BBP North West - Edition 6 by BBP Media

MANCHESTER BUSINESS POST

www.bbpmedia.co.uk

bbpMedia

Edition 06

T: 08000 807 809 E: hello@bbpmedia.co.uk

34551 AP_HorseWorld 05/06/2017 13:45 Page 1

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HR professionals have never had it so good! A controversial statement perhaps in the light of the increasing amount of legislation surrounding employment, from new Health and Safety legislation, shared parental leave, autoenrolment, minimum holiday entitlement, sickness absence, the minimum wage, the Apprenticeship Levy, and rising pension ages to name just a few of the pressures recent legislation has placed on a responsible employer.

However technology is coming to the rescue of these hard pressed employers and HR departments with a raft of time and workforce management systems. Rapid advances in digital technologies such as robotics, automation, the Internet of Things â&#x20AC;&#x201C; otherwise known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are rapidly changing the way manufacturing companies do business and inevitably, are changing the way people work and are managed.

Manufacturing too has its workforce management challenges across departments, are there sufficient managers/experienced staff in at any one time? Has someone allowed all the forklift truck drivers to be off at the same time? To say nothing of the accounts or despatch departments, after all the money and the goods have to keep moving.

Kronos has the answer, to all these difficulties enabling managers at the touch of a button to manage the complexities of planning to ensure cover.

Kronos is a leader in the field of workplace management and provides solutions to some of the largest names in our industrial landscape. Creating best-fit schedules, tracking time and attendance, administering absence and leave, and measuring productivity are vital to managing and retaining a high-performing workforce. Kronos recognises that your employees are your greatest business asset and are there to help you mange that asset to the best effect. Helping you drive business outcomes by engaging your employees, controlling labour costs, increasing productivity, and minimising compliance risk.

With Kronos there is no such thing as a one size fits all fixed solution, Kronos will use their decades of experience to design a system tailor made for your business, to evolve with you as your workforce needs change, enabling you to get on with your core activity - running your business. Whatever your industry Kronos will be able to provide a solution to your workforce management needs.

Retail and Hospitality are two especially challenging sectors needing detailed staff management to ensure rotas are covered while respecting holiday entitlements and other rights. The very nature of the job means that many employees are part-timers creating a logistical nightmare for managers. The emergency services likewise rely on detailed recording of movements and careful time management to ensure cover.

Many companies put paper based systems in place years ago and while they may have adapted them as time goes by they are no longer really it for purpose. A conversation with those clever guys at Kronos will see not just a greatly improved and simplified workplace management system but an upturn in productivity, less emergency cover and a happier and more engaged workforce. With over 40,000,000 employees under management they must be getting something right, to find out how Kronos can help your business achieve its potential please visit

www.kronos.co.uk

Manchester Edition 6 Contents_Layout 1 21/07/2017 14:32 Page 1

C O N T E N T S Asset Finance Compared

Managing your Small Business Finances

Corporate & Commercial Credit Solutions

Business Growth Hub

Smart IT

Information Technology Reaches a New Level

Pure Optimisation

Welcome to Edition 6 of the Manchester Business Post, the free magazine for the North West business community, with news, tips and stories from across the region.

The Mailing Room

Tecmark

Apex IT

Quadris

In this edition we celebrate the Queen’s Awards for Innovation, celebrating some of the brightest and best companies in the region.

DataSpace

Magma Digital

Alexican Office Solutions

In our section on Business Solutions we look at how Technology is speeding up and simplifying every aspect of our daily business activities, and consider the need to be aware of cyber security in the workplace.

Addleshaw Goddard

Keeping on the Right Side of the Law

Levi Solicitors

New Apprenticeship Levy

Virtual College

Our Export feature looks at the many sources of help and advice available, while our Fleet Section looks at improvements to Vehicles and improved Driver Training.

Lifetime Training

Chamber Business Training

Learning Unlimited

Total People

New businesses will find the sections on Finance and on Staying on the Right Side of the Law particularly useful.

Companies' Right Royal Success

Mettler Toledo

ICC Solutions

In this magazine we take another look at the Apprenticeship Levy, Construction, Hospitality and Tourism.

AlphaBiolabs

Innovative Technology

TPMS Warehouse

What’s in the Van?

Van Conversions

Davis

BBP Media Three Springs House, Unit 9, Three Springs Trading Estate, Vincent Road, Worcester WR5 1BW

GEM Driver Training

UK Export Finance

A World of Opportunity

KPMG

Coface

Tel: 08000 807 809 Fax: 01905 763 159 E: hello@bbpmedia.co.uk W: www.bbpmedia.co.uk

Kerry Logistics

Mathys & Squire

ABA Group

Röhlig Logistics

Acumen Credit Insurance Brokers

Publisher: PIL (Europe) Limited Print & Design: Heron Press UK

The Housing Crisis

Corridor Manchester

Innov8 Risk Consultants

Willmott Dixon

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.

Sterling Woodrow

R H Irving Construction

The Great British Staycation

Cumbria Spas

Stewart Hindley & Partners

KID Catering Equipment

Lolly

Capita Travel and Events

Innomech

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.

50068 AP_HorseWorld 29/06/2017 11:17 Page 1

Rapid advances in financial technology over the past few years have changed the way we do business. Fintech is gradually starting to seep further into the growth strategies of major banks, lenders and other financial services providers that had previously taken a more traditional approach to the way they did business. But while fintech is making it easier for growing firms to access finance, ongoing issues surrounding the availability of finance through more traditional routes is also causing businesses to look for other ways to fund their investments and growth. A recent survey by the British Business Bank found that around 100,000 smaller businesses have a total of £4bn rejected by lenders each year, despite smaller businesses being essential to addressing the UK’s productivity challenge. And last year, the Treasury said that 324,000 SMEs sought a loan or overdraft, with 26% being declined by their bank. Of those rejected, only three per cent sought alternative options. Yet the UK’s economy has continued to perform well in comparison to other developed nations. However, Brexit and the ongoing turbulence in global markets aside, one of the biggest challenges facing the UK economy is raising productivity. Entrepreneurial activity in the UK also remains high with over 383,000 new business enterprises being registered in

2015, more than at any other time since 2000 (as reported by the ONS), thought the UK sits near the bottom of OECD tables for the percentage of start-up businesses which grow to more than ten employees within three years. As SMEs employ most of the UK’s private sector workforce, creating a dynamic small business sector is key to boosting productivity, which will convert growth into rising standards of living.

but, as the pace of change is moving so fast, customers want to access finance faster and more easily, and online. Recognising this, Midlands Asset Finance recently launched a new online digital platform, www.assetfinancecompared.co.uk, which delivers an online quote and an instant decision in principle. The platform instantly analyses information entered by a customer before issuing a decision in principle.

This doesn’t only show the importance of smaller businesses to the UK economy, but also the clear need for the financial markets to support growing businesses.

Identification is verified through the platform too, so the transaction can be handled quickly and remotely.

It’s also clear that the traditional route to finance through banks isn’t working and businesses are having to look at alternative sources of funding to finance their growth and ambitions.

While other comparison sites divert users to the funder to tie up the deal once a quote has been provided, Asset Finance Compared’s in-house team looks after the entire process.

To realise that growth, firms need to be able to invest in the latest plant, machinery and technologies to keep the pace and asset finance is one way of enabling them to do so.

Asset finance remains an essential part of the UK’s investment recovery and it’s crucial that businesses are supported to increase their capacity to invest.

The sector has grown year-on-year since the end of the recession and lenders provided £118bn of new asset finance in 2016. Last year, lenders financed almost a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software. Until recently, asset finance was arranged by direct sales teams or specialist brokers

Technology is also evolving at a rapid pace and being able to trade digitally is essential to support business growth and investment plans. So, while fintech is being embraced by traditional banks and lenders, websites like www.assetfinancecompared.co.uk are using it to change the face of asset finance as well.

visit www.assetfinancecompared.co.uk email hello@assetfinancecompared.co.uk telephone 01773 864 864

50257 1pg_Transport Warehousing 20/07/2017 09:56 Page 1

Managing your Small Business Finances Among the major challenges facing the new business owner money concerns tend to top the list. There are a few key strategies you can adopt in the day-to-day management of your business finances to be more effective. For a start, educate yourself in the basics of business accounting. Take an introductory accounting course online or at your local college if you need to, to learn how cash moves in and out of your small business. The more you understand your business finances and cash flow, the better prepared you’ll be to make smart money management decisions. Keep your business and personal finances separate. There are many reasons not to mix your business and personal accounts, including tax issues, personal liability, and jumbled accounting records, just to name a few. When things get tight, resist the urge to secure your business finances with personal funds because it will surely create a mess you will have to deal with later on. The best way to maintain clear separation of your expenses is to set a personal budget and a business budget. Adhere to them strictly and separately so that credit cards and loans for your business don’t get used for your personal finances and vice versa. Your bookkeeper and accountant will thank you for not muddying the money waters when it comes time to manage your books and pay your taxes. If you are new to managing a small business, it is extremely important to calculate how much money you need to live on and withdraw only that money from your business, and to reinvest any surplus into the business. If things are going well it can be tempting to splurge on an expensive holiday or other major indulgence, but resist; wait until your business is more established.

Be cautious with your business expenditure. Can you really afford that glitzy office? Save money in the early days by buying furniture and major equipment second hand, and go green to save money on utilities. In a young small business, payroll forms a major element of your costs. When things get busy it can be tempting to hire a new staff member. However, make sure that it is absolutely necessary first. Never hire staff until you absolutely need them. Always stretch out existing staff first and ensure that all employees are working to their full potential. When dealing with outside contractors or vendors, such as delivery services, caterers, or electricians, do not be afraid to negotiate terms. Use contractors that will allow you to pay up to thirty days after the receipt of their services as opposed to paying on the spot. This grace period allows you to manage your money better and place your bills in order of priority. Pay all accounts promptly to avoid racking up payment penalties. Don’t forget to examine purchase terms like late payment penalties and grace periods when making a decision. Sometimes being given an extra 30 days to pay can save you more than a 5% discount off the top. Establish clear trading terms. Strike the best deals and payment terms that you can. Even small savings add up surprisingly quickly. Include a deliver-by date, with penalties and the option to return the goods for failure to meet your deadline, particularly important in the fashion trade or with seasonal goods, who wants a huge delivery of Christmas crackers half way through February? Once you have all the systems in place for the most economical ways to manage your business finances, make sure you get in the monies owed to your business, after all you are in business to earn money.

Insist on prompt settlement of your invoices, and establish clear credit terms. Set up good credit control systems from the start, with a system of regular reminders and chase up non-payers. Many new business owners make the mistake of not chasing outstanding invoices for fear of alienating a “good” customer. But, and it cannot be said often enough, the only truly “good” customer is one that pays their bills on time. In the case of a really reluctant payer you may consider using the courts, but some times a letter threatening court action may bring even the worst offenders round to paying their bills. Before you go to such lengths consider if the debt is worth it. Credit insurance. That huge order may be very exciting; you may even be prepared to take on extra staff and equipment to fulfil it, but what if the clients are poor payers? If fulfilling the order involves you in major expenditure, take out credit insurance to protect your business. If you need to secure additional finance, take a staged approach. If you anticipate that you will need £100,000 to cover overhead costs for the next year, don’t borrow it all at once. If you do, you will be paying interest on money in January that you will not actually use until the end of the year. Taking the money in stages will reduce the amount of interest you will need to pay. These are just a few tips we hope you will find helpful, but the point they all have in common is to think carefully about what you are doing and make sure that every transaction, large or small works to the advantage of you and your business.

50063 AP v2_HorseWorld 11/07/2017 10:50 Page 1

Why are people choosing to outsource their Credit Control and Debt Recovery provision? As we alluded to in our last editorial, there are three main drivers for instructing an industry professional to provide a credit control and debt recovery service - TIME, TEAM or MONEY. In previous articles we’ve spoken about both Time and Team. This time we’ll focus on MONEY. ‘Money makes the world go around’… or so the song goes. Any commercial enterprise is a slave to profit but not just because it’s the lifeblood of any business, it’s because money is an enabler to greater things.

Just this week, after recovering several thousands of pounds from a rogue ex-chairman of a business, our client reminded us all as to why we do this when he said ‘I can’t thank you enough, I can take the family on holiday now’. The most important piece of advice we give to any client when it comes to MONEY is… It’s your money, don’t be scared to ask for it …in a PERFECT way:

Let us take this opportunity to impart some of our knowledge to demonstrate how to be PERFECT.

• • • •

PREPARATION Have your call script to hand so to be both concise and professional. ENTHUSIASM Be bright and alert. Nobody wants to talk to a grump.

REALISM Ask yourself if the debtor can meet your request or will you need to negotiate.

FOCUS Don’t go off track. You’ve called to ask for your money so ASK FOR IT !

• • •

EMPATHY Although you need to be firm, you must also understand the debtor’s position.

CONNECT Try to form a bond with the customer, they’ll be more likely to resolve your claim. THE OUTCOME Always remember why you’ve rung, you need your money so make this your goal.

P.E.R.F.E.C.T

Many business owners delay prompt debt collection in the vague belief that either, the customer will eventually pay, they find the whole process of chasing debtors uncomfortable or they don't want to alienate valued customers. Worse still, some business owners fear bringing in an outside agency in the misguided belief that the process will be intrusive and detrimental to the client relationship. This is simply not the case. Action is the key, as our clients testify :

“When Rob first mentioned his Credit Control service…it sounded too good to be true. I had a list of customers who needed constant prompting to pay their invoices, but I didn’t have enough time to contact them all and still get on with my main workload.

Rob and his team now carefully and expertly look after my customers and encourage prompt payment of their invoices. Having them look after my business income, means I’m free to focus on the part of the business I really enjoy. Almost immediately, the turnaround in my finances helped rescue my cash flow and keep both the bank manager and my wife happy.”

Neil, Thornton Directory.

Credit management is a skill but it’s not one you have to develop. It is after all, Corporate and Commercial Credit Solution’s expertise and they are proud to offer a confidential, cost effective credit management service catering for all your credit control and debt recovery needs.

info@corpandcomm.com 01535 654 594

www.corpandcomm.com

@corpandcomm

Corporate & Commercial

credit solutions ltd

50217 AP_HorseWorld 19/07/2017 12:47 Page 1

Passionate about business There comes a stage in the life cycle of any business when the advice of a knowledgeable, critical friend can be invaluable. The Business Growth Hub in Manchester fulfils just that role. They are a community of experienced business specialists who have a passion to help businesses across Greater Manchester realise their ambitions. They are fully funded by central government as part of an initiative to support businesses throughout their journey. From one-to-one mentoring, group events to give you an opportunity to exchange ideas with others, help with access to funding, and courses to develop your management skills and train your own staff, all come at no cost to your business. There is advice and guidance for new businesses to help you to build your business the right way for sustainable growth. For all businesses at whatever stage there is help to access finance and funding in general, as well as advice on ways of reducing costs and sustainability, and accessing new markets and export opportunities. Their aim is to help you achieve operational excellence by process improvement. That may sound a pretty grand ambition but their team of advisors are all very experienced in operational management and will use this to improve your businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall efficiency. The process usually involves a site visit with a walk round your premises, during which your advisor will take careful notes of the expertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s observations. To get the most out of the process it is helpful for your advisor to be able to talk to members of your

workforce, management and directors to get a clear idea of just how your business works, what you perceive to be going well and what you are less happy about. Explain to the advisor what you want to achieve and where you see the business being in 5 or 10 yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time. Explain your operational processes and talk about your products and services, tell them whether you have anything new you want to introduce or are developing. In fact tell them the whole story. Remember they are there to help and the more information they have the more targeted to your needs their advice can be. The advisor will give you positive feedback, praise what is going well and make helpful suggestions as to the parts of your process that could be improved. Some changes will be relatively simple, such as just rearranging your shop floor, storage areas or warehouse to better effect. Others may involve ways to improve your supply chain management and suggestions for gaining appropriate qualifications, such as a BRC accreditation. Your advisor will also make recommendations about how people are working, internal processes, opportunities for digitalisation, management development, and a host of other ideas you may choose to take on board to help your business grow. Sometimes people already are aware of changes they need to make, but find the reassurance that they are moving in the right direction from a fellow professional helpful.

To have your eyes opened to the potential of your business give the Business Growth Hub a call on 0161 359 3050 or visit the web site www.businessgrowthhub.com/productivityinpractice 7

50194 AP_HorseWorld 17/07/2017 15:40 Page 1

Is the tail wagging the dog? Business software can constrain and dictate rather than liberate processes. Newcomer to the market, Odoo, is putting organisations back in control of the way they operate.

How many software applications does your business depend on? If you’re a small organisation, maybe a dozen? For large enterprises, you’re likely to be looking at over a hundred individual products which enable the very fundamental sales, operations and finance processes necessary for your operation. Now – how well do these products do their job? And how well do they integrate where you need them to? As organisations grow, the focus is quite rightly on finding new customers and taking new offerings to market while the “how” of making it happen is a secondary consideration. Even those diligent enough to put the time and effort into choosing the right software product to do the job today can find that as the business grows, needs and processes change and what was perfect 18 months ago becomes restrictive and constraining.

Odoo: disrupting the status quo A relative newcomer to the enterprise software market, Odoo is sending shock waves through the industry and displacing the established names such as Sage, SAP and Microsoft Dynamics by offering better customisation, better integration and ultimately better value for money to organisations of all shapes and sizes. While Odoo sits in very familiar market segments such as ERP, CRM and so on, the way it has developed is anything but typical. It’s strong technical foundations – its source code – are open for literally thousands of developers and business process experts to build on. This means that rather than business processes being constrained by the capabilities of the software, the systems can be developed to exactly fit the operations. The result is, and will continue to be, a top quality product which evolves much faster than other solutions for the benefit of existing and future customers.

