JONATHAN WALES
FTSE 100 +22.06 6583.76
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014
All present and connect Interview - Page 3
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NICK GARTLAND A world full of surprises Column - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
By Henryk Zientek Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
A metalworking company has landed its biggest-ever contract – to help create a state-of-the-art velodrome for Britain’s up-and-coming racing cyclists. Arkoni, based at Armytage Road, Brighouse, has sealed a £500,000 deal to supply glazed walling, a staircase and spectator balustrades for the new Derby Sports Arena. The £27.5m complex, which is sited next to Derby County FC’s iPro Stadium, will feature a 250m cycling track, 12-court sports hall, gym and multifunction rooms as well as a café. The venue will also double up as a concert venue with a capacity of 5,000. Arkoni managing director Mark Prentice said: “Arkoni’s manufacturing expertise could well provide a backdrop for our next Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton or Bradley Wiggins in what is only the fifth international standard velodrome in the UK. “We were asked to design, manufacture and install a two-metre high structural glass wall around the cycle track as well as a staircase and balustrades to
■■ The futuristic velodrome at Derby (left) and (above) Arkoni managing director Mark Prentice
spectator areas around the arena. “We have worked for main contractor Bowmer Kirkland on a number of occasions and their work on the arena is expected to be complete for October, 2014,” Arkoni, founded in 1991 by Mr Prentice, employs 50 people and specialises in making and installing staircases, balustrades, canopies, entrance areas and fire resistant glazing on behalf of many of the UK’s major construction firms and architectural practices.
Projects have included offices, supermarkets, shopping malls, housing developments, hotels, hospitals, sports stadia, museums, schools and universities. Recent contracts included supplying sets of polished, stainless steel doors for the 23-storey BP4 building at Canary Wharf. It has also added the finishing touches to iconic buildings such as the O2 Arena, Manchester’s Trafford Centre, Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, the Tate Gallery in London, Leicester’s Vic-
torian Silver Arcade and the Met Quarter in Liverpool. It was also entrusted with work to provide a contemporary look to the west and south porch entrances to Wakefield Cathedral and provided glass feature canopies at the £40m Broad Street Plaza development in Halifax. Earlier this year,, Arkoni reported a £250,000 investment in additional workspace and automated machinery at its Brighouse headquarters.
Company provides vital medical equipment for Haiti A Cleckheaton supplier of medical equipment will see one its products deployed in Haiti. Ferno. which manufactures medical and patient handling equipment, has donated a number of its new Ferno Fingertip Pulse Oximeters to a volunteer programme whereby foreign doctors and other medical personnel travel to Haiti and work with Haitian medics to give free emergency aid to the local community. Ferno business development manager Darren Sharman presented the oximeters to Oxfordbased Dr Joanna Cherry after being approached by Madeleine Radburn, medical devices advisor at the South Central Ambulance Service,
based in the city. Madeleine supports the Hospital Bernard Mews/ Project Medishare through her local Lions Club charity and helps keep Joanna supplied with a range of medical equipment to help with the care of the spinal patients she treats in Haiti. The new devices, which fit on to a patient’s finger, measure blood-oxygen saturation levels and heart rate quickly and accurately. Jon Ellis, managing director at Ferno, said the device was a “must-have” accessory for frontline healthcare practitioners. He said: “It is reliable, very easy to use and lightweight. It can be worn on a lanyard
around the neck so it’s at your fingertips when you need a quick and accurate reading of blood-oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate. “I’m sure that Dr Cherry and her team will find the devices useful on a regular basis.” Dr Cherry said: “I will be taking them to Haiti and they will be used at the Hospital Bernard Mews/Project Medishare which is a trauma hospital in Port au Prince where we work with local doctors and patients to try and ease the burden of high level trauma in Haiti. “We treat high level trauma, medical and surgical conditions in patients from all backgrounds and are proud to serve the Haitian people in their time of need. “
■■ Ferno’s Darren Sharman with Madeleine Radburn, of South Central Ambulance Service , and Dr Joanna Cherry
Fitting reward Directors and staff at a Brighouse firm are celebrating the company’s remarkable turnaround. Avocet Hardware has progressed from being a business on the brink of collapse to being named winner of the Hardware Company 2013 category in the very first National Fenestration Awards in less than two years. The Brighouse firm was bought out of administration by the Jain family in February, 2012, since when the focus has been on restoring Avocet’s standing as one of the leading names in the hardware industry. Acheiving this so quickly is a source of great pride for director Dr Tinkle Jain.
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Suite success A company providing components for domestic kitchens, bedrooms and lounges as well as commercial offices has completed its move to new premises with a major investment in the future. Decorative Panels Group has officially opened an 8,500sq ft stateof-the-art marketing suite at Lowfields Business Park in Elland. The marketing suite has been unveiled 18 months after a £10m move to transfer the group’s components operations to a 175,000sq ft factory.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Poundstretcher set to open 50 more stores A discount retailer based in Huddersfield has reported plans to open up to 50 new stores. Poundstretcher, which has its headquarters at Trident Business Park, Deighton, as well as a store at the town’s Castlemoor Retail Park, Beck Lane, reported a 3% rise in sales for the year to the end of March – with takings for the final quarter up by 5.6%. The company said growth had been achieved by the introduction of an extended food and toiletry range into more than half its 400-plus stores coupled with an extensive refit programme which had improved the shopping experience in many stores. It said: “These two trading initiatives have proved popular with customers, improving average basket and increasing the frequency of
visits to stores. “Total sales have grown strongly, driven by 35 new store openings in 2013/14. These new stores are generally larger than existing Poundstretcher stores, allowing us to improve existing ranges and introduce many more new lines.” The firm said expansion of the Poundstretcher store format was continuing with up to 50 new stores anticipated to open in the new financial year. “Our strategy going forward is to open larger stores and reformat our smaller store base,” said Poundstretcher. “The chain now stands at 403 stores nationwide. “Investment has also been made in our online offer. The transactional website offers a wide range of lines, some exclusive to the website.
