Grimsbybusinesstelegraph19may15 by Grimsby Telegraph

TuesdAugust ay, June May21, 19, 2012 2015 Tuesday, 19, 2012 Tuesday,

www.g wwrimsbyteleg w.grimsbyteleraph.co.uk/business graph.co.uk/business www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/business www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/business

Firm’s focus onseeks Entrepreneur future adult finances toy investor see page 2

see page 4

Cooking up asafety treat: South Bank Young’s goes gastro records saluted see page 16

by Dave Laister

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Offices are final piece United in pride! of potato empire puzzle Two of the strongest names in business giants of the South Business WO Editor Bank’s burgeoning busidave.laister@gsmg.co.uk ness community have told of their absolute pride and delight has at been being early £3-million recognised their invested among into making regional peers,Lincolnshire having forged northern a careers and for central hubopportunity for the needs of thousands. some of the UK’s biggest Timsellers. Strawson, who pulled together potato

Will Mary approve Trainee accountant’s high street leases? global honour

RECOGNITION: Pictured at the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards, at The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe, are John Clugston, left, and Tim Strawson.

his Grimsby-area with athe Elsham Wold hasheritage just become manufacturing newScunthorpe-based headquarters for AKP Group, business, won big alongside supplier to supermarket giantJohn Clugston,and chairman Clugston Morrisons major of chip Group, as theMcCain. top accolades were manufacturer on a stunning night Apresented state-of-the-art office block, honouring success. temperature controlled potato Northern Lincolnshire Business storage facility and grading line, Awardswith 2015 lit up The Baths Hall together extensions to with a Wizard of Oz theme that all existing handling areas have just butcompleted, turned the with vital A180/M180 been the artery into a yellow brick as 13-year-old firm headed by road, Richard courage, knowledge and passion Arundel moving the whole came to the fore. administration back into the area fromDreams York. nominated-companies dared cametown true centre in a The sontoofdream Grimsby evening laid on by Hull and andmagical Freeman Street markets Humber Chamber of Commerce grocer David Arundel, who also and thetoGrimsby Scunthorpe used act as aand potato merchant to legrapfish hs. and chip shops, theTe area’s Mrforces Strawson, 24 years ago, joined withwho Suffolk having left aBruce grain trading in the businessman Kerr inrole 1999. Cityformer to set up Group, had The KPBradbury potato storage an amazing facility which last has five nowyears beentoasted, further increases has now been put employed, handling 120,000 tonnes and was awarded both Wilkin in place. of potatoes a year. Of that, 35,000 substantially developed, was Chapman Grange Business Person of “We have taken two years to get tonnes are self-grown, with a acquired in 2007, when a project the Year and the Forrester Boyd to this,” said Mr Arundel. “We got growing group in this region and began to grow skin finished Business Excellence Award. around another site in Suffolk, the grant funding for storage and potatoes on the Isle of Axholme. Clugston presented contributing the balance. “WeMrwanted to was show we couldwith grading operations in 2009, and the Grimsby and Scunthorpe built the storage throughout 2010, Recently 15 employees were produce the required quality Telegthat raphsupermarkets s’ Lifetime Achievement to be open for that harvest. We added, with three graduate locally were Awarin d. from Herefordshire, have had potatoes in from 2010 and trainees also part of the company, buying that. The down sideproject of course back of that the logistics security “It isor a very moment,he I am 2011, and the whole hasis I specialising instarted growing, Scotland evenproud importing,” getfinished into workwith and the feel offices like a spare grille business, which isincluding what we flabbergasted, reallyusproud,” Mr been just and technical elements, said. “Morrisonsand backed with it par t! have today.” agronomy . The remaining andStrawson we wentsaid. to Yorkshire Forward now. “I have gotisa to great team of people, investment It very nearly burstaalong “It has been a very long journey, has seen fleet with of sixthe “Our desire have more (the scrapped regional many potato of themproducers have been local with me dot com rigs bubble, but it in didn’t, and as quite a difficult journey, which has quality brought to deliver to for Mercedes development agency) putting 15site. or 20 success recent recession was shaken off, nearly ahad as many failures potatoes to customers, with the this It years, wouldso cutthis down on is as thethe together plan. We then tiedas the much forcosts. them.” emerged as aMorrisons’ beacon of strength. successes, butand we wouldn’t primary route packing There is still a lot supply chain up got the have got transport where we now are without a great of potential, Born intoita will Grimsby-area near Harrogate. “We have gone from a £4 million help the farming operations funding.” group of people. family, he moved to the London turnover in 2010 to an £18 million environmental footprint and this Keen to cultivate a prosperous That equated to £700,000. With office of Louis part of the worldDreyfus, has thebefore ability to future turnover this year. It is creating “I have rapid an amazing team for Lincolnshire potato long Morrisons’ growth in behind the leaving 1988. someinof the best potatoes in term opportunities employment me.world, I guessthe I learned about farmers, the 32,000sqand ft storage retail business hasten been grow is what are in Scunthorpe. 210 years ago to employ better the country, “I startedthat a brass bed we business facility and 4,000We sq employ ft two storey propelled quickly, and people working majoring on.”go very well, but on the office than me, and I gotLquite good at people here, another 20 in Scotland, that didn’t development – which drew with Eastoft-based Harrison & inspiration from Genesis Office A total of 44 people are now Co, the infrastructure to allow for

that is quite TRANSFORMATION a lot of people. Last year we created 60 new jobs.” COMPLETE: Richard The precision manufacturing Arundel, managingis director potato predominantly aroundofsteel security processor AKP.clients. doors, with major blue chip Picture: Jon Corken “The construction industry is a big part of out customer base, yet our growth for a long time came over a period when the construction industry has been dormant,” he said. “We are keen, we are aggressive and we have a ‘can do’ attitude. That is what separates us from the competition. “We have been through quite a few ups and downs, probably as a company we have had three of our personal recessions, but now we are in a really good growth period, and hopefully that will continue. We are getting wiser, not making quite as many mistakes.” A skills academy within the Queensway Industrial Estate business has been created, while Mr Strawson also sits at the helm of YES!, an engineering-focused charity to help those with employability challenges. Launched in Scunthorpe, it is looking to expand to Immingham, feeding an area that will increasingly rely on the hands-on skill set as the Energy estuary reality dawns. Following a standing ovation, Mr Park on Grimsby’s flagship Clugston,development, the second generation Europarc will be at the helmopened of Clugston Group,by a officially this week beacon in the construction, Agriculture and Horticulture transport andBoard property industries, Development chairman said:Godfrey “It is a great John CBE,honour. himselfI didn’t a expect it, but it is wonderful, North Lincolnshire farmer. with my son there as well, the fourth Mr Arundel added: “We’re generation of my family here in looking forward Scunthor pe.” to opening the new cold store and grading facility His grandfather left Cumbria – the uncharacteristic weather behind in 1895, settling in conditions have brought usthe a steel town, working in timber building challenging year, but theand opening supplies. event is just rewards for everyone’s “The business has changed over hard work. the years,” he said.will “Wenot really grew “The new facility only up onus operating and enable to meetslag the plants, demand of putting down the aerodromes and our biggest customers, but we’ve motorways, and we did a bitthe of also successfully improved construction as well. of our quality and freshness “Over by thereducing years it has changed, it potatoes ● handling Continued and on page 15 transportation, using the latest cold store technologies.”

SPEAKERS: Sir Roger Carr, left, and Gavin Esler.

