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TOM JANION Talking horse sense!
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Full inter view - Page 3
COLIN BARRATT Taxing questions Column - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
More contracts in store from Russia A DIGITAL marketing company in Huddersfield has helped two firms in Russia create a new look for their businesses. Now the contracts are set to open up further opportunities in one of the world’s growing marketplaces for Lindley-based iD30. The agency, which specialises in e-commerce, web design, digital marketing, brand and print, forged links with Moscow-based self-storage firm Red Box Co after a Huddersfield businessman working in Russia approached the team asking if they could help produce a multi-language website, The agency redesigned Red Box’s existing website to better explain the relatively new concept of self-storage to the Russian public. The new site went live in the first quarter of last year – since when Red Box has become the
biggest company of its kind in Russia. Following that success, iD30 was approached by another Russian firm, Mobius, which was launched in May, 2009, as a mobile self-storage warehouse company. The company delivers storage containers for customers to fill then returns to collect them for safekeeping at its depots. Mobius asked iD30 to rebrand and redevelop the company and its website. The website uses a cartoon-style to appeal to householders – rather than a staid business-style format. The site went live this year, since when Moscow-based Mobius has opened more sites around the capital and has created a chain of self-storage warehouses in most districts of Moscow and other major cities in Russia. Now iD30 is working with Mobius on new design develop-
ments of its off-line media – producing leaflets, posters and brochures to bring Mobius to households across Russia. Danny Phillips, sales director at iD30, said working for the two firms resulted in more enquiries from potential customers in the self-storage and haulage sectors in Russia. “Until now, almost everything we have done has been for UK-based companies, although we have built sites for their foreign markets.” The agency was one of the first to emerge from Huddersfield University’s Business Mine in 2002. It was based at the Media Centre in Huddersfield before moving to Heritage Exchange at Lindley. Customers range from museums and furniture retailers to tool hire firms and courier companies.
Some 24% of small business owners on the forum’s cash flow and finance panel have called for more choice between “traditional” banking services, while 21% want better access to alternative forms of funding. In total, 26% of respondents said they were seeking alternative financial products, with 21% of these interested in sourcing them from outside the main high street lenders and just 7%
Charity cycle ride FOUR employees from a Dewsbury firm have completed a gruelling 500-mile cycling challenge in France in just three days as part of a mammoth charity event. Rixonway Kitchens directors Julian Dudley and Nick Greenall, financial controller David Balfour and head of merchant sales ,Andy Prosser have raised more than £3,500.
● Full story - Page 8
■ STORE PLAN: Daniel Phillips (left), Adam Wishart (centre) and David Moffat, of iD30
Action needed to boost lending to small firms BANK initiatives to boost small business lending have not gone far enough, claims employers’ organisation the Forum of Private Business. The call comes just a year after the launch of the British Bankers’ Associations’ Business Finance Taskforce. A survey by the forum suggested that the taskforce had not yet achieved its aim of repairing the relationship between banks and small businesses.
INSIDE
from mainstream banks. Forum senior policy adviser Alex Jackman said: “The Business Finance Taskforce produced 18 recommendations, some of which have been extremely useful – particularly in the areas of mentoring, lending appeals, finance readiness and funding for high-growth enterprises. “But the verdict so far is that much more needs to be done to get
cost-effective finance to the businesses that need it most. “There is falling demand from small firms, but that does not mean a lack of need for affordable funding. It reflects just how alienated entrepreneurs are by the restrictive risk criteria and steep costs being imposed by mainstream lenders. As a result, there are increasing signs business owners are looking elsewhere.”
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CONSTRUCTION manager Simon Sutcliffe knocked the competition for six to win an award for his work on the Carnegie Pavilion at Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s Headingley Stadium.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Airline plans major move into Europe THE controversial boss of budget airline Ryanair has outlined ambitious expansion plans that would see the airline almost double the number of passengers and stretch its reach across Europe. Chief executive Michael O’Leary said that he wanted to increase passenger numbers to between 120m and 130m. That would make Dublin-based ■ TAKE OFF: Ryanair chief Michael Ryanair one of the biggest airlines in O'Leary has big expansion plans the world. Mr O’Leary said the airline was in talks with plane makers Boeing, O’Leary added that Ryanair could Comac in China, and Russia’s Irkut increase its share of the European marover the purchase of 200 to 300 new ket as the tough economic environment boosts demand for low-cost travel. narrow-bodied aircraft. The outspoken Irishman said the Ryanair carried 72.1m passengers in 2010/11, but the plans could double the airline could deploy 50 new aircraft to serve Scandinavia and a further 100 to size of its fleet of about 270 aircraft. In a newspaper interview, Mr service the Baltic states, Poland, Hun-
UK debt for TV streaming giant with companies including Amazon’s Lovefilm and Apple’s iTunes looking to capitalise on demand for movie and TV downloads. Netflix, which was founded in 1997, employs 900 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. US customers pay a minimum of £5 a month to watch unlimited movies and TV episodes on computers, tablets and phones as well as the TV. The company also offers a mail-order DVD service, similar to the Lovefilm model. Viewers can stream the Netflix service on their TVs through devices such as Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Sony’s PS3 and Nintendos Wii
FILM and television fans will soon have access to one of the world’s biggest internet streaming services after it announced plans to launch in the UK early next year. US giant Netflix, which has 25m members world wide, streams movies and shows online to TVs and computers for a monthly subscription. The Californian firm, which offers its service in Canada and 43 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, said it would unveil details of pricing, content and supported devices closer to the launch. Internet-streaming is becoming an increasingly competitive market,
gary and the Czech Republic. The airline paid a £431m special dividend in 2010/11 and Mr O’Leary said another payment is under consideration for 2012/13. A third special dividend could be paid in 2014/15 if no aircraft order had been finalised by then. Mr O’Leary was quoted in The Financial Times as saying: “Staying as is for the next 10 to 20 years sounds a bit too much like just lethargy...we’re not going to stop here.” Ryanair's expansion in recent years has focused on Italy and Spain, but Mr O'Leary said the airline now had growth opportunities in Scandinavia and eastern Europe. Mr O'Leary insisted he would buy aircraft only at “cheap prices”. But one analysts quoted in the FT questioned whether Ryanair could
strike a cut-price deal with Boeing or Airbus, the established commercial aircraft makers. It was also suggest that Ryanair could face delays in the development of aircraft if it opted to go to Chinese or Russian manufacturers. The newspaper quoted another analyst as saying that further expansion could hurt profitability at the airline. All of Ryanair’s current planes are manufactured by US manufacturer Boeing. Analysts said costs could increase if it bought aircraft from another maker. Mr O’Leary is well-known for courting controversy with his cost-cutting suggestions, which have included charging to use the toilets on planes, removing a toilet, standing passenger space, and scrapping the role of the co-pilot.
