ISSUE 20 • AUTUMN 2012
Local Business Stories:
FIFE BUSINESS MATTERS
Bringing Fife to the world Exporting the region
www.fifebusinessmatters.co.uk
Companies large and small share their news
Loans of up to £50,000 • • •
Security may be required Fixed interest rates at 6% The loan will account for no more than 50 % of the funding package.
Loans can be used for: • • • •
The purchase of plant and equipment, Provision of working capital Purchase, expansion or refurbishment of commercial property Purchase of a business.
Who can apply: • • •
Businesses with commercially viable proposals Applicants must have a gap in their funding package All types of businesses – sole traders, partnerships, limited companies.
How long does it take? •
Usually a decision can be made within 6 weeks
Contact All types of enquiries are welcome – please contact Peter Livingstone at Business Gateway on 01592 858335 or email success@bgfife.co.uk
WELCOME to Fife Business Matters We have a lot to be proud of in Fife – our industries, skills, beautiful scenery and people. Now, more than ever, showcasing these attributes to the rest of the country, and indeed world, is vitally important. In this issue we focus on how local companies are bringing Fife to the world, by exporting services, skills and products to national and international markets. We look at companies such as established worldwide exporter, paper maker Tullis Russell, through to young start-up entrepreneurs looking to make their mark. While these are challenging times, the key for those who are currently thriving is not to bow to the undoubted pressures but to grasp what opportunities lie in the current marketplace – through innovation, diversification, exporting and a sound belief in their business. Are you a small business, or an entrepreneur with a great idea, but don’t know where to start? You may be unsure as to how exporting can help your business and that’s where our Fife business support network, which includes Fife Council Economic Development Team, SDI Smart Exporter Programme, and Business Gateway Fife, can help. In this issue we also celebrate businesses that are great examples of the innovation and buzz there is in our region’s economy, whose opportunities and strengths are testament to what Fife can do fantastically in terms of business from young startup businesses, to long-established family businesses and the now multinational companies who are based in Fife. We also meet with Fife’s new Provost, Jim Leishman, and ask him what he sees as Fife’s opportunities and strengths. As a reminder to everyone, from November 6 to 15, we will have Fife Business Week 2012 – our annual events to help businesses succeed. To find out what is going on in your area, or if there are particular event you are interested in, then visit www.fifebusinessweek.co.uk. I hope you enjoy this issue of Fife Business Matters. Chris Parr, Chairman, Fife Economy Partnership
Contents P4: Bringing Fife to the world P6: Dunfermline nursery achieves £50,000 funding P7: BiFab creates 450 Jobs P9: Ductform lands £2m hat-trick of contracts P9: Pop in to the pop up Pagan Osborne property shop P10: The future of Fife – showcasing the next generation P12: ‘Adapting how we do business to the local climate is key to exporting success’, Says papermaker Tullis Russell P13: FBM Meets... Fife Provost Jim Leishman P14: Fife Chamber of Commerce P15: Selling the flavour of Fife P18: From Fife to Florida Regenersis grows its business Stateside P19: HR Agony Aunts P19: Business Gateway supporting exporting ambitions P21: A clean slate for Dunfermline’s Braisby Roofing P22: Town centre summits held in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline P24: Green Business Fife P25: A Day in the Life of Mark Allen, Quaker Oats Site Leader P26: Events Diary
Fife Business Matters is published on behalf of the Fife Economy Partnership and is funded by Fife Council Publisher: D-Tech Graphic Design and Print Ltd Fife Business Matters is published by D-Tech Graphic Design & Print Limited on behalf of the Fife Economy Partnership. This publication is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be printed wholly or in part without the written permission of the publishers. The proprietors of this magazine are publishers and not agents or sub-agents of those who advertise therein. The publishers cannot be held liable for any loss suffered as a result of information gained from this publication. The views expressed by the authors or articles published in this magazine are solely those of the author and are not necessarily the views of or shared by the editor, nor the publisher or the directors, shareholders and/or employees of D-Tech Graphic Design & Print Limited.
To send us your stories or request a copy email: editor@fifebusinessmatters.co.uk To advertise Telephone 01389 736000 email: sales@dtechuk.com
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Bringing Fife to the world O
ver 150 years ago, steel magnate and noted philanthropist Andrew Carnegie put Fife on the map. Having emigrated from Dunfermline to the United States of America in the 1840s the Fifer’s name in both his homelands remains revered today. And although a comparatively small region in terms of business districts worldwide, Fife’s role in the international economy is important. Likewise, the international economy’s role in our local Fife economy is becoming ever more important in this challenging climate. By 2017, there is an ambition by the Scottish Government to increase the value of international exports by 50%. Chris Parr, Chairman of the Fife Economy Partnership, said:
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“Fife has a lot to be proud of and a lot we can offer to the world. The world can also offer a lot to us and it’s great to see the benefits exporting is having for businesses throughout Fife. “The world is becoming ever smaller thanks to the explosion of the internet and social media so businesses are getting themselves in front of far wider audience than ever before.” A Goods to Market Business Breakfast was recently held in Dunfermline, delivered by Fife Council Economic Development in association with Scottish Development International (SDI) and South East Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran), which focussed on the importance of manufacturing, developing new markets and how to increase exports. Over 60 delegates attended the event where Keith Brown, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Transport, was
the keynote speaker outlining exporting opportunities and the benefits of sustainable methods of getting goods to market. Anne MacColl, Chief Executive of SDI, said: “It’s our role to support more companies in Fife and across Scotland to adapt to the changing patterns of international trade and to help them tap into the opportunities that trading with new overseas markets present. “By trading internationally, businesses can increase turnover, drive up productivity, improve innovation and diversify their customer base - ultimately generating long term sustainable growth for the Scottish economy.” Trade is the lifeblood of the Scottish economy. Scotland has always been a trading nation and in today’s difficult economic climate making the most of the opportunities available to promote trade and addressing the problems that companies face
news in brief
Market Development Programme events Fife Council’s Market Development Program includes a visit to MM, MES & Nano UK in September, and Fife Group Stands at the Renewables UK show in Glasgow in October and the Southern Manufacturing Exhibition in Farnborough in February. The programme offers a practical and effective way for local companies to take part in major national and international events. For a full list of events visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/ marketdevelopment or contact alan.mckay@fife.gov.uk or 08451 555555 ext 492180 for more information.
