Examiner Business Awards 2011

New Business of the Year sponsored by Celebrating the The Lollipop Tree best in town!

BUSINESSES across Huddersfield will be celebrating success tomorrow night at the 2011 Examiner Business Awards.

Leading figures from the town’s business community will join finalists for a spectacular awards evening at the Galpharm Stadium.

The aim is to recognise the achievements of some of the town’s top companies and entrepreneurs.

They have been chosen by a panel of judges from scores of high-quality entries. In collecting the plaudits, they truly represent the cream of Huddersfield’s business community.

Examiner editor Roy Wright said: “The award nominees range from small start-ups and medium-sized companies to large organisations with national and international reputations.

“They also come from a wide variety of sectors, including manufacturing, construction, retailing, food production, design, IT, consultancy, education and the charity sector. Once again, the judges have remarked on the high quality of entries for the awards.

“In choosing the winners, they have weighed up the contenders against key criteria, including the contribution they are making to their local communities, environmental performance, their financial performance, their commitment to the workforce and their track record on job creation and growth.”

The Examiner Business Awards are sponsored by Huddersfield law firm Chadwick Lawrence, which also sponsors the most prestigious prize of the night – the Business Personality of the Year Award.

The evening also includes a new prize – The David Brown Award – which recognises the strongest contender among those finalists pipped to the post in the other categories.

From Breakfast to dinner for speaker BROADCASTER Bill Turnbull swaps the BBC Breakfast sofa for a seat at the Galpharm Stadium tomorrow night – as guest speaker at the Examiner Business Awards.

The co-presenter of the BBC’s flagship morning news programme has also been a stalwart on the corporation’s News 24 and Radio Five Live. He has also presented the One and Six O’Clock News.

A graduate of Edinburgh University and the Centre for Journalism Studies in Cardiff, Bill began his career as a reporter on the streets of Glasgow with Radio Clyde.

He later freelanced for five years in New York before joining the BBC, which has been his professional home ever since.

As a BBC correspondent, Bill has reported from more than 30 countries. He’s covered everything in the reporter’s notebook – from presidential elections to revolutions, Cuba to Chernobyl, hurricanes to Hollywood.

However, his favourite story is the feature he made about werewolves in Haiti – and living to tell the tale.

Hosting the Examiner Business Awards will be BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration, who has been associated with the annual event since its launch in 2006.

More than 300 people will attend tomorrow’s awards ceremony when the finalists and winners in 12 categories will rub shoulders with leading figures from the local business community to celebrate the town’s entrepreneurial success.

BUSINESS partners Gillian Starke and Donna Farrand are tasting sweet success.

The duo, who met nearly 30 years ago, embarked on their own business venture in August last year when they opened a traditional sweet shop with a modern twist – The Lollipop Tree.

Said Gillian: “We met in London when we worked in a customer service department.

We discovered that we both had the same attitude to customers. We actually cared about our clients and whether they were happy with the service they received – and soon became close friends.”

They lost contact in their mid-20s but were reunited after Gillian tracked down Donna by placing an advert in the Examiner. A few years later, Gillian and her family moved north to Donna’s hometown of Huddersfield.

They started a business in 2001 selling personalised gifts, including chocolate and confectionery, on the internet. The confectionery side of the business swiftly proved the most popular and last year, the two women decided to open a “real” shop.

Preferring a village location to the town centre, they found Kirklees-owned premises

■ SWEET: Donna Farrand and Gillian Starke of The Lollipop Tree, Almondbury in Almondbury. Their families helped with the cleaning, painting and wallpapering while the two partners also fitted out the shop and put the lettering on the windows.

“This was the most exciting time and the most stressful as we made decision after decision,” said Gillian. “On a very tight budget, we fitted and stocked out shop and prepared for the big opening weekend. It was a phenomenal success. Our family and

Party Dreamz

MOTHER -of-two Susan Adams says she has embarked on “the most difficult but exciting journey of my life” with her new business, Party Dreamz Ltd. Susan, who works part-time for Kirklees Council as a children and young people participation officer, set up Party Dreamz in July last year to provide a luxury themed children’s party venue in Milnsbridge.

Says Susan: “Party Dreamz specialises in offering a completely hassle-free themed children’s party experience which is unique, personal, magical and memorable. It is geared towards children aged one to 13 and provides an imaginative party experience in a fun, stimulating environment which encapsulates their love of role play, fantasy and adventure.”

The venue comprises three specially designed multi-sensory themed private party rooms, each depicting a different theme – Woodland Glade, Under and Over the Sea, and The Starry Night.

Each room is designed to capture children’s attention and provide a visual cue for a breadth of imaginative play.

Sound effects, lighting and sensory equipment further stimulate interaction.

Said Susan: “As a family-run business, my husband and I manage the day-to-day running of the business, which operates mainly at weekends. The business employs 10 casual staff, who work as party entertainers.

“As a team, we focus on providing a friendly and high quality service, excellent customer service and ensuring that every child

Eric’s Restaurant

■ RECIPE FOR SUCCESS : Eric Paxman at Eric's Restaurant

friends were so supportive. Some of them dressed up and the shop was ceremoniously opened by Willy Wonka and his helpers – including a six-foot ice cream cone!”

She said: “Our vision was to have a beautiful, fun and friendly shop that could be a source of enjoyment for everyone – a place where people could come to buy small, affordable treats for themselves and gifts and treats for friends and family.”

As well as more than 100 varieties of traditional “weigh-out” sweets, the shop sells luxury chocolates, local farm-made ice cream, as well as unique hand-made confectionery and “decade boxes” with sweets – and memories – from each of the decades from the 1920s to today.

In its first six months of trading, The Lollipop Tree has recouped all its expenditure and has increased its stock by almost a third.

Over the next 12 months, Gillian and Donna plan to increase their range of locally-made products, expand on their own designs and boost sales through its website.

In five years time, they hope to have another two or three branches in other local villages.

leaves our parties with lasting memories and feeling special.

All our staff are trained to the highest standards and range from qualified nursery nurses and trainee teachers to qualified dance instructors and drama specialists.

Susan said she saw a gap in the market for quality children’s parties while on maternity leave with her youngest child.

She attended Business Link courses to get an understanding of the skills needed to run her own business, put together a comprehensive business plan and secured funding from Lloyds TSB and Business Link.

Susan also supports the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice by running fundraising events.

A RESTAURANT is winning rave reviews across West Yorkshire.

Eric’s Restaurant, owned by Eric Paxman, opened its doors in Lindley in November last year – occupying premises at Lidget Street from which three restaurants had previously been run.

Eric entered into a lease with the landlord in September, 2010. Before opening as a restaurant, he carried out a major refurbishment, including structural alterations to provide more space, replacing the shopfront and door, rewiring, installing new flooring, replacing all seating and tables and fitting new furnishings throughout.

Most of the kitchen equipment was also replaced to provide “a first class facility to allow us to produce first class food”.

Said Eric: “We launched on November 4 and over 300 people attended our launch party. We opened the doors to the public on November 5.

The response has been amazing.

“When many businesses are suffering as a result of the economic condition, we have gone from strength to strength and the feedback from our customers, many of whom have returned on numerous occasions, has been unbelievable.”

The restaurant has been reviewed 56 times on Tripadvisor with 73% rating it as excellent.

■ BUSINESS DREAM: Susan Adams of Party Dreamz

Eric said: “In building the business, we have concentrated on three ingredients – food, service and ambience.

“Wherever possible, we have sourced food locally. Our bread comes from the Handmade Bakery in Slaithwaite, our meat comes from Bolster Moor Farm Shop, the ice cream and dairy from Yummy Yorkshire in Denby Dale and our cheese from The Birkby Cheese Company.”

As well as being the owner, Eric is head chef.

He started his training at Huddersfield Technical College, where he gained a distinction and from there worked in local restaurants before working in London under Marco Pierre White at L’escargot. His time there allowed him to develop his craft, learning from Marco’s fine and classical style.

After four years as head chef at a local restaurant, Eric travelled the world. In Sydney, Australia, he worked under Bill Grainger, of BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, for his three restaurants. Bill has been a big influence on Eric, having mentored Eric on creating good food with a modern twist.