Pricing pressure to ease PRESSURE on prices of own-label household goods may be easing after a major supplier said raw material costs had stabilised. Manchester-based McBride, which supplies own-label products such as toothpaste and detergents to the UK’s top supermarkets, said its policy to push through price rises to offset higher costs was nearing its end. The firm’s three European businesses returned to growth in the three months to October 23, it said – including the UK where sales had fallen 3% in the previous year. The own-label laundry liquids and mouthwash firm has had to fight off
heavy promotions from branded rivals, but said revenues overall rose by 2% over the period, led by central and eastern Europe. Chief executive Chris Bull said the firm’s initiatives to recover cost increases were “progressing towards completion” but added it was pulling out of non-profitable products where it has not been able to pass on higher prices. Prices for key raw materials such as palm kernel oil and coconut oil have fallen sharply this year, although in other areas such as plastics for packaging, costs have stayed high. Shares closed up 9.5p at 126.8p.
Page 2 Backing for reform NEARLY nine out of 10 chief financial officers at UK firms favour the frequent rotation of auditors, according to a survey. Recruitment specialist Robert Half said 87% of CFOs polled favoured such a move – as proposed by the European Commission’s green paper on audit, which could also result in the evolution of audit-only firms. The EU’s proposals are aimed at addressing criticism that, before the financial crisis in 2008, there were industry-wide problems that led to auditors ignoring mounting risks at banks and other financial services firms. Criticism includes claims that audit firms provide a wide range of financial services to their clients, which gives them an incentive not to harm the overall relationship with a hard-hitting audit. There are also concerns that relationships could become entrenched over many years. Robert Half’s survey of CFOs reveals that almost half believe auditors should be rotated at least every four years, with nearly four fifths thinking they should be changed at least every three years. Large and publicly listed firms are most in favour of changing auditor this regularly. However, while CFOs largely support mandatory rotation of company auditors, they do not think the ‘Big Four’ auditing firms wield undue influence on the market.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £31.10 +0.70 Gannett 737.05 +37.01 Hess Corp £38.05 +0.54 Microsoft 1715.28 +11.60 Motors Liquidation 47.05 Wal-Mart Stores £35.59 -0.11 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 290 BAE Systems 2843/4 +91/8 Rolls-Royce 705 +4 AIM Brady Plc 771/2 Dawson Intl 11/8 -3/8 Man Brnze 361/2 Uniq 971/2 +2 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 194 +97/8 BANKS Barclays 1863/4 +43/4 HSBC 530 +12 5 Lloyds Banking Gp 34 /8 +13/4 Ryl Scotland 25 +1/2 Stan Chart 1427 +241/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1344 +121/2 SABMiller £231/8 +1/8 CHEMICALS Croda 1895 +53 Elementis 98 138 +43/8 Johnsn Mat 1814 +18 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2621/8 +161/4 3
ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 530 -61/2 Intl Power 3291/4 -55/8 SSE 1349 -5 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 1373/4 +13/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 337 +11/2 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1835/8 +15/8 Cable & Wireless 371/8 +11/8 Comm Cable & Wireless 275/8 +3/4 Wwide Colt Group 95 -1/2 KCOM 721/2 +21/2 Talktalk Telecom 1351/4 +1 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 3013/4 +3/4 Sainsbury 3061/2 +1/2 Tesco 4051/4 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1094 -5 Tate Lyle 6531/2 +31/2 Unilever £21 +1/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3083/4 +53/4 National Grid 6291/2 -61/2 Pennon Grp 699 +1/2 Severn 1525 -10 United Utils 616 -31/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2083/8 +57/8 1
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London StockExch 902 +20 Man Group 1565/8 +11/8 Provident Financial 1093 +6 Schroders 1350 +3 Schroders NV 1163 +13 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 516 +287/8 REXAM 3385/8 +21/4 Smiths Grp 964 +261/2 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 203/8 +3/8 Carphone Whse 3261/2 +161/2 Dixons Retail 117/8 +1/2 Home Retail 1043/4 +2 3 Inchcape 329 /8 +115/8 Kingfisher 2683/4 +51/2 M&S 3351/8 +41/2 Mothercare 191 -1 Next £261/2 -1/8 WH Smith 558 +8 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 5821/2 +6 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 77 -1/8 Barrat Dev 921/8 +41/8 Persimmon 503 +165/8 Reckitt Benckiser £341/2 1 Taylor Wimpey 37 /4 +7/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 860 +4 IMI 799 +20 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 3101/4 +16 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION 3
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LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3463/4 +73/8 Lgl & Gen 1061/4 +21/4 Old Mutual 1105/8 +21/4 1 Prudential 658 /2 +251/2 1 Resolution 277 /4 +1/8 Standard Life 2155/8 +5 MEDIA BSkyB 735 +21/2 D Mail Tst 418 +171/4 ITV 621/4 +21/4 Johnston Press 43/8 +1/8 Pearson 1174 +22 Reed Elsevier 542 +71/2 STV Group 110 +7 1 Trinity Mirror 45 /2 -11/2 Utd Business 5181/2 +15 UTV 121 -21/8 WPP 6471/2 +151/2 Yell Group 33/4 MINING Anglo American £231/8 +1 Antofagasta 1178 +82 BHP Billiton 1996 +99 Eurasian Natural 6841/2 +261/2 Res Fresnillo 1556 +51 Kazakhmys 925 +681/2 Lonmin 1112 +79 Rio Tinto £333/4 +21/4 VEDANTA 1229 +62 RESOURCES Xstrata 1016 +641/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 4881/8 +77/8 Vodafone Group 1757/8 +1/4
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
-11/4
288 873/4 6291/2 1843
-61/2 +70
FTSE closed at