Adopt app by app Odoo’s app store now boasts more apps than any other - encompassing manufacturing, sales, ecommerce, accounting, point of sales, project and inventory management – many tailored for vertical industry nuances and all fully integrated with each other in order to automate companies’ business flows. The flexibility Odoo offers through the existing apps and the potential development through its open source structure means that clients can optimise the way they operate to bring greater control to the business. While the product is available freely through the Odoo Community, the vast majority of established organisations will require the Enterprise version through an Odoo implementation partner to integrate the software to the individual client’s business processes.

Odoo Gold Partner: Smart IT Smart IT an Odoo Gold Partner with more than six years’ experience and an extensive customer base across many UK industry sectors. Based near Preston, the Smart IT team has proven extensive experience and knowledge of Odoo to transform business processes, efficiency and productivity of clients whether they’re looking for the just one module or a whole suite of integrated applications.

0844 811 8270 info@smart-ltd.co.uk www.smart-ltd.co.uk 8

34353 1pg_Transport Warehousing 07/06/2017 12:50 Page 1

Information Technology Reaches a New Level. A remarkable business and financial milestone was reached a short while ago. For the first time ever, the top five places on the list of the world’s most valuable companies were occupied by technology companies. Even allowing for the fact that stock market valuations are not absolutely precise, the facts of the positioning underline how the technology sector has now overtaken the more traditional importance of healthcare, finance, energy and manufacturing sectors. IT is not only at the heart of industry, it is at the heart of our lives, so much a part of modern living that few things function without it.

When it comes to dialogue between staff, suppliers and customers, the arrival of simple and inexpensive email pretty much swept to one side all that had gone before it, giving rise to terms like ‘snail mail’ for the postage system that had operated for lifetimes. But such is the nature of IT that further, even more immediate communication systems are now making the email look less than instant. We have live chat/instant messaging systems, online meeting tools and videoconferencing systems and voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephones. Not to mention, smartphones.

Customer relationship management is also being transformed as IT systems are developed to keep track of a customer’s purchase history and any issues so that should the client need to get in touch, the extra information available will enable customer support departments to provide more personal and value-added service. Of course we can only brush a small part of a very large surface here when it comes to considering how IT has become a part of our lives but, from an industry point of view, it’s good to know that the nation is doing quite nicely.

Like the post, based on paper, our work spaces have been transformed by IT. On the whole, large file rooms and rows of filing cabinets are things of the past. Companies are now storing documents digitally on servers and storage devices.

According Tech Nation 2017, the annual in-depth analysis of the UK’s Digital Tech eco-system by Tech City UK, the country is a leader both in Europe and on the international stage and IT is proving a major contributor, around £97bn a year, to the home economy.

So much of what we use has been created with help from information technology. Common, every-day items all use it. Don’t just think cars, think phones, think iPads; think microwaves, think washing machines, think televisions.

Millions of items which once would have taken up thousands of square footage can be stored in a room probably not much larger than a downstairs cloakroom - and be accessed instantly whenever needed by employees.

Growing at twice the rate of the wider economy, this contribution has risen 30% in just five years, and in the same time period, London alone has attracted more investment than Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam combined.

The worlds of business, education and healthcare have all been reshaped - and continue to evolve in new ways thanks to information technology.

Such innovation has given rise to a whole industry surrounding such data management. Putting the very valid security and protection sectors aside, entire Management Information Systems have been developed to enable companies to effectively track sales data, expenses and productivity levels.

The regions are playing a vital part in this. Six clusters of technical businesses alone attracted nearly £700 million investment between them in 2016: Edinburgh (£159 million) Cambridge (£153 million), Bristol & Bath (£109 million), Oxford (£106 million), Manchester (£78 million), and Sheffield (£61 million).

Then there are analytical tools to help interpret the details uncovered by such systems enabling managers to adapt the business operation to the information contained therein.

IT is ever changing but, it seems, what will never change is the opportunities it presents for us whether at home or at work.

Information Technology, as it is known by its full name, is basically concerned with the development, maintenance, and use of computer systems, software, and networks for the processing and distribution of data - and in the 21st century that covers a lot of ground.

For business alone, the arrival of the computer changed the world forever as IT was brought to bear upon insuring the smooth running of all departments such as manufacturing, security, human resources and finance. It provides a window on the ever-changing state of global markets and through constantly developing software and hardware packages, keeps them on top of customer supply and demand. For many firms, having their own IT department is part-and-parcel of standard operations.

50196 AP_HorseWorld 03/07/2017 09:56 Page 1

Search Engine Optimisation tips to grow your business There was a time, not so long ago, the (relatively) simple advice for keeping your website visible and at a constantly high position in the search rankings was to ensure that its content was liberally filled with keywords. But technology, which waits for no man or woman, has swiftly moved on, getting faster and smarter. As browsing habits and device use change and develop, it’s a wise business move to bring some professional expertise on board to ensure your website remains a surefire SEO success. The smart cookies at Pure Optimisation know just how to help you maximise your growth opportunities online. The team has many years delivering a combination of awardwinning digital marketing strategies, running online businesses and SEO campaigns and are regularly called upon to speak at leading events or judge industry awards.

Tom Sykes

Think Local We may talk about the world wide web - but think local or you’ll miss out. It’s now possible to detect users’ locations via their device settings. This often translates into a set of local search adverts, even for non-local search queries. “Couple this with ‘near me’ searches which have increased 34 times on mobile since 2011 and you need to be making certain that your website is optimised correctly to take advantage of the local market,” advises Tom. Committed to helping you and all clients realise their full online potential, the Pure Optimisation team, based in King Street, Manchester, has developed a unique three stage process that not only demystifies the digital marketing process but transforms a website’s performance. “We’re jargon free, promise,” smiles Tom. “People are at the centre of our business - and we love what we do!”

It’s no surprise, then, that they’ve really got their collective fingers on this ever-racing digital pulse, which is why Head of SEO Tom Sykes suggests the following things you should do to fire your website up the search rankings. And, importantly, explains why.

Top SEO tips Mobile First Make it mobile-friendly for Google. “In 2016, Google reported that nearly 40% of people search only on a smartphone this is expected to rise to 60% by 2020,” says Tom. “If your website is not mobile-friendly for Google, then you could be losing out on up to half of all traffic available from organic searches.”

FREE SEO audit - special offer for Manchester business post readers. If you would like to discuss the opportunities for your website, you can contact Tom on Linkedin. Alternatively you can call him on 07496 389086 or email tom@pureoptimisation.co.uk For more information about Pure Optimisation, go to www.pureoptimisation.co.uk

Voice Search Optimise your site for voice search traffic. Tom warns that as mobile usage and hands-free technology grows, Google is already estimating that around 50% of all searches will be made via voice recognition technology by 2020.

We help businesses grow online 10

50232 AP_HorseWorld 06/07/2017 14:27 Page 1

Great saves aren’t just made on the pitch.

In today’s competitive times, business owners and managers are reviewing every aspect of their business practice, looking to see where they can make improvements and cut costs. Many will have taken all sorts of cost-cutting initiatives, from installing energy saving lightbulbs, timers to ensure that all their equipment is turned off at the close of business day, hybrid vehicles, managed print systems, the list is endless, but how many are aware of just how much they can save on postage? The Business Post talks to The Mailing Room to find out. Postage is not just a matter of the cost of the stamps themselves, as many companies have introduced a policy of only sending outgoing post as 2nd class, except in essential circumstances, but of the time spent in taking letters and parcels to the post to be correctly weighed, sized and stamped.

By partnering with the world’s leading manufacturer, The Mailing Room is able to provide clients with a choice of mailing equipment, suitable for any business, from home start-up online retailers to multi-site corporations. What’s more with franked mail, you can score with customers by professionally printing your logo and message on every mailing. The Mailing Room say, “It’s our people and their experience, together with their support and understanding of your business, that sets us apart when it comes to recommending the best option for your post.” As for ongoing maintenance, as a Royal Mail-approved ‘independent inspector and maintainer of franking machines’ their fully trained and experienced technicians provide comprehensive service and next day onsite maintenance. So, whether you bought your franking equipment from them or not, they’ll keep you covered with their unbeatable line-up.

How much better would it be to be able to quickly and accurately stamp all your outgoing post through one simple system and make great savings on your postage at the same time? The Mailing Room has the answer. By using one of their franking machines you can save up to 32% on every letter you send! With a franking machine you can accurately weigh, size and stamp each item of mail sent out, saving you not just money, but time and hassle. Also as the mail speeds automatically through Royal Mail handling, avoiding manual sorting, franked 2nd Class mail generally arrives in the box at the same time as standard 1st Class post. As one of the leaders in the field since 1998, The Mailing Room is proud to count over 7,000 users of their franking machines, from across industry and public sectors, amongst their customers. These customers choose The Mailing Room because not only do they provide a range of franking machines suitable for all types and sizes of business, but back it up with the best customer service in the industry.

They really are the “go to” people for all things franking machines.

Why not give them a call at their NW UK head office on 0800 019 2033, email on save@themailingroom.com, or visit www.themailingroom.com to find out how much you can save.

We go Beyond Mailing Mail Management | Mailing Equipment | Postal Discount | Complete Support

50198 AP_HorseWorld 28/06/2017 09:44 Page 1

Content is King What gives brands that extra oomph when it comes to digital marketing? We believe that SEO, seamlessly blended with PR and content marketing techniques, is the key to a successful marketing campaign. There are literally hundreds, maybe even thousands, of content marketing agencies in the country - so what makes us different? Here at Tecmark, we understand that staying ahead of the curve is vital to leading the way as an SEO agency. The landscape of search is constantly changing, and if you don’t keep up you get left behind. We always use the very latest technologies and techniques to make sure we’re ahead of the game. Always. The story of Tecmark began in 2008, when we opened as a small, Manchester-based SEO agency. SEO is still our bread and butter, and getting those all-important rankings is still a huge part of what we do here. In recent years, we’ve added digital PR to our list of expertise. We’ve hired some of the best PR professionals in the industry, working tirelessly to get that essential exposure for our clients.

Why content marketing? The beauty of content marketing is that it blends creativity with data to get real results for businesses. A great piece of content can go far, whether that be a blog post that ends up being one of the most viewed pages on your site, or a campaign that improves your overall visibility using high-quality links pointing back to your site. Our clients have experienced real results, and everything has started with great, unique content. We’ve all seen the advertisements by agencies, promising to get your website on the first page of Google within a week. Here at Tecmark, we don’t make false statements and empty promises. We know that getting a high ranking on Google can take weeks, sometimes months of work. But getting there organically means that, once you see your website on that all-important first page, it’s more likely to stay there. Still not convinced? A member of our friendly and knowledgeable team would be delighted to have a chat with you about how we can increase your brand visibility. Give us a call today.

Understanding your brand message SEO isn’t just numbers and rankings. It’s about creating unique content that gets your brand’s message across to your target audience. It’s about working with search engines to increase the chances of your content being seen by potential clients and customers. Content is king, and great content is at the heart of everything we do here. We take the time to really understand each and every client we work with. We work to emphasise - not override - the core message you wish to get across. Understanding target audiences is vital to a good SEO strategy, and we’re experts at gathering information to give you the lowdown on the types of people who are engaging with your brand.

Email us: AJ.mussell@tecmark.co.uk Call us: 0161 266 4450 Website: www.tecmark.co.uk Twitter: @tecmark

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Is your business software giving you what you need to best manage and grow your business? Not that long ago most small businesses were using Sage 50, QuickBooks, or similar for their Accounts; any CRM would be separate software with different look and feel, synchronisation issue, etc. Today businesses face increasing pressure to be better informed, more responsive, better managed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; without significant investment or more staff.

Perhaps youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d also benefit from improved Stock/Warehouse management, along with batch traceability or serial numbering. Or better Sales and Purchase order processing, along with opportunity and case management. Or you sell online, or are about to start doing so and would benefit from having your webshop integrated. Or a host of other features? All part of the same fully integrated system!

Interprise provides Financials/CRM/ERP, and optional eCommerce, in one truly integrated, feature-rich, real-time system. Functionality is similar to the likes of Sage 200 and other mid-market software, but with pricing more in line with Sage 50. The aim being to provide small, growing businesses with big-business functionality but without the big-business pricetag. Fully integrated CRM would make a huge difference to most businesses. Imagine creating target lists based on any criteria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; eg you're about to release some new product or service which you know will be of interest to Customers that have bought X, Y, and Z from you before, then doing a mailshot to this list straight out of Interprise. Target List functionality alone enables most businesses to cover the cost of the new Interprise system within the first 12 months.

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Are Managed IT Services Right for Your Business? It is no surprise that technology has consistently ranked as a top focus area for the CEOs of global organisations over recent years (PWC Global CEO Survey): - today, secure, reliable and properly protected IT systems are critical requirements for all organisations, large and small. - massive adoption of apps and online software services in the consumer world has increased performance expectations of IT by customers and staff alike. - security risks are more threatening given the increasing reliance on systems and data and the financial and loss of reputation consequences associated with them. - strategically, the successful adoption of technology can make or break an organisation.

SO HOW DOES YOUR IT MEASURE UP?

Not happy with the results? If you are not happy with the results of these quick tests your IT team whether internal, external or a mixture of both may not be up to the job. If you are using an external IT support provider then look for a higher performing one – it isn’ t as difficult or risky as you may think. If you are using an internal IT team it is a bit more challenging. We are not anti-internal IT teams and we work successfully as an extension to many internal IT teams but these tend to be larger organisations typically employing over 200 computer users. For organisations falling under this level there are increasing challenges for achieving success with internal IT teams. These include: Extensive choice and rapid evolution of IT solutions – increasingly internal teams are out of touch with modern technologies because they don’ t have sufficient exposure to them. Peter Grayson, Commercial Director at Quadris commented, “ We still see organisations buying out of date technology that isn’ t the best choice because that is what the internal IT team knows.”

Working hours – organisations today expect their IT to be available around the clock but a small IT team can’ t be. Although monitoring of networks can happen automatically 24x7, the alerts they generate need to be attended to. Our recommendation for organisations of less than 100 computer users is to trust your IT support to a managed It services provider who have at least 20 technical staff. We see successful organisations adopt technology by using their internal people to drive user adoption and identify how technology can achieve efficiency gains and enhance customer service. Between 100 and 1000 computer users we believe internal IT is best focussed on front line support and supplier management. Internal resources, interested in technology, we think is increasingly best used to drive user adoption of systems and look for opportunities to utilise IT more effectively as these areas need a detailed understanding of your business processes.

Technology Skill shortages (and the lack of uptake for the new GCSE in Computing highlights this is not going to change quickly), make it difficult to attract and retain high quality technical staff.

To find out more about how Quadris helps businesses succeed with technology please get in touch at www.quadris.co.uk/contact-us we would love to hear from you. 14

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General Data Protection Regulations Established in 1999, DataSpace has built its reputation as a trusted, transparent, cost effective and innovative data management organisation with a real commitment to quality and service. DataSpace operates as a seamless extension to our clients operations, utilising best of breed technologies to allow efficient access to the required data, both online or via delivery services to meet and exceed client expectation. DataSpace’s management team are proactivity committed to enhance our services, through technology and operational innovation whilst providing a competitive edge in all areas of activity.

This becomes more of an issue under GDPR because your legal basis for processing has an effect on individual’s rights. For example, if you rely on someone’s consent to process their data, they will generally have stronger rights, for example to have their data deleted.

DataSpace offers the following services:

Companies will need to review their document processes, procedures and ensure that they know their organisations’ responsibilities surrounding data management and protection. DataSpace offers expert consultancy to ensure that Directors, management and key employees are fully aware of the implications of the new Data Protection legistlation, and understand the importance of GDPR readiness.

• Secure Archive and Document Storage

Compliance

• Online records management system - FileLive.

Businesses are expected to introduce comprehensive governance measures which could include the implementation of appropriate quality standards to assist with data protection. All of DataSpace’s operations are driven by our quality procedure therefore provide our clients auditability, repeatability and compliance.

DataSpace’s complete service offering encompasses the highquality standards which are externally audited by BSI in compliance and certification to BS10008 Electronic Information Management, ISO 27001 Information Security Management, ISO 9001 Quality Management, PD5454 Archival Storage and ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.

• Deliveries and Collections by DataSpace’s own fleet of vehicles that are GPS Tracked. • Scanning accredited to BS10008 Legal Admissibility of Electronic Information. • Electronic Data and Image Hosting within an ISO 27001 environment.

DataSpace’s Top Tips for GDPR - Know Your Data What Data are you collecting on Individuals?

• Confidential destruction compliant with BS EN 15713.

Where the data comes from?

• Consultancy on innovation and efficiency improvements.

Where and how are you using the data?

• Project Management.

Are your data processing practices compliant?

Overview The EU GDPR is one of the strictest privacy law ever introduced. It will come into force on 25th May 2018 and will affect every company which offers services to European customers. For processing to be lawful under the GDPR, you need to identify a legal basis before you can process personal data. These are often referred to as the “conditions for processing” under the DPA. It is important that you determine your legal basis for processing personal data and ensure that this is documented.

What is the data being used for? Who is responsible for the data in your organisation?

Suffering a data breach may incur fines up to 20 million EUR or 4% of global turnover, under GDPR. DataSpace will be able to offer all the appropriate help, advice and services to ensure your organisation is ready for GDPR, don’t delay in preparing for GDPR.

CALL0800 028 8956 info@data-space.co.uk

www.data-space.co.uk 15

50180 AP_HorseWorld 03/07/2017 11:51 Page 1

Call Magma Digital today on 0845 241 6460 or email Info@magmadigital.co.uk to set the ball rolling

Is your business’s old software giving you a hard time? Is your business shackled to outdated, ineffective IT systems and software which are holding it back from achieving its full potential, or worse, putting it at risk of cyber attacks?