With ambitions to open his own restaurant, Eric has been able to take the best aspects from his two mentors. Now he is reflecting these traits in his own personable and relaxed style.

SME of the Year sponsored by Hinchliffe’s A FAMILY firm has overcome adversity to become one of Huddersfield’s most successful small businesses.

Hinchliffe’s can genuinely claim to have made history – when it became one of the UK’s first ever farm shops in 1974.

Allen Hinchliffe set up the original butchery business in 1929 and since then four generations of the family have been equally committed to the cause.

From humble beginnings, the company has expanded to include a shop selling not only meat but also seasonal fruit and vegetables, home-cooked pies and pasties.

Hinchliffe’s has won numerous awards for its food products, including lifting the top prize at the Pork Pie Appreciation Society no less than six times. Its most recent accolade was from the Great Taste Awards 2011.

A recent addition to the business include an adjoining restaurant, which has become a popular destination for local people and visitors to West Yorkshire.

The business has always had a keen business strategy – carefully pricing its

meat to compare favourably with prices in major supermarkets and highlighting the opportunity to buy high-quality, locally-reared or locally-grown produce.

In early summer, 2010, the future was looking extremely bright for the firm. Then in July, a huge fire tore through the farm shop complex. The family could only stand and watch as everything they had worked to achieve over four generations went up in flames while firefighters struggled to control the blaze.

General manager Simon Hirst said: “For many people, this would have been the end of the road – a setback from which recovery might have been impossible. But showing true Yorkshire grit, the family lost no time in getting back up and running – led by the indomitable 87-year-old Charles Hinchliffe, who is still a vital part of the business.

“Within months, we were selling eggs and vegetables from the back of a trailer on site and just a couple of months later we were once again selling fresh meat and serving hot food in a huge marquee.

“Loyal staff and customers continued to

support the business throughout difficult times, which was a great comfort to the family.”

At the moment, the business is operating from a rigid temporary structure on the farm, which houses a large shop and a new restaurant.

Fortunately, one item saved from the flames was the Hinchliffe’s “Butcher’s Bible” containing all the invaluable secret recipes for the firm’s famous pies and meat products. And in May this year, Hinchliffe’s held a family open day to mark the official return to “business as usual”.

Mr Hirst said the fire had given Hinchliffe’s a chance to reassess its business objectives and redesign everything from scratch. New initiatives to raise extra revenue include clay pigeon shooting and steak pie dinners; heavy horse experience days; an outside catering service and services aimed specifically at walkers.

Said Mr Hirst: “After what has been a life-changing year, exciting times now lie ahead for Hinchliffe’s.”

■ SIGN OF THE TIMES: Simon Hirst, of Hinchliffe's Farm Shop thanks customers – three weeks after the devastating fire

Brighter Connections ■ BRIGHT FUTURE: Darren Stringer of Brighter Connections

A BUSINESS which got off the ground partly due to a £70,000 bank loan has boosted turnover to more than £4m in just eight years.

IT reseller Brighter Connections, based at Paddock, was founded in 2003

by Darren Stringer with the loan from Yorkshire Bank via the Small Business Loans Guarantee Scheme and a cash injection by Darren himself.

The business focused on providing a highly responsive and customer-focused approach to the supply of branded IT products.

With no technical staff, the focus was on sales, marketing and customer service with the target market initially internet service providers and mid-market commercial companies with 250 to 1,000 IT

AS Fabrications (UK) Ltd

A LIVERSEDGE firm is bringing vast experience to bear in the design, production and installation of architectural metalwork for a variety of projects.

AS Fabrications (UK) Ltd provides items including staircases, balconies, balustrades, ornate ironwork and construction steelwork for major retail stores, hospitals, schools, prisons, stations and housing.

The company boasts an in-house team of draughtsmen using the latest 2D and 3D design packages working to architects’ and contractors’ specifications or providing bespoke designs tailored to individual customer requirements.

It also has a metal fabrication department and machine shop as well as undertaking structural and trimming steelwork. It also has trained and experienced installation crews carrying out on-site installation.

Marketing manager Tony Lawrence said: “We are a customer-centred business and conform to the highest regulatory standards, Our commitment

■ TEAMWORK: Sales director Jarvis Parsons (left) with managing director Mick Fortune (centre) and contracts director Chris Crossley to CHAS health and safety standards and ISO 9001 quality management systems help to set us apart from our competitors in this respect.”

Tony added: “Our high safety and regulatory standards and quality customer service have allowed us to make significant inroads into the construction sector in a time of difficult trading conditions.

“We have focused on our core business. We continually monitor the

users. Equipment supplied was focused on a client’s computer room, data centre or wide area network.

Brighter Connections serves clients across many industry sectors, locally and nationally.

Said Darren: “Growth has been progressive and has been achieved while making a profit.

We are now debt-free, we do not invoice discount, we do not factor debt and we grow organically.

“Over the past two years, our business has grown dramatically. 2010 was a record-breaking year for us and we saw turnover more than double from just under £2m to more than £4m.

“Our turnover for 2010-2011 remains stable at over £4m, demonstrating that we have had the right business strategy.

And with five new starters this fiscal year, we hope to build on investments made.”

The company pursues an ethical and equitable trading policy to be open and honest with customers, to understand clients’ true business needs and offer an unbiased and consultative approach.

Said Darren: “As a business,

we have continued to invest in training and development for our staff and have recruited new staff to offer a better service to our customers. We set aside about 0.5% of turnover as a training budget each year and actively encourage the development of our people.”

Something delicious is stirring in Lindley…

Eric’s restaurant in Lindley serves your favourite soul-satisfying dishes, created with a twist, by talented chef Eric Paxman.

Fine Yorkshire ingredients are his passion; beautifully served in our comfortable contemporary surroundings.

And very soon, Eric’s bar will open to add to the merriment this festive season. Join us soon where the atmosphere is fabulous and the food delicious!

companies which are most likely to require our products and services and keep in regular contact with our customers.”

The company is also developing the domestic housing market for prospective customers wishing to build or refurbish their homes and gardens using materials such as stainless steel and glass.

The firm’s commitment to quality was recognised when it won the best new business category at the Yorkshire Enterprise & Diversity Awards as well as a local business awards scheme.

Members of the AS Fabrications management team each have a minimum of 25 years experience in market-related disciplines and are fully qualified professionals with significant management experience at senior and board level.

Said Tony: “ By offering in-house design, manufacture and installation services, we can organise, control and deliver jobs to the exacting standards required by our customers.

“Eric’s food takes you on a trip you won’t easily forget... Just go.”

Yorkshire Post

Book now, tel: 01484 646416

R E S T A U R A N T

75 Lidget Street, Lindley, Huddersfield HD3 3JP

www.ericsrestaurant.co.uk

International Business of the Year sponsored by Paxman Coolers A COMPANY providing innovative technology for use by cancer patients is developing a solid export trade.

Fenay Bridge-based Paxman Coolers has developed a scalp cooling procedure to minimise or eliminate complete hair loss in patients having chemotherapy.

Operations director Richard Paxman said: “For people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, the total loss of one’s hair is an extremely traumatic event.

Baldness is an agonising loss of dignity for many people trying to cope with their illness.”

The company now has more than 1,400 machines in use throughout Europe and has successfully treated hundreds of thousands of cancer patients over the past 12 years – with about 70% to 80% of them retaining most if not all of their hair.

Paxman Coolers works in partnership with medical professionals, research centres, cancer support groups, charities and patients to advance scalp cooling technology and bring benefits – including helping people to avoid the initial shock and trauma of hair loss, maintain an outwardly “normal” life, retain self-esteem and carry on with social activities.

The company has a major presence in the UK, Scandinavia and the Netherlands, but more recently

has developed an international marketing strategy to enter emerging markets.

