Business Awards 2014

EBA

2014

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It’s going to be a big night for the best businesses in town Henryk Zientek Business Reporter

They’re the best in town!

There are just hours to go before the Examiner Business Awards 2014 are presented to deserved winners in front of a packed audience at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium.

Eleven awards will be handed out tomorrow night to the worthy winners in the competition which has been sponsored once again by law firm Chadwick Lawrence.

Leading figures of the local business community will be among the hundreds of guests taking part in a celebration of enterprise and business achievement.

Companies doing great things in areas such as international trade, the environment, innovation and community involvement are among those receiving trophies and certificates on the night.

There are also categories for new businesses, established

henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk

firms, small and medium-sized enterprises, employers, up-andcoming young business people and businesses making a special effort to back their home town.

The highlight of the evening of celebration will be the presentation of the Chadwick Lawrence Business Person of the Year Award – the most prestigious prize of the night – which will go to an individual whose achievements provide inspiration for others and an entrepreneur who has done much to benefit their business and the wider community through their drive and determination.

The identity of the recipient will only be revealed on the night when the golden envelope is opened.

The award judges were highly impressed by the quality of entries for the 2014 awards.

All business life was represented by the entries – from wellestablished companies to fledgling firms and from international “players” to firms serving their local communities.

Sectors represented were as diverse as textile and furniture manufacturing, recruitment, food production, business consultancy, sport and the creative arts.

High-calibre entries made judging a difficult but rewarding task. Nominees were considered on key criteria, including their contribution to the district’s wealth and well-being, their environmental commitment, their financial performance, their commitment to their workers and their track records on job creation and growing profits and sales.

■■ Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium will be the venue for the Examiner Business Awards 2014

E3 RECRUITMENT One of the UK’s leading blue collar and white collar engineering, manufacturing and technical recruitment specialists.

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SME of the Year

Sponsored by

ProperMaid

Expion Search & Selection

Cakes company ProperMaid has been providing a treat for the tastebuds with its unusual confections since being founded by former school dinner lady Allison Whitmarsh in 2008.

Now the company, which created cakes with combinations such as courgette and lime, beetroot and chocolate and liquorice has continued to outperform its business goals in the current year – adding a satellite unit to its existing manufacturing and administration base at Heritage Exchange, Lindley, to increase storage space and enable the firm to meet larger distribution orders.

The company, which employs 36 people and was boosted in 2012 by an investment by Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden, has also restructured its management team with the appointment of a financial controller, a production planner and a business sales manager.

Along with Allison being named Business Woman of the Year 2014 at the Network Star Awards, the company has teamed up with Ocado to create its Christmas dinner cake and developed a rhubarb and custard cake to mark the Tour de France Grand Depart – with a contribution from each sales going to the Marie Curie cancer charity.

Allison said: “We have continued to innovate with our distinctive and unique cake flavours, including our Pimms cake, which we launched this summer. We continue to attract new high profile contracts and are planning later this year to start an additional production shift to further increase our capacity.”

The company remains proud of its local roots – providing internships and work experience opportunities for Huddersfield students and sourcing ingredients from local suppliers wherever possible.

ProperMaid supplies customers including cafes and restaurants, Batley’s Cash and Carry, the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield, Leeds City Museum, Yorkshire Sculpture Park at Bretton, York racecourse and Harewood House, near Leeds.

Allison said the coming 12 months would present ProperMaid with several huge challenges and opportunities. “Our primary production goal during the next 12 months will be an expansion of bespoke product lines.”

She said: “Having recruited a newly-layered manage-

A RECRUITMENT company counting some of the country’s top businesses among its clients is also helping smaller firms find the right people for the job.

Expion Search & Selection, based at Lindley’s Heritage Exchange, was formed in 2010 by aspiring graduates who were committed to growing the business in Yorkshire to support local business and create jobs in manufacturing, innovation, engineering and food supply.

Director Richard Clegg said: “Expion believes that in order to deliver a cutting edge service to client companies, it is vital to provide a truly outstanding candidate experience. Exceptionally talented people are a precious commodity. They have a right to expect respect for their wants and needs just as much as the recruiting company.”

Mr Clegg said Expion had doubled in size in the past four years. At the start of 2014, it opened a second office at Silverstone race track in Northamptonshire to meet increased demand in the south of England and the Midlands. A third office, back in Yorkshire, is also coming to fruition.

Expion is preferred partner to blue chip companies including Nestle, Arla, GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson as well as serving Yorkshire SMEs. Mr Clegg said: “Expion is very proud to be ranked consistently in the top five in terms of candidate feedback in the Jobsline Recruit Rank Awards, which allows candidates to anonymously

■■ Allison Whitmarsh is continuing to innovate

ment structure covering sales, business development, finance and production planning, the business now has the foundations, capacity and order book to operate on a multiple shift system which will create a number of additional production roles for local people.

“Having already won a Gold Taste Award for our gluten-free Victoria Vanilla, we will further develop product and marketing in our gluten-free range for which we are gaining a growing “taste without compromise” reputation.

And she said the company, which started with Allison baking from her home kitchen with just one customer, was seeking a production and distribution partner in New York as a potential launchpad to enter the potentially lucrative US market.

Andrew Locke Plumbing, Heating & Tiling Ltd A COMPANY has survived one of the worst slumps ever faced by the construction sector – by tapping into new markets.

Andrew Locke Plumbing, Heating and Tiling, based at Skelmanthorpe, was formed in 1985 by Andrew after he was made redundant at the age of 22 with £1,000 borrowed from his mother.

Twenty one years later, the family-run firm was turning over £1.4m, having grown steadily over the years on the back of recommendations, word-ofmouth, hard work and long hours.

The company operates throughout Yorkshire and beyond on domestic and commercial projects ranging from small maintenance jobs to large contracts.

After the 2008 credit crunch hit the building trade badly, Andrew Locke opened a bathroom showroom – Bathrooms by

Design – to provide a new stream of work and keep the company going.

Mr Locke said: “We have survived the longest slump in the building industry for many years.

We are now moving forward with new contracts, especially new housing projects.

“We have recently employed a new apprentice and an estimator.

Because we retained our large domestic market customers over the years and developed a gas service notification system with more than 1,000 appliances listed, the company has grown this year.”

Andrew Locke has also branched out into the energy-efficient biomass boiler market – as well as getting involved in a community project to help fund a new library and resources centre in Denby Dale. New products have been introduced to the bathroom showroom.

Celebrating 40 years of textiles made in Huddersfield, sold worldwide. www.camirafabrics.com

■■ Andrew Locke has built a thriving business

Mr Locke said: “The company has been built from scratch with a lot of sacrifices. We have survived three recessions in the building trade and we have retained and grown our domestic sector to more than 3,000 customers over the years.”

He added: “I often think the building trade does not get the recognition it deserves – with all the bad publicity it is given on tel-

feedback on the customer service received during the recruitment process. Our placing is very important to the business and contributed to business improvement plans.”

Mr Clegg said the company was investing in skills and leadership for performance to help maintain its position as a niche, expert market leader in its field, adding: “At the sharp end, the business is outperfoming its peers in essential key measurables on service delivery. This includes ‘right first time’ matching of candidates, retention of key skills and search projects.”

The company, which has 21 employees, plans to add another four staff in Huddersfield by the end of 2014 as well as opening a Leeds office with three people. Among other developments, it aims to roll out its interview coaching and support programme for senior candidates, embrace the growing trend for flexible working and provide a suggestion box for employee feedback.

It also operates Expion JV – a shared equity concept providing the platform, opportunity, expertise, funding and model for standout people to form their own enterprises.

Mr Clegg said: “Recruitment is an industry where risks can come from all angles. We train our staff how to manage risk – risk to us and our revenue streams as well as risk to our clients.

Awareness of risk and bringing solutions alive have been testament to our success.”

evision programmes. We have worked hard to retain our contacts.

“I believe that a thriving building industry means a thriving country.”

Looking head, Mr Locke said the company would be promoting the energyefficient systems now available and expanding its gas service notification system. “We are undertaking more biomass boiler installations,” he added.

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New Business of the Year

Sponsored by

E3 Recruitment (UK) Ltd A RECRUITMENT company boasting more than 60 years experience among its senior team is making a name for itself.

