FTSE 100
Page 3 profile:
RAZOR RUDDOCK + 35.63 Earning a crust in Brighouse
STEVEN POLLITT Why Huddersfield stands proud
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The diar y section - Page 8
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Gearbox supplier rises to challenge
PRODUCTS supplied by a Huddersfield-based company will be put through their paces when Formula One’s last race of the 2009 season takes place in Dubai. But the gearbox and clutch products provided by Kirkburton firm Lancereal Ltd won’t be powering cars around the brand new Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. They’ll be transmitting power to six hovercraft patrolling the waters around the track and marina complex, performing security and policing duties. Many thousand of visitors are expected to attend the race on November 1 and enjoy the many other attractions offered by the marina and the numerous islands of Abu Dhabi. Lancereal director Nick Hampson said: “The Abu Dhabi authorities ordered at short notice six Hovercraft from one of our UK-based customers – and demanded less than eight weeks for completion of the contract. “The order was destined for the SOC – the Abu Dhabi Special Forces – and was completed on time. All six craft were shipped by air to the site where operator training is now taking place.” Said Mr Hampson: “We selected and
specified the gearboxes and clutches used for the lift fans and main thrust fan for the 380TD craft – the smallest hovercraft produced by our customer. “The craft, which carry up to five people, are also equipped with radar, GPS and a range of security equipment. “ The craft can be easily transported on road by trailer and launched within minutes – making it ideal for the shallow waters around Abu Dhabi.” Mr Hampson said the Dubai deal was expected to lead to further contracts from the Middle East market. Lancereal, based at Penistone Road, has been supplying products for similar, larger Hovercraft used by the RNLI around the coast of Great Britain for the last eight years. Lancereal, formed 12 years ago as a design and supply company, is also an authorised technical representative for a number of leading manufacturers of specialist transmission systems. The company has supplied designs and equipment for drive applications in vehicles such as go-karts and excavators as well as Disney World theme park rides.
moving into the signing market. It now has 12 fabricators who can work on anything from gates and railings to shop, restaurant and pub fixtures. The investment in a powder coating works adds further to the business as it provides Horizon with the option to powder coat their own products but also those of other companies.
Firm on its metal J
OBS have been saved after a Kirklees building firm collapsed – with the launch of a new business. Some 37 jobs were lost when Glentworth Architectural Metalwork Ltd went into administration, but new firm AS Fabrications (UK) Ltd has been set up to provide a new lease of life.
● Full story - Page 4
■ POWER GAME: Lancereal director Nick Hampson and office manager Jill Watson with the six gearboxes the Kirkburton company is supplying for hovercraft providing security patrols during the forthcoming Formula One Grand Prix
Past offers perfect route to future for Horizon A COMPANY supplying signs is going back to its roots to boost business. Milnsbridge-based Horizon Signs is extending its expertise into fabrication works and powder coating as well as sign-making. Horizon began life as a fabrication firm more than 20 years ago before
INSIDE
This powder coating system has an automatic track and large oven, allowing Horizon to paint many products in a short time scale in a colour to suit the clients’ requirements. Ross Ball, director at the Britannia Road business, said “In this challenging climate – which is seeing other companies closing down sections of
their business and downsizing – , we are pleased that Horizon is continuing to expand. “We are constantly striving to satisfy demand and meet the individual requirements of our customers in all aspects – whether it’s sign making, powder coating or fabrication.”
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NETWORKING group is set to help firms mine a rich seam of new contacts. The Business Network will hold regular events at the National Coal Mining Museum, near Grange Moor.
● Full story - Page 8
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
HSBC chief opts for cautious line BANKING giant HSBC has delayed expansion plans due to fears of a second downturn in the economy. The bank’s chief executive Michael Geoghegan said he was concerned about “growing too fast” before the recovery had fully taken hold. He said he was not as convinced as others that the worst is over and warned that the economy could encounter a second slump before fully recovering. Mr Geoghegan was speaking in the wake of a reshuffle at HSBC which will see him based in Hong Kong rather than London and involve taking on responsibility for developing group strategy.
“Is this a V recovery or a W?” he said. “I think it’s the latter. If I’m right, we have to be very careful we don’t grow the balance sheet so far before the recovery has come only to write it back into the impairment line later on.” Mr Geoghegan was also cautious about the level of capital banks might be required to hold by regulators. He said he expects core tier one ratios – which measure high quality capital as a proportion of riskier assets – to be in the region of 10%. This is higher than the 8% regulators are currently thought to be proposing. Another senior executive said
that HSBC might look to make medium-sized purchases. He said a £5bn acquisition could be a possibility, with troubled bank subsidiaries – including parts of Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland – potential targets. Last week, HSBC was among Britain’s top five banks to sign up to new internationally-agreed curbs on bonuses. HSBC has been joined by Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, RBS, and Standard Chartered in making a commitment to implement the new rules, which are intended to link bonuses to long-term performance on payments for 2009.