Fife Education Service receives business award Fife Education Service has won the 2012 Scottish Award for Business Excellence at the Quality Scotland awards. Independent assessors found Fife Education Services works successfully with key partners and stakeholders, a clear vision is in place to engage and consult and it enhances pupils’ learning experiences. Inverkeithing’s Spencerfield Spirit
is more important than ever. Efficient, cost effective transportation is of course central to trade and accounts for a significant percentage of the costs involved in business; both trans-nationally and within the UK. South East Scotland is fortunate to possess Scotland’s only direct freight ferry link to the European mainland, and it is important that this resource is used to the full. Ian Mathie, Programme Manager at SEStran, said: “Exports are central to our future prosperity and SEStran is currently involved in a range of European funded freight projects, involving innovative approaches towards shifting goods through sustainable channels.” As well as large companies such as Tullis Russell and Regenersis exporting worldwide, small businesses remain a very important part of the exporting picture. Small start-
ups through to medium sized established businesses are also, through social media and marketing, finding customers from throughout the UK and worldwide to promote their products, skills and services to. Chris Parr of the Fife Economy Partnership added: “The opportunities are there for Fife businesses to capitalise on the current wave of exporting successes and the Fife business support network, made up of Fife Council Economic Development Team and Business Gateway Fife are committed to helping enable these ambitions.”
Company wins export award Spencerfield Spirit Company won the Export Business of the Year Award at this year’s Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards. The family-run business, based at Inverkeithing, has enjoyed a year of strong export growth with expanding markets in the US, Australia, Spain, Netherlands and France.
Walkers Upholstery 50th anniversary Cupar family business Walkers Upholstery celebrated its half century in business with a celebration event on July 29.
For more news in brief see P18
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DUNFERMLINE NURSERY ACHIEVES £50,000 FUNDING A derelict Dunfermline building has been transformed into a state-of-the-art childcare facility with support from the East of Scotland Investment Fund (ESIF). Appin Nursery and Creche, in the town’s Halbeath Road, plans to increase its number of childcare staff to 14 people. Managing Director Mike McInally received a £50,000 loan from ESIF to help his ambitious plans. He said: “The loan from the Fund was really important to get the renovation project completed.” Loans of up to £50,000, with interest rates currently fixed at 6%, and a maximum repayment term of five years are available. These can be used towards working capital or the purchase of equipment, plant or business property.
George Sneddon, Chair of the East of Scotland Investment Fund, said: “Accessing affordable new finance remains a challenge for some small and medium sized businesses, which is why initiatives like this are so important. Investment is vital to safeguard and create jobs, support businesses through this particularly difficult period and ensure that local economies benefit from successful businesses.” ESIF has supported almost 30 companies since being launched last year supporting over 500 jobs. For more information contact Peter Livingstone at Business Gateway Fife on 01592 858335 or visit www.eastscotinvest. co.uk
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BiFab creates 450 Jobs Burntisland Fabrication Ltd (BiFab) will create 450 new jobs thanks to landing a hat-trick of contracts. Two of the contracts are with Premier Oil, worth £140m, for its Solan development, West of Shetland. The first contract covers the design, procurement and construction of a 3500 tonne topsides module. The fabrication is at BiFab’s Methil yard. Once completed, the topsides will be capable of handling 35,000 bpd of liquids. The second contract is for the procurement and construction of an 8000 tonne jacket. The jacket, which will also be manufactured in Methil, will be located in 135m of water and will be one of the tallest jackets fabricated in Scotland. The sail away of the jacket and the topsides is expected in April 2014.
The projects will also involve BiFab’s other manufacturing facilities in Burntisland and Arnish, just outside Stornoway. Nigel Wilson, Regional Manager for the North Sea at Premier Oil, said: “We are delighted to have awarded the contracts for the jacket and topsides, which constitute the largest components of the Solan field development, to BiFab.” John Robertson, Managing Director of BiFab, said: “The two contracts were won we believe, not only due to a commercially attractive bid, but also due to the ability and experience of BiFab’s management and workforce to deliver a quality product, on schedule and with a good safety culture.
“I am delighted that Premier Oil has decided to award this contract to a local company that has been making a significant contribution to the Fife economy for twelve years. It is a significant boost for Scotland and evidence that the UK Government’s support for growth in the oil and gas supply chain, coupled with the economic security that comes from being part of the UK, makes Scottish companies an attractive proposition for delivering major oil and gas infrastructure contracts.” The third contract, which will create 100 of the new jobs which will bring BiFab’s headcount to 950, is for BiFab to manage, along with Heerema, the main fabrication elements of the new £1.4bn Cygnus field being developed by GDF SUEZ and its partners off the coast of Lincolnshire. The initial phase, expected to be three years, will see BiFab fabricate four huge jacket and pile structures at Methil.
