Kirklees Business News 05/03/13 by Huddersfield

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Opportunity opens up for window firm

A HUDDERSFIELD window firm is pointing the way ahead for fellow small manufacturers after reporting its best-ever year. Clearview Windows, based at Meltham, is among Yorkshire’s small and medium-sized firms putting growth on the agenda with a positive response to the latest Manufacturing Advisory Service Barometer. The poll showed that 40% of firms questioned increases their order books over the past six months while a massive 62% expect sales turnover to grow between now and June. The number of firms expecting to take on staff rose by 9% to 40% on the previous year while the number investing in premises and machinery was up by 5% to 44%. The poll showed that 55% of manufacturers believe lack of skills as a barrier to growth, while 33% admitted they do not have enough capacity to “work on” their businesses. Clearview Doors employs 10 people and specialises in the design, supply, manufacture and installation of aluminium windows and doors. The company has lifted turnover by a third during 2012 and is on course to hit £1m for the first time in its three-year history. Managing director Paul Oxley said: “Whilst most of the economy has remained static, we’ve had our best ever year, maintaining our commercial work and seeing increased demand from domestic customers for bi-folding and sliding aluminium doors and windows. “This has enabled us to invest in new

Passion for print A COMPANY helping firms make savings on their print costs has landed a business award. The Business of the Month Award run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith has gone to Halifax-based PUROSolutions Ltd. The firm, formed in 2006 by current managing director Stephen Taylforth, audits printers, copiers, scanners and fax machines, analyses usage and volumes to discover their cost and produces a strategy to improve efficiency and reduce overall costs.

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estimation software and led to the appointment of a clerical apprentice in ■ IN THE FRAME: Paul Oxley (right) of Clearview Windows, Meltham with the office and a trainee on our shop business partner, Graeme Bowen (second right) and employees, Vanessa floor. Porter and Daniel Neary. Pictured left is Martin Coats, of MAS “We are looking to further capitalise on the growing awareness of our positivity, with sales expectations, Some 55% said availability of speproducts by rolling out a focused mar- future investment in premises and cific skills was a major hurdle to their keting campaign. We have launched a machinery and the desire to create growth plans, followed by wage new website and we are now working employment all up on the previous expectations and levels of skills availwith MAS on developing lean manu- report. able (both 51%) and knowing where to facturing systems.” “Our companies are sending out a advertise to find the right candidate MAS, which is funded by the powerful message and highlighting (33%). Department for Business, Innovation their determination to explore new Anecdotal evidence suggests firms and Skills, works with manufacturers opportunities in 2013 following a year will turn to older or retired workers to to help shape strategy, create new of global consolidation in 2012.” meet immediate skills shortages. products, reduce waste and review The specialist focus for the latest Nigel Jump, chief economist at Strasupply chains. MAS Barometer was on market know- tegic Economics, said many firms Commenting on the survey results, ledge and skills, with respondents wanted to invest and hire, but had MAS area director Martin Coats said: asked to reveal their biggest barriers to deferred expansion in the face of low productivity and uncertain markets.” “The overwhelming feeling is one of training and recruitment.

Engineering products are attracting attention A KIRKLEES engineering firm aims to take the market by storm after launching a new range of water process products. Dewsbury-based Richard Alan Engineering has been manufacturing water and waste water process equipment for some of the world’s leading chemical companies for the past 14 years. Now the company, which employs 125 people, is launching a range of products under its own name – having already secured orders worth millions

INSIDE

of pounds during 2012. The company, formed more than 40 years ago, offers a range of dry and liquid chemical preparation, dosing and storage systems aimed specifically at water-intensive industries such as water supply companies, paper mills, mining and oil. Richard Alan Engineering is the largest and oldest company in the Richard Alan Group. T h e c o m p a ny m a nu f a c t u r e s products for the chemical, process, manufacturing and water industries as

well as offering in-house design and associated equipment such as tanks, silos, steelwork, access platforms and pipework supported by total project management. The company posted sales of more than £11m in 2011-12. Robert Johnson, managing director of the Richard Alan Group, said; “We are delighted to launch this fantastic range of products. It is an exciting step for the company. “We have been the manufacturer behind the market-leading water pro-

cess equipment supplier for many years. “The decision to manufacture this range of equipment will allow us to promote our own products direct to the market, passing these cost savings and efficiencies on to our customers.” The Richard Alan Group, formed in 1970, comprises Richard Alan Engineering, Pumps and Gearboxes, Scaffolding Access Solutions, AM Recruitment, Ramco CNC and Richard Alan Construction.

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Training success A TRAINING company in Cleckheaton has got the thumbs-up from gas industry officials. Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, co-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group, and Chris Bielby, the first president of the Association of Gas Safety Managers, were among visitors to Brookhouse Training. They heard about the firm’s programmes and its commitment to best practice.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

national

HSBC chief set to get £7.4m pay deal HSBC revealed a £7.4m pay package for chief executive Stuart Gulliver after a year in which the banking giant racked up more massive profits. Mr Gulliver said the bank had made significant progress in 2012, although its performance was marred by a record fine of £1.2bn to settle a US investigation into money-laundering, Pre-tax profits fell by 6% to £13.7bn – but when excluding movement in the value of its debt, HSBC said underlying profits were up by 18% to £10.9bn. Mr Gulliver, who took the helm in 2011 and has led an extensive overhaul of the business, received around half of his bonus entitlement, with the £2m payment subject to clawback and not accessible until he retires or leaves HSBC. The overall £7.4m figure, which compares with £8m a year earlier, includes his base salary of £1.25m, about £1.2m of benefits including pension entitlement, plus long-term share incentive awards worth £3m. HSBC disclosed it paid 204 of its staff