In the past 12 months, Paxman Coolers has entered into agreements through distribution channels and regulatory approvals in more than 20 countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korean, Japan, Brazil, Canada and the USA. Paxman Coolers has worked closely with organisations including UK Trade & Investment, Medilink and Business Link to increase its overseas presence. The company has also showcased its products at major healthcare exhibitions in Dubai, Brazil, The Hague, China, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, the USA and the UAE. It has partnered Sanofi Aventis in observational studies of the pharmaceutical firm’s chemotherapy drugs as well as initiating clinical trials at Japan’s National Cancer Centre. It has also achieved regulatory approval in Canada and expects similar success in Brazil and South Korea.

Paxman Coolers is also working with key cancer centres in the USA on trials involving hospitals in New York, Seattle, Baltimore, Chicago and San Diego.

■ INNOVATIVE: Paxman Coolers’ chairman Glenn Paxman (left) and operations director Richard Paxman

Brunswick Tooling

■ SUCCESS: Managing Director Paul Briggs (left) with machine programme operator Andy Bell and design engineer Roy Gledhill with some of the tools which were manufactured for British Aerospace

A FIRM providing specialist cutting tools to some of the biggest names in manufacturing has enhanced its credentials with customers overseas.

Following the success of a project for defence products giant BAE Systems to develop reamers used in the manufacture of parts for the F35 fighter plane, Brighouse-based Brunswick Tooling is now working with the same company to develop a similar process for the Typhoon Eurofighter.

It is also working with BAE Systems in Australia and is continuing to develop further business in the USA and Canada.

Managing director Paul Briggs said: “Brunswick is already a major supplier of tooling to a number of large companies, including Dana Corporation in the USA and Mexico, Federal Mogul in the USA and Poland, American Axle and Harley Davison.

“Late last year, Brunswick Tooling introduced its products to Vehcom in Ontario. Vehcom is part of Linamar Corporation, one of the biggest group of automotive subcontractors with plants in Canada, Mexico, Poland and France. It was so

successful that Brunswick is now selling tooling to six separate plants.”

Following Brunswick’s success in designing and manufacturing cutters for “hot tapping” a gas line under the North Sea, the firm was approached by Statoil through Clearwell Subsea in Aberdeen to develop a further set of cutters for a different sized valve. Cutting trials have been completed with a view to their use in Norway.

Brunswick Tooling, based at Birds Royd Lane, employs 36 staff, is already a winner. It was presented with the BAE Systems Chairman’s Award last year for its work providing precision reamers for the F-35 Lightning II. The company was one of 28 firms to win one of the top awards, which were presented by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes at a ceremony at Heathrow Airport.

The annual competition attracted more than 3,500 entries across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.

Brunswick won silver in conjunction with BAE Systems and the integrated manufacturing services team at Salmesbury, where components for the F-35 are made.

Extract Technology A COMPANY in Huddersfield has underlined its status as a world-class manufacturer.

Bradley-based Extract Technology, which makes engineered containment systems for the pharmaceutical, chemical and biotechnology markets, has established a global reach – making its presence felt in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australasia, Europe, the Middle East and Russia.

Its achievements were underlined earlier this year when the company won the best newcomer award at the eighth annual Yorkshire Productivity Awards in Leeds. Technical manager Paul Hudson received the award on behalf of the company.

The award recognised Extract Technology’s commitment to improving production efficiency – a commitment which has helped it achieve sales success with major clients across Europe, Australasia, Africa, and Asia as well as in the UK.

Extract Technology was founded in 1981 in Dewsbury before moving to Bradley Junction Industrial Estate in 1990. The company manufactures in-house with 70% of sales going to export.

General manager Alan Wainwright said the company's specialist business and improvements in production efficiency had helped it to withstand the recession – with the company picking up orders across the world despite the global economic downturn and competitive market conditions.

A recent highlight was the completion of a specialist contract to provide a three-chamber cell culture isolator for the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service in Helsinki.

Other recent contracts awarded to Extract include ones to provide isolators for pharmaceutical company Teva in Hungary and for AstraZeneca in Sweden.

Another project was to supply a

turn-key sampling facility for Intervet in Igoville, France. Intervet, part of Merck, awarded Extract Technology the contract based on the Extract team’s experience and knowledge on turn-key facilities.

Extract Technology has also returned with strong leads from exhibitions in Rotterdam and Singapore. The latter included a presentation by the company to 150 delegates, which was well-received and is expected to lead to more business.

Much of the success is down to production improvements – including better layouts for the firm’s two main workshops to suit a much more diversified product range.

The firm has also made an investment in training and skills as well as driving towards improved efficiency – combining the traditional engineering skills of its workforce with new techniques for lean manufacturing and NVQ training.

■ GLOBAL: Extract Technology general manager Alan Wainwright (right) with colleagues Paul Hudson (left) and Jason Armitage

Young Business Person of the Year sponsored by Mohammed Asif Ali AS a teenager, Huddersfield-born Mohammed Asif Ali dreamed of being an entrepreneur.

The dream became reality in 2009 with the opening of servicing and MOT centre Five Star Autocentre at Paddock – and the opportunity to put into practice Mohammed’s philosophy of providing exemplary, hassle-free, value-for-money services for the car owning public.

Mohammed had already served his apprenticeship in the industry, rising up the career ladder and undertaking four years of training to achieve Master Technician status.

But as far as management and leadership skills, Mohammed realised he would have to learn from experience and hard work.

The first setback came when his building application for the premises – a dilapidated ex-joinery shop – was rejected. Mohammed appealed and won.

Said Mohammed: “Over the next few

months, the learning curve was frantic.

I taught myself how to design workshop flows in tight restricted spaces in order to achieve higher efficiency than my competitors.

“I learned how to organise architects, builders and contractors, how to source, interview and hire the right kind of staff, how to put HR policies together, draw up contracts of employment and draw up health and safety policies.”

Mohammed had to source tools and equipment, negotiate the best prices, design advertising, get brochures made and design an online interactive website, as well as setting up an accounting system and applying for membership of bodies including the Good Garage Scheme.

“In just 12 weeks from taking over the Paddock premises, we opened the doors to the public,” said Mohammed.

“It had been the hardest period in my life, but persistence paid off and I was equipped with a wide variety of

management and leadership skills.”

Mohammed was also determined to adopt policies of integrity, ethics and absolute honesty with customers – combining these with an interactive online booking system.

By working alongside staff under the car bonnet wherever possible, Mohammed put the emphasis on teamwork, persuasive leadership, coaching and staff development.

He now has 10 years’ experience in the motor trade, a string of formal qualifications and has also become a highly professional business manager and decision-maker.

The company is enjoying a 99% independent customer satisfaction rating and has exceeded the expectations of all those involved, including customers and suppliers.

Said Mohammed: “My personal philosophy in business is that we can all do better when it comes to providing services to the public and consumers, no matter what industry we are in.”

■ FIVE STAR SERVICE: Mohammed Asif Ali

David Elliott

■ DRIVING FORCE: David Elliott of Wellhouse Leisure

DAVID Elliott’s driving ambition is to make his company the best in its field.

The director of Shepley-based camper van conversion specialist Wellhouse Leisure has steered the business from a standing start to one employing more than 30 staff and working with some of the car industry’s biggest manufacturers.

Wellhouse Leisure, which has been trading since 2003, converts vans and people carriers into camper vans, utilising fully skilled carpenters and cabinetmakers as well as mechanical and bodyshop technicians.

The company sells its products all over the UK and has also built up an export business.

However, it has not been an easy ride. In the 2008 recession, the firm was down to a staff of nine and its future was in question.

“What we learned from the recession made us come out fighting as were probably only a few weeks

from going out of business,” said David. “The recession actually made us stronger, less complacent and more eager to find new opportunities to move forward and make us more ‘recession-proof’.

“We rode out the storm of 2008 and in 2009 we were offered a deal to sell £1.4m worth of new motorhomes from a large German company whose UK dealer had cancelled. The deal was actually too big for us, but we put a package together where we paid for each one as we sold them and they went for the deal. It turned what would have been a dismal year into a half-decent year – and it taught us that dealing with big international companies was not beyond this small Huddersfield-based company.”

October, 2009, was a record month for the company as it completed sales of the cancelled ordered vehicles and sales of its own conversions got back on track.

In 2010, while some of its

competitors were pulling out of shows, Wellhouse Leisure attended its first indoor exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham – resulting in a record-breaking month in February as the firm took orders for 31 builds.