E3, based at Heritage Exchange, Lindley, specialises in blue and white collar recruitment for the engineering, manufacturing and technical sectors – providing permanent placements, temporary workers and contract interim personnel for fixed term assignments.

The company has grown quickly from two founding business partners to a team of eight by recruiting a compliance and payroll manager to support its growing temporary and contract business, which grew to 50 contractors in just five months.

E3 was named best B2B new business under the award scheme run through Barclays Ready for Business – with the trophy presented to the team at the Houses of Parliament.

Director and business partner Andrew Pilling said: “E3 are a stringent, selective and niche recruitment business but are open and honest to offer expert advice based on experience.

“We can’t recreate the ‘recruitment wheel’ so to speak, but we certainly adapt, create and develop new methodologies to ensure an enhanced recruitment process with each client.”

The company’s own recruitment policy is very much “grow your own”. E3 offers trainee and

apprenticeship recruitment schemes for individuals with the attitude and personality to develop.

Mr Pilling said the company was on course to double its sales revenue by June next year and intended to increase staffing friom eight to 10 consultants by the end of this year.

He said: “We are committed to developing individuals through internal training plans and external training services supplied through the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, ensuring all our employees are accredited and able to offer our clients and candidates an exceptional recruitment experience.”

Mr Pilling said the company planned to strengthen links with Huddersfield University in terms of marketing plans and market research and providing work-based projects for students.

It also planned to tie-in with local sporting and educational events by supporting cricket and football teams, school open days and fairs.

The company plans to expand with the addition of a new division focusing on clients in the aerospace sector as well as opening a South Yorkshire office in 2015 to boost revenue streams.

It also aims to create separate divisions offering two main categories of service – search and selection for white collar assignments and a skilled and trades division focusing on blue collar temporary and permanent posts.

■■ E3 Recruitment directors and staff (from left) Jordan Kellett, James Soden, Riz Haider, Andrew Pilling, Breanne Rodgers and Tracie Norton at the company’s headquarters at Heritage Exchange, Lindley

We are delighted to support the International Business Award

Issued by HSBC Bank plc, London.

■■ Kristopher Johnson (left) and Mark Copley of Ti Installations, at Marsh Mills, Marsh

Ti Installations Ltd Sole trader electricians Kris Johnson and Mark Copley have teamed up to form a business focusing on security, electrical and audio visual systems.

Ti Installations, based at Marsh Mills, Marsh, was formed in January this year to satisfy what the two experienced City & Guilds trained electrical engineers saw as a gap in the market – a single trusted multi-disciplined contractor able to fulfil a client’s security, electrical and audio requirements and saving them the hassle of having to find different suppliers.

Ti has already begun to succeed in a crowded marketplace – outperforming its original business plan targets for turnover and putting it on course to exceed projected profits and sales for the full year.

Kris and Mark are already searching for a new employee – a qualified electrician who can work alongside them on local and nationwide contracts. The scale of Ti’s client base is also set to grow.

Kris and Mark have added to their list of qualifications during a busy first year trading to cover areas including asbestos awareness, the safe handling of power access equipment, health and safety and first aid training.

Kris said: “Being upskilled beyond what is required has enabled Ti to tender for bigger, otherwise unattainable contracts.”

Among its successes, Ti has completed 20 contracts for retail giant Poundworld with a further five projects in the pipeline. Its impressive customer retention rate is providing a solid foundation for the business while its success in gaining service and maintenance contracts with estate agents and property management clients has also proved crucial.

Kris said Ti’s affordable pricing structure appealed to profit-conscious commercial clients and cash-strapped domestic customers while demonstrating a commitment to quality and determination to banish the stereotype of untidy, unreliable tradesmen.

Looking ahead, Kris said the key now was to maintain momentum and ensure the company grew to look after a bigger customer base without compromising on standards.

Ti plans to appoint an office co-ordinator in 2015 to take up the burden of administration and ensure Ti’s business systems are of high quality, It also aims to take on a business development consultant to turn sales leads generated through the firm’s website into contracts. It also aims to appoint a fourth electrician in 2015 to support the anticipated increased workload with a view to recruiting its first apprentice later in the year.

Kris and Mark’s longer term plan is to manage the umbrella Ti Installations brand.

IndiaCoco

■■ Claire Harper, of IndiaCoco

A SUCCESSFUL career working in senior position for some of retailing’s biggest names has given mother-of-two Claire Harper a wealth of experience – which she is now putting to good use with her own childrenswear business.

Kirkburton-based Claire set up IndiaCoco to provide original, well-designed, practical and “best of British” clothing for babies and children up to eight years old.

Claire had previously worked for many years in senior marketing roles for major names including Argos, Ocado, Sainsbury’s and more recently as marketing director at Huddersfield-based Mamas & Papas.

Creating IndiaCoco – named after daughters Coco and India – is the realisation of a lifelong dream for Claire, who has always

wanted to create an iconic lifestyle brand.

Claire set up the business after attending the Bubble trade exhibition at London’s Design Centre and researching potential suppliers.

Since then, her business has caught the eye of some of the UK’s best-known entrepreneurs – winning a WOW award from Jacqueline Gold, chief executive of Ann Summers and a Small Business Sunday award from Theo Paphitis. She has also promoted IndiaCoco in joint marketing campaigns with other British brands, including Ocado and fragrance and body care products firm Neom Organics.

Claire’s vision for IndiaCoco is as a multi-channel retailer, rolling out the brand across the UK in community-based locations. She is also looking to expand the rang-

es and own label products in the baby category.

She’s also under way with web developments around mobile applications and making it easier for international customers to order.

In a crowded marketplace, Claire believes that IndiaCoco has a “differentiator” based on doing things professionally and well, building a strong brand and offering great quality products and exceptional customer service.

Claire said: “I am so passionate about the customer and I have worked for some fabulous customer-centric companies.

Sometimes I would get so frustrated with colleagues at senior levels who just don’t understand the customer. We spend a lot of time working out what customers want and who they are – it’s a process that never stops.”

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

proud Born in Huddersfield, now raising some of Britain’s biggest brands, we’re proud to be a finalist in the Creative Impact Award category in the 2014 Examiner Business Awards.

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International Business

Sponsored by

Camira Group Ltd

■■ Camira chairman and chief executive Steve Bullas with group finance director Nick Brown

A TEXTILE company with sites in Meltham and Mirfield is taking its contract fabrics around the world.

Camira Fabrics, which was formed in 1974 as Camborne Fabrics, is supplying fabrics for bus and train seats and office seating to customer as far afield as Switzerland, Australia and Russia.

Exports account for about 60% of total turnover – and continue to grow. The firm sells into all 28 member states of the European Union while Turkey provides a bridge into both Europe and Asia.

Priority global markets continue to make progress with North America and Asia Pacific seeing export values rise.

Camira opened its first US showroom in Chicago in 2014, targeting the important interior architecture and design sector.

In April this year, the company moved its distribution centre from Indianapolis to Grand Rapids, Michigan – putting Camira on the

doorstep of some of the biggest contract and transport seating companies.

In China, the firm opened new showroom and office premises in Shanghai in spring, 2013, and appointed a new distributor for Australia and New Zealand.

Among its community activities, Camira has not neglected its overseas markets – with donations to the New Zealand Whale & Dolphin Trust as a “give-back” programme on sales of its blazer fabric made from New Zealand traceable wool.

Marketing director Ian Burn said: “The principles of service, sustainability and innovation backed by product choice and breadth of capability have made Camira not just survive but thrive in the competitive global textiles industry. ”Our service offering means we service our UK clients with next day delivery and same day despatch for overseas orders – so our customers don’t need to hold

The Engine Room Design and brand agency the Engine Room is powering ahead in overseas markets.

The company, formed in 2001 and based at the Creative Lofts in Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, boasts an 11-strong team consisting of designers, strategists, web developers and creative writers who work with businesses ranging from global multi-billion turnover medical technology companies to regional SMEs in the manufacturing and service sectors.

The firm has two consecutive national design effectiveness trophies to its name and is a member of the Design Business Association, which promotes professional excellence in the sector.

During the past 12 months, the agency has seen an “explosion” in export business – boosting overseas sales and profits. The Engine Room has 10 projects under way around the world.