“This latest success enhances BiFab’s growing reputation as a major manufacturer of topsides and jackets for the North Sea.” A signing ceremony was held in July and attended by Prime Minster David Cameron. He said:
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Ductform lands £2m hat-trick of contracts
Pop in to the pop up Pagan Osborne property shop
Ductform Ventilation Ltd has embarked on three high-profile contracts as the Glenrothes-based company celebrates its 35th anniversary. The contracts, totalling £2m of orders, are to provide full ventilation works for the hotly-anticipated Scottish Hydro Arena, the refurbishment of Glasgow Royal Infirmary, as well as the new Lasswade Community Campus where it has secured one of the largest ventilation contracts ever placed for a school campus in Scotland. Ductform, which employs between 65 and 70 people, manufactures and installs ventilation systems for all types of building projects. It has also recently opened a public trade counter to help raise awareness of their wide range of products. Alan Mathieson, Sales Director at Ductform Ventilation Ltd, said: “This hat-trick of significant contracts is important for us – particularly in the current economic climate. The Scottish Hydro Arena is one of the biggest building projects in Scotland at the moment so we are delighted to be involved. We work across a number of different types of projects throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK. “We also took the decision to diversify into establishing the trade counter which offers bespoke sheet metal and steel products commonly used for wood burners, stoves and chimneys; such as flue pipe, transformations, register plates, along with general consumables and fasteners after realising that our product range was unknown to the general public and local tradesmen. “Once we thought about it, we realised it made perfect sense and are happy that this is proving popular so far.”
Fife legal, financial and property company Pagan Osborne took the innovative move of setting up pop-up property shops in the East Neuk this summer. It took over a shop for a week on Pittenweem High Street during the town’s popular arts festival, as well as spending a weekend in Elie at the end of August. In Pittenweem the team was overwhelmed with interest and handed out over 100 property lists. Linda Black, Fife property manager at Pagan Osborne, said: “The East Neuk is full of hidden gems and this is a novel way for us to unearth them and bring them to the attention of those who may be looking to move to the area – whether that is to buy a holiday home, retire, become a resident artist or just use as a commuter base. We are also looking forward to talking with our local residents who may be considering selling.”
The company working from a 35,000 sq ft factory has also recently manufactured and recently installed over £2m of specialist ventilation works for the Scottish National Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome.
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The future of Fife – showcasing the next generation With a studio full of her creations 28-yearold Kathryn Neale is delighted to be making a business success from her passion. The Thornton entrepreneur set up Glass by Kathryn five years ago after leaving university. Encouraged by her grandfather, Kathryn gave up her part-time jobs and concentrated all her efforts in finding and developing a market for her glass art. Kathryn, of Thornton, said: “I was keen to use my art degree but wasn’t really sure how to go about it. My granda let me have premises rent-free and bought me a kiln and urged me to make a proper go of it without any distractions. My granda unfortunately passed away last year but he was a real inspiration to me. Within eight weeks of launching, I had 36 orders.” Kathryn will move to new premises in November at Western Glasslie, Leslie, on the back road to Falkland, and now supplies over 300 independent shops across the country from Orkney to London and has even supplied a store in Germany. She continues to develop her product range through listening to her customers. She said: “Trade fairs are essential for me. As a creative person, I know what I like to make but it is important that, to succeed as a business person, I respond to what the market wants. I really listen to my customers and potential customers and as such have continued to grow.
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“I have been asked to make ‘Scottish’ gifts for years but didn’t until this year. I now have a thistle candle holder, coaster and wall hanging, and have recently developed a Highland cow design. These items are now my highest sellers. “There are a lot of independent shops who are now really keen to sell recycled items so one of my other very popular ranges is glass bottles which I melt into cheese boards or nibble dishes.” Kathryn is redeveloping her website and also uses facebook to keep in contact with customers and make her brand known. She wants to grow her business through exporting and
thinks that within the next year she will have to consider taking on a member of staff. She said: “In 10 years’ time, I would like to be exporting all over the world and really grow my business. I have had so much support so far and the business has really taken off in the past five years, so I am excited about what the future holds.”
Both Kathryn and Rebecca have received support from the Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland. Fiona Turnbull, Fife Manager for the charity, said: “Kathryn and Rebecca are fantastic examples of young women really showing the rest of the country, and indeed the world, what Fife has to offer. We are delighted to have been able to support them in bringing their undoubted creative talents and making them business successes.”
Rebecca Lee has two passions – swimming and photography and now the 32-year-old of Dalgety Bay is bringing the two of those together in her latest project. Rebecca has been chosen to photograph the Paralympics and will attend the swimming competitions, along with 16 other events. Rebecca has her own photography business, doing PR, wedding and portrait work. As well as these, her real love is photographing sports events. She was a keen swimmer and had considered training for the 2012 Paralympics. She said: “I was very serious about swimming but it is a real commitment and a lot of work. A photograph you can keep and treasure and catch the moment and for me that is very special.”
Rebecca has been a photographer for eight years and set up her own business a year ago after her former boss and mentor wellknown Fife photographer Steve Lindridge passed away. She said: “I loved taking photos but I didn’t see myself as a natural businesswoman so this year has been a real learning curve for me. It has been great though and I am really excited about the future and how I can continue to develop my business.” One of her career highlights was photographing Sir Chris Hoy’s wedding and going to the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2012 on behalf of the Scotland team. An exhibition of her sporting shots is currently on display at Dunfermline’s Duloch Leisure Centre.
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‘ADAPTING HOW WE DO BUSINESS TO THE LOCAL CLIMATE IS KEY TO EXPORTING SUCCESS’, SAYS PAPERMAKER TULLIS RUSSELL One of Fife’s oldest and biggest businesses, employee-owned papermaker Tullis Russell knows the importance of not resting on its laurels and ensuring it is innovative in order to remain a strong player in the marketplace. Having been in business for over 200 years and employing over 500 people at its Glenrothes mill alone, the company now exports to over 60 countries and has around 20 people working as far afield as China, the United States and Spain supporting the company in these overseas markets. Some years ago, the company set up an innovative customer call centre where, as well as staff to deal with enquiries from English speaking clients, they have also
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employed French and German speakers who work French and German office hours at the Glenrothes office. Director Malcolm Sinclair outlined the company’s approach to exporting: “Things have changed dramatically in terms of exporting in the near 30 years I have been with the company. Back then, you dealt in a very British way, often with other Commonwealth countries, and were even able to pick and choose who you would meet and do business with. The world has clearly changed hugely since those days and to be successful it is up to the supplier to truly adapt their offer and approach for each target market. “Export success is absolutely key to our business. While today we still have a strong UK business, we have grown our sales hugely in mainland Europe and have an expanding business in North America, Russia, China, Brazil and India as well as a strong presence in areas such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In the majority of cases we employ our own local people, put in place service offers to be competitive with domestic competitors and produce our promotional literature in our customers’ language.