The next big step came in 2010 when Wellhouse Leisure convinced car giant Hyundai that its i800 base vehicle would make a “nice” camper van. Within two weeks of meeting one of Hyundai UK’s top engineers, a deal was struck and work began on designing the conversion to include woodwork, hob, sink, fridge and appliances.

David took his top technician off day-to-day production to lead the project – while the company was also pursuing ISO 9001 accreditation.

Wellhouse expects to win European Type approval, which means Hyundai UK will allow the firm to sell its camper van through any of its 150 UK dealerships.

Gareth Henderson GARETH Henderson has put a lot of energy into building up his business.

The 34-year-old launched Orchard Energy in 2004 in Golcar with his wife Rachel.

Seven years later, the energy management consultancy has grown substantially with Gareth at the helm – with headquarters in Brighouse and offices in Bradford, Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff and Bristol.

Further openings are planned in Coventry and London.

Orchard Energy advises businesses on energy efficiency, carbon management and compliance and offers energy management services, including brokerage of business-to-business energy contracts, energy audits and advice on renewable energy options.

Gareth has embraced the need for a national business with a regional presence – opening offices across the UK with local teams who know the regional business climate – and ensuring the recruitment and staff training are part of a carefully planned

growth strategy.

Gareth works hard with his team to ensure the business is constantly improving and developing – and values a team approach to business. He has put in place a management structure that enables him to talk directly to employees at all levels.

He said: “The firm’s employees are its most valuable asset and I work with each person on their merits to allow them to soar with their strengths and find their ‘fit’ in the business. A culture of transparency allows every member of the team to feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute their thoughts and ideas.

“Investment in staff training ensures employees have the skills to deliver excellent service and enjoy structured career development within the organisation.”

Gareth is committed to supporting local charities and good causes. A core philosophy of the business involves partnering such organisations to ensure that Orchard is not just looking inwards, but

outwards to help others.

In the past 12 months, Orchard has provided 100% seed funding to establish and support a Food Bank in Bradford supporting needy families. The company has also supported a debt counselling charity financially in its aim to open more counselling centres and help more victims of the economic downturn.

Orchard has partnered an organisation in Paraguay to provide food to feed orphans who would otherwise go without. By the end of the year, the firm will have established its own charity to channel funds into an ever-growing portfolio of partners.

Gareth’s enthusiastic approach to business has seen Orchard gain ISO 9001 accreditation in recognition of its commitment to quality and customer service.

Gareth’s energy and leadership – along with the commitment to his staff and local community – have provided the firm with sound foundations as it grows nationally.

■ ENERGY: Gareth Henderson, managing director of Brighouse-based Orchard Energy

Business of the Year sponsored by Ploughcroft Group A SOLAR energy and roofing specialist in Brighouse can lay claim to being one of the region’s true success stories.

Ploughcroft was formed in 1997 as a traditional roofing company.

Now it is on target for year-on-year growth of 94% – up from £2.6m to £5m – and has created 10 jobs to take employee numbers to 50.

Managing director Chris Hopkins made the strategic decision to move into solar and become specialists in the solar roofing installation sector in 2005.

Chris had the foresight to realise the UK needed to increase the amount of energy generated by renewables and that solar was the most suitable option for the domestic market.

Said Chris: “Over the past five years, I have had two key objectives – to become the UK’s top solar roofing installers renowned for quality workmanship and customer service and to become the leading

educator for the roofing sector.”

Ploughcroft was the first roofing contractor in the UK to achieve Microgeneration Certification Scheme accreditation.

It provides services through three divisions – Ploughcroft Solar, Ploughcroft Building & Maintenance and Ploughcroft Training & Development. It also operates Rooferman Franchising Ltd, allowing customers to request bespoke services as required from the solar and building and maintenance divisions.

Ploughcroft also has an NVQ solar roofing training centre and has worked with the National Federation of Roofing Contractors to develop and deliver the NFRC solar roofing course, which has been delivered to more than 150 companies.

Last year, Ploughcroft created a “community hub” to give people with an interest in solar power an insight into the subject. The firm’s

Eco Roof Visitor Centre boasts solar energy panels, “green walls” and an air source heat pump.

The company has become a leading solar PV installer, working in partnership with high-profile firms including Vaillant Plc and Southern Energy. Its team has now installed more than 5,000 systems across the country.

A key milestone came last year when Ploughcroft secured a solar roof fitting service with 480 Plumb Center branches across the UK. Ploughcroft has set itself a target of £10m turnover within the next two years – while Chris aims to become the UK’s number one sale solar installer and a household name.

Since an appearance on TV’s Dragon’s Den – and investments from panellists Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis – Chris has received a deluge of customer enquiries and approaches from other interested businesses.

■ OBJECTIVES: Chris Hopkins, managing director of Ploughcroft at Brighouse

Dual Seal Glass Ltd A COMPANY in Huddersfield has supplied glass to some of the country’s most prestigious developments – and many of the town’s landmark buildings.

Dual Seal Glass Ltd was established in 1995 by the father and son team of David and Nigel Meredith.

In the early days, the company manufactured double glazing units for houses in a 12,000sq ft unit in Milnsbridge – serving more than 200 credit accounts, including builders and joiners.

In time, Dual Seal decided to make the change from the domestic to the commercial sector, requiring considerable investment and a more dedicated workforce.

It led to the company moving to much larger premises in the former Henry Brook & Son factory on Leeds Road. Since the move, further

expansion means the unit is four times its original size with the company occupying almost 500,000sq ft.

Continued investment has seen the installation of a fully automated sealed unit production facility and a £1m investment in state-of-the-art cutting equipment – the first of its kind in the UK. Plans are now in place to update the toughening facility with a new furnace offering energy saving, improved yields and increased capacity.

Alongside all this, the company has increased staff numbers from 16 in 1995 to 76.

Dual Seal has supplied glass to contracts across the UK and mainland Europe. Most of those projects are for offices, hospitals, hotels and sporting venues.

They include Doncaster racecourse, Edgbaston Cricket Ground and numerous football

Britannia Rescue BRITANNIA Rescue is a road rescue and recovery service based in Huddersfield – but boasts national coverage.

The company, based at historic Folly Hall Mills and employing more than 100 people, provides its services via partners and brokers to their members and customers.

Its partners include parent group LV= which accounts for a third of Britannia Rescue’s customer base, as well as Asda, the Civil Service Motoring Association Club, Barclaycard, the Royal Air Force Association, the National Union of Teachers and Unison.

Recovery policies are serviced and managed via Britannia Rescue’s 24/7 contact centre in Huddersfield.

The recovery service is provided by a nationwide network of more than 300 garages across 500 locations giving access to 3,000 technicians.

Relationship manager Paul

Cummings said: “Our purpose is to provide corporate partners and general insurance brokers with competitive road rescue services supported by comprehensive sales and service.

“Our aim is to create genuine partnerships, become a trusted friend and provide pro-active support to help our partners achieve their ambitions and plans.”

In a saturated market for breakdown services, Paul said Britannia Rescue had focused on business-to-business deals – securing affinity partnerships and expanding its network of brokers.

Britannia Rescue was bought from CMS Club by LV= in 2008. Since then, the team has adjusted to a new culture and a new strategy focusing on business-to-business.

Paul said: “Our latest customer satisfaction survey reveals the call centre achieved a satisfaction rating

of 99.1%. This result is further reinforced by an independent survey by Auto Express. Its Driver Power survey ranked Britannia Rescue second out of 15 breakdown recovery providers in the UK – ahead of major players the AA, the RAC and Green Flag.”

Service levels benefit from the employment of a dedicated operational relationship manager who links Britannia Rescue operationally to its business partners, tailored services and by listening to feedback from partners at monthly meetings.

Said Paul: “Thanks to the team’s comprehensive tailored service, high levels of efficiency, performance and customer satisfaction, Britannia Rescue has experienced growth both through new contract wins but – perhaps most tellingly – through the expansion of existing contracts and high renewal rates.”

stadia. Contracts in the education field include ones for Calderdale College, Huddersfield University’s creative arts building and Kirklees College’s new Waterfront development.