more than £1m in the year, with 78 being based in the UK. Its shares closed last night down 18.1p to 710p or 2% TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The culture of entitlement is alive and well in the City. “At a time when real wages are falling for the vast majority of people, the banking sector is continuing to hand out huge bonuses as if they were pocket change.” The banking group, which employs 270,000 people, makes an estimated 90% of

its money outside Britain and has benefited from its exposure to emerging markets in Asia. There are 48,000 people in the UK business. HSBC’s record settlement with US regulators in December followed accusations it allowed rogue states and drug cartels to launder billions of pounds through its US arm. It was accused by the US senate of ignoring warnings and breaching safeguards that should have stopped the laundering of money from Mexico, Iran and Syria. The findings led to the resignation of head of compliance David Bagley. As well as the US penalties, it recorded an additional provision of £930m to cover compensation claims relating to the mis-selling of payment protection insurance interest rate swaps in the UK. Mr Gulliver said: “HSBC made significant progress in 2012. First and foremost we grew our business. We increased revenues, performed well in most faster-growing ■ BONUS: HSBC group markets and enjoyed a record year in chief executive Stuart Gulliver commercial banking.”

Snow hits sales at Debenhams

Construction woes go on

DEPARTMENT store chain Debenhams warned that profits will miss ex p e c t a t i o n s a f t e r Ja nu a r y ’s snowstorms hit sales figures. Underlying revenues were 10% lower between January 14 and 27, compared with a 5% rise over Christmas and New Year. Debenhams held promotional events in February in a bid to recover the lost sales, but the consequent impact on margins means profits for the six months to March 2 will be about £120m against £128.5m a year earlier. City forecasts were for earnings of about £131m.

UK construction endured its worst month since October, 2009, during February, according to latest figures. Sharp falls in commercial building work and in civil engineering activity meant the latest Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index measuring overall output in the sector declined to 46.8 from 48.7. It means the headline index has been below the no-change in activity value of 50 for four months running. CIPS chief executive David Noble said there was “barely a crumb of comfort” in the figures, which have

Chief executive Michael Sharp said he was confident that spring and summer ranges will put the chain back on track. He said: “Whilst the impact of the snow on the outcome for the first half is disappointing, it is now behind us and sales volumes have recovered.” The group, which has 155 UK stores and 73 overseas outlets, enjoyed record December trading despite intense competition. Like-for-like sales grew by 3% for the first 26 weeks of the financial period, despite the snow.

added to pressure on Chancellor George Osborne to come up with measures to boost the economy in this month’s Budget. He said: “The dramatic fall in civil engineering activity is particularly worrying, having been the one bright spot in the second half of 2012.” The housing sector registered mild growth for the first time in nine months, but remains weak compared with its long-term average. Firms polled highlighted a worsening picture for new orders and lower levels of new work since last June.

Page 2 Losses increase BANK of Ireland has announced pre-tax losses of £1.8bn. The bank blamed the massive increase in losses – up from £164m in 2011 – on the impairment charges. Its report for 2012 revealed losses of £1.4bn on asset sales, redundancy charges and buying back its subordinated bonds. Some 5,000 members of staff have been made redundant after Ireland’s banking collapse. The bank said its impairment charges were 11% lower than in 2011. Losses for the residential mortgage sector totalled £399m with property and construction at £689m. The bank is 15% owned by the Irish state. Bank of Ireland group chief executive Richie Boucher said that, while the economy had improved recently, the environment remained difficult and the bank continued to face many challenges. “Bank of Ireland has made good progress against our strategic objectives as we enhance our core franchises and rebuild profitability within a restructured, robust balance sheet, in what was another challenging year for the group,” he said. Bank of Ireland said the Irish state has received £3.2bn in payments for its support, returns on its investments and repayment of investments.

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £41.40 +0.05 Gannett 1339.65 Hess Corp £45.96 +1.85 Microsoft 1847.41 -5.30 Motors Liquidation 49.71 Wal-Mart Stores £48.04 +0.49 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 410 +13 BAE Systems 3573/4 +33/8 Rolls-Royce 1029 +7 AIM Brady Plc 95 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2757/8 +61/2 BANKS Barclays 3003/8 -3 HSBC 710 -181/8 Lloyds Banking Gp 511/4 -2 Ryl Scotland 3067/8 -71/8 Stan Chart 1780 -1 BEVERAGES Diageo 1975 +3 SABMiller £331/2 +1/4 CHEMICALS Croda £261/4 +1/4 Elementis 98 241 -61/4 5 Johnsn Mat £22 /8 -1/4 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2841/8 -21/4 Costain 2831/2 -51/2 ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 623 +7 SSE 1469 +12 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 2443/8 -41/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 424 -13/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2653/8 -31/8 Cable & Wireless 415/8 -1/8 Comm 3 Colt Group 128 /8 -1/4 KCOM 775/8 -2 3 Talktalk Telecom 251 /4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2611/4 -1/8 Sainsbury 3443/4 +13/4 5 Tesco 367 /8 -17/8 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1850 -13 Tate Lyle 8311/2 +61/2 5 Unilever £26 /8 +1/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3613/8 +61/4 National Grid 7321/2 +71/2 1 Pennon Grp 661 /2 +5 Severn 1628 +8 United Utils 745 +6 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 3197/8 +33/8 ICAP 3303/8 -33/8 London StockExch 1344 -8 Man Group 961/8 -1/2 Provident Financial 1488 -13