Then you need the collective technical brains of Magma Digital on your side. Its experts can help you transform those systems, and ensure that they’re built to last and to drive your business forward, instead of stifling its potential. Magma Digital was an early arrival into the arena of harnessing the capabilities of the new digital marketplace for SMEs and larger businesses. Established in 1999 around a team of specialist software developers, it listens to your problems, issues and expectations, and then aims to get your IT systems working in harmony with these objectives.

Importantly, its systems and software offerings are designed to grow alongside your business, removing the hassle of you having to continually review and update how it works.

As the operator of a small business, you probably know that your customers’ data is one of your greatest weapons in giving you the information you need to grow. Magma Digital has worked both independently, and embedded alongside clients’ in-house development teams, to devise systems which let them make the best use of that data. That means you don’t have to worry about your data being kept secure, yet being accessible to give you the valuable insights which help you target your marketing efforts.

Magma Digital’s expertise lies in the key areas of:

- Bespoke enterprise-level system architecture and development - Web application development - Software consultancy - code reviews - Software due diligence for mergers and acquisitions - Planning systems and software to help you integrate all your IT services, and

- Adoption, development and maintenance of ‘legacy’ software, enabling it to work seamlessly alongside newer applications. It’s estimated that as many as 80 per cent of IT systems are running on ‘legacy’ platforms, using code which might have once been deemed suitable to operate efficiently and securely behind the scenes. But according to Magma Digital CEO, Jeremy Coates, “many such systems are leaving businesses vulnerable to security issues, because the users cannot expect automatic protection from new and emerging threats.”

That, he added, leaves a business with three options: it can opt for entire system replacement, update its systems on a modular basis, or choose to extend the life of its current systems. “While this is currently the preferred method for many businesses, as it will enhance the existing suite of features available, it may only buy a few more years of robust and secure operation, so there should be a long-term plan put into place for a complete systems replacement.

Can your business look forward with confidence, knowing that all your systems will adapt and grow with it – or are you soldiering on with outdated code and making the best of what you’ve got?

If the answer’s the latter, then contact Magma Digital for an assessment of your needs, a review of your software code and a realistic plan which will enable it to break free of the limitations holding it back from realising its full potential.

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Is your office machinery holding your business to ransom?

Birchenough added. “As an industry standard, most manufacturers recommend that their approved suppliers have one engineer to deal with every 200 machines which they have in use – here at Alexican, that figure is close to one for every 120.

Costly long-term lease contracts, extended tie-ins, and service contract deals which leave companies paying through the nose for copies and consumables are rife throughout an industry which is largely unregulated, and is costing SMEs far more than it need do.

If you recognise this scenario, and perhaps have found yourself in this situation, Dukinfield-based business Alexican Office Solutions can help your business break free of its shackles and see the benefits of a much more flexible approach to getting and using the office and printing supplies it needs – and keeping that machinery doing its job, day-in, dayout. Business director Ian Birchenough said, though, that it isn’t just on the up-front and ongoing costs of the equipment it supplies where Alexican scores – it also prides itself on the comprehensive and transparent relationships it has with all its customers, which means that the cost to their business of acquiring and running their vital machinery are clear from the start, and there are no nasty surprises in store when the time comes to swap or upgrade as a business grows and its needs change.

“A lot of office equipment suppliers have done very well out of offering equipment tied down with opaque contract clauses and a host of hidden add-ons, and tie-ins which often aren’t fully explained to customers,” he said.

“That means we can help our clients keep the downtime of their machinery to a minimum – and our new service centre, with dedicated warehouse facilities, on the Moss Industrial Estate, close to the East Lancs Road, means that, together with our original base in Dukinfield, which is now our main sales office and showroom, we have the whole of Greater Manchester and Lancashire covered.”

An online search for subjects such as ‘office machinery leasing’ will soon bring up a host of results which don’t show the sector in a very good light, said Mr Birchenough. But Alexican aims to stand out by virtue of its no-nonsense, honest approach, backed up with efficient and trustworthy service. And it’s paying dividends for both Alexican and many of its clients, who have found out that, where other companies make bold claims for the products and service they offer, but can’t back them up, Alexican…

To see how Alexican Office Solutions can bring dependability and quality service to the machinery that’s vital to keep your business running, visit www.alexican.co.uk or call them on 0161 339 1999

“Our model is completely different – we are always on hand to explain how our agreements work, exactly what’s included, and how any issues will be dealt with – always promptly and efficiently.”

As well as low initial copy costs, and rates which include consumables, Alexican also brings its customers the benefit of more than 25 years’ experience in the important back-up service which helps ensure that all their machinery is available when they need it. Alexican is a major stockist of leading brands including Sharp and Olivetti.

“We’re very proud to offer a rapid response time and high proportion of first-time fixes to our clients whenever they report a problem to us,” Mr 17

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Employers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is your business properly protected from your staff? For the period during and immediately after the financial crisis, there were few attractive opportunities for want-away employees, as businesses pared back their workforces and froze recruitment. The market stagnated in terms of the movement of employees between competitors. At the same time, employers focused more on staying afloat than developing their talent pool. Although this resulted in far fewer disputes for a time, when the markets recovered and businesses found themselves with the cash and the need to recruit, there was a shortage of, and a battle for, top talent. Consequently, over the past year or so we have seen a significant increase both of employees moving between competitive roles and of disputes between those trying to retain or woo them. "Restrictive covenants aren't worth the paper they're written on."

"Everyone takes their employer's customer list with them when they leave. It's fine."

These are some of the most frequently cited "facts" about a business' rights to protect its legitimate interests. The reality however, is very different and the Courts remain perfectly happy to step in and to protect companies' rights in the face of unlawful activities of others.

So, what can you do to give your business the best opportunity to protect itself? There are any number of different ways to approach this and a case by case approach is recommended. However, as a starting point, consider the following: 1. Ensure your employment contracts are fit for purpose

We are often asked to advise in circumstances where the relevant contract is outdated and/or contains post termination restraints which

go further than is reasonably necessary to protect the interests of the business and so, are unenforceable. As disappointing as it is to lose good people, you cannot use a restrictive covenant to exact your revenge! If a full scale contract review sounds like an onerous task, start by reviewing the contracts of your key employees and work from there. 2. Take stock in response to a key departure

Whilst delay can be fatal to an application to the Court for an injunction (typically, an order restraining a party from carrying out a certain act) it is important not to panic. Consider making use of a contractual right to place the employee on garden leave, and, if you are concerned about unlawful competition, take stock as to the employee's recent activities: has there been an increased number of customer visits? Have they downloaded any confidential information? This is critical as the Court will want to see credible evidence of wrongdoing before it will even consider taking action. 3. Throw your arms around your customers

Alongside taking action through your HR team and perhaps, your lawyers, part of a sensible strategy for mitigating against the risk associated with a star performer leaving, is to focus on their key accounts and customers: get their replacement in quickly and demonstrate your commitment to the relationship.

This is a complex area and one which can be expensive if you get it wrong. If you would like to understand more about how we can help your business protect itself or take action against the unlawful activities of employees, please contact us.

Jamie Hamnett, Employment Partner, Addleshaw Goddard

. Manchester . M2 3DE Tel: +44 (0)161 934 6000 . Fax: +44 (0)161 934 6060 . www.addleshawgoddard.com . Email: Jamie.Hamnett@addleshawgoddard.com Addleshaw Goddard One St Peter's Square

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Keeping on the Right Side of the Law When you decide to open your new business taking advice from a lawyer may not be the first thing on your mind. Generally we think first about our product, backing finance, premises, where our customers are to come from, even making choices as to the most appropriate equipment, furniture and fittings for our new business. However, there are important legal obligations that every new small business owner must fulfil, and it is important to be aware of your responsibilities and take sensible actions to stay on the right side of the law. There are various on-line templates that the new business owner can download, but the best way to determine if you need help with your basic legal obligations is to hire a lawyer for an hour’s consultation, to explain your business and ask the type of legal services your business could benefit from, and most importantly why you will benefit from them. So what are the main legal considerations that entrepreneurs must contend with when setting up a new business?

Legal structure Perhaps the first concern you will have to address is that of structure. The legal structure you choose can have significant long-term implications for the running of your business, so it is important that you think your decision through carefully. There are three main legal structures to choose from. You can operate as a sole trader, incorporate as a limited company, or establish a partnership. While a sole trader arrangement is the easiest to establish, requiring no formal registration, you should note that sole traders assume significant personal risk. Depending on the sector in which you are operating, and the nature of your business, you may need to apply for a licence. This is particularly common in industries where your actions could result in risk to members of the public, or where you are dealing with hazardous materials. For advice on the correct legal structure for your business visit, https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business.

Health and safety Business owners assume a range of important health and safety responsibilities. You have a duty of care for anyone that might be affected by your business. This might include members of the public (both inside and outside your premises), employees, and visitors. You must carry out a risk assessment to help identify the risks posed to these individuals by your business activities. Risks arise from hazards; for example, the risk of back injury is higher if your business requires heavy lifting tasks. You have a responsibility to mitigate these risks as far as is reasonably practicable. This might involve changing your working practice to ensure that employees and members of the public are safe. Visit the Health and Safety Executive website for details specific to your industry.

Business insurance If you intend to take on staff, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. You run the risk of a significant fine for every day that you are uninsured, as well as leaving yourself vulnerable to compensation claims from employees who suffer injury or illness as a result of their work. In addition, you may wish to consider other covers like public liability or professional indemnity. While these are not legal necessities, they will help to protect your business from compensation claims if something goes wrong. Claims of this sort can be cripplingly expensive, so you should make sure that you are properly covered. All these covers can be included in one business insurance policy, which helps you to save money at the crucial start-up stage of your business.

Do you need to be VAT registered?

and if you take on staff the paperwork burden will increase significantly. But a frequently overlooked requirement amongst new business owners is that of VAT registration. If your annual turnover exceeds the registration threshold (set at £81,000 for the 2014/15 tax year), you are legally obliged to become VAT registered. There are significant penalties for those that fail to register in time. New business owners are faced with a significant legal burden. While this may seem overwhelming, particularly for firsttime entrepreneurs, there is often some leeway given to new businesses when it comes to enforcement, but it is vital that you are aware of your responsibilities. If you are unsure where you stand, make sure you seek independent advice quickly. This advice applies to any contract you may be required to sign, whether from clients, business associates or suppliers. Many people sign contracts without reading them, yet just one small provision can make a big difference. Many small businesses falter when they first start up having created business relationships with people, under good faith, without formally putting anything in writing. The best time to create a formal document is at the beginning of the relationship. Think about the what-ifs that may happen and add those scenarios to the contract, it may save a great deal of trouble later on. Not every lawyer can necessarily do everything that you need, so do your research, ask for recommendations and look for reviews.

As a business owner you have a number of legal obligations to the taxman. These vary depending on the legal structure of your business, but you can expect to have to file at least one annual return –

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SME owners’ expert knowledge must be applied carefully, warns negligence claim specialist As you go about your business, whether you’re in charge of the company, or are acting under the control of the people who are, do you ever consider the consequences of the advice you give to clients?

If not, then you should. Whenever you use your professional skills, in whatever capacity, to assist either a current or prospective client, then you could be open to an action for professional negligence if the advice you give is wrong or the services substandard. That’s the view of expert legal advisors from Levi Solicitors, one of the north’s leading specialist firms in this field. An area which is seeing growing activity, the potential ramifications of such advice was brought into sharp focus by the case of Lejonvarn v Burgess and Another which concluded earlier this year.

The case reached the Court of Appeal, where judges decided that an architect who offered her professional services as a favour to personal friends (undercutting contractors who had already quoted for a garden landscaping project) was liable to the friends for alleged defective work that was carried out under her supervision. The architect had not, at the time of the dispute, taken any money for the work which had been done. However, the court still found that she owed her friends a duty of care to ensure that the work that was completed under her supervision was up to standard. “The defendant was found to have been liable for the loss of her former friends, because the judge found that the friends had been

reasonable in relying upon the defendant’s skill, as an architect, to ensure that the work was completed satisfactorily,” said Steven Newdall, Managing Partner and head of the professional negligence team at Levi Solicitors.

“By offering her services with the knowledge that the claimants were relying on her professional skill, even though she was receiving no payment for those services, the defendant was still held to owe the claimants the same duty of care as she would to any professional client. Even though the relationship was on the surface informal, the court looked behind the relationship and decided that it was actually ‘akin to a contract’”.

According to Mr Newdall, this case has far-reaching ramifications for anyone who offers advice or their physical help in a professional capacity – and should also be noted by anyone involved in running an SME, no matter what the size or nature of the company which they own or manage.

“This case opens up a can of worms for SME owners,” he added. “On the one hand, it’s only natural for them to want to offer a friend the benefit of their specialist knowledge. But on the other, the ruling makes it clear that, if someone chooses to perform the services in which they specialise, regardless of any pre-existing relationship with the would-be client, and whether or not they are being paid for those services, they must always act with reasonable skill and care. It should particularly act as cautionary tale to businesses who sometimes provide ‘casual’ advice to clients in an attempt to win more business.”

Why choose Levi Solicitors…

The team at Levi Solicitors’ six offices around the north of England and in London boasts a number of specialists in handling professional negligence claims. If you have suffered a loss as a result of a professional’s incorrect advice or actions, or indeed if you are facing a professional negligence claim yourself, Levi Solicitors can help.

To find out more, visit www.levisolicitors.co.uk Email info@levisolicitors.co.uk or call 0800 988 7756 to arrange a free initial consultation

13358 1pg_Transport Warehousing 28/06/2017 10:44 Page 1

New Apprenticeship Levy a win-win for employers and training providers On the April 6th the way the Government funds apprenticeships in England changed with the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy. The levy requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill over £3 million each year, to invest in apprenticeship training. The size of the contributions will directly correlate with the size of a company’s annual pay bill. The levy will be charged at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s pay bill. Each employer will receive an allowance of £15,000 to offset against their levy payment. The contributions will automatically be taken from the company’s PAYE scheme and added to its apprenticeship service account. The Government will then apply a 10% top-up to the funds available. So for every £1.00 that enters the company’s account via its PAYE scheme, the Government will put in 10p. Employers can then put this money towards apprenticeship training within the company. The scheme is part of the Government’s commitment to delivering 3 million apprenticeships by 2020, and something the government has ben planning for at least a couple of years. So in the world of further education, the new funding system is something that training providers have been planning very carefully for. The early fears that small businesses would feel penalised by this new initiative have proved unfounded, indeed most businesses can really benefit. The levy will provide ring-fenced funding and a sizeable return on investment for employers. Why? Quite simply, companies that take on apprentices see growth as a result. Indeed, there are estimates that companies will get around £3 back from every £1 of investment. Apprentices have proven to be more loyal to their companies than those without workplace training and they are more likely to work through the ranks faster too. They also tend to be promoted within the first five years of joining a company, which demonstrates dedication and drive. In business, an apprentice is exactly the kind of employee you want on your team.

So we’ve spoken about the advantages for employers, but what of the disadvantages? Well these are hard to find. At first glance, you could argue that the apprenticeship levy is a tax at the top to benefit the bottom. But actually businesses of all shapes and sizes can expect to gain from this initiative. The new levy brings enormous benefits to prospective apprentices. Some companies will be looking at apprenticeships for the first time, opening new doors to school leavers and college leavers looking to gain both employment and training. And now all learners will carry the same weight of funding for employers, while before the focus was geared towards 16 to 18-yearolds. The apprenticeship levy has really levelled the playing field, bringing an opportunity to refresh and, in some cases, revise employers’ preconceptions of apprentices, and reinforce just what an asset they can be to a business. There will be new apprenticeships standards too, helping to ensure apprenticeships deliver maximum return on investment for employers. Training providers will need to quickly adapt to these. Previously the standards have been led by the awarding body rather than the employer, but new standards flip this on its head.

of the requirements and processes in place. You didn’t need to take any action before 6 April, but it would be wise to take as much advice from your training partners as possible on managing your contribution. If you are an employer that already has apprentices then they will be unaffected by these changes, but any new apprentices starting with you will come under the new rules. Again, you should endeavour to work with colleges or training providers to get the best advice. By identifying areas that will benefit from the training and development that comes with an apprenticeship, many more companies will find that apprentices are a great way to grow and sustain a business.

The levy as applied to these new standards ensures far more employer engagement in apprenticeship schemes than ever before. Why? If a company’s investing its own money, it’s more likely to get involved in ensuring a good return on investment. There will inevitably be teething problems for both training providers and employers, and most of these will relate to new systems and processes. But this should be neither a barrier to change nor an excuse for not taking on an apprentice, which is a brilliant thing for businesses on so many levels. The new levy won’t be without its challenges but the opportunities far outweigh the potential teething problems. If you are a qualifying company, you will have been informed through HMRC

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Apprenticeships are changing: are you ready to take advantage?

Apprenticeship programs present the opportunity for small businesses to ‘grow their own’ skilled and loyal team in an affordable and sustainable way. Whether the apprentice is taking their first step on the career ladder or acquiring further skills to develop their existing career, everyone has the opportunity to benefit from an apprenticeship. The government wants to create three million new apprenticeships by 2020 so a wave of changes and funding reforms are expected to unfold in 2018.

Changes to how apprenticeships are being redefined

Established apprenticeship programs have long been advertised as starting a complete beginner on the path towards becoming an expert. However in recent years the emphasis has been taken away from the ‘traditional’ wave of apprentices being school leavers aged 16-19 and steps are being taken to create a more diverse workforce. There has been an increase in older workers starting apprentice and on-the-job training programmes to facilitate a desired promotion or an entire career change. In addition the government has been offering more funding intended for apprentices who live in the most deprived areas of the UK. These changes mean that the apprenticeship ‘journey’ is no longer defined as a school leaver’s pathway to first-time employment, as apprenticeships can now be fairly and easily accessed by anybody at any time.