Brand manager Nikki Taylor said: “A UKTIsupported market visit report to Switzerland in the spring led to a substantial development of an existing client relationship with the global medical technology corporate CareFusion along with the winning of a new client, Grifols, a Spanish-based multi-national pharmaceutical and chemical company specialising in blood plasma technology.”

Other international highlights include increased export sales compared with the previous 12 month-period and new client wins in Finland, Spain and Switzerland.

stock.

Local stock support in North America, China and Australia means Camira is closer to key global markets for faster regional distribution.

Mr Burn said: “We penetrate the market at multiple levels to ensure we target not just director customers, but key influencers and corporate end-users.”

During the coming year, Camira aims to home its global product and marketing strategies with customers in Europe and Asia Pacific.

He added: “Germany continues to be a priority market due to its market size and potential.

“We are recruiting a second specifier sales manager, based in Berlin, to build our focus in the architectural specification.”

Mr Burn said the company would also focus on regional transport operators and Deutsche Bahn.

Products for both sectors are being developed.

Manrochem Ltd Projects completed or in progress including ones in Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, New Zealand, Australia and the USA. Nikki said: “Our brand and digital expertise is gaining recognition across these territories with video commissions being undertaken in Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Denmark and Germany.

“The development of a relationship with UKTI, which supported our initial market visit, is helping to guide us particularly with our visits to Africa and Saudi Arabia.

“There is clear evidence that our work is

also leading to an upturn in exports for our clients, particularly emphasised with out client Polyseam now exporting across the world with its new GRAFT adhesive and sealant products – designed by The Engine Room.”

Over the next 12 months, the company plans to boost new business development in the UK and its target countries, pursue opportunities for speaker slots and workshop presentations to raise its national and international profile, develop the management skills of its workforce – and retain a focus on providing first-class design.

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■■ Lesley Gulliver and Darren Evans, of The Engine Room, which has seen an “explosion” in business from clients on the continent with contracts completed or in progress in Italy, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Holland and Norway as well as further afield in the USA, African and the Middle East

A COMPANY designing complex production facilities for engineering, chemical and pharmaceutical firms has built itself a worldwide reputation.

Manrochem Ltd, based at New North Parade in Huddersfield, was formed in 1990 to undertake process design for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Over the past 25 years, it has grown in size and reputation and now carries out projects across the world for clients in a wide range of sectors.

Business director and co-owner Edward Jennings said: “Our company strapline is ‘Making it Possible’ and we pride ourselves on being the first port of call whenever a business wants to implement a new process, a new production facility, an increase in production, safety or environmental issues or just to ask us to help answer what they view as unanswerable questions.”

Manrochem Ltd is the foundation of the Manrochem Group, which also includes Manrochem Technical Services Ltd and its Asia and Middle East facility Manrochem India Private Ltd, based in Chennai.

Clients include blue-chip businesses such as RollsRoyce as well as businesses with local sites, including pharmaceuticals firm Thornton & Ross at Linthwaite and speciality chemical company Lubrizol at Leeds Road, Huddersfield.

Mr Jennings said achievements over the past 12 months included moving the Chennai office into new premises, increasing its staffing levels and supplying new computer systems, furniture and facilities. He said: “This in turn has produced enquiries and work throughout the Middle East and Asia and turned our facility into a new, modern and marketable facility.”

Mr Jennings added: “We have the diverse ability and qualifications to undertake project that other companies can’t match or don’t want.

“We actively encourage working with our clients to solve their problems. One of our statement is that there are no ‘stupid questions’. If you don’t know, we might – and then we have a way forward together.

“We have access to a national and international pool of associated companies and individuals, allowing us to offer experts and expertise across an extremely diverse range of industrial processes.”

Manrochem Ltd aims to increase its 20-strong staff, open up new markets and boost its marketing over the coming year.

Mr Jennings said: “Manrochem provides a vital service that enables industry to increase, streamline and improve production through better systems, safer operations and environmentally-compliant process design.”

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Business of the Year

Sponsored by

Continental Sports Ltd

Specialist Glass Products Ltd

A FIRM celebrating 50 years in business has grown to achieve international status in the field of sport.

Paddock-based Continental Sports Ltd was founded by Stanley Booth in 1964 to manufacture sports equipment for local boys’ clubs. As other clubs saw Stanley’s handiwork, they asked him to make equipment for them, too.

Today, the family firm is the only manufacturer of Olympic gymnastics equipment in the UK. The firm is also official competition apparatus supplier to the UK governing body of the sport, British Gymnastics, and one of only eight apparatus partners of the worldwide governing body of athletics, the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique.

The company has grown to provide traditional gym equipment, PE equipment, trampolining equipment, sports hall equipment, changing room furniture and lockers – all manufactured at the firm’s Millgate factory and installed throughout the UK by its team of in-house installation engineers.

Managing director Nick Booth said: “Reaching the milestone of our 50th anniversary is a great achievement by a familyowned manufacturing business and something of which we are very proud.”

Recent highlights for the company have included providing the sports hall

They’re a glass act.

Specialist Glass Products Ltd, based at Milnsbridge, was set up just 11 years ago by its three directors. Now it employs 62 people at its Colne Vale Road premises supplying curved and flat toughened laminated glass for prestigious projects including The Shard as well as Somerset House, King’s Cross Station and Cambridge University.

It also works with architects to supply glass for shopfronts, shower screens, balustrades, stair treads and flooring, balconies and partitions.

The firm has expanded from its original 3,000sq ft premises to occupy about 30,000sq ft of space and has plans to add another 22,000sq ft to further expand its production facilities – a move which will also mean recruiting additional personnel.

Director Andrew Taylor said: “Since 2003, we have grown to become the leading producer of curved glass in the UK. We have invested in machinery and people to ensure we are the only UK producer of certain curved glass products.”

Mr Taylor added: “Our company has gone through many changes in a relatively short life, having to adapt to change. We believe we have been able

equipment for Huddersfield University’s new sports hall and supplying gymnastics equipment for the BBC’s entertainment programme Tumble.

Continental Sports was also chosen by the operator of the “Cpperbox” venue at London’s Olympic Park to convert it from a handball arena to a multi-sports arena and provide equipment for sports including basketball, netball, handball, volleyball, badminton and other sports.

It has also developed a range of equipment for freestyle gymnastics which has been installed in numerous facilities across the Uk to allow young people to practice parkour in a safe indoor environment.

As well as its UK work, Continental Sport has also fitted out a prestigious international school in Armeniawith sports equipment and changing room furniture.

Mr Booth said the company continued to innovate – launching a range of early years soft play equipment under the brand SoftPlayGym and was partnering several European manufacturers of niche high-performance sports equipment.

While the recession had led to government cuts in spending on school building projects and the cancellation of the Building Schools for the Future programme had affected the

■■ Continental Sports director Nick Booth (right) with colleagues Max Green (centre) and Richard Cooper

firm, spending was increasing again and would bring an upturn in business in that sector during 2015.

Nearer to home, Mr Booth said the company was excited about the new Huddersfield sports centre, having been working with the architect and builder on the scheme.

Mr Booth said: “We are very open with our advice and technical input. We have a genuine reputation for providing help.”

Camira Group Ltd A COMPANY supplying fabrics for bus and train seats and office furniture is on the route for further expansion.

Now Camira Group Ltd, which has manufacturing operations at Meltham and premises at Mirfield, is gearing up to boost turnover by landing more contract and transport business at home and abroad.

The privately-owned UK textile group, formed as Camborne Fabrics in 1974, became Camira in 2006 following a management buy-out from American parent Interface Inc. In 40 years of trading, the firm has grown into a multi-million pound concern designing and making fabrics for offices, colleges and universities, conference rooms and public transport and exporting to about 70 countries worldwide.

Camira, which has 645 employees, has supplied Huddersfield University, Yorkshire Tiger Buses, Leeds First Direct Arena, BBC MediaCity UK and projects further afield for clients including Swiss Rail, Melbourne Metro, Russian State Railways and blue-chip companies such as PwC, Barclays and HSBC.

The company designs, manufactures and distributes fabrics from stock while careful control of its own manufacturing has enabled Camira to maintain and consolidate key differentiators such as speed of delivery, quality assurance, customer service and environmental performance.

Its expertise goes from wool yarn, spinning and polypropylene extrusion to wool package dyeing, warping, weaving, textile finishing, technical knitting and specialist cutting and sewing to create finished component covers. Camira has also developed partnerships with local firms such as Holmfirth Dyers and WT Johnson.