Top table is set for CBI dinner

Sir Roger Carr, president of the CBI and Gavin Esler, best known for his role as a presenter on BBC Newsnight, have been confirmed as the guest speakers at one of the region’s leading business gatherings later this year. The CBI Yorkshire and Humber Annual Dinner takes place at Leeds University on October 10. It will be one of the first events with John Fitzgerald, port director for Grimsby and Immingham, as chairman of the region. Mr Esler is an award-winning television and radio broadcaster, novelist and journalist. His latest book, due to hit the shelves next month, focuses on lessons that can be gleaned from leaders in how they tell stories, and will be the subject of his speech to the area’s business bosses, and their guests. For more information about the dinner, which is frequently well represented by the South Bank and features a drinks reception within Parkinson Court, home to the famous Marks & Spencer archive and art gallery, e-mail katya.menhennet@cbi.org.uk or visit http://yorkshire-annual-dinner.eventbrite.com

£20m milestone passed

A FURTHER £4-million of investment across the region this last quarter has seen the total funds issued by Finance Yorkshire climb to £23-million. The money, available to firms in northern Lincolnshire in seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments – ranging from £15,000 to £2-million – is there to help small and medium sized businesses meet their growth and development requirements. The figure amounts to 224 investments in 183 small and medium sized enterprises since August 2010, leading to more than 4,600 jobs created and safeguarded in the region. In the last quarter alone, the venture capital and loan fund completed 30 investments totalling more than £4.3 million. Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said: “We are looking forward to building on these figures and helping more companies achieve growth in the coming months. “We urge established and early stage companies to continue to speak to us to see if Finance Yorkshire can help turn their ambitions into a reality.” Supported by the European Union, it has attracted £30-million investment from the European Regional Development Fund, £15-million from Yorkshire Forward’s Single Programme, and £45-million match funding from the European Investment Bank. For information visit www.finance-yorkshire.com

CONTENTS:Energy P6 Food Energy P8 12-13 Chemicals 14 Ports 20-21 Business 22 Tr ainBusiness ing 23 CSolutions areers 24 15 Commercial 26 Commercial Commercial Vehicles Property 18 32 Laister’s Word CONTENTS: P68-9 Chemicals Ports and Logistics 10 Business Support Support 12 Careers 14 Food 16 Vehicles Training 17 Diary 20Last Commercial Property 21

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contacts Editorial David Laister Direct line: 01472 372249 01724 273132 email: dave.laister@gsmg.co.uk General Advertising Angie Atkinson Direct line: 01472 372281 01724 273187 email: angie.atkinson@gsmg.co.uk Property Advertising Sharon Cameron Direct line: 01472 372252 email: sharon.cameron@gsmg.co.uk Motors Advertising Andy Bannister Tel: 01472 360360 ext 2163 email: andrew.bannister@gsmg.co.uk Classified Advertising Direct line: 01472 372014 Twitter: HumberBizEd LinkedIn: BusinessTelegraph

GENERATION GAME: Martin Haworth, managing director at Birch Energy, with the new electric-powered vehicle, in front of the anaerobic digestion plant at Melton Ross. Left, the official opening of the Singleton Birch site last summer.

Appetite whet for further anaerobic digestion plants Q

UARRYING giant Singleton Birch is pushing forward with the green energy agenda as it eyes up the creation of a portfolio of anaerobic digestion plants in the region.

operation, just over a year since it was commissioned. Two more anaerobic digesters are now being brought forward at third party locations to take capacity to 3MW, in what represents a £13 million investment in electricity generation by a The company has set up its own company rapidly closing in on its subsidiary, Birch Energy, headed up 200th anniversary. by technical director Martin In January, construction started Haworth, and it follows the success on a 0.5MW plant at North Wold of the now-quadrupled facility at Farm, Worlaby, with the sprawling Melton Ross commissioning anticipated in late

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IRONING OUT ISSUES: Richard Stansfield, managing director at Singleton Birch, who is lobbying to improve grid access as the Birch Energy portfolio grows.

July, with a further operation at Willoughton, near Gainsborough, also about to break ground, in what is a joint venture with Limestone Far ming. Both are based on pig farms, with slurry a key feedstock. Mr Haworth, who is managing director of the new business, created in February, said: “We are hoping we can develop further plants. We are working on a couple of projects which we hope will be in a position to develop next year. Our short to medium term objective is to develop between five and ten plants. “We see ourselves as a regional company, looking to build up a cluster, and we are looking at good quality sites that have strong feed stocks.” Three direct jobs have been created, with more to follow as plants become operational. Sites on the North Bank are being considered. “We are creating employment, and we are helping the businesses where the facilities are based become more secure and sustainable,” said Mr Haworth. At Worlaby, the slurry will be piped underground into the anaerobic digester from the pig farm, with a pig feed mill to benefit from the generated electricity, as well as the market. It comes as Melton Ross’ expansion completes in the next two or three months, having gone from 0.5MW to 2MW. Richard Stansfield, managing director of Singleton Birch, said: “This is all about diversification. This has all stemmed from being a very big energy user, the sourcing alternative we have found and the

type of plant and quality we have been able to use.” He is now looking forward to the political situation settling down so an identified development barrier can be addressed on the South Bank. “One of the big issues is, despite being the ‘Energy Estuary’ there is a real constraint on the National Grid for export capacity,” Mr Stansfield said. “It is one of the barriers we are facing with new plants, finding the capacity to export.” He praised Humber Local Enterprise Partnership for help, with chairman Lord Haskins, who opened the Melton Ross plant back in July last year, hosting meetings with Northern Powergrid. “It is a lot to do with the regulatory framework. The export capacity is oversubscribed, and it is a bit of a postcode lottery as to whether you can get a connection.” One thing connecting the three plants physically being brought forward is an electric vehicle, used to allow operators to travel between the sites. This summer the business will celebrate 200 years of Singleton Birch, having been established in 1815. It came to northern Lincolnshire in 1851 with the railway, though in later years owner Katherine Martin preferred to travel to meetings at site in the family automobiles of Aston Martin, the prestigious company founded from the income of such business operations. Cars will be on display at an open day event being planned for Saturday, July 18, with more details to follow.

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Town expertise tackles Pakistan energy crisis G

RIMSBY-based engineering design company, Technica, has completed the multi-disciplined detailed design and commissioning works of a new fuel import terminal in Pakistan.

The major infrastructure project will go some way to easing an urgent energy crisis in the country, which is hampering daily life and the nation’s economy. Working on behalf of American floating liquified natural gas solutions provider, Excelerate Energy, the South Humberside Industrial Estate specialist completed onshore and offshore construction in February, and a team has since assisted local contractors with the testing and ramping up of the facility. The project, in Port Qasim, will increase gas availability in the country by up to 15 per cent. John Davison, managing director at Technica, said: “We were contracted in May 2014 by Excelerate Energy to deliver a multi-discipline detailed design and procurement management for the LNG terminal. Our team of design engineers completed the original contract on time and were asked to assist site construction personnel with the testing and commissioning of the facility.” Pakistan’s gas deficit is projected to double by the end of the year, to almost 2,000 billion standard cubic feet per day. The Port Qasim project has a maximum discharge capacity of 690 million standard cubic feet a day, enabling it to contribute greatly toward easing Pakistan’s ongoing energy crisis. Natural gas accounts for almost half of Pakistan’s energy mix. To bridge the gas gap, Pakistan is working on trans-national pipelines, encouraging additional local production, and promoting LNG import.

PLATFORM FOR GROWTH: Grimsby firm Technica has completed works at Port Qasim, Pakistan. From left, Kenny McGeachie, senior vice president at Excelerate Energy, Bobby Olsen, marine engineer for Excelerate Energy and Dave Bennett, project engineer, at Technica. Inset, John Davison.

Month in Review

Subsea pipeline project cranks up in the estuary OIL: A huge engineering project is well underway, at the entrance to the Humber Estuary. As two offshore wind farms visible over Spurn are completed, Humber Refinery owner Phillips 66 is embarking on major works to replace the 4.5km subsea pipeline that brings crude oil to shore at Tetney. The project began in March, but the past few weeks have seen vessels descend on the sunken route between the ten tank farms on land and the monobuoy located at the entrance to the Humber Estuary, where 100 tankers a year unload the ‘black gold’ for refining at South Killingholme. All works to replace the line are being conducted from the estuary, and involves dredgers, a dive platform and other ancillary tugs, as well as work and accommodation barges. It is tied to a 60-day turnaround operation at Humber Refinery, and is scheduled to last until late June, with all vessels to have left by the end of July.

Print capacity boost

The country’s gas market is highly developed and there is an urgent need to import. Mr Davison, who founded the 12-year-old firm, added: “The LNG import terminal in Port Qasim provides fast-track gas supplies for the country to ensure continued economic growth. Switching from expensive fuel oils to cheaper, environmentally friendly LNG will reduce carbon emissions, decrease road congestion, increase electricity availability for consumers and provide the Pakistan economy considerable fuel savings each year.” The companies have

previously worked together on similar projects, including import facilities in Argentina and Puerto Rico. Of the contract, Edward Scott, chief operating officer for Excelerate Energy, said: “Partnering with Technica was a strategic decision on our part to ensure the success of this very important project. Having partnered with Technica on previous projects, we know the level of competence and professionalism their team will deliver to this integral component of the project.”