Schroders 1989 +6 Schroders NV 1599 -7 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS REXAM 520 -1/2 Smiths Grp 1281 +15 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 291/2 +1/2 Carphone Whse 2061/2 +1/2 Dixons Retail 285/8 +3/4 3 Home Retail 121 /4 -45/8 Inchcape 507 -1 Kingfisher 2771/4 +3/4 M&S 3623/4 -63/4 Mothercare 271 -21/2 Next £413/8 -1 WH Smith 676 -141/2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 714 +4 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 85 +43/4 Barrat Dev 2351/4 -51/2 Persimmon 935 +1/2 Reckitt Benckiser £451/8 +1/8 Taylor Wimpey 811/2 -21/4 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 1217 -14 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2037/8 -197/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2543/4 -71/4 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3481/4 -81/4

1595/8 2063/4 9881/2 2611/4 3627/8 MEDIA BSkyB 8531/2 D Mail Tst 7061/2 3 HIBU /8 ITV 1221/4 Johnston Press 121/2 Pearson 1168 Reed Elsevier 719 STV Group 134 Trinity Mirror 118 Utd Business 739 UTV 150 WPP 1071 MINING Anglo American 1849 Antofagasta 1058 BHP Billiton £203/8 Eurasian Natural 3271/4 Res Fresnillo 1489 Kazakhmys 555 Lonmin 3361/4 Rio Tinto £331/8 VEDANTA 1150 RESOURCES Xstrata 10991/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 650 Vodafone Group 1673/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life

-45/8 +2 -3/4 +17/8 -6 -41/2 -11/8 -4 -2 -3 +43/4 +1 +5 +13 -51 -21 -3/8 -75/8 -24 -35 -191/2 -11/4 -19 1

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Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp

440 108 7321/2 £233/8

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6345.63 Down 32.97 Admiral Grp 1276 RSA Insurance Gp 1193/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1147 BP 4437/8 Cairn Energy 2753/4 Royal Dutch Shell A £217/8 Royal Dutch Shell B £223/8 Total £327/8 Tullow Oil 1226 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1019 Petrofac 1466 Wood Gp(J) 758 PERSONAL GOODS

+29 +3/4 -8 -21/2 +41/4 -1/8 1

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Burberry Gp 1394 -17 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £301/8 GlaxoSmithK XD 51/2 Shire £207/8 +1/8 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 5721/2 -11/2 Hamrsn 5121/2 +6 1 Intu Properties 339 /8 +31/8 Land Secs 8421/2 +2 SEGRO 2551/8 -1/8 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 3593/4 -1/4 Sage Group 3391/2 -3/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 7071/2 +51/2 Bunzl 1310 +24 Capita 884 +251/2 De La Rue 9251/2 +1 Electrocomp 2563/4 -31/8 Experian 1128 -9 G4S 2927/8 -21/8 1 Hays 97 /4 +1/4 Homeserve 2391/4 +1/4 Menzies J 748 -4 5 Rentokil 90 /8 -21/2 Smiths News 171 -13/4 Wolseley £311/2 +1/4 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 963 -21/2 Spirent Comms 1503/8 -33/4 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £355/8 +1/2

Imperial Tobacco

£241/4

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LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread

1531/4 £251/8 8221/2 1022 106 1913/4 1435 6941/2 1947 2373/4 2343/8 338 2181/2 1641/2 295 3101/4 £251/2

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Goddard and Adam Spencer aim to put their commercial photography business in the frame following a move to Huddersfield. The business partners who both live in the town and met when working for Lepton firm Fraser & Heron, have launched HDTWO commercial photography with premises at Queen’s Mill Industrial Estate, Old Fieldhouse Lane – after deciding to call time on their jobs with a Leeds-based firm of photographers. And they believe they couldn’t have timed the move better. Says Adam: “We wanted to come back to Huddersfield and at Queen’s Mill Industrial Estate we have a great location. “We have customers all over the UK, so having good transport links to Leeds and Manchester is ideal. “We have worked for a lot of companies in Huddersfield, so there is something nice about coming back to the town, especially with all the development that has been going on – the Trident Business Park at Leeds Road, the university’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre and the new Kirklees College at Chapel Hill. It really feels as if things are taking off.” Paul, 46, who lives at Kirkheaton, says: “It’s great when your journey to work takes 10 minutes rather than an hour!” Their company specialises in photographing products ranging from furniture to food for catalogues and websites. The 4,300sq ft unit they have taken provides plenty of space to build room sets to photograph beds, sofas and chairs as well as a kitchen for food product shots. Paul brings a wealth of experience to the partnership. A former pupil at King James’ School at Almondbury, he took a foundation course at Batley Art College, where his initial interest centred on graphic design – until he realised how many people seemed to have the same idea. He opted for the photography course instead and discovered he enjoyed it. “I left college and within a week I got a job at Fraser & Heron,” says Paul. “I started as assistant photographer and took things form there.” Paul worked at the firm from 1985 until 2006 when he moved to the Leeds company. Adam, 30, who hails from Harrogate and lived in Southport and Dewsbury before moving to Huddersfield, says: “When I was young I got a camera for my birthday. “While everyone else was taking pictures of people, I was taking pictures of insects on a wall! I was photographing anything and everything.

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New move putting duo in the picture “I later found out that my great-grandfather had been a press photographer. He worked for the Blackpool Gazette during the war years and photographed people such as Winston Churchill and Stanley Matthews.” Adam completed a two-year national diploma in photography and a three-year degree course at Dewsbury College before joining Fraser & Heron in 2003, where he met Paul. He also moved to Leeds in 2007.