The company also boasts an impressive financial record – maintaining “excellent” levels of profitability over the years with the bulk of earnings retained in the business to support its continued expansion.

Nigel said: “The key reasons for the company’s success are its willingness to adapt to market trends, its strong customer focus and its investment in up-to-date machinery.

“Dual Seal has also played its part in supporting the local community and has long-standing relationships with both Huddersfield Giants and Huddersfield Town.”

■ EXPANSION: Nigel Meredith, of Dual Seal Glass

Who’s next to join our elite list of winners?

A SURPRISE or two awaits the audience at tomorrow’s Examiner Business Awards.

This year, the award judges have run the rule over the contenders in 12 categories.

They include the David Brown Award, where the winner will be selected from all the entries received.

The winner may not have been shortlisted in any of the categories, but in the eyes of the judges will have demonstrated commitment, determination and dedication.

The Business Person of the Year Award, sponsored by law firm Chadwick Lawrence – which has sponsored the Examiner Business Awards since their inception – is the highlight of the evening and will be presented to honour someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the local business community.

The winner will join previous recipients Ken Davy, David Armitage, David and Luisa Scacchetti, Prof Bob

Cryan and Jonathan Thornton on the roll of honour.

Mr Davy, chairman of financial adviser support network SimplyBiz Services plc and Huddersfield GIants, was recognised for his sporting and business connections.

Mr Armitage, chairman of Sellers Engineering, was rewarded for his efforts to champion manufacturing and regeneration.

David and Luisa Scacchetti, were honoured for their work creating jobs, promoting innovative design and investing in the town as founders of nursery products firm Mamas & Papas.

Prof Cryan received the award for his contribution to the growth and development of the university and building links with local businesses.

Mr Thornton, chairman of pharmaceutical firm Thornton and Ross, was recognised for his commitment to the Colne Valley and steering the growth of the company.

Community Award sponsored by Insight with Passion

Holmfirth Vineyard

WHEN business transformation company Insight with Passion was formed in 2009, senior partners Kate Hardcastle and Richard Gomersall shared a belief that businesses should have a strong focus on community.

From the outset, the Holywell Green-based company has been the main sponsor of The Charity Dreamgirls, an all-girl singing group featuring Kate which raises hundreds of thousands of pounds for lesser-known charities and good causes.

To date, 20 Yorkshire-based organisations have benefited from Insight with Passion’s Access for All programme, which sees the firm donate 20% of their time and resources to helping start-up entrepreneurs and struggling charities across Yorkshire.

Recipients of the programme have included community musician Kate Peters and Sam Dunkley, the YMCA Pantomime Society and Halifax’s Square Chapel Theatre.

Sam said Insight with Passion worked to help him set up his own business, Performing Arts, by establishing a brand and a website, a series of linked logos and a business plan. He said: “Working with the IwP team has enabled Performing Arts to develop a reputation for professional and high quality workshops and courses inside and outside schools.

It has been invaluable to have access to the knowledge and understanding that exists with Insight with Passion.”

HOLMFIRTH Vineyard is cultivating more than grapes – as its owners aim to play a leading role in the local community.

The business, founded in 2008, was the vision of husband and wife Ian and Rebecca Sheveling, who were keen to escape the rat-race and fulfil a lifelong dream to produce award-winning wines in the UK. They bought Woodhouse Farm at Holmbridge and hand-planted 7,000 vines of five different grape varieties across seven acres.

They have already started to receive expert recognition for the quality of the wine produced and their story was also featured on Channel 4’s Build a New Life in the Country.

To keep up with growing customer demand, Ian and Becky developed their plans to build a visitor centre, comprising a tasting lounge and restaurant as well as an “eco lodge” containing seven five-star self-catering apartments built underground.

Said Rebecca: “Holmfirth Vineyard currently offers wine tastings and vineyard tours, help and advice on viticulture to the general public and as a place to understand viticulture and where wines comes from.”

She said: “The tours and wine tastings have proved very popular and many of the visitors are returning as customers.

“The tours are booked in advance and most days there are 20 to 40 visitors one each tour.”

The vineyard uses renewable energy sources to minimise the visual impact of the buildings and reduce its carbon footprint.

It also aims to provide encouragement for others keen to improve their own “green” credentials and show visitors including school parties how to take measures to benefit the environment.

Said Rebecca: “Holmfirth Vineyard intends to develop into Yorkshire’s premier vineyard and wine-making facility that encourages visitors and tourists for both recreational and educational interests.”

■ SITTING PRETTY: The Insight with Passion team of (front from left) Tanya Haigh, Kate Hardcastle, Jenny Tomlinson and Paul Buckley with (back) Richard Gomersall, Sophia Huddlestone and Charlotte Cody Using IwP’s business acumen and marketing knowledge, the Charity Dreamgirls have raised almost £20,000 for their charity partners and provided more than £1m worth of PR. Kate Hardcastle said: “The aim is to bring high profile events to the public and in doing so achieve a higher awareness for our charity partners.

“This aim has seen us persuade

legendary celebrities to support the cause – with names such as Martha Reeves, Alexander O’Neal and Candi Staton flying from the States to use their talents to help local charities.”

Last year, the Charity Dreamgirls supported the Retail Trust and Leonard Cheshire Disability – raising awareness of both causes and earning regional and national recognition for their efforts.

Suma Wholefoods CHARITY begins at home for a workers’ co-operative supplying vegetarian and organic food to retailers around the UK. Elland-based Suma Wholefoods, which is run in the interests of its 150 workers, concentrates its charitable efforts and support for new initiatives close to home with organisations that fit in well with the views and feelings of its members.

Rob Sherwell, of Suma’s brand development team, said: “Rather than simply making financial donations, we prefer to get involved in a rolling programme of hands-on support such as our current projects with Old Earth School and Brighouse High School.”

Youngsters at Old Earth Primary School in Elland are so eco-aware that they were awarded the accolade of Greenest Primary School in Calderdale 2010. Eco-classrooms benefit from low carbon consumption and solar panels, ground source heat pumps and rainwater filtering systems.

Suma sponsored the construction of one of the eco-classrooms – and is picking up tips to help improve its own “green” performance along the way. Suma staff are also working with pupils to plan a programme of events to share eco ideas and develop further links.

Brighouse High School is also making its mark on the “green scene” by encouraging students to learn about growing food. Suma is proving funding for the school’s polytunnel,

■ GROWTH PLAN: Liz Cresswell, head at Brighouse High School, with school governor John Heppenstall (back) and Rob Sherwel, of Suma including preparing the ground and trenching, construction work and 200-litre water butts to conserve rainwater.

Suma is also helping Year 12 pupil undertake two curriculum projects, which includes visiting the co-operative’s premises at Lowfield Business Park to see how it operates.

Suma hosts work experience students and regularly gives tours of its premises to school groups. After one such visit, Leven Valley School in

Cumbria set up a project to run their own co-operative to build on the pupils’ knowledge of nutrition and business skills.

Suma has contributed start-up income to two local co-operative business ventures – Holmfirth Fairtrade Co-operative and Green Valley Grocers at Slaithwaite – and helped raise funds for organisations ranging from Huddersfield Autism, Elland Junior Football Club, Overgate Hospice and Stainland Lions Running Club.

Green Award sponsored by Holmfirth Vineyard

■ TOAST TO SUCCESS: Ian and Rebecca Sheveling and baby Luca celebrate last year’s launch of Holmfirth Vineyard

HOLMFIRTH Vineyard is bringing some environmental extras to Summer Wine land.

The vineyard, based at Woodhouse Farm, Holmbridge, and owned by Ian and Rebecca Sheveling, aims to become the first carbon-neutral vineyard as well as Yorkshire’s premier vineyard – encouraging visitors and tourists for recreational and educational purposes.

The complex includes a tasting lounge, which opened to the public at the end of May and a restaurant employing 10 staff, which is open six days a week.

The vineyard is open to the public for tours and wine-tasting. Tours are booked in advance and draw 20 to 40 people on each tour.

Earlier this year, the couple got planning permission for their £600,000 proposals to build an extension to the existing farm building and to expand the wine-making business by including a visitor centre and carbon neutral eco-lodge.

