pension scheme benefits from the tax impact of exceeding the maximum lifetime pension savings allowance may lose that protection if they do not opt out.

Professional advice here is vital as employers cannot induce any member of their workforce to opt out of the company pension scheme and getting this wrong can prove to be an expensive mistake.

Although court cases have set precedents suggesting that a default retirement age can be set provided it is objectively justifiable, ‘normal’ retirement ages were effectively abolished in April 2011 by the Equality Act. The idea that someone has a set retirement age has changed. Pension schemes should form crucial elements of the employers reward strategies for their employees to aid business planning, as the development of not when an employee stops working, but how, becomes the normal practice

IAN HILL Senior Consultant 125 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3SD, United Kingdom

Although the impact of auto-enrolment for many employers will be significant, there are many organisations who have not considered moving it onto their corporate agendas. For those who have, there has been a realisation that this is more than just a pension’s issue.

Employers will have to appraise if they have the resource necessary to comply with legislation or use external advisers, as project management will be essential. Auto-enrolment is just as much a systems and governance issue, where risks of non compliance should be identified, as well as a financial one.

Employers should be reviewing their employees (and services providers) current terms and conditions and the related pensions documentation as current information is likely to be out of date.

Some employers perceive their staging date to be too far into the future to be engaged in auto-enrolment discussions, however, at the very least, they should be assessing the size of their workforce as there are clearly defined criteria for ‘eligible job holders’ who have to be identified and automatically enrolled into a qualifying work place pension scheme. The identification of eligible jobholders can be complicated with the possible inclusion of agency staff, contract workers, even some ‘self-employed’. The data challenge of identifying who these people are should not be underestimated.

It is vital that the pension scheme to be used for autoenrolment is fit for purpose. Having an existing pension scheme with a particular provider does not automatically guarantee that the current provider will be prepared to deal with an employer’s auto-enrolment population.

Employer communication to employees is a key element in the auto-enrolment process as some employers may not have communicated with their workforce on any scale before. The Pensions Regulator has highlighted that they will have a keen interest on clear, targeted communications making sure that each employee receives communication that is relevant to them.

DDI: +44 (0)121 200 6905 T: +44 (0)121 352 6464 F: +44 (0)121 352 6321 E: ian.hill@broadstoneltd.co.uk W: www.broadstoneltd.co.uk

AT BROADSTONE WE AIM TO MAKE COMPLEX ISSUES CLEAR AND UNDERSTANDABLE, TO LISTEN TO YOUR NEEDS AND DELIVER WHAT WE SAY WE WILL. IT’S AS SIMPLE AS THAT. BROADSTONE offers pensions advice and investment solutions to private clients and companies through highly qualified advisers in offices across the country.

We know that the advice we give affects the quality of people’s lives and we take this responsibility very seriously, whether it is your personal wealth or a company pension scheme.

We are experts in pensions and investments. If you are a private individual or are acting on behalf of a company, we offer a personalised service with one goal in mind – the best result for you.

We will deliver expertise with absolute clarity.

125 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3SD, United Kingdom D: +44 (0)121 200 6905 T: +44 (0)121 352 6464 F: +44 (0)121 352 6321 E: ian.hill@broadstoneltd.co.uk W: www.broadstoneltd.co.uk

31

31609 1pg_Feature Template 11/12/2012 12:01 Page 1

Pension auto-enrolment: employers urged to start preparing now

Thousands of employers will not meet the new pension auto-enrolment rules which are being phased in from 1st October 2012.

“Many employers think that because they already operate a pension scheme, they will automatically meet the new requirements. But this may not be the case,” explained John O’Sullivan, a specialist in employee benefits and associate director at Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and investment management group.

He continued: “We expect that small and medium sized businesses are those who are most likely to fail to comply with the new rules. They will have to, at the least, review their scheme and employers who, for example, do not make contributions on behalf of qualifying staff could end up being fined. Similarly, those who do not explain the implications of auto-enrolment to employees or make the scheme available to their staff could be in trouble.”

Disclaimer By necessity, this briefing can only provide a short overview and it is essential to seek professional advice before applying the contents of this article. No responsibility can be taken for any loss arising from action taken or refrained from on the basis of this publication. Details correct at time of writing.

Note to editors Smith & Williamson is an independent professional and financial services group employing around 1,500 people. The group is a leading provider of investment management, financial advisory and accountancy services to private clients, professional practices and mid-to-large corporates. The group has eleven principal offices in the UK and Ireland; these are in London, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Glasgow, Guildford, Manchester, Salisbury, Southampton, and Worcester.

Smith & Williamson Financial Services Limited Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

“We anticipate that one of the main issues facing employers will be which pension scheme or schemes to use. NEST (the National Employment Savings Trust) will be available to all employers, but this may not be the most appropriate option.”

“While smaller firms do not need to have their pension scheme set up until 2013 or possibly later, the new rules are very complex and typically it could take a year or longer to get systems in place to ensure compliance and minimum disruption to the business.”

Under the new pension regime, employers who do not have a pension scheme will need to set one up which will mean selecting an appropriate scheme and making sure all the necessary criteria are met.

In response to the myriad decisions facing employers, Smith & Williamson’s pension experts have launched an online tool which uses basic information about an employer’s scheme. It enables Smith & Williamson to assess what an employer needs to do, and by when, in order to meet the new rules. Applicants will receive a bespoke report free of charge. The form can be accessed from their web site: www.smith.williamson.co.uk/auto-enrolment

For further information: John O’Sullivan, employee benefits specialist and associate director, based in the Birmingham office of Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and investment management group

Tel 0121 710 5200 Email john.osullivan@smith.williamson.co.uk Web www.smith.williamson.co.uk 32

Smith & Williamson’s employee benefits team advises on pension auto-enrolment Find out how pension auto-enrolment will affect your business by requesting a bespoke report, prepared free of charge. www.smith.williamson.co.uk/auto-enrolment

John O’Sullivan john.osullivan@smith.williamson.co.uk 0121 710 5200 www.smith.williamson.co.uk

Smith & Williamson LLP Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. A member of Nexia International. Smith & Williamson Financial Services Limited Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate all the services mentioned above

accountancy

business advice

investment

tax

31697 1pg_Carford Group 07/01/2013 12:36 Page 1

what to consider Johnson Fleming is a leading pensions and employee EHQHÀWV VHUYLFH SURYLGHU ZKR DUH ZHOO H[SHULHQFHG LQ LPSOHPHQWLQJ DQG PDQDJLQJ D FRPSDQ\ҋV SHQVLRQ VFKHPH DV ZHOO DV WKHLU ZLGHU HPSOR\HH EHQHÀWV

WKH\ EHORQJ WR (PSOR\HHV FDQ PRYH IURP RQH JURXS WR DQRWKHU LI FLUFXPVWDQFHV FKDQJH VR WKH SURFHVV ZLOO QHHG WR EH UHYLHZHG RQ DQ RQ JRLQJ EDVLV

2YHU WKH QH[W PRQWKV ZH ZLOO EH SURYLGLQJ DQ RYHUYLHZ RQ WKH QHZ JRYHUQPHQW OHJLVODWLRQ DXWR HQUROPHQW :HҋOO ORRN DW ZKDW DXWR HQUROPHQW LV WKH WDVNV LW EULQJV WR \RXU EXVLQHVV DQG HIIHFWLYH ZD\V RI FRPPXQLFDWLQJ WKHVH WR \RXU HPSOR\HHV

<RX PD\ DOUHDG\ KDYH D VFKHPH LQ SODFH EXW LW PLJKW QRW EH ULJKW IRU DXWR HQUROPHQW ,WҋV LPSRUWDQW WR UHYLHZ \RXU FXUUHQW VFKHPH VR \RX NQRZ ZKDW FKDQJHV PD\ QHHG WR EH PDGH

:LOO P\ FXUUHQW SHQVLRQ VFKHPH ZRUN"

:KDW ZLOO DXWR HQUROPHQW FRVW P\ EXVLQHVV" :KDW LV DXWR HQUROPHQW" $XWR HQUROPHQW LV QHZ JRYHUQPHQWDO OHJLVODWLRQ WKDW VWDWHV HYHU\ HPSOR\HU LQ WKH 8. PXVW KDYH D SHQVLRQ VFKHPH LQ SODFH (PSOR\HUV ZLOO QHHG WR HQURO WKHLU ZRUNHUV LQWR WKH VFKHPH DW WKHLU VWDJLQJ GDWH DQG PDNH FRQWULEXWLRQV RQ WKHLU EHKDOI

7KLV LV WKH TXHVWLRQ RQ HYHU\ HPSOR\HUV PLQG )RU \RX LW PD\ EH WKH ÀUVW WLPH WKDW \RX ZLOO KDYH WR FRQWULEXWH WRZDUGV \RXU HPSOR\HHVҋ SHQVLRQ VFKHPH 7KH WRWDO FRVW OLHV QRW MXVW LQ WKH FRQWULEXWLRQV \RX ZLOO KDYH WR PDNH EXW DOVR LQ WKH FRVW IRU FDUU\LQJ RXW WKH DGGLWLRQDO DGPLQLVWUDWLYH WDVNV DQG FRPPXQLFDWLQJ WKHP WR \RXU VWDII

:KHQҋV P\ VWDJLQJ GDWH" <RXU VWDJLQJ GDWH ZLOO GHSHQG RQ WKH QXPEHU RI SHRSOH LQ \RXU ODUJHVW 3$<( VFKHPH 7KHVH ÀJXUHV ZLOO SURYLGH \RX ZLWK \RXU VWDJLQJ GDWH ZLWK ODUJHU HPSOR\HUV EHLQJ UHTXLUHG WR FRPSO\ ZLWK WKH UHJXODWLRQ ÀUVW $ IXOO VWDJLQJ GDWH FDOHQGDU FDQ EH IRXQG RQ RXU ZHEVLWH

+RZ GR , DVVHVV P\ ZRUNIRUFH"

:KDW VKRXOG \RX GR QH[W" $V WKLV ZLOO UHSUHVHQW ODUJH FKDQJHV WR \RXU EXVLQHVV ZH UHFRPPHQG HVWDEOLVKLQJ DQ DXWR HQUROPHQW SURMHFW WHDP 7R KHOS WKLV WHDP REWDLQ DV PXFK LQIRUPDWLRQ DV SRVVLEOH ZH KDYH SURGXFHG D VHULHV RI DXWR HQUROPHQW JXLGHV WKDW SURYLGH D FOHDU RYHUYLHZ RI ZKDW LV UHTXLUHG

These can be downloaded from our website:

(DFK RI \RXU HPSOR\HHV ZLOO EHORQJ WR RI FDWHJRULHV 7KHLU DJH DQG HDUQLQJV ZLOO GHWHUPLQH ZKLFK RQH RI WKH FDWHJRULHV

ZZZ MRKQVRQÁHPLQJ FRP

WHEN: 7TH FEBRUARY 2013, 8:30-10AM WHERE: HOTEL DU VIN, BIRMINGHAM Join us and our client, Lookers, WR GLVFXVV KRZ DXWR HQUROPHQW FDQ EH PDQDJHG DQG ZKDW SURFHVVHV QHHG WR EH LQ SODFH

Topics covered: :KDW KDSSHQV ZKHQ DQ HPSOR\HH RSWV RXW" +RZ ZLOO \RX FRPPXQLFDWH DXWR HQUROPHQW WR \RXU HPSOR\HHV" :KDW ZLOO DXWR HQUROPHQW FRVW \RXU EXVLQHVV"

If you would like to attend, please contact us on:

[! L! IHSS`'QVOUZVUÅLTPUN JVT 'QVOUZVUÅLTPUN -RKQVRQ )OHPLQJ /WG LV DXWKRULVHG DQG UHJXODWHG E\ WKH )LQDQFLDO 6HUYLFHV $XWKRULW\

33

31598 1pg_HorseWorld 21/12/2012 10:53 Page 1

The Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards aim to identify public and private organisations that are successfully reducing fuel bills and lowering carbon footprints through better transport policies and improved fleet efficiency. The Energy Saving Trust also recognises companies that supply cost and fuel saving products or services to fleets.

travel de courcey Travel de Courcey is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year; it has been another fantastic year for the company, particularly in terms of the launch of their fleet of electric buses and the number of industry awards they have won.

In line with its environmental credentials, Travel de Courcey has also invested £1.7 million in 10 low emission single-decker vehicles to operate the on-site shuttle bus service for the NEC Group.

The Coventry-based operator picked the Mercedes-Benz Citaro which meets the latest European engine emission standards and is fitted with a driver management and monitoring system to achieve fuel savings by improving driver standards.

Adrian de Courcey, director of Travel de Courcey, said: “Winning this prestigious contract is further recognition of Travel de Courcey being a major player in the provision of public transport in the West Midlands and Warwickshire regions.”

The new contract with the NEC Group follows Travel de Courcey’s expansion from its base in Rowley Drive, Coventry, to a new depot in Newtown Row, Birmingham, to serve the wider region and now a depot at the NEC.

Saves fuel

Travel de Courcey is a real success story; they are the largest privately owned bus and coach operator in the West Midlands and win a raft of awards, year in, year out. They are especially proud to have won the Environmental category of the Birmingham Post Business Awards this year, following their launch of the first electric buses of their kind in the UK. The three buses being pioneered by Travel de Courcey are the UK’s first large fast-charging electric buses. The new buses are operated on the Park & Ride South shuttle service based at the War Memorial Park, Coventry, and are powered by more than 200 hi-tech batteries which can be fully charged in just 40 minutes.

Mike de Courcey, Managing Director of Travel de Courcey, said: “It is a huge honour to win this award and fantastic recognition for the whole team at Travel de Courcey.

THE FUEL SAVING ADDITIVE

Reduces emissions Cleans engines

“The new electric buses and fast recharge system show our desire to be an innovator in green technology in this industry, and Envirox™ through its savings in fuel and reduction of harmful soot emissions allows us to address the traditional diesel powered fleet in a similar vein.”

Adrian de Courcey, Travel de Courcey

“We are committed to investing in green technology for the benefit of our passengers, the environment and our industry.

“Our launch of the electric buses is just one environmental initiative that we are undertaking to achieve reductions in fuel and carbon emissions, but hugely significant as a first for the UK.” It follows Travel de Courcey winning the Customer Service title at this year’s Coventry Telegraph Business Awards, having been awarded Green Business of the Year in 2011. In a further award, reflecting the company’s environmentally friendly efforts, Travel de Courcey took the title of Fleet Hero at this year’s Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards.

34

Congratulations to Travel de Courcey on the Green Business Award. We are pleased to be supporting further environmental improvements.

For more information visit

www.energenics.co.uk

31684 1pg new:Transport Warehousing 14/01/2013 17:15 Page 1

Commercial

Vehicle Security

It’s a sad fact of life that when you buy a commercial vehicle you have to buy and install a host of extras to protect it from those up to no good.

Not only is the vehicle itself worth a substantial amount of money, like as not, there’ll be things inside just as appealing to the criminals. Many plumbers/ decorators/ carpenters keep all their tools - many of them expensive pieces of professional machinery - in their vans. To have those broken into - not necessarily driven away - and emptied is emptying a trader of his livelihood, his ability to work and earn a living.

Commercial vehicle security can’t be taken too seriously and it pays to factor into the cost of any model, the price of crime preventative measures.

Luckily for the law-abiding there are many things that can be done, with technological advances meaning that some of the most sophisticated devices probably wouldn’t be out of place in a Bond film.