House of Fraser owners looking East House of Fraser could nearly double its number of stores with plans to open up to 50 branches in China – following its takeover by a Nanjingbased conglomerate. The department store chain, which was valued at £480m by the deal, has 60 sites in the UK and Ireland – including the anchor store at Huddersfield’s Kingsgate Centre. New owner Sanpower plans to exploit what it calls the “iconic heritage brand” with a programme of international expansion. However, it is not known whether the name House of Fraser will be used at all the stores, with the possibility that some might use another name. One of those being considered is “Oriental Fraser”. A source close to the deal confirmed that the chain would now be opening stores in China over the next few years, with 50 as a target. Sanpower chairman Yuan Yafei said: “House of Fraser is a strong and iconic heritage brand in the UK and abroad, with exceptional fashion credentials. “We see significant opportunities to develop the business further and replicate the already successful model in international markets.”
within the group to 50 – with plans to open a further 100 by the end of 2014. The firm said: “Pet Hut will then become the second largest specialist petcare retailer in the UK and forms an integral part of our growth plans for the future.” The latest figures underline the success of discount retailers in boosting sales and market share in the wake of the recession. Aziz Tayub, Poundstretcher chief executive officer, said: “2014 has been an exciting year for Poundstretcher. There is still much to do, but we are confident in and excited by our future prospects”. ■■ Poundstretcher plans more stores like its new Halifax outlet Founded in 1981, Poundstretcher Ltd employs more “We intend to strengthen business.” than 6,000 people in the UK. this offer during the coming During the year, Pound- Its stores sell everything from year as it becomes an increas- stretcher also increased the Christmas decorations to ingly important part of our number of Pet Hut stores cleaning fluids.
Family firms play ‘powerful role’
Boost in takings for fashion chain
First generation family-owned SMEs are set to see their revenues rise from £540bn a year to £661bn by 2018 – a 22% increase – according to a new report by Barclays Business. The report said first-generation family SMEs currently contribute £180bn in gross value added to the UK economy, an annual contribution that is set to rise by 21% in nominal terms, reaching £218bn in 2018.
Fashion chain French Connection posted a big jump in sales amid more evidence that its recovery efforts are starting to pay off. The group, which has 131 stores and concession outlets in the UK and Europe, including one at the Kingsgate Centre in Huddersfield, said comparable sales were 11% higher in the 11 weeks to last weekend.
The value of family SMEs, taken as a group, to the British economy is currently greater than that of the overall manufacturing and wholesale or retail sectors – demonstrating how vital these businesses are to the country as a whole. As many as almost one in five Barclays Business customers are family SMEs. Caroline Pullich, head of Barclays Business in Yorkshire,
said: “Family SMEs play a powerful role in the UK economy and one that is set to increase if they have the right access to support and funding. “We currently work with over 130,000 family run businesses, 22% of which are in Yorkshire, so we have built up a great deal of expertise in guiding them through their growth phases. Whether they aspire to become a household name like J Sains-
It is the latest boost for founder and chairman Stephen Marks, who is leading the group’s bid to return to the black following a period of losses in the UK. Shares jumped by 12% to leave the stock at its highest level since late 2011. Mr Marks recently said the group was on the “right path” after benefiting from the input of a new design team, while
its online business has grown and underperforming stores closed. In a brief update, the company said it was continuing “the positive trend” as its retail initiatives and improved product ranges gain traction. Year-on-year sales comparisons are currently helpful, but French Connection said these will toughen as the financial year progresses.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN
American Express Chevron Du Pont Exxon Mobil Gannett Hess Corp Microsoft Motors Liquidation Wal-Mart Stores Wrigleys
£50.88 +0.39 £70.77 +0.87 £39.81 +0.33 £58.37 +0.60 1579.86 +17.32 £50.94 +1.02 £23.45 +0.03 44.80 £46.22 +0.53 £47.77
AEROSPACE & DEFENCE
Avon Rbbr BAE Systems Chemring Cobham Meggitt Rolls-Royce Senior
600 Group API Grp Brady Plc Highland Gold Mining Johnson Service Grp London Security M”S Intl Nichols Redhall Group Scapa Grp Youngs GKN
620 3955/8 2403/4 2863/4 4661/4 1019 2911/8
+9 -3 -81/4 -35/8 -31/4 -14 -83/8
211/4 71 77 671/2 56 2000 201 995 441/2 114 9371/2
+21/2
374
-35/8
AIM
AUTOMOBILES & PARTS
Barclays Bk Ireland HSBC Lloyds Banking Gp Ryl Scotland Stan Chart
BANKS
2371/4 223/4 6213/8 725/8 3041/4 13451/2
+ /4 -11/2 -1 1
-6 -2 +5
+11/4 -3/8 +33/4 -3/8 -13/4 +24
Barr (AG) Diageo SABMiller Croda Elementis 98 Johnsn Mat
BEVERAGES
601 1917 £311/4
-16 +441/2 +1/8
£255/8 2855/8 £311/8
+3/4 -1/2
CHEMICALS
CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS
Balfour Beatty C”R”H Costain Low Bonar Marshalls Drax Gp SSE
287 1714 270 831/4 184