5548.06 Up 59.41 Admiral Grp 1219 -3 RSA Insurance Gp 1123/4 +1/8 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1327 -271/2 BP 4381/8 -11/4 Cairn Energy 2991/2 +33/4 3 Royal Dutch Shell A £22 /8 -1/8 Royal Dutch Shell B £23 -1/8 3 Total £32 /8 -5/8 Tullow Oil 1413 -10 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 908 -1 Petrofac 1396 +24 Wood Gp(J) 5951/2 +10 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1246 -1 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY 1
Axis-Shield 4683/4 -1/4 GlaxoSmithK 9 Shire 1983 -19 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 5201/2 +81/2 Captl Shop Cent 3391/2 +71/8 1 DTZ Hldgs 22 /2 1 Hamrsn 409 /4 +71/2 Land Secs 6921/2 +201/2 SEGRO 2461/8 +65/8 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp £251/2 Invensys 2143/4 +33/4 Logica 933/8 +41/8 1 Misys 268 /8 +105/8 5 Sage Group 278 /8 +1/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 4401/4 +5/8 Bunzl 8111/2 -31/2 Capita 714 +6 De La Rue 838 -41/2 Electrocomp 2191/8 +111/4 Experian 7851/2 +12 G4S 2431/2 +11/4 Hays 785/8 +15/8 Homeserve 4705/8 +1/2 Menzies J 490 -5 7 Rentokil 71 /8 +23/8 Smiths News 95 +11/2 Wolseley 1840 +44 IT HARDWARE 1 ARM Hldgs 575 /2 +8 Psion 503/4 -1/2 Spirent Comms 129 +33/8 TOBACCO 1
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Imperial Tobacco
£223/8
-1/8
LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airlines Gp Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread
1111/4 £231/8 5651/2 3603/4 313/4 332 1409 4513/4 1124 1643/4
+61/4 +5/8 +4 +91/4 +13/4 +21/4 +11 +13/4 +9 -1/4
1391/4 2405/8 2301/2 1273/8 2487/8 1725/8 1696
+23/4 +35/8 +51/4 +11/4 +31/4 +85/8 +25
FTSE 100
INDEX 5548.06
+59.41
FTSE 250
INDEX 10469.09
+203.60
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.45 dollars Bangladesh................. 114.41 taka Brazil.............................. 2.53 reals Canada....................... 1.53 dollars China ............................. 9.10 yuan Czech Republic ...... 26.29 korunas Denmark....................... 8.13 krone Euro............................... 1.10 euro Hong Kong................ 11.79 dollars Hungary................... 305.16 forints India.......................... 70.19 rupees Japan........................... 115.97 yen Mexico ....................... 19.26 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.84 dollars Norway ......................... 8.44 krone Pakistan.................. 130.40 rupees Philippines ................. 59.12 pesos South Africa.................. 11.96 rand South Korea.............. 1580.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 166.06 rupees Sweden......................... 9.97 krona Switzerland.................. 1.34 francs Taiwan ...................... 41.97 dollars Turkey....................... 2.76 new lira USA ............................ 1.52 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS A LIFELONG affinity with horses provided the starting point for a fast-growing family business. Now Equi-Trek Ltd is galloping ahead of the field as a leading manufacturer of luxury horse trailers – with eyes on expanding beyond its existing markets of the UK and mainland Europe. Holding the reins is managing director Tom Janion, 26, who has risen through the business started by his father, Raymond, and whose exploits as a competitor at major showjumping events made him ideally placed to understand the transport needs of horse and rider. “I first sat on a horse when I was 18 months old,” says Tom. “I was competing in a gymkhana at Honley Show. When I was older, I competed for the British team and at events such as the Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International Horse Show with some level of success. But riding is a full-time job – and so is running Equi-Trek – so I haven’t been riding for some time.” Instead, Tom is turning his attention to horsepower of a different kind. The company is developing Motor-Trek to provide trailers for the motorsport fraternity. It’s a logical extension of the business, says Tom, who will be promoting the concept at the Dirt Bike Show next month. “It has been on the ‘things to do’ list for a few years,” said Tom. “But it has come to a head now because we have expanded the Equi-Trek range to cover every aspect of the market – from a little girl who needs a trailer for her small pony to John Whitaker and his 20-ton truck.” John is just one of Equi-Trek’s star customers. His signature is emblazoned across the sides of his Equi-Trek Enterprise, a luxury horse trailer which provides comfortable living accommodation for both rider and steed. Features for the rider include double bed, kitchen, seating, toilet and shower – with fittings and fixtures which put many a camper van or caravan to shame. The Enterprise is part of a range of large horseboxes and trailers which also include the Endeavour, Envoy and Voyager and which have impressed several top riders, including Huddersfield-born Oliver Townend and Robert Smith. Making an impact at some of Europe’s biggest horse shows is a far cry from the company’s beginnings with Tom and parents Raymond and Hilary. “About six years ago there were three of us,” says Tom, “We set out with the intention of designing a better horsebox. Horseboxes and trailers hadn’t improved for 50 years. We came up with a better design and got it patented. We have had horses all our lives and that’s the biggest advantage we have over other manufacturers. Knowing
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Tom’s living life at a gallop what horse and rider need has helped the business grow.” Equi-Trek has developed from a small manufacturer of side-loading horse trailers to introducing bigger motorised horseboxes in the mid-2000s before the launch of the 26-tonne Enterprise, which can carry up to nine horses in comfort. The trailers have proved hugely successful, with thousands sold worldwide. Its a success which helped Equi-Trek into the winners’ enclosure at each of the past two Examiner Business Awards. Now the firm employs more than 100 people. It has a showroom and factory at Bent Ley Road, Meltham, and sites at Meltham Mills and Slaithwaite. Ninety per cent of its employees are from Huddersfield and a sizeable number are aged are under 25. “We seem to attract younger people,” says Tom. “We have developed our staff in-house and they share our enthusiasm and drive. We have worked with Huddersfield University and we have recruited several of their engineering graduates.” Tom joined the business straight from Honley High School, admitting: “I was helping out on an exhibition stand when I was 15.” He