Changes to how apprenticeships are being funded

Changes to an apprenticeships program’s target audience

With no default retirement age and no set age limit for workplace opportunities, you really are never ‘too old’ for an apprenticeship. There can be real business benefits for taking on someone over the standard age bracket of 16-19. Older people tend to fill in the skills shortage gap left between management and inexperienced younger staff, as well as being able to offer an honest viewpoint on where they see themselves in the next 5 years in terms of career progression. With the correct training and preparation, some extra help in the short-term for older apprentices will result in long term loyalty and productivity.

Apprenticeships Training

Virtual College provides an innovative solution to delivering apprenticeships that will reduce delivery costs whilst improving quality. Our courses are designed to be used to provide the basic elements of an apprenticeship, including the mandatory elements Health and Safety and ERR. Virtual College can provide employers and providers with work skills and employability courses, and equip the apprentices themselves with essential skills and knowledge of the responsibilities expected of them in the workplace.

www.virtual-college.co.uk

In 2016 the government offered employers and providers a cash payment, equivalent to 20% of the total funding costs, when they trained a 16-18 year old. This was only offered for a year, in the transitional period to help employers adjust to the reforms, and was primarily intended as an incentive for them to take on more apprentices. The demand was huge, and as a result we are now seeing some of the highest numbers of apprentices in the UK. In April 2017 the Government introduced the Apprenticeship levy. All UK employers with an annual wage bill of over £3 million will have to make payments each year to HMRC, and more apprenticeship funding reforms are expected to be introduced in 2018.

With 21 years' experience and over 2.5 million online learners, we are proud to have recently been voted 'Learning technologies supplier of the year 2016-17'. For two decades, Virtual College has been developing and supplying collaborative, customer-focused e-learning technology for organisations world-wide. The dedication of the team combined with an agile way of working, has further improved the level and quality of service for customers, as well as the end results in their organisations.” – Judges comments, Learning Technologies Awards 2016-17.

50223 AP_HorseWorld 28/06/2017 14:56 Page 1

SCHOOL LEAVERS A YOUTH SERUM FOR BUSINESS George Dee, Apprentice Recruitment Manager at Lifetime Training

Now’s the time

This summer around one million students will be collecting their GCSE or A’ Level results. Right now, they are considering their options. Should they go to uni? Should they go through clearing? Should they go on a gap year? Should they get work experience or find a job? School and college leavers flooding the recruitment market right now present businesses with an excellent opportunity to recruit new talent. But why recruit young people? Younger employees tend to be more motivated, engaged and more loyal. They inject a fresh perspective and embrace new ways of working. They live and breathe the digital age. They have the enthusiasm to do a good job and will be keen to learn. Young people are also a great way to support growth and talent development plans. Have you thought about role succession in your business? What happens if your most trusted, valued employee leaves out of the blue? What can you do to ease that potential risk?

Socially responsible business

Youth recruitment can play a critical role in CSR strategies, which are becoming more and more important to demonstrate within business tenders and contracts, and to the wider consumer market. Proving your business is a socially responsible one, through a commitment to local communities, giving back and leading the way in developing the skilled workforce of the future can have an extremely powerful impact.

Rise of the apprenticeship

If you’re interested in recruiting young people into your business and offering them an opportunity to grow their career but aren’t sure where to start with supporting them, it might be time to consider apprenticeships. Apprenticeship programmes offer businesses a pre-prepared structure for teaching and learning, supporting employees to develop an array of the rolerelevant knowledge, skills and behaviours that they need to grow successfully in their careers. Of course, line managers and colleagues will need to input and provide feedback day-to-day but an apprenticeship, and the assigned trainer, will guide everyone through a young person’s development, the milestones they need to reach or any changes of behaviour they need to implement, in order for them to succeed in their role, company and wider industry sector.

Now is the time to take advantage of the significant pool of youth talent currently on the jobseeker market. The advice is to advertise your vacancies, whether as part of an apprenticeship programme or otherwise, before these talented individuals are snapped up by competitors.

It’s likely that businesses with a youth recruitment strategy are already finding ways of reaching out to school leavers. However, if you don’t have one in place, there’s no reason why your organisation can’t benefit from employing young team members too; so long as you get started and post your vacancies now.

POST AN APPRENTICE VACANCY WITH LIFETIME TRAINING NOW OR VISIT WWW.LIFETIMETRAINING.CO.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Total People has been building a reputation for excellence in the North West since 2001. Providing apprenticeship training to almost 4500 young people in 1800 settings, we lead the way in work-based learning. Consistently graded as ‘Good’ through Ofsted inspection (latest survey May 2017), our ethos is to improve businesses by enabling staff to fulfil their potential. We operate mainly in the North West of England including Greater Manchester; excellent links with local authorities and leading employers in the construction, electrical, creative professions, caring professions, engineering, business services and social media industries (to name a few), mean that we are perfectly placed to offer a whole raft of qualifications in a huge range of occupational areas, completed on-the-job and supported by industry professionals. For employers, the opportunity to mould staff to suit exact business requirements cannot be underestimated – gaining qualified, experienced, loyal employees is a real asset. For learners, the opportunity to earn a wage whilst gaining world-class qualifications with no associated debt enables them parity with both their peers in further education and in industry. A survey conducted by Ofsted in May 2017 showed that an incredible 94% of employers and 87% of learners would recommend us. The introduction of the Levy has caused unprecedented change to the apprenticeship landscape and Total People has positioned itself as the go-to place for employers seeking information on how the levy will affect their planning and workforce development. Ever proactive, Total People lead the way in ensuring information is current, relevant and accessible.

Total People has dedicated Business Development Advisers (BDAs) who are driven by the sole aim of ensuring all staff are able to fulfil their potential. As standard we conduct an in-depth business diagnostic to enable us to understand the employer’s mission, values and vision. We map competencies to the apprenticeship standard and create bespoke learning materials shaped for the employer’s culture and practices that make the learning highly relevant through a contextualised approach. We agree delivery, assessment, planning, review and monitoring, and communication strategies. At Total People we are passionate about what we do and have a healthy respect for employers and learners, we know that without their business we would not have one, and to that extent we will do all we can to exceed expectations; managing, retaining and developing relationships. Apprenticeships matter at Total People because we understand that many jobs are best prepared for whilst on the job. They matter because we recognise that no single means of learning will ever suit everyone. They matter because many of the best run companies include apprentices (we know this because we are one of them), and they matter because we firmly believe that the success of our society is, in part, measured on its capacity to guide young people into meaningful employment. It is this commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to training which helps them realise and reach their potential which drives us. Ours is an industry of constant change, and we meet each development with the same level of alacrity and vigour, ensuring that we are best placed to guide our employers and learners through the ever evolving landscape of work-based learning. It’s our duty and privilege to ensure that apprenticeships are viewed by communities and the wider economy as not the ‘other’ option, but the best option.

Total People. Leaders in learning. Email enquiries@totalpeople.co.uk Call 01606 734000 www.totalpeople.co.uk

50262 1pg_Transport Warehousing 18/07/2017 13:36 Page 1

Companies' Right Royal Success If UK companies had to name any outstanding achievements, winning a Queen’s Award has to, well, take the crown. Now in their 51st year, these royal accolades are now one of the most sought-after prizes in industry, not only for their prestige but also for the significant benefits they have been seen to bring to reputations and commercial values. The scheme was established in 1965 with the aim of celebrating small and medium-sized businesses across the country and has been announced on April 21, the Queen’s birthday, ever since. The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise - to give them their full title, recognise outstanding achievement and excellence by UK companies in four specific categories: Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility. They are made by Her Majesty upon the advice of the Prime Minister, who in turn is assisted by an Advisory Committee featuring representatives from Government, industry and commerce and trade union representatives. Entry is free and each submission is judged solely on merit. Consequently enterprises of all types and sizes - from two-people strong concerns to substantial international organisations from across the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and who meet the eligibility criteria, put themselves forward. Once gained, a Queen’s Award remains valid for five years. Winners are each given a Grant of Appointment and are entitled to fly the Queen’s Award flag at their headquarters and use the Emblem on things such as packaging, stationery, websites and advertisements. Many also choose to give commemorative items to their staff.

The Award itself, and a commemorative crystal bowl, is usually presented by the Queen’s representative, a LordLieutenant and key personnel also receive an invitation to a Royal reception at Buckingham Palace, which is hosted by Her Majesty. These are all pretty special rewards in themselves, but while it’s not easy to generalise exactly why a company may enter the scheme - they all have their own reasons and research has shown the reasons are as many as there are entrants - it’s pretty safe to assume that the proven benefits are a powerful incentive. In a recent Queens Award survey 76% reported the win had brought added commercial value to their business and 55% reported that the accolade had delivered new business opportunities. Others have also reported that they have benefited from worldwide recognition, greater press coverage and enjoyed a real boost in staff morale. For those who apply and don’t succeed, they can still benefit from the experience. Failure to gain an award certainly does not mean that the journey is over for the Award organisers are meticulous about giving feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

“We have some of the best entrepreneurs and innovative minds in the world who are at the heart of small start-ups providing excellent customer service to larger businesses developing global solutions,” he added. “Over one million businesses have been created since 2010, all playing a vital role in creating jobs and driving growth across the UK. “I’m extremely proud to see such a wealth of businesses being recognised. Through our Industrial Strategy we will be building on the successes of these award-winning businesses, helping to build a stronger, more outward looking and prosperous global Britain. Entries are now open for the 2018 awards. To find out how to enter and to check eligibility, go to www.gov.uk/queens-awards-forenterprise. A helpline is also available. Call 020 7215 6880, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

By being given targets to achieve these firms are encouraged to continue their quest to become one of the best UK companies in their field. This year saw a total of 176 businesses from a range of industries, such as laser technology and digital marketing to green energy solutions and medical healthcare, recognised for their contributions to each of the four categories. Announcing the 2017 winners, Business Secretary Greg Clark said that The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise highlighted everything that was great about UK business.

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X-36 X-ray system

Mettler Toledo is a leading manufacturer of product inspection solutions for food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The company holds a total of 4 Queen's Awards for Enterprise, including two for Innovation in 2016 for its Safeline Metal Detection brand and in 2017 for its Safeline X-ray Inspection brand. For the past 29 years, Mettler Toledo Safeline Limited has been manufacturing metal detection systems at its Salford HQ to ensure food and pharmaceutical products produced are safe for consumers, whilst protecting manufacturers' brand reputations and production line equipment from harm. The company collaborates closely with manufacturers, international standard bodies and multinational retailers to develop guidelines for food and pharmaceutical safety in order to protect consumer welfare and brand reputation.

Safeline Metal Detection staff joined by the Queen's representative the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire and special guests

The primary focus of the 2016 Queen's Award application was the launch of the Profile Advantage metal detection system, which overcomes product effect to detect more metal in challenging applications. The new detector delivers up to 50% improved detection capabilities, and use of these improved metal detectors allows customers to meet or exceed food safety standards whilst avoiding inefficient and costly false rejects.

“This Award recognises the deep expertise of the Safeline team and its reputation for design and manufacture of technologically advanced metal detectors. With over 100,000 systems installed globally, we have accumulated thousands of man-years of experience, which allows us to continuously improve our products and processes. On behalf of the global network of METTLER TOLEDO employees, I am proud that the company has received this prestigious award in recognition of its high performance products and commitment to innovation,” said Alan Purvis, Managing Director, Mettler-Toledo Safeline Ltd.

Safeline X-ray staff with an X36 X-Series system

The industry standard is to use detectors tuned to a single radio frequency; Safeline has developed signal generation and processing techniques to deploy tuned, variable and dual frequency detectors. The development effort to achieve this has been significant, with five granted patents and five further disclosures going through the patenting process. The company collaborates closely with the University of Manchester, sponsoring several PhDs to underpin its technology. Awards for innovation are given to British businesses who can demonstrate that their innovative products or services are commercially successful. Safeline X-ray was one of 57 winners in this category in 2017, in recognition of the advanced technical design of its X-Series food and pharmaceutical x-ray inspection systems. All XSeries systems share technical innovations and design philosophy that were initially introduced on the X33 in 2012 in order to satisfy increasing customer demands. "Since its formation, the company has placed a heavy emphasis on innovation and to see this recognized through such a high level endorsement is wonderful,” said Kristian Laskey, Managing Director, Mettler-Toledo Safeline X-ray.

The Safeline brands form part of Mettler-Toledo’s Product Inspection Division, which supplies metal detection, x-ray inspection, checkweighing and vision inspection solutions. All solutions can be linked through the company’s bespoke ProdX data management software, allowing manufacturers to control their entire product inspection management process from a single point or multiple remote locations, eliminating the need for time-consuming production line controls.

www.mt.com/pi For more information 28

50178 AP_HorseWorld 14/06/2017 15:41 Page 1

Four-time award-winners helping global banks and retailers harness Chip & PIN for smooth payments A global leader in chip & PIN payment testing and certification technology, ICC Solutions has picked up its fourth Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

At the heart of its success is its specially-developed suite of innovative test tools which enable highly efficient chip & PIN certifications with the global payment brands such as MasterCard and Visa, being used worldwide by the major banks, merchants and their technology providers.

Wendy Maisey, Director and Co-Founder added: “This is a tremendous achievement, to win our second Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation adding to our two international trade awards. This reiterates our vision to be the best in class at what we do, and is a wonderful reflection on the impressive capabilities of our team.

“In a fiercely competitive environment, to design, develop and deliver such a unique solution as VIABLE to greatly enhance the efficiency of Chip & PIN certifications in the US is quite an achievement. We sincerely thank our team for their ongoing professionalism, commitment and enthusiasm.” ICC Solutions has a strong desire to help further enhance British exporting and the Queen’s Awards have been the catalyst to drive the business to attempt to inspire others to embrace the exciting opportunities offered by international trade and innovation.

ICC Solutions remains an independent company owned by the founding directors, with its headquarters and centre of excellence located in Warrington, Cheshire. Demonstrating clear market leadership, the company invested in research and development to devise a radical new certification environment for the North American market, which is used by Vantiv, the largest merchant acquirer in the USA. “The ICC Solutions-Vantiv partnership, dating back to 2013, combines Vantiv’s deep knowledge of the complexities and nuances of the USA payments ecosystem with ICC Solutions’ extensive experience of Chip & PIN testing and certification, resulting in a revolutionary solution to address the diversity of the USA payments market,” explained Dave Maisey, ICC Solutions’ CEO and CoFounder.

He added: “This new environment empowers our clients to be in full control of their testing, therefore addressing the huge volume and necessary scalability required for the USA market. We have been recognised as being a significant force of change in the USA payments ecosystem. VIABLE is a cutting-edge environment for Chip & PIN testing, setting the standard for ease and efficiency.

The company was delighted to partner with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) to launch ‘Exporting Excellence’, which is now recognised as an option on the skills section of the DofE Award, encouraging young people across the UK to embrace opportunities in international trade through a framework of education, training and mentoring.

Dave Maisey concluded: “These young people could be the international traders of tomorrow, ensuring Britain thrives as a powerful global trading nation.”

Contact ICC Solutions at St James Business Centre, Warrington, WA4 6PS. Telephone 01925 629001 email info@iccsolutions.com to find out more

Of his company’s fourth Queen’s Award for Enterprise, Mr Maisey said: “We are deeply honoured. This is a wonderful testament to our ongoing commitment and vision to excel in innovation to drive success in international trade.

“We firmly believe that the two are intrinsically linked. Delivering a revolutionary, unique and market-leading Chip & PIN testing solution to the USA has resulted in our turnover attributable to export rising to 95 per cent of our overall sales. We remain totally focussed on providing the best possible solutions to our clients, and this latest award for Innovation reflects that.”

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When testing times arise, AlphaBiolabs offers unmatched expertise Drugs and alcohol, and the science of testing for their presence, are hardly ever out of the news. Barely a day passes without details emerging of an athlete or other high-profile figure and the results of their latest test.

At the heart of the science and technology which gives rise to many of these stories, is a Warrington-based company that has earned many awards for the quality of its work in processing thousands of tests. It also provides training and equipment to enable companies to enforce their own strategies for tackling drug and alcohol misuse among their staff. Most recently, AlphaBiolabs has been recognised for its work with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its efficient DNA testing services, which offer fast, accurate and even same-day DNA testing.

Established in August 2004, AlphaBiolabs has built up an extensive client base, particularly among the legal profession and many large corporations. It has consistently led in its field by innovating valuable new services. In 2004, it was the first company to set up a sample collection service from nurses. Today, it operates nine Walkin Centres across the UK that provide a variety of testing facilities. But it’s the speed of its service – achieved without any sacrifice in the quality of the analysis provided – that has seen AlphaBiolabs earn its latest, prestigious honour. “We offer results the next working day as standard, and same-day DNA testing which is the fastest in the world,” said Managing Director David Thomas.

In addition, the accuracy of its testing and calibration systems has earned AlphaBiolabs ISO 17025 accreditation, the only internationally-agreed standard which governs companies’ testing equipment and procedures, ensuring they can generate technically valid results in all its areas of work.

It isn’t just AlphaBiolabs’ scientific and technical knowhow and processes that have earned it accolades, however; it also holds membership of the UK Warehousing Association, a trade organisation which sets out to promote excellence in warehousing, storage and logistics. And of course, when its work involves handling and storing a variety of sensitive, often irreplaceable, materials, that gives customers the assurance that the right procedures are being used. Safety of a business’s operations, and the integrity of its staff, can be assured by the use of dependable and secure drug and alcohol testing regimes. And because AlphaBiolabs promises not just access to its state-of-theart equipment and processes, but the quickest delivery of results in its field, it’s easy to see why it has come to be trusted as a leading provider of such services.

