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ROB MUDD

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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014

In the driving seat Interview - Page 3

1

COLIN BARRATT Positive spin on things!

Column - Page 4

An EXAMINER publication

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Henryk Zientek Business Reporter

henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk

It promises to be a big draw for business.

Plans are well under way for Kirklees Business Week – and local companies are being urged to get involved.

Kirklees Business Week 2014 (KBW14) will be held from October 13 to 17.

The well-established annual event, which is organised by the Lockwoodbased Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, will be followed by the first-ever Calderdale State of the District Summit and Business Week (CBW15).

KBW14 will take the themes of manufacturing, innovation and international trade on Monday, October 13, and Tuesday, October 14, with key seminars focused around these hot topics.

Smaller seminars will also run on these two days focusing on legal matters, finance and people.

Thursday, October 16, and Friday, October 17, will focus on the creative, digital and IT industries with some seminars running throughout and delivered by local businesses with an insight into marketing and IT. The Mid Yorkshire chamber annual dinner – a highlight of the week’s activities – will celebrate the year’s business achievements and will be held on the Thursday evening at the Cedar Court

■■ Delegates at the recent Wakefield Business Conference (above) and Andrew Choi (right), of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, which is set to stage KBW14

Hotel, Ainley Top. The focal point of the week will be the Kirklees Business Conference of Leadership (KBC14), which will take place on Wednesday, October 14, at The John Smith’s Stadium.

KBC14 is a full-day free event consisting of a packed programme of leadership-specific seminars, an exhibition hall housing more than 50 local suppliers, clinics to target specific leadership issues and unlimited networking for all.

Showcasing the talent Kirklees has to offer, an exciting line up of speakers will include Educating Yorkshire’s Michael

Steer, who is set to headline alongside other key leaders to be named shortly.

Interested parties are urged to book their exhibition stands for KBC14 now as more than half have already been sold.

KBC14 follows a successful Wakefield Business Week and conference held earlier this year.

Mid Yorkshire chamber executive director Andrew Choi said: “The calibre of our local businesses throughout Mid Yorkshire was clearly shown at Wakefield Business Week.

“Kirklees Business Week has the best line up yet and myself and the chamber

team are looking forward to working with the best of Kirklees. With a range of free sector-specific events, Kirklees Business Week is not one to be missed!”

Following on, there will be the firstever State of the District Summit in Calderdale on November 12.

And April, 2015, welcomes the first Calderdale Business Week, which will run from April 13 to 17 with the conference (CBC15) taking place on Wednesday, April 15, at The Shay Stadium in Halifax.

Go to myconferences@mycci.co.uk for more details.

Researcher embarks on turbo-charged industry project

■■ Md Shams E Tabriz

A researcher at Huddersfield University has embarked on work that will see the introduction of more resilient, longer-lasting turbocharger compressors for the average family and small car.

Bangladeshi doctoral student Md Shams E Tabriz will develop his project through the university’s recently-launched Turbocharger Research Institute using a brand new £300,000 low cycle fatigue spindle tester.

The results of the work will be of major importance to the automotive industry where the choice of the material for manufacturing turbocharger compressors is a vital issue.

Said Tabriz: “At present, the turbocharger compressors in top-of-the-range ‘super’ cars are mainly produced using titanium, which is stronger than steel and corrosion resistant, yet very expensive.

“In contrast, the compressors in your average, reasonablypriced cars are made of aluminium alloy, which is considerably less expensive, but lacks the durability of titanium and tends to fail after very short periods.”

Although it is nearly 50 years since turbochargers were developed and used by the automotive industry, there has been little or no standard test methodology for

testing the effect of low cycle fatigue of the compressors.

Low cycle fatigue is the term given by material scientists for the measurement of progressive and localised structural damage of a material that is subjected to cyclic repetitions.

Research and investigations to date have solicited different results in a lab or virtual environment for finite element analysis (FEA) tests than have been found in field results.

Tabriz hopes that his new standard test methodology will bridge that gap and satisfy both field tests and FEA results.

Tabriz has been one of the

most successful students to come to the university from Bangladesh. Originally, undertaking a foundation degree at the university’s International Study Centre, where he scored the highest marks, he went on to study for his BEng in mechanical engineering at Huddersfield .

He was also the inaugural president of the Bangladeshi Students Society.

He completed his degree in 2013 and spent a paid placement year with the UK arm of General Motorsuates of 85%, which earned him one of the university’s Chancellor’s Prizes for outstanding performance.

Just capital Small manufacturers in Yorkshire are continuing to invest in their businesses as they look to capitalise on new opportunities, according to a report.

And Huddersfield companies are among those leading the way.

The latest findings from the government’s Manufacturing Advisory Service show that 62% of firms in the region are planning to spend more on plant and machinery.

In addition, 48% are channelling increased funding into developing new technologies.

The figures are up by 16% and 7% respectively on the same period last year.

examiner.co.uk

It’s promising to be a big week for our businesses!

INSIDE

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Steady progress Kirklees companies are broadly positive about their prospects – but remain concerned about access to finance and business rates, according to a survey.

The latest quarterly economic survey from the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said: “At the mid-point of 2014, it is encouraging to note that our steady economic recovery has broadly been maintained.

“There are some clear headline positives in this survey .”

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TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

national

Sports Direct is ready to set up shop Down Under Sports Direct is to enter the Australian and New Zealand markets for the first time after signing a partnership with online discount retailer MySale.

The sports retailer, which has about 400 UK stores and operations in 19 countries in Europe, will open three flagship stores in Australia and one in New Zealand as well as set up an online joint venture.

Sports Direct has cut the deal with MySale unit OzSale.com.au, which will give the sports retailer access to the online group’s 12m members.

This deal comes a month after Sports Direct bought a 4.8% stake in MySale worth about £15m, which in turn came just two days after the online business floated in London – ■■ Sports Direct’s store at Kingsgate in Huddersfield raising £40m to expand its operations.