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PACKAGING: Production capacity is being ramped up at a key supporter of the UK food industry, with a £4 million investment, Ultimate Packaging, the huge printing operation on Grimsby’s Europarc, has purchased two new presses and is remodeling the food-standard factory, making it more flexible while increasing output. The business, which supplies the likes of Marks & Spencer, Young’s Seafood and Florette salad, employs 285 people, and the machines, due this summer, will replace older equipment, boosting output. Work around the capital investment will facilitate a streamlined manufacturing process, faster setup times and faster print speeds across the plant, increasing print capacity by 15 per cent.

Convenience conditions

PREVIOUS PROJECT: The facility in Escobar, Argentina, in operation.

PROPERTY: A change in conditions could help fill the vacant unit at the North Lincolnshire Shopping Park in Scunthorpe. Plans to allow an increase in the sales area for convenience goods at the unit have been given the go-ahead, switching from five per cent to 20 per cent. The Simons Group, which developed the retail park in Doncaster Road, submitted an application around the time of its opening in October.

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Door open for investors as adult play toy wows the high street buyers W

OULD-BE investors: prior to the web-boom and Which side are you estate agents opening longer hours on weekends. on?

Former soldier-turnedentrepreneur, Steve Buchanan, is looking for backing for an adult toy that has pulses racing in the industry. The Barnoldby-le-Beck businessman has launched Buckshe Pleasure Boutique, and is closing in on a deal with high street giant Ann Summers with his first product. Playdoor, his ‘peepshow toy’ for couples, is a zip-laden polyester and spandex panel that fits on a lightweight aluminium frame, and can be used inside virtually all UK and US internal door frames. He now needs backing to bring forward pre-production samples to take to the retailer, who he has wooed with prototypes and his pitch. The Gulf War veteran, who left the British Army as a Regimental Sergeant Major, has been amazed by the rapid growth of the adult toy market he accidently stumbled across, having sown the seeds of inventor success after 23 years of service to Queen and country. He said: “When I left, I came out with a whole host of ideas, but it is very hard to get something to market.” One invention was called Clubber’s Thumb, a bottle protection system that was fitted to the neck of a drink to help in the fight against date rape, as well as an interactive phone line to give recorded information about homes on the market, with prices and full descriptions held,

“Playdoor came along because I had previously bought a partner a toy, and subsequently got a catalogue in the post,” he said. “In the catalogue I saw a pair of giant pants for both partners to wear together on sale in there for £8.99. I couldn’t see it working, but if someone had brought it to market, paid to advertise it, I thought it must be selling. I had never had a thought about this market, but over six months I studied it, to make sure I found something

It is a hard place to get investment because many may see the adult toy industry as sordid. I see a business. Steve Buchanan that wasn’t there. I didn’t want to copy a product, I wanted to invent something myself.” Research puts annual figures of the UK adult toy market at £300 million, and $15 billion globally. He applied for the patent in 2007, and re-mortgaged a former property to get him to this point, investing a substantial amount, while working with Chinese factories to bring the production costs down further as he targets an £89.99 price tag.

“In a three year period if I haven’t sold 100,000 I will be very surprised, and that’s one tenth of the success Ann Summers had with the Rampant Rabbit in its first year and that was £38,” he said. “It is a hard place to get investment because many may see the adult toy industry as sordid. I see a business. Love Honey turns over £20 million. Ann Summers significantly more. Selling now, online, has never been better for the consumer or the retailer. You can buy online and have a product arrive at your front door without anyone knowing, plus men and women are now demanding better quality and more exciting products.” The trio of 50 Shades of Grey novels and the film adaptation have also heightened interest. “It is now a couples’ focused market,” Mr Buchanan said. “One industry slogan is ‘those who play together, stay together’. “Ann Summers’ breakthrough product may have been aimed at singles, but you don’t buy a blindfold or handcuffs to have fun with yourself. “I think we have come a long way with this patented product, we have been in front of the biggest retailer in the UK, and they like it and say it is unique. “I am now looking for an investor who wants to come along and have an exciting journey. Once we get brand awareness there are all sorts of possibilities.” These range from offering Playdoor to hotel groups, for their guests, to product upgrades and a book of other ideas in the pipeline. “I strongly believe we have a product that will sell,” he added. For more information e-mail steve@buckshe.com

INVESTMENT SOUGHT: Playdoor from Grimsby-area company Buckshe Pleasure Boutique, the brainchild of Steve Buchanan, below. Inset, the travel bag for weekends away.

No plans to enter Dragons’ Den, having hatched a similar show WITH a wow factor, it is the sort of product that could easily feature in Dragons’ Den, but Mr Buchanan won’t apply... He feels one of his first ideas may have been adapted into what became the hit BBC show for entrepreneurs. When he first left the forces back in early 2001, he wrote to all the television channels, as well as Richard Branson and Chris Evans, with a programme idea ‘7 Figures Ltd’. In it, entrepreneurs would pitch to a panel of celebratory businessmen and women. Dragons’ Den appeared in 2005, although it is based on the

Japanese programme ‘Money Tigers’, itself brought forward by Nippon Television ... in 2001. “I have learnt about keeping intellectual property closely guarded,” he added, with a bitter taste at the mention of the Bafta-nominated programme, and he clearly has a sense of his idea taken. It means Playdoor won’t follow in the footsteps of the likes of Shaun Pulfrey and his Tangle Teezer, Sharon Wright and her Magnamole, and John and Claire Brumby’s Scrubby’s Crisps. He hasn’t pursued his belief that he helped bring the format to

the small screen, but has kept a batch of replies from senior executives, including the editor of BBC Light Entertainment at the time, who said it was “not the type of game show that we are looking for at the moment”. Four years later it was in vogue. Mr Buchanan said: “I honestly did not know about the Japanese show, however, did my letters to the production companies start some creative thinking? I’ll never know,” he added. Dragons’ Den enters its 13th season soon, with three new dragons in place, alongside long-serving Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones.

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Denmark’s ambassador delights at Humber call B

USINESSES across the Humber have reinforced vital trade links with Denmark during a visit to the region by the Danish Ambassador to the UK. Ambassador Claus Grube praised the “dynamic business development” he witnessed during the visit and spoke positively about the prospects of building on the already strong links between the Humber and Denmark. The visit comes against a backdrop of huge investment in the offshore wind industry which is underlining the importance of trade between Danish businesses and those on the Humber, while opening up new business opportunities.

The rapid growth of renewables is acting as a powerful catalyst for a range of joint ventures and shared investments

Month in Review Morrisons plans put in for second Europarc site SEAFOOD: Plans have been formally submitted for an extension to the former Kerry Foods site in Grimsby which has been taken over by Morrisons. The original factory was completed in 2002, by Headland Foods, providing frozen ready meals for sale to their numerous retail clients. The business was taken over by Kerry, and then following a corporate restructure, the factory was mothballed in 2012 with the loss of some 337 jobs. Morrisons has now taken over the Europarc site, a move announced less than three years after it opened its first fish manufacturing site nearby. It will double the company’s fish processing capability, as previously reported. The planning application lays out proposals to carry out extensions to the factory to the south of the site to provide additional preparation areas, production areas, additional plant rooms and ancillary accommodation.

Gardening at The Range RETAIL: A planning application has been received by the council for a new garden centre at The Range in Grimsby. The application has been submitted on behalf of CDS (Superstores) International Ltd, trading as The Range, who opened a new store on the former Homebase site back in December last year. The planning application seeks permission to provide an enclosed garden centre extending to 870 square metres with access via the existing store.