Factory set for closure
INSURANCE group Aviva fired the starting gun on a partial flotation of Dutch business Delta Lloyd – in a move expected to raise at least £1bn. Britain’s largest insurer confirmed it will sell a minority stake in Delta Lloyd in a stock market listing scheduled for next month. The operation is one of the top five financial services providers in the Netherlands, with £40bn in assets under management and 6,400 staff. Aviva said at its interims in August that a sale would not take place until next year.
A FACTORY making ready meals could close as early as next month – with the loss of 350 jobs. A spokesman for Northern Foods could not confirm the exact date of closure of the site, but said the Brighton Street factory was unlikely to remain open. Northern is due to publish a half-year trading update today, in which a decision on the Hull plant is expected. After talks in May this year, the firm said the Hull site was no longer viable after the company lost a contract to make ready meals
However, the improvement in equity markets and the high level of interest among Dutch institutional investors have encouraged Aviva to move more quickly. The share sale would be one of the biggest offerings in Europe for at least 18 months. Aviva has not disclosed details of the float, but reports suggest it intends to sell 30% to 40% of the business in Amsterdam, valuing the company at about £4bn. Aviva said the move would give it the flexibility to bolster its balance sheet or explore other opportunities for growth.
for its main customer, supermarket chain Morrisons. Northern Foods, which has several sites across Yorkshire, said it had not been able to agree terms with Bradford-based Morrisons. Earlier this year, Northern Foods decided to postpone a decision to merge its Fox’s Biscuits plants at Batley and Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, on a single site. The group wants to build a new £40m factory at one or other of the sites, but said it would undertake a “rigorous” evaluation before making a decision next year.
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BUSINESS never stops – and neither does the Examiner's coverage. As well as our new-look weekly Kirklees Business News and daily business coverage, www.examiner.co.uk/business has all the latest stories. To coincide with the changes to the KBN we have improved our business news online. As well as covering all the latest regular local business news, we also feature the latest breaking business news. This isn't just from Kirklees or West Yorkshire, but you can now get all the latest national and international business news in one place. Whether it's a company profit warning, takeover or the latest on the wider economy, you can get it at www.examiner.co.uk/business You can also register for our weekly business e-mail on the site – so you get the latest local business news delivered straight to your inbox. As well as improved coverage and easier navigation the site also features a views section. This section will feature questions for you, our readers, to fill in so we can accurately gauge the state of business in Kirklees. Using your answers, we will be getting your views into the KBN and onto www.examiner.co.uk/business But that's not the end of it. In the near future we will be running live blogs with business leaders and personalities from our region. You will be to take part in a live discussion from your desk – and have your questions answered. Our new look site also features an archive of KBN back issues in digital magazine form. Make sure you are getting all the local, national and international business news you need by bookmarking www.examiner.co.uk/business
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■ WORRY: Is recovery on the cards?
Aviva seeks deal for Delta
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London StockExch 8361/2 +81/2 Man Group 3183/4 +17/8 Provident Financial 902 +41/2 Schroders 1088 +15 Schroders NV 8991/2 +71/2 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Avon Rbbr 79 -1 Cooksn Grp 3997/8 +3/4 3 REXAM 267 /8 +43/4 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 173/4 +11/2 DSG International 26 +3/8 1 Home Retail 280 /4 +5 Inchcape 273/4 Kingfisher 2101/2 +33/4 M&S 3531/8 +35/8 Mothercare 5981/2 +2 Next 1754 +18 WH Smith 4401/4 +3/8 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 5531/2 +1/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 137 +21/2 Barrat Dev 2411/4 +9 Persimmon 441 +1/8 Reckitt Benckiser £303/8 +1/8 Taylor Wimpey 41 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 6441/2 +31/2 IMI 4343/4 +9 Man Brnze 166 -71/2 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 142 +11/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION 3
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Forth Ports
1192 -3 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 4511/8 -11/2 Friends Provident 831/2 -3/4 1 Lgl & Gen 85 /2 +1/4 3 Old Mutual 98 /4 +21/8 Prudential 589 +17 5 Standard Life 217 /8 +25/8 MEDIA BSkyB 5671/2 +31/2 Chrysalis 93 +1/2 5 D Mail Tst 438 /8 -1/4 1 ITV 43 /4 +3/8 Johnston Press 341/2 -1/2 Pearson 7641/2 +10 1 Reed Elsevier 465 /4 +41/4 STV Group 85 -5 -11/4 Trinity Mirror 1525/8 Utd Business 4713/4 +97/8 UTV 981/2 WPP 531 +5 Yell Group 593/8 +41/8 MINING Anglo American 1951 +741/2 Antofagasta 7461/2 +261/2 BHP Billiton 1659 +32 Eurasian Natural 844 +38 Res Fresnillo 750 +17 Kazakhmys 1002 +151/2 Lonmin 1533 +28 Rio Tinto £255/8 +5/8 VEDANTA 1912 +35 RESOURCES Xstrata 875 +211/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES 1
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Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Heywood Wm Instore Marshalls National Grid Rensburg Sheppards Weir Gp
981/2 101/4 2 51/2 1203/4 599 6521/2
+31/4 -11/2 +21/2
643
-31/2
+4 +1/4
FTSE closed at
5024.3 Up 35.6 Vodafone Group 140 +13/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1147 +20 RSA Insurance Gp 1331/4 +51/2 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1060 +4 BP 5351/4 -1/8 Cairn Energy £267/8 +5/8 1 Norsk Hdro 420 /2 +171/4 Royal Dutch Shell A 1746 -4 Royal Dutch Shell B 1692 -6 Total £36 -1/8 Tullow Oil 1115 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES 1