■ IN CAMERA: Adam Spencer (left) and Paul Goddard, of HDTWO Ltd are setting their sights on expansion following a move to Huddersfield

Explaining the decision to set up their own business, Paul says: “We wanted to do something for ourselves. Having our own business means we can take control and make sure the customers gets exactly what they want. “We are the sales people, the people who build the room sets and the directors. We handle the photography, the post-production and the paperwork!” Paul and Adam have invested significantly in the latest equipment, a move which is already paying off with clients as it enables a faster “turnaround” of images. “Website business is growing,” says Paul. “Businesses are investing heavily in their sites because they realise it is a big sales tool for them.” While setting up the business has been time-consuming, both Paul and Adam also have busy family lives. Paul and his wife Nicola have two children, Liam, 16, and Danielle, 14. When he isn’t driving “dad’s taxi” for his teenage children, Paul enjoys watching sport and supports Huddersfield Giants. Adam is married to Janene and they have two young children, Ivy, aged two and 11-month-old Toby. The couple bought the former post office in Clayton West in 2011 and Adam has spent many hours renovating the property to turn into a proper family home. I’m now a dab hand at plastering and painting,” he says. “That’s been my project for the past year-and-a-half. It’s been a lot of

hard work, but well worth it.” Meanwhile, Paul and Adam hope that – as their new business grows – they can put something back into their industry. “We would like to offer work experience” says Adam. “I enjoyed work experience when I was at college.” Paul adds: “We would certainly like to employ someone in time, much as Fraser & Heron gave us our opportunities. We would want to bring someone up in the business to share our ethos and values.”

HENRYK ZIENTEK

HDTWO Ltd Work: Commercial photography Site: Huddersfield Phone: 01484 431555 Email: info@ hdtwo.com Web: www.hdtwo .com

Who will be the next Business of the Month? If you are proud of what your business has achieved; why not tell us about your success story and you could be a winner of our prestigious award. For further details please contact: Ian Greenwood, Eaton Smith Solicitors, 14 High Street, Huddersﬁeld HD1 2HA T: 01484 821389 E: iangreenwood@eatonsmith.co.uk Business Of The Month Awards - Rewarding Success Since 1995

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Bidding for public sector contracts KIRKLEES firms interested in bidding for work with public sector clients at home and abroad are invited to a free workshop. Enterprise Europe Network Yorkshire, working in collaboration with UK Trade & Investment, is holding the free session on Thursday, March 21, at the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield. Delegates to the event, which runs from 9.00am to 12,30pm, will learn about contract opportunities in the UK and overseas. Call the events team at UKTI on 0300 365 1000 or email events@uktiyorkshire.co.uk

KIRKLEES BUSIN

Sleepwalkers must wake up THE BUSINESS BATTLEAXE Amanda Vigar

E may tentatively be emerW ging from one of the longest double-dip recessions in recent

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history and may even be sliding into a triple-dip downturn. Many businesses have gone to the wall and many others have, sadly, turned into “zombie businesses”. Zombie companies are the living dead in our economy, capable only of servicing interest payments on company debt rather than making inroads into it. They are alive – but barely – thanks to government help, monetary policy and, often, the reluctance of lenders to write off bad loans since the crisis. Many have even been going down the deeply worrying route of servicing business debt using director’s personal cash reserves or even taking out personal loans to keep their businesses afloat. These ‘living dead’ companies are

now being strangled by their capital structure and mistakes of the past. Many of these were already faltering businesses that took on debt based on a pre-2007 plan, but there is no way on current performance that this debt can be paid back. As the country emerges from recession, firms starved of investment will suddenly need more cash, but will not be able to attract the required funding because they haven’t been servicing old debt adequately. These companies are unable to invest in new equipment or future growth areas so can partly be blamed for the weak recovery. So what can zombie businesses do to help themselves? ● Each week, predict where your bank statement will be the following week ● Stop paying with cheques! Con-

trolling when cash leaves the account is vital for healthy cash-flow and electronic payments are normally much cheaper than cheques! ● Minimise the number of standing orders and direct debits unless you get a healthy discount for paying this way. This will help keep the timings of payments within your control. ● If a client is behind with payments, stop selling to them until they are able to meet the terms agreed and ask for payments up front! ● Negotiate better payment terms with suppliers. For example, if you can’t get longer payment terms try to secure discounts for early or block payments ● If employees wish to purchase anything, ask them why. If they had to spend their own money, would they still need to buy it? Helping your staff to take responsibility for cashflow will reduce waste and save you cash.

Amanda Vigar is managing partner at Holmfirth-based accountants V&A Bell Brown LLP

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HUDDERSFIELD accountancy firm Revell Ward has added Ruddi’s Retreat to the growing list of charities it advises. The Huddersfield-based charity helps families with seriously ill children get access to a holiday home free of charge. Ruddi’s Retreat was set up by Ali Jones, of Linthwaite after her son, Ruddi, battled cancer as a baby. He has now been in remission for three years. The charity is just one year old and in that time has provided one holiday home

and raised significant sums towards a second. Karen Borowski, of Revell Ward, said “This stands to be a mutually beneficial partnership. We love what we do and we love what they do – what more can I say.” Karen and colleague Jennifer Davies will also add Ruddi’s Retreat to the list of charities to benefit from their “13 in 2013” Challenge. The business partners aim to complete 13 charity bike rides during 2013 after taking part in Huddersfield Town’s Pedal4Pounds.

AN Elland-based energy consultancy has warmed to a creative agency in Huddersfield. The Orchard Group, which advises businesses and organisations on e has signed a 12-mo strategy deal with d The Engine Room, Media Centre, Nort Street. The Engine Room’s has been commiss the brands of Orch businesses – Orcha Orchard Environme Orchard Networks. The Engine Room r celebrated 10 years has proposed a com marketing campaig over the coming ye Mark Edwards (pict creative at The Eng recently won the 20 Business Awards, s really excited to be such a forward thin company as Orcha “It’s a great opport Engine Room to ad the business throu approach.” Orchard managing Henderson said the decision to invest s branding and mark position the three b further growth. “The Orchard busin with different areas management, but t same problem-solv and philosophy of he said. “Until now, each ha independently in te marketing, but the greater integration focus on communi and ethos of the en Group.”