The two-storey eco-lodge will be set into an embankment and will include a host of environmental features.

The vineyard already has a 6kw wind turbine, ground source heat pump, solar panels, air source heat pumps and planning for photovoltaic panels for the winery.

Its buildings are super-insulated and built to a ground-breaking standard six years ahead of its time.

A carbon neutral power system would use a central hot water accumulator drawing energy from an air source heat pump, wind turbine, solar panels and a pellet boiler using waste from the vineyard to provide under floor heating to the wine shop and tasting area as well as hot water to the eco lodge.

Rebecca said: “These developments will be undertaken with the utmost care and sympathy to the surrounding landscape, local residents and businesses.

“The design of the buildings are

renewable energy sources have been chosen to minimise both the visual impact and footprint of the areas, showing an appreciation for the Green Belt, but also allowing the business to become sustainable.

She added: “We take pride in our eco-designed environment, the quality of our wine and food and pride in our people.

“We plan to use renewable energy to power the eco-lodge, shop and winery. It is hoped to make more power than we use, therefore helping to become zero carbon and low impact to the environment.”

The carbon neutral power system would use a central hot water accumulator drawing energy from a the air course heat pump, wind turbine, solar panels and a pellet boiler using waste from the vineyard to provide under floor heating to the wine shop and tasting area as well as hot water to the eco lodge.

Hanson Music A FIRM making traditional musical instruments is in tune with the environment.

Hanson Music, based at Marsden, has made its commitment to “environmentally and socially-sound policies” in its production to help protect endangered species, wildlife and communities.

Managing director Alastair Hanson said: “In 2009, we committed to establishing a verified chain of custody from forests in Tanzania to our factory in Marsden. The chain of custody links all handlers of endangered tropical hardwoods required in production of musical instruments – starting with forest harvesters in Tanzania and ending with retailers in the west – providing customers with independent verification that the wood used to produce their instruments originates from a sustainable source.”

Last year, the company became the world’s first manufacturer of wind

instruments to gain Forest Stewardship Council certification and by the end of 2010 Hanson Music had made the world’s first FSC clarinets.

“The instruments were launched to critical acclaim at the Royal Northern College of Music in January, 2011, with a performance by Lynsey Marsh, principal clarinetist of the Hallé Orchestra,” said Alastair.

Earlier this year, Hanson Music received a FSC-UK award for outstanding achievement. The award was presented by Charles Thwaites, executive director of FSC-UK. The awards are being presented throughout 2011 – the UK International Year of Forests – to organisations considered to be have made an outstanding contribution to the work of FSC in the UK. Said Alastair: “The musical instrument industry is one of the largest consumers of Mpingo, the East African Blackwood tree. The wood is used to make clarinets,

oboes, bagpipes, violins, guitars and pianos.

“Around 20,000 blackwood trees are felled each year – 96% of them illegally. Each tree takes at least 70 years to reach the minimum useable size and the species is now commercially extinct in Kenya and much of Tanzania.

“Our project is ensuring a future for the trees and surrounding habitat. We are promoting sustainable and ethical manufacturing, educating villagers to work to protect the environment, influencing competitors and empowering consumers through producing responsibly made and fairly traded products.”

The firm’s first harvest of blackwood in 2009 yielded £1,200 for the villagers of Kikole in southern Tanzania – 400 times as much as they would have received from loggers.

The money is being used to improve water supplies, build a house for the local midwife and patrol the forest.

■ RIGHT NOTE: Clarinet maker Alastair Hanson, whose company is pursuing environmental policies in the sourcing and production of musical instruments

Kirkwood Hospice

■ GREEN PLAN: Kirkwood Hospice opens its Meltham shop with town councillor Paul White joining manager Hannah Bamforth, deputy manager Victoria Ledwold and volunteers

KIRKWOOD Hospice is setting a “green” example in the retailing sector.

Its charity shops play a vital role by raising more than £4m a year through the sale of donated items to ensure that the hospice’s services are available to the people of Kirklees free of charge.

Retail co-ordinator Susan Marsden said: “The retail department is made up of 17 shops – five of which are in North Kirklees and the remainder in South Kirklees.

“The core business of these shops is to turn unwanted items passed on by donors into sales to customers. Such exchange of goods prevents unwanted garments, furniture and bric-a-brac to name but a few being sent to landfill – while generating much-needed income for the charity.”

The shops also accept items not suitable for sale, but which can be passed onto textile merchants for recycling.

Last year, the hospice shops prevented

items going to landfill – raising almost £150,000 from the sale of these rags to third parties which was enough to fund 13.5 days of patient care.

Said Susan: “The daily work routine also means that items such as books, metal, cardboard, spectacles, stamps, telephones, foreign coins, printer cartridges and electrical items are all sorted so that they can be passed on either for re-use or to be sold so that their proceeds too can be used to fund the hospice.”

Among its shops, the Kirkburton store was voted the “greenest” business in the village in a survey of local shops by youngsters holding an ECO Day at Kirkburton Middle School.

The hospice shop at Milnsbridge was introduced “total recycling” in the past 12 months. Before that, only textiles, shoes, bags and belts were sold on to textile recycling merchants. The large business “refuse” bins were being filled two or three times a week – and as the shop

decided to find ways to dramatically reduce waste, increase recycling and generate income from the initiative. Now books and miscellaneous items are also recycled and unwanted glass is taken to the council recycling depot. All plastic bags in good condition are re-used on the till.

Encouraged by their success, the team identified ways to recycle other waste items – with kitchen waste and tea bags going for composting and a local builder collecting broken and unsaleable pottery to use as backfill. Waste from the shop has been reduced by up to 95%.

Staff and volunteers bring their own cans and tins into the shop and all the other Kirkwood shops send their unwanted metals for reprocessing.

Among other energy-savings efforts, heating in the shop has been linked to digital timers set for the winter months and the operating time reduced by two hours a day to reduce the shop’s carbon footprint and energy bills.

Innovation Award sponsored by Chem Resist Group A COMPANY designing and making corrosion-resistant chemical storage tanks and chemical process equipment for some of the world’s leading companies is reaping the rewards of a programme to improve all-round efficiency.

Ravensthorpe-based Chem Resist Group counts major names like Kodak, GlaxoSmithKline, Agfa and Corus among its clients.

Now the 45-year-old firm is set to enjoy further growth after gaining an Innovation Voucher to work with Huddersfield University to update its IT systems and developing innovative production and administrative systems.

The processed involved mapping, manufacturing best practice, including consideration of performance measurement, engineering management, enterprise resource management and supply management with recommendations for new working practice and technology improvements.

The company has made real improvements to its operations, directly leading to lead-time and production efficiency savings and improved competitiveness.

Chem Resist has been working overtime to meet domestic and export demand for its products. In addition to established markets in the UK, Algeria, Egypt, Australia and the Middle East, the business is also fulfilling orders from Holland, Russia and Canada.

Among its products, Chem Resist is supplying containers to farms for use as fertiliser mixing tanks. The company has developed the product in co-operation with local farmers.

Westin Design

■ GROWTH: Neil Williams says Chem Resist has a proven product range The thermoplastic mixing tanks avoid corrosion issues associated with more traditional mild steel mixing vessels.

Other products provided by the firm include fume scrubbers, acid dilution and acid cooling plants, lead acid formation tanks, all-plastic heat exchangers and pipework.

Director Neil Williams said: “Constant product innovation and close personal attention to our clients across the globe is paramount. We operate in a specialised market sector with a proven product range – growing the reputation of Chem Resist as a truly global brand.”

A LEADING manufacturer of extraction systems for top-quality kitchens has found the recipe for continued success.

Westin Design, based at Leeds Road in Huddersfield, employs 30 people in sales, design and manufacturing at its Phoenix Mills site.

Products include standard hoods and built-in units, custom hoods and built-in units, fans, panels and splash backs.

The company, which was founded in 1921, worked with Huddersfield University and another firm, PlasmaClean Ltd, to test and evaluate technology for use in the domestic kitchen sector.

The project, which was backed by an Innovation Voucher from Kirklees Council, included designing and building a test facility at Westin’s factory, building and testing prototype production units, researching the market and launching a marketing campaign.