“Many of our customers, from paper distributors to large international printing groups to leading brand holders such as Unilever, L’Oreal and Marks & Spencer have truly global operations and increasingly want to deal with companies who can match this footprint in their supply. At the same time, they seem to value the extra dimension we bring to these long-term partnerships through the benefits of our employee-owned structure.”
Biomass plant for Tullis Russell A £200m biomass combined heat and power plant is currently under construction at Tullis Russell. RWE npower renewables has contracted Metro and Aker Solutions as the main contractors on the project which will be Scotland’s largest biomass power plant, creating around 6% of the country’s total. The plant will reduce the site’s carbon footprint by 72%.
FBM Meets... Fife Provost Jim Leishman
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n this issue, Fife Business Matters meets with Fife’s new Provost Jim Leishman. Jim, a ‘well-kent face’ in Fife talks to us about his background and what he sees as the key successes and future aspirations of the region’s businesses.
Tell us a about your background
I was born and raised in Lochgelly and after leaving school played for Dunfermline Athletic. An injury in my 20s meant I had to give up playing professionally and I moved into coaching and management, as well as other roles in education and the civil service. Over the years I managed and coached at Cowdenbeath, Livingston and Dunfermline Athletic. In my football career, I have helped both Dunfermline Athletic and Livingston reach the Premier League. This experience has given me a thorough grounding on running a football club as a business and the challenges that come with it. I am currently on the board of Dunfermline Athletic which is great for me as a true fan of the club. I was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to sport and Dunfermline and that was a fantastic honour to collect with my family by my side. Sadly in 2009 my wife Mary passed away from cancer but I have set up a foundation in her name and we have raised over £550,000 for local causes.
What do you see as Fife’s strengths in terms of business?
Personally, I am just starting, probably within the past five or so years, to see how much we have to offer in terms of tourism. I think you can become a bit blasé living somewhere but I have made an effort to rediscover Fife and have come across lots of fabulous places. There’s so much history, natural wildlife and scenery and great wee eateries to go to. I think this wide variety is a real strength of the region. We also have great people living and working here. The skills, persistence and ingenuity are absolutely fantastic and I believe this is something that businesses, large and small, really capitalise on in Fife. In my role as Provost of Fife, I really want to give as much support as possible to Fife’s businesses. Hopefully, I can build on the already good networking and encourage more with other organisations in both the private and public sectors to enhance the development of Fife.
What are the opportunities for Fife businesses?
We have a real opportunity to capitalise on the skill-set borne through years of industry and innovation. I think we need to shout more about what we can and are offering – whether that be tourism, engineering or wee start-ups with a great new idea. We need to get the message that we’re here, we’re easy to do business with and Fife is great place to live, work and invest in. I hope we can be getting that message out across the world even more and I hope, in my role as Provost, I can, even in a small way, help with that. 13
Tickets on sale for Fife Business Awards Tickets are now on sale for the Fife Business Awards 2012. Taking place on Thursday November 15 at the Rothes Hall, the awards will recognise Fife businesses in categories such as workforce of the future, international trade, and most promising new business. The glittering ceremony, which has been organised by Fife Chamber of Commerce, will include a drinks reception, dinner and an evening hosted by TV pundit Fred MacAulay, cost £60.
Fife Chamber of Commerce appoints new President
M
anaging Director of the Fife Group John Kilgour has been appointed as Fife Chamber of Commerce’s President. Beginning his two-year term, John, of St Andrews, said: “As President of Fife Chamber I look forward to working towards ‘Making Fife the Easiest Place to do Business’ which will be the platform required to grow the Fife economy in these challenging times. “Business needs to be at the top of everyone’s priority list to make Fife a good place for business and Fife Chamber will continue working closely with Fife Council, our politicians and other interested parties to help make this happen.” The Fife Group operates in warehousing services, commercial property rental, self storage, removal services and training services. It operates over a million sq ft of property, working mainly in Fife, as well as in Alloa and at Eurocentral on the M8.
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For more information visit http:// www.fifechamber.co.uk/fife-businessawards-2012.
Chamber urges businesses to take advantage of mentoring scheme The Business Mentoring Scotland Programme has been operational through the Chambers of Commerce network since 2003 and has supported more than 6000 businesses. Business Mentoring Scotland is a partnership between Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Chambers of Commerce and is supported by the European Regional Development Fund. There are 850 mentors available. For more information, contact Sharon Hopkinson on 01592 647740 or sharonhopkinson@fifechamber.co.uk.
Fife Chamber Annual Dinner Chairman of the Balhousie Care Group, and Falklands veteran, Tony Banks and Colonel A K Miller CBE, Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces and Cadet Association and the lead Chief Executive for Employer Relationships for the Reserve Forces in the UK were the keynote speakers at the Fife Chamber Annual Dinner. They were joined by Fife’s Provost Jim Leishman and lawyer and referee Willie Young speaking at the event, where the Scottish Music Youth Theatre also performed. The September 14 event was held at The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews and was attended by around 200 people.
Selling the flavour of Fife Englishman Dan Connolly has set a mission to convince his fellow countrymen of the value of a good quality oatcake.