Lawyers a rugby ■ GOING FORWARD: Ali Jones (left) with son Ruddi and Nicola Woodward, secretary of charity Ruddi's Retreat

Graham focuses on growth BUSINESS growth is the topic for discussion when serial entrepreneur talks about his achievements at Huddersfield’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre tomorrow. Mr Leslie will chart his journey from the creation of Galpharm International Ltd, the largest privately-owned over-the-counter pharmaceutical company in Europe in 1982, its sale in 2008 to US giant Perrigo and how he

Orchard set to be

has since created six companies including start-ups and corporate turnarounds. Patrick Allen, managing director of 3M BIC and former executive director of marketing for the Co-operative Group, will describe the vision for the centre and what it has to offer for small and medium-sized businesses by providing access to finance, markets and technology.

And Nick Wilson, of Riskscorer Ltd, will explain the principles behind how company growth and failure can be predicted. He will give examples of what works and what doesn’t work and how to analyse a firm’s potential for growth. The event takes place from 6pm to 8pm. For details go to info@3mbic.com or phone 01484 473331.

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Vote of confidence for training centre A TRAINING company in Cleckheaton has got the thumbs-up from gas industry officials. Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, co-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group, and Chris Bielby, the first president of the Association of Gas Safety Managers, were among visitors to Brookhouse Training. They heard about the firm’s managed learning programmes and how it has demonstrated its commitment to best practice and competency in the gas training sector – going above and beyond the nationally required standards to produce exceptionally skilled and qualified students. Also attending were Gill O’Sullivan, office manager for Mr Sheerman; John Arnold, manager of the all-party group; and Stacey Rodgers, project co-ordinator for the Dominic Rodgers Trust. Mr Sheerman said: “Competency and safety is paramount within the gas industry and it’s heartening to see Brookhouse Training taking these aspects seriously when it comes to training our future gas engineers. “The company’s training is exemplary and a real eye-opener to the good work that this stand-out company does. It comes as no surprise to me that the majority of their trainees secure employment after course completion.” Mr Bielby said: “I have spent the best part of 25 years campaigning and lobbying for improved safety within the gas industry. “With safety comes knowledge and understanding and it was a pleasure for me to hear and see Brookhouse Training maintaining those high-standards needed to

ensure our sector remains safe and trusted.” James McConnell, director at Brookhouse Training, said: “Our aim is to provide the gas industry with a highly skilled and capable workforce. “We take competency and safety really seriously in our training and this has paid dividends for our students as well as our business. It’s very uplifting to know we have caught the attention of our very welcome guests.” Brookhouse Training is a leading training and assessment specialist in the gas and plumbing sector, offering practical learning from a bespoke state-of-the-art training centre based in Cleckheaton.

New business A CHARTERED accountancy firm in Kirklees has been appointed by two well-known West Yorkshire manufacturing and engineering businesses. Clough & Company, based in Cleckheaton, will oversee all accounting activities including corporate tax advice and annual audits for Halifax Rack and Screw, which engineers precision gear racks as well as all types of screws and nuts. Clough & Company will also provide corporate tax and compliance services and carry out annual audits for Bradford-based Hindle Group, which manufactures and exports precision gears, cables and controls as well as remanufacturing engine components and transmissions. Nigel Bullas, managing partner at

Clough & Company, said: “Both these companies are global leaders in their respective fields and have established histories with Hindle’s roots dating back to 1930 and HRS currently celebrating its jubilee year, which coincidentally is a milestone shared with Clough & Company. “Both are significant business wins for Clough & Company and we’re delighted to be working with them to develop and achieve their financial objectives.” Clough & Company has offices in C l e c k h e at o n , Ke i g h l e y a n d Manchester and employs 88 staff across a range of departments, including business development, management services, corporate finance, audit, taxation, corporate solutions and financial management and executive recruitment.

■ GUEST: Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman (centre) with Brookhouse Training director David Dumaresq-Lucas (right and head tutor Andy Spilby

IT firm rises to legal challenge A COMPANY providing IT services has landed a six-figure contract. Lockwood-based P2 Technologies has completed a deal worth more than £175,000 to provide services to nationally-recognised law firm Spratt Endicott. The Oxfordshire-based law firm has nine partners and provides a full range of legal services spanning commercial and private clients. Service to businesses include commercial, employment, and property litigation. Personal services include, residential property, wills and probate, and advice on employment. The firm also has a range of online services. P2 has provided Spratt Endicott with IT support for more than four years. Andy Wilkinson, IT manager at Spratt Endicott, said: “We are a busy law firm and for us it is absolutely essential that our IT system operates at maximum speed and without interruption. “P2 Technologies solution shone through giving us a high level of confidence and proved that they understood our requirements.” Roger Pearson, director of P2 Technologies, said: “Firms like Spratt Endicott need to be highly efficient and operate without interruption. It is essential that their IT service meets these demands and choosing the right solution is not always easy. “The new desktop server will speed up the processes with Spratt Endicott and allow flexible working, which is becoming increasingly important amongst businesses and their employees.”