Peter Aarosin The Ambassador’s visit included a tour of DFDS Seaways’ facilities at Port of Immingham; a reception hosted by the Bondholders marketing organisation at the offices of specialist engineering business Spencer Group; and a dinner at Winteringham Fields. The Bondholders events were arranged by Danish-born Peter Aarosin, who chairs the organisation and is also a director and shareholder in several companies that operate in ports and logistics within the Humber, including RMS Group, Danbrit Shipping and EastTrans, of Stallingborough. Mr Aarosin said: “It was an honour to host the Danish Ambassador, supported by embassy staff and the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce. “The UK is one of Denmark’s longest-established and largest trading partners. Ports, logistics, farming and fishing have been the traditional trading areas and now the rapid growth of renewables is acting as a powerful catalyst for a range of joint ventures and shared investments, both in Denmark and

WARM WINTERINGHAM WELCOME: Ambassador Claus Grube is greeted by Bondholders chairman Peter Aarosin, with colleagues Rasmus Leth-Traberg, Gunnar P Larsen, Damian Taylor, John Fitzgerald, Gareth Russell, Leahann Mollon, Mark Parkes, Martin Green, Sean Potter, Tue Lippert, Mike Lane, Deborah Zost, Peter Brown, David Mann, Paul McGrath, Mandy Masters, Simon Dwyer, Nick Cooper, Mark Robson and Kurt Christensen. on the Humber. “The importance of Denmark as a trading partner and market for Humber businesses was demonstrated by the attendance at the dinner of almost 20 companies with Danish connections or who are currently doing business in Denmark or planning to do so. Our evening with the Danish Ambassador has strengthened further these important and beneficial Danish-Humber links.” Ambassador Grube said Danish-owned companies such as Dong Energy and DFDS Seaways were key players in the Humber and leading the way in the region’s exciting resurgence. He added: “My visit to the Humber Estuary has given me a very good impression of the

dynamic business development which has taken place over the past decade. “I am very proud that important Danish companies are taking a very active part in this development, in particular in the areas of renewable energy production and sustainable shipping and transport.” Sean Potter, managing director of DFDS Seaways Plc, which has been a member of the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce for many years, said: “The Ambassador’s visit was an excellent opportunity to continue to build upon the very strong relationship that the Humber has with Denmark, of which DFDS plays a very important part. “We were able to update the

Ambassador on the exciting developments within the region. He can now take back those positive messages, which will be helpful in developing new trade links and growing existing business relationships.” The dinner was also attended by Martin Green, chief executive of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, which has forged an alliance with Aarhus in Denmark, the European Capital of Culture 2017. Ambassador Grube added: “We also welcome close co-operation between Hull and Aarhus in celebrating their respective cultural city years in 2017, which I am sure will strengthen the ties between Denmark and this important part of England.”

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Export event prompts thoughts of new custom A RECENT Bondholders breakfast audience at Grimsby Minster heard inspiring stories about export success and, from UK Trade & Investment’s David Lilley, that it was the way to generate increased productivity and profitability. Giving the latest facts and figures on UK exports in a scene-setting talk, Mr Lilley said finding customers abroad was relatively easy, but there were many perceived

barriers that prevented companies from taking the first steps. “Clearly, people think that there are various difficulties but, actually, exporting is not difficult, it is just different. “Yes, there may be issues to overcome, and that’s where we can help, but the benefits of exporting certainly make it worth it. “Companies that export do better, it is as simple as that, as they need to be

sharper and more competitive. “‘Ask yourself – does it make sense for your business? “Do you have the skills and capacity? If you answer ‘yes’, then it is time to link into the help available in Yorkshire and Humber through UKTI and other organisations to get started.” Mr Lilley said that the UK’s export effort needed to intensify to meet the

outgoing government’s targets of 100,000 more exporters by 2020 and total income generation of £1 trillion worth of trade. “While the progress to date is not as good as it could be, the fact is that companies that export do better in terms of increased profitability and productivity,” he said. “As for the economic outlook, we know there are problems in the Eurozone, but many world

markets have similar GDP figures to the UK and so are very attractive. “Government is very keen to put more resource into first-time exporters and for individual companies it is a matter of identifying the right routes to market.” Grimsby flooring specialist Achtis Group and the town’s jar and bottle wholesaler Pattesons Glass were joined by Hull-based AAK.

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Food

Film star firm is finding success across the sectors A

RESURGENCE in the construction industry is being felt by suppliers working across a variety of sectors.

A prime example is Lynx Polythene Ltd, the Grimsby-based manufacturer of film-based products, which is now benefiting from a huge investment in additional equipment at the end of last year. The impact of the successful installation of two new extruders is being felt as volumes are more than doubled on the South Humberside Industrial Estate base. Andy Male, managing director, said: “Two new extruders have been commissioned and are fully running and we are seeing the benefit of them. The investment is paying off. They are now producing ten tonnes a day, up from about four tonnes, which is a considerable increase. “We have also put in our own recycling plant to make sure our own scrap materials are utilised and turned around on site.” It represents a £200,000 investment at the former KP site over the past year, which has come at the right time as a sector it works in alongside food, retail services and the pharmaceutical industry improves. Recent orders include packaging materials for mattress covers, large waste bags for use by contractors working on third party sites to

The construction industry is getting back on its feet and we are seeing the benefit of that Andy Male underline responsible waste practices, as well as the construction-specific works. “We are producing big heavy duty sacks, rubble sacks and refuse bags. The construction industry is getting back on its feet and we are seeing the benefit of that,” said Mr Male. “We are also picking up a lot of orders for sheeting to cover timber, micro-perforated so that the timber underneath can breathe, but doesn’t let rainwater through.” Another use helps in the physical construction of buildings. Mr Male said: “We are just in the process of doing a good product for one of the large builders’ merchants, which is a temporary drainpipe for the building industry. It is a roll of polythene webbing that keeps the water moving until the permanent drainage can be installed as the build develops. “We are seeing quite a rush on the construction sector.” As reported late last year, the footprint of Lynx Polythene has been expanded to 30,000 sq ft. ● For more information, call 01472 886287 or visit www.lynxpolythene.com

A welcome return to Findus Group FINDUS Group, owner of Young’s Seafood, has appointed Steven Libermann as chief executive of the Southern Europe division. Mr Libermann pictured, will be responsible for driving growth and profitability through all Findus’s products, channels and processes in the region, where there are major operations in France, Spain and Belgium. He replaces Matthieu Lambeaux, who recently left the position to pursue entrepreneurial ventures outside the group, which is a £1.4 billion turnover business with 6,000 employees. James Hill, chief executive of

Findus Group, said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment. Steven is an experienced executive and French businessman who has previously undertaken senior and strategic roles around Europe in different fields of the food and fast moving consumer goods sectors. Notably, Steven is returning to Findus’s Southern European operations where he previously undertook positions of marketing director and sales director in France and managing director in Spain. His managerial talent, breadth of experience and his existing knowledge of the Findus Group make him the ideal person

to drive our plans for innovation, growth and prosperity. We look forward to welcoming him back into the team.” Mr Hill thanked Mr Lambeaux for his service. “Matt has been instrumental in the creation and development of Findus Southern Europe,” he said. “Under Matt’s leadership the company has overcome challenging competitive and market circumstances to grow its revenues from 70 to 300 million euro, to strengthen its market share and deliver consistent profitability. “We would like to thank Matt for his contribution and to wish him the best in his future career.”

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Month in Review

Melanie marks the only change as parties hold

Single use NHS contract is a game-changer for MFP B USINESS worth £2 million a year is being added to a northern Lincolnshire success story, as it invests significantly on the back of initial Regional Growth Fund assistance.

producing 17 million units a year. I think we will export quite a lot of these. We are so close to western Europe, with Poland and Germany very close by, but our biggest market by far is still the UK. “That said, export and this new line, is a big part of our future. We Moulded Fibre Products launched have orders already from the distributor, for Dubai and Iran, and in late 2012, bringing pulp-based have just signed a five-year products to a former balloon agreement with a distributor in the factory in Flixborough. US. Dealing initially in fruit and “We expect big things from consumer goods packaging, a America, and a long term plan is to second line was added when work set up a plant there. That would in the health sector was won, and take us to a different level.” now a third production facility is Currently employing 42 people, being added, dedicated to single-use the new line will take the team to more than 50, with senior positions being filled too. A health and safety manager is now being brought in, with quality assurance responsibilities also at the fore. “We are getting to the stage now where we are working with big, big companies, and they want to see these systems in place,” Mr Gallacher added. Looking over the progress, with £4 million now invested since it secured a £590,000 boost from the first tranche of RGF James Gallacher cash obtained by North Lincolnshire Council, he said: “The second line has been running very, urine bottles for hospitals in the UK, with huge export potential too. very well. We are now going into the busy season with the fruit trade. We It sees the unit on the industrial are in a good way, in good shape, estate come close to capacity as it and the order book is full until the has been bought from the landlord. end of August. We are actually James Gallacher, managing sub-contracting out work, which is director, is currently overseeing a good position to be in.” the final stages of a four-week Of the purchase of the 25,000 sq ft installation of the new equipment. Second Avenue premises, Mr He said: “We are really getting Gallacher said: “We have bought the building, which is a significant NEW LINE: James Gallacher, managing director of excited about this. “We have seen the machine investment. We are here to stay. We Moulded Fibre Products, pictured in the drying running in China and now we want have taken over 5,500 sq ft of oven of the third production line which is being to see it running here. warehousing across the road in the installed at the company during May. Above, outside the premises, which have recently been “The single-use medical market is process too, and we are looking at extending the warehouse here.” purchased. a big market, we are forecasting