Wood Group 311 +91/4 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry 503 +1/2 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £277/8 +1/4 Axis-Shield 4231/4 +53/4 1 GlaxoSmithK XD /2 Shire 1071 +21 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4633/4 +43/4 DTZ Hldgs 901/2 -5 Hamrsn 3853/4 +61/8 Land Secs 6101/2 +2 SEGRO 3405/8 +11/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1583 Dimension Data 653/8 +23/8 Logica 1223/4 +7/8 Misys 1993/4 +51/8 Sage Group 223 -1 SUPPORT SERVICES AMEC 7481/2 +161/2 Bunzl 6211/2 Capita 7121/2 +31/2 Davis Service 396 +11/2 Group De La Rue 891 +51/2 Electrocomp 1463/4 +17/8 Experian 523 5 G4S 220 /8 -7/8 Hays 1011/8 +1/2 Homeserve 1555 -9 Menzies J 312 -8 5 Rentokil 111 /8 +2 Smiths News 1211/4 +11/4
IT HARDWARE 1377/8 110 861/2
ARM Hldgs Psion Spirent Comms
TOURIST RATES
+13/4 -1/2 +13/4
TOBACCO Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco
1937 1814
-3 +5
LEISURE & HOTELS Arriva Brit Airways Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Greene King Intercontl Htls Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express PartyGaming Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread FTSE 100
4853/4 217 £211/4 382 3787/8 1235/8 4083/8 1408 421 783 184 2521/8 478 2701/8 891/4 1601/2 2551/4 1200
INDEX 5024.33 INDEX
-21/8 +63/4 -1/8 +43/8 +83/4 +13/4 +21/2 +33 +51/2 +111/2 -11/4 +21/4 +27/8 +25/8 +21/2 +17/8 +26 +35.63
Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.73 dollars Bangladesh................. 103.96 taka Brazil.............................. 2.54 reals Canada....................... 1.63 dollars China ............................. 9.74 yuan Czech Republic ...... 25.51 korunas Denmark....................... 7.73 krone Euro............................... 1.04 euro Hong Kong................ 11.74 dollars Hungary................... 261.09 forints India.......................... 66.86 rupees Japan........................... 136.53 yen Mexico ....................... 19.37 pesos New Zealand .............. 2.06 dollars Norway ......................... 8.78 krone Pakistan.................. 125.21 rupees Philippines ................. 63.84 pesos South Africa.................. 11.36 rand South Korea.............. 1632.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 172.79 rupees Sweden....................... 10.71 krona Switzerland.................. 1.57 francs Taiwan ...................... 44.96 dollars Turkey....................... 2.25 new lira USA ............................ 1.52 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS STEVEN Pollitt is that rare northerner – a Lancastrian delighted to blow the trumpet for Yorkshire.
The experienced solicitor left his native Oldham in 1972 to live in Huddersfield – and has devoted much of his time since then to singing the town’s praises and working to help it “punch its weight” at “the centre of the country, the M62 corridor and Yorkshire”. As a leading light in the Huddersfield business community – chairman of the Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership and a past president of at the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce – he has strong views about the town and what’s needed to strengthen its prospects. And not surprisingly – as a long-standing amateur thespian and rock ‘n’ roll performer – he isn’t scared of being in the spotlight. Steven Pollitt, 59, was articled in Huddersfield and became a partner at Marshall Mills – later to become Eaton Smith – in 1972. Said Steven: “One of my old partners at the time said: ‘As a young solicitor, you have to get out and become involved in as many things as you can’. So that’s what I did. “I have had a career in amateur dramatics since 1962. I joined the Gilbert and Sullivan Society and I am still honorary solicitor to the society. I was also involved with Holmfirth Amateur Dramatic Society. When that collapsed, I formed my own society, The Hepworth players, which meant I could play whatever part I wanted to!” “Unfortunately, I was found out,” he jokes. “So my on-stage appearances are now limited to playing the fairy in the Christmas panto although I produce and direct two shows a year at the village hall.” Steven was also a trustee of the Lawrence Batley Theatre for many years and has a long association with the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce. “I have always believed that networking is one of the best ways to promote yourself and your business. “If you get to know people, they are more likely to respect you and you will respect them. That makes it much easier to do business.” At the town centre partnership, Steven has been instrumental in organising regular breakfast networking events – encouraging local people to work with each other and “exchange” business. “The town has suffered a great deal in business terms from the demise of establishments such as the Borough Club, where business people would meet had more time to get to know each other. “I have actively promoted networking with the chamber’s Connections Count events and the town centre partnership’s meetings at the George Hotel.” Steven is anxious that Huddersfield business people don’t just talk among themselves, but shout about the town to a wider audience. “We should promote Huddersfield as the geographical centre of the country – and as being a centre of excellence with some absolutely fabulous people and brilliant scenery,” he said. “We still sell ourselves short. We are punching below our weight. Yorkshiremen never
profile
Steven Polllitt
We need to sing town’s praises
Role: Commercial litigation partner Age: 59 Family: Married, two children Holidays: Wales and France Car: Mercedes E320 CDi First job: Boating lake attendant Best thing about job: Helping people Worst thing about job: Dealing with people who don’t want to solve the problem Business tip: Always tell the truth and do your best