It’s time you got more from your accountant Thinking… outside the books

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

property

Check this out INFORMED DEVELOPMENT

Martin Thompson ■ HAMMER TIME: Andrew Moorhouse, of Bramleys, said the result of the agency’s first auction of the year boded well for future events

What a lot! PROPERTY agency Bramleys hailed a 100% success rate at its first auction of the year. The agency, which has offices at St George’s Square in Huddersfield, celebrated 55 years in the town and 15 years in Calderdale with the auction, which was held at the John Smith’s Stadium. The auctioneer unveiled a new look with enhanced visual presentations and imaging and a new room layout. And the new look reaped dividends with all the lots – offering a mix of residential, development and commercial properties – selling successfully on the night. Auctioneer Andrew Moorhouse said: “100% success in the first auction of the year bodes well for the forthcoming programme of sales and builds on the success of last year when, despite challenging market conditions, Bramleys auction sales achieved an average success rate approaching 80%.” Bramleys holds five property auctions each year at the stadium. Entries are now being taken for the next auction on April 25. factory premises

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent

opment” on the Collecting Authority. Failure to serve such notice before commencing the development leads to a surcharge of the lower of 20% of the chargeable amount or £2,500. No CIL is due if the permitted development is commenced before April 6, 2013, or before a charging schedule is in effect for the area. Landlords entering into new leases with tenants may wish to include specific clauses ensuring that tenants will be liable for any CIL payable should alterations permitted using permitted development rights attract a CIL charge. Landowners may need to factor in the new charge when buying and selling land with development potential. There are some exemptions to CIL, most notably social housing and development for charitable purposes. Exemptions must be applied for before commencement of the development. If you are not sure of the effect of the CIL please ensure you take proper advice before proceeding with your development.

Martin Thompson is a partner in Commercial Property at Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield

TANYARD ROAD, MILNSBRIDGE, HD3 4NB £65,000 p/a

● 2,032m2 (21,874sqft)

395m2 (4,250ft2) ● 0.13 Renowned industrial location Site Area Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● May split alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● consent EPC Rating: D planning

LUCK LANE, MARSH, HD1 4RB £15,000 p/a ● Site approx 1,045sqm

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, (1,250 HX3 6DL sqyds) FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES 2) 395m2 (4,250ft ● Workshop 132.85sqm (1,430 sqft) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ● Range of lock up garages ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential ● Prominent Corner site uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● consent EPC Rating: F planning

office premises

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

rights, you may wish to check when the Community Infrastructure Levy charging schedule comes into effect for the council area concerned, as this may influence the timing of your build. The CIL is a new power which enables a charge to be levied on the net increase in floorspace arising from development in order to fund infrastructure that is needed to support development in the area. From April 6, 2013, or when the CIL charging schedule for an area comes into effect, any application for variation of an existing planning permission will attract CIL. Bearing in mind that there is a minimum payment threshold of £50 and a gross internal area threshold of 100sq metres, the potential to be caught by the levy is relatively high. The second point to note is that onus is on the developer, before commencing development, to serve a “notice of chargeable devel-

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL ● Good yard space FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

car sales pitch

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

F you are buying a property or Iintend already have property where you to use permitted development

CHAPEL STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, HD4 6HL £12,000 p/a ● 114.17 sqm (1,230 sqft)

4 RANGE LANE ● Attractive building Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER ● 2 HOSTEL Miles fromPREMISES Huddersfield

395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 townHectares centre (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Excellent car parking alternative occupational residential possible uses or ● Good complete quality accommodation redevelopment, subject to ● consent EPC Rating: D planning

high quality offices

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

Page 6 Meet up with the ‘big three’ CONSTRUCTION companies across Kirklees have been invited to meet buyers from three of Britain’s biggest contractors at an event in Huddersfield. The informal “Meet the Buyer” networking event will provide small and medium-sized firms the chance to build links with representatives from BAM, GB Building Solutions and Wates. All three have all been active in Kirklees on construction projects covering housing, education and healthcare. Kirklees Council and a number of trade organisations will also take part. The event, which takes place at 8.30am on Thursday at Cathedral House, St Thomas’ Road, Folly Hall, is the latest in a series of seminars, briefings and buyer meetings organised for the YORbuild Framework by Think Zero, a Yorkshire-based firm that specialises in improving and developing businesses throughout the UK, primarily in construction and related industries. The aim is to making public sector construction projects more visible to the supply chain in the region. For details go to www.thinkzero.co.uk /events/kirklees

MANOR ROAD, FARNLEY TYAS, HD4 6UL £18,000 p/a

● 209.12sqm (2,251sqft)

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL location ● Prestigious FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES ● Good2)car parking 395m2 (4,250ft

Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ● Pleasant working ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential environment uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● consent EPC Rating: TBC planning

freehold commercial building

LYNDHURST ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD3 3HZ £180,000

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

● 174.78sqm (1,881 sqft)

4 RANGE LANE ● Vacant possession Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL ● Suitable for PREMISES a variety of

395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) purposes, including ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for residential development, alternative occupational residential subjectcomplete to planning uses or possible redevelopment, subject to ● consent EPC Rating: D planning

potential development land

ARMITAGE ROAD, MILNSBRIDGE, PRICE ON APPLICATION

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

● 0.46 acres

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3with 6DLpotential for ● Land FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES 2) 395m2 (4,250ft residential development

Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ VacantSubject possession to Planning Permission ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential Situated within a residential possible complete uses or ● redevelopment, subject to locality planning consent

T. 01484 530361 www.bramleys.com

■ industrial LAND

■ offices OFFICES

■ retail

INDUSTRIAL

■ investment

INVESTMENT

■ land

RETAIL

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Industrial/Land

Calder Trading Estate, off Leeds Road, Bradley, Huddersfield 483 m2 (5,203 sq ft) on up to 1.4 acres Self contained workshop with large yard area just off A62 Leeds Road. Easily accessible to J25 M62