The Australian and New Zealand Sports Direct chief executive Dave of brands such as Dunlop, Karrimor websites will launch later this year Forsey said: “It will be great to enter and Slazenger. and Sports Direct plans to begin these markets, where sport is a way of The retailer, which has stores at opening its stores “Down Under” at life.”

Kingsgate and Great Northern Retail around the same time.

Sports Direct also owns a number Park in Huddersfield, is controlled by

Shire bosses back deal A deal to buy Hampshire-based drugs firm Shire is a step closer after its board backed a new takeover proposal worth more than £31bn.

Shire’s support for the higher offer from US-based AbbVie is dependent on a number of conditions being met.

Founded in the UK in 1986, Shire is best known for its attention deficit disorder drugs. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange, has its tax base in Dublin and sells most of its products in North America.

AbbVie’s pursuit of Shire comes just weeks after UK firm AstraZeneca fought off takeover interest worth £69bn from US drugs giant Pfizer.

AbbVie, which has until Friday to confirm an offer for Shire, plans to move its domicile to the UK in a move that would cut its corporate tax rate.

The Illinois-based company was formed in January, 2013, after it was spun off from Abbott Laboratories. It employs about 25,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries.

Shire held talks with AbbVie at the weekend following the receipt of proposals in which its shareholders would hold 25% of the combined business. The proposal values Shire at £53.20 a share, equivalent to £31.35bn.

Mike Ashley, who owns 58% of the firm and also owns Newcastle United Football Club.

MySale is run by Rutland-born brothers Jamie and Carl Jackson, who set up the business seven years ago in Sydney.

MySale executive vice chairman Jamie Jackson said: “Sports Direct showed its confidence in our business when it took a 4.8% stake in us a month ago, shortly after our successful initial public offering.

“This partnership is the logical next step in the development of our relationship.”

Retail tycoon Sir Philip Green, who runs Topshop and BHS, also owns just over 22% of MySale.

On Thursday, Sport Direct is expected to report underlying earnings up 13.6% to £327.1m for the year to April 14,.

The improvement is expected on the back of strong organic growth, European acquisitions and rising online sales.

Healthy figures for Total Fitness

Invest in managers, urges CMI

A fitness club operator with a site in Huddersfield has delivered healthy results.

Total Fitness Health Clubs Ltd, which has a site at Waterloo, posted annual operating profits of £1.96m against £0.62m last time on sales totalling £29.6m.

First half trading results for 2014 showed an 11% like-forlike increase in new member sales compared with the same period last year.

The company said: “This growth is understood to be sig-

The UK is not investing enough to develop the next generation of managers – even though a million new business leaders will be needed in the coming few years, according to a new report.

About 150,000 employees could take on management roles every year without being prepared for the job, it is claimed.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and a commission on leadership said in a report that the prob-

nificantly ahead of the sector average and – combined with record member retention levels – has resulted in year-to-date membership levels increasing by over 5,200 members.”

Total Fitness said the start of a major investment programme had contributed to its performance. The full investment programme, including complete refurbishment across all 16 clubs is due for completion by the end of 2015.

The Huddersfield club was significantly refurbished during

the first half of the year, with a new look gym, the introduction of a new range of equipment and a new team structure.

New managers have also been appointed in the areas of club management and customer service.

Chief executive Richard Millman said the growth over the last 12 months was the result of a lot of hard work from our colleagues across the business.

The full year results only reflected a small portion of the improvements under way.

lem threatens the UK’s competitiveness. Its survey of 2,000 business leaders found that three out of five admitted their organisation performed poorly. The report said “shortsighted” behaviour was squeezing out the visionary approach needed to achieve real growth.

Peter Ayliffe, CMI president and commission co-chairman, said: “We’re faced with a ticking timebomb of myopic management in this country, with widespread under-

investment in the next generation of leaders.

“We’ve got some brilliantlymanaged organisations in the UK, but there are simply not enough of them.

“Unless all of us responsible for leading businesses, public services and charities acknowledge that we are at a tipping point and commit to being part of a better-managed Britain, the nation’s sustainable long-term growth opportunities will not be fulfilled.”

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN

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INDEX FTSE 100 FTSE 250

6746.14 +55.97 15577.71 +126.29

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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

profile

Driving ahead in the car business He’s put his electronics skills to work helping get British army helicopters ready for battle and servicing high-tech lathes and machine tools for some of the biggest names in manufacturing.

Now Rob Mudd has realised another driving ambition – running his own business.

Dalton-born Robb, 39, has set up Cargo Huddersfield Ltd at Silver Street, Aspley, with a business partner to sell used cars – drawing on his experience as a salesman and sales manager for some of the biggest car dealerships in West Yorkshire.

“We have been here since November, but we have only recently started trading,” he says.

“The building was an empty shell and although we haven’t had to do much with the industrial unit we have had to decorate and carpet the offices. It has to look professional and welcoming.”

Explaining his decision to set up Cargo, he says: “I have worked for franchise main dealers for the past 10 years, but I just got more and more frustrated by how the main dealerships are run.

“Working for three major companies has enabled me to pull out the good points about how they work and discard the bad points.”

Rob attended Dalton Junior and Infants School and Rawthorpe High School, but says at that stage he didn’t have a clue what he wanted to do in life.

“We had the Royal Navy come to school one day to do a presentation,” he says. “After I left school, I weighed up my options for a few months. I enrolled at college, but I didn’t enjoy it, so I tried to join the navy – but I wasn’t successful.”

He opted for the army instead, and in January, 1992, joined the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers. “I loved it,” he says.

“I went to Princess Marina College in Hampshire and did a twoyear army apprenticeship in electronic engineering.

“I became a fully qualified avionics technician working on weapons systems for the army helicopters.

“I got to see the world because we had to be wherever the heli-

copters were needed. There were ed in my resignation the same stressful postings, like Northern day.”

Ireland, but there were also glamRob moved job and worked for orous postings to places like dealerships in Huddersfield for Belize, Guatemala and Canada as two years before deciding to set well as all over Europe.” up Cargo, selling used cars from After seven years, Rob left the the Silver Street premises. army after deciding he could no “I was acutely aware that going longer put up with the “bull”. into a franchise showroom is a The final straw came when daunting prospect for many peoPrincess Anne was due to visit the ple,” says Rob. army base where he was sta“There is an inconsistency in tioned. “It was the middle of how customers are dealt with. I August and the grass was thought I could do it better.” scorched,” he recalls.