The innovative project included an analysis of research and development by academic institutions relating to similar technology in the commercial sector.

A key driver in the project was future building regulations

concerning sustainability, energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

The project involved the company providing specialist manpower to tackle product design, building test facilities, carrying out testing, evaluating the results, manufacturing prototypes and marketing.

New technology and innovation have been integral to the company’s strategy for delivering the next stage of Westin’s growth and development.

The initiative is set to help Westin establish a market lead over its competitors, increase market share, improve profitability and enhance its reputation as a leading innovator in its field.

Earlier this year, the company took another step forward by making a major appointment.

Ian Sheppard – who has extensive experience of finance and operations – was appointed managing director in succession to John Reed, who retired after 16 years with the company during which time he was credited as the force behind many of its key developments.

Cool head warm heart

Cold cap hair retention during chemo

Brewfitt Ltd A FAMILY business has become a UK leader for drinks dispensing equipment.

And it has reinforced its position by introducing CoolTube, a revolutionary new heat exchanger, which employs fluid dynamic technology to improve efficiency.

As part of the Kirklees Innovation Voucher scheme, Brewfitt Ltd approached Huddersfield University to undertake a study into thermo-fluid performance of the CoolTube, which was developed by Brewfitt in a bid to achieve a compact heat exchanger with a high effectiveness.

The Fenay Bridge-based company and the university developed a programme of work to explore the underlying properties of the thermo-fluid phenomena, which led to design improvements. The performance was analysed and performance data obtained.

A simple computer model was developed to evaluate the flow and temperature field inside the CoolTube heat exchanger to maximise effectiveness and recommend further design improvements to enhance performance.

The company expects the product to be extremely popular as the leading technology in its field.

The knowledge gained through the innovation project has given academic credibility to the product, leading to increased sales.

Brewfitt managing director Curtis Paxman said: “CoolTube is easy to install and delivers outstanding results, so as a time and space saving device it’s second to none.

“The product is compatible with all standard industry push-in fittings and comes in two standard sizes. We are happy to manufacture bespoke, made-to-measure CoolTubes as we expect the product to be extremely popular as the leading technology in its field.”

Said Curtis: “We constantly push the boundaries and bring innovative dispense solutions to the market. We take particular pride in the quality of our products and excellent customer service.

“Such values have lead to a first class reputation within the hospitality, brewing, soft drinks and leisure industries throughout the UK.”

Revolutionary technology which is saving the hair of men and women across Yorkshire... and Worldwide.

Keep your head, keep your hair

Show cancer who’s boss

■ KNOWLEDGE: Curtis Paxman

Make it Huddersfield Award sponsored by Wellhouse Leisure WELLHOUSE Leisure is a local manufacturer with a national reputation.

The Shepley-based camper van conversion company has been trading since 2003 and now has 30 employees.

The firm hosts visitors from all over the UK and has sold vans all over the British Isles.

It has even exported as far away as New Zealand – with all its products proudly bearing the words “Made in Yorkshire”.

Managing director David Elliott said: “We turn vans and people carriers into camper vans – so we fit the roofs and make all our own furniture and turn the base vehicle into a camper from scratch.

“We employ fully skilled carpenters and cabinetmakers as well as mechanical and body shop technicians.

“We sell our products all over the UK and have exported to various countries.

“In the UK, we are now seen as leaders in small compact camper vans.”

Said David: “We encourage many of our customers to come and stay in the area and we have arrangements with local campsites and B&Bs. Many of our customers visit Holmfirth as well as surrounding areas.”

Wellhouse Leisure is a member of three local business forums seeking to boost the local economy.

It has also been involved with Kirklees Council on the

rebranding of Huddersfield.

Said David: “We came up with the idea of a 40ft container at the M1 with the slogan ‘If you lived and worked in Huddersfield you would be home by now’ written on it!

“One of the forums we are working on has a project which encourages local companies to ‘Keep it in Kirklees’.

“It’s surprising how much you can get locally, if you try – even for us. We moved a £30,000 a year contract to buy seats from Bristol to a company at Lockwood.

“We also had the idea of the next junction of the M1 having a 40ft container sign saying: ‘Next stop Leeds’ with a skull and cross bones on it. That got more votes!”

Wellhouse Leisure is now working on a project with three local schools – in a bid to encourage young people to consider manufacturing as a career option.

Each school will be given an empty van to turn into a camper van. The competition will be used to show what Huddersfield schools have to offer. One of the conditions is that the camper has to be built from products sourced in Kirklees.

■ SKILL BASE: David Elliott (right), founder and managing director of Wellhouse Leisure Ltd, says the company is now seen as a leader among manufacturers of small compact camper vans

ProperMaid

■ WINNING RECIPE: Proper Maid founder Allison Whitmarsh (left) with (from left) Rachel Watson, Sadie McCaig and Tracey Baillie at Heritage Exchange

A COMPANY in Huddersfield has found the winning recipe.

ProperMaid was formed in 2008 by former school dinner lady Allison Whitmarsh, who put 20 years experience in the food industry to create an award-winning cake making business.

After studying hospitality management at Huddersfield University, Allison took advantage of financial grant assistance and business mentoring offered by the university’s Business Mine to set up her business baking using her own oven at home for a single customer.

Within 18 months, the business was turning over £80,000 following the takeover and refurbishment of a former carpet shop in Marsh. By then, Allison had employed six local people on flexible work patterns.

With forecasts to double turnover in the next 18 months, the business has moved to a newly-refurbished 1,800sq

metre unit at the Heritage Exchange complex at Oakes.

Said Allison: “We make ‘proper’ cakes from ‘proper’ traditional recipes using innovative added twists. Our branding slogan ‘Posh cakes made in Yorkshire by ladies who bake’ reflects our ethos of originality with a down-to-earth local focus and base.

“We use locally-sourced fresh ingredients and a local business supply chain to manufacture and package our products using traditional artisan production methods with no artificial ingredients or preservatives. We retain the ‘home-made’ origins and values of our brand as we continue to grow.”

ProperMaid’s “signature” cake – which features prominently across its marketing, PR and promotional material – is the award-winning Dandelion and Burdock cake, developed as a tribute to soft drinks manufacturer Ben Shaws, one of Huddersfield’s most famous brands.

“We were extremely proud to secure a contract with Asda to supply this cake in nine of its stores across the region in 2010,” says Allison.

“But whether big store or local tearoom, we strive to give all our customers a friendly, personal service as we continue to target and expand the customer base outside the region.

“We currently employ nine local people – and a full-time manufacturing apprentice – who all share the passion for our brand.”

Allison now goes back to Huddersfield University to make presentations, provide assistance and inspiration for the next generation of local business entrepreneurs.

Said Allison: “We want out business to be a source of local pride and inspiration to others and to show that Huddersfield is a place with real entrepreneurial spirit – showing that with effort, dedication and resolve you can make it happen!”

One 17 Design AN architectural practice has been helping shape Huddersfield since 1960.

One 17 Design, based at Armitage Bridge, started life as the architectural practice of Arthur Quarmby Associates and has traded in the town ever since.

The core architectural practice has now expanded to include structural engineering, project management, interior design, graphic communication services and an educational publishing venture.

Despite this growth, One 17 Design made a business decision several years ago to remain in – and champion – Huddersfield and Kirklees.

From its early offices at Halifax Road, the growing company relocated to Lockwood Park in 1998 on the back of its project to convert the former brewery depot into a new home for Huddersfield RUFC. Partner and director Kevin Drayton said: “Our conversion of the old stable block into award-winning offices epitomised our pride in the architectural heritage of Kirklees and the opportunities

it affords for new uses time and time again.

“This commitment was reinforced in 2008 when we relocated to Armitage Bridge and embarked on a long-term project to regenerate the area of the village known as Tolson Farm.

“In addition to renovating and converting the former dyehouse on the site into new offices for the business, we converted derelict outbuildings on the site to two superb individual homes.

“Furthermore, we renovated the bridge and access road into the site and the Armitage Brook ‘well’ besides the bridge – an important historical feature of the conservation area. The work was undertaken in close collaboration with both the residents of Armitage Bridge and local councillors.