served in the Air Cadets and had dreams of being a jet fighter pilot. “My eyesight wasn’t quite good enough,” he says. “I have flown a variety of aircraft, but the RAF was out, I’m afraid.” However, Tom still gets more than his fair share of flying. He attends horse shows across Europe, joking: “I’ve clocked up more air miles than some of the pilots! We cover the whole of mainland Europe. In the past two years, the only countries I haven’t visited are Liechtenstein and Andorra. “It sounds glamorous when someone asks ‘where are you going this weekend?’ and you say ‘Zurich’. But you catch a plane at 3am, you see nothing of the country and spend three days at an exhibition before getting a 10pm flight back. But all that travelling has taught me an incredible amount about the European market.” Tom may end up travelling further afield. Equi-Trek has already opened a dealership in New Zealand and has also had a “huge” amount of interest from Australia and the United States, although he says its very early days to consider attacking those markets. The company has ridden out the recession, says Tom. “Horse riding is one of the
Tom Janion
most expensive of all sports,” he explains. “Comparing it to motorsport, you can put the car in the garage and not use it for three weeks. If you put the horse in a stable for three weeks you still have bills for feed and veterinary treatment. The biggest bulk of our customers are professional people.” Just as Tom’s knowledge and experience of riding has helped develop Equi-Trek into a market leader, so his love of motorsport is set to help Motor-Trek take pole position on the grid. “Motor racing isn’t something I’ve had time to try out myself,” he says. “But I go to Le Mans every year with Peugeot on a corporate trip and I attend rally events. The Le Mans Challenge is probably the most demanding form of the sport for both the cars
and the drivers. It’s fantastic. It’s the work that goes into preparing and maintaining the engines for 24-hour racing and the stamina of the drivers.” Tom’s other sport is squash. “I took it up about 18 months ago. A friend had always talked about playing and we finally got around to it. I play a couple of times a week at Huddersfield sports centre. I also like a good pint after work!” Devoting six or seven days a week to the business, Tom lives “half way between work and my mum and dad’s house”. He says: “I live close enough to walk to work in the morning, which is way better than commuting. The nearest I get to a traffic jam is at the crossroads in the middle of Meltham.”
Equi-Trek Ltd Work: Manufacturers of luxury horse transport Sites: Meltham and Slaithwaite Employees: 150 Phone: 01484 852121 Email: info@equi-trek.com Website:www.equi-trek.com
HENRYK ZIENTEK
On the board with Here we go again! Per the Press, approx. 6 million people are to receive repayments from HMRC. The repayments relate to 2007/08, individuals affected should hear from HMRC by December 2012. But, nearly 1.2 million people will also receive letters informing them they have underpaid tax for 2010/11. Underpayments on average will be between £500 and £600 pounds.
Revell Ward Tip:
If you receive a notice make sure that you check it carefully to ensure that it is correct. If the under payment is correct then you should have the option of spreading what is owed over a period of time, by having the under payment included in your tax code.
■ BOXING CLEVER: Tom Janion, managing director of Meltham-based Equi-Trek
Role: Managing director Age: 26 Family: Single Holidays: Little time for holidays, but earlier this year I went on a lads’ holiday to Las Vegas Car: Nissan Navara pick-up First job: Straight from school into the family business Best thing about job: The challenge. No two days are ever the same. Worst thing about job: The red tape imposed by government. It’s like the government is there to stop you doing business Business tip: You only get out what you are prepared to put in. The final 20% of effort is 98% of the success
Lesley Sutton Director 01484 538 351
theboard@revellward.co.uk
www.revellward.co.uk
local
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A charity initiative worth copying A COMPANY in Huddersfield has teamed up with a charity to raise funds. Cartridge World (Yorkshire) Ltd, based on John William Street in Huddersfield, has entered into a partnership with Bradley-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice to raise funds for the cause. Based on the Cartridge World “Recycle It” scheme, the company has placed drop boxes in all eight Forget Me Not high street shops in the region for use by members of the public and volunteers collecting empty printer cartridges. John Hirst, of Cartridge World said: “We need a constant source of good quality empty cartridges for our business to function and our ‘Recycle It’ programme is an excellent vehicle for this. “We collect empty cartridges and pay a good price for each usable one, so it really is win/win situation for both of us. We are also both preventing valuable resource needlessly going into landfill and helping the environment”. The scheme is managed and operated by Cartridge World and all materials needed, such as drop boxes, posters and explanatory leaflets are provided by the company at no cost to the hospice. Jason Costello, of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, said:”I am delighted to have entered this partnership. This is an excellent way raising extra, much needed revenue and with very little effort and resource from us. Cartridge World does all the work and just sends us a regular cheque.”