We are really getting excited about this. We have seen the machine running in China and now we want to see it running here

POLITICS: Grimsby welcomed its first female MP in what was the only change in the Humber region’s political make-up. The Labour Party candidate comfortably held off challenges to the seat from the Conservatives and Ukip, following Austin Mitchell’s decision to step down after 38 years. She brought Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Caroline Flint, to the town in a final push, underling her support for offshore wind. Ms Flint has now put her name forward as a potential deputy leader of the party, rocked by the result which cost Ed Miliband his leadership and Ed Balls his seat. National issues failed to materialise in the area, with Hull’s three Labour MPs all re-elected, and Scunthorpe’s Nic Dakin improving his majority by nearly 600 votes to 3,134, as they now form an opposition to the Conservative Government. Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers virtually doubled his backing, as the resort’s Conservative MP, himself bringing then Business and Energy Minister Matthew Hancock to Phillips 66 Humber Refinery and Immingham.

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Tel: 01469 577698 www.onloanrecruitment.co.uk

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ith Prince William currently taking his two weeks’ paternity leave, employment law partner Mary Walker from Andrew Jackson Solicitors looks at new rights to parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child. www.andrewjackson.co.uk

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Traditionally, it has only been an option for a mother to take paid time off work to look after a new born baby. Now, the majority of couples who are in paid work can share parental leave. To qualify, one parent must have been an employee with at least 26 weeks’ of service with the same employer by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due, or when matched with an adopted child. The other parent must have worked for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks leading up to the due date and have earned at least £30 a week in 13 of the 66 weeks. Thirty-seven weeks pay is provided at the same rate as statutory maternity pay (£139.58 a week or 90 per cent of an employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower). During the first six weeks statutory maternity pay amounts to 90 per cent of whatever the employee earns, with no upper level. Mothers can take paid maternity leave if they wish but a mother who wants more flexibility can take her leave as shared parental leave – even if the father takes none – rather than “traditional” maternity leave. Both parents have the flexibility to decide how to split up the remainder of the leave entitlement of up to 50 weeks. Employees can book up to three periods of leave during the course of the child’s first year, which must be taken in blocks of one week within 52 weeks of the birth. They can stop and start shared parental leave, returning to work between each period, but they must give you at least eight weeks’ notice prior to taking any leave. The rules are similar for employees who adopt on or after April 5, 2015, or for surrogate births. As an employer, you cannot refuse requests for one continuous period of parental leave, but you may refuse requests for separate periods to be taken at different times, and suggest alternative periods. Where appropriate, you may agree to shorter blocks of leave of just a week or more at your discretion. Employers should ensure that their policies and procedures reflect the new rules and seek legal advice if unsure on eligibility and procedures. Andrew Jackson solicitors are based in Hull, York and Grimsby and specialise in legal services for business, international and individuals. ● For more information visit andrewjackson.co.uk.

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BE AWARE: There are changing regulations regarding the paternity and maternity leave to which working parents are entitled to. Right, Prince William who recently became a father to Princess Charlotte. Left, Mary Walker, solicitor at Andrew Jackson Solicitors.

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ndustry demands the highest quality Engineers and the Grimsby Institute’s Engineering Department has some of the most up-to-date training equipment and industry standard facilities in the UK.

PROMISING CAREER:Former learner Mike Smith is one such learner who has benefited from training at the Grimsby Institute’s Engineering department.

These include being the only college with a real-scale wind turbine demonstrator, which shows the mechanical and electrical principles of generating electricity from the wind’s energy. Whether you are interested in plumbing and heating, electrical, mechanical, refrigeration, motor vehicle or renewables, the Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education can help you train for a career in one of the UK’s largest areas for job growth. The Humber bank is about to become the centre of a major development, the Humber Gateway. This is a £700m offshore wind turbine development, which will include manufacture, installation, operations and maintenance, which will potentially be providing thousands of job opportunities, both during its construction and for long-term careers once it is completed. Learners train in our Engineering and Renewable Centre, which offers them the unique chance of working on real hydraulic rigs, biomass boilers and other industry equipment, which has been installed to ensure when learners finish their qualification they are ready for work. Former learner Mike Smith is one such

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Mike Smith learner who has benefited from training at the Institute’s Engineering department. Mike is now working as a Junior Offshore Engineer for Renewable Energy Systems (RES) after completing a Level 3 Electrical and Electronics Course. Mike explained: “I got a lucky break and didn’t expect to be this successful. “If I hadn’t been on the course at the Grimsby Institute then I never would have got past the interview stage with RES. “The course gave me an oversight of the industry and is now helping me with my degree.” At the Grimsby Institute we work closely with more than 200 clients to ensure we understand their requirements for the training and development. Whether you are an individual wanting to progress your career through personal development or a company representative looking to develop your workforce, the Grimsby Institute can help you.

Gigantic seabed investigation complete for Hornsea wind farm A UK supplier has successfully completed one of the largest seabed investigation campaigns in the history of the offshore wind industry in preparation for Dong Energy’s 1.2 gigawatt Hornsea Project One development. Located 120km off the Yorkshire coast, in the Humber sailing corridor, the project is scheduled to go into operation by 2020 when it will be able to meet the electricity needs of around 800,000 UK homes. The work has been completed within four months by Fugro

Geoconsulting Ltd of Wallingford, Oxfordshire, and was awarded the £13 million contract last November following a competitive tender process. The company’s geotechnical vessels undertook close to 2,800m of seabed cone penetration testing and more than 5,000m of boreholes on all future wind turbine and offshore substation positions as part of the detailed site investigation. Søren Egede Johannesen, team lead in Dong Energy’s Site Investigation Project Management, said: “This is

the biggest geotechnical campaign we have undertaken and among the largest seabed investigation campaigns the offshore wind industry has seen. “Fugro used two of the largest and best equipped geotechnical vessels available on the market, MV Greatship Manisha and MV Bucentaur, to undertake the investigation work.” Hornsea Project One received development consent from the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in December and

then in February Dong exercised its option to acquire full ownership of the project from joint venture partner SMart Wind – a consortium of Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Financial Services (SFS). It is one of three projects for which Dong Energy was awarded financial investment decision enabling Contracts for Difference by the Government in April 2014. Daniel Deen, senior project manager at Fugro GeoConsulting, said: “The performance on this campaign has been a great example

of how the various parties should come together and deliver a large scale project during the winter months, which historically have not been kind. While there have been challenges and issues to overcome, we have worked together as a team to deliver the scope of work and fulfil the project objectives.” Fugro GeoConsulting is part of the Fugro Group, the world’s largest integrator of geotechnical, survey, subsea and geoscience services with a global workforce of more than 12,500 employees.

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Tuesday, May 19, 2015

News

Brigg start-up is now a global security success G

LOBAL surveillance solutions business Synectics has celebrated 30 years of innovation by inviting back the original company’s founders.

SEMINAR STARS: The HumberPort Multi Modal line-up, from left, John Fitzgerald, Peter Aarosin, Prof Amar Ramudhin, Lord Haskins and Bill Walker, HumberPort chair. Above, Peter Aarosin addresses an audience in the midst of the large exhibition hall in Birmingham.