Some commercial vehicles come with items such as immobilisers and alarms fitted as standard, often through the car keys or fobs which send signals to the ignition and fuel pump systems. If someone tries to use the vehicle without sending these signals it simply doesn’t start, thus putting added pressure on any would-be thief.

A similar option is a kill switch which, upon activation, shuts down part of the electrical system and cannot be deactivated until a series of tasks are completed.

The sound of an alarm is now all too familiar, but it doesn’t necessarily breed contempt. Sometimes, even just labeling the vehicle as having an alarm fitted is enough to deter some. And if it doesn’t, well, depending on choice of system, an alarm will be triggered by any attack on the vehicle, such as sudden movement,

glass breaking or even a perimeter violation and can still serve as an effect loud warning and deterrent.

The police also have plenty of advice aimed at keeping commercial vehicles safe. Here are just some of their tips.

A simple, but effective protection method is VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) Etching, which sees each vehicle’s serial number etched into all windows.

•

Ensure the vehicle is always locked, including the back doors when driving.

•

Never leave personal documents in the vehicle’s cab.

•

Keep the keys safe while you are working. Never leave them in the vehicle.

•

Those with ‘high clearance’ vehicles should mark the catalytic converters as they’re common targets for thieves.

•

Security mark all tools and equipment to make them uniquely identifiable

•

Keep stops for fuel, food and other goods to a minimum. The fewer stops you need to make, thus leaving the vehicle unattended, the more secure it will be.

•

Try to park in a well-lit and secure area.

Try to use reputable overnight lorry parks or park with other drivers.

•

Try to use a variety of busy parking areas during stop-overs. Make sure the vehicle is secure and, if possible, within sight.

Don’t talk about your load or your route.

•

Use locks, such as those that can lock the king pin, when trailers are not in use.

•

Always make sure spare wheels and batteries are secured to the vehicle and are marked for easy identification with permanent markers or paint.

•

All doors and access flaps should have additional locks. A good idea is to have slam locks fitted to the doors, and shutters which automatically lock when the driver slams the door shut.

Tilt locks can also be used. These can help delay entry to the engine area where immobilisation equipment might be kept.

The grand-daddy of them all is, of course is the GPS vehicle tracking system, which may seem an expensive option but is often less expensive than the consequences of a thief bypassing other security devices.

By installing a small signal-emitting computer chip and using GPS technology, it is then possible to monitor a vehicle’s whereabouts on a computer. Should it be stolen, not only is it possible to know immediately where the vehicle is, a faster recovery time means there’s less chance that it can remain intact and undamaged and more chance of apprehending the culprits.

While many companies use tracking devices to prevent vehicle thefts, they bring other benefits, such as improved customer service as more accurate estimated times of arrival can be given, based on knowing exactly where a driver is.

A driver unsure of his/her location can be pointed back in the right direction, thus saving time and fuel - and further costs can be saved on insurance premiums as many insurance companies look favourably on vehicles fitted with anti-theft devices.

So there’s no shortage of choice out there but not everybody who’s fitting a security system to their vehicle is an expert so it’s worth calling the National Security Helpline on 0870 550 2006. Free of charge, it provides advice to consumers and insurers on the quality of security systems and can help with seeking an approved insurer or contacting a manufacturer.

35

31574 QPD 1pg:H & S Haulage QPD 1pg 15/01/2013 11:51 Page 1

“When the last company I worked for went into receivership I decided that rather than look for a job with another company I would set up my own business with my son,” he says and is now excited about harnessing all his haulier knowledge to help keep industry on the move.

“This is a family venture and our aim is to treat all clients with the same personal touch as they are all important to us,” he adds.

IT may be new on the region’s business map, but decades of experience form the powerful engine at the heart of H&S Haulage and Storage Ltd. Martin Harley’s drive to succeed was only sharpened when his former employer went into receivership.

He immediately got in to top gear and, in June of this year, became his own boss, putting his 20-year career history with other transport businesses to good use.

For further information about the H&S Haulage and Storage and its services, please visit www.hands-ltd.co.uk. Alternatively, to make an enquiry, telephone 0121 557 5154 or email info@hands-ltd.co.uk

Martin, aged 42, has been joined by his 19 year-old son Chris Stretch and the father-and-son partnership are operating from a 6,351 sq ft unit, which can accommodate 636 euro pallets, at the Charles Street Estate in West Bromwich.

From here they are offering palletised or bulk storage, pick and pack facilities, loading and unloading of containers, courier same-day distribution and UK and European distribution from one pallet to full trailer loads.

Now they’re determined to fill the warehouse with customer’s stock and to, eventually, put their own truck on the road.

“We are willing to take on haulage jobs large or small as we set out on this exciting journey to build up our business,” declares Martin.

“These are tough times but we believe we can offer the facilities and service to make a success of it and grow.”

Over the last 23 years BIL Logistics have developed an excellent reputation for service, reliability, flexibility and customer care. %" #$" $ # % $ ' " $ " % $ $

" & ' %# ' " ' "$ $" # "$

"

#$ #$" %$

# %$ # % & ") # !%

%" # # #$" %$ % # ) # $% $ ($ $ $ $ "' )# $ # & # %# !% #) ## $ $' " # #! $ # %" $) ' " %# # % ) " ) " #& " #)#$

" " & "

#$ # $ "$ # # %" & " #

Although the pair live in Birmingham, Martin, with his industry experience, knew that the West Bromwich location was perfect as it puts H&S Haulage and Storage in an ideal place to serve the Black Country and is easily accessibly to major road links.

“Charles Street is less than a mile and a half from the Black Country spine road with access to the M5 approximately three miles away at Junction 1 via the A41,” he explains.

If anyone should know the region’s road systems - and beyond - it’s Martin. He started his career behind the wheel as a driver and, over the years, worked his way up to Transport Manager after passing the International Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

36

BIL Logistics Limited, Steel Park Road, Coombs Wood, Business Park West, Halesowen B62 8HD Tel: 0121 502 9977 Web: www.billogistics.com Email: info@billogistics.com Find us on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin

31614 1pg_Feature Template 18/12/2012 10:05 Page 1

Tel: 0121 351 1700 bhxsales@europa-worldwide.com www.europa-worldwide.com

Delivering Freight Solutions Worldwide * Daily scheduled services with over 475 departures per week to Europe. * Collection of parcels, pallets, part loads (LTL) and full trailers loads (FTL). * Next day delivery guarantees. * 48 hour express services. * Standard groupage services. * No weight or size restrictions. * UK Pallet and Parcel Distribution. * Full range of Airfreight & Courier Services including in house customs clearance & charters. * IATA & Air Cargo Security accredited. * Seafreight LCL, FCL and NVOCC services worldwide. * Consignment tracking and on-line PODâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. * Dedicated freight managers and customer service support teams. * Memberships with BIFA, RHA, FTA, IELA and Palletline.

Europa has 10 regional locations throughout the UK and Ireland and 3 in Asia :London - Birmingham - Bristol - Dublin - Glasgow - Heathrow (LHR) Manchester - Newcastle - Northampton - Southampton Hong Kong (Corporate and Operational offices) - Singapore 37

31624 1pg_Feature Template 19/12/2012 12:16 Page 1

EQUIPMENT LTD

CATERING EQUIPMENT & COMMERCIAL MICROWAVES Sales & Service: 0121 422 4000

Known throughout the trade as Albany Microwaves, the company which was established over 30 years ago has actually been called Albany Equipment since Bob Billingham bought it 9 years ago.

In other words if it is to do with catering equipment come and talk to those friendly folk at Albany.

The showroom on Hagley Road West in Quinton, Birmingham is the “go to” place for the trade for all kinds of Commercial Microwave ovens and professional catering equipment.

They have a wide choice of Commercial Microwaves, combination ovens, fryers, grills and salamanders, Combi Steamers and countertop cookers, many from well known names such as Blue Seal, Panasonic and Samsung.

The range doesn’t stop there, Commercial ware washers, glass washers and laundry equipment. Coffee machines, hot water dispensers, multidecks and Deli counters are all available through Albany, to say nothing of fridges, glass door chillers, potato ovens and branded soup kettles.

Bob says: “As a small business we have to be good at what we do. Our well established direct accounts with our suppliers mean that we are able to offer very competitive pricing, a boon to our smaller customers.”

Small companies come to Albany not just for the wide range of top flight products and the competitive prices, but for help and advice from the experienced team.

The company is growing slowly and steadily by concentrating on what they do well, upping their service to customers, building on their customer relationships and increasing awareness within the trade.

Visit the showroom at 385 Hagley Road West, Quinton, Birmingham B32 2AL. Phone on 0121 422 4000, or order on line

www.commercial-microwaves.co.uk

Blue Seal are proud to support Albany Equipment and wish them all the best in the future Unit 67 Gravelly Industrial Park Birmingham B24 8TQ

38

sales office: t 0121-327-5575 www.blue-seal.co.uk

31535 1pg:Carford Group 14/01/2013 13:51 Page 1

g n i r ee

n i g n E

Engineering is described as the science, skill, and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes.

The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prosperity is based on engineering, and we have a marvellous engineering tradition going back to the great Victorian engineers, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the designer of the steamship Great Britain and of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Thomas Telford the noted bridge road and canal builder, Stephenson and his steam powered locomotive Rocket, in an unbroken progression to the designers and engineers of today.

Engineering is the heart of the UK manufacturing industry, quite literally providing the cogs, gears and wheels that keep everything moving, yet it has often been taken for granted, and seen as an unattractive career option. This perception is changing and many young people are taking a fresh look at the exciting opportunities a career in engineering presents.

Engineering is often thought of simply in terms of mechanical engineering; building and testing machines, engines and other mechanical devices, but engineering is truly multi disciplinary and has applications across a wide range of industries and technologies.

Branches include IT, photonics which developed the laser, aeronautical and aerospace engineering, and electronics engineering with its multitude of uses. Systems engineers are involved in complex projects, from spacecrafts to chip design, from robotics, and creating large software products to building bridges, and use a wide range of engineering specialisms.

Civil engineers design and construct buildings, roads, bridges and dams, and are increasingly aligned with sustainable, "green" or environmental, design within the fields of architecture and urban planning.

Engineering techniques and principles are also a crucial factor in the many recent advances in the medical and ergonomics fields. Then there are also the many chemistry related applications, including nuclear.

It is plain to see that engineering impacts on every area of our lives, keeping us warmer, or cooler, healthier, and more active.

New products are introduced, infrastructure is improved and maintained, but where are our future engineers to come from?

There is a consensus that there are plenty of graduates at the top end but that there is a shortage of young people turning to the industry, possibly due to a poor perception of engineering as a career, but also a shortage of appropriate courses, and training schemes.

The importance of engaging young people with science and technology is crucial in raising awareness of the rich variety of opportunities for creativity and personal development within engineering. School outreach programmes such as those sponsored by the Warwick Manufacturing Group are playing a key role.

Various large companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, WMG, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Virgin Media and training organisations, supported by government initiatives are trying to address the issue, with schemes targeting school leavers and graduates.

As we move forward as a nation, the role of the engineer in innovation and competitiveness will become ever more important for our continued prosperity.

WMP

Williams Metal Polishers Quality Polishing

39

31274 3pg_Feature Template 14/12/2012 11:31 Page 1

Heinrich Georg has a real good news story to tell, at the end of a record year of business they have recorded their highest ever turnover, and are taking on more staff.

They are well known as a traditional steel processor and market leader in strip processing technology and engineering solutions.

The company has sustained steady growth over the last few years, and is expanding and diversifying into testing machine components, particularly for the aerospace industry.

As part of their expansion into the aerospace field they have been collaborating with Moog during Moogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move into a new facility on the prestigious I54 estate. The move has involved a huge programme of upgrading and modifying Moogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing equipment and the supply of additional purpose designed specialist testing equipment, this is such a major operation in addition to an expanding and varied order book that Heinrich Georg have felt sufficiently confident about the future to take on some new graduate design engineers and shop floor apprentices.

Daro Engineering

suppliers of quality fabrications Congratulations to Heinrich Georg (UK) Wishing You Every Success In The Future from all at Daro Engineering (Stafford) Limited

Unit 7a/b Brocton Business Park, Cannock Road, Brocton, Stafford ST17 0SU Tel. 01785 660391 Fax. 01785 665347 Email. office@daroengineering.co.uk

www.daroengineering.co.uk

40

Daro Engineering

31274 3pg_Feature Template 14/12/2012 11:31 Page 2

Another interesting product this innovative company supplies is a rolling order, running currently until 2014, for hydraulic systems used in the construction of temporary bridges.

The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Heinrich Georg Maschienfabrik GmbH, a family-owned group of companies based in Germany, known world wide, not just as a steel and aluminium processor but for innovation and diversity. The UK division also collaborates extensively with its German associates on coil process projects in the UK and throughout the world to supply new state of the art equipment.

Heinrich Georg was established in the UK in 1994 and has built up an extensive range of engineering capabilities. The company fosters a continuous programme of training and development with a core activity of manufacturing process machinery, providing up to the minute technology coupled with strong robust design.

They can offer a complete service in the fields of engineering design and manufacture, and provide slitting lines, blanking lines and material handling, aerospace test rigs, the design and build of coil process equipment, and special purpose machines. They have the expertise to meet the demands of competitive material process companies for industries as diverse as aerospace, food, hydraulics, foundry and many more.

Neil Wyke, Managing Director says, “Each project involves a great appreciation of customer’s needs and accurate interpretation to ensure appropriate engineering is applied. Projects we have recently completed have ranged from factory relocation to highly technical production equipment.”

They can manage contracts from concept through design/engineering, manufacture, installation and commissioning.

Their team of engineers are continually supporting process companies, on site, offering quick and permanent solutions to manufacturing requirements.

Heinrich Georg’s engineers assist companies by carrying out detailed assessments, alignment, and analysis of existing plant.

They are able to offer expert advice on new projects, trouble shooting, and programmes of preventative maintenance. As the experience with Moog shows, they have unrivalled competence in the refurbishment of existing plant, re-siting and commissioning where necessary. This competence extends to the complete supply and integration of hydraulic, pneumatic and electronic drives and control systems.

4

,

REASONS TO TALK 40,000 precision products for applications in over 60 industrial sectors The combined range of INA and FAG products includes over 40,000 standard bearing products, all backed up by a comprehensive range of maintenance products and condition monitoring equipment for any application in any industry.

Working together with Heinrich Georg, Schaeffler UK offers first quality innovative bearing technology and provides extensive, customised, value-added bearing solutions, so there’s hardly an application we don’t have a solution for.

Schaeffler (UK) Ltd E-mail: info.uk@schaeffler.com Web: www.schaeffler.co.uk

41

31274 3pg_Feature Template 14/12/2012 11:31 Page 3

Limited Unit 27-28, Industrial Estate, East Goscote, Leicester, LE7 3SL Tel: 0116 260 1001 Fax: 0116 264 0186 e-mail: design@andrewshydraulics.co.uk Web Site: www.andrewshydraulics.co.uk

Pleased to support the expansion of Heinrich Georg UK Ltd with the supply of Hydraulic Power Units, Manifolds & System Design.

Heinrich Georg are looking forward to a glowing future, and confidently awaiting the next tricky engineering challenge from their new premises at Dunstall Hill, Wolverhampton.