The site at Aspley may lack a “So they had the new recruits main road position, but it includes out painting the grass green! There baby changing facilities, free wi-fi are some things you put up with and a playroom to keep bored at the age of 17 as a new recruit youngsters busy and allow mum that you don’t want to put up with and dad to concentrate on the when you’re 24!” business of buying a car.

Rob was headhunted by a The premises also include a Dewsbury engineering firm and photographic studio so that all took a job as a field service engi- the cars for sale go on to the firm’s neer repairing CNC machines at website looking in immaculate factories across the region. condition.

But 12 months later, he was “People’s buying habits have made redundant. “It was a case of changed massively in the past 10 last in, first out,” he says. “I was years,” says Rob. left scratching my head and I felt “The internet can be your best like I had just left school again.” friend or your worst enemy. You A friend suggested he get a job in the car industry and Rob soon found himself employed as a sales executive for a car dealership in Leeds. Within two years, he was sales manager running the sales department.

“It was very stressful,” he says.

“There were long hours and targets to hit. You either take to that sort of life or you don’t.

“I was commuting between my home at Waterloo and Leeds. One Saturday morning back in 2011 I saw a sign on the motorway saying there would be roadworks until winter 2014 ! That broke me. I hand- ■■ Rob Mudd has switched from helicopters to cars

Rob Mudd

are in a shop window with lots of other dealers, but you have to be there - 90% of car sales are generated online by people searching the web at home before coming out to buy.”

Rob says:” The market is generally buoyant at the moment. New car sales have risen month on month for the past three years and that has a knock-on effect for the used cars market.

“But people want value for money. They want low running costs and cheap insurance. We have schemes set up with all sorts of companies so that even for first-time drivers we can help with that sort of thing. It is more about supplying the whole package.”

And Rob’s determined to iron out the inconsistencies. “The simple rule is to treat people as you would want to be treated,” he says.

“Be black and white, fair, accurate and transparent and you will sell cars into the same family of customers for several years.”

Rob still works long hours, but is spared the long commute. “The hours have never bothered me,” he says.

“The difference is that I am doing it for myself and that provides an incentive to give 100%.”

Away from work, Rob has helped raise thousands of pounds for good causes, including the Yorkshire Ambulance, by talking part in charity walks such as the Three Peaks with friends at Waterloo Bowling Club.

At Cargo, Rob is keen to support other local businesses. “The only thing we have gone outside Huddersfield for is the website,” he says.

“All the stationery, computers and signage and so on are from local companies.”

And if things ever do get a bit too much, Rob has the perfect solution. He says: “I try to make bit of ‘down time’. I enjoy golf, although I haven’t played for a while.

“But I play squash every week with my business partner.

“Trying to knock the skin off a squash ball is a great way to get rid of any tension and frustration.”

Role: Owner Age: 39 Family: Married to Andrea with daughter Jessica and and son Joshua Holidays: I like Portugal. I go to try to relax!

First job: I was a petrol pump attendant at Crown Motors in Waterloo Best thing about the job? The buzz I get from providing customer satisfaction Worst thing about the job? My biggest frustration is with people who fail to deliver what they promise Business tip: I think you have to stick your neck out to succeed in working for yourself – but you must have a Plan B

Cargo Huddersfield Work: Car sales Site: Silver Street, Aspley Phone: 01484 559595 Email: rob.mudd@cargohuddersfield. co.uk Web: www.cargohuddersfield.co.uk

Independent financial planning services for companies and individuals Eastwood Financial Services Ltd Pennine House, Lowfields Close, Lowfields Business Park, Elland HX5 9DA 01422 377737 www.eastwoodfinancial.co.uk Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

4

TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

local

KIRKLEES BUS

Enterprising appointment for PR company A Birstall-based PR firm has been appointed to work with the West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency.

Faith PR will promote the agency’s work supporting businesses across the county, including firms starting up with the support of the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA).

The NEA, which is the enterprise arm of the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, has been supporting local businesses for more than 25 years. It works to deliver the NEA throughout Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield with those placed on the scheme by

Jobcentre Plus.

Faith PR will promote this work, highlighting case studies of those who have started companies through the process and developing the organisation’s online and social media presence.

It will also organise events to showcase the agency’s work.

As part of the NEA, jobseekers receive mentoring with an experienced business person to help them through the process. Faith PR will also work with the agency team to communicate with existing mentors and help the recruitment of more people to the MYMentor network.

Extra time to get award entries in Networking group Forward Ladies has extended the deadline for this year’s Women in Business Awards – which will now close on Friday.

Griselda Togobo announced the extension to allow more of the region’s business women to take part in this year’s awards – the winners of which will be announced on November 28 at a special lunch at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.

She said: “There have been changes at Forward Ladies in recent months and some of our members have asked if the Women in Business

Awards are taking place as normal this year.

“I want to reassure potential entrants to the awards that it is business as usual at Forward Ladies and the awards are still the highlight of our calendar – with opportunities for both sponsors and entrants to get involved.”

The awards, featuring 12 categories, are open to all professional women living and working in Yorkshire, both members and non-members of Forward Ladies. Entry is free.

For details, go to www. wiba2014.com

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Tax incentive to get on our bikes TAX TALK Colin Barratt As the Grand Depart leaves Yorkshire and the peloton’s assent of Cote de Holme Moss becomes indelibly etched on our collective memory, there is an expectation that hosting the first two stages of the Tour de France will help to generate future cycling successes.

Tax incentives also exist to promote cycling via the “Cycle to Work” scheme.

Under the scheme, an employer can buy or hire bikes and lend them to their employees on a taxfree basis as long as the offer of a bike is open to all employees who use the bike mainly for qualifying journeys, generally taken as travel between the employee’s home and work place or for work related travel. “Mainly” means 50% of the time the bike is used. Private use of the bike by the employee or members of their family will not disqualify the exemption provided that the other use is not the main use of the bicycle.