Exports now account for 60% of turnover with Camira notching up sales to all 28 EU member countries as well as North America, Asia Pacific and Turkey.

High profile wins include supplying Marks & Spencer with a wool flax fabrics called Flaxwold for the retailer’s Plan A Abbey sofa, upholstering all 13,500 seats at the Leeds First Direct Arena, supplying TSB Bank on its exit from Lloyds Banking Group and ongoing work to furnish seating fabrics for 600 Routemaster buses.

to do this by ensuring we have the best possible people in all positions within the business.

“We have and will continue to invest in staff development as well as investing in machinery to ensure we are the best in what we do and that our service levels are second to none.”

Specialist glass Products has automated its glass cutting line as well as adding new CNC equipment and has moved into newly-built offices to create a better working environment for staff.

In the past 12 months, the firm has put all its team leaders through relevant leadership training and has strengthened its workplace training and health and safety systems.

Mr Taylor said: “The company has grown in strength and profitability year on year, particularly in extremely demanding and difficult market conditions due to the recession through the development of existing staff, by adding experienced professional persons into key positions and through investment in specialist equipment and machinery.”

He added: “In a demanding market place, we believe that we provide the best quality products available in a time to meet our customers’ demands.”

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Young Business Person of

Frame-Tech Structures Ltd

■■ Jamie Atkinson, sales and commercial director at Frame-Tech Structures Ltd has played a leading part in the development of the company as a supplier of timber products to the construction industry

He’s helped build up a successful business providing timber products for the construction industry.

Jamie Atkinson, sales and commercial director of Frame-Tech Structures Ltd, has played a key part in the growth of the company he launched with two colleagues in 2008.

Jamie, who lives at Slaithwaite, had been with Howarth Timber in Huddersfield for 10 years – rising to the role of sales manager – before he was part of the three-man team setting up FrameTech.

The company started in rented premises at Darton, Barnsley, before buying its current property at Lock Way, Ravensthorpe.

It now employs 42 people and designs, manufactures and builds timber frame structures for all manner of buildings – from self-build houses to schools, care homes and multi-storey high rise blocks of flats.

The company incorporates modern methods of construction to provide timber frames that meet the most challenging of design and construction criteria – and for a sector that remains very much a growth industry.

The firm has seen more and more developers, contractors and architects recognising the advantages and benefits of timber-frame over traditional brick and block construction – with quicker build times, increased logistical efficiencies and greater

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cost controls.

Said Jamie: “Over the past 12 months, we have encountered rapid growth and seen our profits double. We have also completed the purchase, set up and move to our new site at Ravensthorpe. We are lean, ambitious and driven. We strive for perfection and this has led to repeat business from a number of blue-chip clients.

“We aim to settle and refine the layout of our new factory and drive efficiencies and innovation into the business through a number of collaborative strategies.”

He said: “Establishing our company at the start of a recession resulted in us having to be highly efficient and cost conscious from day one in order to prosper. The learning curve was steep, but we stuck to our game plan to ensure we provided the best service in the industry, designing and manufacturing a quality kit and carefully delivering quality erection on site. Our strategy worked and we quickly developed a strong customer base, leading to repeat business with our success being spread by word of mouth within the industry.

“The market has substantially picked up and we quickly realised the need to increase our production capacity to meet the growing demand. To that end, we moved into our new larger premises, enabling us to turn over in excess of £10m a year. We are encouraged and excited by these recent developments.”

Rubies Hairdressing Louise Hunter is a hairdresser with big ambitions.

After her father gave her a “terrible basin cut” when she was 11, Louise vowed to become the best hairdresser she could be.

Now she runs Rubies at Heritage Exchange, Lindley, and is making a name for herself as a hard-working businesswoman with great technical skill and immense product knowledge – as well as being a passionate supporter of high quality staff training.

She said: “Rubies is a different kind of hairdressing concept. Rubies aims to be a hairdressing brand that will make a real difference in the sector.

“The Rubies dream is to build a chain of town salons to rival even the biggest and most prestigious town centre brands centred on a creative and cutting-edge philosophy that will inspire our clients’ imagination and totally exceed their expectations and aspirations.”

Since Louise founded Rubies in February, 2012, the business has achieved all its business plan targets, boasts a 100% client satisfaction rating and is establishing itself as a dynamic brand offering employment opportunities for local people.

Louise personally trains all her apprentices through her own bespoke training scheme complemented by college day release, NVQs and personal development plans for reception staff and stylists.

The salon now has six full-time staff and has recruited a colour technician as well as recruiting and training two new stylists, a receptionist and a general assistant.

In October last year, Louise flew the flag for Huddersfield in Tuscany, Italy, at the Sensus International Annual Hair Competition. Out of 78 entrants, Rubies came first with the highest score ever recorded.

Louise has been chosen from hundreds of applicants to join the National Hairdressing Federation’s Trailblazer Group, which is designing the new industry standard for hairdressing apprenticeships. In June this year, all the Rubies stylists made the final of the La Biosthetique Stylist Awards in Birmingham.

Over the next 12 months, Louise aims to further improve the salon environment with refinements based on customer feedback and comments.

She said: “This will include incorporating a ‘style bank’ of high end fashion ideas and inspirations for clients to peruse and consider.

“We will also be evaluating the possibility of developing

■■ Louise Hunter (left), of Rubie Exchange, Lindley

an initial range of Rubies ‘own Louise said she was also kee of Excellence Training Academ hairdressers as well as delive days for the Lindley team.

9

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 Keep up with the news at

#eba14

f the Year Award

Sponsored by

Direct Voice & Data

He’s risen through the ranks from administration assistant to managing director.

Now Dave Henderson is developing the vision of the expanding group of companies making up Skelmanthorpe-based Direct Telecommunications Systems Ltd, which trades as Direct Voice & Data.

Dave joined Direct Telecom in 2002 and became sales manager at the time of a management buy-out in 2005 – afterwards becoming managing director.

At the point of MBO, Dave was just 21 years of age and – despite having no previous business background or business management qualifications – has led the business through the worst global recession in living memory.

All the while, the company has continued to grow and maintain its vision for the future.

In 2010, the company’s trading name was changed to Direct Voice and Data and a relaunch was undertaken to establish the business as a true “unified communications” provider for telecoms and IT. Said Dave: “During the recession years, not only did Direct Voice & Data continue to grow, but the directors launched three further companies with their own trading models, each headed up by dedicated man-

agement teams.”

Dave was selected to take part in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Programme – from which he recently graduated – and has developed a supported bus growth plan that details how Direct Voice & Data will increase operating profit more than ten-fold from last year’s total over the next five years.

It’s an ambitious growth plan, but is already ahead of target just six months in.

Direct Voice & Data serves businesses in areas including telephone systems, IT support, data, power and security and texting services with clients in sectors including estate agency, furniture manufacturing, dental practice, education, car dealerships and hotels.

This autumn has seen the appointment of a corporate finance partner who will work closely with the directors to identify acquisition targets ahead of the first acquisition being planned for mid-2015.

Meanwhile, Dave will continue to develop and maintain the vision of the group companies and is supported by experts and advisors for growth and acquisitions – thus ensuring that the growth is managed with key interest on its staff and customers.

es Hairdressing, with colleagues Millie McKean and Samantha Rickwood at the salon at Heritage

n brand’ products.”

Said Louise: “The Rubies experience is to relax clients, to en to create an on-site Centre pamper them, to inspire and excite them with our ideas and my for the next generation of creativity but most of all to delight them with an outcome ering training and team away that will leave them feeling happy, positive and totally special.”

■■ Dave Henderson has risen through the ranks at Direct Voice & Data to become managing director steering the firm on to ever bigger and better things in providing telephone systems, IT support, data, power, security and texting

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10

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

Community Award

Holiday Inn

Huddersfield Town AFC

Staff at a Brighouse hotel pride themselves on the service they provide – and their strong community links.

The 94-bedroom Holiday Inn Leeds Brighouse provides facilities for wedding receptions, celebration parties and Christmas party nights. This year, it won a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence after amassing four and five-star reviews throughout the year.

But its 70-plus staff also go beyond the call of duty to back community initiatives benefiting local jobseekers, charities, schools and sporting clubs.