Independent financial planning services for companies and individuals Eastwood & Partners (Financial Services) Ltd
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KIRKLEES BUSIN
Turning tax rules to you advantage N important factor when a A business looks to invest in plant and machinery is the
amount of tax relief it will obtain. Since April, 2008, businesses of any size have been able to immediately write-off against profits the cost of capital expenditure on plant and machinery up to a total of £100,000 a year. This write-off does not extend to cars, unless the vehicle has a Co2 emission of less than 110g/km, as discussed in my last article. For companies looking to make decisions on capital outlay from April, 2011, the rate of Corporation Tax has reduced where taxable profits exceed £300,000. The rate applied to companies whose profits are less than £300,000 is reduced from 21% to 20%. Although the reduction in the rate of Corporation Tax is welcome, it also means that the tax relief due on plant and machinery investment will be less. Furthermore, from April, 2012, the maximum amount of plant and machinery expenditure qualifying for the 100% write-off will significantly reduce from £100,000 to £25,000.
TAX TALK Colin Barratt
Expenditure in excess of the limits will qualify for writing down allowance of 20% reducing to 18% from April, 2012. While April may seem a long way off before the reduction in capital allowance rates kick in, for those businesses whose accounting period straddle this date, the effects of the reduction may already have started, as the maximum rates of AIA have to be time apportioned. Businesses with, say, an April 30, 2012 year-end will have a maximum AIA of £93,750 (11/12 x £100,000 + 1/12 x £25,000). Businesses whose year end is December 31, 2011, will still be able to secure a maximum AIA of £100,000 if the expenditure is incurred before the end of the
calendar year. But, if the capital expenditure is incurred a week later and falls into the 2012 year end, the maximum AIA entitlement will be reduced to £43,750 (3/12 x £100,000 + 9/12 x £25,000). There are further restrictions if expenditure occurs after April 1, 2012. For those businesses with an accounting period ending on or before March 31, 2012, it may be worth considering bringing forward planned expenditure on plant and machinery in order to secure an unrestricted £100,000 AIA before the reduced limit applies. Not only will the tax relief be received earlier but it will also be at a higher rate.
Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield
They’re part of the union A CREDIT union providing affordable finance to people living or working in Kirklees has widened its scope. Castle & Minster Credit Union, which has more than 7,000 members and branches across the district, has been joined by All Saints Credit Union, based in Batley, and St Brigid’s Save and Credit Union in Huddersfield. Both unions, which have strong links to local churches and have been serving members for more than 20 years between them, have transferred to Castle & Minster. Tony Hood, chairman of directors at Castle & Minster, said: “It is sad that smaller credit unions are struggling to find volunteers to commit to running them at a grass roots level, but Castle & Minster Credit Union will endeavour to provide a professional, friendly and local service for their members. “We are always pleased to welcome new members and hope that members will benefit from belonging to a bigger credit union organisation. “Because of our comparative size we can offer
a wider range of competitive finance products, including low-cost flexible loans, as well as free insurance on savings and loans, annual dividends paid from any profit we make and online services that would not currently be available to transferring members. “We hope our new members will take advantage of these benefits.” Castle & Minster Credit Union is a not-for-profit credit union, offering local ethical and affordable financial services which are fair and transparent. The Credit Union is run by and for its members and provides savings and loans at fair and competitive rates as well as a number of other products. Credit Unions can charge no more than 2% interest a month, equivalent to an APR of 26.8%. Castle & Minster have seen a dramatic rise in membership year on year as a result of the banking crisis which resulted in tighter purse strings and the questioning of the traditional banking model as well as access to low cost financial services and products.
■ SERVICE: Castle & Minster chairman Tony Hood
It’s time for the chef’s special!
CHEF Tim Bilton was picking up a well-deserved award just 12 months ago. Now the man named Young Business Person of the Year in the 2010 Examiner Business Awards is helping choose the winners in a regional competition. Tim (pictured), who runs The Butcher’s Arms at Hepworth, is among the judges in the prestigiou deliciouslyorkshire awards, which will be announced on November 1 at Rudding Park in Harrogate. Tim, who has appeared on TV shows such as BBC’s Great British Menu, is putting his expertise to th test to select the best food businesses from across the region The seventh annual deliciouslyorkshire awards celebrates the elite of the region’s food and drink industry. Tim, who was also named Yorkshire Chef of the Year in 2009, joins a panel of 2 independent judges selecting the winners of 20 categories based on taste, texture, aroma and appearance. Cath Clelland, of deliciouslyorkshire, said: “We hav a fantastic line-up of a high profile judges this year. “The awards are a quality mark for first-class food and this is reflecte in the exceptional expertise of our judges.”
Springboard for ambitious
SMALL firms in Kirklees with big ideas for tackling climate change have just days to put themselves forward for the chance to win a Shell Springboard award of up to £40,000. The awards, which close for entry 5pm on November 4, recognise the role of small businesses in developing products or services which help combat climate change The programme has awarded £2m to 53 innovative low-carbon businesses since its launch in 200 and provides a springboard for many businesses, helping them to raise their profile in order to secur investment. Shell Springboard offers a financia boost for UK businesses with compelling ideas for tackling climate change. These must be ideas which are innovative, commercially viable and will lead t reductions in greenhouse gases. A total of £320,000 is on offer in awards of £20,000 or £40,000. Last year, awards were made to 10 businesses from across the UK. For full details and an online application form, go to www.shellspringboard.org
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Law firm wins top regional honour A LAW firm in Huddersfield has landed a top trophy. Ramsdens Solicitors was named Firm of the Year in the category for 11 to 30 partners at the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards. Managing partner Paul Joyce and senior partner John Fryer accepted the award on behalf of the firm. Mr Joyce said: “Winning Law Firm of the Year puts our regional practice on the map and is a real tribute to the hard work and determination of our entire team across our eight offices throughout Kirklees and Calderdale. Our firm will continue to focus on delivering value and stellar service to clients – and on attracting and retaining talented and ambitious individuals to help us achieve our goal of making Ramsdens as strong as it can be.” Mr Joyce has led two mergers in the last three years, firstly in 2009 with Rice
Jones and in November last year with Whitfield Hallam Goodall. The firm now has more than 140 staff and 18 partners. Ramsdens has also been recognised as a “leading firm” in the Legal 500, which recognises excellent practice in seven key areas. The Legal 500 assesses firms on size, resources and also client recommendations in a particular field. The practice was recognised in the areas of corporate and commercial; commercial litigation; employment; personal injury; family; personal tax, trust and probate; and commercial property. This year, more than 180,000 in-house counsel and lawyers were surveyed and interviewed. The Legal 500 is an independent guide and firms and individuals are recommended purely on merit.