“Typical turnaround for other laboratories is between three and five working days, while some of our competitors take even longer as they send samples overseas. All our testing is carried out in-house at our accredited UK laboratory, which means we can deal with samples quickly and efficiently.” This rapid turnaround of results has also played a major part in AlphaBiolabs becoming fully qualified under the rail industry’s standards to offer drug and alcohol testing services to companies operating throughout the sector.

Find out more about the range of services offered by AlphaBiolabs by visiting AlphaBiolabs.co.uk, or by calling 0333 600 1300 30

AlphaBiolabs More Care . More Convenience . More Value

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The UK’s Leading Supplier of Tyre Pressure Monitor Sensors... diagnosing TPMS problems as well as activating TPMS sensors and reprogramming the vehicle's ECU. This professional tool is the best solution for tyre shops and garage workshops performing TPMS service!

TPMS Warehouse the leading UK supplier of OEM and Aftermarket Tyre Pressure Monitors, Parts and Tools. And are approved stockists for HUF, IntelliSens, Alligator, Autel and many more.

This fantastic tool comes with a huge range of features including the ability to activate ALL magnetic, frequency and tire deflation triggered sensors using 125KHz continuous or modulated wave signals.

If you are not sure where to find a replacement tyre pressure sensor for your vehicle, take a look at TPMS Warehouse. They stock a fantastic range of sensors covering over 60 different vehicle manufacturers, providing a 99.9% coverage so with one visit to their site, and a click on their vehicle lookup facility, you are sure to find a compatible sensor for your vehicle. To check compatibility, just enter your vehicle details or registration on the site or contact one of the support team.

Not only will the company have the right sensor for your vehicle, they will have it at the right price! Sensors from TPMS Warehouse start at £28 + VAT and they also offer finance at competitive rates starting from as little as £15 +VAT per week on diagnostic tools.

It doesn’t stop there though, TPMS Warehouse will preprogramme your sensor for your vehicle before sending, and given that over 35% of vehicles normally require additional dealer level programming, TPMS’s cloning service can prevent those additional costs. A product of particular interest to the company’s many trade customers is a diagnostic scanner and TPMS Warehouse stock two of the latest and most popular devices. The ATEQ VT56 scanner activation diagnostic scanner tool with OBD!! Connector, and the MaxiTPMS® TS601. The ATEQ VT56 OBDII is a fully update-able, universal TPMS activation and scan tool, designed to interrogate and store sensor data and allow this data to be transferred to the vehicle via the OBDII socket. The VT56 has been designed for ease of use, featuring a 4.3 inch full-colour icon-driven display and 8 soft-keys to easily navigate through the menus. Included within the software is a comprehensive database of vehicles, part numbers, relearn procedures, OBDII locations, a key fob RF tester, help screens and a complete history log of all vehicles serviced, which can be easily recalled at any point from the History menu. The MaxiTPMS® TS601 is one of the most powerful TPMS diagnostic & service tools in the world capable of fully

So whether you are an individual customer looking to replace his or her own sensor, a garage or workshop carrying out replacement sensor and diagnostic work, TPMS Warehouse will have what you need.

Visit the web site www.tpmswarehouse.co.uk and speak to one of the friendly knowledgeable team using Online Chat, email info@tpmswarehouse.co.uk or telephone 01254 959222

50191 1pg_Transport Warehousing 18/05/2017 11:46 Page 1

What’s in the

Van?

Van Interiors they are a changing. As the demands on small businesses grow so every piece of equipment has to justify its existence, especially the company vehicles. Just as retailers calculate the profitability of each square foot of floor space, and warehouse operators invest in clever racking and storage systems to make the best use of space, it is hardly surprising that we should start looking at our commercial vehicles and wondering how to make the most of them. Just piling boxes of parts and tools in the back, or overloading the vehicle with poorly organised parcels is certainly not making the most of your vehicle’s capacities. Drive too quickly round a corner or stop suddenly and the whole load shifts making the vehicle at worst, hard to control and at best, a complete mess when you open the doors. Well-planned van racking will help make the most of your vehicles, keeping them neat tidy and well organised. First you need to establish what you use your vehicles for. It may sound obvious, but will dictate the style of racking and in-van storage that is most appropriate for your purposes. Sit down and work out what you are carrying, how often it gets used, what it weighs, what protection it requires and how big it is. Also how much access you need to the vehicle’s load bay and again, how often. This sounds simple, but there are many who don't plan ahead and, having smartly racked out the vehicle, realise they'd forgotten the water tank, or the compressor... When you are planning allow for a degree of flexibility, we none of us know what the future holds, and your needs may change, as your business develops.

Then decide on the material. Wood is simple and cheap, and simple plywood liners and racks are an easy-to-fit and appropriate low-cost solution if all you need to carry is a few tools for fitting delivered consumer durables, for example. A simple on line search will reveal any number of specialist kits for your commercial vehicle and most can be fitted within a day. Wood does have its limitations however, it can be heavy, which eats into payload and, unless laboriously treated, will absorb fluids such as oil, solvents or paints, which makes it unsightly and even heavier. Wood allows heavy loads to slide simply across the floor, but it can also splinter easily. And while it nominally protects the interior, fluids and small components can disappear underneath or behind the panelling. An alternative to wood is galvanised steel, which comes in easy to install modular racking systems that, unlike wood will not absorb spills and stay lightweight and clean. Most metal systems now also contain a high proportion of plastic to reduce weight. You can find easy-to-install and safetycompliant modular racking systems in aluminium, steel or plywood. It is worth bearing the restrictions of Employee Liability insurance in mind when designing your van interiors, indeed many of the larger operators will only fit racking systems that have proven performance in crash tests. Wood tends to be a fit-and-forget racking system and doesn’t transfer between vehicles too easily. Modular racking systems in metal and plastic are widely seen as more appropriate systems for tradesmen of any sort, being safer, designed to last the life of at least two vehicles as well as being smarter and lighter. With the added advantage that the modules can be reconfigured for different vehicles,

modular metal systems are a popular choice. Some operators are ahead of the game, however. “We rack out our vehicles properly,” says Charlie Mullins, managing director of Pimlico Plumbers, which runs a fleet of 184 Transporters for its London-based plumbing services. “It’s specially designed for us in metal, with flaps that come down, a sink, security boxes for power tools, and cabinets for tools and parts. It’s incredibly expensive, but it lasts, you don't have to change it and it transfers between vehicles.” It is easy to get carried away with all the exciting possibilities, but be careful not to overload the vehicles and remember to consider the weight of the racking when you calculate the available payload left for the tools and consumables you want to carry. When you are making your calculations be careful to allow for the weight of the passengers, driver and a full tank of fuel. The other thing to consider is weight distribution and overloading the racking itself. So you need to get a system, which doesn’t encourage tradesmen and drivers to overload. Most professional racking manufacturers will publish and print the weight capacities of the shelving, drawer and locker systems onto the racking. In case the initial cost of bespoke modular racking puts you off, consider that well planned racking might even have another benefit, making use of the space that can be created within a welldesigned metal system, might even allow you to choose a smaller van. So look after your racking and it'll look after your bottom line.

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Total Van Solutions We are truly one of the leading Van Conversion Specialist in the UK providing both new & existing customers with a bespoke total van solution, whether your business is an owner operator or a national fleet business, you can rest assured that we can offer you a custom-made, cost effective solution to meet your exact needs. We will convert your empty van into a fully functioning service vehicle. With over thirty years’ experience as a total van solution provider, we have the expertise across a wide range of industry sectors which enables us to offer a complete vehicle conversion to meet your exact needs “something that works for you” something which will reduce vehicle life costs based on delivering a quality product, first time, every time.

Modular Racking Our van racking solutions are based on modules and consequently are extremely flexible. You can create a completely customised solution based on standard products and the unique, patented T-track acts as an interface to other modules. All products have been designed to withstand the forces they will be subjected to in a moving vehicle, which generally means a safety factor of three compared with a stationary vehicle. Our products are thoroughly tested for load capacity and collision strength and comply with the European TÜV standard. Their dimensions and the choice of materials are chosen to maximise load capacity while complying with demands for low fuel consumption and environmental impact.

VCL a company you can rely on when managing your fleet. 34

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LINE X Protective Coatings

NEED MORE INFO? CALL US ON 0161 343 6401

Pickup, Van & Truck Spray On Protective Coating Line-X, a spray-on protective polyurethane coating which will shield all the surfaces from impact, abrasion, corrosion, most chemical spillage and premature wear and tear. LINE-X is ultimately one of the leading sprayon polyurethane coating products on the market, has high tensile and tear strength, and is highly abrasion resistant, compared to other spray-on coatings.

MANCHESTER

WHATEVER YOUR VAN CONVERSION NEEDS TALK TO THE FRIENDLY KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM AT VCL ON 0161 343 6401

50227 AP_HorseWorld 03/07/2017 14:53 Page 1

All your driver checks sorted – just steer your mouse towards edavis.co.uk

How well do you know your staff? Can you trust everything they tell you – especially when it comes to their entitlement to do the important parts of the jobs you entrust to them? And even more so when it comes to driving people and goods around in the course of their work? East Midlands firm LicenceCheck Ltd has seen such demand for its specialised driver licence-checking service that it has expanded and moved to new offices, also enabling it to broaden its range of available services. Chief among these is the real-time compliancechecking service DAVIS (Driver and Vehicle Information Solutions), which automates and streamlines all the processes involved, and captures and stores all critical information in a single space, based on the cloud. “Many SME owners don’t realise that both drivers and their vehicles which are employed for business purposes are subject to tight controls and regulation, and an employer has a duty of care to employees to ensure that they comply with health and safety rules and other laws,” said LicenceCheck Managing Director, Richard Brown.

Richard Brown (MD)

This might all sound like just more red tape – but when you consider the risks which come from not complying with your business’s obligations, and the financial cost of heavy fines, and possibly even imprisonment, which could result from your business not carrying out a handful of basic checks, calling in the services provided by DAVIS to take all the worry off your mind could be a wise step.

Not only is DAVIS authorised to access the DVLA’s database, it also has ISO27001 certification in respect of its management of personal data, meaning that its practices and policies meet the highest standards required of any public sector organisation. As well as taking care of all aspects of your driver compliance, DAVIS also takes charge of your grey fleet vehicles which are more often than not neglected – that is, any vehicles which are not owned by or leased to the business, but belong to a director or employee, who uses them on company business. “Responsibility for grey fleet vehicle management is often itself a ‘grey area’ with HR departments and fleet departments both opposing ownership,” said Mr Brown. “With DAVIS, because checks are completed automatically with little intervention, the time spent chasing drivers and manually inputting vehicle information is cut substantially. “For organisations looking to do more than the basic checks, the DAVIS solution can be fully configured to ‘reject’ grey fleet vehicles on account of their age and CO2 emissions which is an added benefit for organisations which have a clear commitment to the environment.” And when it comes to the potential savings, here’s proof of what’s possible, from Carol Houston of Certas Energy, who says: “The DAVIS solution has effectively reduced our admin by 90 per cent; we no longer spend time chasing drivers directly as DAVIS does it for us. Certas is extremely happy with DAVIS and would highly recommend it to companies looking for a smart way to address fleet compliance.” If the thought of sorting out your compliance fills you with trepidation, then the DAVIS support team can walk you through the process, help set up your policies and above all reassure you that your organisation is addressing its duty of care. If you’re interested in learning more, why not set up a free demonstration so you can see how easily you can begin taking charge of your grey fleet? Enquire now about the DAVIS solution by emailing sales@edavis.co.uk, visiting www.edavis.co.uk or calling 0330 660 7107

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GEM Driver Training shows you the roads to a safer, more cost-effective transport fleet

If you’re responsible for running a fleet of vehicles as part of your business, they might be essential for getting the work done – but they can also cause plenty of headaches. That’s why you need the services of the proven team of driver training specialists at GEM Driver Training. They can assess all staff members who need to get behind the wheel, and ensure that their skills are up to speed to meet the dayto-day challenges presented by getting around on today’s crowded roads. “Simply assuming that someone is suitably skilled to drive at work just because they hold a valid driving licence is insufficient to protect you from the possibility of being on the receiving end of potentially expensive legal action,” said Evan Morris, founder of GEM Driver Training. Department for Transport figures suggest that up to 30 per cent of all road accidents are work-related – that’s a high proportion of the 1,730 deaths and more than 200,000 injuries on our roads in 2015 which will have directly involved someone going about their business. In addition, if you employ five or more staff, your business must have a written health and safety policy which adequately covers all aspects of your work activities. “A wealth of statistics shows the greatly increased levels of risk which go with driving a vehicle for business,” says Mr Morris. “Not least among these, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, is that drivers who cover 80 per cent of their driving for work have more than half as many accidents (53 per cent more) in the course of their work as when they’re driving for purposes other than their work.” With these figures in mind, surely it’s worth any business investing time and money in making sure that its drivers are fully equipped to handle the challenges of staying safe while on the road, and driving in a way that does the same for other road users?

Not only is Mr Morris an Approved Driving Instructor, he holds a string of other accreditations, including being a Fleet-Registered Trainer, an observer for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, and is even registered to teach for the Association of Racing Driver Schools. So bringing GEM Driver Training on board to assess and coach your on-the-road workforce is likely to result in staff who are more aware of the risks they face, and are therefore likely to go about their work responsibly – and safely. According to Mr Morris: “Clients report far fewer ‘minor incidents’ from car park bumps, and undertaking Advanced On-Road Training significantly reduces their chances of being involved in a serious accident. This will save you money on repairs and expensive insurance excess costs.” Against a backdrop of the escalating costs of keeping drivers and vehicle fleets mobile, GEM Driver Training’s EcoDriving course is also designed to keep a lid on running costs, by showing business vehicle drivers how they can quite easily save up to 15% in fuel costs and tyre and brake wear when they apply the key techniques of ‘eco-driving’. Lasting just one hour, this can teach drivers tips for making savings which then accrue through the rest of their driving careers. If you want to see some of these savings transferred to the bottom line of your business, or just want the assurance that your staff are wise to the ways which will make them safer, more responsible employees, get in touch with GEM Driver Training today.

Email info@gemdrivertraining.com to set the wheels in motion.

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UK Export Finance: funding your international growth Steve Cowles and Kevin Ledwith, Export Finance Managers in the North West for UK Export Finance, tell us how government support can help local companies realise export opportunities.

development and innovation secure in the knowledge that they can compete for business overseas, access working capital to support their investment and trade abroad with security of payment.

Realising overseas opportunities will be key to growth for many firms in the North West as they look to thrive in a global marketplace. Bank research shows that, on average, firms that start exporting grow by a third in just two years. Exporters can see levels of growth that might not be possible domestically, spread business risk, realise economies of scale not always achievable in their home market, increase revenues and profits and extend the commercial lifespan of their products and services. Overseas markets also present attractive opportunities for revenue growth and diversification, leading to innovation.

Take for example Cussons Technology. This Manchester-based company is one of the world’s leading designers, manufacturers and suppliers of engineering training equipment and marine hydrodynamics research instrumentation and facilities. When Cussons won a £13 million contract with the Indian Government to provide a research facility, it represented a significant boost to its revenue. However, on conclusion of the contract, Cussons had to provide a warranty bond from its bank, a common requirement for exporters. When issuing such guarantees, banks often require a cash deposit, tying up cash the company could otherwise use, which would have restricted Cussons’ cashflow for other business activities.

But having the right finance and insurance in place is crucial when undertaking any business activity, and exporting is no different. That’s where we come in. We are the representative in the North West for UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency and a government department that forms part of the Department for International Trade, working with businesses in the region to support their overseas trade ambitions. Over the past five years, we have provided over £15 billion in support for UK exports to businesses across all sectors and all sizes. For a growing number of businesses in the North West, UKEF is helping to make exports happen. Our aim is to make sure that no viable export should fail for lack of finance or insurance, complementing what is available from the private market. We can help companies win export contracts by providing attractive financing terms, fulfil orders by supporting their working capital and contract bonds, and make sure that they get paid with export insurance. With this support, companies can invest in research and

Fortunately, UKEF was able to help. UKEF worked with Cussons’ bank to provide a guarantee, freeing up working capital for Cussons. This allowed Cussons to expand its business activities and invest in new projects, at the same time as fulfilling the terms of the contract. There is a world of opportunity our there for innovative, ambitious businesses in the North West, like Cussons Technology. We work with companies like these throughout the region every day, providing guidance and support to help them make their exports happen.

So why not get in touch and realise the opportunity out there for you? Contact us on steve.cowles@ukexportfinance.gov.uk and kevin.ledwith@ukexportfinance.gov.uk to find out more.

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A World of

Opportunity This is a time of great opportunity for businesses looking to grow as the spotlight falls on export. In the run up to Brexit, and indeed afterwards, the growth opportunities for SMEs in the EU will remain, but there are also a host of new opportunities in the wider world, particularly our Commonwealth cousins. Most companies plan to grow, and with statistics showing that a company, which exports, is 80% more likely to grow than one, which chooses to restrict itself purely to the domestic market, what are you waiting for? Many novice exporters will look for an easily accessible market for their early ventures, and the EU with its, for the time being, common tariffs and cross border arrangements, established logistics networks and close proximity, would for many, be an obvious first step. The opportunities many commonwealth countries offer, however, should not be disregarded. The advantages of a shared language and cultural similarities are hard to underestimate, and we already have well established trading links with Australia, New Zealand and Canada, to name but a few, where â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brand Britainâ&#x20AC;? can command a premium being synonymous with quality. Canada especially can provide a brilliant springboard into the vast market of North America. While all this sounds very exciting, that first step can be somewhat daunting, with so much to consider, but there is plenty of help available, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be deterred. Support for novice and existing exporters comes from two main sources, the government, and as a second stream, Chambers of Commerce and Trade associations.