Its IHG Academy has worked with the JobCentre and Blue Training to run a three-week course for 14 unemployed people interested in the hospitality industry leading to an NVQ qualification. The course included all candidates working in the hotel’s housekeeping and food and beverage departments as well as taking part in mock interviews. At the end of the course, three participants got jobs with the hotel while the 11 others found work within a few weeks.

The hotel has raised funds for charities including the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, Hollybank Trust, Overgate Hospice and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

It also staged a Hell’s Kitchen event with sixth formers from Rastrick High School, who were asked to cook and serve meals to 80 customers in the restaurant - and raise £900 for the hotel’s national charity. An evening with former Arsenal footballer Paul Merson raised £1,000 for local football club Clifton Rangers while all its fundraising for local good causes has realised more than £3,800 in 2014 so far.

The staff don’t miss out either. All employees are entitled to free meals and refreshments when on duty, there are regular treats such as buns and ice cream and the hotel operates an Employer of the Month initiative as well as a staff Christmas party.

Employees are also consulted online twice a year to monitor their engagement with the business.

Operations manager Simon Markham said: “The Holiday Inn prides itself on working with the local community at any level, whether it be for fundraising or helping individuals getting back into work. We also work closely with our local schools to provide work experience for students, so they have a knowledge and understanding if they are considering a career in the hospitality industries.”

Other events planned include the hotel management team undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for the Hollybank Trust, another sports event for Clifton Rangers, further work experience for students and unemployed people and a free Christmas lunch for a local church group.

Huddersfield Town has played a central role in the local community for many years.

And under chairman Dean Hoyle it has redoubled its efforts to bring benefits to local businesses, schools and charities.

Marketing co-ordinator Jonathan Wilkinson said: “Football clubs have an important role to play in their local community. This is our philosophy at Huddersfield Town.

The impact we have on our local community is substantial as we are seen as one of the key businesses in the town.

“As a club it is important that we understand the responsibilities that this brings.”

Among its activities, the club has positioned itself as a focal point for business through its partnership with local companies and the work of the Huddersfield Town Enterprise Academy.

It works closely with charities including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance – through its long-running Keep It Up campaign – as well as Hollybank Trust and the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

The club also has its own charity, the Town Foundation, which is the brainchild of Dean Hoyle and aims to help improve the quality of life for young people through initiatives including school breakfast clubs.

During the past 12 months, the Enterprise Academy has staged several events, including a Buy Kirklees meeting attended by more than 300 businesses. Anoth-

Like us on Facebook fb.me/huddersfieldexaminer Sponsored by

■■ Town ambassador Andy Booth (front left) joins youngsters at the breakfast club at Berry Brow Infants School

er of its events was attended by 800 delegates.

The Keep It Up campaign broke new ground with a Pedal for Pounds bike ride from Arsenal’s

Emirates Stadium to the John Smith’s Stadium, which involved 300 cyclists riding 250 miles. In July, the campaign broke the £1m barrier – enough to fund every

call-out for the air ambulance in the HD postcode area since the campaign began in 2009.

The Town Foundation has expanded its early Kick-off breakfast clubs to serve more than 150,000 breakfasts to children across West Yorkshire while the foundation has provided 15,000 Reading Diaries has helped promote literacy among young people at 70 schools.

Over the next 12 months, the Town Enterprise Academy is planning events on topics including technology and encouraging new businesses as well as networking online.

The Keep It Up campaign will see Pedals for Pounds resume while other fundraising events will include a carol concert and a treasure hunt.

The Town Foundation, which has added Yorkshire cricket captain Andrew Gale and Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Ed Clancey to its list of patrons, is also planning new initiatives for 2015.

Said Mr Wilkinson: “We plan to carry on promoting the good work that the charity does and continue to raise funds to help our community.

“Fundraising events such as a Chairman’s Lunch where Dean Hoyle will call on his friends in football to generate money for the Town Foundation are planned and are set to raise more money to directly help our children.”

Legacy Sport Schools and community groups are getting healthy – thanks to the work of community interest company Legacy Sport.

The business promotes healthy, active lifestyles through initiatives such as providing PE curriculum support and training for primary school teachers, running school meal clubs, delivering high quality sport and dance camps during school holidays and co-ordinating and delivering the Bikeability cycle training scheme for young people.

Legacy Sport is run by four directors who set up the business after being made redundant from their jobs with Spen Valley School Sports Partnership following funding cuts in 2010.

The four took the gamble of setting up their own business, led by managing director Shaun Fox. Starting with funds of £1,000 and the goodwill of Spen Valley Sports College, which provided office space, the business began trading in September, 2011, Legacy Sport quickly gained a reputation for high quality provision, working primarily with schools and community groups in North Kirklees.

In the past two years, the company has scaled up substantially to operate across Kirklees and the social enterprise is now based at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Its initiatives include Habits4Health, in which young people learn to eat more healthily and take recommended amounts of physical activity. They are encouraged to share what they learn with their families.

Among other services this year, more than

■■ Legacy Sport managing director Shaun Fox said the business would continue to invest

750 youngsters have taken part in holiday activity camps while Legacy Sport has trained and developed more than 150 young sports leaders. Over the past 12 months, Legacy Sport has delivered a competition calendar of activity events to more than 2,500 young people.

More than 3,400 young people have taken

and passed Bikeability courses in Kirklees, taking the number of places delivered to more than 1,000.

Through the curriculum PE sessions and out of school hours service, more than 2,000 youngsters have accessed PE sessions and more than 5,000 have enjoyed breakfast, lunch and after-school activity sessions.

Legacy Sport, which now has 15 employees, has also taken the health message to a wider range of people by link-ups with companies including Howarths People and Safety Management and Fantastic Media as well as Sustrans and Huddersfield University.

Said Mr Fox: “Legacy Sport has spent a significant amount of time building firm foundations and developing strong partnerships over the last three years. We now have a fantastic base from which to expand at the iconic John Smith’s Stadium – the perfect location for a sports/health business.

“Legacy Sport has also been involved in the government-backed Growth Accelerator programme and our operations, sales and financial systems have developed beyond recognition.”

He said the company planned to continue investing in its workforce during 2015 and seek to expand its geographical reach – eventually operating at a national level.

Said Mr Fox: “We aim to build the Legacy brand as a social enterprise committed to fitness and health in young people and the wider community and fulfilling its mission to promote healthy, active lifestyles that have a positive impact on the community.”

11

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 Keep up with the news at

Creative Award

Sponsored by

Fettle Animation

Paradigm Creative Ltd

An award-winning animation production company is seeking further glory.

Marsden-based Fettle Animation makes hand-drawn, 2D animation for broadcast, the internet and digital devices.

The five-strong company creates animated documentaries, children’s TV, music, videos, viral comedy and corporate promotional material with clients including the BBC, ITV, the Royal Armouries and the National Media Museum.

Run by couple Kath Shackleton and Zane Whittingham, the company has recently recruited graduate trainees supported by a creative skillset who have blossomed in their new-found roles and are helping the business to grow.

Fettle Animation has taken business advice from the Creative Industries Finance Scheme, from Growth Accelerator and from its bank to help the business expand.

Among this year’s highlights, Zane won a Royal Television Society Yorkshire One to Watch Award while the series Fettle Animation worked on with Children’s ITV – Share a Story – received a Children’s BAFTA. The firm has been commissioned

by BBC Learning to create a powerful new resource to help young people learn about the Holocaust. Children of the Holocaust is a series of six animations which bring to life interviews with elderly Holocaust survivors about their experiences of escape from the Nazis as children, plus short camera interviews about their lives subsequently.

A DIGITAL communications company in Huddersfield is working with some of the biggest names in business.

Paradigm Creative, based at Bates Mill, Colne Road, specialises in creating video content for clients including O2, Telefonica, Bupa, Arco and RSA Group to name just a few.

The four-strong team also links up with other specialist companies to deliver larger projects that fall outside its direct field of experience, enabling it to scale up to deliver projects that belie its size.

Katrina Cliffe, head of marketing, said: ““We work with clients to recognise the audience for their communications, what impact they are trying to achieve by communicating and to help them identify the correct channels to communicate through.

“We recognise that video is just one tool in any communicator’s box and that it is at its most powerful when deployed as part of a rounded communication plan.