Lancs lad loves Huddersfield say how good they are. I am not a Yorkshireman, I am a Lancastrian and I say we should shout out from the rooftops. There are so many things we do well, but we don’t tell anyone..” Steven retains his loyalty to Oldham Athletic, if not his hometown generally. “I always look for Oldham’s results before Huddersfield Town’s.” Apart from that he has Huddersfield – and Hepworth – at heart. “Whatever people have said about the work in St George’s Square, we now have something of which we should be very proud,” he said “We will get 10,000 people onto the square for special events and we have to sell that to people. “I was delighted by the stadium development and the things that are happening at the Galpharm now. It was the first of its kind in the country, something else we can be proud of.” Steven has been into rock ‘n’ roll since he was 14 and remains as keen as ever, fronting his own band, self-deprecatingly called Gerry and the Atrics. “I love music,” he said. “I love Gilbert and Sullivan, although Mahler’s Fifth Symphony is my favourite. I always go to the Holmfirth Folk Festival because it’s fun and it brings people together. Music helps people communicate.” As chairman of Hepworth Community Association, Steven has demonstrated how “networking” on a small a scale can have big results.
Steven goes so far as to call Hepworth “the model village”. “A small group of us decided to revive the village hall, which had been derelict for 23 years,” he recalls. “Different people chipped in at different times and now we have a hall that is in use morning, noon and night by groups including the play school and the Hepworth Players. “As a village, we have raised £9,000 for windows and £4,000 for a new floor. Because it is such a plush place, it is regularly booked for weddings and birthday parties. We also have a film society which shows films once a month.” Steven has strong views on how the bigger “village” of Huddersfield town centre can survive in a changing world – particularly if one or both of the proposed Tesco and Asda supermarkets get the go-ahead. He said events such as the annual Food and Drink Festival – and improved Christmas lights – would help attract people to the town. He accepts that change is inevitable, but believes Huddersfield has suffered from lack of a long-term strategy – typified by the failure to get to grips with issues such as parking charges. “There are things we have to look at to keep the town centre busy,” he said. “Councils have to raise money and that means charging for parking. But we have been talking about park-and-ride for ever. Park-and-ride works in places like York, Oxford and Cambridge. There’s no reason it can’t work here. “We have seen that supermar-
■ EATON SMITH: High Street offices
ket developments in or on the edge of town centres can have dire consequences for all other retailers. “I remember Sainsbury’s opening in Market Street and we lost a lot of our specialist shops within months. I worked at Dundas Street at the time when there was a fabulous grocery shop next door, Davies. Sainsbury’s drove that out of the town centre. “I don’t criticise the super-
Page 3
markets because they provide quality food, but if a supermarket is going to be 40% non-food that can only have a dire effect on the middle of town. “If we want the town centre to be a commercial centre or an entertainment centre, that’s fine, but let’s say so and get some strategic thinking to make it happen – and make Huddersfield a great place to work, visit and enjoy.”
HENRYK ZIENTEK
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Eaton Smith Work: Legal services Employs: 100 Sites: High Street and Market Street, Huddersfield Phone: 01484 821338 Email: stevenpollitt@eatonsmith.co.uk
local
Page 4
KIRKLEES BUSIN
Holidays take off
Ask answers the questions
YORKSHIRE tour operator Jet2holidays.com has reported its most successful summer to date. Bookings were up by 66% on the summer season last year – while forward bookings are almost 50% higher. The company is also celebrating the first anniversary of its call centre, which it brought back from India to its headquarters at Leeds Bradford Airport in October last year, creating 30 new jobs.
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■ BACK IN BUSINESS: the- the team at Liversedge-based AS Fabrications (UK) Ltd
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Firm shows an iron will
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JOBS have been salvaged following the collapse of a Kirklees building firm – with the launch of a new business. Some 37 jobs were lost after Glentworth Architectural Metalwork Ltd went into administration. Although the company was trading profitably – and was responsible for completing major projects at venues including Sandown racecourse and Twickenham’s new south stand – the firm had to close because of financial problems relating to its parent group. However, the managers at Glentworth Architectural refused to be beaten – and with financial backing from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and HSBC have set up new company AS Fabrications (UK) Ltd. The new company has re-employed more than half the original workforce and continues to manufacture its range of high quality steel and glass balustrades, staircases and balconies from the previous site at Crystal Works, Union Road, Liversedge. Managing director Mick Fortune said the firm was making “significant” progress, despite the economic downturn. He said: “We have won substantial new projects, including a new prison in Kent and a new feature building in London, to a value in excess of £1m. “Things are definitely looking up – a far cry from two months ago when we faced an uncertain future. “It took a lot of hard work and late nights, but with support from previous customers and suppliers, the decision was taken to move forward with a new company.” Sales director Jarvis Parsons said: “We are confident that as the business continues to grow we will be able to re-employ more of our previous workforce. “With the continued valuable support from our long-standing suppliers and customers we are confident of a prosperous future.” AS Fabrications (UK) Ltd secured financial support from Yorkshire Forward’s Partnership Investment Finance scheme. The scheme aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises with the gap funding that they need to grow, develop new products and services, create jobs and attract inward investment. Finance packages ranging from £15,000 to £1m and are available to businesses in parts of Yorkshire as part of a £37m mixed loan and equity fund.