“The mill pond and surrounding area was also completely refurbished to provide an attractive feature for the local community.

“We see such schemes as demonstrations of what can be achieved

in Kirklees and proof that we are prepared to ‘put our money where our mouth is’.”

While the company works anywhere in Britain, One 17 Design seeks to use uses local contractors, tradesmen and suppliers wherever possible and is a “vociferous” advocate for local stone. The firm has a long working relationship with Johnsons Wellfield Quarries, of Crosland Hill.

One 17 Design has good working relationship with Huddersfield University and Huddersfield Technical College.

Partner Mark Lee is a graduate of the university’s school of architecture while Kevin and fellow partner Stuart Beaumont have both lectured at the university and the college respectively.

The company has set up the One 17 Design Charitable Trust to provide relief for disadvantaged local people and advance the education of local children. It also supports several local charities and has formal links with two local schools and the technical college.

■ OUTSTANDING ENTRY: Entrance to the premises of architectural practice One 17 Design at Armitage Bridge.

The building was converted from a dye works

Employer of the Year Award sponsored by University of Huddersfield

Britannia Rescue

THE University of Huddersfield is one of Britain’s 40 largest universities with 25,000 students and 2,000 staff.

And vice-chancellor Prof Bob Cryan and his colleagues have developed an ambitious strategy to realise their vision to create “an inspiring, innovative university of international renown”.

Learning and development supports all aspects of the university’s strategy – including supporting staff to achieve their best; developing leadership and management skills in a wider range of staff; and creating time for development.

Martin Plant, head of staff development, said: “In the challenging current climate, the development of staff is a key factor in supporting the university through the changes that will impact on the higher education sector.

“The knowledge and skills of our employees – academic, support and service – directly affects the quality of the student experience and the reputation of the university.

“In turn, the university’s reputation directly influences the decision to apply to study at Huddersfield on the part of students and whether to invest and collaborate with us on the part of research funding awarding bodies, external employers and other national and international partners.

“The skills, knowledge and reputation of our academic community encourages potential high quality applicants for academic and support roles.”

Mr Plant said the university’s commitment to staff training – from cleaners to professors – included regular tests of employee attitudes and satisfaction through an externally administered “quality of working life” survey and via periodic internal questionnaires and surveys. In additional, an annual appraisal is held covering all employees. The information gleaned helps identify individual training and development needs.

The university has held the Investors in People award for the whole of the organisation since 1999 and commemorated the 10th anniversary at the University Support Staff Conference where a formal presentation was made to Prof Cryan. The latest re-assessment noted that many staff said they had never seen anything like the wealth of learning and development opportunities available at the University of Huddersfield.

BRITANNIA Rescue is the UK’s fourth largest road rescue organisation with a network of more than 3,000 breakdown professionals nationwide – all co-ordinated from its 24-hour claims contact centre at Huddersfield’s Folly Hall Mills.

The company – part of the LV= group – works with a range of businesses, including corporate partners, trades unions and brokers to provide road rescue customers to its customers.

Relationship manager Paul Cummings said the aim was to provide a competitive road rescue service supported by comprehensive sales and services.

He said: “Our people are encouraged to get involved in improving the ‘customer journey’ through feedback which includes Q&A sessions with the executive team, a quarterly online ‘Ask the Exec’ forum, a dedicated system for raising ideas and employees working closely with our business improvement team.

“No ideas are every shot down and great ideas are rewarded. This has helped create a culture of customer service excellence – demonstrated by the fact that 91% of our people believe we are a company that really cares about our customers; 78% believe their team or department constantly looks for ways to improve the customer service excellence; and 86% believe we are truly customer-orientated.”

The company has several scheme to focus on its employees’ physiological, physical and social welfare.

■ CREATIVE FORCES: Huddersfield University sees staff development as a key factor in supporting the organisation through the changes affecting higher education The university’s schools and services hold their own training budgets, putting resources closest to where it is required and allowing the schools and services to respond effectively to emerging needs.

Supplementing this, there is a central provision offering 330 programmes for staff, covering induction, leadership and management, research and enterprise, teaching and learning, personal and professional development, health and safety, IT skills.

The programme is run by the university’s staff development unit, which also organises bespoke events and provides mentoring and coaching support to individuals.

Mr Plant added: “The university’s commitment to excellence as an educator and as an employer is powerfully symbolised by its success in the highly prestigious National Teaching Fellowships.

“These are awarded once a year by the Higher Education Authority. Out of the 170,000 people who work in the sector throughout the UK, only 55 receive a fellowship.

For four years in succession, the university has received two of these fellowships. No other university has done so well. The £10,000 awards not only confirm the quality of teaching at Huddersfield, but also allow the recipients to continue with their professional development – building on the innovative and influential work they have been able to develop within a creative and supportive environment.”

Hinchliffe’s A FARM shop providing 50 jobs takes pride in its role as an employer.

Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop at Netherton has been flying the flag for the Huddersfield area for almost a century. Allen Hinchliffe set up the business as a butcher’s shop in 1929 and it later became one of the UK’s first farm shops in 1974.

Since then, generations of the family have been committed to sharing locally reared, grown and prepared food with the local community – whether its the fresh produce sold in the shop or the delicious fare served in the restaurant.

The company has also increased employment in recent years – from 22 in 2009 to 34 last year and 50 now with jobs in the restaurant, farm shop and butchery.

General manager Simon Hirst said: “Hinchliffe’s never has to look far for its fantastic staff and has employed thousands of people from local villages over the years.

“The majority of staff hail from Netherton and the surrounding villages of Hall Bower, Golcar and Honley. Almost a quarter of the staff have been with Hinchliffe’s for more than 10 years, with some clocking up 45 years’ service.

“We don’t operate a strict policy of

employing local people, but it happens naturally and we’re happy about that. We have husbands, wives, fathers, sons, mothers and daughters all working under the same roof. We’re like one big family, really!”

As well as employing most of its staff from the Huddersfield area, Hinchliffe’s also makes available butchery apprenticeships for local school leavers – believing that it’s important to pass the art of traditional butchery down through the generations. The firm also believes strongly in creating opportunities for young people to develop vocational skills.

Young apprentices learn how to bone our pork for bacon, make sausages and cure meats as well as how to make pies and pasties.

The strategy is endorsed by Ed Bennington, editor of Meat Trades Journal and organiser of the annual National Butchers Week, who aims to raise the profile of butchery as a career for young people. He said: “It’s great to see businesses such as Hinchliffe’s encouraging new blood into the business and shouldering the responsibility of ensuring butchery skills are maintained. Older butchers need to do everything they can to ensure their own experience, skills and knowledge are not lost.”

Well-being initiatives include new shift patterns to suit individuals; lifestyles, a flexible benefits package allowing people to buy or sell annual leave days, make changes to their pensions, opt into a bike-to-work scheme and choose benefits at a tax-free value such as childcare vouchers, dental plan and private medical insurance.

Family-friendly working such as term-time only or home working are also offered while an annual bonus scheme based on performance gives employees the chance to earn bonuses of 10% to 22%.

Rewards for hard work include department “king and queen” awards, regular team incentives and loyalty awards for five, 10, 25 and 40 years service as well as recognition for those with 100% attendance over a whole year.

Said Mr Cummings: “Investing in our people, helping them build a career and reach their potential is key to encouraging commitment and dedication within the team.

“We have introduced a new role progression scheme with a progression plan tailored to the individual. As a result, in the past 12 months almost 10% of the team has been promoted, 35% have had extra responsibilities added to their role and 40% have been given cross-skill training. Such has been its success, the scheme is now being rolled out across the LV= General Insurance business. This has aided our recruitment strategy of promoting from within where possible.”

We know business in Yorkshire

Sponsors of the Huddersfield Examiner Business Awards 2011 Chadwick Lawrence delivers a competitive range of expert legal services • • • • • •

Corporate & Commercial Services Commercial Property Dispute Resolution Employment Corporate Recovery & Insolvency Specialist Legal Services

01484 519 999

13 Railway Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1JS

www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk Huddersfield | Halifax | Wakefield | Leeds