■ WINNING TEAM: Neil Clark (left), of category sponsor Restore, with (from left) Ramsdens managing partner Paul Joyce, Gaynor Barnes, of Calendar, and Ramsdens senior partner John Fryer
Wilma pinpoints a global challenge FOR more than 20 years, Wilma Teviotdale has played a key role in the education of accountants – helping to equip them to deal with the challenges of globalised business. Soon she will have a high profile role as president of the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants – one of the largest district societies of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. And she is pledging to make full use of her experience. After 13 years in practice as an accountant with a major firm of international chartered accountants, Wilma switched to higher education in 1988 when she became a senior lecturer at Huddersfield University. Seven years later she became its head of accountancy. A career-long member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, she is currently deputy president of the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants. Next year, she becomes president of a regional organisation with 5,300 members. It will be a busy year of office as Wilma presides over meetings and acts as a link between the West Yorkshire society and the institute’s London headquarters. But her role as an educator will shape her presidency. She is keen to extent the work of the West Yorkshire society in forging links between the
accountancy profession and higher education – especially in meeting Government targets for the employability of graduates. The importance of closer working between higher education and employers is well recognised in the CBI’s Future Fit report, which deals with the challenges of preparing graduates for the workplace. Wilma, who lives at Edgerton, said: “It is rare for someone from the field of higher education to hold the job of president, but it does mean that I have a different perspective on the accountancy profession. “Our aim at the university is to make sure that we have really employable graduates, so we must keep our finger on the pulse of what is happening.” One of biggest challenges is the globalised economy, meaning that accountancy graduates must be able to deal with busi- ■ BUSY YEAR: Wilma Teviotdale, deputy ness on a worldwide basis. president of the West Yorkshire Society of Wilma has operated globally Chartered Accountants herself, travelling overseas for the university in forging links abroad. For 10 years, she was a chief examiner for the institute, setting two papers a year in the subject of financial reporting. It was taken by thousands of students worldwide. Among her duties, Wilma leads the university’s Partners in Accountancy initiative, a collaboration between “gown and practice” designed to give Huddersfield students an exceptional start to their accountancy careers.
Networkwiththebest businessesintheregion Tickets for the Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner ON SALE NOW Thursday,November,3,2011 TheGalpharmStadium Hosted by Harry Gration and with a key note speech from Broadcaster & Journalist Bill Turnbull K Chadwick Lawrence LLP Business
Person of the Year
K Britannia Rescue New Business of the Year K Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd SME of the Year K Walker Singleton Business of the Year K Stafflex Community Award K Stores Direct Green Award K HSBC International Business of the Year K Kirklees Council Make It Huddersfield Award K University of Huddersfield Innovation Award K Prohms Ltd Employer of the Year K Fantastic Media Young Business Person of the Year K David Brown Engineering Judges Choice Award
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS New contract just a walk in the park AN Elland company is ready to strike up the band with its latest contract. Andy Thornton’s architectural metalwork division has secured a contract to provide a large octagonal bandstand for Mansfield District Council. The Edwardian-style bandstand, measuring almost 10 metres in diameter and 8.5 metres in height, is to be installed in the Nottinghamshire town’s Carr Bank Memorial Park. The decorative bandstand will be one of the largest to be built by the company. The historic Carr Bank Park was the first public park in Mansfield, opening to the public in 1924. The bandstand will complement a recently-erected memorial to the dead of two world wars. The park also includes award-winning floral gardens, a grotto, a Victorian glasshouse and a variety of sports facilities. Andy Thornton spokeswoman Liz Brown said: “The brief from Mansfield District Council was for us to design and tender for a bespoke bandstand. “We were able to fulfil the design criteria with 3D visuals and accompanying computer-aided design drawings. “The bandstand is being constructed in prime quality steel with cast aluminium support columns, pedestals, ornate floral capitals and spandrel brackets. “Bespoke cast aluminium balustrades with integral handrail, matching exactly old archive photographs, will be created around seven sides of the structure. “The decorative two-tier roof section incorporates a zinc finish roofing sheet in a curved profile over a steel skeletal framework and includes intricate detail such as cast frieze panels, crestings and a turned finial.” She said: “The bandstand is being manufactured to the highest specification and features a solid oak boarded ceiling at eaves height with integral vandal-proof lighting. “It also includes concealed rainwater run-offs and electrical power outlets. The complete structure will be supplied in a durable paint finish.” The bandstand is due for installation at the end of the year.
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Another winner from Structherm A FIRM in Huddersfield has won an award for its work on a housing development in Lancashire. Meltham-based specialist cladding systems Hanson Structherm won the category for low-rise domestic refurbishment in the 2011 INCA Awards. The award was made for its work on a housing project in Preston. The awards, which recognise innovation and excellence in external wall insulation, were presented at the 2011 INCA Conference and Exhibition at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. Structherm managing director David Harrison and Adrian Bishop, of contractor Westdale Services, received their trophies from Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly. In their citation, the judges said: “With the Green Deal coming into force in 2012, there is likely to be a huge increase in consumer demand for EWI and this project shows what can be achieved.” Structherm also had three out of the four shortlisted projects in the same category – covering contracts in Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. More than 240 delegates from local authorities, housing associations joined architects, consultants and contractors for the conference to find out more about how EWI can improve the energy performance of UK homes and businesses. The event also included an exhibition of the latest EWI technology by INCA members and the
■ STREET CRED: Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky in Coronation Street, with (from left) Adrian Bishop, contracts director of Doncaster-based Westdale Services; Nigel Dewbery, of event sponsor E.ON; and David Harrison, managing director of Meltham-based Structherm
launch of the new INCA website at www.inca-ltd.org.uk showcasing EWI for new build and refurb i s h m e n t p ro j e c t s i n t h e non-residential and domestic sec-
tors. Structherm, based at Bent Ley Road, has been supplying the construction industry for more than 25 years and has technical expert-
ise in areas including precast concrete building systems, external wall insulation and structural insulated cladding.