FOR SALE/tO LEt

may split

R ED EN U t C ED

Indusrial

Fieldhead Lane, Drighlington 3,676m2 (39,564 sq ft) High quality factory and offices on secure site being strategically located less than 1 mile from Junction 27 of the M62/M621

tO LEt

Reavailable due to abortive negotiations

Industrial

Unit 10 Barncliffe Business Park, Shelley 292m2 (3,143 sq ft) Good quality single storey industrial unit in popular complex with good parking. Well located for M1

tO LEt www.michaelsteel.co.uk

only £230 per week exclusive

All enquiries to Alec Michael at Michael Steel & Co on 0113 234 8999 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk

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Former Council Ofﬁces, Day Centre & Residential Facility

The Grange, Ossett Lane, Chickenley, Dewsbury, WF12 8LY 1 PP for demolition and 20 new ﬂats 1 Prominent Corner Site – 0.61 Acres 1 6,878 sq ft (639.28m2) building on 3 ﬂoors 1 Building suitable for a variety of uses STPP

Newsome, Huddersﬁeld, HD4 6RD 1 Stone cottage 1 Renovation project 1 Elevated semi rural position

Guide: £25,000+

Halifax Road/Swales Moor Road, Queensbury, BD13 2NN 1 The land comprises 2 ﬁelds of meadow land extending to 5.82 Acres (2.35 Hectares)

Halifax Road, Queensbury, BD13 2NN 1 The land comprises 10 ﬁelds of pasture land extending to 11.8 Acres (4.82 Hectares) fronting and accessed from Halifax Road

Church Street, Slaithwaite, Huddersﬁeld, HD7 5AS 1 Potential for retail or ofﬁce use 1 Lapsed planning consent for A1 retail 1 Close to town centre 1 Overlooking canal

Guide Price: £1500+

Dean Bottom Works

Guide: £180,000+

Scotland Farm

Jack Bridge, Colden, Hebden Bridge, HX7 7HR 1 5 bedroom character farmhouse 1 Numerous period features 1 Set in 12.6 Acres (5.11 Hectares) of grazing and woodland 1 Panoramic rural location 1 GIA area c.3750 sq ft (348m2) 1 Double garage and stable block

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Guide: £60,000 – £80,000

Guide: £45,000 – £70,000

Storthes Hall Lane, Kirkburton, Huddersﬁeld, HD8 0PP 1 8,406 sq ft plus secure yard 1 Good frontage with parking 1 Site area 0.34 Hectares (0.84 Acres) 1 Investment/development/break up opportunity

11.8 Acres Pasture Land

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Guide: £175,000 – £225,000

East of Swales Moor Road, Queensbury, BD13 2NN 1 The land comprises meadow land and woodland extending to 9.75 Acres (4.82 Hectares)

Former Public Convenience

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Halifax Road, Queensbury, BD13 2NN 1 Residential redevelopment opportunity 1 Potential for 4/5 dwellings 1 Quiet backwater location 1 Backing onto Greenbelt

Guide: £30,000 – £45,000

9.75 Acres Meadow Land

Land and Buildings at Catherine Slack Farm

Guide: £400,000 – £425,000 2 Spinneyﬁeld

Fixby, Huddersﬁeld, HD2 2HX 1 4 bedroom period residence 1 Grade II Listed 1 Numerous ornate features 1 Requiring comprehensive renovation 1 Secluded backwater location 1 0.369 Acre plot

Guide: £175,000 – £200,000

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5.82 Acres Meadow Land

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Guide: £200,000+

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John White, chief executive of the TTF, said: “On behalf of the Timber Trade Federation I would like to congratulate Rixonway Kitchens. We are pleased to recognise them as a Responsible Purchaser. “As an industry association, we have set the bar high, making proof of due diligence, risk assessment and risk mitigation a compulsory condition of membership in line with the requirements of the EUTR. “In return, we provide our due-diligence toolkit, the Responsible Purchasing Policy to all members, along with regular training workshops to facilitate its implementation across the industry. “We have worked hard to minimise risk from the supply chain. Now is the time to focus on our real mission of building demand and growing the use of wood.” The TTF represents business and organisations involved in the timber industry and is helping to shape a successful future for its members. The Timber Trade accreditation is the most recent example of Rixonway Kitchen’s commitment to sustainability and environmental causes. The business has introduced a range of measures to reduce its impact on the environment, including recycling 100% of waste produced during manufacturing and investing more than £370,000 into a new environmentally friendly vehicle fleet.

72 Jackroyd Lane

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DEWSBURY kitchen manufacturer Rixonway has been awarded “Responsible Purchaser” accreditation by the Timber Trade Federation in recognition of the firm’s environmentally-friendly supply chain. The accreditation means Rixonway Kitchens can certify that all timber and wood products it uses have been sourced ethically and legally. The firm has also gone one step further to have a full audit on its supply chain to ensure all timber coming through its doors is harvested responsibly. And as a signatory of the TTF’s Responsible Purchasing Policy, Rixonway is urging other companies to comply with a new law which came into force on March 1 that will affect all businesses that deal with timber or timber-based products. The EU Timber Regulation bans all illegal timber in the European Union and requires companies handling wood or wood products to assess the origin of its products. Mark Evans, operational systems manager at Rixonway Kitchens, said: “We are proud to have received this accreditation from the TTF and we will continue to show our support for the Federation through our responsible purchasing policy. “We hope other businesses will follow our example and undertake a full audit on their supply chain as well as complying with the EUTR.”

at Cedar Court Hotel, Lindley Moor Road, Ainley Top, Huddersfield, HD3 3RH

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Rixonway wins accreditation

Tuesday 19 March 2013 – 7pm

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Movers and shakers

Page 8

Award winner gets into print!