The tax exemption also applies to the provision of safety equipment such as lights and reflective clothing to the employee.

Businesses buying bikes and safety equipment to loan to their employees can reclaim the VAT incurred (if registered). They may also be able to claim an immediate write off against profits of the cost of the equipment.

Often, an employer can choose to recover the cost of providing the bike directly from employee via a salary sacrifice arrangement.

A salary sacrifice happens when an employee gives up the right to receive part of their cash pay

due under their contract of employment in return for a non cash benefit. In doing so, an employee saves tax and NIC on that part of the salary forgone and the employer also saves its NIC. A salary sacrifice cannot be used if in doing so the employee’s gross pay drops below the National Minimum Wage.

If ownership of a cycle is transferred to an employee after a period of use during which the above exemption applied, to avoid a tax charge on the bike’s transfer they would have to pay the employer the market value of the bike at the date of transfer.

Difficulties can arise in establishing the second hand value of bikes and in order to ease the administration of valuing cycles sold to employees, both parties may choose to use HM Revenue & Customs simplified approach to valuing the bike which is found by multiplying a fixed percentage rate against the original price of the bike.

Under the simplified approach a bike, for instance, with an original price of £450 transferred to an employee after two years would have a market of £58 (13% of its original price) and after four years its value would be £36 (3% of its original price). The employee would have to pay these amounts to avoid a tax charge on the transfer of the bike.

Even if cycling to work does not breed a future Tour champion, it may still improve the financial and physical well-being of both employers and their staff.

Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield

Firms face compliance costs hike Yorkshire’s smallest firms have seen an inflation-busting increase in the cost of compliance, a survey reveals.

Figures from the Forum of Private Business showed that the total cost of complying with regulatory changes for British businesses has risen by 4% this year to £19.2bn.

Smaller businesses in particular have been hit the hardest – with the compliance bill for firms with fewer than nine employees being the equivalent of £164 per employee – almost seven times the cost for companies with 50 or more workers.

The annual average for micro, small and medium-sized businesses has risen by £713.

The Forum research showed the amount firms are paying to external contractors was the major contributory factor for the rise – increasing by 6% and twice as fast as the internal costs to the business.

The employer support organi-

■■ Forum chief Phil Orford

sation said this was most likely down to costs associated with the end of the SME extension to introducing Real Time Information – the new HMRC payroll process – auto enrolment and advice on sector specific regulations.

Taxation compliance remained the single biggest outlay for small firms, followed by employment law with health and safety third.

Surprisingly, time as opposed to cost was seen as the main impact of the regulatory changes. Almost 40% of businesses surveyed said the time needed to understand and implement the various changes had the most significant impact on their day-to-day operations, costing firms a total of £38.85bn in lost opportunities – up by almost £1bn on 2013.

Phil Orford, chief executive at the Forum of Private Business, said: “Our research shows little has changed in terms of what’s costing small business the most for compliance costs, with external costs continuing to be the main contributory factor.

“We believe this is largely down to the introduction of RTI, following the end of the small business extension and firms having to pay a payroll specialist to manage their employees’ PAYE bills. In addition we have seen the increasing need to employ specialists to advise

■■ Laura Crosfield and Craig Smith are tastin success at their Linthwaite premises

Craig proves a bright spark!

A former electrician has connected to a ne career.

Craig Smith runs two businesses – Kahu na Huts Ltd and Kahuna Catering – fro premises at Linthwaite.

The first manufactures and supplies sp cial food stalls and accessories to operato at venues such as markets and sports stad ums.

The second provides a specialist stre food catering service for festivals and fair weddings, birthdays and corporate events Kahuna Huts Ltd has supplied organis tions including Chelsea FC, Somers County Cricket Club and Coventry’s Rico Arena.

Craig worked as a self-employed electr cian for nine years before public sector cu meant a loss of contracts.

He was unemployed ror six month before deciding to set up his own food sta at markets in his native Liverpool.

He said: “My stall was getting better an busier. At the same time, other people wan ed to buy my huts.

“The number of huts we make has bee building up in the last few years with ne customer coming on board.”

Craig, who works with colleague Lau Crosfield, has also taken on an employe who had previously been on work exper ence with the company.

Materials for the huts, including timb and steel, are supplied by local firms and a the fabrication is done in-house. The prod uct range has also increased to include foo carts and catering trailers.

The firm also supplies accessories such a hotplates, water boilers, potato ovens, p cabinets and salad bars as well as sign banners, flags and fliers to make anyone food business stand out from the crowd.

Said Craig: “Huddersfield is the perfe place for us. I had a spot for my own cate ing stall at Nelson Mandela Corner for som time, which went really well. We also d good trade at the Saturday market.”

Craig has hired out his catering huts clients in Ireland and Portugal – with th structures particualrly in demand for Chris mas markets. The company also provide cooking equipment and culinary trainin “We’re not just a manufacturer,” said Cria That’s our USP.” Craig is now planning a Big Kahuna Stre Food Market to take place from 9am to 6p on Saturday, July 26, at Nelson Mande Corner behind the library in Huddersfie town centre with a range of huts selling wide variety of hot food.

5

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014

SINESS NEWS

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Manufacturers are continuing to invest Small manufacturers in Yorkshire are continuing to invest in their businesses as they look to capitalise on new opportunities, it has merged.

And Huddersfield companies are among those leading the way.

The latest findings from the government’s Manufacturing Advisory Service show that 62% of firms in the region are planning to spend more on plant and machinery with 48% channelling increased funding into developing new technologies. The figures are up by 16% and 7% respectively on the same period last year.

There was similar optimism when asked about confidence to recruit. Exactly half of companies said they were looking to create new jobs in the next six months, up from 38% in March, 2013.

The report said: “It appears that firms are looking to take advantage of new opportunities, including expansion and reshoring of supply chains in automotive, aerospace and nuclear.”