“Our awareness of the context of the pieces that we create has helped us to add value to our clients by understanding the value of video before, during and after an event, the strengths and weaknesses of a corporate intranet as a communication channel and how to leverage social media to get the most out of any content created.”

Among its achievements during 2014, Paradigm Creative stepped in at short notice to organise a major event for Telefonica in London and Sao Paulo, Brazil

■■ Fettle Animation’s Kath Shackleton and Zane Whittingham with a still from the film Children of the Holocaust

The series is an online resource for schools and was broadcast during the autumn as well as being shown on BBC iPlayer.

Fettle Animation has also entered the project for a BAFTA and a series of international film and animation festivals. It is also finalising a deal to get the work shown on TV around the world.

Said Kath: “We are really proud of this piece of work and are getting great feedback and have delivered everything on schedule and within a tight budget.

“We have made a wide range of other types of animation, including animating the staff at Covea Insurance in Halifax for their annual awards ceremony, making a music video for Sheffield songstress Nat Johnson and a comedy music video

for Alan Gregg, a musician from New Zealand.”

Kath said 2015 would see the company develop a new series with BBC Learning, pursue a new marketing and sales strategy with Growth Accelerator and enter its work in festivals in the UK and across the world.

She said: “We are genuine and passionate about what we do; we work hard to stay good at what we do and we work closely with the best people from the creative community around us. We are nurturing young graduates and helping them to grow and develop; we like people, listen well and we treat our contributors well. We respond quickly and provide good service to our clients; we network widely and keep getting out to meet new people.”

10 Associates They’re branding specialists who are “passionate advocates of intelligent design”.

David Worthington and Jill Peel set up 10 Associates in 2004 after working for some of the north’s leading agencies. After just four years, the company was named one of the fastest-growing businesses in the UK and both partners were listed in the prestigious Who’s Who of Britain’s Business Elite.

Among its highlights for 2014, the team at 10 Associates carried out a branding strategy for client AO.com, which has had a massive impact on the electrical retailer’s business.

AO.com floated in February with its shares soaring on debut by more than 40% – bigger in percentage terms than the Royal Mail flotation’s first day of trading.

David Worthington, managing director at 10 Associates, said: “Our ability to immerse ourselves in their business gave us the insight to truly develop a brand that reflects what their business represents and stands for.

“Through great design, clear brand architecture, major advertising campaign and a massive Facebook strategy, we have certainly made the difference!”

Following the news that 10 Asso-

■■ David Worthington, of 10 Associates

ciates played a big part in AO.com’s flotation success, the chief executive of Halfords got in touch – and the agency is now working on branding for the 450-store retailer. The brief was: “Please do the same with the Halfords brand that you did for AO”.

Mr Worthington said: “The attention that 10 is now getting and the opportunities that our Brandschool process is creating means that we

have hit that pivotal moment in our 10 story.

He added: I believe that we stand out from our competition by the way we approach each branding project and our ability as a team to interpret the findings.

“Our process can work for any business. We don’t need to have had any previous experience in the client’s field, That’s truly a massive advantage in the competitive market we operate in.”

He said the agency, which is based at Wheatley Park, Mirfield, was now working on several other high profile branding projects and recruiting for additional members of the team.

Said Mr Worthington: “Our plan is to position ourselves firmly as a national branding specialist and continue to attract great brands to work with us as well as top talent to come and join us. We’re on an exciting journey that makes working here a pleasure.

“Down here at our fabulous Watermill in Mirfield, we have the opportunity to expand our office space if required.

“But we always maintain that what we offer is quality, not quantity. We work with clients that truly believe that great design is at the heart of their business.”

– co-ordinating satellite feeds between the two venues, streaming the combined event from both locations over the internet to viewers in Europe, the US, Latin America and Australia and shooting and editing a video on site, which was available within minutes of the event finishing.

In another project, Paradigm worked with Provident Financial and partners to create a series of induction videos for new starters.

It also worked with the company to distribute tablets to its entire fieldbased workforce as well as creating a series of videos to tie in with the launch.

Paradigm Creative also worked with iCandy to provide product demonstration videos for the firm’s new baby strollers as well as working with the customer to provide social media content.

The next 12 months will see Paradigm Creative pursue a strategic growth plan following key appointments, including a head of marketing, an editor and an animator.

The company will target more bluechip customers and increase its strategic partnerships with local and national creative and event agencies as well as capitalising on its knowledge of digital communications to advise clients, partners and other creative companies.

Said Katrina: “We’re a small, friendly and approachable team who love to do great work with interesting clients.

“There’s nothing that excites us more than a creative challenge.”

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12

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER Like us on Facebook fb.me/huddersfieldexaminer

Innovation & Enterprise award

Sponsored by

Manrochem Ltd

Innovation is key for a Huddersfield company designing complex production facilities for manufacturing firms around the world.

Manrochem Ltd, based at New North Parade in Huddersfield, has grown since its formation 25 years ago to carry out projects for international clients in a wide range of sectors.

While a lot of its work involves “non-disclosue agreements”, meaning the firm cannot go into details about many of its contracts, examples of projects include ones to turn pond algae into Omega 3 as an alternative to fish oils, turn “brown coal” into high grade coal which will reduce stockpiles of poor grade coal worldwide and designing state-of-the-art tea production process plants in Africa and Sri Lanka.

Key client sectors include pharmaceutical manufacture, chemical production, technical transfer and the nuclear industry. Its specialist services include process engineering consultancy, risk assessment and engineering, procurement and construction management.

Business director and coowner Edward Jennings said Manrochem was the first port of call for businesses seeking to implement new processes, install a new production facility, “upscale” production or solve safety or environmental issues.

The Manrochem group includes Manrochem Technical Services Ltd and its Asia and Middle East facility Manrochem India Private Ltd, based in Chennai.

The group is also part of a wider formal and informal network able to deliver complex projects.

Clients include blue-chip businesses such as Rolls-Royce as well as businesses with local sites, including pharmaceuticals firm Thornton & Ross at Linthwaite and speciality chemical company Lubrizol at Leeds Road, Huddersfield.

Mr Jennings said: “We have the diverse ability and qualifications to undertake projects that other companies can’t match or don’t want.

“We actively encourage working with our clients to solve their problems. One of our statements is that there are no ‘stupid questions’. If you don’t know, we might — and then we have a way forward together.”

■■ Manrochem directors (from left) Andrew Pearson, Nandishkumar Thippeswamy, Dave Wakefield and Edward Jennings

Daval Furniture

Supporting creative and digital businesses since 1995 Find out how the-media-centre.co.uk 01484 483 000

A FURNITURE manufacturing firm in the heart of the Colne Valley is reaping the benefits of innovation.

Slaithwaite-based family business Daval Furniture, which has 65 employees, has been providing fitted bedroom furniture for independent retailers for almost 40 years — but like many UK manufacturers found itself competing with cheap foreign imports.

Recognising the need to “evolve to survive” the company carried out customer and consumer research teamed with business analysis to identify the need for shorter lead times, greater product customisation and increased efficiency to drive down costs.

A team was formed to devise a system allowing the firm to take on more product, designs and colours while also reducing stock.

The result was Option-i — a volume, yet made-to-order production process which was also a first

for UK furniture manufacturing.

Marketing and development manager Simon Bodsworth said: “Instead of a ‘you can have it in this size, in that colour and in eight weeks’ Daval can deliver ‘what you want, how you want it, when you want it’.”

The £1.4m investment in Option-i allowed Daval to reduce waste and production costs associated with bespoke furniture and open up choice and design to the mid-market. Lean manufacturing and the reduction of stock also released more funds to plough back into the business.

Daval was named winner of the innovation award at KKB Live — the UK’s largest gathering of kitchen, bedroom and bathroom ■■ Simon Bodsworth, marketing manufacturers. It was also a final- and development manager at Daval ist in the Northern Design Awards for its Como bedroom range and Option-i technology. ket and from being a bedroom Daval has also increased sales furniture specialist is now a trend against the backdrop of a flat mar- leader in kitchens. It launched 50

new door designs in the kitchens market this summer with some of the products becoming best sellers within a few months.

The company also launched a new kitchen range, Natural Trend, to help independent retailers offer customers a premium look at a cost which enabled them to protect their margins.