The UK differs from many other countries in the huge amount of direct support our government provides to companies wishing to export. The department for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), renamed the Department for International Trade (DIT) in 2016, was set up to help businesses, export and grow into global markets, and has 130 0ffices throughout the UK. Financial assistance is available for SMEs wishing to export, from government in the form of financial guarantees and trade insurance through United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) which has a mission to ensure that no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, yet operates at no net cost to the taxpayer. The trade teams from DIT are specially geared up to help SMEs generate trade opportunities overseas, through their established relationships with over 100 countries. The knowledge these teams can provide is especially valuable since our relationship with the EU is of such longstanding that many of the 3 or 4 generations of managers, having only dealt with the EU, have lost the expertise to deal with countries further afield. We need to re-educate and rebuild those knowledge sets and relationships that used to work so well sending machine parts to Chile, or engineering to Mexico. The Chamber of Commerce and the various Trade Associations were set up to support trade and can provide a network of contacts and support around the world. One of the most helpful things the prospective exporter can do, as a first point of call, is to talk to others who are already trading with their target market. Fellow members at your local Chamber are a vital source of information; listening to how they have dealt with the process will help avoid risky and expensive errors.

Talking to your own Trade Association will garner much sector specific information enabling you to tap into the knowledge and experiences particular to your industry. Often these contacts will be able to suggest adaptations, which will improve the marketability of your product or service for a given region. The next step should be to talk to the International Chamber of Commerce which represents international companies from all over the world, and who is able to supply a range of tools and guides to help you navigate your chosen market. Conversations with your peers are vital if you are to make a success of your export ambitions. The government of recent times, in order to assist the greatest number of exporters, has focussed more on providing information digitally. Great as far as it goes for garnering general information but business is all about people and to really drill down there is nothing faster or more insightful than a conversation with your one of your peers who has first hand experience of making a success of export. Helpful sites: www.gov.uk/browse/business/exports www.gov.uk-trade-and-investmentservices-for-exporters www.export.great.gov.uk www.opentoexport.com British Chambers of Commerce Trade Associations

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Steve Hickman, a Director in KPMG’s Enterprise practice in the Midlands, spoke to us about the opportunities that “Going Global” brings in the current economic climate.

Steve Hickman

He spoke about some of the factors that are seeing sales of UK businesses to overseas investors at a record high - in fact, the highest since records began in 1969. Steve also tells us that the UK is still seen as a good place to do business thanks to a strong financial sector, sound business and legal infrastructure, large caucus of skilled workers, good consumer demand and good access to Europe.

UK companies enjoy access to a well-educated pool of graduates coming out of universities, so why are so many UK businesses selling up? Steve said that business owners are often selling because they feel the next evolution of their company’s growth is international, but they feel that they don’t have the expertise to deliver this and think that it would be easier to sell than take the risk of expanding abroad. He said these companies fall mainly into 3 camps, those who have never exported, those who have modest overseas operations, but are unsure of how to develop their international footprint and those who have tried but the venture turned sour. He stressed the importance of encouraging people to seize the opportunity and to not discount international markets, which will become increasingly important post-Brexit. With careful planning and using the wealth of good economic intelligence available, there are ways to thrive in the global economy. To help businesses, KPMG has produced a helpful guide called “Going Global” and the professional services firm has people ready to help. You may have called on them to advise on audit, tax or transactional work, but you will also find that, through their global network of professional advisors, they are able to guide you through the export maze. Steve said, “The opportunity is there. The help is there too.”

For your copy of KPMG’s helpful guide please contact Steve Hickman Steve Hickman – Enterprise Director, Midlands Region - steve.hickman@kpmg.co.uk Stuart Burdass – Audit Partner and Regional Enterprise Lead, North Region - stuart.burdass@kpmg.co.uk Ian Brokenshire – Partner and Regional Enterprise Lead, South Region - ian.brokenshire@kpmg.co.uk 40

Becoming a more international company may provide you with a better-diversified risk profile through access to different or larger markets, creating a more resilient, valuable company. Whilst “Going Global” can be daunting, with financial, tax, legal and cultural implications to consider, the benefits can be great, bringing new market opportunities and an ongoing development of skills and experience for the company and its individuals as part of the process. “An overseas presence can help articulate a global growth opportunity which is attractive to potential shareholders, investors and acquirers.’” It is important to start with adequate information about the markets you propose to enter, as KPMG would say, to “explore the opportunity”. The simplest and most direct method when entering a new market overseas can be to employ a local sales agent, but before entering a new market for the first time, use professional advisors to better understand the country you are proposing to enter. Expansion into new markets will, inevitably, increase supply chain complexity and changes to existing operations. Organisations will need to evaluate capability and capacity across their current supply chain, warehousing and logistics operations. Tax, import duties, trade tariffs and all the “red tape” surrounding trade deter many would-be exporters from making the attempt, but with a team of expert professionals in your corner, there really is nothing to fear. They will work with you and guide your research into possible markets or trading partners and help advise on the detailed work necessary to be a successful global business. It is all a question of having the appropriate conversations with your local trusted advisor to gain access to KPMG’s global network of resources, to ensure that you make a success of “Going Global”.

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Planning for uncertainty Manchester has always been a resilient city but Brexit presents the business community with one of its biggest ever challenges. In a two-part series Coface assesses the economic risks, before looking at how companies can maximise the opportunities. Far from bringing clarity ahead of the Brexit negotiations, the inconclusive outcome of the General Election has brought further political instability and confusion. In the aftermath, the UK is under pressure to change its Brexit negotiating strategy to avoid ‘the cliff edge’ of WTO trade rules in April 2019 and there is doubt about the minority Government’s survival prospects. Little wonder that a snap survey by the Institute of Directors found that members’ confidence had fallen sharply1 following the election. Of course, businesses have become used to working in a volatile and rapidly changing environment in the last decade and Coface’s latest analysis of the UK2 suggests that UK companies have surpassed expectation since the 2016 referendum. At the same time, it’s true that conditions have been broadly favourable, including low interest rates and the depreciation of sterling which has made UK exports more competitive at a time when foreign demand has been relatively dynamic.

In the longer term, much will depend on the kind of Brexit that the UK is able to negotiate. Overall, Coface believes a softer Brexit is more likely in which the UK will continue to pay for access to the Single Market. However, if there is no deal, the loss of unrestricted access to the Single Market and preferential access to non-European markets could be compounded by a sharp increase in tariff and non-tariff trade barriers such as regulatory constraints. Other negative consequences are likely to include a fall in Foreign Direct Investment (which will affect the automotive and financial sectors in particular) and labour shortages in sectors where European skilled workers currently play a significant role such as the manufacturing, retail, transport and financial services sectors. Ultimately we believe the UK will remain an attractive place to trade and invest thanks to our favourable business climate, diverse labour market and tax incentives. We also expect that the national and local government will help to cushion the Brexit shock and attract investment. Indeed, this is already happening to some extent through initiatives such as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and its elected mayor whose role is to champion the region. But individual businesses will need to adapt to the realities of Brexit if they are to make the most of the opportunities available. In the next article, we’ll look at how Manchester companies can ready themselves to meet the challenge.

However, we expect business resilience will be more severely tested in the run up to Brexit in April 2019 because of a combination of three factors: 1 Slowing domestic demand caused by rising inflation and static wages. This will have a particular impact on the distribution and ICT sectors. 2 Rising business costs, partly due to the volatile exchange rate. We expect this to affect businesses which have to import intermediate goods and raw materials as part of their production process, including the automotive, transport and textile sectors. 3 Sluggish investment, which is already an issue for the UK economy but this could worsen over the next two years. Capital intensive sectors, such as metals and automotive and construction will be hardest hit. We forecast that business failures could rise by 8.7% in 2017 and a further 8% in 2018 although some sectors will be comparatively insulated, particularly energy and also pharmaceuticals which benefits from continued demand in India, China and other emerging countries.

Next time - Essential Brexit survival skills To find out more about Coface, contact us on 0800 085 6848 or visit www.cofaceuk.com References 1 Hung parliament sinks business confidence, IoD finds, BBC News, 12 June 2017 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40242543 2 In the face of Brexit, are British businesses left to sink or swim? Coface, June 2017 http://www.coface.com/News-Publications/Publications/In-the-face-of-Brexit-areBritish-businesses-left-to-sink-or-swim

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International markets offer huge opportunities for UK businesses. Finding and developing new markets for products is a valuable avenue for expansion and in some sectors global demand for British brands and products makes international trade an excellent means of growth. Selling internationally is very complex but – as with most things – easy with the help of the right partners.

Kerry Logistics helps hundreds of UK companies export great British products all over the world.

Whether it be expanding your footprint in existing markets or identifying and breaking into new, high growth regions, Kerry Logistics can help you take those steps with confidence. We provide practical advice and support on all aspect of the export process.

We support over 100 of the world’s leading international brands with professional, cost-effective and trusted supply chain solutions in the fashion and lifestyle, food and beverage, industrial and material science, electronics and technology, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), automotive, and pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. China is an exciting and rapidly expanding market, with plenty of potential for UK brands and products, as offline, and especially online, retail sales continue to grow there. Last year, online retail sales in China topped USD753 billion, up 26% on 2015 according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, with total retail sales standing at USD4.98 trillion, up 10.4% year on year. There is plenty of opportunity, but also a lot to think about before taking the plunge and it is important to find the right partner to help you manage all your exporting needs, from navigating sometimes complicated legislation, to safe final mile delivery. Kerry Logistics has the largest distribution network and hub operations in Greater China and South East Asia and we have developed a highly-sophisticated range of e-tailing solutions, with the local expertise to support you at all stages of your etailing journey in the region - from how to choose the correct sales channel, to marketing, delivery and taking payment. We are also a key partner in the newly launched Europe-China rail service, offering solutions for both Full Container Load and Less than Container Loads, with transit times of 15 to 18 days. The new rail freight service means more cost-effective solutions for time sensitive cargo. Evidence shows that small and medium-sized businesses that export achieve higher turnover growth, innovate more and create more jobs.

Why Export? Research shows that companies who export: • Become more innovative. • Utilise economies of scale and achieve greater margins. • Fare better in domestic economic recessions. • Spread the risk between domestic and international markets. • Reach a wider range of customers. • Achieve growth, safeguard and create new jobs. Exporting can also raise your profile and credibility, whether you target established partners, such as the EU and the USA, or remoter, high-growth markets such as China, India, Brazil, Colombia and Vietnam by accessing the huge amount of professional support on offer. Talk to us to find out more information about overseas opportunities ideal for your business. Speak to our team in the UK about how we can help you achieve your export goals. Contact Gareth Walter or Stacey Byrne on 0161 873 8777 or email Gareth.walter@kerrylogistics.com or Stacey.byrne@kerrylogistics.com

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Top tips for protecting your brand when exporting You have had a great idea, developed it into a unique product or service, and created a brand name. If, however, you are to be the one who reaps the rewards of your ingenuity and hard work, your brand needs to be protected, and the earlier the better.

We spoke to Gary Johnston, Head of the Trade Mark group in the Manchester office of Intellectual Property firm Mathys & Squire, to discuss some top tips that businesses should take into consideration when exporting their products and services. Here are Gary’s top tips.

1. Speak to an adviser. The first step will be for your adviser to run a search on the national trade mark register of the country you want to sell into, to identify whether someone has already registered something identical or substantially similar. This is relatively straightforward and can save a great deal of trouble and disappointment later. If your brand is unique, or has unique elements, then it, or those elements, can be registered. 2. Register your trade mark. If you plan to export your product or service, you cannot assume that your UK Trade mark will protect your product overseas. Each country has its own trade mark register and you would be best advised to search in each country of interest. Gary explained that they would always advise registering your trade mark locally, rather than take any unnecessary risks. 3. Protect your brand. Protection for trade marks differs from country to country and some countries have specific peculiarities. For instance, in the US each state has its own separate register, however there is also an overarching Federal Register. If someone is planning to simply sell within their own state they may choose to only register in their particular state. However for UK companies seeking protection in the US it is best to use the Federal Register which provides protection across all 50 US states.

The EU is somewhat similar in that trade marks can be registered in an individual country, at their Intellectual Property Office, or at EU level, which gives protection across all the member states. Interestingly, the Benelux countries (Luxembourg, Belgium, and Netherlands) have a single trade marks register.

4. Think commercially. Registers are becoming ever more cluttered, with new brands being added daily, so inventors and potential exporters really do need an expert in their corner. Mathys and Squire understand the commercial realities facing their clients. They provide the most cost effective and strategic course of action that is aligned with the business’ commercial goals. 5. Piracy. Brand piracy exists in those countries which operate a “first to register” trade mark system. It is important to understand where those threats exist and how to combat them.

Mathys & Squire is a world-leading specialist IP firm, providing Patent, Trade Mark, Design and Litigation services across all major sectors. The trade mark team can assist you with key initial searches through to registration and commercial exploitation. They work with a range of clients from start-ups through to multinational enterprises. When we asked Gary his key take away nugget for our readers he said, “Quite simply to understand the importance of running pre-adoption trade mark searches and to protect your brand wherever possible.”

Gary Johnston Partner Mathys and Squire Intellectual Property

www.mathys-squire.com

0161 8705900

GWJohnston@mathys-squire.com

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G R O U P

Specialists in Insurance Services and Risk Management. Is your business’s old software giving you a hard time? For a nation of island traders marine insurance, in some form or another, has been an every-day business for centuries.

However, one of the simplest and most efficient solutions is for the importer to take out a stock throughput insurance policy.

The requirement to protect buyers and sellers from loss as cargo is sailed between countries remains unchanged, but its scope and variety has evolved into something far more comprehensive.

For an importer involved in storage and distribution, such a policy provides a complete ‘start-to-finish’ offering with several advantages.

Today we define marine insurance as cover for the loss or damage of ships, cargo, terminals, and any transport or cargo by which property is transferred, acquired, or held between the points of origin and final destination. There’s much to consider and that’s why exporters who ship their goods overseas ensure they have the experts at Bolton’s ABA Insurance on board to help them choose the policy that’s right for them. The key to marine insurance is the contract of sale between seller and customer, which clarifies where the liability passes from one to another.

There are three main options: • Cost, Insurance and Freight. The customer buys the goods and delivery and the seller arranges cover from their warehouse to the purchaser’s warehouse. • Free on Board. Both parties arrange cover as liability passes from seller to the buyer once the goods cross the ship’s rail when loading. • Ex-Works. The buyer arranges cover for the whole journey although sellers are often advised to take out some of their own anyway in case the buyers insurance proves inadequate or non-existent.

They include: • Insurance cover for the imports, transit from the port to storage, whilst in store and then delivery to the final customer. Therefore, no potential gaps in cover if separate policies were to be used for the various stages. • Cost benefits - by having one instead of three policies. • Reduced administrative costs. A stock throughout policy is a useful tool for importers and should be seriously considered by them," suggests ABA Insurance’s Managing Director Graham Webster. “The storage location could be a conventional warehouse or a bonded warehouse where special consideration has to be given to the cover for excise duty.” If marine insurance cover is one of your requirements and yet you find the prospect daunting, then ABA Group should be your first port of call. “Insurance can be a boring and also bewildering subject, but our staff are trained to provide an easy-to-understand, yet professional approach to the topic,” smiles Graham. “As insurance services and risk management specialists we pride ourselves on bringing to our clients experienced and friendly help when setting up their insurance policy or policies.

“Give us a call on 01204 364 842 and talk to our experienced team about your marine insurance cover requirements.” For further information on the Group’s full range of services, visit www.abainsuranceservices.co.uk

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Successful and seamless transatlantic trade with Röhlig Logistics A Röhlig Logistics partnership gives our customers the best of both worlds. It gives customers access to a network of experienced, local forwarding offices across the globe, together with the services of dedicated UK account managers who appreciate your growing business and its unique logistics challenges. “Our Röhlig account manager has a good understanding of our business needs, and we have a reliable logistics partnership that saves us time and money” commented one of our UK partner directors, “We appreciate dealing with a single logistics partner as trading with 60 suppliers in different geographical locations is complex!” Their business buys from suppliers in California, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan and goods are moved by a combination of air and sea freight.

Balancing the need for speedy delivery with cost efficiencies is a challenge met by their senior account manager here in the UK. Efficiencies are achieved by using consolidated shipments wherever possible, which also saves management time by keeping paperwork and administration under control. Our US CEO, Mr. Rafael Ueltschi says “ Our larger accounts use our own specialist logistics engineers who constantly analyse their supply chain and processes for developing and improving their competitiveness in the market place. Based on this analysis in most cases we would present certain areas of possible improvements and changes, that would benefit their own customers, logistics spend and in several occasions entering a 4PL solution and contract with our customers”. From the customer point of view, the seamless IT network allows management to look ahead, fully aware of where and when their stock will arrive into the UK warehouse and be available to their customers and retailers. The local warehouse managers use the information to plan their daily schedules. The real-time cost information feeds into accurate management accounts so the business knows profit margins on all their goods without the need to use estimates and keep updating financial information. Gary Pryke, the UK Röhlig MD explains “We are all on the same ERP platform and visibility cockpit

being offered to our customers, Röhlig Realtime. With all information, available instantly from any of our global network of offices and to our customers, all parties involved in the transportation and logistics have an excellent tool in place for planning throughout the supply chain. Customers have full access to all relevant files and documents, i.e. commercial invoice, packing list, entry forms etc. We believe customers appreciate our Global Trade Lane approach, involving senior members of UK and USA teams working together and which has resulted in substantial growth over the last 4 years in transatlantic trade.” Mr. Rafael Ueltschi concludes “The Transatlantic trade is an integral part of all that we do at Röhlig USA. The US and UK’ s dedicated team of experts have been able to provide seamless end-to-end supply chain solutions. The UK’ s hands on management team, and undeniable superior performance, has been instrumental in supporting our Miami office secure our largest export account Lantmannen. We know our global partners have done a phenomenal job when clients give us other trade opportunities. Lantmannen, as of 2017, has given us the opportunity to grow further with the German trade. Our global partners are part of our success” .