For more information visit the web site at

www.georg-uk.co.uk or phone 01902 715110

Cradley Engineering

Ltd

Your local Fabrication and Precision Engineers in Cradley Heath

are pleased to be associated with

Heinrich Georg (UK) and we wish them all the best in the future a: Unit 3 Penn Industrial Estate, Providence Street, Cradley Heath B64 5DJ t: 01384 634428 / 07718660632

Specialists in the supply of Industrial Drives, Automation & Control Systems . AC, DC & Servo Drives and Motors . Control & Automation Systems . Motion Control . Scada & HMI . Motor Control Centres . Design, Manufacture & Test . Installation & Commissioning . Training & Service Support . BS EN ISO 9001:2000

Experts in control systems integration Visit our website www.transicon.co.uk to find out more Transicon Your working Partner 42

LZ VgZ egdjY id hjeegi =Z^cg^X] <Zdg\ J@ VcY lZ l^h] i]Zb Vaa i]Z WZhi [dg i]Z [jijgZ###

Call 01952 605515 Fax 01952 605628 Email office@transicon.co.uk Transicon Ltd Unit 1, Cherwell Enterprise Pk Hortonwood 2 Telford TF1 7GW

TRANSICON

31448 1pg_Feature Template 19/12/2012 11:18 Page 1

Denner Kelford Grinding Perfection is the key to success

In this champion Olympic year, Team GB are not the only ones at the top of their game gaining gold.

2012 marks Birmingham precision grinder Denner-Kelford Grinding’s 50th anniversary - a feat of sustained business success worthy of the most glittering of medals.

Ever since Dennis Warner established his 500sq ft Hockley base, with two employees, the story has been one of continued growth and expansion which still shows no sign of stopping.

Now housed in a 2,500sq ft building, in Mount Street, Nechells, plans are under way to invest in new machinery and to increase the workforce by 25%. They have recently employed the company’s first apprentice.

And, of course, there’s every intention of continuing what’s seen as the business’s greatest successes - its relationship with some very prestigious companies both home and abroad and enhancing its enviable reputation for quality, sensible pricing and meeting deadlines still further.

“We take pride in every single item that leaves our workshop,” declares Mark Phillips, one of the company’s three directors.

“Our clients know that they can rely on the high quality of our work to make their equipment run smoothly and efficiently.”

Denner Kelford Grinding began as the Denner Grinding Company, created by Dennis Warner and his business partner Ross Knight, working mainly for the fastener industry.

Phillip Attwater, still a director today, joined Dennis and his son John upon Ross’s retirement in 1975 and, with Dennis’s retirement in the early ‘80s joined John in running the business, helping to oversee a move from the Jewellery Quarter to Avenue Road and tailor output to the aerospace side of engineering.

John left the company in the 1990s and Phil continued the business until he was joined by today’s third current director, Gary Green in 1998. In 2001 they acquired Kelford Grinding and the company became Denner-Kelford Grinding. Mark joined in 2004 and became a director in 2006.

Today, the company brings the full 50 years of precision experience to bear throughout its processes which cover every grinding need for industries across the UK. Sectors covered include medical and pharmaceutical, aerospace, petrochemical, hydraulic, vintage and modern vehicles, telecommunications, motor sports, nuclear and defence while the

work ranges from cylindrical, surface, internal and external, chuck work, centre work, bores and centreless grinding to precision angle and radius grinding, plus much more.

“We grind in large and small quantities using conventional and CNC grinding methods to the highest of standards and we machine grind all types of metals, including chrome, aluminium, iron, steel, tungsten, titanium as well as other types of materials natural or man-made,” says Mark.

“We can grind up to 1900mm in length and 355mm in diameter and nor do non-exotic and exotic materials present any problems.”

It’s not just about creating the new either. Denner-Kelford also operates a universal repair service by chroming and re-grinding parts back to their original state.

“If your tolerances are tight or big and prices are a problem or just looking for a new supplier, we at DK are here to help,” offers Mark.

“If you are on a tight budget, tell us what you can afford and we will do our utmost to accommodate your requirements.

“No matter how big or small or complex your requirement is, you can have complete faith in our grinding capabilities.”

We have just placed an order for a brand new Jones and Shipman CNC machine and will be looking to have it installed and ready to run in July/August time, with this machine it is a big investment for the forward thinking future of the company.

For further information about the company, its services and products, visit

www.dkgrinding.co.uk or telephone 0121 359 7728

From From everyone everyone at at Midland Midland Abrasives, Abrasives, we we would to congratulate Gary, Mark, Mark, Phil Phil would like to congratulate Gary, and all the staff at ord Grinding at Denner-Kelford Denner-Kelfo Grinding on their 50th Anniversary Anniversary and long may may we we continue continue to to supply them abrasive abrasive products. products.

TTel: el: 0121 687 1135 w ww.midlandabrasives.com www.midlandabrasives.com 43

31518 DPS 2pgs:Mellish Engineering 2pg 15/01/2013 12:16 Page 1

Bar tuning and hot forging specialist Mellish Engineering Services Ltd is definitely hot stuff - booming sales have prompted a big relocation in 2012.

The last two years have seen turnover double and, to accommodate the increased demand, last July the business teamed up with its sister company Tipper Engineering to move into a purpose-built 25,000 sq ft unit.

Now in Middlemore Lane West, Aldridge, the specialist manufacturer continues to produce special and non-standard high integrity fasteners, with much of its increased output focused on exports.

At a time when many are still finding trading conditions difficult, to say the least, Mellish Engineering Services looks back on the last couple of busy years with understandable pride.

“We see our ability to survive the recession and secure our future as one of our greatest business successes,” smiles Export Sales Director Andrew Rattenberry.

It’s the combination of high quality products, top-class service, rigorous safety and inspection checks and utter commitment to customer service that mean Mellish is much in demand.

“Our main focus is to offer customers, a prompt, professional service they can trust,” emphasises Andrew.

“We take pride in offering just such a service right from dealing with an initial enquiry through to processing an order and then ensuring it hits that all important delivery deadline.”

And because Mellish is ISO 9001-2000 accredited, quality is paramount. Says Andrew: “All orders are subject to detailed inspection throughout manufacture and before final release while testing is rigorously maintained to ensure compliance with exacting requirements “Everything is focused on ensuring that components reach customers exactly as they expect them to, while remaining competitively priced.”

Many years of specialist knowledge and manufacturing expertise are welded into Mellish’s extensive range of special fasteners, which includes nuts, bolts, socket products, studbolts and washers.

Not just produced the conventional way through its extensive modern bar turning facility, Mellish has reinvested in state-ofthe-art CNC machines for a total fastening solution.

“Our CNC department has developed into one of strongest divisions, allowing accurate precision components to be supplied to the highest of standards, in any delivery situation,” declares Andrew.

But the options don’t end there. The company’s forging department has heat inducted forge presses, capable of producing a wide range of diameters and lengths.

Completing the picture is Mellish’s specialist tooling department. “Good quality tooling is vital in making sure you get the right quality fasteners on time, every time,” insists Andrew.

PIT STOP CAFE AND CATERING SERVICES LTD MAGNETIC PARTICLE

PAINT INSPECTION

DYE PENETRANT

XRF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

ULTRASONIC

FERRITE TESTING

X-RAY SERVICES

COLLECTION & DELIVERY SERVICE

PTS (TQM) Limited, Verulam Road, Common Road Industrial Estate, Stafford ST16 3EA United Kingdom Telephone: 01785 250706 Fax: 01785 250906 Email: info@professionaltesting.co.uk Web: www.professionaltesting.co.uk

44

• Quality Hot & Cold Food • Buffets for all occassions • Business Lunches Pit Stop Cafe & Catering Services Ltd are proud to be associated with Mellish Engineering.

Pit Stop Café & Catering Services Unit 1, Walkfern, Middlemore Lane, West Aldridge, Walsall WS9 8BG Tel: 01922 453830

31518 DPS 2pgs:Mellish Engineering 2pg 15/01/2013 12:16 Page 2

“This is why we have invested into cutting-edge spark erosion/toolroom equipment, which allows flexibility to produce hot forged fasteners on the quickest of deliveries.”

The range of production methods means that fasteners are supplied in various metals, such as Inconel, Monel, Titanium 32760/254SMO and many others while surface finishes come in many forms, such as zinc plating, glavanising, anodising, copper coating, powdercoat, chrome and nickel.

And it doesn’t matter whether the requirement is for a one-off prototype or for medium or large scheduled batch quantities, all can be accommodated.

For further information about Mellish Engineering Services and its products please visit www.mellishengineering.co.uk.

Alternatively email sales@mellishengineering.co.uk or telephone 01922 457799.

Certain your products tick every box?

Laboratories Limited

A UK Based Metallurgical testing and advisory services.

Rotech Laboratories Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rubery Owen Holdings Limited, a company founded more than a century ago and who’s name has always been synonymous with quality and engineering.

When quality is paramount to your customer make sure they are independently tested.

Rotech Laboratories Limited provide an extensive schedule of accredited tests and offer a large range of testing services to many sectors of industry. Rotech is proud of its comprehensive product knowledge and the ability to provide technical support to all its customers.

Rotech Laboratories Ltd, Moxley Industrial Centre, Western Way Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 7BG Telephone: +44 (0)121 505 4050 Fax: +44 (0) 121 505 1115 Email: info@rotechlabs.co.uk Web: www.rotechlabs.com

Caparo Testing Technologies - experts in Materials & Non-Destructive Testing Services

0800 121 4602 or www.caparotesting.com

45

31527 1pg:Transport Warehousing 14/01/2013 19:54 Page 1

Windsor Materials Handling The Windsor name has been synonymous with materials handling and access systems since 1977, providing a first class range of forklift hire, sales and maintenance services.

Windsor has grown into one of the largest independent forklift and materials handling equipment companies in the UK and became a Doosan authorised distributor in 2009 to offer a value brand that meets the performance requirements of our customers. Along with our JLG Access Platforms range we are ideally positioned to offer customers a total solution from a single source.

Allied with the enviable reputation for value, quality and reliability of the extensive Doosan forklift range, we continue to strive to "lift the standards of industry". This goal is also achieved by placing particular attention to each individual customer's needs and application to ensure the most cost effective and efficient solution is delivered.

We maintain a philosophy of continual investment. This ensures our strong belief of a local and personal customer support is maintained, alongside a large and reliable hire fleet. From this foundation, we have the ability to offer local one-stop approach for finance, hire, sales, maintenance and spares, adding value to the customer chain through a quick, reliable and competent service.

Our7KH complete FRPSOHWH truck WUXFN range

Changes in Working at Height Regulations led to many of our forklift customers to revise their procedures and look to access platforms. This led to many enquiries to provide both equipment and maintenance. In recognition of this customer need we established a relationship with JLG, becoming a distributor and service centre for their equipment. With our long established reputation for quality and aftercare within the forklift arena, we were delighted to make JLG products available through all of our eight regional depots.

For more information please telephone 01675 430235

DW \RXU VHUYLFH )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ SOHDVH FDOO RU H PDLO VDOHV#DWOHW FR XN

Tel: 024 7668 8879 Fax: 024 7668 5758 Mob: 07970368966 Unit 1, Cross Road Industrial Estate, 31/41 Cross Road, Coventry CV6 5GR

46

ZZZ DWOHW FR XN

31534 QPD_Spline Gauges QPD 1pg 07/11/2012 10:25 Page 1

Their client base includes the most demanding industries in the world, and the company has continued to invest heavily in new equipment to respond to the high specification of their customers.

When the economic forecast were still gloomy in 2012, Malcolm Ryman was optimistic about the future, saying: “Spline Gauges’ order book is strong and I expect a further strengthening.”

Spline Gauges, the world’s leading manufacturer of spline gauges and master gears is celebrating 50 years in business this October. It was founded in 1962 by Ken Foster, who is now 89 and still going strong.

The company’s fortunes are closely linked to the automotive, defence and aerospace industries, their OEMs and the precision engineering companies which support them. It sells to them both directly, and through a network of value adding distributors throughout the world. Its products are used to measure drive splines and gearbox gears by the companies who manufacture them.

He acknowledged the automotive industry‘s efforts to stimulate demand by the introduction of new models, particularly the British manufactured Range Rover. His confidence was well founded as the Range Rover ranges consistently out perform their competition.

Mr Ryman tells us: “The automotive industry is known for its focus on quality and its expectation that its suppliers will not fail it. We supply the biggest companies in this industry and we supply their OEMs and their tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers. Since the early 1990s we have been supplying component parts to Formula 1 and Indy Car companies which demand speed of response as well as product quality and delivery reliability.”

During the trying times of the 1990’s recession they assessed all aspects of their business practice, adopting “Lean Manufacturing” techniques to eliminate waste and compress production times. Managing Director, Malcolm Ryman, praised the loyalty of his staff at that time and paid tribute to their wealth of relevant experience, saying; “it is through them we are able to respond to the challenges of our customers.”

They continued to build on their world wide reputation, earning a position of authority in the industry based on their commitment to high quality manufacturing, independent testing, and reliable supply of spline gauges and master gears.

The Tamworth company are in buoyant mood, and in addition to their rolling programme of investment are looking to make acquisitions and further investment in new equipment to more than double the size of the business in the next few years.

In short, Spline Gauges is an expert in gears and splines. It has continuously invested; it practices quality manufacturing and it has the experience to deliver. Spline Gauges is a company you can trust.

For further information please visit the web site www.splinegauges.co.uk or telephone 01827 871504 47

31544 1pg:Nimgrove 1pg 15/01/2013 12:19 Page 1

ANDREW McLeod will tell you the greatest challenge his company Nimgrove Ltd has ever faced is the toughest recession in decades - and its greatest success is not only surviving it but being all the stronger for it.

But you only have to look a little further back in the company’s history to discover that its grit and determination to succeed have already been forged through fire.

Not even a devastating blaze which ripped through its then Bridgetown factory unit in the early 1990s, destroying everything, could keep it down for long.

“It was a huge setback,” remembers Andrew, “but, with rapid thinking and assistance from various suppliers we were back in business within a week.”

The sub-contract sheet metal fabrication company has done nothing but grow and grow ever since, evidence of its continued progress through the harsh economic conditions seen in its recent investment of more than £300k in a new Amada laser cutting machine.

“This will not only boost our production capacities, it will ensure we can deliver even better quality to our customers,” states Andrew.

With all the capabilities to shear, punch, laser cut, plasma cut, bend, weld and finish all types of metal at its premises in Cannock, Nimgrove provides a complete sheet metal fabrication/assembly service to all industry sectors.

Its products can be found in materials handling equipment, office, retail and storage equipment, electrical switchgear and the earth moving, automotive, security and defence industries.

Around 20 people are employed by the business and all share the same aim: to provide quality products at the time and point customers need them.

“We use the latest CNC machinery and manufacturing techniques to meet the requirements of our customers with whom we always aim to build lasting business relationships,” says Andrew.

“Nimgrove places great emphasis on putting customers’ needs first and we believe that this philosophy is the most important contributor to not only our continued success but that of our clients.

“All our work is produced to their specific requirements, but at the same time we can also bring our expertise to bear during the design and engineering of their products to ensure that they’re of the best value and quality.”

Indeed, quality has always featured prominently in Nimgrove's philosophy, with every aspect of its production process being monitored to ensure quality and traceability. “Whether your requirements are for a one off, a development project or a regular supply of assemblies to a delivery schedule, we can supply the service that you are looking for,” promises Andrew.

For further information about Nimgrove, it’s products and services, go to www.nimgrove.co.uk. Alternatively email sales@nimgrove.co.uk or telephone 01543 426 926.

