Kirklees Business News 15/11/11

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Movers and shakers

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FTSE 100

NICK BROOK It’s all plain sailing!

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Brewing up for KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS a coffee break! Companies in line for financial boost Full inter view - Page 3

15, November, 2011

KOSO Kent Introl GLOBAL control valves company KOSO Kent Introl has expanded its team with six new appointments. Pictured are (from left) Danielle Booth, Jack Henley, Adam McNally, Carl Mason, Roger Speight and Eddie Sheard. Mr Hanley and Mr Sheard are starting their careers at the Brighouse-based firm as KKI graduate engineers. Both graduated from Huddersfield University and previously spent a year as undergraduate placements at KKI. Mr Hanley gained a degree in automotive design and technology while Mr Sheard has a BEng degree in automotive design. Mr McNally joins as control valve design engineer. He brings over seven years’ experience in engineering design within the oil and gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, subsea and mining sectors, having worked at the Smiths Group and Sabre Valves. He has a degree in computer aided design (mechanical engineering) and an MSc in mechanical engineering. Mr Speight holds the role of quality control inspector and will be mainly involved in the dimensional checking and hardness testing of machine components. He has a wealth of industry experience, including 24 years’ machine shop experience and 23 years in remits covering inspection and quality assurance. Ms Booth is KKI’s new quality and health and safety assistant. She has been with KKI since 2009 and is receiving additional training for the role of document controller. Mr Mason is the new purchasing manager. Previously, he spent five years at Tyco Flow Control, developing purchasing processes and procedures to enhance company efficiency. David Limb, sales director, said: “I am delighted to report on these latest appointments that further strengthen our 146-strong workforce. For future business development, it’s important to bring in new graduate talent as well as attract experienced, well-established engineering staff.”

YOU’VE heard about Ladies Who Lunch. So how about joining the coffee set? Holmfirth-based businesswoman Susan Gillespie is set to launch a local branch of networking group Ladies Who Latte. Susan, an independent travel agent Susan Gillespie plans to launch the networking group for the first time in the area in January, 2012. Now she is drumming up support for the new group, which it is hoped will meet monthly. Ladies Who Latte is aimed at women running their own businesses and women in managem e n t ro l e s w i t h i n o t h e r companies. The first Ladies Who Latte group was started just over four years ago by Sharon Connolly, an international image consultant. Mary Flavelle, who specialises in women’s networking events, partners Sharon in growing the group, which has set up networking branches across the UK. Susan said: “Ladies Who

■ NETWORK PLAN: Holmfirth-based independent travel agent Susan Gillespie wants to make a date for coffee

Latte is flexible networking with a less formal approach. “Whether you have 15 minutes to pop in or you stay for two hours, we hope that you will enjoy a well-earned break to share ideas and most importantly gain motivation from other entrepreneurial women. “There are no speakers and

you don’t pay to attend – just pay for your coffee and mingle!” Said Susan: “In less than one year of its launch, Ladies Who Latte grew to more than 600 members. “It now stretches across England with a membership of more than 3,000 women.”

Susan, who currently attends Ladies Who Latte events at Tankersley, near Barnsley, is one of the latest experienced travel consultants to launch her own travel business with the support of Travel Counsellors. She specialises in giving her customers the highest possible levels of personal service and independent travel advice – drawing on more than five years of travel experience in the industry. Working from home, she is able to speak to customers at a time to suit themselves, even if it is outside working hours. Commenting on her website about the concept of Ladies Who Latte, Sharon Connolly said: “We are women with imagination, drive, enthusiasm and hope and we are enjoying sharing out success because it’s no good being fabulous on your own!” Contact Susan Gillespie on 01484 680091. Alternatively, visit ladieswholatte.come or email susan.gillespie@travel counsellors.com

Sitting comfortably!