ELECTRICITY
7371/2 1469
-3 /4 -23 -31/4 -1/4
-21/2
765 2893/4 3463/4 1357 100
-21/2 -10 -1/4 -15
EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS
Alliance Trust Br Assets Candover Inv Dunedin Inv Dunedin Sml Edin Invst Electra Private Equity Forgn & C Henderson Smllr Cos North American Inc Scot Am Scottish Mortgage Witan
448 137 5191/2 269 2117/8 586 £263/8 3641/8 5421/2 805 242 994 686
- /2 +1 -1/2 1
-21/8 -6 -2 -221/2 +3 -11 -4
FIXED LINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
BT Grp
3561/4
-13/4
507/8 145 100 2881/8
-3/8 -33/4 -11/8 -51/4
2037/8 3261/2 2893/8 1463/4
+23/4 +167/8 +81/4 -31/4
FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS
Morrison W Sainsbury Tesco Thorntons
FOOD PRODUCERS
1
ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Domino Ptg Laird Morgan Advanced Ox Instmts Volex
Cable & Wireless Comm Colt Group KCOM Talktalk Telecom
AB Food Carrs Millg REA Hldgs Tate Lyle Unilever
£265/8 1686 4341/2 655 £265/8
+1/4 +6 -131/2 -91/2 +1/4
339 /4 8131/2 729 1759 7531/2
+4 /8 +4 +1 -11 -5
3691/2 1349 3945/8 1775 1005/8 1856 £25 1938
-51/8 -46 -15/8 -28 -23/4 -17 -5/8 -53
GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES
Centrica National Grid Pennon Grp Severn United Utils
1
GENERAL FINANCIAL
3i Group Close Bros ICAP London StockExch Man Group Provident Financial Schroders Schroders NV REXAM Smith DS Smiths Grp
GENERAL INDUSTRIALS 4931/2 3073/8 1237
3
-61/2 +1/4 +8
GENERAL RETAILERS
Ashley L Carphone Whse Dixons Retail Home Retail
263/4 304 445/8 208
-127/8 -13/8 -61/4
BBA Aviation
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
1861/2 184 8131/2 £253/8
+41/4 +4 +3/8
FTSE closed at
6583.76 Up 22.06
HR Owen Inchcape Kingfisher M & S Mothercare Next Signet Jewelers WH Smith
165 642 4255/8 4263/4 179 £631/8 £611/8 1060
-9 -2 -83/4 -2 -3/4 -1/8 -30
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
Smith Nph
8741/2
-91/2
174 3711/2 1542 1279 £483/8 108
-1/2 -143/4 -31 -36 +1 -27/8
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Aga Rangemaster Barrat Dev Bellway Persimmon Reckitt Benckiser Taylor Wimpey
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
Fenner I”M”I Molins Renold Spirax-Sarco Weir Grp Ferrexpo
392 1501 1641/2 551/4 £285/8 £253/8
-1 -1/4 +3/8
1511/2
-3
INDUSTRIAL METALS
-4 -16
INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION
310
LIFE INSURANCE
Aviva Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life BSkyB D Mail Tst ITV Johnston Press Pearson Reed Elsevier STV Group Trinity Mirror Utd Business UTV WPP
-61/4
505 2113/8 1987/8 12991/2 2811/8 3715/8
+53/4 +3/8 -1/8 -3 +21/4 -21/8
877 8261/2 1773/8 251/2 1051 873 345 1841/4 665 239 1218
+1/2 -55/8 +1/4 +13 -8 +1/2 -1 -5 -73/4 -1
MEDIA
MINING
Anglo American Antofagasta BHP Billiton Fresnillo Kazakhmys Lonmin Rio Tinto VEDANTA RESOURCES
15431/2 +61/2 842 +17 1938 +281/2 9321/2 +24 -43/4 2403/4 2891/2 +83/4 1 £34 /8 +3/4 9391/2 +2
MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Inmarsat Vodafone Group
7381/2 213
NONLIFE INSURANCE
Admiral Grp Jardine LloydThomson Marsh McL RSA Insurance Gp BG
-41/2 -7/8
1354 1092 £283/8 927/8
-5 +24 +1/4 -3/4
1120
+61/2
OIL & GAS PRODUCERS
BP Cairn Energy Premier Oil Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B Total Tullow Oil
4741/2 1665/8 3133/4 £221/8 £233/4 £401/2 859
-7/8 +7/8 +25/8 +1/4 +1/4 +11/8 +32
OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
AMEC Petrofac Wood Gp(J)
-7 +10 +1/2
ARM Hldgs IBM Spirent Comms
1431 3421/8
+18 -13
Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco
£373/8 1543 £285/8
-1/2 -9 -1/8
660 625 5601/2 2903/4 1028 3293/8
+5 -5 -2 +23/4 +5 -31/4
3893/4
-7/8
1013 1592 1074 829 2775/8 2775/8 1054 248 149 3153/8 6751/2
-12 -6 -14 +9 -41/8 -41/8 -4 +15/8 -33/4 -5/8 -111/2
PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY
Astrazeneca GlaxoSmithKline Shire Brit Land Gt Portland Hamrsn Intu Properties Land Secs SEGRO
REAL ESTATE
SOFTWARE & COMPUTER SERVICES
Sage Group
Berendsen Bunzl Capita De La Rue Elctro Com Electrocomp Experian G4S Hays Homeserve Interserve
SUPPORT SERVICES
675 5091/2 2235/8 116 1641/2 1726 £325/8
-151/2 +41/2 -3 -1/2 -31/2 -43 -5/8
9541/2 £118 92
-4 +13/8 -11/4
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT
1186 1413 7471/2
PERSONAL GOODS
Burberry Gp PZ Cussons
Menzies J Northgate Prem Farnell Rentokil Smiths News Travis & P Wolseley
TOBACCO
£341/2 £243/4
+5/8 +1/4
1231/8 £22 912 1640 1361/4 1231/8 1944 8751/2 1914 3771/8 1301/8 1453/4 435 278 131/4 1601/2 624 6021/2 373 4147/8 £387/8 3221/8
-1/2 -3/8 +31/2 -60 -43/4 -21/4 -5 -16 +10 -15 -5/8 -31/4 -63/8 +3/8 +1/4 -23/4 -221/2 -17 +1/2 -73/8 -13/8 -13/4
TRAVEL & LEISURE
Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Marston’s Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Punch Taverns Rank Org Restaurant Grp Ryanair Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread William Hill FTSE 100 FTSE 250
INDEX
6583.76 15702.42
+22.06 -195.95