& # $ #$" %$ " #$ $ "$ $ # ' " #$ " ## $ " "& + + +

&

$

#$ " * ! " '$ & " #* ! #$ -/ (

" $( $ "$

#$ ") !" !" # # "# ## $ " # "& $ #$

## " )" $ $ "' (# %#$"(

# ,

+ + +

"

$

#

,

$

$ ) "

##! $!"

48

#$ #$ $ " #( & "#*

##

" &

"# 0. "

$ % #

)

"

# ( "

)

31548 1pg:Holbourne Industrail Plastics 1pg 15/01/2013 12:26 Page 1

development. Their range includes tiny components for export to New Zealand to bullet proof windows for military vehicles for the MOD. The level of customer service that the company provides has been fundamental to its success, as Ken Argent explained: “Our business has been built on offering high levels of service and doing what we say we are going to do, which is why we’ve been able to continue progressing, even during the downturn.”

To ensure that their high standards are maintained they operate a rigorous quality control procedure throughout the production cycle and all supplies, whether standard stock materials or machined components can be supplied to ISO9001:2000 approval.

The company are becoming established in the new premises, and all members of the team are enjoying the improved working space, and the opportunities it brings to raise even further their already high standards of service to their customers.

Holbourne Industrial Plastics Ltd www.holbourne.co.uk Phone number 01922 745080 Another Midlands Success Story.

Holbourne Industrial Plastics Ltd, the well established, industrial plastics supplier have completed their move to their new premises in Aldridge.

The company was founded in 1992 and started out as a partnership operating from a single office; they now employ 12 staff and have a turnover of approx 1.25 million.

The new facility at the Phoenix Works in Middlemoor Lane has 12,000 sq ft of manufacturing space and will enable the company to complete its merger with British Micanizing, bringing the whole operation under one roof.

Ken Argent, Chairman of Holbourne, said: “Acquiring these new premises means we can significantly reduce the costs associated with being based on two sites. Those savings will allow us to invest in new machinery and continue offering our customers high quality engineering plastics and electrical insulation materials with short lead times. This move will only make us stronger as a business.”

Holbourne manufacturers, fabricates and distributes electrical and mechanical insulation parts and materials, to a wide customer base including manufacturing, defence, transport, construction and retail..

The company holds substantial stocks of a wide range of materials including Tufnol Laminates, G10/FR4 Glass Laminates, Plexiglas / Perspex Acrylic, in order to fulfil their stated aim of offering top quality service and swift delivery to their customers.

Standard stock shapes along with machined and stamped components can be supplied from 1 offs to millions, and Craig Pope MD emphasised: “All customers whether large or small are treated with the same professional service and prompt response to requests for information.”

They supply the widest possible range of both UK and international customers, from O.E.M.s buying in bulk, to the smaller buyer needing specific components for maintenance or

Cress Security have installed and serviced Security Systems for a number of organistations including the Police Service, Probation Service, Heritage Properties, Councils and many multi national companies.

Cress Security Co Ltd 6 Wolverhampton Road Stafford ST17 4BN Tel: (01785) 211014 Fax: (01785) 227711 Web: www.cress-security.co.uk

! ! !

!

! !

Next Recruitment Highfield House 1562 Stratford Rd Hall Green Birmingham B28 9HA Tel: 0121 733 2888 Fax: 0121 733 8788 Web: www.nextagency.co.uk

Congratulations to Holbourne Industrial Plastics Ltd On 20 years of successful trading from your Local Independent Financial Adviser

Specialists in Individual/Corporate Pensions, Investments And Wealth Preservation • Advice for business • Advice for individuals • Pensions • Investments with acess to Discretionary Fund Managed Service • Life assurance • Health insurance • Income protection • Mortgages For a free, no obligation, initial meeting, please call Mike James 01543 478880/07711 144261

49

31570 1pg:Chapmans Garden Machinery 1pg 15/01/2013 12:28 Page 1

Chapmans Garden Machinery

“All gardening is landscape painting,” said William Kent, one of Britain's greatest designers in grand architecture, furniture and garden planning - but few Leicestershire ‘landscape painters’ would have got far without their ‘paintbrushes’ from Chapman’s Garden Machinery.

Behind the plots of beautifully trimmed plants, manicured lawns and clipped hedges, rotovated soils and pollarded trees lies the expertise of Nigel Chapman and his team who, for the last 20 years, have ensured everyone has got the right tools to do just these jobs - and many more.

The business, based in Countesthorpe, has spent 2012 celebrating its sustained success in supplying and repairing garden machinery for green-fingered domestic and commercial users over the decades.

Not even two recession have been able to prune its ability for steady growth.

“Many of our competitors have gone by the wayside but, by keeping small and providing a quality friendly service, we have survived and grown,” says Nigel, proud of his company’s staying power and declaring it his greatest business success.

“Some may have had very light use but all these machines are guaranteed and are subject to availability.”

Any gardener will know that, even with the best equipment, over the course of time and use, blades blunt, motors seize up and parts can fall off but, thanks to Chapman’s fully equipped workshop, Nigel and his staff can cater for all servicing, sharpening and repair requirements.

“Whether you have a small electric machine or a range of professional machinery, we will be happy to help,” he says.

“We can also provide spares for many of the leading brands of machinery and for those customers within our catchment area, offer a collection and delivery service.”

Chapman’s Garden Machinery is open from 9am - 5pm Mondays to Fridays and on Saturdays from 9am-12pm.

For further information, visit www.chapmansgardenmachinery.co.uk or email sales@chapmansgardenmachinery.co.uk.

A runner-up twice in past UK Small Engine Repair Championships competitions, he attended Brooksby Agricultural College, in Melton Mowbray and gained a City and Guilds qualification in Horticultural Engineering.

He launched Chapman’s Garden Machinery in 1992 after seven years spent working for another dealer in a nearby town and now, having been joined by his wife Sarah, employs three people and is the local main dealer for many leading garden machinery manufacturers, such as Hayter, Atco, Iseki, Tanaka and Jonsereds.

Today is the day power and performance matter most.

TODAY IS THE DAY ENGINES MATTER.

!

“We deal with most of the main manufacturers and we welcome customers to our small showroom which is filled with mowers, chainsaws, strimmers, rotovators, hedgecutters and so on,” he says.

It’s not just about providing the new - Chapman’s also sells fully conditioned second-hand machines and graded equipment.

“This is a new item which has been returned with a fault which has been rectified and the machine is now in good working order,” explains Nigel of the graded equipment.

50

"

#! ##

& " #

! #! %

#! ## & " ! $!" # ! & # ## & #

$ !

& $ "& " ! # !# $ $# #%

"

"

#! !

! #

&

"

#& & !

' & (! # & ! (" ! "# ! $ ! " " ! $# ! & ! $ # (% ! &# # # " ! &# " & # & ! % !' ' & # ## ! ! ! ! & & '"

Briggs & Stratton UK Ltd Road Four Winsford Ind Est Winsford - Cheshire CW7 3QN Tel: 01606 862182 Web: www.briggsandstratton.com

31581 Phoenix Balancing_Feature Template 20/12/2012 10:16 Page 1

176 Fletchamstead Highway Industrial Estate, Fletchamstead Highway, Coventry, CV4 7BB T 02476 700387 E info@phoenixbalancing.co.uk www.phoenixbalancing.co.uk

Phoenix Balancing Ltd, the independent specialists in Dynamic Balancing Services, are in new premises at Fletchamstead Highway.

Established in February 2006, they have maintained a pattern of steady growth. The new premises have enabled them to expand their work force, ensuring continued and improving services to their customers.

Phoenix Balancing Ltd is owned and run by Graham Yardley and Stewart Davis, who have over 20 years’ experience in the industry. They are proud of their independent status in a market dominated by the major manufacturers and provide balancing services to customers throughout the world, helping them to get the best from their machines and their processes, including some blue chip companies such as Rolls Royce and GE owned companies.

Their friendly and informal approach is backed up by knowledge gained working with a large variety of equipment, enabling them to provide a completely independent solution to your requirements, whether at their works, or on site at your facility.

They can provide advice, calibration and certification on most makes of balancing machine to the original manufacturers’ guidelines and instructions, using test or sample rotors and UKAS traceable test masses.

Their repair and maintenance service provides mechanical and electrical on-site repair work to machines, including some obsolete electronic and pneumatic systems but once the machine is beyond repair, they can upgrade it to something more suitable.

Phoenix Balancing Ltd also provides training courses covering both balancing theory and practice, starting with a classroom session and leading into practical work on a machine.

We are delighted to be considered an extension of the Phoenix Balancing team, and we look forward to supporting you as you continue to grow your business.

•

Same Day Delivery

•

Small vans-7.5t 24hrs a day

•

We give our valued customers a standard of service excellence never before seen in the courier industry.

Telephone:- (0) 845 539 0022

Email:- bookings@proactivedespatch.com

51

31588 2pgs DPS:Mills CNC Ltd 2pg 15/01/2013 12:29 Page 1

Market-leaders in the supply of CNC machine tools to UK and Irish manufacturers.

Going for Growth – and getting it!

Talk to a hundred business commentators about the current state of and future prospects for the UK economy and you’re likely to get a hundred different views ranging from, at one end of the spectrum, a gloomy ‘woe is us’ assessment of the shape of things to come through to a ‘everything’s rosy in the garden’ – or soon will be, at the other.

The truth, generally speaking, is probably somewhere in the middle.

But, for some UK manufacturers like Leamington-based Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland it’s a good news story all the way – and has been for the last 3 years or so.

A quick look at the company’s performance so far in 2012 provides the evidence for such optimism and reveals that Mills is well on its way to achieving its best ever sales performance to date and will, for the first time in its 38 year history, sell over 500 machines by the year end.

According to Nick Frampton, Mills’ managing director (pictured, right): “If business continues to be as brisk for the remainder of the year I expect total sales to be 20% up on 2011 and this, plus a definite increase in our market share of the UK and Irish machine tool markets, represents a fantastic achievement for everybody who works for and who is associated with the company. I believe that growth on this scale is proof that our customers like what we’re doing and how we do things here at Mills.”

There are many reasons explaining why Mills’ sales performance has been and remains so strong.

Continues Nick Frampton: “As the UK’s exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, we’re perhaps better placed than most. We have excellent products to sell and a strong, growing and unique machine tool portfolio that, from a price: performance perspective is second to none.

“We’re also able to capitalise on the strength of Doosan’s impressive in-house Research & Development and manufacturing capabilities that have helped it become one of the world’s leading (and most successful) machine tool builders and that, year-on-year, enables us to introduce a number of new and exciting Doosan machines into our markets.

52

“But, important as these factors are, there’s more to our success than the products we sell. Talk to any of our customers and I’m confident that they will stress (or mention at the very least) that their decision to invest in Doosan technology was influenced by what Mills brings to the table. And, in particular, by the type and level of service and support we provide to customers.

“Our business approach is simple and unambiguous. We believe that great products demand equally great service and have developed, throughout the company, a ‘can-do’ customer service driven culture that reflects this mind set.

“What this means is that whenever a customer has contact or interfaces with a member of the Mills team, be it with our business managers, our service or application engineers, or our sales support and administrative staff – they experience firsthand what we call our ‘passion for customer service’.

“This doesn’t happen by chance but is something we plan and review continuously to make sure we’re always going the extra mile for customers.

“So, in addition to employing the best people in the business in the first instance, we are always looking to strengthen the Mills team, develop new services, invest in new technologies and refine our processes and systems, in order to improve.

“In the last couple of years this has seen us expand the CNC Training Academy and significantly strengthen our customer service and support operations.

“Having experienced phenomenal growth in recent years we’re determined to keep on doing the things that have made us and our customers successful. And that’s a promise.”

If you are interested in finding out more about the range of Doosan machine tools or about Mills CNC - visit our website or call us on 01926 736736.

Mills CNC Ltd Tachbrook Link Tachbrook Park Drive Leamington Spa CV34 6SN Tel: +44(0)1926 736 736 Fax: +44(0)1926 736 737 www.millscnc.co.uk

31588 2pgs DPS:Mills CNC Ltd 2pg 15/01/2013 12:29 Page 2

The UK’s premier CNC training provider.

Double tops!

The CNC Training Academy is twice as good as it used to be – and that’s saying something. Because, having already established itself as one the UK’s premier, independent CNC training organisations in just two short years and with upwards of 600 people trained to date, the company has now doubled its size with the opening of its second state-of-the-art training room at its facility in Leamington.

The expansion has allowed the Academy to meet the growing demand, among manufacturers and individuals looking to retrain, for its increasingly popular Fanuc, Heidenhain and Siemens CNC Programmer training courses and its range of advanced and specialist courses that include FeatureCAM, Fanuc NC Guide, PC Fapt and Cimco Edit 6.

Says Academy Manager, Jeff Hart (pictured, right): “Many more UK and Irish manufacturers are investing in training and improving the skills of their people to help them cope with, and capitalise on, the economic upturn.

“As a consequence they need access to proven, professionally-delivered and high-added value training and, owing to our reputation and to the comprehensive training provision we offer, have naturally contacted us to see if we could help.

“Whilst this was great news for us it did (initially) present some problems – namely to do with capacity as we simply couldn’t run enough courses, using our existing facilities, to meet the demand.”

The opening of the second training room, and the recruitment of additional trainers, means that manufacturers have not been left high and dry. The new facility, replete with the latest CNC training hardware, software and audio-visual equipment and resources is exactly what customers would expect from an organisation that has raised the bar when it comes to delivering world-class CNC training.

The Academy’s expansion plans go further than the opening of the new training room.

In the future, the intention is to widen the Academy’s appeal by taking its training courses directly to customers.

Continues Jeff Hart: “For some customers it’s just not feasible (from a cost and/or logistics perspective) to have their operators and programmers trained off-site at the Academy for what could be three, four or five days (depending on the course in question). For companies in this position the solution is simple. We will come to them.”

If you are interested in finding out more about the range of CNC Training Courses we provide visit our website or call us on 01926 438363.

CNC Training Academy Tachbrook Link Tachbrook Park Drive Leamington Spa CV34 6SN Tel: +44(0)1926 438 363 Fax: +44(0)1926 736 737 www.cnctrainingacademy.co.uk

53

31617 1pg_Armatage Communications 1pg 19/12/2012 13:43 Page 1

Why the path to productivity improvement doesn’t have to be a lonely one The adoption of robotic production equipment on the factory floor is making a big difference to the success of some of the biggest names in UK manufacturing. Take a look at any modern car manufacturing plant, for example, and one of the first things you’ll see is the number of robots being used to handle everything from welding through to paint-spraying.

Frustratingly, this same picture is not being replicated on the floors of many of the UK’s manufacturing-focused SMEs. Much work has been done in trying to find out why, including the Engineering and Machinery Alliance’s Automation Study of 2010. The results of this report show that three obstacles – lack of awareness of what automation can do; unwillingness to risk investment in unfamiliar technologies; and lack of skills to implement and operate automated technology – are causing many UK SME companies to lag behind their more automationsavvy international competitors.

Winning hearts and minds It’s understandable that existing production employees may feel anxious about how the arrival of a robot will affect them. In the majority of cases though, it’s true to say that robots actually preserve more jobs than they displace. We have several examples showing how the productivity improvements brought by robotic technology have convinced UK companies to reconsider their decisions to relocate manufacturing offshore and remain here instead.

At a time when there is widespread concern about the shortage of engineering skills in the UK, robots also provide a vital element of security and certainty for the UK’s continued economic growth.

Take the next step The step from any current technology to a new way of doing things is invariably going to be a big one. But when it comes to automating with robots, it’s true to say you’ll never work alone.