To find out more about how a Röhlig partnership could help support your business in the US, visit www.rohlig.com, or telephone the Solihull team on 00 44 121 745 9955

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Helping to bring certainty in an uncertain world. Is the only thing that is holding you back from exporting the fear of not getting paid? This is a common concern amongst UK businesses but Acumen Credit Insurance Brokers can help to put these fears to rest. Confidently being able to extend open credit terms to companies located in different territories can give exporters a major competitive advantage. However, exporters are faced with a much wider range of perils in comparison to trading in the UK alone, particularly as a credit worthy customer can default due to circumstances completely outside of their control. These circumstances include currency inconvertibility, change in import or export regulations, bank failure and trade sanctions. These are, however, all risks Acumen can arrange cover for with a Trade Credit Insurance Policy. A well structured policy would not only cover these Political Risks, but also Commercial Risks such as the insolvency or default of an export buyer.

Acumen are specialist credit insurance brokers and were established in 1912, as such they have vast experience in arranging export and domestic trade credit insurance policies. With access to the whole underwriting market, they can arrange any type and structure of policy to insure one or all of your buyers no matter what trade sector you operate in. Their national presence with 4 offices across the UK is complemented by their international presence via Credea. Credea is an international association of credit insurance professionals, of which Acumen is a founding member, and the current members stretch across 6 continents and 39 countries. This global reach offers local service for multinational policies meaning that Acumen’s international clients always have local support wherever they operate. Acumen’s client base encompasses a wide range of businesses of all sizes, from SMEs to large multinationals. One thing they all

have in common is that they all receive Acumen’s unparalleled levels of service, which Chris Ritchie from the Bayford Group understands. Mr Ritchie said “Having worked closely with Paul Martin and the team for over 20 years, Acumen is a business I would have no hesitation in recommending for all things credit insurance related. Highly professional as you would expect, what really sets them apart is the extra mile they are prepared to go to ensure we are provided with the correct levels of cover at the best possible rates. Ours is a business which has seen significant growth over recent years, including several large acquisitions and its a testament to Paul that his is an opinion we always seek in order to ensure the most seamless transitions possible.”

So whether a fear of not getting paid or a lack of information on potential customers has held you back from exporting, or if you would just like more information on how a credit insurance policy can benefit your business please contact Acumen Credit Insurance Brokers: T: 0845 073 8630 E: acumen@credit-insure.co.uk or visit www.credit-insure.co.uk

Acumen Credit Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the insurance and financial industry regulator.

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The Housing Crisis. Activity in the construction industry has slowed somewhat over the last few months, attributed, in part, to a lack of choice for would be buyers as one of the major causes in a recent report from the RiCS. There is a worrying shortage of housing stock as the numbers of properties and new instructions on estate agents’ books continue to drop. However, despite the subdued backdrop, according to the report, house prices are continuing to rise nationally, with the pace of growth steady over the last five months, although there were regional variations, with central London having been in “negative territory” for 13 months in a row. This increases the concerns surrounding affordability, as house prices continue to outstrip wages in real terms. Indeed a study presented to the Royal Economic Society’s annual conference said those hoping to get on the ladder may have to rely on windows of opportunity created by periodic slumps in the market. Bad news for the younger generation who aspire to their own home, and not great news for their parents, faced with the choice of their 20 or 30 something years’ old offspring continuing to live at home, or of having to make a major contribution to a mortgage deposit, to help them onto the housing ladder. In order to address the shortage of properties industry professionals are calling for many more homes to be built. Former Bank of England policymaker Kate Barker believes the country needs an additional 60,000 homes per year on top of those already being built. There is, however, very little chance of such a substantial increase, as she agreed, saying, “Although higher levels of house building are certainly desirable there is a limit to what can be achieved by this route.” Against this background the government has finally launched its housing white paper. Commentators have branded the report as weak, although some consider the recommendations as a step in the right direction.

Terrie Alafat, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing “The package of measures announced represents an important shift in housing policy which demonstrates a commitment to tackle our housing crisis. It’s particularly pleasing to see the government recognise the need for a broader range of organisations to build new homes, especially the crucial role of local authorities in delivering the housing we need – something we’ve consistently called for.” Key points in the plan are: • Incentivising older people to downsize to smaller properties. On the surface this sounds like a great idea, freeing up larger properties for growing families while allowing people to move to smaller easier to manage properties with a cash bonus. However, many older people love their homes and don’t want to downsize, and should certainly not be compelled to do so, which calls into doubt that a substantial number would be prepared to give up their home and its cherished memories. Even if an older person, or person, is prepared to move, there is a major stumbling block – where are they to move to? We are not just not building enough properties we are not building the right properties including those suitable for the elderly • Forcing developers to start building within two years of securing planning permission. Maintaining protections for the green belt. This would, hopefully free up more land for development, but planning permission can be a major stumbling block, even though the government has requested the planning process to be speeded up, and local authorities have been targeted to build more homes.

fields and many would resist them being developed, when there are brown field and fill-in sites available. Fill in sites where an individual house or two or three can be slotted in are ideal for the smaller or independent construction company • A £3bn fund to help small builders deliver more homes. This is an important recommendation, just as long as the money is available to developers and small builders and doesn’t become snarled up in some kind of beauraucratic tangle. • Incentives for build to let. This is a really key recommendation. The deposit needed to buy a home is often out of the reach of many. People no longer have a job for life and may move many times in the course of their career. Housing needs change, the slick young urbanites enjoying a city centre lifestyle, morph into the parents of young children wanting to live somewhere quiet and in reach of good schools. Retirement may call for a more rural life style, but still with room for the family to stay. A good quality, diverse, rental market, ranging from local authority and Housing Association affordable provision, up to the luxury end of the market would cater for all these variations in requirement. We just need more homes, and while the UK model has traditionally been owner occupancy, the rental model could be the answer to our housing shortage.

The green belt is seen by many as an easy target for development, no need for remedial work first, but we do like our green

50154 AP_HorseWorld 15/06/2017 10:21 Page 1

50145 AP_HorseWorld 19/06/2017 12:49 Page 1

Jeremy Meredith, business manager of the newly-expanded Innov8 Risk Consultants.

NW safety specialist expands its horizons as a growing national business Just over a decade after it was founded on Merseyside, a specialist construction site safety company has a newly established national network of offices and has expanded its expertise into new sectors. The now Deeside-based Innov8, part of Lucion Services, has recently merged with Salbrook Vance, a provider of strategic hazardous material management consulting. To mark the change, the newly combined business is now operating as Innov8 Risk Consultants, reflecting the company’s much broader provision of multidisciplinary health and safety consultancy support. The expanded Innov8 operation has a team of 17 occupational safety and risk consultants and advisors working from a network of 12 regional offices. In the north-west these include Oldham, covering the Greater Manchester and Cumbria areas, and Sandycroft, Deeside, serving Merseyside, and North Wales. In recent months the company has secured a string of new business wins. These include the Clatterbridge Transforming Cancer Care Project' a brand new cancer hospital in Liverpool City Centre as well the provision of key Construction Design and Management (CDM) support to Laing O'Rourke on the new Manchester Airport transformational programme. Going forward, although construction site safety and the CDM regulations will remain a core function for Innov8, it will now also provide a variety of specialist consultancy services across a wider range of risk and compliance areas in the built environment.

such as asbestos management plans, contaminated land, fire safety and COSHH compliance. Also in this context, and of particular relevance to the North West marine sector, Innov8 now provides specialist consultancy support to the maritime industry to ensure that vessel owners, shipping companies and offshore operators comply with increasingly rigorous international requirements for hazardous material management and environmental controls. Jeremy Meredith, formerly operations director at Innov8 becomes business manager in the enlarged company. He said: “Over the past 18 months we have seen a considerable rise in demand for extended consultancy services across the entire spectrum of risk management related services. “To meet this opportunity, Innov8 is now in a much stronger position to provide clients with broader expertise and advice from a single point of contact and a wider geographical base provided by separate regional offices across the UK and Northern Ireland. “Innov8 has traditionally maintained and enjoyed a very high profile in the north-west, but we have now set out to create a truly national consultancy capable of providing a much broader range of safety and environmental risk services to our clients.” Lucion Services acquired Innov8 Safety Solutions in 2015 and has continued to grow its specialist business, with the group now employing 295 staff around the country, with an annual turnover of about £25million. Find out more by visiting www.Innov8risk.com or contact the north-west regional office on 0161 804 1990 or by email at enquiries@innov8risk.com

These include, for example, high level expert advice on safety risk management and regulatory matters, as well as dedicated support and guidance on specialist issues

50151 AP_HorseWorld 06/07/2017 14:30 Page 1

Willmott Dixon is continuing to create thriving communities across the North West, shaping great places to work, live and play. Based in Greater Manchester, Willmott Dixon has worked closely with a range of public and private sector clients to deliver high quality, value-for-money and innovative projects which truly benefit the people living in their locality. Oldham Leisure Centre This brand new facility is helping Oldham Council regenerate the area while delivering on their post-Olympic community pledge to provide facilities which will improve the health and wellbeing of Oldham’s residents. Our impact and legacy is embedded within the community, not only in the creation of the leisure centre itself, but also through our investment in the community throughout the project. Oldham Leisure Centre is a new build leisure complex with fantastic facilities including:

• 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool, with 250 seat spectator gallery • Eight-court sports hall including seating for 500 spectators • Changing facilities • Fitness and 80 station exercise studios • Sauna and steam room “This state-of-the-art, 21st century leisure facility is a vital part of the regeneration jigsaw and one many of our residents and future generations will be excited and proud about. Willmott Dixon is a key employer in the borough and a well-respected construction firm.”

- Councillor Jean Stretton, Oldham Council Leader First Choice Homes Headquarters First Choice Homes Headquarters is a newly built, fully fitted out flagship office building located in the heart of Oldham. This new facility is helping First Choice Homes to deliver a better service to their local customers through increased accessibility and visibility; by improving the service we can offer to this local housing provider, we are contributing to making Oldham a better place to live. Providing a vibrant, professional atmosphere for First Choice Homes’ staff and visitors, this office accommodation is set out over 3 floors and has a mixture of open communal spaces, learning zones, work stations, computer hubs and meeting rooms. The distinctive and eyecatching external building fabric is clad with masonry and full-height glazing, helping to improve the visual aspect of the area and showcase Oldham as an attractive place to do business. “Our brand new working environment has just made our colleagues’ working days that much better. Combined with improved services and access for customers, the result means colleagues can work for, and with, our customers in a much more effective and efficient way.”

- Cath Green, Chief Executive at First Choice Homes We are really keen to find out more about your project ideas and to work with you to make them a reality. We can use our extensive experience to make a tangible, positive difference to your company, your customers and your local area! For further information on our projects, or to discuss your proposed project further, please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Clarke, Business Development Manager, on 0161 947 3960 We are a key delivery partner with the North West Construction Hub (NWCH) and the Scape national construction framework

50153 AP_HorseWorld 26/06/2017 10:50 Page 1

Sterling Woodrow, are highly regarded experts in identifying the wealth-building opportunities that property and alternative investments can provide. Their professional team is focussed on finding and offering the best property opportunities from around the world. A recent opportunity has arisen in Liverpool - Salisbury Place. Director, Robert Horwood, Sterling Woodrow, told us about the investment possibilities the development could present. He said, “Liverpool continues to astound property investors. A recent report in the Daily Telegraph found that the rate of growth in house prices in northern cities has raced ahead of many of those in the South. Continuing with the stellar success within Liverpool, Sterling Woodrow is truly excited to present our newest project, Salisbury Place.” Salisbury Place is situated just 15 minutes away from Liverpool’s vibrant city centre. Frequent buses connect Salisbury Place to key locations in the area, including all the main universities. Within walking distance of The Royal Liverpool University Hospital and College as well as the sought-after Knowledge Quarter district and the £1billion regeneration program called Paddington Village, which will include the new Liverpool International College.

• Net returns as high as £10,320 • Astounding 8% net rental assurance for 5 years paid quarterly • Fully managed and furnished • Luxury fitted Studio, 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments • Unlimited Exit Strategies • Exceptionally large accommodation • Successful & proven developer • Long Standing & Successful Management Company • Excellent Location - Perfectly placed for easy access into City Centre • Units Over 30 Sq. Meters Sterling Woodrow combines industry experience with an innovative approach to the delivery of highyielding property investment opportunities to meet the needs of the modern-day investor. They understand how daunting selecting the right property and alternative investments can be particularly for the novice property investor. Which is why their highly trained team of expert investment advisors is always available to help and guide you through each and every aspect of your property acquisition.

Robert told us, “From just £75,500 you can start to invest and gain from an astounding 8% Net Return as high as £6,000. Salisbury Place offers an exceptional standard of living and a level of investment that far outweighs other residential accommodations previously seen, or currently available on the market. With full residential planning, 5-year rental assurance, various accommodation styles, and Car Parking spaces; Salisbury Place has been created and designed to not only suite every level of investor, but also appeal to all sectors of the rental market.” • Fantastic Prices starting from as low as £75,500 • Luxury fully self-contained apartments in all sizes

Sterling Woodrow will only recommend properties on which they have carried out thorough research so as to minimise potential risks while maximising your returns. If they can help you achieve success, that is their success. Sterling Woodrow was established on this principle. Robert said, “We believe that if we observe this principle, we will keep growing as a firm while upholding our position as one of the market leaders. With a global presence and a multilingual team, we can efficiently cater for every client, on every project, and on every continent.”

For more information please visit sterlingwoodrow.co.uk

50155 AP_HorseWorld 21/06/2017 09:46 Page 1

Building on solid foundations to create a sustainable future In the 40 years since it was first set up, as a one-man operation to work on a new runway at Manchester Airport, Cumbriabased civil engineering firm R H Irving Construction has established itself as a highly-respected partner for some of the best-known housebuilders and developers not just regionally, but nationwide. T he most recent of those four decades have seen it make the transition from a small to a medium-sized business, having reached 75 employees, and achieved a turnover of more than £1 3million. It also boasts a prestigious client base, working in tandem with such developers as Persimmon, Story Homes and the Lovell Partnership. According to the company’s Commercial Director, Mark Moodycliffe, its success is “the result of a concerted effort by staff and management to develop the business over the years, while bringing all aspects of our operation in line with expectations of firms which are looking to prosper in the face of the demands of the modern construction industry. “However, at heart we remain a family-run firm, with strong local roots and a loyal workforce, many of whom have been with us for decades.” R H Irving Construction has not been immune to some of the biggest challenges facing today’s construction industry – particularly how to ensure continuity within the business as a number of key directors and senior site staff approach retirement age. But it’s the way in which it has addressed these issues which was at the heart of its submission to the judging panel at the

201 6 North-West Regional Construction Awards, where it was bidding to be named ‘SME of the year’. “We have addressed succession planning for key roles within the company, and underpinned this by restructuring the existing workforce to ensure continuity, particularly at supervisory level with the appointment of Senior Site Foremen and a Senior Contracts Manager,” the firm wrote in its submission to the judges. R H Irving Construction has also moved with the times to embrace current health and safety requirements, as well as the evolving needs of clients, who increasingly consider such factors as a company’s records in this field, as well as its environmental credentials, when choosing who to charge with bringing their plans to fruition. To this end, it has placed new emphasis on sourcing materials from suppliers local to its sites, recycling and re-using materials on-site where possible, and has invested in new hybrid vehicles as part of its ongoing fleet renewal programme. Alongside these renewed efforts, R H Irving Construction has also focused on improving its mechanisms for looking after its customers. So beyond the level of repeat business it achieves – which remains impressively high – the company also says: “T he introduction of better customer care has improved our ability to act upon issues, reduce response times, and prevent the same mistakes being made in the future.” Concluded Mark Moodycliffe: “In an often volatile industry, we believe old-fashioned values, combined with a modern, versatile approach and a constantly improving skills base, will ensure success in the future.”

01228 792777

Contact R H Irving Construction on

or find out more details about the company and its current projects at www.rhi-construction.com

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The Great British

Staycation

Who needs abroad when you’ve got Britain? Decisions don’t get much tougher than this when it comes to choosing where to go but one thing’s for sure, whatever the result, it’ll be the best of British.

No longer does the ‘nation of shopkeepers’ label apply: now we’re a nation of restaurateurs with some of the best chefs around. We’re not talking about haute cuisine either - although there’s plenty of that too.

The staycation is where it’s at for holiday happiness. Be it two weeks away, a couple of days’ break or a grand day out, you’ll find all that you need within our shores.

From traditional fish and chip shops to family run pizzerias, locally run burger bars, cafés, waterfront restaurants, tea rooms and much more, you’ll find it difficult to choose where to eat.

The common theme is that few of us visit what’s close to home, but maybe we should. This country is an exciting place with an abundant history and vibrant culture. After all, millions of foreign visitors flock here to visit our UNESCO World Heritage sites (nearly 20) and experience our golden sandy beaches, rolling green hills, mysterious stone circles and bustling towns and cities. It’s time we did too. This country can do pretty - think of chocolate box villages, black and white timbered houses, spectacular coastlines and magnificent glens, vales, valleys and dales, stunning lakes and romantic moorlands, - but it can also feed, entertain and welcome on a grand and varied scale. Stay high above ground in a luxurious tree house, go glamping, caravanning or tent pitching, stay in a home-from-home hotel or bed and breakfast anywhere you fancy. Pitch up for some golf, chill down at a relaxing spa, soar up and away on ballooning action-packed activity breaks, or why not be beside the seaside staycations are Grade A-cations in GB. And what could be more British than the great British pub? We’ve been dong pubs, inns, watering holes and local hostelries for so long that they have become a national institution. From beer gardens in summer to roaring fires in winter, pubs are perfect places in which to sup our favourite tipple.