A MARKETING agency in Huddersfield has embarked on overseas expansion. Ask, which is based at the Media Centre in Northumberland Street, has carried out a string of consume research projects for a number of international clients, including Polis beverage manufacturer Mokate, the Sylmark Group in the USA and Spanish company Natra. Director Susan Kenyon said: “It can be very difficult for agencies in the North to become recognised in the wider marketing world, so to be competing on an international stage makes me really proud.” She added: “2009 has presented many challenges for everyone. For us, it has provided the opportunity t stretch our legs across the channel to Western and Eastern Europe and across ‘the pond’ to the USA.” Ask was formed by Susan 12 years ago and provides strategic market research for companies and organisations across the private and public sectors. Clients have included food and drink suppliers, retailers, local authorities and regional development agencies.
Rolling out the ‘green’ carpet
A KIRKLEES carpet maker has laid out its support for a recycling scheme. Heckmondwike FB, the UK’s leading maker of fibre-bonded carpet and carpet tiles, is backing Carpet Recycling UK, a trade association which encourages the environmentally-friendly disposal of carpets when they reach the end of their “life”. CRUK has already helped to recycle more than 8,000 tonnes of carpet and carpet tiles this year. Most recycled carpet is shredded into small pieces and mixed with sand and other ingredients to create flexible, all-weather surfaces for equestrian use. Others are used as raw material for the plastics industry, fuel in cement kilns or for power generation. Heckmondwike FB has achieved the ISO14001 environmental standard, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable policies and practices in its business.
Bosses turning back to banks
UK entrepreneurs say banks will remain a main source of funding as they look forward to better trading conditions. Some 53% of business people polled by Deloitte said their most likely source of funding for major projects over the next 12 months will be their operational cash flow. However, 18.5% will continue to rely on banks as their primary source of funding followed by 10.4% who will turn to their existing shareholders. Just 12% will seek external investment from private equity.
NESS NEWS
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Partnership is a winner A COMPANY building up business is the latest winner of an award scheme run by a Huddersfield law firm. Eaton Smith, based at High Street, has named The Harris Partnership Ltd as winner of its Business of the Month Award. Partner Steven Pollitt presented the award to Paul Mitchell, managing director of The Harris Partnership. The presentation was also attended by guest judges Anne Gerard, of the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Tim Hill, of Jolliffe Cork; and David Beasley, of Business Link Yorkshire.
The Harris Partnership, which has headquarters in Wakefield and offices in Manchester, Milton Keynes and Reading, employs architects, project managers, technical and interior designers working on construction projects all over the UK. The company said it had maintained its work flow despite the downturn by diversifying its portfolio of work. The firm has developed its expertise to cover a wide range of sectors, including retail, residential, leisure and offices as well as refurbishment and conservation work.
It’s Crazy, but it might just work
■ WELL DONE: Eaton Smith partner Steven Pollitt (centre) presents the Business of the Year Award to Paul Mitchell (second right), of The Harris Partnership, with (from left) Anne Pendlebury, of Eaton Smith; Anne Gerard, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Tim Hill, of Jolliffe Cork; and David Beasley, of Business Link Yorkshire
Costs pile up for firms HE Working Time Directive – impleT mented in the United Kingdom in 1998 – now allows workers to take 5.6 EMPLOYERS’ BRIEF weeks of paid annual leave in each
holiday year. The entitlement has been subject to a number of case law decisions since its introduction on such matters as accrual during long-term absence and entitlements for part-time workers. The European Court of Justice has recently handed down an important decision relating to the legal position where an employee is ill or injured during a period of annual leave. It has now been decided that such a period of illness during a holiday does not count towards an employee’s minimum legal annual leave entitlement. The result is that, as long as the employee can satisfactorily certify their absence – usually by way of the submission of a doctor’s note – then if they are ill during their holiday, this period of time shall be taken as sickness, meaning the employee must be granted a replacement holiday period. The reasoning behind this decision lies in the purpose behind the minimum paid annual leave provisions. The entitlement to annual leave is there to
Neil Wilson
allow a worker to rest and enjoy a period of relaxation and leisure. If a worker is sick during this annual leave period, they are deprived of being able to rest and relax. The burden of additional costs as a result of the above decisions could not have come at a worse time for many businesses – and it is a sign of the strength of the Working Time Regulations that these decisions have been made. The recent ECJ decision should not, however, affect annual leave entitlement offered by an employer which is over and above the statutory minimum of 5.6 weeks. So, where an employee has exhausted their minimum entitlement and is absent during a period of annual leave, the employer may direct that the absence is taken as annual leave and not sick leave. A contractual term clarifying this would be advisable here. The ruling will come as another blow to employers, who have already had to deal with
a previous European decision on sickness absence. In February, 2009, the ECJ held that all workers are entitled to up 5.6 weeks of holiday pay for each year they are on sick leave. This overruled previous case law which suggested that workers on long term absence could not claim holidays or holiday pay for the time they were absent, nor could they claim a lump sum for lost holiday if they left their employer before returning to work. Many commentators had expressed both surprise and concern at the ruling, not least because of the huge expected cost to employers of administering such payments, particularly in light of the difficult economic climate.
Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Time to focus on innovation KIRKLEES firms are getting help to become more innovative. Business Link Yorkshire is running a series of events over the next few months to help companies generate new ideas, turn them into products and services and get them on to the market. Branding expert Hamish Taylor, who has worked for major names including Procter and Gamble, Price Waterhouse, British Airways and Sainsbury’s Bank, will lead a presentation called Be Inspired on Tuesday, October 20, at the Hilton Leeds City Hotel in Leeds.
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That will be followed in November and December by four half-day new product development workshops at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Leeds. The sessions, led by consultancy Targeting Innovation and all held at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Leeds, will provide training and tools to help firms develop new products and services. Innovation, Creativity and Ideas will be held on Wednesday, November 11 with Intellectual property Protection and New Product Development Funding on Wednesday, November 18.
Paper to Prototype will feature on Wednesday, November 25 and Project Management and Commercialisation on Wednesday, December 2. George Boag, chief executive of Targeting Innovation, said: “This series will help young companies in the Yorkshire and Humber improve their new product development capabilities to ensure products and services meet the needs of their customers.” To book, contact Business Link Yorkshire on 08456 048048 or visit www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk
THE owner of a Huddersfield-based gift firm is gearing up for expansion after investment by a national distribution and merchandising company. Sue Grant, managing director of Crazy Popular Products, has created a joint venture with Stoke-based Dee Set in a bid to boost market share. She said: “The investment means we can expand the business from a logistics perspective, develop more exciting products and grow in the gift market place. “We’re really excited about working with Dee Set and look forward to developing additional innovative products.” Sue started Crazy Popular Products out of her previous business, The Natural Wheat Bag Company Ltd, which was formed in 1996. Crazy Popular Products’ bags are scented with a range of fragrances and are designed to be incorporated into a variety of products, including cuddly characters, pillows and eye masks. The company has acquired licences for two brands, Born to Shop and Withit, which Sue is looking forward to developing. Crazy Popular Products sells online in addition to supplying high street retailers, supermarkets, chemists, garden centres, mail order and a variety of independent gift shops and health food stores.
014 8 4 4 32 0 4 3 www.hanson-cs.co.uk
014 8 4 4 3 2 0 4 3 Road A62 Leeds
Unit 1 41,500 sq ft
01484 432043 On behalf of Keyland Developments
The Old Gatehouse
Aspin House Bradley Junction Huddersfield
68 New North Road
unit 1
FOR SALE/TO LET Brand new industrial/warehouse units
unit 2
S t a ti on Ro ad
On behalf of CDP
Contact Jason Metcalfe or Mark Hanson
Unit 2 23,500 sq ft
Bradley Junction, Station Road, Off Leeds Road, Huddersfield Immediately available Modern clearspan industrial buildings with service yards Straight-in and dock leveller loading doors and 27 feet eaves
TO LET (may sell) Suite sizes from 2,174 to 10,354 sq ft
Leeds Road corridor location within
Newly refurbished high specification offices
1 mile junction 25 M62
DDA friendly passenger lift
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Air conditioning On site car parking Immediately available
Visit our website w w w. h a n s o n - c s. c o. u k
Huddersfield HD1 5NE
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Business units in big demand
A COMPANY repairing household goods is the latest tenant to take space at Ainleys Industrial Estate in Elland. JTM Contracts, which trades as 0800 Repair and specialises in repairing domestic appliances including washing machines, cookers and fridge freezers, has taken a five-year lease on a 23,000sq ft unit . It will use the premises as a distribution centre and warehouse. The lease was negotiated by the Huddersfield office of Eddisons on behalf of client Berford Properties Ltd at an asking rent of £95,000 a year. Eddisons has also successfully completed a 10-year lease at Viking Works on Nile Street, off St Thomas’ Road, Huddersfield, on behalf of client SKA Properties. The 15,000sq ft industrial unit has been let to Scott Bros Enterprises Ltd at a stepped rental of £30,000 in the first year, rising to £50,000 by year five. In Brighouse, Eddisons has agreed a new three-year lease at Armytage Road Industrial Estate for client Younger Holmes (Northern) Ltd. The 2,200sq ft industrial unit has been let to Pro Porsche Ltd, an independent Porsche specialist centre, at an asking rent of £13,200 a year. Elsewhere, Eddisons has concluded the sale
property
■ SPACE SAVER: Ainleys Industrial Estate at Elland has attracted another new tenant
of a development site in Hebden Bridge on behalf of Royal Bank of Scotland connected with Hebdon Waterside Developments. The site which has planning consent for 10 town houses, six apartments and six business units in an area extending to more than half an acre, has been sold to West Register (Realisations) Ltd for £400,000.