National logistics conference hears how ‘Humber has it all’

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he Humber has “got it all” to unlock the full potential of the Northern Powerhouse, delegates at the UK’s premier logistics event have heard.

supply chains. He added that the estuary also offered availability of land, excellent connectivity and a strong logistics skills base, well supported by education and training providers. And the estuary offers logistics Peter Aarosin, chief executive of providers easy and rapid access to a “staggering” number of manufacturers logistics business Danbrit and ports and consumers in the UK and Europe, operator RMS Group, said the Humber’s key competitive advantage the Multi Modal industry gathering was “location, location, location”, as it has been told. was positioned at a mid-point in the A high-level delegation from the UK, 200 miles from both London and HumberPort partnership presented a Edinburgh, facing northern Europe. powerful case for the UK’s busiest “That means within four hours’ drive ports complex during a standing of the Humber we can serve 75 per cent room-only seminar, entitled of the UK’s manufacturers, importers “HumberPort: Opening The Door To The Northern Powerhouse”, on the opening day of Multi Modal, in Bir mingham. HumberPort is being re-energised to build on the momentum achieved by the branding of the Humber as the UK’s Energy Estuary; huge investments and the opportunity presented by the Northern Powerhouse concept. Professor Amar Ramudhin, director of the Logistics Institute at the University of Hull, said ports worldwide were investing vast sums to try to create what the Humber had Prof Amar Ramudhin naturally. He said: “We’ve got it all in the Humber. We have a huge estuary with lots of ports and there’s Liverpool on and exporters and reach, easily and the other side. We have this natural conveniently, 40 million people,” he corridor of trade, with goods coming in said. and out of the UK through those ports. “With shipping lines daily into That is what unlocks the full potential mainland Europe we can reach 320 of the Northern Powerhouse. million consumers within 24 hours, “So what people are trying to invent which is a staggering fact.” in other places is naturally here. That Mr Aarosin said the Humber makes the Humber the natural place presented a “future proof ” alter native and the logical choice for trade.” to routing freight through the crowded Prof Ramudhin said using the southern roads network, reducing Humber was efficient, reduced their exposure to likely future taxes transport time and distance to aimed at tackling congestion. warehousing and distribution centres He told delegates: “I hope you can see which were migrating northwards, and what the Humber can offer. It’s an increased resilience in shippers’

What people are trying to invent in other places is naturally here. That makes the Humber the natural place and the logical choice for trade

excellent place to live and work and we have huge opportunities to welcome more cargo.” John Fitzgerald, Humber director for Associated British Ports, said the Humber already handled more trade than the Mersey, Tees and Tyne combined. He said the estuary was an asset of national importance and critical to the UK economy, with up to £1 billion of investment being made in ports infrastructure and facilities, including to support the Humber becoming the centre of the offshore wind industry. “There is huge capacity and choice up and down the estuary, opening the door to the northern economic powerhouse,” he said. All the speakers highlighted the enormous opportunities presented by the development of renewable energy industries. Lord Haskins, chairman of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, said an “energy revolution” and political will to rebalance the economy was contributing to “the most exciting times that the Humber and the north of England has had in 50 years”. Mr Aarosin said the Humber was becoming a “world player” in renewable energy, adding: “The logistics that will be required to support this will be absolutely gigantic. We are going to see a huge benefit from this investment.” Mr Fitzgerald said: “By establishing themselves on the estuary Siemens are making a statement about the Humber. Companies like Siemens, Centrica, Dong and others have seen the opportunity and are moving to the Humber. “Their supply chains will support them, the logistics supply chains also need to support these developments and all the port operators are investing in the ports infrastructure to ensure we can facilitate the movement of different types of goods.”

The COEX brand of surveillance cameras has been manufactured in North Lincolnshire since 1985, and to celebrate, a commemorative facility tour and birthday celebration was held by the team, with the two men who first saw the huge opportunity. COEX Ltd was founded in Brigg by entrepreneurs Chris Booth and Chris Chadwick, manufacturing surveillance cameras for demanding industrial environments. In 2004 the business was acquired by Synectics as a specialist division, developing and delivering camera technology for global oil and gas, marine and critical infrastructure markets. Now a core Synectics brand, and deployed as part of the company’s integrated end-to-end surveillance solutions for global markets, COEX camera technology can be found protecting some of the largest industrial projects in the world, including Shell Pearl GTL in Qatar, Gorgon in Australia and numerous North Sea applications. Mr Booth said: “Our vision when we established the COEX brand was to develop a camera for new markets that were not then being served. “It has been an intensely rewarding experience seeing what Synectics has gone on to do with COEX – everything that we hoped for and more. Seeing the scale of Synectics’ operation and learning more about its global customer base has made me feel incredibly proud.” The business expanded at Elsham, and then in the past year, launched the International Operations Centre on Normanby Enterprise Park, Scunthorpe. In the past decade, more than 10,000 Synectics COEX cameras, for hazardous area, safe area and thermal, have been delivered to customers across Europe, the

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Chris Chadwick, Coex co-founder; Paul Webb, Synectics chief executive; Chris Booth, Coex co-founder and Darren Alder, Synectics engineering director at the new site in Scunthorpe.

News in brief Job loss figure confirmed CHEMICALS: The exact number of job losses at a South Bank chemical processing plant has been finalised. A total of 50 positions will now go at Cristal, in Stallingborough, with 36 voluntary, a large reduction on the initial 70, announced in February. Site director Jamie Scott has also left the business, with the role having been taken on an acting basis by a director from a US plant, Scott Strayer, who has arrived from Ashtabula, Ohio. People will start to leave the titanium dioxide producer at the end of this month, following the reorganisation, prompted by a weak market with prices lower than expected for the whitening agent, used in scores of everyday items.

Angling for visitor trade LEISURE: An angling superstore has been created on Grimsby's doorstep as entrepreneurial businessman Bryn Ilsley looks to provide a drive-to destination for the country's largest participation sport. Launching his massively expanded Ultimate Direct at Holton-le-Clay, where 6,000 sq ft of floorspace is now used to present a huge range of top brands, he now has further plans to build on the £500,000 investment, including boat sales aimed at sea anglers. Specialist carp facilities are also part of the second phase in a further 4,000 sq ft of shopfloor.

Middle East, Asia and the Americas. Servicing this demand was a key factor in Synectics’ move to its 54,000 sq ft purpose-built premises, where more than 100 employees now work at the site, with the workforce almost doubling in just four years. Paul Webb, chief executive of Synectics Plc, said: “Being able to celebrate 30 years of COEX innovation and local manufacturing heritage is an

important moment for us and, with the support of North Lincolnshire Council, we have put in place plans to ensure that legacy lives on with local recruitment and training programmes.” To support global growth the business continues to invest in product development and most recently launched a new breed of ruggedised High Definition IP COEX C3000 cameras with built-in compression technology, capable

of operating at temperatures up to +70°C and as low as -55°C. Mr Webb said: “Our move to the new Operations Centre, with its state-of-the-art manufacturing space and dedicated factory acceptance testing area, together with the acquisition of COEX Asia in 2014 and ongoing commitment to product development, makes us ideally positioned to continue to grow our business and serve our global customer base.”

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Gas safety call NORTH Lincolnshire Homes has been recognised as the top regional organisation in the north after scooping the prestigious President’s Award at a recent gas safety awards ceremony. The social housing provider was honoured at The Association of Gas Safety Managers’ Gas Safety Awards. It recognised initiatives, personal successes and outstanding professional contributions to gas safety management, celebrating the achievement of gas managers, senior management in housing and contractors working with them. Taking place at Heythrop Park in Enstone, North Lincolnshire Homes had previously achieved three awards at the same ceremony last year, including the award for Gas Safety Training for Tenants. The AGSM is an organisation of managers in social housing and facilities management organisations who are responsible for all aspects of gas safety. The national association supports organisations such as North Lincolnshire Homes in creating one voice from the sector to drive change.

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News

Brigg start-up is now a global security success G

LOBAL surveillance solutions business Synectics has celebrated 30 years of innovation by inviting back the original company’s founders.

National logistics conference hears how ‘Humber has it all’

fill your vacancy fast for just

£249

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he Humber has “got it all” to unlock the full potential of the Northern Powerhouse, delegates at the UK’s premier logistics event have heard.

What people are trying to invent in other places is naturally here. That makes the Humber the natural place and the logical choice for trade

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Chris Chadwick, Coex co-founder; Paul Webb, Synectics chief executive; Chris Booth, Coex co-founder and Darren Alder, Synectics engineering director at the new site in Scunthorpe.

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DINNER DELIGHTS: Speakers at the HCF Catch annual dinner, from left, compere Blair Jacobs, guest speaker Tim Harford, HCF Catch interim chief executive Katie Hedges and HCF Catch chairman Chris Bowlas.