What won’t be difficult is enjoying the warm welcome they all offer and top quality ingredients, usually sourced locally. Britain’s hostelries take pride in what they put on the plates and rightly so. We’re producing some pretty tasty stuff. Every region has its specialties and the North West is renowned for its traditional pub fare, tasty meat pies and hot-pots, Liverpool’s lob scouse and traditional fish and chips. Tea-shops set amongst traditional weavers cottages on the edge of rolling moorland offer Eccles cakes, filled floury baps, drop scones and lardy cake. As for cheese, try Lancashire cheese in Lancashire, traditional grocers and local cheesemakers offer it as crumbly or tasty, deliciously different from the pre-wrapped supermarket version. We may be famous as tea drinkers, but we’re pretty good at producing the alcoholic stuff as well. We have vineyards, microbreweries, distilleries all creating an array of memorable drinking experiences that will help to make you trip go down a treat, Here’s a few more reasons why, when it comes to holidays - rule Britannia. • The world’s fastest zip line, reaching

speeds of up to 100mph, can be found in a former quarry in north Wales.

• Much of Britain’s countryside is

extremely accessible – you could be in a national park within an hour of arriving at Gatwick or Cardiff airports. • There’s a whole festival in England

celebrating oysters, another celebrating asparagus, a third for plums, ones for pies, sausages and beers …. • You can create your own bottle of one-

off single malt whisky in Scotland, and take it home as a unique souvenir. • Backpacks on! Britain’s highest

mountain is in Scotland at 1,066ms/3,500ft above sea level. Its highest pub, in Yorkshire, sits at 528ms/1,732ft. • You’ll be chuffed to know that if you visit

Wales, you can ascend its highest mountain, Snowdon, on a train. • These boots were made for walking. The

South West is home to Britain’s longest national trail, the 630 mile South-West Coast Path. It’ll take around 30 days to complete the entire trail! • The Pennine way crosses many miles of

rugged moorland, where the less rugged can arrange to have our bags moved between the stone built pubs and B&B’s that provide our nightly stops. • Water, water everywhere, Cumbria’s

Lake District has the highest rainfall in the country but is an area of truly outstanding natural beauty. So next time you’re looking to travel, don’t bother to check if your passport’s up to date, just take a look at what’s on home territory. And the very best of British!

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Quality products and attentive service give Cumbria Spas the competitive edge Bowness-based Cumbria Spas has seen business bubble along very nicely, based on a promise to allow customers to ‘live the dream’ with a hot tub, spa or sauna delivered and installed in their own home.

From the banks of Lake Windermere, the business has built up a customer base the length and breadth of the UK.

The business grew out of the most adverse circumstances - after managing director David Hughes suffered a life-threatening illness, doctors recommended that he underwent regular hydrotherapy as part of his recovery plan.

As he steadily regained his health over a few years, David realised that many other people could benefit in the same way as he had. And that was the catalyst which grew into a business idea which has grown and gathered pace at the same time as the trend for hot tubs and home spas has really taken off. “From the outset, I realised that, to make Cumbria Spas stand out from the competition, our main focus, apart from the quality of the products we chose to sell, would have to be the quality and completeness of the customer service which we offered,” says David. That’s why the company has developed an after-sales service package which it believes is unique among those operating in its field.

David’s son-in-law Scott is in charge of this aspect of the business, undertaking customers’ regular maintenance programmes and attending to any other problems which may arise – although David is proud to point out that, thanks to the high quality of the materials used in the manufacture of his spas and hot tubs, such occurrences are rare. Another big factor in Cumbria Spas’ success story has been its efforts to demonstrate that having a hot tub, home spa or sauna room installed is as trouble-free as the long-term ownership of one of its products. Treating every customer, and installation, as an individual, Cumbria Spas has addressed any concerns prospective owners may have about the longevity of their installations by assembling them from only the highest-quality individual components.

The most popular result of this dedication to all-round excellence has been its Coniston Spa. This best-selling model, originating from America, the home of the hot tub, combines robustness with a design which features soothing contours to hug the shape of a user’s body.

The package is completed by a 13 amp plug, so that it can be simply filled and plugged in once it’s installed, and it’s ready to offer the soothing, relaxing benefits of an exclusive spa bath whenever they’re needed. Cumbria Spas even offers finance packages with a deposit from as little as £100, so making it easy for anyone to realise their dream of enjoying the prestige and health benefits of owning a spa bath or hot tub. Every installation comes in a range of colours, with free delivery offered to anywhere on the UK mainland, a free set of steps, and a free chemical starter pack.

Website Cumbriaspas.co.uk has full information about the products currently available, while the company’s helpful team of advisors is also ready to take enquiries or answer any questions on 01539 444005

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Stewart Hindley & Partners, Specialist Lenders to the Hospitality Sector

achieving finance for businesses where the proprietors are new to the trade and buying an existing business.

As an independent broker they are free to search the whole market to find the best and most cost effective solution for your requirements, whether you are a first time purchaser or an existing operator looking to re-finance a business or release capital for a new venture.

One of Stewart Hindley & Partners great strengths is their in depth knowledge of the sector, and their ability to consider factors like location and the reasons the previous owners are selling. They will also look at the previous years’ figures, and come to a realistic assessment of not only the viability of the business but whether the new owners are taking a realistic view of its potential.

Stewart Hindley & Partners are independent business mortgage brokers and intermediaries with unrivalled experience in arranging business mortgages and have widely acclaimed knowledge of financing businesses within the hospitality and leisure sectors.

In this field, experience really counts and over time Stewart Hindley & Partners have built up numerous beneficial long-term relationships with the lenders who specialise in the sector. When Stewart Hindley & Partners submits a proposal to their lenders, they know that the due diligence will already have been completed and that the business looking for funds will meet their lending criteria. Lenders appreciate how Stewart Hindley & Partners work and have confidence and trust in their judgement to deliver professionally collated and presented funding applications. As a result applications are handled more speedily and it is not unusual to have an “in principle” decision within 72 hours.

When we spoke to Carol Jones, Senior Case Manager at Stewart Hindley, Carol told us that they are particularly proud of their record in

Carol said, “The Stewart Hindley” brand is associated with quality and professionalism throughout our market sectors and guarantees that you will be taken seriously as a borrower whatever the scope and scale of your funding requirements.”

Stewart Hindley & Partners pride themselves on their very personal approach to all their clients, really taking the time to talk to them and build up a relationship in order to really assess the most suitable funding solution.

They will guide you through the whole process, every step of the way, from initial discussion to the day you are handed the keys. They will always be on hand to help and advise, and to answer any questions you may have to ensure the whole process goes through without any hitches. Last year Stewart Hindley & Partners processed around £45 million of formal business loan applications on behalf of their clients.

So if you are looking for that rare thing, a specialist broker to the hospitality sector to assist you in securing the funds you need for your project, you can trust Stewart Hindley & Partners to work with you, and in your best interest to find the best solution.

But don’t just take our word for it; visit the web site to view some of their many client testimonials, www.stewarthindley.co.uk or give one of their professional team a call to arrange an initial discussion on 01488 393071

50165 AP_HorseWorld 19/06/2017 10:51 Page 1

It’s all about reliability at KiD Catering Equipment,

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SALE

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KiD Catering Equipment supply, service and maintain catering equipment for a wide range of catering outlets from top quality hotels, restaurants and bistros to football stadiums, schools and universities. Keith told us

M OM

Keith said that it is all about their good reputation too, that very reputation, which has seen KiD Catering Equipment grow, into an established business relied upon by their many long-standing customers across the North West, North Wales and into the Midlands and beyond.

He explained that it would be a false economy, and work out dearer in the long run; especially, when the equipment inevitably fails to deliver, and the client incurs expensive down time, and the need to replace the item sooner than they might have expected.

To experience their service for yourself give one of the friendly team a call on 0333 123 2450 or visit the website for more information www.kidcateringequipment.com

Keith was very clear, when we spoke, saying, “We won’t sell low end products, if we can’t satisfy ourselves within the customer’s budget, we will say so, and walk away. We will not supply something that won’t be up to the job.”

Keith and his team will always strive to meet their customer’s expectations.

AT IO

Keith and his team of engineers really get to know their customers and their respective businesses. They understand the problems associated with running a catering business and will always respond promptly in the event of a problem to minimise downtime for their customers. It is this in depth knowledge of the industry that enables them to recommend the right equipment for an individual business and business owner.

KiD Catering Equipment is proud to deal with the top names in their industry such as Blue Seal, Unox, Calomax, Meiko, Valentine, Metcalfe and Maidaid, as Keith said, “All good brands and reliably warranted.”

INSTALL

To move into supplying catering equipment, therefore, alongside service and maintenance, seemed a logical next step. After all, from experience, they knew the best and most reliable products and those backed by the best manufacturer’s warranties. KiD, therefore, now also supplies the kinds of high quality, innovative catering equipment products that the company genuinely feels comfortable in being associated with, for both build quality and longevity of working life.

NG &

Keith Davis, MD, said that people should ask their advice was only natural, given that they had, as he said, “tickled and touched” enough equipment for long enough, to know what would be be up to the job in hand and be reliable in use.

that for example, they have just supplied a lovely bar and buffet system from Hagola, the epitome of quality, for which they have the sole rights in the UK, into a prestigious Edinburgh hotel.

ICI

KiD Catering Equipment was established in 1991, servicing and maintaining all kinds of catering equipment. Over the years as the organisation evolved customers would often ask their opinion when replacing equipment.

reliable service, reliable products and reliable straightforward recommendations.

“Preserving the past — Protecting the future”

50199 AP_HorseWorld 29/06/2017 10:48 Page 1

lolly. Lolly Gets Behind Hospitality Start Ups Aims to be 'the technology partner of choice for the small hospitality provider'. Lolly is a Point of Sale (PoS) and payment specialist serving small UK hospitality businesses including coffee shops, pubs, clubs, mobile caterers, pop ups and contract caterers. It makes the point of sale, simple, efficient and dependable, every time anywhere.

"We understand the difficulties that seasonal and fledging hospitality providers face. For many, it makes sense to have the flexibility to receive funding during quieter months - when it’s most needed - knowing that payback will happen in mid to high season."

The company supports hospitality providers at every stage, from start-up through to large caterers. At a starting price of £30 per month, or £1 per day enterprise systems are available to the smallest provider - helping them to work efficiently, and to grow. Lolly provides a powerful real-time back-office that manages stock inventory, wastage and profit and loss - helping the hospitality provider to keep on top of their business.

The service is offered in conjunction with Liquid Finance Partners Limited.

Here are a couple of examples of Lolly innovation:

Merchant Cash Advance In response to the hospitality sector's continued growth, Lolly has launched merchant cash advance - helping to support its customers to increase capacity and to meet demand. Merchant cash advances, repaid as a pre-agreed percentage of future sales, are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexible nature and the fact that the repayment plan accounts for seasonal income variations. It provides businesses, that take credit and debit card payments, with a low risk cash advance. This financing has a much lower impact on their cash flow because repayment is based on their day-to-day trading levels. Peter Moore, CEO at Lolly, said: “We specialise in supporting small businesses across the UK's hospitality industry. And we want to help our customers to expand, refurbish and restock, which is why we have chosen to launch merchant cash advance finance. I believe it is becoming the smarter, low risk way to finance their business.

Eligible businesses include those which have been trading for 12 months or more, and who take between £3,500 and £250,000 per month through credit and debit card payments. Unlike a loan, merchant cash advances are unsecured and processed faster than a typical loan and give quick access to capital when needed. How much and how long a provider repays fluctuates with sales volumes - giving greater flexibility to manage cash flow.

LollyTab The launch of LollyTab creates an affordable 'all-in-one', queuebusting solution. Designed for coffee shops, food to go and contract caterers. The product is a Windows Tablet PC which can be countertop fixed or detached from its dock to go portable. When portable, the tablet creates a queue busting solution, where staff can take orders in the queue to speed up service time. The tablet can be networked to enable remote printing, send orders to food or drink preparation areas and increase work flow efficiency. Peter Moore said: "LollyTab gives our customers real flexibility and control over their sales. Gone are the days of needing two expensive EPoS units, one system can now work across an entire site - maximising flexibility, service and sales potential."

min

15 minutes to download and get started

98%

Great quality guaranteed

Customers are happy with technical support

Say Lolly is good value for money

www.itslolly.com www.facebook.com/LollyLtd

https://twitter.com/Its_Lolly_Ltd 57

50205 AP_HorseWorld 05/07/2017 09:40 Page 1

Could you benefit from a new ‘out of the box’ travel management solution for busy business travel bookers?

Managing business travel for any organisation can be a complex and sometimes daunting task. Complicated legal documents, lengthy implementation processes and confusing pricing structures usually associated with travel management companies can sometimes make the help of a professional seem out of reach…until now! What is Navigator, and who is it for?

Navigator is a new travel and meetings management solution from travel, meetings and events specialist, Capita Travel and Events.

It’s a neatly packaged solution tailor-made for businesses that need a simple and easy to access service that provides value for organisations and travellers. It aims to help business bookers save time and money, as well as track travel spend. It’s ideal for companies that are perhaps new to travel and meetings management and want a hassle-free solution to understand and reduce travel spend.

How does it work?

Experts will deal with all your travel and meeting bookings so you can focus on more important things.

The ﬂexible service gives you the power to choose how you book. Use Capita Travel and Events’ industry leading online booking tool, give them a call or drop them an email. The free booking service means you won’t be charged just because you want to speak and book through the team. The service also includes access to a personal travel manager, monthly insight reports, consolidated invoicing and discounted travel deals. The speedy start-up process means you can make your first booking within weeks – and you’ll have the support of a professional project manager to help you launch the service to your employees.

What are the benefits?

There are loads…Capita Travel and Events manages over £500m of customer spend on travel and meetings every year. This buying power allows the company to negotiate discounts with suppliers such as airlines, hotels and train operators, which can be passed on to customers. Navigator is also a great way to gain insight into what your organisation spends on travel. And then apply that insight to see how you can make savings, or improve the experiences of your employees. It’s a smart way to tap into the benefits of a big travel management company, without additional costs of a fully bespoke service.

In addition, making sure customers are safe is important to Capita Travel and Events. Whether travellers’ plans have been affected by a wider incident or they just need to make some changes to their journey, you can relax knowing they will have the assistance they need, whenever and wherever they need it.

What’s more, your company travel policy will be integrated into the booking process so you can be sure all bookings follow your company’s rules without you having to think about it. If you don’t have a travel policy, don’t worry, Capita Travel and Events can help you with that too. Packed with even more benefits, Capita’s Traveller First initiative provides exclusive access to a range of value added benefits including complimentary tea/coffee and WiFi, or upgrades to ensure your travellers have enjoyable and stress-free journeys.

How do I find out more?

Talk to a member of the team at Capita Travel and Events on 0330 390 0340, or email travelevents@capita.co.uk

Did you know…

Capita Travel and Events’ regional contact centre has relocated to Stockport’s Regent House? Located close to major transport links, it’s a great central location for customers to visit.

Did you know…

In the last calendar year, Capita Travel and Events refunded 105,000 uncollected ‘ticket on departure’ rail bookings? The proactive approach saved customers over £4 million.

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Specialists in designing innovative automated machines for Industry 4.0 manufacturing Industry 4.0 is a phenomenon that is rapidly gaining traction across all areas of manufacturing. Not only does it allow factory owners/managers to gather intelligent data on an international basis, it also allows them to monitor and diagnose automated equipment used in geographically-remote locations in real time.

designed and tested, and secondly, they must implement stringent due diligence and security processes that are strictly followed.

However, even though industry 4.0 offers significant advantages in terms of efficiency, throughput, performance and sustainability, the rollout of Big Data and IoT have heightened the risk of sabotage in manufacturing plants. There is a looming risk of cybercriminals bringing production lines to a standstill by hijacking network-connected machines and demanding huge ransoms to release gathered data and revert control to factory owners/managers.

Innomech Ltd, one of the UKs leading automation specialists, designs and builds high-tech automated machinery for special purpose applications that is future-ready and fully compliant with industry 4.0 security principles.

The types of attack that can result in devastating consequences include: • Commands to industrial equipment triggered via embedded systems or worms - enabling attackers to read and take control of management systems and applications • Malware that impedes logistics and operational processes causing disruption and downtime • Theft of manufacturing data and documentation • Exploitation of human characteristics to access carefully protected data and IP As a result of long-term austerity and underfunding, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries are particularly vulnerable to cybercrime, with more than 60% medical device manufacturers and more than 50% of healthcare delivery organisations, believing that a cyberattack on one or more device, (either built or in use by their organisation) to be “likely” or “very likely”, according to industry research1. The severity of the situation is only set to worsen unless manufacturers act now. Firstly, they must ensure that all deployed automation equipment has been meticulously

Innomech – automation specialists for special purpose manufacturing

Innomech is familiar with the requirements of designing equipment for integration into factory or organisation-wide MES and ERP platforms through SCADA implementations, supporting the collection of intelligent data in real time and providing the framework needed to ensure due diligence throughout all product lifecycle processes. Innomech also has extensive experience and understanding of the highly regulated pharmaceutical and medical industries. Our risk-based project approach, supported by an ISO9001 compliant quality system, helps us to develop equipment that supports critical manufacturing and testing processes, recording and collating manufacturing data securely and ensuring that only authorised users can edit pass/fail test thresholds before a batch, for example. Innomech employs a team of dedicated engineers, whom collectively have over 150 years’ experience in specialised automation and robotics. This long-term experience, combined with knowledge, expertise and knowhow, gives manufacturing companies peace of mind and confidence. Automated robotics built by Innomech and deployed in current production lines will not only perform optimally, they will also support the transition to industry 4.0 ecosystems of the future. 1 Research carried out by carried out by Synopsis

T: 01353 667394 E: info@innomech.co.uk www.innomech.co.uk 59

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