Finally, Eddisons has sold a retail unit in Sheffield to a local property investor for £675,000. The property on Ecclesall Road includes a ground floor retail unit extending to more than 2,000sq ft along with a rear workshop and will be used as a fine arts and furniture shop.
Marshalls gets to grips with green issues STAFF at paving supplier Marshalls are learning how to benefit the environment and save money on their energy bills. The company, which has its registered office at Birkby and sites at Elland and Shepley, has launched a campaign to help employees look at the amount of energy they use at home and at work and find ways to cut down and save money.
Marketing director Chris Harrop said: “Carbon reduction is a key business issue for us. “The current financial climate is affecting businesses as much as it’s affecting employees – and it’s only by seeing how much energy we use everyday that we are going to be able to make a difference to the way we behave at work and at home.” Marshalls has joined forces
with the Energy Saving Trust and a network of regional “energy champions” –Marshalls employees who have volunteered to raise awareness of environmental issues and find ways to make the business more energy efficient. As part of the campaign, employees will be given top tips on cutting their carbon footprint, have the chance to use energy saving monitors and compete with
colleagues on a state-of-the-art driving simulator. Andrew Cooper. of the Energy Saving Trust, said: “It’s been a real pleasure to work with Marshalls on this programme. They are fully committed as a business to giving their employees the tools and information they need to save money on energy bills as well as finding out more about how to cut their carbon footprint.”
Club aims for net result S part of our commercial strategy at A Town, we have been developing a stand-alone website dedicated to show-
casing our hospitality and sponsorship packages and corporate events. All things being well, we are set to launch tomorrow – October 7. The website can be found at www.htafccommercial.com – and I am confident that it rivals any in the Premier League. I hope you find a sponsorship opportunity to suit your needs. Alternatively, we have our new commercial brochure, which is available free. Get in touch on 01484 484140 or email to commercial@htafc.com and we will send you a copy in the post! Our next upcoming event is our popular Ladies Who Lunch afternoon on November 13. Ladies Who Lunch’ has been incredibly popular since its inception back in early 2008 and we are expecting over a hundred people to attend.
Starting at 11.30am with a champagne reception on arrival, all attendees will enjoy a two course lunch as well as a fashion show hosted by House of Fraser. Fashion powerhouse Guerlain will also be hosting a number of displays and will hold a make-up demonstration. We are busy preparing for our next home fixture of the current season as I write this, which comes on Saturday when Exeter City visit the Galpharm Stadium. The key for us this season is to get as many fans in the ground as possible. As well as revenue from ticket sales, this will obviously have knock-on effects for the club, such as increased merchandise sales. As a result, we are asking our existing fan base for help with a bit of guerrilla marketing! A downloadable poster is available on our official club website, www.htafc.com, and it would be great if everyone reading this
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Rok seals solid £40m contract PROPERTY repair and maintenance company Rok plc has been appointed by Liverpool Victoria to provide building repair services. The agreement could be worth up to £40m a year to Rok over the next three years and secures the company as the leading player in the market. Rok is one of three companies selected by Liverpool Victoria – which owns Huddersfield-based roadside recovery business Britannia Rescue – as part of a move to offer an improved claims validation and repairs service to customers with buildings insurance. Rok Insurance Services has a dedicated round-the-clock contact centre in Nottinghamshire, which handles calls from a growing portfolio of insurance customers and co-ordinates repair work through Rok’s network of local offices and directly employed technicians. Rok chief executive Garvis Snook said: “We recognise LV= is continually striving to provide improvements in services for its policyholders and we are delighted to assist in this process, having been selected for its panel of building repairs suppliers. “This agreement follows the significant investment of time and resources that we have made over the past two years while developing Rok Insurance Services – hard work which I am proud to say has secured our place as the market leader in buildings insurance repairs.”
DTZ completes retail letting deal PROPERTY agent DTZ has completed a retail letting in South Yorkshire. Internacionale Retail has taken a 15,580sq ft unit at Frederick Street, Rotherham. DTZ advised Norseman Estates while Internacionale Retail was advised by CF Commercial Property Consultants. David Thompson, retail director at DTZ, said: “Internacionale Retail joins occupiers including New Look, Holland and Barrett, JD Sports and Bodycare in College Walk. “This letting maintains 100% occupancy in College Walk and demonstrates there is occupier interest for units in the city and hope for the future.”
Rosemount House Rosemount Estate Elland
TOWN TALK Sean Jarvis
column could take five minutes to download one and put it somewhere prominent at their business! We are always trying to encourage the next generation of fans to support Huddersfield Town, with initiatives such as our Terrier 7s. Admission to this weekend’s game is just £1 for juniors, so bring the kids and enjoy a cheap afternoon’s entertainment!