Jeff Monks. managing director of Melthambased injection moulding specialist Harold Fisher (Plastics) Ltd, said his company was winning more business which previously had been imported.

Mr Monks, a member of the Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance, said: “The short lead times which we are able to achieve enable our customers to be more responsive to their market demands.

“Customers also appreciate the value that we add through our involvement in the product design in the development stage, helping them minimise tooling costs and selecting the appropriate materials.”

MAS also reported that 62% of SME manufacturers were enjoying higher sales and 70% expected to win new work between now and October.

It said: “This is the clearest signal yet that our manufacturers believe the upturn is sustainable. Three record figures for recruitment and investment in machinery and technology suggest many small manufacturers are planning for the long-term and, encouragingly, they are taking action now to manage future expansion.

“Our Barometer also highlights that small and medium sized manufacturers are contributing strongly to jobs growth and expect to continue to recruit. “ But he added: “They may find it harder to follow this trend, especially in advanced manufacturing sectors, unless they invest in training and retention.”

Huddersfield-based Westin Ltd, which makes prestige domestic cooker hoods, has grown by more than 50% since the turn of the decade and is on course to smash the £3.5m annual sales barrier by the end of this year.

Director Ian Sheppard said: “We’ve had a really good three years and grown our market share significantly – predominantly through our bespoke design service, the quality of our

day procrastination challenge” delivered by Halifax-based leadership and development practitioner Jannine Oates, of Inspirit Learning Partners.

Batley-born Jannine, who has worked with business leaders around the world for global household brands, will deliver a

products and the excellent customer service and response times you simply can’t get on the continent.

“There has also been over £750,000 invested into making our Leeds Road facility world class, with the acquisition of a new laser cutting machine, refurbishing the offices, workshop and the launch of a new design office.

“As a result of this growth, we have increased our workforce by four people in the last two years – including two apprentices – taking the total number of staff employed to 39.”

30-minute interactive session which will enable participants to plan their workload effectively and ensure they are working on the right project at the right time.

Delegates will also create their own “21 day procrastination challenge” action plan to ensure that they stay on track with prioritising

their workload during the 21 days following the workshop.

We Mean Business meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 9.30am to 11.30am at Bailiff Bridge Community Centre.

For details of events email becky@dotandcrossproofreading.co.uk.

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Insurer LV= is now the most recommended insurer in the UK, according to latest research.

The YouGov BrandIndex survey, involving more than 30,000 consumers from across the UK, named LV= as the insurer people are most likely to recommend to friends.

The daily research asks respondents which insurers they are aware of and then asks them to rate the insurer on a number of factors.

The research reveals that LV= – which has operations at Folly Hall Mills in Huddersfield – is the insurer that consumers are most likely to recommend to friends. The company is also ranked top for both quality and value for money.

LV= also achieved the highest “buzz” factor, meaning that it is the insurance brand people are most likely to have heard something positive about. LV= is also the most positively perceived insurer overall when all research factors are taken into consideration.

Chief executive Mike Rogers said: “Today’s market is highly competitive and consumers are quick to switch if they don’t get the quality and service they want from their insurer.

“Our vision is to be Britain’s best loved insurer by combining great value with great values.

We are delighted that the recent YouGov research demonstrates that consumers are noticing the LV difference.”

Deal activity on the increase

■■ Westin Ltd director Ian Sheppard

Networking event getting straight to the point Procrastination will be a thing of the past for the newly launched We Mean Business networking group when it meets on 13 August.

The business support group, which aims to help generate business through networking and referrals, will participate in a “21

Insurer creates a buzz with the public, survey reveals

Deal activity involving Yorkshire-based manufacturing firms has increased for the third consecutive quarter, says a new report.

The latest Experian data and analysis from law firm Irwin Mitchell shows Yorkshire manufacturers were the target

of 22 deals during the second quarter of 2014.

That takes the total number for the year so far to 41 against 38 for the first half of 2013.

Yorkshire’s share of manufacturing merger and acquisition activity across England increased from 10.3% to 11.7%.

Media focus for networkers Media is the message at a networking event this week.

The Kirklees branch of the Federation of Small Businesses will meet at 6pm on Thursday at Huddersfield Rugby Union Club, Lockwood Park, when the speakers will be FSB Kirklees committee members Alex Mullen, of

Absolute Media, and Phil Higham, of Minuteman Press.

The event will start with coffee and registration followed by networking before the debate gets under way. Proceedings will close with a barbecue.

Visit fsbkirklees170714. eventbrite.co.uk

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6

TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

local

Firms remain positive despite financial fears

■■ David Horsman fears a “two speed” economic recovery

Companies in Kirklees are broadly positive about their prospects – but remain concerned about access to finance and business rates, according to a survey.

The latest quarterly economic survey from the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said: “At the mid point of 2014, it is encouraging to note that our steady economic recovery has broadly been maintained.

“There are some clear headline positives in this survey – chief among them our continued export growth – alongside evidence of underlying weaknesses, in particular some erratic investment figures.

“As is often the case with our QES survey, optimism in some areas is counterbalanced by weaker figures elsewhere.

To some extent this is the nature of business and peaks and troughs are to be expected. However, this should be taken as a warning by policy makers. If consistent and sustainable growth is to be achieved, then the wider business environment must also be consistent.”

David Horsman, Yorkshire and Humber region chamber chairman, said: “The proposal for an ‘HS3’ to connect cities across the North has raised familiar arguments about the NorthSouth divide and the relationship between our

regions and the political classes in Westminster.

“While companies in the Yorkshire and Humber region are in broadly positive spirits at the mid-point of the year there is no doubt that recovery remains slower than had been anticipated and there is a risk that Britain will experience a ‘two speed’ recovery with the greater part of growth benefiting the South East.

“Businesses in our region would like to see real solutions to the issue of access to finance - and a comprehensive review of the whole system of business rates, so that we might create the best possible business environment to support speedy and sustainable economic growth.”

Among its findings, the survey of chamber member firms in Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield showed UK sales and orders “largely static” at the half-way mark in 2014 with export sales and orders encouragingly positive”. Employment and employment expectations continued to improve, but increased investment by firms had hit cashflow.