Darren Harbrecht-Parker

Chadwick Lawrence

It’s not just lip service

■ CUP THAT CHEERS: Kirklees Mayor Clr Eric Firth with Adam Hankinson, area sales manager for DFS, at the store opening

THE guys at design and branding company The Engine Room can usually be relied on to know a thing or two about style. But when it comes to supporting charity, they’re ready to abandon good taste! Gents at the agency, based at Huddersfield’s Media Centre, are taking part in Movember by spending this month growing moustaches and raising funds for prostate and testicular cancer. Creative director Darren Evans said: “We’re donating our top lips to the cause for 30 days in an effort to help change the face of men's health. Our ‘Mos’ will spark conversations, and no doubt generate some laughs – all in the name of raising vital awareness and funds for cancers affecting men.” Go to http://mosista.co/engineroom

SINGERS from Moorlands Primary School serenaded the crowds as Kirklees Mayor Clr Eric Firth unveiled a plaque to officially celebrate the arrival of furniture retailer DFS to Huddersfield. Kev Brown, skipper of Huddersfield Giants, was joined by team mates David Faiumu and Scott Grix at the opening event, which included bonfire treats and a hog roast. Clr Firth said: “I am delighted to have been asked to take part in the celebrations. DFS was founded in

Yorkshire over 40 years ago and it is great that the company has expanded here in Huddersfield, creating 12 new jobs.” Adam Hankinson, area sales manager at DFS, said: “We’ve had a fantastic day. We know how welcoming the people of Huddersfield are and we’ve been bowled over by their response.” DFS occupies a 15,000sq ft store at Phoenix Retail Park, Leeds Road, where it has a wide range of sofas and accessories displayed in 72 room settings.

LAW firm Chadwick Lawrence has appointed Darren Harbrecht-Parker to the new post of marketing manager. Mr Harbrecht-Parker, who is pictured (right) with managing partner Jeremy Garside, will work closely with the firm’s long-term marketing partner Fantastic Media. As well as liaising with the external marketing agency, he will collaborate on strategies that build the company’s image and presence both online and offline. Mr Garside said: “The role of marketing manager was introduced to give the company an internal focus and drive initiatives through. “As we continue to invest in strategic marketing, it was the next natural step to create a marketing role within the company.” Chadwick Lawrence had eight offices across the north, including ones in Huddersfield, Wakefield and Halifax.

Column - Page 4

An EXAMINER publication

The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

INSIDE

Join the coffee set

COMPANIES with operations in Huddersfield and Brighouse are competing for thousands of pounds in funding as part of a scheme to support the UK’s most promising businesses. Longroyd Bridge-based fireplace manufacturer Fired Up Group and Aflex Hose, which has production facilities in Armytage Road at Brighouse, are among the regional finalists in HSBC’s Business Thinking initiative. Now in its second year, Business Thinking aims to help the UK’s up-and-coming companies to exchange ideas, build international networks and challenge their current business strategy. The initiative also awards successful companies with a share of £108m worth of funding and a financial award of up to £240,000. Ambitious fir ms from across the UK were invited to submit applications, before being narrowed down to just 54 regional finalists. They were given the opportunity to attend a Thought Exchange Trip to Dubai, Hong Kong, New York, Paris or Sao Paulo. Fired Up and Aflex Hose both took part in the Thought Exchange in Hong Kong, which is often seen as a gateway to trade in China and the Far East. The next phase of the initiative will see both firms mak-

■ GOOD THINKING: Richard Kaye, above, of Fired Up Group, and Tony Sedgewick-Logan, far right, of Aflex Hose, in Hong Kong

ing their case to HSBC’s panel of experts. Two winners from each UK region will then receive up to £6m in lending plus a financial reward of up to £120,000 each. And one of the UK’s regional winners will be crowned overall Business Thinking winner and see their financial reward doubled. Fired Up is based at St Thomas’s Road and also has a factory in Zhongshan, southern China. The group makes fires, fireplaces, kettles, hairdryers and other domestic appliances. The group sells its products in more than 50 countries with exports accounting for 20% of its £13m turnover. Its brands include Corby trouser presses,