Neil SeanWilson Jarvisis isan commercial employment director lawyer of at Chadwick Huddersfield Lawrence TownSolicitors AFC
TO LET 2,659 sq ft
LY ON UITE S G E ON AININ REM
Ground floor newly refurbished open plan offices Ample on site car parking Within 1 mile of junction 24 M62 Contact Richard Smith
Contact Jason Metcalfe
014 8 4 4 32 0 4 3 www.hanson-cs.co.uk
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Jason Mitchell
Ambitemp Ltd JASON Mitchell, 35, a senior manager with practical and sales experience in the electrical and mechanical engineering industry, has joined the board of mechanical and electrical building services group Ambitemp Ltd. The Lindley-based company carries out building services work for a variety of sectors. It employs 48 staff at its Plover Road headquarters as well as having sites across the UK. Mr Mitchell (pictured), who began his career as an electrical apprentice, joins the firm from Airedale Electrical Ltd, where he was business development manager.
Jonathan Fox
Skipton FS JONATHAN Fox has been appointed whole of market financial adviser for Huddersfield by Skipton Financial Services. Mr Fox (pictured) who specialises in investments and inheritance tax planning, is based at the Ramsden Street branch of Skipton Building Society. He joins SFS with 15 years’ experience in financial services. Adam Greenwood, regional manager for SFS, said: “Jonathan’s skills and experience in financial services made him perfect for this role.”
Cath Lee
FSB CATH Lee has been appointed joint Yorkshire and Humber policy manager for the Federation of Small Businesses. The organisation has 16,000 member businesses in the region. Ms Lee (pictured) is job-sharing the post, which involves supporting the nine-strong Yorkshire and Humber policy committee in representing the interests of small and medium-sized firms with local government and associated bodies. She was previously policy manager for the FSB in the East Midlands and before that spent 23 years in business banking.
Movers and shakers
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Network digs for information
A NETWORKING group has been launched to help firms mine a rich seam of new contacts. The Business Network has been launched to cover Kirklees – following the success of a similar venture in Leeds – and is holding its first meeting on Thursday at the National Coal Mining Museum, near Grange Moor. Organiser Caroline Coward said: “Despite the economic climate, there are a lot of good companies looking to make contacts to help them grow. “The success of our Leeds group is partly down to the community we’ve developed there. Our members are well-connected, help each other out, offer advice and benefit from the connections they make. “We are offering the same benefits to the vibrant business communities
Linden nets dream deal
of Kirklees, Calderdale, Wakefield and Bradford and I’ve received strong interest from companies in the area.” The first event will feature a business workshop on “Twitter For Business” by GREEN Communications followed by a networking lunch. Richard Saward, commercial director at the museum, said: “I source a number of my suppliers from networking events, finding the best Yorkshires firms and making real business relationships. I’m looking forward to meeting the 80 or so businesses who will be experiencing our first class conference facilities so that I can establish some new contacts.” For more information and booking details, please contact Caroline on 01757 701983 or caroline@business-network.co.uk
■ GETTING A LIFT: Caroline Coward, of The Business Network being carried by (from left) Steve Oxley, Bob White and Brian Jaques, who are all guides at the National Coal Mining Museum for England
‘Razor’ joins the upper crust
LEEDS United fan Linden Kitson has landed a dream deal. The head of direct marketing company The Lick Group, which was founded in Elland, is working with his favourite club after web division Lick Online landed a contract to process consumer orders worldwide for the club’s online shop. Leeds United’s online store is reputedly the largest in the Football League and one of the largest football online stores in the UK. Said Linden: “Securing this contract is not only brilliant news for Lick Online – it’s great to work on a client whom I feel particularly passionate about.”
■ FOOD FRIGHT: Pie fan Neil "Razor" Ruddock meets his match with Louise Dodds, general manager of the Holiday Inn at Brighouse
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CHEFS at a Brighouse hotel served up a surprise for former footballer turned TV celebrity Neil “Razor” Ruddock. The former Liverpool and England player, who was at the Holiday Inn at Clifton for a charity evening to raise funds for the Huddersfield Giants Community Foundation, has confessed to eating a belly-busting 212 steak and kidney pies every year. So chefs at the three-star hotel planned to welcome him by serving a Desperate Dan-sized version of his favourite dish – made with local ingredients. “He is obviously a connoisseur of the steak and kidney pie and we hope the one we created for him will rank as one of the best,” said general manager Louise Dodd. “Pies and football go hand in hand and it
seemed a fitting way of welcoming him to our fund-raising night and making him feel at home – as well as giving him a true taste of Yorkshire.” Razor, known as a football hard-man, was famously involved in an on-field scuffle with Manchester United star Eric Cantona during his five years at Liverpool. His TV appearances have included a stint in the jungle on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. But he admitted that he met his match when faced with the giant pie. “Delicious – but even Desperate Dan would have called it a day before the end,” he said. The hotel’s Evening with Razor Ruddock also featured an auction of sporting memorabilia and a raffle in aid of the foundation.