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Jonathan’s getting us all better connected The outdoor life has a special appeal to bank manager Jonathan Wales. Indeed, the 47-year-old Mirfield man almost pursued a career in agriculture before taking a change in direction to join the building society sector. Now he has embarked on another challenge – albeit temporarily – as Business Connector for Huddersfield, working to help local community groups and charities connect with business people who have the skills to help them thrive. Jonathan grew up in Bradford and lived in the city until getting married and moving to Mirfield 18 years ago. “When I was at school, I wanted to work in agriculture,” he says. “In the sixth form, I worked on a farm at Harrogate at weekends. I was offered a place at a number of agricultural colleges – Askham Bryan, Lancaster College and Shuttleworth Agricultural College in Bedfordshire. But I went to work on a farm in the Lake District and I just changed my mind. I decided it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t certain that this was the right career.” Jonathan got a job with the National & Provincial Building Society in Bradford, where he worked briefly before getting a post with the Halifax. Within four years, he was managing his own branch. He says: “Once I started at the building society, I loved it. I loved dealing with people and helping them to get their own homes.” During his career, he saw the Halifax move from being a mutual to a bank and its merger with Lloyds. “I have worked for the Halifax for 28 years, joining in 1986,” says Jonathan. “I have worked in a large number of branches – Brighouse, Heckmondwike, Huddersfield, Halifax, Wakefield, Bradford and Skipton. I was a branch manager at the age of 23 when I was appointed to Heckmondwike, which was probably the smallest branch. “I worked my way up to the branch at Cloth Hall Street where
I was manager from 2010 and moved to the Halifax branch at Christmas. “I worked briefly at head office in Halifax and in Leeds about 15 years ago, but that didn’t last long because I preferred to be working with the customers.” Now Jonathan has been seconded to take up a one-year post as Business Connector for Huddersfield. It’s part of a national scheme run by Business in the Community to encourage businesses to assist Third Sector organisations achieve their aims. Jonathan, who has been in post only a few weeks, succeeds Mark Yarwood, a colleague at Lloyds Banking Group, in the role. “I have been five weeks in the job,” says Jonathan. “I spent a couple of weeks in induction and training and I have been out and about for three weeks. I have been to see some businesses and a lot of charities as well as Kirklees Council. I have also had a meeting at Huddersfield University Business School. “Everyone has been very helpful and everyone has been happy to meet me. Things are starting to come together.
“The charities I have met have all sorts of things they need help with. Businesses can help, whether its offering the use of facilities or professional services and I have already connected some people together already. “Charities are always looking for funding and I have already helped with a couple of applications for funding. Another very common theme is help with marketing. Sometimes, the charities don’t always know what they mean by ‘marketing’ and I am trying to find contacts who can help particularly with that. For instance, the business school at the university has marketing students who can help charities while using it as a ‘real life’ marketing project.” Says Jonathan: “I have spoken to a lot of charities. I need to talk to a lot more businesses, but it is early days yet. People are very pleased to see me – they realise I have no agenda and I am not trying to sell them something. I’m just trying to help businesses, charities and social enterprises.” Jonathan says: “I heard about Business Connectors through my predecessor, who approached me
■■ Jonathan Wales, is Huddersfield’s new Business Connector
Jonathan Wales
looking for a volunteer among my colleagues for a project he was working on. I thought it was a wonderful opportunity. I’m working in the community in which I love. I want to help people, it’s as simple as that. “I had a completely open mind when I went into the role. Working for one organisation for so long can give you only one perspective. “I thought it would be good for me to see aspects of the community in which I work – and work to improve community cohesion, employment, enterprise and opportunity. “I like working with people and I am happy to help wherever I can – but it’s been a massive learning experience as well as a massive opportunity for me.” Jonathan says that the Business Connector scheme is vital in an environment of public sector cutbacks to help charities and community groups get the advice to help them stand on their own two feet and by truly sustainable. Business in the Community is one of the Prince of Wales’ charities and its central function is lottery-funded. However, the Business Connectors is funded by the businesses that second them, Jonathan may have ditched a career in farming, but he enjoys the outdoor life. “I have recently volunteered for the National Trust at Marsden Moor with a view to doing patrols and guided tours,” he says. “I like to get out and about when I have the opportunity. “Over the past few years, I have also been helping my father-inlaw rebuild an MGB, which I found really interesting and enjoyable.” Recalling his early career, he says: “The first branch manager I went to work for in Bradford was in his late 50s. All bank managers seemed old at that time! “In my job interview, he said: ‘I think you will be the only person working here who knows how to milk a cow and dip sheep.’ “I didn’t think he would employ me, but he did. You have to give people a chance to prove themselves.”