To find out more, call +44 (0) 1908 350 300 or email robotics@gb.abb.com ref. ‘Robots’

All of these reasons are understandable. After all, automating with robots is about more than just shoe-horning a few into the corner of a factory and switching them on. They need to be properly installed, set-up and integrated into your process and someone needs to be trained to look after them.

They also need to pay for themselves, delivering improvements over and above what can be achieved with a nonrobotised system.

Successful implementation requires careful planning and upfront effort, focusing as much on the tasks a robot will handle as winning over the hearts and minds of those who may feel threatened by their arrival.

Help is at hand The good news is that robot suppliers, such as ABB, can help minimise this effort and ensure the transition to a robot-based process is as painless as possible.

Our input encompasses everything from auditing a customer’s existing process through to offline simulation of the recommended robotic installation to make sure any potential bugs are ironed out. We can even help you to assess the likely ROI on investing in a robotic system and demonstrate how payback could be achieved within two years.

We have also devoted considerable investment into our Milton Keynes robot training centre, where we aim to ensure that everyone, from novices through to skilled operators, receives the training to maximise the possibilities that robotic technology can bring.

When the robot does finally go into operation, we’re also there to provide on-going support and service to make sure the transition to a robotic process is a smooth one.

54

Boost your productivity and energy efficiency?

Certainly.

Did you know that you can transform your productivity and efficiency using robot-based automation? To find out how, in half-a-day, ABB can transform your productivity and reduce your energy bill, email robotics@gb.abb.com ref: ‘Appraisal’ or scan the QR code below.

Select Catering Solutions_Feature Template 22/11/2012 09:28 Page 1

www.selectcateringsolutions.com Leicestershire company helps meet Olympic target of zero waste games.

A Leicestershire food packaging company was part of the recycling initiative designed to make this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics the first ever zero waste games. Market Harborough based company Select Catering Solutions provided recyclable cups and sandwich containers to food outlets at two of the Games’ venues.

With strict guidelines on materials and methods used to create any packaging, all materials had to be biodegradable so that waste could be made into compost after the Games. Select Catering Solutions provided 100,000 drinking cups and half a million sandwich containers which were used at the North Greenwich Arena, the site of the gymnastics and basketball competitions, as well as at Eton Dorney where the canoeing and rowing events took place.

“It was a tough challenge ensuring that our products met the stringent ecological specifications set by LOCOG,” comments Paul Armstrong, Director, of Select Catering Solutions. “It was a complex operation and a very large order, but everything ran smoothly and arrived on schedule – much like the Games themselves. We are all really proud of what we achieved this summer; it was an honour to be part of such a great national event.”

London 2012 was one of the largest peacetime catering operations and LOCOG’s aim was to serve 14 million sustainably sourced meals this summer to achieve their goal of being the first zero waste games.

Select Catering Solutions is a privately owned family business based in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. The company has their own studio offering a bespoke design service for a wide range of catering disposables and food packaging items for both independent retailers and national chains.

& CO

Barker

Chartered Accountants Registered Auditors '

(.'- '-

#+,-

-+ - ,"-(' +&"(., .! 2 +0# $,"#+

Caffe Carrara offers a selection of the world’s finest coffee from ethically sourced farms.

Select launched Caffe Carrara in December 2010, having been involved within the coffee industry for over four years. They felt the market was flooded with distinctively average coffee, and their primary focus is to produce and supply luxury aromatic blends, ensuring Select’s customer and their customers taste the best coffee!

Paul Armstrong said: “We’re not just like any other company, we work with you to achieve the best results to appreciate the true flavours and aromas. It’s about selecting the perfect blend, educating your staff at our coffee school and understanding how your equipment works. Caffe Carrara in partnership with Select provides exactly this service.

Finding and roasting the best beans available is paramount to Caffe Carrara, we go the extra mile to make sure our blends are among the best you’ve ever tasted!”

% ,, ,,& '. #-, 1 ' (($$ )#'!

&#'.- ,

/#

+

(.'-, 2+(%%

(

" +!

-+ --(' ' + (,,

% & #% +

)-#('

+$ +,

(.'- '-, ( .$

% , *.(- +

+ '

55

31585 QPD 1pg:Kingston Commercial QPD 1pg 15/01/2013 12:35 Page 1

“In 2008 we invested in bespoke commercial property management software and, having operated it for a number of key clients since then, are now rolling it out on a wider scale, having proved the benefits it brings.”

Able to handle commercial property management instructions from single properties to industrial estates, shopping malls, office parks and mixed portfolios, the software has been designed specifically to deal with a wide range of management clients’ needs to maintain and ‘work’ their commercial property assets,” Andrew adds.

Based in Bore Street Lichfield, in the same building it occupied upon its 1950s launch, Kingston CPC, has a large and varied client base which spans the country within its particular areas of specialism in industrial/warehousing, offices and retail.

Its services cover sales/lettings, property management, valuations, rent reviews/lease renewals, commercial property rating, property development and consultancy.

“Our strength is in our detailed knowledge of the area in which we operate and our technical knowledge in the key aspects relevant to the property sectors concerned,” says Andrew.

“The Practice works hard to maintain its knowledge, data and technical skills to ensure that clients can be confident that they are receiving the service they require.”

The team’s investment in these matters has certainly paid dividends in the last few tough economic years which have proved challenging when it comes to matching landlords’/vendors’ aspirations with the tenants’/ purchasers’ expectations.

Photo: Kingston Partners Graham Jones, Andrew Price and Andrew Buckman.

Managing property assets increases value AT a time when investors need to keep more control than ever on asset management, forward-thinking Kingston Commercial Property Consultants is expanding its services to help them do just that.

“The commercial property market over the last four years or so has meant that investors need to keep an eagle eye on their portfolio, both to maximise income and maintain longevity in the life of the investment,” emphasises Andrew Price, one of the five Partners in the Staffordshire commercial property consultancy.

“Understandably investors want to be sure that they do not miss any key dates during leases – whether these are notice periods, rent review or lease renewals – whilst wanting the comfort of knowing (instantly if necessary) the exact cash flow situation, forecasts or debtor/creditor lists. Additionally, full service charge handling is often a time-consuming and complicated exercise.”

“Having the information is only half of the job: using that information based on long-standing experience and a detailed understanding of commercial property in order to maximise the benefits for clients is what brings the added value,” Andrew points out.

The fact that Kingston is good at this couldn’t be better demonstrated than by its levels of business retention and repeat business - something the company sees as the most important measure of its success rather than the numbers of instructions received.

“We do have new clients every month but there are many for whom we have been working for 30 to 40 years,” reveals Andrew.

“Our aim is to ensure our service is such that they return with either new instructions or repeat work.”

“From small single room offices to multi-let industrial estates and everything in between, our approach to commercial property management and other services is the same.”

For full details of Kingston Commercial’s services, visit www.kingstoncpc.co.uk. Alternatively telephone 01543 414300 or email enquiries@kingstoncpc.co.uk

What professional management of your property assets can achieve

56

31682 1pg new:Transport Warehousing 14/01/2013 17:28 Page 1

Commercial

Property

to Buy or Not to Buy Moving into new premises is a milestone moment for any business.

Whether it means leaving a domestic garage or back room or going from a small industrial unit to a major expanse of commercial building it’s always a sign of success.

You have less flexibility to cope with changes in circumstances - to take on more or less space, or to move to a different location - than if you are renting.

Buying premises ties up cash flow which could be invested in new employees, or plant.

While being an outward sign of growth to suppliers and customers, getting the keys to new premises also means opening a door to further expansion, such as more room for new employees.

By making property ownership a central part of your business, you expose yourself to an unpredictable market. This could leave you with a large and unproductive asset, which still incurs costs.

That’s the fun bit - however, as with any property purchase, there’s lots to negotiate beforehand, such as locating a site, getting a commercial mortgage and securing the premises.

Plenty to think about then - not least whether, having decided that your business is ready for the next step, - to buy or not to buy?

Having made your decision, the search is on! You’ll be hunting premises that meet your company’s specific requirement.

There are reasons both for and against outright ownership and much thought should be applied to weighing up the pros and cons. For example, there’s no need to worry about rent increases and by fixing monthly payments you can give yourself security over your outgoings - which could well be about the same as rent on a similar property.

You could remortgage to raise finance and design your surroundings exactly to the needs of your business - even adding to it if necessary. On the other hand - do you have funds totaling between 20% and 30% of the property’s value for a deposit?

You will be paying for its upkeep and, if it loses value, that will affect your business capital.

If circumstances change it won’t be so easy to move or take on more or less space and you could be in a situation where you are unable to hire more staff or invest in machinery because your cash flow is committed to a premises purchase.

Depending on interest rate movements, your mortgage payments could increase.

A quick checklist could include: Space How much for each member of staff, and any extra for interviews and/or meetings.

Parking Not only for employees - what about customers?

Storage It could be products, it could be for an extensive records archive.

Security Many modern building have systems built in.

Permission Worth checking if you’re a manufacturer - you may need permission to actually do said manufacturing.

Of course, the premises may fulfill your every need - but are they in the right place? While investigating the actual bricks and mortar, never forget: location, location, location.

Retailers will want to be close to their customers or suppliers and enjoy good visibility, while goods producers, delivery makers and those with a high logistics requirement will place a heavy emphasis on good transport links.

Your employees’ needs also need to be weighed up carefully - can they get there easily - and there are other considerations, A town/city centre building could cost more, may pose a greater crime risk and be subject to more noise and pollution, while an out-of-town location is more likely to have a modern building and better parking, but could lack other amenities such as nearby shops and restaurants.

So how do you go about doing all this research to ensure you’ve got the premises to suit you?

It’s worth asking any of your own immediate contacts who already have premises in the area to see if they know of opportunities and its getting advice from local organisations such as Chambers of Commerce is also worth a try. Then of course, there are local newspapers, trade newspapers and internet property sites all will carry details of premises available for rent or purchase.

Of course, going to and using the services of an expert commercial property agent/consultant is likely to make the whole process smoother, faster and much more efficient.

These are the people who are scouring the market on a daily basis and know just what’s out there, which are the best areas in which a business can locate and where the best deals are.

They will have access to sales and leasing trends which can prove invaluable when you’re trying to decide where to locate as well as extensive property portfolios of their own and they can also help handle the complex negotiations involved in structuring leases or purchases.

Choosing a new home for your growing business is an exciting time as it marks a company’s growth. Investing in the time to do it properly and using expert help to do so can only reap rewards in the long run.

57

31528 1pg_Feature Template 14/12/2012 13:06 Page 1

Aston Build

Complete Project Management From Concept To Completion

The term “building works” carries both excitement and trepidation. The excitement of improving your home, garden or office has to be set against the worry of finding a reliable building firm. The press is full of horror stories, and we are only too well aware of our limited knowledge and experience.

Aston Builders Ltd offers a professional and efficient service ranging from small and simple works to more adventurous and ambitious projects.

Building works, range from interior and exterior decorating, new kitchens or bathrooms, loft conversions, and the increasingly popular basement conversions, flat roofs, extensions, refurbishments, and new builds.

Whatever your outside project is, from patios, fencing, driveways or fully landscaping your garden at home or at work Aston Builders Ltd have the skills to produce a result that will give pleasure for years to come.

No job is too large or small, and the team will be happy to provide a comprehensive breakdown and estimate for the work. Aston Builders Ltd are also able to supply a complete project management service, including architectural designs and building regulations, enabling you to relax and leave everything in their capable hands.

Many families feel that they need extra space, but in the current economic climate, moving is often out of the question. Besides the financial implications there is the difficulty of moving the children’s’ schools, and leaving good neighbours behind. The obvious solution is to expand your available living space, thus adding value to your home and improving your family’s quality of life.

It is usually wise to look for a company who can show you completed projects within your local area, and a reliable builder will be happy to provide references and give you an up front estimate for the work.

For superb craftsmanship, reliable service and expert building industry knowledge call Aston Builders Ltd on 07501 277214 for a free quotation and advice with no obligation. Call FREE on Tel: 0808 225 3733 or Tel: 07501 277214 or Email: aheadbuilding@live.co.uk

Aston Build

Complete Project Management From Concept To Completion • Kitchens & Bathrooms • Interior & Exterior Decorating

Aston Builders Ltd is a well established builder based in Wolverhampton, serving both the residential and commercial sectors, who have been completing all kinds of projects to the very highest standard for 26 years, and have been Corgi, and now Gas Safe, fitters for 25 years.

• Flat Roof Systems { 50 years Guarantee} • Landscape Gardening • Patios

The company are fully insured and have plenty of references from satisfied customers for the reassurance of prospective clients, and are happy to show examples of their work. Aston Builders pride themselves on clean and tidy work, competitive pricing, quality craftsmanship and extensive knowledge of the construction industry.

• Driveways • Fences • Project Management & New Build • Residential & Commercial

“Thank you to all our valued customers who have helped us celebrate our 26th year Anniversary”

At Aston we pride ourselves upon building to the very highest standard whether it’s a refurbishment, extension or a new build.

With 26 years experience, fully insured and a bank of references we can undertake any project

Call FREE on Tel: 0808 225 3733 or Tel: 0750 1277214 www.astonbuild.co.uk

• New Build • Extensions • Loft Conversions • Basements • Extensions •

58

31531 1pg_Feature Template 14/12/2012 12:35 Page 1

Residents of a recently opened Shropshire care home are living in style and comfort, thanks to the flair and expertise of the company which handled its fit-out and decor.

When Rectory Care converted Albrighton’s former St Cuthbert’s rectory, and latterly a health and fitness club, into a 31bedroom home, for those all-important finishing touches it called on Renray Healthcare, the UK’s largest and leading supplier of high quality furniture and soft furnishings to the healthcare sector.

Renray manufactured supplied and installed lounge, dining, bedroom and communal furniture, carpets, curtains, blinds and bedding, ready for the arrival of the residents.

With the Cheshire company’s Midlands-based Divisional Manager Janine Martin project managing the scheme to ensure the process was seamless from start to visit, the end result is a source of huge pride to Renray.

“The home is elegant and full of character, a perfect sanctuary to retire to,” says one of the delighted directors Jackie Dearden.

Together with Yan Cartman and Graham Silman, she took over what was then known as Huntleigh Renray as part of a management buyout in 2007 and, since then, the trio has continued to build on the company’s decades-long record of excellence and expand its services throughout all sectors of the healthcare industry.

“Renray is well known for its technical and clinical expertise, which not only ensures products look well, but are specially designed for comfort, durability, easy cleaning and long term performance,” says Jackie.

“We encourage customers to have their own design input on our products,” she adds. “We like them to be able to talk to our designers about the look they’re after so that we can then help them achieve it.

“The materials we use, the design details we incorporate and the exceptional quality of our workmanship are fundamental elements to the aesthetics of our furniture.”

Projects undertaken in the past have ranged from one-off units to a 700+ bedroom accommodation centre and while the size of a scheme may vary, the attention to detail and quality service remain constant.

Everything is manufactured and assembled by skilled craftsmen, in Renray’s purpose-built premises at Winsford, to European and British standards, with many items specifically designed for use in challenging environments and, thus, rigorously tested to be safe, secure and robust.

Reflecting on their success at successfully penetrating new markets in the last few years and maintaining their own leading position, Jackie and her fellow directors know that their greatest challenge is to keep their number one slot.

But they’re confident that the skills, attention to detail, quality and customer services from their team will keep them at the forefront of their industry.

“We place great emphasis on building an ongoing partnership with all of our customers and welcome the opportunity to discuss queries or observations about any of our products and services,” insists Jackie.