Dan set up Your Piece Baking Company four years ago and since then the company has grown 50% year on year. It uses oats exclusively from a farm just outside St Andrews and all products are handmade by a Fife bakery. And while the business has achieved success around the world in the likes of Canada, Japan and Continental Europe, as well as at home, Dan’s aim is to give the English market a taste for real oatcakes. He said: “When I moved to Fife eight years ago for work, I was really impressed with how Scotland promotes its quality food. I spotted a gap in the market for genuinely handmade oatcakes – it seemed many had accepted a bland, machine made version and didn’t realise how delicious real oatcakes can be. We’ve won round many markets but from an export point of view my aim is to convince the English of this fine Scottish product.”
Baxters. Its shortbread is particularly popular in overseas markets and its Beggars Mantle muesli was named best breakfast cereal by the Independent. It recently launched the Fife Fruit Merchants range which includes fresh juices. Dan hopes to continue growing the business at its current rate and believes more and more consumers see the value of good food. He added: “Our products are very labour intensive and have quality ingredients; therefore they are more expensive than supermarket alternatives. Through the rise of farm shops though, consumers are becoming more discerning and we want to keep building our brand with them as a quality brand of choice.”
As well as oatcakes, Your Piece Baking Company also sells quality shortbread and muesli. Its products are sold in farm shops throughout the country, as well as at National Trust of Scotland, Harvey Nichols and
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Are you looking for business property in Fife? Fife Council provides a variety of business space throughout Fife and we currently have the following business properties for lease;
Base rental £15/sq.ft
Base rental £15/sq.ft
Add
Stepped Rental within year 1 - 1st 6 months - £9/sq.ft
Stepped Rental2nd within 1 - 1st• 6 monthsyear - £12/sq.ft
Additional costs relating to the offices as follows:
Year 2 onwards
• Non Domestic Rates (Rateable value for each office is still to be provided, however, if the rateable value is below £10,000 there will be100% rates relief through the small business bonus scheme.
METHIL
Base rental £15/sq.ft Stepped Rental within year 1 - 1st 6 months - £9/sq.ft £15/sq.ft 2nd 6 months - £12/sq.ft
Year 2 onwards The above rental figures are inclusive£15/sq.ft of the following:
• Surface Water Drainage charge between £100 - £400 per annum depending on the size of office. N.B. this is a charge made directly by Business Stream (Scottish Water) for all surface water drainage run off from the building/car park.
• Building Insurance (not contents)
• Telecoms; BT/Virgin lines are installed to the building which will allow a direct connection to each office. Each tenant will require to establish a telecom package with their preferred supplier directly.
• Grounds Maintenance• Grounds Maintenance
Additio
2nd •
The above rental figures are inclusive of the following:
Year 2 onwards• £15/sq.ft Fire / Intruder alarm maintenance • Car parking
• Building Insurance (not contents)
• Building Maintenance • Building Maintenance
• Car parking
• Fire / Intruder alarm maintenance
Heating, Lighting & Power • Heating,• Lighting & Power
• Refuse / Recycling Collection
• Water Rates (excluding surface
• Building Insurance (not contents)
• Refuse / Recycling Collection
•
Rent
DUNFERMLINE Dunfermline Business Centre
560
52
Unit 5
593
55
Unit 13
811
75
Unit 16
216
20
Unit 22
204
19
Unit 23
1,001
93
Suite 1
2,790
259
£20,750
Enterprise Centre
KIRKCALDY Business Incubator
Unit No
£9,184 Fife Food & Unit 9 For £9,725 general enquiries, contact: Business Centre Barbara Whiting Food & Unit 11 £9,045 LeadFife Renewables Officer, Business Centre Fife£2,408 Council Unit 29 Tel: 08451 55 55 Fife 55 Food & ext £2,275 492184 (directBusiness line) Centre Email: barbara.whiting@fife.gov.uk £11,165 KIRKCALDY
INVERKEITHING Forth House
INDUSTRIAL
Sqft
For tenancy/building enquiries, contact: Derek Bayne Property Management Lead Officer, Fife Council Tel: 08451 55 55 55 ext 492183 (direct line) Email: derek.bayne@fife.gov.uk
Sqm
Rent
GLENROTHES Unit 1
• •
For general enquiries, contact: Barbara Whiting Renewables Lead Officer, Fife Council Tel: 08451 55 55 55 ext 492184 (direct line) Email: barbara.whiting@fife.gov.uk
Sqm
•
• Grounds Maintenance
Other properties available from Fife Council are as follows; Sqft
• Con
•
A development by
Unit No
• • Telec Tele a dir telec
• Building Maintenance
• Building Cleaning (excluding offices)
OFFICE
• Surf on th t (Sco
The above rental figures are inclusive of the
• Water Rates surface • Refuse / Recycling Collection water(excluding drainage) • Building Cleaning (excluding offices) water drainage) • Building Cleaning (excluding offices)
• Contents Insurance (building insurance is included within the rental figure.)
Fife Renewables Innovation Centre Ajax Way Methil Docks Business Park Methil, Fife KY8 3RS
• Non how thro
Various Office Space Available between 169-342sqft. This Business Space is for start up businesses only. Please contact the Property Team on 0845 600 1359 for information.
Merchant Place
4,148 385 £10,500 For tenancy/building enquiries, contact: Derek Bayne 1,038 96 £4,750 Property Management Lead Officer, Fife Council 4,106 38155 55 ext £17,500 Tel: 08451 55 492183 (direct line) Email: derek.bayne@fife.gov.uk
Unit 9
500
47
£3,750
Unit 12
500
47
£3,750
Unit 13
500
47
£3,750
Unit 15
500
47
£3,750
Unit 19
1,000
93
£8,000
AF4 Units 1/2
4,000
372
£16,000
If you are looking for business premises contact the Economic Development Team on 0845 600 1359 or E-mail Business.Property@fife.gov.uk
news in brief
Oceaneering invest £15m at Rosyth Industrial giant Oceaneering is making an £15m investment at its Rosyth base to build larger storage facilities to hold cables for offshore wind farms or wave and tidal power devices. The move will help the company push into the offshore renewable energy market.