Role: Business Connector Age: 47 Holidays: Devon and Cornwall Car: Ford SMax First job: While at school I worked for a milkman, delivering milk and collecting the money on Friday evenings. That helped me get to know how to interact with people - knocking on hundreds of doors Best thing about the job? The variety because every day is different. I have the freedom to make decisions and make things happen Worst thing about the job? The role is only a one year-secondment. I’d love it to be for longer because I’m really enjoying this Business tip: Seize every opportuity you can, If you don’t, you will always be wondering what might have been
Business Connector Work: Helping businesses and community groups work together Site: Huddersfield Phone: 07879 801745 Email: jonathan.wales@bitcconnect. org Web: www.bitcconnect.org
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TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
local
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Good reasons to follow all the rules Insurance, risk manageence over the last 5 years. ment and health and safety acIf you are having a number tivities are often perceived to of liability claims or very large be a necessary evil and an exclaims on your insurance your pense that drains the business insurance premium is likely to without putting anything back rise accordingly and this could in. happen year on year if the It’s not easy to see why many claims continue to occur. businesses spend a large If you start now or have been amount of time and money producing risk tion records or training records in place means continually carrying out pro-active risk manageassessments and other documentary evidence that if the worst should happen the business can ment over a number of years your claims record to comply with legislation with little obvious offer a defence to prosecution as it can evidence should reflect this and therefore any impact ratreward. what it has being doing to avoid incidents. ing increases you may have on your business There are a number of reasons why risk man- Therefore, hopefully the business will avoid will be minimised and as such your risk management is a good investment that will greatly prosecution by the health and safety executive agement efforts will start to see a return on your reward your business. and any subsequent fine. investment. Firstly, a proactive approach to risk manageThirdly, insurance premiums are directly A good starting point for any business is to ment should mean that your business sees a affected by your claims experience and insurers look at the checklist below to ensure you have reduction in the frequency and severity of acci- will generally be looking at your claims experi- the following - health and safety policy, risk dents assessments, training records, Secondly, having the necesinspection records and comMark Weeks is a risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd sary Risk Assessments, Inspecpetent advice.
RISKY BUSINESS Mark Weeks
Life’s just full of surprises There have been two particularly notable surprises so far this year that have affected markets. The first was the situation in Ukraine as Russia effectively annexed Crimea and raised the threat of a more aggressive advance into eastern Ukraine. Recent events have now led the markets to believe that this risk has been reduced following Russia’s declaration that it has no interest in the Ukraine beyond Crimea which provided a positive backdrop for equities. The other big surprise of the year so far came from China, where the economic data was persistently weaker than expected. Maybe that in itself was not so shocking, as many pundits had already drawn attention to the build up of debt and the tricky transition from an economy fuelled by investment to one built on consumption. The real surprise, perhaps, was the yuan, which investors, particularly the more speculative variety
CITY TALK Nick Gartland who tend to leverage their trades with borrowed funds, had come to see as a one-way appreciating bet. The Chinese government decided to “re-educate” the market with around a 3% fall in the currency relative to the dollar. This fall might not sound dramatic, but we are now in a position where the yuan is worth less than it was a year earlier against the dollar for the first time since 1994. That is a huge statement by the People’s Bank of China, especially as it has imposed severe pain on many Chinese companies who have been using spare cash and borrowed funds to play this “carry trade”. Indeed, much of the trade
had the yen on the other side, as that was deemed to be the one-way depreciation bet. So not only has this policy change unsettled domestic Chinese companies, it has also put a spanner in the works of “Abenomics”, given that yen depreciation is a key component of Japan’s policy to create more inflation and growth. It is also worth mentioning that there been $38bn worth of IPOs worldwide so far this year, which is twice the value of the same period in 2013. Positively, it is a sign of the confidence of both companies and investors. Negatively, high levels of IPOs have been associated with market peaks, as investors lower
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Member firm of the London Stock Exchange. Member of NYSE Liffe. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Investec Wealth & Investment Limited is registered in England. Registered No. 2122340. Registered Office: 2 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QP.
their quality thresholds in the rush to get involved in the “next big thing” and unscrupulous issuers take advantage of this to market more speculative ventures. Matters might not be extreme just yet, but the valuations that have been ascribed to, for example, AO World (already listed), Just Eat and King Digital are eye-watering. Of course, some of these companies will go on to become the new category killers, the Amazons and eBays of the future, but it’s worth also remembering that even great businesses can become hideously overvalued and markets can be unforgiving of any that disappoint. In the US, the Federal Reserve reversed their decision to tie future interest rate rises specifically to the unemployment rate, instead promising to take into account a “wide range of information”, including labour market conditions, inflation expectations and financial markets, which effectively means they can do pretty much what they want. However for now they said that “a highly accommodative stance of monetary policy remains appropriate”. That didn’t stop them reducing the monthly purchases of bonds by another $10bn to $55bn, which was also entirely as expected. At a domestic level, the headline announcement during the budget was the decision by the Chancellor to liberalise the pension market by removing the need for defined contribution pension holders to buy an annuity. The current regime taxes cash withdrawals (above the initial tax-free allowance) at 55%. The new regime now means pension holders can withdraw capital from their pensions at their marginal income level. This will clearly encourage a significant number of pensioners to release cash from their pension’s via draw-downs.