Business confidence remained high for the third quarter running, but raw material prices remained a key concern, particularly for manufacturers.

Inflation and business rates were an ongoing issue for both service sector and manufacturing firms – and threatened to impact on manufacturing performance.

Campervan company makes its mark at Goodwood It may not be the quickest vehicle on the road – but that didn’t stop the crowds at the Goodwood Festival of Speed admiring the handiwork of a Huddersfield campervan conversion firm.

Wellhouse Leisure’s Bianco special edition Ford Terrier campervan featured on the Ford stand at the famous meet.

The Bianco is one of four new special editions of the new Wellhouse Ford Terrier – the first UK campervan conversion based on the new Ford Transit kombi Custom or Tourneo Custom, which has already been voted Campervan of the Year 2014 and shortlisted for The Motorhome of the Year title by experts from Which Motorhome and Motorcaravan Motorhome Monthly.

The Rosso, Bianco, Nero and Argento special editions are red, white, black and silver respectively, featuring colour-coded elevating roof, bumpers and side mouldings, plus sporty 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Bianco’s interior is distinguished by matching white furniture and black leather upholstery with co-ordinating white stitching and panel inserts. Its higher standard specification also includes an upgrade to the more powerful 155 PS turbodiesel engine, an awning and reversing camera.

A star feature of this conversion is the sliding, three-person rear seat which can be moved forward to accommodate more luggage or equipment while travel-

ling, as well as bringing rear passengers closer to the driver, but also slides back to provide maximum living space while camping.

David Elliott, managing director of Shepley-based Wellhouse Leisure, said: “We were delighted and honoured that Ford invited us to reveal our new Bianco special edition on its high profile stand at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed.

“With its twin bonnet stripes, black and chrome alloy wheels, black roof and white bodywork, our campervan looked really awesome alongside all the other sporty models on the Ford stand and was definitely the coolest-looking leisure ■■ Director David Elliott vehicle at Goodwood.”

Manufacturer demonstrates that winning formula A company has won an award for its manufacturing activities in Huddersfield.

Chemical firm Syngenta, which has its premises at Deighton, was presented with the 2014 Chemical Industries Association (CIA) Reputation Award at a ceremony held at Lancashire County Cricket Ground and hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern.

It was awarded in recognition of how Syngenta’s manufacturing operations at Leeds Road, had stepped forward to build and enhance the reputa-

tion of the chemical industry.

The award goes to a company that can demonstrate excellence in managing or enhancing its reputation with its local community.

Syngenta was praised for taking “a strategic approach to its community engagement,

pro actively involving a wide range of stakeholders”.

The Syngenta site has been used for manufacturing since 1916 and over that time has provide jobs, apprenticeships and trade.

Huddersfield site manager Alistair Conn said: “We work

hard to build trusted relationships and we continue our journey towards long-term sustainability of professional manufacturing in Huddersfield.

“With the continued support of our stakeholders, we shall keep award manufacturing in Huddersfield, providing skilled jobs for future generations.

“We are absolutely delighted with the CIA’s recognition of our progress so far and I thank all of our staff and contract partners for their dedication and hard work.”

This is the sixth major CIA award for Syngenta in Huddersfield.

The site has won industry awards for process safety, manufacturing excellence, responsible care and two engineering excellence awards.

Syngenta is one of the world’s leading companies with more than 27,000employees in more than 90 countries focusing on helping its customers to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life.

Business mentors in demand Business people from across West Yorkshire are being encouraged to sign up to give some of their time and expertise to help aspiring entrepreneurs start their companies.

The MYMentor network of business mentors, who work with those placed on the New Enterprise Allowance to develop and then launch their own firms, is recruiting new volunteer mentors.

Individuals are asked to spare at least one hour a fortnight to guide someone as they write their business plan and support them during their first 26 weeks of trading.

A special event to showcase the work of the MYMentor network, open to anyone interested in joining the scheme, takes place today at 6.30pm at Kirklees College, Chapel Hill, Huddersfield.

Claire Young, who took part in BBC One’s The Apprentice, is now an ambassador for the MYMentor network will discuss the importance of mentors to her when she speaks at the event.

Kirklees-based businessman Carl Hopkins, who is also an ambassador for the MYMentor network, will talk about how he’s encouraging fellow business people to sign-up to the scheme.

He said: “Mentors have been hugely important to so many business people’s careers.

“It’s only right we now support future entrepreneurs by giving them the guidance we received when we were starting out.

“I hope anyone interested in mentoring will come along to the event to hear about the MYMentor network and how it helps turn business dreams into reality.”

New goal for agency Birstall-based Fantastic Media has netted a new deal .

The award-winning agency has forged an official partnership with Barnsley Football Club.

The marketing agency’s name will appear on the squad shorts for the forthcoming season as part of an aggressive growth campaign

by Fantastic Media to expand its reach into South Yorkshire.

The agency’s name will also be prominently displayed at Barnsley’s Oakwell ground.

Fantastic founder and managing director Andrew Hobson said: “The next 12 months are going to be an exciting time for us as an agency.

“What better way to grow our business and the people we work with than with a relationship such as this, with a club that sits in the very heart of South Yorkshire.

“As an agency, we have huge respect for the club and the fans and are looking forward to the season ahead.”

7

HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

property

‘Historic’ contract for Brighouse company A Brighouse firm has completed an “historic” contract.

Eco-roofing business Ploughcroft, has completed its first Green Deal-funded farmhouse insulation project on a Pennine property in Pecket Well, Hebden Bridge.

The £29,000 project, which was completed in partnership with Your Green Deal Provider, qualified for £20,000 Green Deal funding and was finished in just eight weeks.

The farmhouse, which dates back to the early 18th century, has benefited from internal solid wall insulation and roof insulation.

Together, the measures will significantly improve the thermal efficiency of the family home, saving up to 40% over the next three years.

Ploughcroft managing director Chris Hopkins, a member of the Government’s Green Construction Board and a qualified Green Deal advisor and assessor, said: “Government estimates say that more than half of homes do not have enough insulation, an efficient boiler or proper heating controls.