Simon’s pavilion of splendour A CONSTRUCTION manager from Huddersfield has knocked the competition for six to land an industry award. Simon Sutcliffe, who works for BAM Construction, was rewarded for his work on the Carnegie Pavilion at Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s Headingley Stadium. Keeping one client happy can be a challenge – but Simon had two for this landmark building – Leeds Metropolitan University and the cricket club. There was added pressure because Sky TV had to be accommodated with its specialist broadcast installation requirements. And with an anticipated TV test match audience of 500m, the pavilion would be the most viewed building in Yorkshire – making it all the more vital that the job should be completed on time and to a high quality finish.
Now his hard work on BAM’s £14.7m project has been rewarded with a gold award at the Construction Manager of the Year Awards. Judges remarked that Simon’s innovations brought the clients considerable savings. He made sure the chosen subcontractors were of the highest quality and paid a “formidable” degree of attention to quality control in the concrete and steel frames, the rain screen cladding and the curtain walling. BAM, based in Leeds, has tackled construction projects on other notable buildings, including the Leeds Arena, the City Varieties, Bradford’s new YMCA and a forthcoming academy in the city. And Simon has no time to rest on his laurels. He is now project managing the new custody suite for Humberside Police in Hull.
■ HOWZAT: BAM Construction's Simon Sutcliffe (centre) receives his award from Martin Johnson (right), regional director of award sponsor IHS, and broadcaster Claudia Winkleman
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
FOR SALE
Development Land
Land at Calder Street/River Street, Brighouse
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■ QUALITY COUNTS: Office manager Nicola Bullas with (from left) quarry manager Harry Kirk, garage manager Jim Slater and works manager Shaun Berry showing off the two accrediations achieved by Johnsons Wellhouse Quarries
Latest awards to their credit A QUARRYING business in Huddersfield has become the first in its field to gain a major industry accreditation. Johnsons Wellfield Quarries, based at Crosland Hill, is the first natural stone producer in the UK to achieve Building Research Establishment BES 6001 certification. At the same time, the company has also received BS EN ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification. The fact that Johnsons achieved a “very good” rating in the BES 6001 in combination with BS EN ISO 14001 means that all natural stone products produced by the firm offer the maximum points or credits available in the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM documents. Johnsons are part of the Myers Group, which is a family owned group of companies providing products, services and materials to the construction industry. The companies are based in West, South and North Yorkshire with the head office situated in Huddersfield. A spokeswoman for Johnsons said: “The BRE Environmental and Sustainability Standard BES 6001 for responsible sourcing
of construction products is recognised worldwide as setting the framework for assessing, measuring and improving sustainability and environmental performance. “This supplements the already recognised BS EN ISO 14001 certification, which is an essential part of the jigsaw in terms of environmental management. “Both standards feed into the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM documents which measure a buildings environmental performance. “Mandatory levels of performance have now been set by government with regard to a building’s environmental profile. Therefore, products without the appropriate BES 6001 and BS EN ISO 14001 certification will be excluded from use due to the fact that they do not contribute towards achieving this requirement.” The standards cover areas including energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, use of resources, waste management, water extraction, lifecycle assessment, transport impact, employment and skills and local communities.
Mandy’s next big venture DESPITE the economic downturn, businesswoman Mandy Naylor has expanded her portfolio of businesses to include premises in the centre of Cleckheaton. Mandy, who runs a property business and the Little Tinkers private day care nurseries in Brighouse and Hipperholme, is adding a café bar to the mix at premises in Northgate. Said Mandy: “These premises have stood empty for two years, so being able
to start a new business and generate between eight and 10 jobs in the process is fantastic. “I’m hoping that the café bar will bring some excitement to the area and become a place for people to meet and socialise, whether for business or pleasure.” Mandy plans a contemporary and stylish fully-licensed deli and café offering great quality, good value, locally sourced and freshly prepared food.
The ground floor of the premises will be split into a deli takeaway, chill out lounge area and waitress service café and will initially open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.There is also potential for the first floor to be converted into meeting or function rooms,. The building is now undergoing refurbishment, which is due to be completed by the end of November – with an official opening taking place soon after that.
Unit 3, Rawfolds Industrial Estate
Bradford Road, Cleckheaton 1 Modern trade counter 1 163.46m2 (1,760 sq ft) 1 Rent: On Application
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Retail Premises
Park Fisheries, 19-27 Dewsbury Road, Cleckheaton 1 Former fish restaurant and takeaway 1 Incentives available 1 Prominent trading position 1 4 bedroom self-contained flat 1 Rent: £25,000 p.a.x
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Industrial
Units 4b, 4c & 4d, Armytage Road, Brighouse, HD6 1QF 1 Modern single-storey workshop units 1 5,000 – 15,000 sq ft 1 To be refurbished 1 Self contained with yard/loading 1 Adjacent to J25 of M62 motorway 1 Rent: On Application
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Workshop/Warehouse Unit
Part Hope Bank Works, Honley, Holmfirth, HD9 6QA 1 829.71m2 (8,931 sq ft) 1 Suitable for a variety of alternative uses (STPC) 1 Generous car parking provision 1 Rent: On Application
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Modern Detached Industrial Unit
Unit B11, Lowfields Business Park, Elland 1 1,134m2 (12,200 sq ft) 1 Detached unit with private yard and car parking 1 Established business park location close to M62 corridor 1 Rent: On Application
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Charity cyclists in sunny France Alistair Preston, Mark Thornton & Matthew Snow
BDO
ACCOUNTANCY firm BDO has made a number of appointments and promotions to its business restructuring team in West Yorkshire. The firm has appointed Alistair Preston as a director after seven years at Zolfo Cooper in Leeds. Specialising in assisting distressed business with turnaround, restructure and refinance solutions, he will be advising mid-market businesses on a range of issues, including cash management, debt advisory and profit improvement. He will also be advising banks, lawyers and major financial institutions. He is a member of the Institute for Turnaround in the North. The firm has also promoted Mark Thornton and Matthew Snow to directors in the business restructuring team.