“We are also always available to advise and assist based on the many years experience we have of manufacturing healthcare furniture.

“Whether you require just a fast efficient delivery of quality furniture or a full room installation and fitting service, we have the experience and resources to handle your contract.”

To find out more about Renray Healthcare, visit

www.renrayhealthcare.com

For a copy of the latest brochure, current range details or any other query, telephone 01606 593456 or email sales@renrayhealthcare.com

59

31562 EC Joseph & Sons_Feature Template 19/12/2012 12:59 Page 1

E. C. JOSEPH & SONS LTD

In 1957 Edwin Joseph laid the foundations of a Herefordshire building firm that have proved so solid that not even the harsh economic climate has been able to knock it sideways.

He also established a firm family link that continues to this day, with current MD Andrew delightedly anticipating the day his own son Bobby, born in 2007, continues the EC Joseph & Sons name into a fourth generation.

It may be based in St Owen Street, Hereford, but this is a company that enjoys a national reputation and undertakes projects across the UK. Gas Registered, it is particularly proud to be the area’s only company covering the fitting and maintenance of catering equipment - but portfolio is much wider than that.

All aspects of general building work are handled, taking in new builds and refurbishments with roofing, particularly felt roofs, a speciality.

60

Est 1957

Other services include: • • • • •

Plumbing Central heating Drainage Painting and decorating Insurance work

“We can cover any aspects, from a tap washer through to newbuild, refurbishments, extensions and general maintenance,” emphasises Andrew.

When it comes to employing a builder, there is nothing customers value more than reliability and a proven reputation and EC Joseph has this - well in spades.

Establishing the company marked the realisation of a dream Edwin Joseph had held since returning from Burma where he was a Regimental Sergeant Major with the Royal Artillery.

31562 EC Joseph & Sons_Feature Template 19/12/2012 12:59 Page 2

she reluctantly retired at the age of 88, having stayed on to provide support to the incoming company secretary, her son Brian, and to secretary Dawn Wilson.

“With 25 years’ service Dawn,and foreman Peter Kent who joined in 1976, are two of the most invaluable and longest serving members of a team of 25 which create the extended family that is EC Joseph & Sons,” says Andrew. “And we never forget the support and loyalty of all members of staff.

He was soon joined by his son Fred and in the 1960s the father and son team made a significant contribution to Herefordshire’s building industry, not least the city itself where the company built Vincent Greenhouses in Blackfriars Street and was involved in the construction of its Woolworth store.

"My grandfather also did work for Herefordshire Council," adds Andrew. "I'm very proud to say that, more than 50 years later, we are still employed by the council.”

“Together they enable us to bring great workmanship and service to every project we undertake. We’ve been providing these things to customers for more than 50 years and will continue to do so.”

For further information about the company’s services, visit www.ecjoseph.co.uk, telephone 01432 353643 or email info@ecjoseph.co.uk

One of its most recent council projects was the refurbishment of Kington Library while other prestigious schemes have included the refurbishment of Hoe Court at Colwall, near Malvern, a new shop, changing rooms and manager’s office at Burghill Valley Golf Course and converting a cottage hospital into Kington Youth Hostel for the YMA and Advantage West Midlands.

The continuity has continued through the decades not just with established customers - EC Joseph & Sons has done all the maintenance work for West Midlands Reserve Forces, working on all their Air Cadet and Army Cadet meeting places and depots in Herefordshire and Worcestershire for the last 40 years - but within the business itself.

Andrew’s mother, Joan Joseph still retains an interest in the business while his Great Aunty Dolly was company secretary until

We support EC Joseph & Sons and wish them every success in the future.

Hereford Window & Conservatory Centre 3 Hereford Trade Park, Holmer Road, Hereford HR4 9SG Tel: 01432 271000 Web: windowandconservatorycentre.co.uk

61

31602 DPS 2pg_VPS (UK) DPS 2pg 20/11/2012 10:01 Page 1

The Vacant Property Specialists ADVANCED security measures for protecting empty properties are proving a successful weapon in the fight against metal theft.

Video footage resulting from VPS, The Vacant Property Specialists’ new combined alarm and camera solution is already being used to identify and prosecute offenders while it says customers who have snapped up the opportunity to install the system, are reporting significant reductions in crime and intrusions.

It couldn’t be better news for the company which is the world’s leading vacant property security and services provider.

“The worry of metal theft has been a major concern for many of our customers, and we have extended our solutions to address these issues and protect their properties from this threat,” explains Simon Alderson, Commercial Director.

“We launched the combined SmartAlarm Gold and Verifeye camera sensors in April and they were an immediate hit.”

Upon alarm activation, the cameras relay photos and video footage back to the monitoring station within seconds, making it is easier find out why the alarm sounded and determine the most appropriate form of response.

“The SmartAlarm Gold and its sensors are wireless and battery operated, so easy to install and remove when they are no longer required – a perfect solution for vacant property,” says David Chapman of the Tipton Service Centre, based on the Hale Trading Estate.

The Vacant Property Specialists

62

31602 DPS 2pg_VPS (UK) DPS 2pg 20/11/2012 10:01 Page 2

With its HQ in Hertfordshire, the VPS Group serves operations across Europe and the USA. With a UK network of over 20 local service centres, including Tipton, Corby and Nottingham, and satellite service centres in Crewe and the Wirral we are always on hand to help.

June saw the launch of the VPS VeriFlow sensor, a unique sensor that alerts on any unauthorised use of water within a property, and using a number of inbuilt sensors helps detect any unexpected water flow such as from leaks, burst pipes or attack.

The VPS VeriFlow sensor has been designed to reduce the damage associated with water leaks from pipes in vacant property, by alerting on them as soon as they occur. This cost effective solution monitors water flow without interfering with the existing plumbing or cutting into the existing pipework.

“We pride ourselves on being professional, dynamic and respectful. That means we are always looking to better serve customers by delivering expert advice from trusted professionals and ensuring that we are at the forefront of change and offering the most advanced property management & security solutions available” Simon Alderson Commercial Director

These new sensors are the latest measures through which VPS ensures peace of mind for its customers with vacant properties to maintain and protect.

A wide range of sectors are served, including social housing, retail, the public sector and pubs and breweries and it’s not just about keeping out intruders and thieves.

It’s also ensuring the empty properties do not fall into a state of disrepair whilst vacant, so keeping buildings presentable and in working order ready for re-occupancy or sale and making sure that a property is insurance compliant.

VPS does this through services such as: •

Free risk assessments.

•

Helping to clear voids between tenancies, and prepare them for reoccupancy.

•

Vacant property security, including steel screens and doors, and perimeter protection.

•

Monitoring using our advanced alarm systems.

•

Guarding services and regular inspections to ensure the property is clean, clear and safe.

For further information about VPS and its solutions, please visit www.vpspecialists.co.uk Alternatively telephone 08706 087062 or email uk@vpspecialists.com

Caring for the world’s vacant property

The Vacant Property Specialists

63

31510 2pg_Feature Template 14/12/2012 11:47 Page 1

As you enter the home you will be immediately struck by the warm and friendly atmosphere. The furniture and fittings have been especially designed to offer the highest standard of comfort and quality. Each room has been thoughtfully designed, and individually furnished. There are two comfortable lounges, a coffee lounge and an elegant dining room.

The Old Rectory offers 29 single rooms and one double room; the light and airy rooms are arranged over 3 floors, and are all en-suite, and 20 have walk in showers. All the rooms have wheelchair access, flat screen televisions, telephone and internet access.

Mike and Phillippa have 25 years of experience in the care sector, having previously owned and managed the 52 bedroom Wheatlands Care Home at Much Wenlock Shropshire, for 12 years, which they had converted from a Barnado’s boy’s home, before selling to Barchester Health Care.

After spending some years in Canada, they were eager to return to the care sector after returning to the Midlands last year. Phillippa said: “We really missed the care industry while The lovely 19th Century former St Cuthbert’s Rectory has been given a new lease of life by Mike and Phillippa Turner.

The former Elysium Health Club has been transformed into a luxurious residential care home offering 5 star accommodation since opening its doors to residents in July 2012.

Situated in Rectory Road, just outside the attractive town of Albrighton, the home is set within its landscaped gardens, featuring lawns, mature trees and paved patio areas, overlooking the beautiful old church of St Cuthbert’s and the open countryside beyond.

Phillippa and Mike have sympathetically renovated The Old Rectory, returning it to its former glory with many of its original features retained, including the lovely stained glass windows over the side entrance.

64

31510 2pg_Feature Template 14/12/2012 11:47 Page 2

we were living in Canada and have been on the look out for a new project to get into, and it is really satisfying to be converting a redundant building.” She said “We are delighted with the results of the restoration, after months of hard work it is tremendous to finally open the doors”.

Phillippa, who will be managing the home, is proud of the excellent reputation she and Mike have built up over the years and will continue to build on that at The Old Rectory, where she will be supported by a team of dedicated caring and experienced staff who are qualified and experienced in meeting the varied needs of residents.

The home is registered by the Care Quality Commission and provides an excellent standard of care, providing a comfortable, stable and secure environment.

Phillippa says “I want residents to enjoy an atmosphere of care that will enable and encourage them to live full, interesting and independent lifestyles.”

For more information please telephone Phillippa on 01902 376910 or email enquiries@rectorycarehome.co.uk

%" ( "$ & #%" # $ $ ) %" $" " # " # & !% ) $ " % ) %" # #$# $" #$ $ #%" $ $ ) %" $$ # " ( % " " # & " ) $ %# " % $ ) # Our Commercial Services include: * * * * * * *

!

& (# ( ! ($&, & )(

&! #

* #) !

$!* &

!! $# $% # # $ ( $" ( ! & ($# "%($# +

'(

! # '

$" #%"& )# " # $" #$ $ # % ' ) %$# $ % " # $ $$ $ % " $

* #

* * *

$ #$

" $

## $ #

" '"

" #

# " * %# * %$

$ $ "# " #)#$ # " % "

#

ADS Electrical (Shropshire) Ltd, Home Farm, Yockleton, Shrewsbury, SAL SY5 9PZ

Tel: 01743 821606 Web: www.ads-electrical.co.uk E-mail: info@ads-electrical.co.uk

65

31587 1pg_Feature Template 29/11/2012 11:44 Page 1

Hoar Cross Nursing Home celebrates 25 years of delivering excellent care to the local area The residents and staff at Hoar Cross Nursing Home are celebrating 25 years of excellent nursing and personal care to adults, the elderly.

particularly proud of their team of caring professional individuals who enjoy their work within the care sector, and enthusiastically embrace every opportunity to continue their professional development.

The nursing home is set within a pleasant 18th Century property, previously known as Old Hoar Cross Hall, with 3 acres of attractively landscaped grounds offering extensive views across the surrounding Staffordshire countryside.

Hoar Cross is primarily a residential home but they are also able to offer short term and respite care for periods as short as one week. Hoar Cross also specialises in dementia care.

The gracious building has been thoughtfully converted into a luxurious nursing home, where residents can enjoy full time care in elegant surroundings providing outstanding comfort. Each room has been individually furnished to a very high standard, and especially adapted for wheelchair use.

There are a number of communal rooms, all beautifully decorated in sympathy with the period building, retaining many original features and having pleasant views across the landscaped gardens. Residents appreciate the Reminiscence and Sensory rooms, the comfortable lounges and the quiet areas, ideal for writing letters or reading.

The proprietors carry out a continuous programme of investment and improvement and have recently completed the renovation of another period property, the Housemasters House, set within the grounds. This house has been arranged to provide another six bedrooms and further communal areas.

The gardens are a very special feature and include a sensory patio area and a pleasant woodland walk among the grounds for residents to enjoy.

The emphasis at Hoar Cross Nursing Home is on the highest possible standard of care and providing a happy, stimulating and interesting environment for the residents by means of a wide range of activities and outings, the team of activities co-ordinators make sure that there is something for everyone regardless of tastes or capabilities.

Hoar Cross is very much part of the local community and The Hoar Cross League of Friends, organise additional events such as parties and Summer and Christmas Fayres.

Regular visits from local GPs, physiotherapists and chiropodists, ensure all round care. The excellent staff to patient ratio at Hoar Cross enables one to one care when necessary, and the home is

66

The team at Hoar Cross would be delighted to show you and your family and friends what they have to offer, telephone on 01283 575210 to arrange an appointment, or just drop in for a tour.

Alternatively visit the web site www.hoarcrosscare.co.uk.

Hoar Cross Nursing Home is a member of the Registered Nursing Home Association and is registered with the Care Quality Commission.

M & R Electrical Ltd Support Hoar Cross Care Ltd and wish them every success for the future

Fully Insured & Part P Registered

Tel: 01543 473527 Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mobile: 07810 512033 Robâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mobile: 07855 749214 Email: mike@m-r-electrical.co.uk 5 Hadley End, Yoxall, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DE13 8PF

$ !# ! ! "" ! # &" # % !( "$ "" # $#$! $#

!

%

$

% !

#

"# '

"

31615 1pg_Feature Template 19/12/2012 10:43 Page 1

Tel: 0121 351 1700 bhxsales@europa-worldwide.com www.europa-worldwide.com Europa Worldwide Logistics go the extra mile for Cancer Research UK Europa Worldwide Logistics, one of the largest privately owned and successful Logistics companies in the UK are extremely proud of their “can do” attitude and ability.

The planning was carried out with military precision, with a support team comprised of colleagues Mat Jobson (Regional Sales Manager) and Peter Marley (Automotive Accounts Manager) cycling along the towpath. The route involved navigating over 100 miles of canals, 7 tunnels, countless bridges and over 90 locks entailing portage of the kayak. The idea became a reality and was named – “Float my Boat 2012” What made this even more of a challenge was that Tim had not stepped foot in a kayak for a least twenty years – he has needed to spend many lonely hours training in preparation in recent months.

On 20th September 2012, in torrential rain, Tim and his support team were cheered off by colleagues, friends and family at Europa Worldwide Logistics, Manchester. The route went through Manchester City centre before heading south through Tim’s home town of Macclesfield where David Rutley MP was on hand to show his approval and support for the event.

So when Tim Doggett, Regional Director for Europa Worldwide Logistics developed a challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK, he was sure of the support of both the Company and his colleagues.

Tim beat cancer ten years ago and was inspired to help others after the loss of his uncle to cancer earlier this year and after colleague, Mat Jobson’s mother, was diagnosed this year.

The idea for the challenge arose following the relocation of Europa Worldwide Logistics Midlands Hub, to a new design and build location in September 2011 in Minworth, Birmingham.

Close to the new Super Hub lies the Fazeley Canal. At one time the Canal network was the most efficient method of moving goods across the UK. Tim’s idea was to use this old transport link to connect two ultra modern Europa Worldwide Logistics facilities by paddling a kayak from Manchester to Birmingham.

The Europa Worldwide Logistics Depot in Manchester also lies close to the Bridgewater Canal and the wider Canal network.

After covering the long distances in often very challenging conditions, on Sunday 23rd September 2012, Tim arrived at the finish line to be cheered by friends, family and colleagues.

Tim commented: “This has been a great experience and I hope it will make a real difference to Cancer Research’s work. I am looking to stage Float My Boat 2013 which will involve a different route, I hope many more people will join me then.”

Carl Potter, Administration Director at Europa, was present when Tim finished the challenge and remarked: “Well done to Tim and his able support team of Mat and Peter from all at Europa Worldwide Logistics, we were thrilled by this magnificent achievement for a very worthy cause.”