Tailor made travel service launched Cupar businessman Marshall Cooper has launched Marshall’s Signature Travel to allow clients to travel at their own pace and visit places they may miss on a package tour with the benefit of a local and knowledgeable chauffeur.
From Fife to Florida - Regenersis grows its business Stateside
Old Course Hotel restaurant relaunched
Glenrothes-based technology repair and recycle company Regenersis is moving into the American market with an industryleading innovation which has already been adopted in the UK by Virgin Media.
The Road Hole Restaurant at the Old Course Hotel has been relaunched and now has a new menu to showcase seasonal Scottish produce to a wider audience.
Craft shop celebrates anniversary Very Crafty in Lower Largo is celebrating 25 years in business. In its quarter century, three generations of the same family have run the shop and its customer base has grown to the whole of Scotland and beyond.
This technical development is a world first and made possible with the integration of expensive and complex broadcasting equipment into an affordable and portable system, capable of testing set top boxes, modems and broadband signal.
Historic mansion to become wedding and corporate venue
News of this world-first reached the USA and a number of the American telecom giants are in discussion with Regenersis about deployment programs for both In-Home Test systems and high volume Depot Test Systems to support the huge set top box and modem markets in the country.
After a massive refurbishment, Carphin House at Luthrie is to become a venue for weddings, parties and corporate events. The house, once owned by the Carnegie family, has been below Norman’s Law since the 1700s.
For more news in brief see P21
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The brainchild of Managing Director Cameron Radford, the portable system for testing set top boxes in the home travels with service engineers to provide detailed analysis of the equipment. Known as ‘In-Home Testing’, there are significant benefits for the consumer and network providers, potentially stopping up to 60% of boxes being returned unnecessarily.
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The Regenersis 200,000 sq ft facility on the outskirts of Glenrothes employs almost 500 people – up by around 200 in three years. World General Manager Gordon Hutcheson said:
“We are very excited about branching out into America and bringing this innovative product across the Atlantic. This portable testing device, which can also be linked with several set top boxes so that many devices can be tested at once at a regional testing centre, is a great step forward and will help our clients streamline their business and reduce costs.” The company is keen to recruit RF design engineers who can bring their electronics skills to enable us to continue inventing new innovative products. Regenersis works with networks such as Orange, O2, and Virgin Media; retailers like John Lewis and Argos, as well as directly for suppliers such as Samsung. Regenersis repairs and recycles products such as satellite navigation systems, TVs, laptops, mobile phones and MP3 players. Sustainability is important to the company and it recycles 96% of all that comes into the facility. Gordon said: “There is so much that can be done these days in terms of recycling and as people buy more and more technology – it’s important we either put them back into productive use, or recycle them responsibly ensuring that nothing goes to landfill.”
Business Gateway supporting exporting ambitions
Dear HR Agony Aunts, I have a small manufacturing business and one of my employees has just discovered she is pregnant. I have heard that I’m supposed to carry out a special risk assessment now. Is that true? What do I need to do? Yours, Frazzled
Megalith Music make ‘mega’ waves Stateside Fife composers Craig Sutherland and Andrew McDonald of Megalith Music have landed deals scoring music for the Coalition for Equal Marriage’s recent campaign ‘Home Coming’, which has had nearly 750,000 views on YouTube.
Dear Frazzled, Pregnancy does not mean that major changes have to be made straight away but you do need to ensure that there aren’t any working conditions which could be a risk to her health or that of her baby. Review your current risk assessment to see if there are risks that have already been identified for someone working in that workplace who is pregnant. If there are any risks, you do need to look at how to minimise these. These should be reviewed over time with the woman as her pregnancy progresses. There is lots of information on the internet. Two good sources of information www.hse.gov.uk and www.healthyworkinglives.com. Yours, Agony Aunts Free half hour consultations are available with one of the HR Agony Aunts through Business Gateway. For more information, contact 01592 858333.
The pair, who both previously worked as plumbers and became friends at Dunfermline High School, have worked with clients across the world including a major German sporting brand, clothes label Boxfresh and care home provider McCarthy & Stone. The duo has secured an American agent in Los Angeles who has signed a deal that will see their music feature in a new Warner Bros series.
AE Struthers dancing their way over the Atlantic Glenrothes-based AE Struthers Ltd supplies kilt hosiery and Thistle ghillie brogues to gift shops, pipe bands and the military throughout the UK. It recently started manufacturing its own Scottish country dancing shoes and also diversified into the Irish dance shoes market. The company, supported by Business Gateway, is currently undertaking extensive market research with a plan to launch to an international market at an Irish trade show in the spring and in the USA by the summer. AE Struthers currently employs five people.
Connect Ecosystems clean up globally Kitchen equipment cleaner Connect Ecosystems is set to increase its turnover by 40% this year after securing distribution deals in Spain, Portugal, Ireland and France. It is also planning to move into Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The Dunfermline based business set up by David Williamson and Margaret Doig in 2004 sells the Xcarbonator machine and chemicals which safely and efficiently removes burnt-on fatty carbon from hard-toclean kitchen equipment and utensils found in commercial kitchens.
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Door Automation (Scotland) Ltd Unit 10, Midfield Drive Dunnikier Business Park Kirkcaldy KY1 3LW Free phone: 0800 11 20 280 24 hour: 0750 3000 500 info@dascotland.com www.dascotland.com
AU T O M ATIC DOOR S • A L UMI NI U M SH O P FR O NT S • AL U MI NI U M DO O R S
TO EXC UR IT IS ING M W NE EB W SI TE
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news in brief
Boost for Optos’ imagery A clinical study carried out by the Joslin Beetham Eye Institute compared Optos’ ultra-widefield imaging to the benchmark Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol photography and found Optos’ imagery was more effective in determining the clinical severity of diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can cause blindness.