“Rural homes by their very nature are some of the most energy inefficient, with particularly poor insulation.

“We are delighted to now be in a position to offer properties in rural locations these life-changing installations.

Ploughcroft was recently appointed Official Yorkshire Validator for the distribution of the Green Deal cash back scheme, in accordance with the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.

■■ Chris Hopkins, mnaging director of Brighouse-based eco-roofing specialist Ploughcroft

Housebuilder has busy six months in prospect

■■ Wayne Gradwell, of Persimmon

Sales at housebuilder Persimmon have risen by a third so far this year as the York-based firm continues to reap the benefits of a resurgent market.

Persimmon, which also trades as Charles Church and Westbury Partnerships, said its revenues rose by 33% on a year earlier to £1.2bn in the six months to June 30, as the wider economy improved.

Sale completions jumped almost 28% to 6,408 homes during the period, while its average selling price was up by 4% to £186,000.

There are already signs that banks are beginning to cut back on mortgages as recent figures showed that mortgage approvals for house purchase dropped to 61,707 in May from 62,806 in April,

an 11-month low.

Persimmon said mortgage lenders have continued to support the market, while “exercising discipline in the improving market”.

The company trades from 380 sites and said its consented land bank at June 30 stood at 82,300 plots, providing an “excellent platform” for the future development of the business.

Wayne Gradwell, managing director of Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, welcomed the increase in legal completions, saying: “Every extra home we build leads to more employment, both directly at Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire as well as with our diverse range of suppliers across the region.

“We have a robust recruitment pro-

gramme in place to bring new people into the business, whether it’s trained professionals or apprentices and trainees and with the second half of 2014 set to be just as busy as the first half, we are looking forward to welcoming more new people to the business in the coming weeks.”

Persimmon will open 100 new sites in the second half of 2014 across England, Wales and Scotland. In West Yorkshire, it is set to start building in Wombwell, Ossett, Castleford, Rotherham and Morley.

Mr Gradwell said:. “Everybody knows that there is a shortage of new housing and we’re working hard to deliver homes into the communities where they are most needed.”

Skills shortages ‘putting economic recovery at risk’ Skills shortages in the building industry are affecting the economic recovery, according to a survey from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The FMB’s State of Trade Survey for the second quarter of 2014 showed that more than a third of construction SMEs are struggling to recruit the bricklayers they need to stay on top of their workloads.

Plasterers are almost as difficult to come by with 27% of firms saying they

are having difficulty finding these skilled tradespeople.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The results act as a stark warning that the government must not take the recovery in the construction sector for granted.

“Although this snapshot of small construction firms marks the fifth consecutive quarter of positive results, if we don’t have enough of the right people to complete the work, private and public projects could be stalled across

the board.

“Looking ahead, construction SMEs are still hugely concerned about the impact of the government’s apprenticeship funding reforms.

“If they are implemented as proposed, most micro-businesses, which currently train two-thirds of all construction apprentices, are likely to stop hiring apprentices altogether. “ Said Mr Berry: “The Construction Industry Training Board forecasts that 182,000 new UK jobs are expected to

be created in the construction industry by 2018 ,so this is not the time to jeopardise the ability of small firms to continue their proud history of training apprentices.

“Not only would this be disastrous for the construction sector itself and the hundreds of thousands of young people who are currently seeking employment, it would also be disastrous for the wider economy which is largely relying on construction and housing to drive the recovery.”

Degree of success for Unite fund A company providing student accommodation in Huddersfield has been involved in a £137m acquisition.

Unite Students, billed as the UK’s leading developer and manager of student accommodation, said that the Unite UK Student Accommodation Fund (USAF), in which the group has a 21% stake, has acquired a 2,904 bed student accommodation portfolio for £137m.

The acquisition was funded through a combination of cash resources and existing debt facilities following USAF’s fund raising in March.

The portfolio comprises nine regional sites and represents the entire portfolio of the Cordea Savills Student Hall Fund, a private student accommodation fund. The acquisition increases USAF’s property portfolio value by 10% from £1.375bn to £1.512bn, comprising 24,577 beds in 68 properties across 22 UK towns and cities.

Two of the properties acquired – in Bath and Portsmouth – are already operated by Unite under sale and leaseback arrangements, so the group’s operational portfolio will increase by 1,862 bed spaces as a result of the acquisition.

The newly-acquired assets are complementary to Unite Students’ existing portfolio, which include sites at Saw Mill, Snow Island and Firth point in Huddersfield. It also has sites in Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, Loughborough and Portsmouth.

The portfolio also includes two smaller assets in Preston and Bradford which will continue to be operated by a third party manager and are likely to be sold in due course.

Six-figure deal for 600 Heckmondwike-based 600 Group has completed a property deal.

The engineering group has paid £725,000 for the freehold property for one of its existing precision components businesses, Gamet Bearings, based in Colchester, Essex. The purchase replaces the existing sale and leaseback agreement that 600 Group formerly had for this site.

Gamet Bearings manufactures tapered roller bearings for the machine tool market. It’s managing director, Tony Tankard, said: “I am delighted that 600 Group are making significant investment into the manufacturing facility at Gamet Bearings, which is of huge importance to us and our future plans for continued growth.

“Market conditions continue to be good and this purchase goes a long way to supporting new product and market developments.”

8

TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Andrew Crookes

President spells out plans A Kirkburton man has been appointed president for the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC).

Andrew Crookes (pictured), who runs Andrew Crookes Plumbing and Heating, was installed at the annual president’s dinner at Kenwood Hall Hotel, Sheffield.

Mr Crookes has been in the plumbing and heating industry since 1979 when he started his apprenticeship for J S and C W Crookes, a firm run by his parents in Huddersfield.

He trained at Percival Whitley College in Halifax, undertaking a fouryear apprenticeship, and worked for his parents’ firm for 20 years before they retired in 1999.

He carried on the business, changing the name to Andrew Crookes Plumbing and Heating.

Mr Crookes highlighted the APHC’s initiatives to tackle rogue traders in the plumbing and heating industry, including lobbying government.