At the time of going to press Tim had already raised over £2000 for Cancer Research and the amount continues to rise.

If you would like to donate money towards Tim’s achievement for Cancer Research it’s not too late, you can do so at

www.justgiving.com/Floatmyboat2012 or by contacting Europa Worldwide Logistics.

67

31650 1pg_CD Engineering 19/12/2012 11:10 Page 1

etc.venues

Conference space provider etc.venues, keen to shake up the Birmingham venues market, has been delighted with the way business folk are stirred by Maple House, the venue with a difference.

“What was originally one floor and has since been extended to a second, creating an ideal function space and flexible exhibition area.”

Specific features include: • Natural daylight • Powerful, permanent AV kit.

• High ceilings to promote a good view rather than a moody atmosphere.

• A network of nearby rooms for breakout sessions etc.

• Vibrant, inspiring relaxation areas or striking coffee points to create a really good place to be when not training.

Mark sums it all up as “vibrant, un-corporate, friendly and dedicated”, adding: “We try to remove ourselves from the boring mundane nature of training venues and be inspiring whenever possible.

“The colour scheme is bright, funky and very contemporary and our furniture, décor and art collection is modern, contemporary and really appealing.”

Funky, bright, friendly and a world away from “boring”, this dedicated space is continuing to change perceptions about what constitutes a good venue - and in winning style. Maple House has again achieved Gold standard for service from independent research specialist BDRC Continental, which rates service across the whole venue sector.

“Only a select few achieve the Gold standard and Maple House has held it for the last three years,” smiles proud Venue Manager Mark Bourne.

He and etc.venues, which includes Maple House in an impressive portfolio of venues across London, have plenty of other reasons to celebrate a successful 2012. Recent months have seen further upgrades and enhancements to significantly increase the free WiFi capability at Maple House while the main business has opened two new centres in the capital, bringing its total number to 12. Plans are also underway for opening a venue in a third city during 2013.

The UK's leading independent provider of training, meeting and conference space, was founded in 1992 by specialist trainers who, fed up with not finding spaces to suite their needs, set up their own. The 2008 arrival of Maple House in Corporation Street, continued the successful formula of a great location near public transport, high quality rooms specs and high levels of service by trained specialists. In the intervening five years it’s collect many awards including that ongoing Gold Standard and the 2010 Conference Venue of the Year title.

“What we offer is truly fit-for-purpose,” says Mark. “Our rooms have been set up with business events in mind so are not compromised by needing to be used for weddings, banquets or parties.

“Maple House is ideal for a full range of corporate events, such as meetings, training courses, conferences, small exhibitions, seminars, product launches, team away days, team building, evening functions and dinners.

68

Making themselves different, even applies to the food etc.venues chefs always prepare fresh, locally sourced ‘Brain Food’ which is designed to be tasty and satisfying yet healthy, nutritious and stimulating to aid learning and concentration. It all adds up to a fresh and vibrant approach which Mark says is really changing the business community’s booking habits.

“Getting them to try the unknown, giving them the highest service levels and making them realise that quality facilities don’t have to be more expensive than they are used to, has ensured they come back again and again,” he says.

For further information about Maple House and its services is available on www.etcvenues.co.uk/venues/maple-house Alternatively telephone 0121 212 8200 or email maple@etcvenues.co.uk

31684 1pg:Transport Warehousing 14/01/2013 17:00 Page 1

Exhibitions Provide

Unique Marketing Opportunities

Sometimes it really is worth a business making an exhibition of itself.

The opportunity to leave the confines of a site and get out there to meet new and potential clients, demonstrate just what a company can do or make, and put on a very human face in an increasingly online commercial world is known to pay dividends.

There are few other promotional opportunities which can deliver such a large number sometimes thousands - of high quality sales opportunities in just a few days.

With markets growing abroad, such as those in China and India, being part of an international exhibition can act as a powerful entrée into these expanding economies.

Moreover, by providing a means for exhibitors to sell their products to a more international audience, exhibitions can directly help to boost export opportunities for the UK. Like every other part of the UK economy, the country’s exhibitions industry has not escaped the effects of the recession but most recent figures, released in early 2012 and covering 2010, showed that the sector and its supply chains have become better at generating value for the UK from their activities.

The Economic Impact of the UK Exhibitions Industry study (EIS), was compiled by economic forecasting consultancy Oxford Economics and was the first to study the industry since an earlier 2005 survey.

It found that the country’s exhibition industry delivered a total economic impact of £11bn and a value-added contribution of £5.6bn to the economy, representing 0.4% of GDP and 148,500 jobs. The £5.6bn figure included a direct contribution of £2.6bn, plus £3bn from supply chains and the wider economy.

“The industry plays an important role in the UK’s economy. As well as directly generating GDP and jobs, it attracts visitors to the UK and acts as a catalyst for UK businesses,” the report’s authors said.

From an exhibitor point of view, it’s not hard to see the resulting financial benefits of setting up a stand but there are others, such as simply having a presence at a trade event.

The most recent exhibitions data also showed that in 2010:

Not only is there the chance to check and evaluate competition, it’s a rich opportunity for some quality market research, to promote brand loyalty via technology displays, hospitality and networking events and to spend time soaking up one’s own industry knowledge by taking time to attend associated conferences.

•

UK exhibitions attracted more than 13 million visitors.

•

Almost 1,600 trade and public events took place across a range of sectors.

•

More than 265,000 exhibitors participated with 20% from outside the UK, spending almost £2.7 billion on goods and services to demonstrate.

•

Almost 13.1 million people attended UK exhibitions, spending more than £1.4 billion on accommodation, travel and other purchases.

•

•

Purchases made by exhibitions sector and its supply chains generated £3.8 billion in additional output for UK suppliers, indirectly contributing an additional £1.8 billion to UK value added through its supply chain and supporting another 41,900 jobs.

Spending of employees in the exhibitions sector and its supply chains supports further, economic activity, which helped to support a further £1.2 billion of value added and 30,300 jobs.

Impressive figures indeed - and there’s even more noughts to consider. Across all exhibitions, more than a third of those quizzed as part of the study expected to generate between £10,000 and £50,000 in additional sales, while trade exhibitors expected, on average to gain more than £800,000 in additional sales from attending an event.

As already mentioned, the value of face to face contact can’t be under estimated; you can engage with people directly to overcome objections any to purchasing decisions as well as letting stand visitors see, touch, smell or try before buying.

Of course, meeting people is a good reason for attending exhibitions too. From a visitor point of view they’re an extremely cost-effective way of sourcing industry specific products, services and information.

Certainly one of the most important overall benefits of an exhibition is that it can represent an entire industry - all under one roof. Think the National Fine Art & Antiques Fair, The Hospitality Show, Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show or the BBC Good Food Show - to name but a tiny few.

The exhibitions industry remains a powerful contributor to the nation’s economy and a vital growth tool for businesses from all sectors and of all sizes.

Having a presence at an event for the very first time can be a daunting experience but there’s plenty of advice out there - a chat with your local Chamber of Commerce will prove invaluable.

Also helpful is a downloadable booklet from FaceTime, the promotional body for face-to-face marketing. Packed with tips on everything from choosing the right show and preparing to what to do on the day and how best to follow up new business leads, you can find How to Exhibit at http://www.facetime.org.uk/page.cfm/Action=library/libID=2/listID=3/libEntryID=27

69

31604 The Roundhouse Derby_Feature Template 19/12/2012 13:15 Page 1

Tel: 01332 334800 Email: enquiries@roundhouse-events.co.uk Website: www.roundhouse-events.co.uk Somewhere a little different but truly stunning, is what we all want when planning our conference, special event or formal occasion.

Whatever kind of event you're planning, from a business conference to a product launch, from a TV show to a formal dinner or wedding breakfast, The Roundhouse in Derby is the perfect venue.

For businesses, the choice of venue for their conference or product launch makes a statement about the company, its product and its positioning within its industry or market. Companies can spend a fortune on their choice without considering all the implications, the style of the event, and the precise impression they wish to generate.

Then there is the type of space or spaces they need, not just a main room but the availability and comfort of break out areas. Can the venue supply all the equipment for your event? Yet another crucial consideration is the availability and standard of catering. The Roundhouse Derby has the whole business all wrapped up.

The Roundhouse is part of a set of historic buildings from the golden age of rail. Sympathetic renovation has restored the building to its former glory, with exposed Victorian brickwork and reglazed original fenestration. In the magnificent Roundhouse, the convex ceiling is supported by original wooden beams, iron pillars and a stunning fretwork of iron girders framing a lantern feature that casts light into the body of the hall.

This is the spacious area in which large events and concerts are housed, using brilliant lighting effects. As an event venue, The Roundhouse is ideal, offering spectacular backdrops and the flexibility to accommodate a variety of functions on a truly large scale.

While the Roundhouse itself accommodates up to 680 delegates or guests, there are alternative areas for smaller functions offering a wide range of options. The Carriage Shop Theatre seats 120 and the adjoining Library over 300 for pre-dinner drinks. The superb mezzanine floor offers a wide range of breakout and reception rooms of varying sizes.

Catering is done in house by their team of experienced chefs.

Whether just drinks and a selection of canapés, coffee and

Proud to support Derby Roundhouse with Creative Lighting, Sound and Video

70

pastries, a buffet, a full three course celebration meal, or a wedding breakfast a seasonal selection of freshly prepared foods and hand-picked wines is available for you to create the perfect choice for your occasion.

This truly is a venue that offers the opportunity to manage your event to suit your requirements, rather than fitting your event into what is available.

In this unique environment, facilities which can accommodate anything from 25 people right up to 2,500 guests are set within spacious modern grounds with a large private car park.

The Roundhouse itself was built in 1839, and restored in a £48 million renovation. This stunning Grade II* listed building opened its doors in late 2009 and has already played host to a wide range of prestigious corporate events as well as being awarded ‘Event Space of The Year’ at the recent Event Awards 2012.

31655 1pg:HorseWorld 16/01/2013 09:16 Page 1

Donington Park - it’s a name etched into British motor sports heritage.

From the days of the pre-War Silver Arrows GP cars right through to modern times, millions have flocked to the heart of England to experience the thrills and excitement of world leading events staged at one of the nation’s most popular racing circuits.

A packed calendar of top-class motoring action is already revved up and raring to roar into 2013, but Donington is not all about what’s happening on the race track.

It’s also a sought-after venue for conferences, exhibitions, corporate days, driving experiences and track days and the home of the world’s largest collection of Grand Prix racing cars in its very own on-site museum, The Donington Grand Prix Collection.

The Honda Ron Haslam Race School, providing riding experience to all ages and abilities, marks the welcome return of an old friend for Honda and Ron Haslam founded the original school here in the early 1990s.

As befits any modern venue, Donington has much to offer the business community, as well as the sports fan with a wealth of conference suites ranging in capacity from two to 800. The Donington Exhibition and Conference Centre, has more than 4,400 sq ms of ground floor space and a capacity of 6,000.

Events range from conferences and gala dinners to trade shows and product launches with the dedicated on-site caterers providing the full gamut of catering requirements, be it a simple sandwich to an executive gala dinner.

Whether you want the thrill of a race meeting, the cut and thrust of a business gathering, to view the museum collection, organise hospitality or buy a great day out in the form of gift vouchers or season tickets, Donington is the starting grid for your search.

For further information and key contact numbers,

visit www.donington-park.co.uk

With this year seeing the return of the officially supported Honda Ron Haslam Race School, the circuit is once again back at the top of its game, just two racing seasons after rising Phoenix-like from the ashes of its 2009 enforced closure.

The first motorcycle race was held on the Donington Hall estate on Whit Monday, 1931, and, in1933 the narrow track was widened, made permanent and became a venue for Grand Prix car racing until World War II when it was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence as a military vehicle depot.

The Park was then purchased in 1971 by local man Tom Wheatcroft, who was passionate about motorsport and the circuit and, in the next few decades, Donington became one of the UK’s favourite venues, not just for motor sport but music some of the biggest heavy rock bands have headlined there Sunday markets and more.

FIRE COVER SPECIALIST

In 2007 the Wheatcroft family sold a 150-year lease to a leisure company but, sadly, by 2009 it went into administration and Donington had to close.

for their Fire Safety

However, under the chairmanship of Tom’s son Kevin and an all-new management team, it re-opened the following year and has completely revitalised itself and continues to be synonymous with racing.

In 1987, the staging of the FIM World Championship British Motorcycle Grand Prix, brought record numbers through the turnstiles and they continue to flock: lined up for 2013 is a host of two and four-wheel championships, including British Touring Cars, Donington Historic Festival and the World and British Superbike Championships.

Fire & Rescue Supporting all events at

Donington Park Racing t Event Fire Cover t Motor Sport Fire & Rescue Cover t Factory Strip-Out Fire Cover t Filming / TV Fire Cover t Fire Safety Training & Fire Risk Assessments t Fully Qualified Fire Fighters & Appliances

www.pbfire.co.uk email - paul@pbfire.co.uk

71

31622 LG Arena_Feature Template 21/12/2012 10:44 Page 1

The LG Arena is one of the UK’s biggest and best live entertainment venues, hosting world class music, sport and comedy events throughout the year. Originally named the NEC Arena, the venue opened in February 1980 and has welcomed some of the biggest names in music, including U2, Queen, Lady Gaga and Take That; in addition to hosting high profile events like BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Best-known for hosting the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lady Gaga and Horse of the Year Show, the LG Arena is one of the most high profile arenas in the world. Since its reopening in October 2009, following a £29 million refurbishment and deal with LG Electronics, it has welcomed over 1.5 million people through its doors.

Recently, the arena was voted Best Venue Teamwork award at the Live Music Business by the publisher of LIVE UK – the only magazine dedicated to the companies and individuals working in this sector of the creative industries – the Live Music Business Awards is now in its third year and recognises excellence and talent among promoters, venue operators, festival organisers and agents, through to artiste managers, brand impact and record label partnerships.

The award came hot on the heels of the LG Arena being ranked seventh in the list of Top 100 arenas worldwide by leading industry magazine, Pollstar. The LG Arena is part of the NEC’s

72

610-acre site and sits in the Heart of England. Its central location provides visitors with direct access to major motorways (M6 and M42); in addition to Birmingham International train station and Birmingham International Airport. The flexibility of the LG Arena means it can accommodate intimate academy events for 5,389 people, going up to a total capacity of 15,683.

Since its reopening in 2009, the LG Arena has continued to lead the way for concert venues, introducing the pre and post-show entertainment area, Forum Live. Giving customers an amazing experience from when they walk in the door continues to be a key focus for the venue and alongside LG Electronics; visitors can now sample the latest technology as part of the unique CINEMA 3D Zone.

In addition to this, the LG Arena continues to secure fantastic events; from concerts and comedy shows to high profile sporting events. Given its flexibility, the arena is also able to host private events, from car launches and fashion shows to high end conferences, which is an area of business that continues to grow.

FURNITURE HIRE LTD

We support the LG Arena and wish them every success in the future Inspire Furniture Hire P.O. Box 14298, Birmingham B46 9AZ Tel: 01455 234919 Fax: 01675 482917 Web: www.inspirehire.co.uk Email: sales@inspirehire.co.uk

31622 LG Arena_Feature Template 21/12/2012 10:45 Page 2

Another key focus for the coming year is amplify, the venue’s hospitality provider. Having grown considerably over the last few years, amplify now offers four levels of hospitality, further improving the LG Arena experience.