Plans for the next 12 months include developing a range of free-standing furniture to complement its painted kitchens, develop a digital marketing plan to target retailers, consumers and suppliers more effectively, implement 3D modelling software across its business to cut development time and invest in new bar coding equipment, The firm is also set to launch another new range of bedroom furniture online as well as completing a five-figure refurbishment of its Huddersfield design centre.

Wellhouse got two base vehicles and built two prototypes, which were launched at the NEC in October 2013. Ford managers attended the show and were delighted with what Wellhouse had done.

Within a few weeks, the company was given the green light to build more. The vehicle, the Ford Terrier, was named Campervan of the Year for 2014.

Now Wellhouse has a network of 17 Ford dealers across the UK with more to follow, is expanding its workshops, adding to its 26-strong workforce and investing in tooling and staff training.

Every vehicle has “Made in Huddersfield” displayed on the tailgate.

Mr Elliott said: “To deal with

high” by gaining key accreditations which allowed the firm to work with Ford, such as full European Tyre approval and National Caravan Council approval.

Looking to the future, Wellhouse is developing two more Ford models to offer a whole size range of camper vans.

It has also ordered a left-hand drive model to take to Ford across Europe.

Wellhouse has already arranged to take its products to Ford in Ireland.

Mr Elliott said: “The main thing that sets us apart is that Wellhouse is still seen as having the best quality conversions in the UK and although we are set to double production that is something we will never compromise on — ever.”

Wellhouse Leisure

For more information about any of our festive packages or to make a booking, please contact our team now on; The John Smith’s Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PG Tel: 01484 484115/164 Email: johnsmiths.prestige.uk@sodexo.com JohnSmithsStadium.com

Camper van company Wellhouse Leisure has become one of the biggest names in the business.

The Shepley-based firm was launched 11 years ago, originally importing base vehicles from Japan for conversion to camper vans.

The company is now seen as the premier converted of compact camper vans, having worked with Toyota, Volkswagen and Hyundai during that time.

When Hyundai ceased importing into the UK the base vehicle used by Wellhouse, managing director David Elliott walked on to the Ford stand at the Commercial Vehicle Show in 2013 and stated boldly: “We want to build camper vans for Ford”.

Ford, they want to see progression and forward thinking.

“They will deal with small companies, but only if you think like Ford and share their aspirations.

“At Wellhouse, we have never been afraid to mix it with the larger companies.

“Working with Hyundai gave us our ‘apprenticeship’ so when Ford came along we were ready.

“We also knew it was time to go national, breaking from the numbers of 120 or 140 vehicles to 250, which is what we will build in 2014 via the dealership network.

“This will set us apart from our competitors and puts us straight up against VW UK with their camper van, which they sell through dealers.”

Wellhouse also “set the bar

13

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 Keep up with the news at

Employer of the Year

Sponsored by

Five Star Autocentre

■ Mohammed Asif Ali, of Five Star Autocentre, puts a focus on training

A VEHICLE repair business is investing in its staff to drive ahead of the competition.

And its director is leading by example — having attained a string of formal qualifications during 10 years in the trade.

Five Star Auto Centre, at Paddock, was established in 2009 by Mohammed Asif Ali — enabling him to realise a boyhood dream to build up his own business to provide a hassle-free, value-for-money service and set a standard of excellence for the industry.

The company provides a full range of services, including MoT testing, servicing, brakes, clutches, tyres, exhausts, diagnostics and air conditioning servicing.

Before launching his business in a former joinery building at The Triangle, Mohammed undertook four years of training to achieve the status of master technician with Toyota.

Within the past 12 months, Five Star

Autocentre has expanded its brand presence by linking up with the Huddersfield Giants and sponsoring player Kyle Wood.

It has also formed a partnership with the RAC to handle vehicle break breakdowns within a 10-mile radius of its garage.

And Mohammed has also turned the focus on further developing its eight’ strong staff — having himself gained numerous qualifications, including passing tests with the Automotive Technician Accreditation Board, a national voluntary scheme which not only tests ability but assesses ethical standards and codes of conduct.

He said: “Continually, Five Star Autocentre has invested to increase the development career progression of the staff. In June, the company paid for its key personnel to go and attend key learning events and gain certification. I believe that by investing in its

staff, it will benefit the company in the long run.”

In keeping with his view that “leadership should come from within rather than without” Mohammed works alongside his staff in the workshop to align them with the firm’s strategies and values to build unity, integrity, ethics, teamwork and communication — which in turn builds relationships with customers.

By working with staff under the bonnet whenever possible, he has promoted the values of teamwork and leadership coaching.

Mohammed said: “Management by walking around and working alongside staff is far more effective than management from behind a desk.”

Earlier this year, Five Star Autocentre decided to acquire a new purposebuilt unit to double its workspace and provide an area to concentrate on commercial vehicle repairs and maintenance.

Orchard Energy A COMPANY advising organisations on energy issues has set out its vision to become “an employer of choice” as it celebrates its 10th anniversary and looks ahead to the next decade.

Elland-based Orchard Energy has put in place a plan to double its 90-strong staff and quadruple turnover between now and 2020.

And it has marked its 10th year in style — enjoying record sales, signing 356 new clients in the past 12 months, creating jobs at all levels of the business and appointing a senior management team to drive the business forward.

Orchard Group offers a complete business utility management service through its energy management business Orchard Energy and sister companies Orchard Environmental, covering waste and recycling management and Orchard Networks, providing IT and telecoms and support.

It now has teams in Elland,

Glasgow, Bristol and Newcastle and is opening another office at Northampton to serve the Midlands effectively.

Managing director Gareth Henderson said Orchard Energy was committed to transparency, excellence in customer service, empowering its staff and building strong relationships with clients, energy suppliers, colleagues and partners.

During the past 12 months, Orchard Energy has undertaken a staff survey with highly positive results and taken steps to empower employees to make decisions and contribute ideas.

Employees are given individual development plans while potential new leaders are given the opportunity to shadow their managers. The senior management team is made up of employees who have worked their way through the ranks.

Gareth said: “Staff are encour-

aged to take a proactive role in shaping the business with the confidence that their views and ideas are always being listened to and valued.”

After five years or more employees can opt to take a sabbatical to

participate in charity work, enabling them to invest time and energy in something that they are passionate about. Line managers have the power to reward results by awarding an early Friday finish to their teams — while each team has its own reward system and Star of the Week.

Staff benefits include a Bike to Work scheme, childcare vouchers, personal accident cover, a pension scheme and subsidised gym membership.

There are regular away days and social events as well as flexible working. New initiatives include fruit baskets and extra leisure facilities in the break room.

Gareth said: “Orchard’s business is based on a philosophy of regular face-to face contact with our clients. This extends to internal communications with all staff having frequent one-to-one and regional meetings in person with the senior management team.”

customer base we hold. Wesco offers a competitive benefits pack package. In addition, we run our annual Employer of the Year Awards — nominations and selections purely driven by our employees — where we celebrate success and share our pride and value in staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

“Having a very low staff turnover is also celebrated with our long service awards — a testament to working relationships which are collaborative, knowledge-sharing and fun.”

A long list of employee-related activities over the past 12 months included implementing an automated performance review process to enable staff to manage their performance and careers; five key

staff undertaking NVQs in team leading, which resulted in significant business improvements; action to promote diversity in the workplace; an employee survey which delivered “some truly positive feedback” for the firm; internal secondments to help employees spread their wings; the recruitment of a gap-year student and provision of work experience placements; and running a Blue Sky course to improve communications, individual skills and team building.

Goals for 2015 include implementing a new Learn Management System (LMS) available to all employees and working in partnership with colleagues at Wesco’s California office to build a “Wesco University” within LMS.

■ Gareth Henderson

Wesco Aircraft Europe Ltd A COMPANY supplying vital products and equipment to the aerospace industry is flying high when it comes to focusing on its staff.

Wesco Aircraft Europe Ltd, based at Clayton West, is a leading distributor and provider of supply chain management services to about 8,500 customers worldwide.

It employs 230 people at its Park Mill Way premises and is part of a business with more than 2,700 employees across 81 locations worldwide.

As an authorised distributor for almost every major manufacturer in the industry, it has hundreds of thousands of items in stock, ranging from hardware, bearings, fluid fittings and electromechanical

products as well as machines and fabricated parts and installation tooling.

Alison Garnham, learning and development specialist, said: “Wesco Aircraft was established over 80 years ago and has a family history to this day. With this in mind, it has always had a culture of nurturing our talent within.