Nick Gartland is senior financial planning director at Investec Wealth & Investment
■■ Ian Court, of NatWest. with Jessica Elvidge, owner of Princess Paws, and dog Missy
Jessica has a well-groomed business idea Pampered pooches can benefit from a new dog grooming salon and spa – thanks to a bank’s backing for a new business. Jessica Elvidge has opened Princess Paws Grooming and Spa in Huddersfield with support from NatWest. The Lockwood-based business provides general dog grooming services such as bathing and clippings alongside bespoke spa services – including mud baths aimed at rejuvenating skin, facials, glitter spray finishes following washes and natural coat colourings. Pets can also enjoy a day at the spa as Princess Paws offers full packages with treatments and grooming. Jessica said: “We know people care about their pets’ wellbeing and we want the spa to be a place where pets can come and get a bit of pampering. “ In addition to pet grooming services Princess Paws offers dental treatments and sells dog toys , collars and leads. After working as a dog groomer for four years, Jessica came to the decision to open a business of her own to look after pets. She turned to NatWest relationship manager Ian Court for support. He secured funding to help with start-up costs. Princess Paws opened in March and Jessica is delighted to see her business idea come to fruition. She said: “Ian has been brilliant in supporting me as I have set up Princess Paws. He has been there when I have had queries and has been a wonderful resource.” Said Mr Court: “I was delighted to support Jessica and her new business Princess Paws which will no doubt keep dogs in and around Huddersfield looking their best.”
Pepamint is a social success A social media management business based in the Colne Valley has been named one of the best in the country. Slaithwaite-based Pepamint has been ranked in the Social Media Top 500 compiled by Marketme, an online social media networking group helping UK micro-businesses and small and medium-sized firms understand and succeed using the likes of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Pepamint, owned by Nicola Mellor, came 128th in the top 500. Nicola, who launched the business only in August last year following a career in sales and marketing, said: “I am honoured to be recognized amongst other top UK media professionals. “It is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate my expertise and be viewed as a repu-
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TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property ■■ Heidi Smith (left) and Charlotte Metcalfe outside Decorative Product Group’s new state-of-the-art marketing suite at Lowfields Business Park at Elland ■■ Below, Heidi and Charlotte in the eyecatching reception area of the 8,500sq ft marketing suite, which provides the final component in a major move by the privately-owned business following on from the opening of a 95,000sq ft components factory in 2012
LOT 1
120 White Lee Road
LOT 6
Batley, WF17 8AH
Detached 3 bed bungalow on good sized plot in need of full renovation.
Emley, Huddersfield, HD2 9TA
14.5 Acres grazing/agricultural land.
Guide Price: In Excess of £125,000
Guide Price: In Excess of £125,000
LOT 2
Ash Street
LOT 7
Edge Top Road, Overthorpe, Thornhill, WF12 0BG
Guide Price: In Excess of £25,000
Guide Price: In Excess of £95,000
73, 73a Stainland Road
Character stone buildings (4,629 sq ft) arranged around courtyard – residential conversion potential.
LOT 8
Greetland, HX4 8BD
Large 0.4 Acre single building plot with PP for large executive house.
Guide Price: £125,000 – £150,000
Guide Price: £45,000 – £55,000
28 Clough Lane
Land at Mountjoy Road
Edgerton, Huddersfield, HD1 5QQ
Vacant lock up shop plus spacious self contained maisonette over, requiring renovation – good rental potential.
LOT 4
Former Council Depot
off Miln Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6HL
Three small workshops/garages totalling 2,424 sq ft close to town centre. Good rental potential.
LOT 3
Land at Windmill Hill Road
LOT 9
Mixenden, Halifax, HX2 8SN
Terraced retail unit with residential conversion potential.
Land at Town End
Almondbury, Huddersfield, HD5 8NP
Residential building land – 0.44 Acres with PP for 6 semi detached.
Guide Price: In Excess of £175,000
Guide Price: £25,000 – £30,000
LOT 5
Cemetery Lodge
Cemetery Road, Batley, WF17 8PG
Substantial Grade II Listed lodge with potential for residential conversion.
Guide Price: £75,000 – £100,000
LOT 10
Land at Station Road
Skelmanthorpe, HD8 9AU
Former council depot – 0.75 Acres. PP submitted for 6 executive houses around a cul-de-sac development.