■ HIGH FINANCE: Lewis Watson (left) who came top in accountancy exam with Nick Ledgard, managing partner at Walker & Sutcliffe

Strategy pays off for Lewis! A LONDONER now living and working in Huddersfield has excelled in a key accountancy exam and is well on his way to achieving chartered status. Lewis Watson, of chartered accountants Walker & Sutcliffe, came top across the region in the Business Strategy paper, part of the Professional Stage of the chartered accountant qualification administered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. Lewis, who lives at Brockholes, will sit his finals in July. Lewis joined Walker & Sutcliffe, which has its offices at Greenhead Road, in 2007 having previously worked in London. He has 12 years experience in accountancy. Managing partner Nick Ledgard said: “It’s a great achievement for Lewis and it is quite nice that he has excelled in the Business Strategy paper because as a firm we pride ourselves on trying to help our clients with their strategies for growth.” Lewis said he enjoyed his role with Walker & Sutcliffe, saying: “In terms of advisory and consultancy work you don’t know what is going to land on your desk on any given morning. Our role is to get the best possible outcome for our clients. I think that role has helped me with this paper.”

A COMPANY helping firms make savings on their print costs has landed a business award. The Business of the Month Award run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith has gone to Halifax-based PUROSolutions Ltd. The firm, formed in 2006 by current managing director Stephen Taylforth, audits printers, copiers, scanners and fax machines across an organisation, analyses usage and volumes to discover their cost and produces a strategy to improve efficiency and reduce overall costs. In one case, the company conducted an audit across four sites for Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust – taking into account 800 devices – before coming up with a strategy resulting in a cost saving of more than £200,000 a year. Judges in the competition praised PUROSolutions Ltd for building up an impressive client base, which includes YELL Group, the Metropolitan Police Authority, Eureka Children’s Museum, Calderdale, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Wokingham, Hull and Belfast councils and the Metropolitan College and Queens University in Belfast. They said the firm was a worthy winner because its work contributed to reducing

■ WORTHY WINNER: Mike Webb (centre), of Eaton Smith, presents the award to Stephen Taylforth (second right), of PUROSolutions Ltd, with (from left) Susan Lipthorpe, of Huddersfield University; Ellie Lyon, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; and Martin Bown, of My Management Accountant

avoidable overheads for clients – vital in today’s economic climate. The Business of the Month Award is run in association with Mid Yorkshire Cham-

Jo has eyes on the prize

Simon Pyne

Orchard Energy ENERGY advice business Orchard Energy has added to its team with the appointment of Simon Pyne as business development manager. Mr Pyne (pictured) joins the Elland-based company from Kiwi Power and will be responsible for creating new energy planning opportunities with clients. Jesse Fox, head of energy solutions operations in the UK, said Mr Pyne’s role would cover carbon management, metering and new connections, historical invoice auditing and energy reduction as well as advising businesses on the latest technologies for improving efficiency. He said: “Energy solutions is currently one of the fastest-growing areas of our business and we expect this trend to continue as organisations look for new ways to reduce overheads and manage budgets more effectively without impacting on quality and service.”

BUSINESSWOMAN Jo Haigh is among the finalists for another national award. Denby Dale-based Jo (above), a partner in Wakefield-based fds Corporate Finance, has been shortlisted in the category for privately-owned companies in the Non-Executive Director Awards. The awards celebrate non-execs who have “gone that extra mile” to be the independent voice challenging business practices and adding value to company strategy, performance, human resources and risk management. Jo has been recognised for her work with Imperative Training Ltd, a leading supplier of instructor-led and online health and safety training

Previous winners in the category have included Colin Smith, of Poundland, and William Tadden, of Capital Solutions Group. Said Jo: “To be selected as a finalist for the 2012 NED Awards is a great honour. I am so proud of the work I have been doing with Imperative Training. To see how the business has grown and succeeded is an award in itself, but to be recognised nationally is something I will never forget.” The awards ceremony will take place on March 14 at Mayfair’s Claridges Hotel. Jo, a practising corporate financier, set up fds in 1989. She has won a clutch of awards, including IoD Business Adviser of the Year

ber of Commerce and UKTI. It is open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389

More success for SimplyBiz FINANCIAL and business support specialist SimplyBiz PLC has won a top award. The company, chaired by Huddersfield Giants chairman Ken Davy, took the prize for Best Network/Service Company in the Professional Adviser Awards – for the fourth time in six years. SimplyBiz, which celebrated a decade in business last year and employs about 160 staff, previously won the award in 2008, 2009 and 2012. Winners in the Professional Adviser Awards are voted for by independent financial advisers nationwide. The award was presented to SimplyBiz Group member services director David Kershaw at a gala dinner in London. Mr Davy said: “As a Huddersfield company, I believe that to win this important national award is a tremendous achievement. “SimplyBiz have received numerous accolades and awards since we launched the company in 2002. However, the Professional Adviser Awards are amongst the most coveted in our sector as they are based on the quality of service and support delivered to firms throughout the UK. “The whole of the SimplyBiz team are dedicated to providing the best possible service for directly regulated financial advisers and it is a superb accolade to all our staff that we have won this prestigious award not just once, but four times since 2008.” SimplyBiz, based at the John Smith’s Stadium, has become the largest independent company in its field. Other awards include the 2010 Examiner Business of the Year Award and appearances in the LDC Hot 100 and Sunday Times Fast Track 100 lists. SimplyBiz Group provides compliance and other business support services to more than 2,000 financial services firms and more than 5,000 individual advisers nationwide.