“We are the industry’s established leaders with a global presence. It is important to us that each location has the same development opportunities for growing with the business and many employees have moved from one location to another, sharing their knowledge and skills.”

She said: “Our tag line is ‘Promises Delivered’ and our employees pride themselves on the strong

Our students are valued as team players To avoid

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER Like us on Facebook fb.me/huddersfieldexaminer

Sponsor helps firms celebrate LAW firm Chadwick Lawrence — “Yorkshire’s Legal People” — is delighted to continue its sponsorship of the Examiner Business Awards.

The firm has sponsored the awards from the beginning — 2014 marks the ninth annual awards.

Chadwick Lawrence is a prominent member of the regional business community.

And the firm believes in celebrating the success of local organisations — to recognise their achievements, encourage further economic growth and attract more investment to the Yorkshire area.

Chadwick Lawrence has offices throughout the region, including a new central Leeds location and a major, long-standing base in Huddersfield.

The company takes the opportunity to actively support regional initiatives — staging regular free seminars and training for local business and taking a keen interest in promoting efforts to foster economic growth.

The law firm is also heavily involved with other business groups working to highlight

current issues affecting the business community.

Neil Wilson, managing partner of Chadwick Lawrence, said: “We really believe that investing time and effort in getting in front of local business people, particularly through our extensive seminar programme, works.

“It allows us meet those people face to face and enables us to understand the issues they face on a day to day basis.”

It is this approach that has led to Chadwick Lawrence having many long-term relationships with its commercial clients.

SOME LEAD OTHERS FOLLOW. INTRODUCING THE BMW i RANGE.

Sandal are proud once again to be the sponsor of The Examiner Business Green Award 2014.

The BMW i3 is the world’s first premium car to be truly born electric from the ground up, while the stunning new BMW i8 is an innovative sports plug-in hybrid. All we need now is pioneers; those driven enough and bold enough to experience the thrill of a new kind of driving pleasure.

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Kirklees Business Hub is a smart new way for local companies to find each other and discover opportunities.

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The team works predominantly with small to medium-sized businesses with up to a £40m turnover and is able to handle almost all aspects of business law.

The Chadwick Lawrence commercial services team is made up of three departments — corporate and commercial property, commercial litigation (including regulatory law) and employment law.

The growth and expansion of the team resulted in the move into central Leeds in 2012.

The launch of a specialist legal team to assist businesses with commercial property advice and risk management has proved invaluable in helping the owners of commercial property and landlords — or indeed tenants.

Added to the above is a sizeable private client team, meaning Chadwick Lawrence can cater for all of your business needs be they commercial or personal in nature.

With several offices throughout the region, Chadwick Lawrence covers the whole of West Yorkshire — affirming its position as Yorkshire’s Legal People.

■■ Neil Wilson, managing partner at Chadwick Lawrence

Life at sharp end of football and finance Football is in his blood.

David Dein has spent decades at the top of the beautiful game — as a former vice-chairman of both Arsenal FC and the Football Association.

He has also served as chairman of the powerful G-14 group of European football clubs between October, 2006, and May, 2007.

In 2010, he was president of the England World Cup bid for the 2018 finals.

Now David is set to fulfil a fixture as keynote speaker at tomorrow’s Examiner Business Awards — in the sporting surroundings of the John Smith’s Stadium.

A talk encompassing football and business is eagerly anticipated by the sell-out audience.

At Arsenal, David was responsible for football matters — taking an active role in the transfer of players and contract negotiations where he was able to use his extensive network of football contacts.

He was behind the appointment of the then little known Arsène Wenger to the man■■ David Dein, who has tackled a range of issues at the pinnacle of professional football, gives the ager’s job in 1996.

Under Wenger, Arsenal went on to win the keynote speech at the awards, which will be hosted by BBC Look North’s Harry Gration (below) FA Premier League three times and the FA Cup four times — with David backing his transfer decisions throughout.

In 1986, David was voted on to the board of was also president of Arsenal Ladies FC — the the Football League Management Committee most successful English women’s football and later achieved a place on the FA Council. team — while he was Arsenal vice-chairman.

He was also a major force in the creation of While he’s still a devoted Arsenal fan, David the FA Premier League in 1992 — eventually also travels around the world to watch matchrising to the position of vice-chairman of the es and is a much in-demand motivational FA in 2000, a post he held until 2004 when it speaker — addressing audiences at business was scrapped after restructuring. conferences, schools and prisons — and in his He was subsequently re-elected to the FA capacity as ambassador for the Premier Board as a FA Premier League representative. League.

Dein also helped obtain Arsenal’s entry into The Examiner Business Awards will also the G-14 group of major European football welcome back BBC Look North presenter clubs in 2002 and became chairman of the Harry Gration as host for the evening.

G-14 in October 2006.

Harry has anchored the awards since they A keen promoter of women’s football, he were launched and rates the event highly.

15

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 Keep up with the news at

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■■ Judging panel members (from left) Prof Bob Cryan, vice-chancellor of the University of Huddersfield; Adrian Lythgo, chief executive of Kirklees Council; Sandra Babbings, director of PROHMS; and Steven Bonfield, partner at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors, had some tough decisions to make in arriving at the shortlist and winners of the 2014 Examiner Business Awards

Awards attract wide variety of businesses Judgment day has come and gone.

Now it’s all about the names in the envelopes!

As in previous years, picking the finalists and winners of the Examiner Business Awards proved a difficult but rewarding task.

There were inspirational stories aplenty among the scores of entries — with companies demonstrating the determination and business acumen to forge ahead through recent difficult times.

What emerges from such a strong field of candidates for top honours is that there is no shortage of the entrepreneurial spirit for which Huddersfield is

justly famous.

The judges this year faced a massive task — sifting through many dozens of entries to find the winners in 10 categories recognising businesses of all types and sizes as well as the businessmen and woman who have proved outstanding in their field.

The judging panel comprised Steven Bonfield, partner at law firm and awards sponsor Chadwick Lawrence; Prof Bob Cryan, vice-chancellor of Huddersfield University; Adrian Lythgo, chief executive of Kirklees Council; and Sandra Babbings, director of occupational health specialist PROHMS. The panel was chaired by

Examiner business correspondent Henryk Zientek.

The finalists for the 2014 awards have been drawn from sectors including retailing, manufacturing, branding and design, recruitment, food manufacture and training.

A number of previous winners were among those bidding to win awards this time — while there was no shortage of newcomers eager to lay claim to these wellestablished awards.

Judging panel chairman Henryk Zientek said: “The Examiner Business Awards continues to attract some of the best businesses in town.

“Again, we have seen a healthy

crop of entries and it has been difficult choosing our finalists — let alone the winners.

“The standard of entries has been consistently high.

“The judges were delighted to learn about the hard work and dedication that has gone into making these businesses so successful — and the evident commitment to quality, customer care and employee welfare demonstrated by so many of the companies vying for our glittering prizes.

“We all look forward to recognising the achievements of all the finalists — and, of course, the winners — at the awards dinner tomorrow.”

Evening promises a few surprises It wouldn’t be the Examiner Business Awards without a few surprises.

The highlight of the night will be the presentation of the Business Person of the Year Award, made by the event’s main sponsors Chadwick Lawrence.

There is no shortlist for the award, which is in the gift of the judges.

The name of the 2014 winner will be drawn from the envelope at the culmination of the evening’s celebrations.

The winner will join an illustrious line-up of businessmen and women who have all been recognised in previous years for their entrepreneurial flair, their record as employers, their commitment to their home town, their

input into the local economy and their contribution to the wider community through their involvement with charities and other worthy organisations.

Last year’s winner was Glenn Paxman, chairman of Paxman Coolers and Brewfitt.

As ever, the latest award winner is known only to the judges until that envelope is opened.

But there will be a second surprise in store for another winner.

Unlike in previous years, there is no shortlist for the Green Award, sponsored by Sandal Huddersfield. That winner will also be announced on the night.

Guests at the biggest business occasion of the year will be able to share the success of 11 award winners, enjoy a delicious three course meal and hear speaker David Dein. After the awards. there will be plenty of time for informal networking.

It’s going to be quite a night!

As we celebrate 125 years of service to local business we’re pleased to sponsor the Employer of the Year category of the Huddersfield Examiner Business Awards

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