Guide Price: In Excess of £295,000
Marketing suite is the final touch for group
A company providing components for domestic kitchens, bedrooms and lounges as well as commercial offices has completed its move to new premises with a major investment in the future. Decorative Panels Group has officially opened a state-of-the-art marketing suite at Lowfields Business Park in Elland – 18 months after a £10m move to transfer its components operations to a 175,000sq ft factory at Lowfields from outdated premises in Oakes and Longwood. It already had a 96,000sq ft unit at Lowfields housing its head office and laminates subsidiary as well as a factory in Teeside. The 8,500sq ft marketing suite has been designed to showcase products from all the group companies – but also uses interactive technology to engage customers and potential customers. On arrival, guests are met in the “chill zone” surrounded by original design classics such as Floss lamps and Le Corbusier armchairs. All the built environment of the marketing suite is constructed from the companies’ own products – including a kitchen made entirely from sheer material manufactured by Decorative Panels Lamination and processed by Decorative Panels Components. A heritage zone displaying items of memorabilia traces the history of the family-run group from its origins in 1879 and early success as a coffin maker. The “dp-library” zone features hard samples of all the group’s decor and specialist ranges – all ready to select and take away – while the “dp-virtual” zone enables visitors to interactively design and configure bedroom, kitchen and living room furniture drawing from all the designs available. The system displays the chosen furniture full-size on a big screen in a fullydressed room set environment. Touchscreen technology enables the user to select any design and click and drop into any panel on the chosen furniture set. The finished result can be viewed from four separate camera angles to ensure the customer is completely satisfied with the result. A “mix and match” zone provides A1 and A3 panels of every design available in the decor and specialist ranges for the visitor to see and compare on a wallmounted tracking system. The first floor of the marketing suite is dedicated to displays of products from all three group companies – dp-furniture showcasing bedroom and living room displays manufactured by the lamination company; “exploded” displays of kitchen carcasses made by the components com-
pany; and a full kitchen display. A “be creative” zone shows all the products which are available to use on a turntable system to compare and contrast suitable finishes. A separate meeting room also features on the first floor. Finally, the visitor arrives in the “innovation” zone with raised plinths displaying the latest developments from all the group companies – some that will become available to the market in the near future and others in the earliest stages of development. Steve Gaunt, Decorative Panels Group chairman, said: “With an ever-increasing portfolio of products that target a wider and more diverse market, it is increasingly important to be able to showcase all our group companies in a facility that is informative and inspiring. The marketing suite enables us to do exactly that. It is a great addition to our state of the art factories and I am sure it will prove beneficial to current and future customers.” Group managing director Guy Metcalfe said: “For the first time, we are able to bring together product, design and innovation potential from all our group companies under one roof. The fact that the marketing suite is within metres of both our components and lamination factories allows us to present to our customers in a meaningful fashion.” The privately-owned group has unveiled the new investment at a time of growth – with 600,000 panels a week leaving its premises and 15,000 boxes of flatpck furniture produced every day. Mr Metcalfe said the business was close to achieving £100m turnover, adding: “We are profitable, but we put money back into the business. “
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014
7
TO LET
Headline to here 500 word leady TO LET
Industrial
TO LET
Industrial Offices
Bradley Junction Industrial Estate, off A62 Leeds Road, Huddersfield 347m2 (3,733 sq ft)
Whitby Court, Abbey Road North, Shepley, Huddersfield 625 - 2,200 sq ft
Modern industrial/warehouse unit on secure site just off A62 Leeds Road, available from April 2014. Joint Agents: Eddisons
Good quality, well located first and second floor office space with on site parking. Available on flexible terms
TO LET
Industrial
FOR SALE
Industrial
Low Mill Lane, Ravensthorpe Industrial Estate, nr Dewsbury 2,490m2 (26,807 sq ft)
Royds Mill, 20 Calder Road, Lower Hopton, Mirfield 684m2 (7,358 sq ft)
Large industrial premises, located on popular estate, with significant office and large rear yard
Mainly two storey industrial property with parking. Potential for conversion (subject to planning)
www.michaelsteel.co.uk
■■ Caption here
All enquiries to Alec Michael alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
Commercial Residential, Commercial & Industrial Surveyors, Estate Agents, Auctioneers & Property Management Consultants For Sale
RAWFOLDS WAY, CLECKHEATON BD19 5LT
LEEDS ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD HD2 1YY
Industrial/Business Development Opportunity
Office Suites 37.99sqm (409sqft) and 31.43sqm (446sqft)
The site is situated in a prominent main road position in a popular industrial location approximately 3 miles from Junction 26 of the M62 motorway network.
Prominent main road position Good access to Huddersfield town centre and Junction 25 of the M62 Can be let independently or as a whole
Suitable for variety of industrial warehouse or business uses, subject to obtaining the relevant planning consents
To Let
CROSS CHURCH STREET, HUDDERSFIELD
To Let
EPC Asset Rating C
MACAULEY STREET, HUDDERSFIELD HD1 1JY
To Let
Ground Floor Retail Premises
Ground Floor Lock Up Shop
34.65sqm (373 sqft)
45.41sqm (489 sqft)
Secondary retail position
Opposite main entrance to Huddersfield bus station
Close to the Kingsgate Shopping Centre Good display frontage EPC Asset Rating C
14 St Georges Square, Huddersfield HD1 1JF
t: 01484 530361
e: commercial@bramleys1.co.uk
www.bramleys.com/commercial
Good display frontage Good footfall on pedestrianised street EPC Asset Rating B
8
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
movers and shakers NEWS
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Follow us on Twitter @examiner Neil Heffernan
Polyseam appointment Huddersfield sealants and adhesives manufacturer Polyseam has appointed Neil Heffernan (pictured) to the new role of product certification manager. The move aims to help Polyseam lead the way with its testing and certificationprogramme in the run-up to the July 1 deadline for mandatory CE marking of sealants. Dave Oram, of Polyseam, said; “Neil brings with him extensive knowledge and understanding of the certification and testing procedures. “We have an everexpanding range of products and we want our customers to be confident that they are buying the best product for the job and one that meets all the necessary criteria.” One of Mr Heffernan’s first projects will be to obtain full CE certification for the firm’s recently launched Graft range. “Joining Polyseam gives me a real opportunity to apply my knowledge of testing and certification in a wider commercial market,” he said. “There is a real
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
drive for improving standards of safety and security across the industry and I’m delighted to be able to help Polyseam take the initiative and position itself as a dynamic organisation that recognises the importance of European legislation, which includes CE marking,” In addition to working with the Aspley-based company’s manufacturing team in Huddersfield, Mr Heffernan will also spend some of his time at the company’s purpose-built fire test facility in Norway. Before joining Polyseam, he spent eight years as a senior technical officer at BM Trada, formerly Chiltern International Fire.