Embracing change and celebrating stability H

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CF Catch chairman Chris Bowlas has spoken of the importance of embracing change, reflecting on the wider region’s cycling success and the ongoing evolution of the Humber bank sectors he represents. Mr Bowlas was addressing the strongly-supported annual dinner of the public and private sector partnership, that has widened its remit to support the process engineering, energy and renewables industries. And he had particular praise for all who have helped make the huge stride towards a centre of excellence for offshore wind training, with the impending arrival of Advanced Industrial Solutions, and the proposal to train 15,000 people a year.

Taking a topical take on what was election night, Mr Bowlas said: “Change is something we can fight against or something we can choose to embrace. “If you look at this region, I strongly believe we are actively embracing change. Why do I say that? Let’s look at the evidence. In July 2014, Yorkshire hosted the first two stages of the Tour de France. More than three-and-a-half million people lined the course to watch the cyclists whiz by. Who would have thought that possible? “Very recently, more than a million people lined the streets to watch the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire. The organisers believe this generated between £30 million and £40 million of value to the region. “My prediction is businesses, councils and the public will be

falling over themselves to be involved next year. Nothing breeds success like success. “From a business perspective, there have been ups and downs in our industry over the past year. There have been job losses on the one hand but new and exciting investments on the other hand. Yes, it is different. Yes, things are changing. But the region is embracing the challenges and opportunities that change brings.” He reflected on the fact HCF Catch now has more than 400 members, with more than 650 people put through various skills programmes, with the vast majority finding permanent jobs. Moving on to AIS, he said: “Most recently, and something of which I am very proud, AIS has announced a multi-million pound training investment at HCF Catch. This

centre of excellence for the wind industry will create up to 30 jobs. It will also establish the area and the Catch facility as a global hub for renewables skills. “This state-of-the-art facility will train more than 15,000, yes 15,000, delegates annually for the wind sector. This sector alone is predicted to create more than 70,000 jobs in the UK in the next decade. “Our thanks go to AIS and the North East Lincolnshire Council for its faith in the region and the facility.” Returning to the fact it was General Election evening, he ended before guests at Hallmark Hotel, North Ferriby, by saying: “Finally, as we always see on election night, politicians come and go. Change is never-ending. One thing, however, is for sure. This region, this sector and HCF Catch are here to stay.”

Project control apprentice takes training honour

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PROJECT control apprentice Tom Jaehrig was named Grimsby Institute Apprentice Of The Year at the HCF Catch annual dinner. The 17-year-old, from Blyton, is attached to Cofely GDF Fabricom Suez, and is coming to the end of his first year at Stallingborough’s Catch facility. He was delighted with the accolade, presented by Grimsby Institute principal Sue Middlehurst. Tom said: “It is a great honour and just nice to know that someone is looking out for you really.” He was full of praise for Catch. “It is a great facility, a great environment to be in, and the tutors are all from an engineering background. You get to actually practise what you

regularly put it, and championing the preservation of numerical analysis. He held up Florence Nightingale’s use of statistical evidence over the importance of cleanliness in hospitals, and the subsequent survival rates, to back up her work which revolutionised health care. “Numbers are important, powerful. I think we should have some respect for them. Florence Nightingale used statistics to convey the truth, she wanted to change the world,” he said, claiming that politicians ACCOLADE: Grimsby Institute principal Sue Middlehurst presents the Apprentice Of The Year often pulled figures from award to Tom Jaehrig of Cofely Fabricom GDF Suez, watched by James Danby, left. pages without a true learn, you are not just in a economics broadcaster, was as a platform to empower understanding of the class room all day.” guest speaker at the event, the use of statistics, cutting meaning to reinforce an Tim Harford, an using the polling day timing through the “bull****” as he impression.

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Tuesday, May 19, 2015

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Chemicals

Forces charity benefits from latest milestone as contractors march on

in association with

Manby Road, Immingham, DN40 2LG T: 01469 576497 www.graytonengineering.com

Manby Road Industrial Estate, Immingham, PRESENTATION: Hertel's UK operations director Paudie Somers, front left, presents the cheque for £1,000 to Retired Major Nick Bodian of ABF The Soldier's Charity with Hertel staff member Wayne Sheils and refinery general manager Jacques Beuckelaers, as Hertel staff celebrate the donation at Total Lindsey Oil Refinery, North Killingholme.

second consecutive year without any safety incidents has been celebrated by the Hertel team working at the Total Lindsey Oil Refinery, with a £1,000 donation to charity. Hertel, the multi-discipline maintenance and construction services company, provides access services, thermal insulation, and corrosion protection at the refinery. To celebrate the two-year landmark, representing almost 250,000 hours, the team received £500 from Hertel, matched by the site owner Total, to put to a chosen cause. The team agreed to donate the money to ABF The Soldiers

Charity, the British Army’s national charity, after it was nominated by Wayne Shiels, a scaffolder working for Hertel at the site. Mr Shiels is a Colour Sergeant in the Territorial Army Reserve with the 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, which is based in Grimsby. He is proud that Hertel’s achievement is being used for a charity close to his heart. It provides financial support for serving and retired soldiers who are in need. Paudie Somers, Hertel UK operations director, said: “One of Hertel’s core values is ‘Safety First’ and everyone is contributing to creating a safe working environment for themselves, colleagues and others at the site.

The team at Total Lindsey Oil Refinery has a real determination to reach the highest safety standards as is shown by this achievement.” The £1,000 cheque was handed over at a special presentation, attended by the whole Hertel team, at Total Lindsey Oil Refinery by Paudie Somers and Jacques Beuckelaers to Major (Retired) Nick Bodian, the charity’s regional director. Mr Beuckelaers, Total Lindsey Oil Refinery’s general manager, said: “The management team at LOR are delighted to be able to recognise a second successive year of safe working by the whole Hertel team based here. They have shown how a team can work effectively together and we have every

confidence that they can sustain this over the coming months and years!” Each member of the Hertel team also received a commemorative fleece from the company to celebrate the landmark. Commenting on the donation, Major Bodian said: “The charity is extremely grateful that the Hertel team at Total Lindsey Oil Refinery has chosen us to receive this significant donation in recognition of reaching the two-year safety milestone. “ABF The Soldier’s Charity will use the money to continue to provide a lifetime of support for all serving and retired, regular and reservist soldiers and their families.”

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Refinery strikes gold as safety procedures commended once again

HARD AT WORK: Employees working at Greenergy’s Immingham biofuels refinery.

GREENERGY’S Immingham biodiesel manufacturing facility has been awarded a Gold RoSPA award for the fourth consecutive year, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to improving safety. The manufacturing facility converts used cooking oil into biodiesel and employs more than 40 people at the port plant. The RoSPA awards scheme is the largest and longest-running programme of its kind in the UK, recognising commitment to continuous improvement in accident and ill health prevention at work across all businesses and industries. Judges consider entrants’ overarching occupational health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement. In addition the Teesside biodiesel manufacturing facility, acquired in January

thinking. Just as our facilities undergo regular maintenance and improvement to ensure it remains world class so does our approach to safety and the procedures we have in place.” Greenergy’s approach to safety is based on detailed and open reporting and structured follow-up. Every individual working in the business is encouraged to report near misses and hazards, however small, so they can be followed up and more serious incidents prevented. Every incident is from Harvest Biofuels Ltd, as logged, investigated, tracked reported in Business and resolved through a central Telegraph, has also been management system. This awarded a silver accreditation information is analysed and for their first year’s shared throughout the involvement in the scheme, company to ensure that marking the start of their lessons are learnt across all journey to gold accreditation. parts of the business. Rob Brocklesby, Greenergy The past year has also seen a managing director of Biofuels, return to full operations said: “The safety of our staff, following the devastating tidal neighbours and our surge that caused millions of surrounding environment is pounds of damage to the West always at the forefront of our Riverside facility.

Ports & Logistics

Ambassador delivers Royal praise for port HIGH PRAISE: Claus Grube, Royal Danish Ambassador, second left, pictured during a visit to DFDS on Immingham Dock. Also pictured are Sean Potter, managing director of DFDS Seaways, Allan Bell, VP Sales of DFDS Logistics, Rasmus Leth Traberg, Energy and Renewables Sector Expert, Danish Embassy, Gunnar Larsen, managing director, Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce, and Alan Finch, DFDS Seaways Immingham Terminal Operations Director. Picture: Richard Dunn

HE Royal Danish Ambassador paid a visit to DFDS Seaways in Immingham to see first hand the role the port is playing in the development of the renewables sector and beyond.