Katie Hughes
Brewfitt DRINKS dispensing equipment firm Brewfitt has appointed Katie Hughes as sales and customer service assistant. Ms Hughes (pictured) joined the Fenay Bridge-based company over a year ago as office administrator. In her new role, she will deal with new and existing customer enquiries, process orders and maintain customer service levels. She will also provide support to the senior management team, including Edward Turner, who joined Brewfitt in May as sales manager. Operations director James Paxman said: “Since joining Brewfitt a year ago, Katie has been a great asset to the team. When given the opportunity to get involved with the customer service and sales side of the business she didn’t look back.”
James Fox
CBRE PROPERTY agency CBRE has appointed James Fox to the newly-formed northern retail agency in West Yorkshire. Mr Fox, formerly at CBRE’s West End office, joins the Leeds team as associate director of retail agency and will represent the firm’s clients in Yorkshire and the North East. Barnsley-born Mr Fox, who attended university in Sheffield and Newcastle, makes the move as part of CBRE’s broader retail strategy to place key individuals in regional locations to service its growing client base.
FOUR employees from a Dewsbury company have completed a gruelling 500-mile cycling challenge in France in just three days as part of a mammoth charity event. The Rixonway Kitchens team of commercial director Julian Dudley, financial controller David Balfour, operations director Nick Greenall and head of merchant sales Andy Prosser raised more than £3,500 in The Cahors Challenge. Half of the money raised will go to the British Limbless Ex Service Men's Association with the rest going to the organiser’s chosen charities, Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation. “We’ve had tremendous support from all our colleagues, family and friends,” said Julian. “This is the second cycle challenge we have completed and we thoroughly enjoyed it despite it being challenging at times. “Last year, we completed The Irish Challenge in heavy rain and strong winds so it was a nice change to be cycling in glorious sunshine this time.” The challenge was conducted in a relay with just one of the four cycling for an hour at a time. The route took the cyclists through Brittany into Normandy and over the Loire into the Dordogne. Organisers of The Cahors Challenge expected to have raised a £250,000 this year from the 83 teams that took part – bringing the total raised for good causes since its launch in 1996 to £3m-plus.. This is the latest in a string of charity challenges completed by Rixonway Kitchens.
■ PEDAL POWER: The Rixonway team of (from left) Julian Dudley, Andrew Prosser, David Balfour and Nick Greenall set for another sunny day’s cycling in France
The four completed a similar cycling challenge in Ireland last year which raised more than £6,000 for Lincolnshire-based Lindsey Lodge Hospice as well as the main charities for this year’s cycle. Last year, volunteers from the company swam 10,000 metres and rose more than £1,500 in the Marie Curie Cancer Care Swimathon. Rixonway also worked with contractor Mears to jointly donate £500 to Great Ormond Street Hospital – the charity chosen by the resident receiving the
500th kitchen installation in a refurbishment programme. Rixonway, formed in 1978, is the only UK kitchen manufacturer working solely in affordable and social housing. It makes 12,000 units per week and employs more than 400 people at its Dewsbury headquarters with 40 designers operating nationwide. To support the Rixonway team and make a donation, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Rixonwaycyclists
Big hitters make the Rich List BUSINESSMEN with Kirklees connections are among the ranks of Yorkshire’s richest entrepreneurs. Batley-born Lawrence Tomlinson, Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle and Thornton and Ross chairman Jonathan Thornton are among those in the list drawn up by Queen’s banker Coutts. Mr Tomlinson, 47, chairman of Leeds-based LNT Group, is sixth in the rankings with an estimated fortune of £400m. His group has interests in construction, care homes, chemicals and car manufacturing. Mr Hoyle and his wife Janet, both 44, have a family fortune of £154m, according to the listing, which ranks them at 15. They sold their Card Factory greetings card business for £350m in 2010. Former Town chairman Barry Rubery, 64, is joint 19th with £120m, The co-founder of TV set top box maker Pace sold his shares in 1999 and now runs a number of high-tech ventures. John Cotton and family, who head the bedding manufacturing business at Mirfield, are joint 40th with
■ MONEY MEN: Clockwise from top left are Dean Hoyle, Graham Leslie, Jonathan Thornton and Lawrence Tomlinson £60m. The group made profits of £7.8m last year.
Jonathan Thornton, 54, and family share 40th sport at
£60m. The family pharmaceutical firm Thornton and Ross was formed in 1922 and has expanded into healthcare products as well as disinfectants and household products. Brothers Gurchair and Gurnaik Chima, who founded women's’ wear chain Bon Marché, are joint 50th on the list with a £50m fortune. The brothers, who began their careers on market stalls, sold their 70% stake in the retail chain for £40m in cash and shares, but stayed on to run the business. Former Town chairman Graham Leslie is joint 76th in the rankings with £38m. Mr Leslie, 65, started pharmaceuticals firm Galpharm in 1982 with a £5,000 bank loan. The business was sold for £44m in 2008. The total value of the top 100 working millionaires in the region fell by £300m to £11.2bn during the past 12 months. The list includes 38 industrialists and 12 retailers with property, food production and car sales well represented.