The team also continues its work on ‘green’ issues, working with music industry specialist Julie’s Bicycle. Having recently being awarded Industry Green (IG) certification by Julie’s Bicycle, the arena focuses on a range of issues across environmental performance, energy, waste, water and travel.

Est. 1892

The award-winning team of event specialists – from event managers and sales personnel to marketing people and hospitality staff – means clients can feel confident that their event will be a show-stopping success.

For information about forthcoming events or to book tickets visit www.lgarena.co.uk, ring +44(0)121 780 4141 or email info@necgroup.co.uk

We are delighted to have completed the construction works on behalf of the LG Arena EXPERIENCE HOLDS THE FUTURE

Commercial

Education Environmental Healthcare Industrial Leisure Restoration Retail Our Business

Housing Your Success

G F Tomlinson Birmingham Limited, 329 Tyburn Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 8HJ T: 0121 327 2660 F: 0121 327 3110 www.gftomlinson.co.uk

73

31612 1pg_Feature Template 20/12/2012 11:03 Page 1

The choice of venue for meetings and conferences makes a clear statement about your company and product. Hogarths location, close to the M42 motorway, NEC and Birmingham airport and its wonderful facilities and extensive grounds, make it a first rate location for business use.

Hogarths is a stunning, elegant contemporary hotel set in 30 acres of unspoilt woodland, providing stylish accommodation and superb conference facilities with an award winning bar and brasserie.

Meetings, conferences, team building and events, business lunches and dinners, Hogarths can cater for meetings from 2 to 120, or receptions for up to 300 guests. When it comes to planning the perfect business event the combination of an experienced and dedicated team and outstanding venue facilities makes Hogarths the obvious choice.

Please visit their web site

www.hogarths.co.uk or telephone on 01564 779988

The hotel is delighted to be celebrating the success of one of its young chefs in a national competition; Liam Davies was a finalist in Visionary Chef of the Year 2012, and although narrowly pipped at the final post, is delighted to have been recognised at this level.

At Hogarths, Davies works under Martin Blunos the hotel’s Michelin starred Culinary Director. Under Martin's guidance, every meal is prepared using the finest ingredients available, cooked to perfection and served in a style that is distinctly Hogarths’ own. Martin is very proud of his young protégée and explains that: “Bringing up young chefs and helping them to achieve their potential is just part of the job for more experienced chefs. Liam has a huge amount of potential, and that’s great news for Hogarths and for dining in the Midlands.”

Award Winning Sausages. Over 155 Awards Since 1980! "

!

!

% ! !

!

"

%

"

!

"

%

$ %

!

! %

% %# %#

Unit 15, Allcroft Road, Hal Green Birmingham B11 3EE Tel: 0121 777 7010 Web: www.lashford.co.uk

74

#

% ! ! "

# "

!

!

"

# %

31633 Theo:CD Engineering 12/01/2013 17:11 Page 1

Theo Paphitis

talks to us about his retail philosophy

At a time when high street stores have been going through a tough time with many small businesses closing, and our high streets dotted with empty properties and charity shops, I asked why Theo had chosen retails shops as his latest venture, and why lingerie in particular.

Theo explained: “I love retail. I’m passionate about it because it’s what I enjoy doing. The retail world is tough at the moment but you have to be prepared for change. If you work hard and have the drive and determination, there are many opportunities for success.

Before we opened up last spring, we saw a wide section of the UK market that appeared to have been forgotten, Lingerie. We listened to what people told us and created something very special. I’m glad to say that our customers don’t stop telling us how much they love Boux Avenue lingerie and our fresh and exciting approach.

How does he feel shops and stores can counter on-line competition, and avoid just being used as a showroom?

He said: “We treat our off and online (multi-channel) business with equal measure. We are selling lingerie in the way it should be sold in a wonderfully intimate, luxurious environment, mass market pricing with great service in our twenty stores and at bouxavenue.com.

Retail is all about the detail and in Boux Avenue we have it in abundance - purchases made in store or on the web are beautifully wrapped in tissue paper and boxed. We want our customers to feel special purchasing their new pieces. We are also all about modern technology and modern retailing concepts both on and offline. In-store digital POS screens display moving imagery and POS creating interest as they do online. For example, in-store women receive complimentary bra fittings whilst online we have compiled a 'how to' video.

Theo Paphitis How does he balance the price/quality equation?

It is always a balancing act - but the most important thing is that we provide the customer with a good quality product that they want to own and will come back and purchase again. Boux Avenue has always been about excellent value, beautiful fabrics and extra special touches that make us stand out from the rest of the market.

As keen supporters of British manufacturing, but very aware that there are hardly any British lingerie manufacturers left, we asked where his products are made and why?

He said: “We make products in different places all over the world, according to where a certain specialty lies – from the Far East to India to Europe. Europe allows us to keep production closer to home and therefore shorter lead times enable us to react quicker to fashion trends and customer demands.”

The chain of Boux Avenue stores is expanding rapidly throughout the country and now numbers 17, with a recent opening in Merry Hill and another branch in the Bullring, Birmingham is joining the Bath and Bristol in the Boux Avenue revolution.

Obviously, Mr Paphitis’ famous business acumen has discovered a gap in the market and is fitting it beautifully.

Lyla Satin Balconette £26 32A-40F, High Waisted Brief £16

Chloe Lace Plunge Bra Red/Mix £22 30A-40F, Lace Suspender Belt £16 8-18, Thong £9 8-20

Marielle Overlaid lace corset £65 8-16, Frilly Milly Briefs £9 6-18

75

31505 QPD 1pg:Brittons Caterers QPD 1pg 15/01/2013 12:41 Page 1

They serve a range of freshly prepared sandwiches and baguettes, filled jacket potatoes, crispy prepared salads, homemade soups, toasted teacakes, scones and a scrumptious range of home made cakes and cup cakes.

Indeed, cup cakes are a Brittons speciality, moist delicious sponges skilfully decorated. Cup cakes making a charming gift or a stunning centre piece alternative to a traditional cake at a wedding.

Photo : Mary Portas, at the Clarks Shoes opening day.

Food, glorious food, beautifully presented, the key to every successful occasion.

Whatever the event, Brittons the acclaimed Midlands caterer will provide the perfect finger buffet, barbecue, canapé party, celebration afternoon tea or formal four course meal, served with style and flair.

They accept bookings for any kind of occasion from Christmas parties to wedding receptions.

Although Brittons are happy to provide their services to the client’s own venue throughout the Birmingham area, they can arrange marquee or venue hire if required, or make their own function venue, The Pavilion, available. Their private function caterer services cover the smallest detail, everything from venue management to celebration cakes.

Their business customers rely on them for all types of corporate functions; buffets for up to 2000 employees, breakfast meetings, special silver service dinners or lunches for valued clients. Brittons corporate catering service is very highly regarded and numbers some very prominent companies among their regular contracts.

Brittons catering was a great success when Mary Portas, “Queen of Shops” visited Birmingham for an open day for Clark’s Shoes.

New companies, just moving into the area, are relieved to hand the entire staging of their open day to Brittons. They provide a complete service from PA facilities, to lighting, a bar, and of course, tailor made for the event, delicious refreshments.

As Christmas approaches many companies’ focus falls on a Christmas party or special presentation lunch, buffet or dinner.

Brittons have it covered, just give them a ring, tell your specialist event co-ordinator your requirements, and for how many guests; then relax, knowing that all the organisation will be efficiently taken care of and that you will be delighted with the end result.

In a new venture Brittons have opened their own traditional tearoom, in New Oscott, Birmingham.

Drop into the stylishly furnished premises, for a warm welcome and a traditional English breakfast, coffee, afternoon tea or a light lunch.

76

Everything is freshly made using top quality ingredients from British suppliers whenever possible; even the tea comes from Tregothnan, Cornwall, the only UK tea plantation.

You can order your special celebration cake from the teashop, take home a box of lovely Christmas cup cakes or order a superb Gift Hamper packed with your own choice of gorgeous goodies from the shop. Your Hamper will be gift wrapped and ready for collection before Christmas.

Please contact Brittons to discuss your requirements on 0121 327 9189, for the tearoom ring 0121 355 8899, or visit their web site www.brittonscaterers.co.uk

31550 1pg_Layout 1 14/12/2012 10:44 Page 1

Colonel Mustards Corporate Caterers based in Birmingham, care passionately about the food they cook, insisting upon using only the best fresh, locally-sourced produce. All their delicious sandwich fillings are made fresh on-site and are made with the best fresh breads.

Want a bespoke menu to meet your tastes and corporate catering requirements? No problem. Just let them know and they will tailor this for you. Providing you with an excellent corporate catering service with high quality food, together with reliability, punctuality and value for money.

So if you have an event that requires a quality catering service, add a dash of Colonel Mustard!

NEW Colonel Mustards are now proud to offer a bespoke private event catering. They will be happy to help you personally with your requirements to ensure that they will meet your needs for your special day!

Also French Mustards is their sandwich shop, located at the same address which offers the largest selection of real handcrafted salads along with freshly made sandwiches, baguettes, freshly cooked breakfast and many more.

Colonel Mustards Corporate Caterers 1 Fletchers Walk, Paradise Place, Birmingham B3 3HJ Telephone: 0121 233 1288 Fax: 0121 233 1288 Email Address: cmustards@aol.com Web: www.colonelmustards.co.uk Priding themselves on providing tasty and mouth watering food for vegetarians and those with special dietary needs or food allergies, Colonel Mustards can provide for all food intolerance needs and any religious requirements. Halal or kosher meat can also be requested.

Colonel Mustards have all the expertise to provide a reliable, cost effective catering service for all kinds of corporate events from office lunches, seminars, outdoor events, presentations, training courses and all corporate business events.

77

31346 QPD:Carford Group 14/01/2013 11:28 Page 1

T H E VA U LT S BAR BIRMINGHAM’S MOST DISTINCTIVE SPACES If you're one of Birmingham's corporate high rollers or fashionconscious foodies, you'll already know The Vaults are dishing up a tantalising new global tapas menu, in the relaxed confines of their exclusive private booths.

This trend toward more informal dining has allowed The Vaults to open their exceptional spaces for private hire, making it the ultimate destination for corporate events & personal celebrations. Infused with metropolitan vibes, it's where art & photography blend with signature exposed brick-work, bespoke furniture & a dusky colour palette.

GLOBAL TAPAS TASTER Now you can pick & mix from tempting taster portions prepared with the same flair & imagination associated with The Vaults. Graze to your heart's content on dishes like seared tuna loin with rocket & roast garlic dressing or grilled goats cheese with aubergine, peppers & pesto. The choice is endless, global, & inherently tasty.

Occupying the vaulted underpinnings of an imposing Victorian building, this spacious subterranean escape is steeped in history.

Part of the Jewellery Quarter’s rich cultural heritage, it was once a wire-house, a brewery & is rumoured to have been a work-house. Its distinct personality gives any event a flavour of its own.

Perfectly poised on the edge of the financial district this exclusive venue is already utilised by the likes of Harvey Nichols, Jones Lang Lasalle, Britvic and Cadburys.

CORPORATE AFFAIRS Conferences & meetings, Exhibitions, Press conferences, Product launches, Annual events & dinners, Charity events etc PRIVATE CELEBRATIONS Weddings, Christenings, Bar mitzvahs, Hen & stag parties, Divorce parties, Graduations etc LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCES Fashion shows, Photographic shoots, TV & video shoots, Exhibitions, Swishing parties etc THE VAULTS PACKAGE Distinctive & unique surroundings, Bespoke mix & match spaces, First-class food & beverages, Bespoke quotes for delegate day rates or evening hire, A dedicated contact ensuring the smooth running of your event, Minutes from the city centre, Wi-fi.

For all enquiries don't hesitate to call 0121 212 9837 or drop us a line at hello@vaultsbirmingham.com

The Vaults Newhall Place Newhall Hill Birmingham B1 3JH MIX & MATCH DISTINCTIVE SPACES, OR HAVE IT ALL Soprano Room - 30 standing or 16 private dining Bacchus Room - 80 standing or 30 private dining Bacchus Rooms with 3 vaulted booths - 130 standing The Bar - 80 standing 8 Vaulted Booths – 120 standing

Open for global tapas, drinks & cocktails from Thurs to Saturday 5pm 'til late.

Available for private hire any time; please call for a bespoke quote.

www.vaultsbirmingham.com

GLOBAL TAPAS . PRIVATE HIRE . DEBONAIR LOUNGE VIBES . BESPOKE SPACES 78

D E S I G N

:

P R I N T

:

:

M A I L

Banners

Menus s e r u h c o r B

Leafle ts

T-Shirts Letter heads

Pens

F I N I S H

Flyers Folder s

s d r a C s Busines

Newsletters Mugs

s d r a c t s o P es n i z a g a M

Key-R ings

BIRMINGHAM’S Sunset Club represents a new dawn in the adult entertainment sector - making itself a quality benchmark for lap dancing clubs everywhere.

The city centre venue opened in the summer and, declares proprietor Angelina O’Donnell, is changing all the preconceived ideas about seedy back street lap dancing clubs.

The city’s only five-star venue of its kind, the Sunset Club is very much a place for 2013 - and one which concentrates not only on the quality of service and entertainment, but the quality of customer over quantity too.

A strict door policy is in operation and only men and women in smart or smart-casual dress are allowed into the neon-lit colourful, interior.

“We cater for corporate clientele and as long as you’re serious about having a good time and want to be looked after then Sunset Club is where you need to be,” adds Angelina.

“Because we are rather exclusive you will not find groups of people who have just walked in from off the street. Many of our customers book in advance or are well known to us - here we look for the quality of customer not quantity.

“If luxury and service are expected then the Sunset Club is the place to be - particularly for corporate customers who are entertaining clients or winding down for the weekend.”

TEL 0121 457 4810 EMAIL sales@heronpress.co.uk WEB www.heronpress.co.uk

The exclusive surroundings in which customers find themselves, are a world away from the building Angelina and her team first discovered when seeking suitable premises, and the transformation has been, so far, she says, one of the biggest challenges to date.

“We took on a long lease of a club that looked like a joke when we walked inside first time,” she remembers.

“The place was practically falling apart, but to come in and see how it is now is very pleasing.”

It hasn’t taken long for the feedback to arrive, however, and Angelina is not only delighted at how good it is but is positive for the coming year.

“Everybody loves us,” she says. “We are building a regular customer base but clubs like the Sunset take time.

“By 2013 we hope to have established our name a bit more and hope that all visitors feel how welcoming we are.

“If anyone is curious about visiting such a club as this, please come and see us. We look forward to seeing you.”

The Sunset Club is open Tuesday-Thursdays from 9pm-3.30am and Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm-4.30pm. Entry is £10 on the door every night, subject to special offers, details of which are available on the website, www.thesunsetclub.co.uk.

Boasting VIP rooms, booths and areas and waitress table service, the Sunset Club features a bar with a wide-ranging exotic selection, two stages with back-to-back pole dancing, private nude dance areas and topless dancing.

“We have a host available at customers’ service every night, whether they are in a private seating area or in the company of certain dancers,” says Angelina. “If you call in advance, drinks can be ready and waiting on your table when you arrive.”

For further information, email info@thesunsetclub.co.uk or telephone 0121 6438553.

Edition36 The Midlands Leading Business & Lifestyle Publication

Tel: 08000 807 809 Email: hello@birminghambusinesspost.co.uk

www.birminghambusinesspost.co.uk

Tel: 08000 807 809 Email: hello@birminghambusinesspost.co.uk

www.birminghambusinesspost.co.uk