Hardies opens Dunfermline office
A clean slate for Dunfermline’s Braisby Roofing
Surveying firm Hardies Property & Construction Consultants has opened a new office at the Signature Building at Pitreavie Court in Dunfermline. The new office merges its two former offices in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy and 15 staff will work from the premises.
Now in its third generation of family management,
Grant for Raytheon
Braisby Roofing is entering a new chapter in its almost 50-year history.
Glenrothes-based electronics manufacturer Raytheon has received a grant from a fund set up by the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board and Scottish Enterprise to further develop its silicon carbide chips for use in its green energy applications at its factory.
The company, which employs between 60 and 75 people, has launched a new business called the Slate Shack selling personalised slate items for the home. Director William O Braisby said: “We came up with the idea for selling luxury slate products for the home as we saw there was a gap in the market. Through working with slate everyday it made sense to us as we could run it from our current premises and the office staff could work on it to see how popular it would be. In the first week of launching the website, we had received orders without any real promotion so we are quite excited about how this will take off.”
Forth Road Bridge to host conference Forth Road Bridge is to host a visit by the eighth International Cable Supported Bridge Operators Conference in June 2013.
Kirkland High School wins energy challenge
2010, with 40 contracts with Fife Council amongst others. Having previously relied on private sector work which was decreasing, Braisby now employs between 15 and 20 people doing solely public sector work. It is also expanding its operations in the North-east of Scotland. William said:
Kirkland High School was selected as the winner at the Go4SET Celebration and Awareness Day in Fife for their work on the use of biomass as a source of renewable energy. The team was mentored by Mark Allen of Quaker Oats. For more news in brief see P24
Pitched roofing remains at the core of the business. Through Public Contracts Scotland, Braisby Roofing has achieved £2m of business since it signed up to the alert service in January
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“The private housing market is still very strong in Aberdeen and we are getting busier and busier in that corner of the country. It is exciting for us to be expanding into this new geographical area where we now have over 15 active developments. “In Fife, we are achieving significant public sector contracts and the Public Contracts Scotland alerts have been an invaluable tool for us to ride out the wider downturn in the private sector.” Braisby Roofing will turn over between £4m and £4.5m this year and last year the company posted its strongest results in many years and credits its upturn in fortunes in part to Public Contracts Scotland.
21
Town centre summits held in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline
F
ife Council’s new administration met with local businesses in two of Fife’s largest town centres last week to discuss the revitalisation of their high streets. Over 90 people attended an event in Kirkcady, with 120 meeting with councillors in Dunfermline. Councillor Alex Rowley, Fife Council Leader, said: “It’s vital that we listen to what our businesses and communities are saying about our town centres. Advances like out of town and on line shopping are now with us and we need to work around and with these developments to maintain healthy and thriving town centres.”
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New Chief Executive of Dunfermline Delivers pledges to ‘bring Dunfermline together’ Dunfermline Delivers’ new Chief Executive Maggie Mitchell is determined that locals and visitors alike rediscover what the town has to offer and bring Dunfermline together. Having joined the organisation in May, marketing expert Maggie Mitchell has spent her first few weeks meeting with Dunfermline organisations and businesses to find out exactly what there is to deliver. She said: “There is so much that Dunfermline has to offer for locals, those living elsewhere in Scotland, as well as tourists. However, people who come here tend to come for one thing – whether that be
shopping, the theatre or the historical sites – and leave again. We want people to enjoy a full day out in Dunfermline so that if they’re shopping, they know the park is nearby to play with the kids for a while, or if they’re seeing the historic sites they know there are some great restaurants nearby. “A lot of people may have simply got out of the habit of coming to Dunfermline. We want people to rediscover what the city has to offer. “There are a lot of organisations and businesses in Dunfermline and by joining forces we really can deliver for the area. As someone said to me, Dunfermline, at the moment, isn’t the sum of its great parts – we are determined to make that so.” Dunfermline Delivers is the name of Dunfermline’s Business Improvement District and was established in 2009.
news in brief
Equilbrium opens new office Dunfermline-based Equilibrium Travel Management has opened a new office in Lintmill, Banffshire to cater for the North-east’s energy businesses.
Optos sees sales soar Retinal imaging company Optos has reported its profit has increased by over 75% to £4.3m and revenue has increased by almost 50% to £54m in the first half of its financial year.
Carbon Trust programme graduation
Heat technologies event A Heat Technologies Event, hosted by Green Business Fife, was held at the Fife Renewables Innovation Centre in Methil. Danfoss, Angus Biofuels, Paul Heat Recovery System Ltd, and Glendevon Energy outlined various heat technologies and the benefits these offer to businesses.
Sandy Fairley, Sales Director of Flexenergy Ltd, said: “The event was very informative. I have taken away a better understanding of the different types of technologies that would best suit a particular business.”
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Visit to wind turbine manufacturing facility Green Business Fife organised for Fife businesses to attend a ‘Best Practice’ visit to Gaia-Wind’s wind turbine manufacturing facility in Glasgow. The visit included an overview of small and medium turbines and an insight into planning applications and information on the Feed-in Tariff. Attendee Andy Hamilton of A&M Microgeneration Ltd said: “This visit has shown us a course of action that could speed up the planning process and shorten concept to installation times.”
Dunfermline-based Gray and Adams Ltd has graduated from the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Management Programme underlining their commitment to becoming more energy efficient. The transport company joined 40 other organisations recognised by Scottish Government Minister John Swinney.