He said: “In the gas industry, there is clear evidence to indicate that approximately 50% of all gas work undertaken by illegal installers falls into the classification of being dangerous.

“As a result, we are working on an initiative with key members of the gas supply chain, including manufacturers and merchants, to place greater focus on clearly promoting the use of registered installers to the consumer. “

Baths firm dips into the takeover market

By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk

“He said: “We are also proposing to incentivise the use of registered installers by limiting manufacturer warranties on installation work undertaken by the nonregistered.”

Mr Crookes attended meetings of Huddersfield Master Plumbers with his father. He later became president of the Huddersfield Master Plumbers, president of the North East region of APHC and in 2008 a director of APHC. He said: “I am passionate about the plumbing industry, especially concerning the smaller businesses which I feel are put under too many onerous paper trails and directives from Government and Europe.

“I’m looking forward to my year in office and to meeting the many industry leaders in construction with whom I can debate solutions to achieving improved trading conditions for plumbing and heating businesses.”

In his leisure time, Andrew runs the under 15s team at Kirkburton Cricket Club and also supports the under 17s.

Kirsty Bamford

PR and marketing role B i r s t a l l - base d Faith PR has appointed Kirsty Bamford (pictured) as a junior account executive.

Ms Bamford graduated in PR with marketing from Leeds Metropolitan University and worked at Faith PR throughout her final year one day a week on a work placement. She also completed a work placement at Huddersfield Town where she was responsible for drafting and editing news copy for the club’s website.

In her new role, she

movers and shakers

will work on delivering integrated communications campaigns covering PR, marketing and social media for clients across both B2B and B2C sectors.

A bath manufacturer in Huddersfield is on the takeover trail – in a bid to pool its talents with firms making related products.

Milnsbridge-based Trojan Plastics said it had made “significant progress” despite tough trading conditions and was now looking to make acquisitions, particularly manufacturers of high-end products.

Over the last 12 months, Trojan Plastics has extended its product range with the introduction of its Aquair whirlpool baths, a range of floor standing baths plus Bathe Easy easyaccess baths.

In the last two years, Trojan Plastics invested £1.2m in the business – including two new production lines and a new warehouse to store raw materials. It also increased its fleet to 11 trailers and increased its workforce to 180 people.

Specialist advisers from Grant Thornton’s tax team in Leeds were also brought on board to guide the business through the period of transition and put together a strategy to position it for future growth.

The company was restructured to separate its manufacturing business from other property assets and over the last two years Grant Thornton has provided ongoing tax, accounting and financial advice.

The changes have included the closure of sister company Lexcast Ltd, which supplied acrylic sheetings to Trojan.

“Having steered the business through some difficult times, we are feeling more optimistic about the future,” said David Mosley, managing director of Trojan Plastics.

“We are fortunate to have an established and loyal customer base in the UK that trusts us and through good management and sound financial advice, we have emerged from the last few years with a healthy balance sheet, cash reserves and no debt.

“These factors have placed us in a strong position to take advantage of new opportunities not only through organic growth, but also by acquiring complementary businesses

■■ Adam and David Mosley of Trojan Plastics with Nathan Potton (right), of Grant Thornton

within the sanitaryware sector.

“We have recently introduced some exciting new product ranges which add real value and present new opportunities in a variety of markets both in the UK and overseas.

“We’re looking to build on these developments over the coming financial year and beyond.”

Nathan Potton, manager in tax at Grant Thornton, said: “Sound and prudent management has enabled this Yorkshire family business to ride out the recession, leaving it wellplaced to reap the benefits of the recovery.

“With a solid position in this recovering and growing market, Trojan Plastics has the vision to take the business forward. Not only is it investing in new facilities in-house to add real value with high-end products which extend its existing range of baths, it is now actively seeking to acquire complementary businesses and we look forward to continuing to work closely with this dynamic business as it embarks on the next phase of its growth. It is an exciting time.”

Established in 1975 by Maurice Mosley, the company started life with the modest target of manufacturing 50 baths a week.

It has grown into a £17m turnover business,

producing more than 8,000 baths and 12,000 panels a week and is now one of the largest manufacturers of acrylic baths in Europe.

A new management team led by the founder’s sons David and Adam took the helm in 2012 and strengthened the business, recruiting at various levels as well as re-branding the company and reviewing its marketing strategy.

“Last year, we saw the business grow by just over 15% and we are confident that it will continue to gain momentum this year,” said David.

“Over the last quarter, demand has been particularly strong, enabling us to create over 60 new jobs here in response to sales growth.

“The business is benefiting from improvements in the UK housing market with our varied customer base across both the private and public sector meaning we are seeing an uplift across all customers as well as export opportunities.”

He said: “The upturn in the market means the time is right to forge ahead with our plans to continue to invest internally and look to make acquisitions which will complement our existing product range and reinforce our position as a premium supplier both in the UK and beyond.”

Howarths aiming for suite success A Cleckheaton company has signed up to sponsor one of the busiest suites at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium.

Howarths People and Safety Management, which specialises in HR, employment law and health and safety, has been a longstanding partner of the stadium.

As well as continuing to sponsor the temporary seating in the Fantastic Media Stand, Howarths also provides HR and employment law support directly to the stadium.

Gavin Howarth, managing director, commented on the announcement: “Having enjoyed a successful five year partnership with the John Smith’s Stadium, we are delighted to be growing our relationship even further and increasing our brand awareness

in this capacity.

“The Howarths Suite hosts an array of conferences, seminars and business meetings as well as event day hospitality which is perfectly suited to our brand values and proposition.

“Our decision to expand our partnership further was simply due to the strong relationship we have with the team at the stadium and the positive return on investment we see from this type of branding package.”

Gareth Davies, managing director of Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd, said: “We are pleased that the relationship we have built with Gavin and the team continues to grow and we are confident that this new deal will be mutually beneficial to all.”

■■ The Howarths team of (from left) Gavin Howarth, Helen Howarth, Tracey Craven and Andy Howarth outside the newly-named suite