Camira wins safety accolade A company making fabrics for office and transport interiors is among the winners in the prestigious RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2014. Camira Fabrics, which has its main UK manufacturing plant at Meltham Mills and its head office at Mirfield, has won the highest gold award for investment and innovation in health and safety. The annual scheme is run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The awards will presented in June in London. Camira, which employs 170 people in Meltham, manufactures about 8m metres of contract fabrics every year for customers including major bus and train operators. It has been recognised for its achievements in promoting the health, safety and well-being of its employees – including investment in staff training and automated lifting equipment to reduce manual handling and minimising risks to
Back from the brink to become the best
prevent accidents. The gold award comes after the company landed two silver awards in previous years and achieved international Health and Safety Standard OHSAS 18001 in 2012. Manufacturing director Darren McCluskey said: “We’re really pleased to have had our hard work and investment in health and safety independently recognised. “We’re a busy manufacturing plant running three shifts 24 hours a day over five days and it’s crucial that we promote the safest possible working practices to protect the well-being of our staff and enable us to serve our global customers.” David Rawlins, RoSPA awards manager, said: “Organisations that gain recognition for their health and safety management systems, such as Camira Fabrics, contribute to a collective raising of the bar for other organisations to aspire to and we offer them our congratulations.”
Directors and staff at a Brighouse firm are celebrating the company’s remarkable turnaround. In less than two years, Avocet Hardware has progressed from being a business on the brink of collapse to being named winner of the Hardware Company 2013 category in the very first National Fenestration Awards. The Brighouse company was bought out of administration by the Jain family in February, 2012. Since then, the focus has very firmly been on restoring Avocet’s standing as one of the leading names in the hardware industry. And achieving this so quickly is a source of great pride for director Dr Tinkle Jain. She said: “We have a track record of buying and turning round troubled or ailing companies, but do tend to look at a two to three year timeframe for achieving this. “To be in a position where we are being named the best hardware company in the industry in less than two years of ownership is a staggering achievement.” During the rebuilding process, the Jain family has invested £10.6m across the entire business, most recently investing heavily in increasing stock levels to an all-time high – a situation that means Avocet can now offer 24-hour delivery across its entire product
■■ Staff at Avocet Hardware in Brighouse celebrate the company’s national award win
range. In addition, the company has made a series of important new appointments during recent months and is in the process of further strengthening its team. “This is an exciting time for Avocet and the National Fenestration Award clearly shows
that our confidence in the future of the business is shared by the whole of the fenestration industry,” said Dr Jain. The awards were created in order to give the industry an unbiased and fair platform to decide who they think truly deserves industry recognition and praise.
Fan firm’s new managing director Fan manufacturer Woodcock & Wilson has appointed a new managing director. Ian Crum succeeds Mark Jones, who becomes chairman after 12 years in the MD role with the Crosland Hill-based company. Mr Jones was sales manager at Woodcock & Wilson for six years before leading a management buy-out with Richard Wilson and being appointed MD in 2002. Since Mr Jones took the post, the company has tripled in size and continues to grow year-onyear. Mr Crum said: “Mark leaves ■■ Woodcock & Wilson chairman Mark Jones (left) with new MD Ian Crum behind a real legacy. “Through his exemplary economical foresight he not only guided but also grew the company through the recession and that “Looking to the future, we aim into the business and pushing our growth has stayed constant to maintain the company’s core research and development whilst throughout. values: bringing young people maintaining our environmental
focus and high level of customer service.” Mr Jones recalled that one of his biggest achievements came in 2008 when – with most businesses hard hit by the recession – Woodcock & Wilson prepared for the onslaught by reducing fixed costs, maintaining high levels of service and hitting deadlines. The result was that the firm recorded a higher profit and helped to safeguard the company and the jobs of its employees. His proudest moment in the industry was being appointed chairman of the Fan Manufacturers Association by his peers. In his new role as chairman, Mr Jones will take a strategic approach to helping the business and get involved with other industry-related issues through various trade bodies.
Allison’s hoping to supply the winning recipe Former dinner lady turned cake queen Allison Whitmarsh is bidding for a top corporate award. The founder of Lindley-based “cakes with a twist” company ProperMaid has been shortlisted in the entrepreneur category of the Director of the Year Awards run by the Institute of Directors.
Allison, who launched the business in 2008, is one of three shortlisted in the category and will discover if she has landed the trophy when the awards are presented at a champagne breakfast on May 1 at the Queens Hotel in Leeds. The awards feature seven categories, including ones for direc-
tors of large companies and SMEs, public or not-for-profit organisations and the young director of the year. There will also be a lifetime achievement award and an overall director of the year award. Allison will compete against Julia Gash, of Sheffield-based eco-bag firm Bag It Don’t Bin It,
and Jason Pace, of Rotherhambased marquee supplier Gala Tent. Others shortlisted in various awards include East Coast chief executive Karen Boswell and Gary Verity, who spearheaded Yorkshire’s successful bid to host the Tour de France’s Grand Depart.