Baby group top of class The Baby Sensory Class, started by Dunfermline mum Claire Wilson, was voted the best class for pre-school children in East Scotland on online forum Netmums.
MDDC rated top property shop Murray Donald Drummond Cook, which has property shops in St Andrews, Cupar and Anstruther, was awarded first place in a mystery shopping exercise by ESPC. Property Partner Douglas Kinnear said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been rated first class across all three of our Fife offices.”
A Day in the Life of Mark Allen, Quaker Oats Site Leader
W
e’ve been making Quaker Oats at Cupar for over 60 years. The porridge market has seen phenomenal growth and hot cereals are now being eaten all-year round and not just in winter. Overseas demand for our oats is increasing and our Quaker tin, a key area for future growth, is growing at over 20% a year. We make over 70,000 tonnes a year and export over 50% of that. Each day is different but in general I get in around 7am and start the day with a sensory session with the teams tasting samples from all the current production. I usually follow this up with a walk around the plants, as the site has grown over the last few years this walk is getting longer and longer. We now have over 12 finished goods lines and over 250 people onsite. This year alone we are investing over £15m on expanding the mill and our high speed packaging lines. The 24 hours performance review takes place mid morning where we focus on safety, quality and customer service and then I meet the master miller on shift. They all have many years of experience working and milling oats and are excellent barometers informing me on the current oat quality. We receive oats from all over the UK, with over 35% from Scotland.
There is a constant stream of visitors to the site either external, such as Prime Minister David Cameron in February, or employees from the wider PepsiCo team as there are Quaker mills in the United States, Canada and Australia, so it is either lunch with them or off to our own fabulous canteen for some homemade soup and bread. The afternoon starts with a weekly round table where I meet with about eight of the frontline team reviewing what is working well onsite and where we need to adjust priorities. We are finalising plans for the next few years so the afternoons are usually spent refining details. These plans include a biomass boiler to ensure we meet our sustainability goals as well as increasing production volume. The day ends with a team meeting allowing us to share some of the recent successes. I have worked at the Quaker site in Cupar for two years. It’s been a really exciting time as the business has expanded and Quaker Porridge has become more and more popular and I look forward to more exciting developments in the years to come.
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Events Diary EVENT TITLE
26
VENUE
DATE & TIME
COST
CONTACT
Managing Staff – Employment Law
Kingdom House, Saltire Centre, Glenrothes
18 September 9.30-12.30
Free
To book www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333
Mastering Selling Skills
Dunfermline Business Centre, Izatt Avenue, Dunfermline
19 September 9.30 -12.30
Free
To book www.bgateway.com/events or call 01592 858333
Brand-Rex Ltd – Best Practice Visit
Brand-Rex Ltd, Glenrothes
20 September 9.30am – 1.00pm
Free
Brand-Rex has achieved Carbon Neutral Status in accordance with PAS2060 - a new carbon neutrality standard launched by the British Standards Institute (BSI) If you would like a tour of the site please contact Dot Smith at dorothy. smith@fife.gov.uk.
How to Take Control of Your IT Disaster Recovery Solution
Rothes Halls, Glenrothes
20 September 7.45am – 9.15am
Members £15 + VAT Non-members £30 + VAT
Registration and breakfast are from 7.45am with the presentation starting at 8.15am. Book online now at www.fifechamber.co.uk/events or contact Kelly Lister kellylister@ fifechamber.co.uk
Onsite Renewables Exhibition & Showcase (aimed at designers, builders, owners and managers of facilities, property owners, built estate and brownfield and greenfield sites)
Perth Concert Hall, Perth
23rd October 9.00am -5.00pm
free to attend workshops alongside the exhibition
As part of an ERDF funded project, we are able to offer a limited number of small to medium sized businesses the opportunity to exhibit at this national event free of charge. We are also able to offer additional support to businesses who are interested in installing a renewable technology. If you are interested, please contact dorothy.smith@fife.gov.uk
Quality Management workshop - help with Public procurement.
Kingdom House, Saltire Centre, Glenrothes
24 October 9.30 – 12.45
Free
For more information and to book a place please visit: http://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/ events/events-calendar/2012/ october/quality-managementworkshop-(fife)
How to Operate Your Business Using the Most Efficient Tax Entity
Rothes Halls, Glenrothes
25 October 7.45am – 9.15am
Members £15 + VAT
Why not take advantage of our new “Bring a Friend to Breakfast” offer where you can bring along a guest who is a non-member of Fife Chamber for free meaning you only pay for one place! Registration and breakfast is from 7.45am with the workshop commencing at 8.15am. Book online at www.fifechamber. co.uk/events or contact kellylister@ fifechamber.co.uk
Equality and Diversity Policy Workshop - help with Public Procurement
Kingdom House, Saltire Centre, Glenrothes
14 November 9.30 – 12.30
Free
For more information and to book a place please visit: http:// www.sdpscotland.co.uk/events/ events-calendar/2012/november/ equality-diversity-policy-workshop%28fife%29
Fife Business Week
Various locations in Fife
6th - 15th November
Free
For more information visit www.fifebusinessweek.co.uk
Make your transport budget go miles further Are you a business in Scotland and looking to lower your costs? If so, your local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre can help. Businesses across Scotland have already saved ÂŁ1,000s and accessed interest-free loans. Call us on 0800 51 2012 for free advice
Start a business. Grow a business. Make us part of your plans.
Ambitious young company or already well established? Business Gateway can provide you access to a range of professional services designed to help take your business forward. Not only that, because we have a team of industryexperienced advisers we can quickly and expertly identify which of our services will most benefit your core business objectives, tailoring our support to meet your needs. For further information call us on 01592 858333.
0845 609 6611 www.bgateway.com
Business Gateway services are delivered by Local Authorities, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government with the support of associated partner organisations. Maximum call charge from BT landline is 3p a minute.