Claus Grube toured DFDS Immingham Riverside and DFDS Immingham Dockside facilities which together provide comprehensive shipping and logistics solutions for customers in the UK, Scandinavia, Continental Europe as well as deep sea destinations. After seeing the DFDS terminals, Ambassador Grube spoke positively about the work

in the region. “Important renewable developments are happening in the Humber region, including the largest such example in the UK,” he said. “I am impressed at the work which is being done and wish everyone luck with these projects.” He continued: “There are strong trading links between Denmark and the UK and the island infrastructure of the UK brings challenges and solutions. “I have gained a lot of very useful information as a result of my visit to DFDS Seaways, who themselves are a good example; one of Northern Europe’s leading

transportation networks providing solutions to meet a wide range of needs.” Sean Potter, managing director of DFDS Seaways plc, said it was an honour to welcome the Ambassador. “The Ambassador commented on how the industrial landscape is changing, from traditional sectors such as coal to renewables,” he said. “At DFDS Seaways we want to keep ahead, anticipating future shipping and logistics needs.” Alistair Campbell, Port Director of DFDS Seaways plc added: “Currently we are providing a useful service to the renewables sector with a purpose-built

turbine park, where some of the world’s largest turbine blades are stored on giant racks ready for distribution and on site assembly.” He added: “This facility is a convenient supply chain solution whereby DFDS stevedors, experienced in heavy lifts, load and offload vessels at DFDS Dockside adjacent to the turbine park.” As part of his tour, Ambassador Grube visited Associated British Port’s Immingham’s Dock Offices and control tower as well as visiting Seaways Jutlandia, one of DFDS’s regular liner vessels on the regular Immingham to Esbjerg route.

Tug team pulls new national standards into the Humber Estuary

ON COURSE: SMS Towage’s Captain John Pinder, right, with Hugh Patience, SMS’s marine manager and assessor.

IMMINGHAM tug operator SMS Towage is spearheading an industry drive to create a new national workboat safety standard. The Humber-based business is helping to implement the Maritime Coastguard Agency-approved Voluntary Towage Endorsement Scheme with the National Workboat Association (NWA). It has started to roll out the new scheme that leads to a recognised ship assist qualification meeting the strict standards of the Port Marine Safety Code. Patrick Lyon, managing director of SMS Towage, said: “We need to continually push to ensure the safe operation of vessels. This scheme is being introduced now and will create a new standard of training for workboat safety. “We already have excellent safety training systems but have been working to achieve a unified scheme that benefits crew, customers and the industry as a whole. We are supporting this every inch of the way.” Hugh Patience, SMS’s marine manager and a qualified assessor,

is on the NWA’s training sub-committee and has produced manuals to help association members get up to speed with the scheme. “Hugh is an expert safety training assessor,” said Mr Lyon. “He is one of the most experienced in the industry and has been instrumental in getting this voluntary scheme off the ground. Mr Patience added: “It has been well received and we expect it to become industry standard. “All of our skippers are already going through the training, and the process of implementing the new standard has started in the Humber, Belfast and South Wales Ports where SMS Towage operates.” SMS Towage was established in 2003, and employs 130 people, with offices in Hessle. It operates a fleet of eight tugs from the Humber, with Immingham the dominant port, a further three in the Bristol Channel and two in Belfast Harbour. It has grown to become the leading independent tug operator IN CONTROL: SMS Towage’s Captain Dennis Rimmer, seated, in the UK. with Hugh Patience, SMS’s marine manager and assessor.

Dreams made on a super night that brought the house down... S

UPERMARKETS are sitting up and taking a very close look, and European transport experts have already praised the invention, so it was fitting for Pauline Dawes’s SOMI Trailers Ltd to haul home the HBP Systems Innovation award.

industry giants. “I was told journalists from 11 countries had considered the innovation the best there was,” Mrs Dawes said. “That was from five people up against companies putting 60,000 wagons on the road – it was very nice for a local firm.” Now ready to go as soon as orders come in, prospective customers are having to run Finding a way to cleverly use health and safety tests ahead of the wasted space on an the market adventure. articulated lorry has brought From a family with a logistics Scunthorpe-based ‘Same business, it was not transport Outside More Inside’ to life, when you realise it costs that got her on the road, and a feeling that a decade’s £110,000 a year to run one truck though keeping her attention work is on the verge of and trailer for a year. SOMI can as goods vehicles passed the something big. take one out of four trucks and glass-fronted foyer of The “It has been a long journey trailers off the road. Baths Hall was a challenge. we have been on,” Mrs Dawes “All the big supermarkets “I am a local girl, born in said. “All the people who have have asked to trial this, we Immingham, schooled in been involved in the SOMI have trials booked in.” Barton, who found further project should be proud of education later. I got a place at themselves and all the work Cambridge in my 30s, did my they have put in. Especially my MBA at Manchester, and it was family because they have been while there that I started SOMI great supporters and in 2004. contributors. I am really proud “It is ten years of my life and of them all. my family’s life, and the men “The company is very new in who now work for us,” she the market, we have faith that said. “We have done things this will actually be a success wrong so many times, and we and we will get the reward.” have learned so much, and A highly technical solution, eventually got it right. involving automation, she is “I think it was Thomas primed for production, Edison who said invention is 1 working with firms in Hull and per cent inspiration and 99 per Sheffield to prepare for her Pauline Dawes cent perspiration. Well I think first orders. it is 0.01 per cent! Explaining her concept, now “We should be proud, for in going into trials, she said: “We Recently it was awarded a Britain we have some of the use the space underneath a second place at the European best innovation and engineers. trailer. We have a drop down Commercial Vehicle Show in I hope we can take this product deck, and decks that lift up, and it only becomes important Germany, pulling alongside the global.”

The winners have been crowned! Here we celebrate those taking home the gongs from The Baths Hall at the 2015 Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards

We should be proud, for in Britain we have some of the best innovation and engineers

WOW FACTOR: Pauline Dawes, second left, receives the HBP Systems Innovation Award from Jo Dixon, left, watched by North Lincolnshire Area Council chair Kathy Fillingham and compere Helen Fospero. Below, left, Grimsby Institute students peform on stage before, below right, the West End professional Oz medley.

United in pride! Two of the strongest names in business ... ● Continued from page one had to change because when a lot of the steel works closed down we became much more prominent in construction and transport, which is probably one of our oldest businesses because my grandfather had lorries in his timber and builders’ business. “Although not a national company per se, in energy from waste we are. It is a real niche we have got hold of, and built plants in Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Leeds and now Teesside. We have a really specialised team. “We have a great team, and I am probably the longest serving, I should have retired years ago, but I have a great team, a fantastic team, and in Stephen Martin, the chief executive I appointed, a man who has done a really good job.” In 2013 Clugston Group celebrated its 75th anniversary. Grimsby

It is of tribute to John that he has remained steadfast in his passion for the family business Grimsby Telegraph editor Michelle Lalor

MUCH-DESERVED: Lifetime Achievement Award winner John Clugston accepts the accolade from Grimsby Telegraph editor Michelle Lalor. Telegraph editor Michelle Lalor presented the award. Announcing it, she said: “Clugston and Scunthorpe go together and are known as a pair. “It is of tribute to John that he has remained steadfast in

DELIGHTED: Bradbury Group, the proud recipients of The Forrester Boyd Award For Business Excellence. Picture: David Haber

his passion for the family business – a passion which is shared, I know by his son David, who is on the company table. “While heading up this iconic business, John has also found time to represent and

lead a vast, vast amount of organisations, economic groups and good causes – the list is truly endless from a past involvement with Market Rasen Race Course, to being integral in the setting up of the Humber Local Enterprise

Partnership, and from the scouts to the town’s operatic society. “I first met John back in the early 2000s when, as editor of the Scunthorpe Telegraph, I joined a fundraising group for Lindsey Lodge Hospice. John

was chair and we raised an unimaginable sum of £1.3 million for the new extension. It is this passion for local causes, and believe me it is endless, that stands John apart from others, that makes him a special part of north Lincolnshire and the Humber region. “From us all I would like to say ‘thank you John’ and this is our small token of appreciation for all you have done and continue to do.”