Adam fires and fireplaces, Brevanti wine coolers, Armco fire and security systems and Endeva kettles. The company employs 95 people in Huddersfield and 230 in Zhongshan, where it has capacity to take the workforce up to 500. It expects its sales in China itself to soon account for 25% of turnover. Speaking about the trip to Hong Kong, Fired Up chairman Richard Kaye said: “We have been in China for six-and-a-half years and we have barely scratched the surface. Connections, are very important and establishing relationships is also very important. “We identified some people when we moved to China and

said: ‘We are going to be friends with these people.’ We made a very deliberate ploy with some people to befriend them. “Managing people in China is also very different. You have got to be prepared to put aside an awful lot of your time there. “A meeting that might take 20 minutes of your time in the UK can take three times as long in China. There is mutual process and there is a much greater need for consensus around the table.” Aflex Hose Ltd, which re c e n t ly ex p a n d e d i n t o 28,000sq ft of space at Armytage Road, employs more than 200 staff at its Sowerby Bridge headquarters

and at the new Brighouse site. It has been manufacturing high quality hose for the process industries since 1973. The company makes and supplies hosing for global customers in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and the automotive industry. General manager Tony Sedgewick-Logan took part in a series of round table talks with local and international business leaders, including visits to local Hong Kong companies. He said: “My visit to Hong Kong opened my eyes. The message was loud and clear that Asian countries want to be associated with premium brands and success. Aflex can offer this. “The HSBC staff understood my requirements and needs to open up new markets. They gave me concise advice and they let me speak to people who were experienced in my required areas. “All this has given me the key to go forward with the expansion of Aflex into the Asian markets”. He added: “The HSBC Business thinking initiative has been great for Aflex Hose so far and we have really high hopes for the next stages. “The backing of HSBC highlights what a fantastic job we have been doing and creates great pride and confidence in the future of local manufacturing.”

A HOLMFIRTH-based businesswoman is set to launch a local branch of a networking group called Ladies Who Latte. Susan Gillespie, an independent travel agent, plans to launch the monthly networking group in the area in January.

● Full story - Page 8

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examiner.co.uk

Daniele Booth, Jack Henley, Adam McNally, Carl Mason, Roger Speight & Eddie Sheard

MARK DALTON An accent on stress

Case for more land MANUFACTURERS in Kirklees and Calderdale claim more development land is desperately needed to enable local businesses to stay in the area and expand their operations. The call comes amid controversy over plans to use green sites at Ainley Top, Cooper Bridge and Chidswell, near Dewsbury.

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Solicitors for business inYorkshire www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk Huddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Leeds

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

national

Favourites give ITV boost in revenues POPULAR shows like The X Factor, Doc Martin and rugby’s World Cup tournament helped boost broadcaster ITV’s third quarter revenues, it revealed. Advertising revenues rose by 1% in the three months to September 30, defying expectations of a fall, while the improvement in its ITV Studios business continued after it sold new shows including Prime Suspect overseas. But the group remained cautious about its prospects in 2012 and expects advertising revenues to decline by 10% in December as it comes up against tough comparatives with the previous year. Its on-screen performance in the final quarter of 2011 has been boos-

ted by I'm A Celebrity, Downton Abbey and The Jury. ITV’s overall share of the TV market for the first nine months of 2011 is up 2% to 23%, driven by its digital channels and online, while it is on course to outperform the television advertising market as a whole in 2011. The group, which is also home to Coronation Street, is one year into a five-year transformation plan, which has seen it focus on “re-energising” the creative pipeline of its ITV Studios business. ITV Studios saw its external revenues increase 9% to £224 million in the nine months, which is ahead of expectations. It has invested in 89 new commissions, including Titanic,

a major new drama for 2012 by Julian Fellowes which has been sold to 57 countries. Overall revenues rose 4% to £1.5 billion in the first nine months of 2011 “despite difficult economic and market conditions”. The group said it is on course to have net cash at the end of the year, compared to net debt of £612 million at the beginning of 2010. Chief executive Adam Crozier said: “Our relentless focus on delivering the transformation plan is now impacting positively on our results.” He said the group was on track to deliver its plan and remains optimistic about its prospects in the medium to long-term.

■ POPULAR: Caroline Catz as Louisa Glasson and Martin Clunes as Dr Martin Ellingham in Doc Martin

Raising a glass to profits boost

Farm costs skim cream

WINE merchant Majestic uncorked more bumper results before admitting some of the fizz had gone out of sales in recent weeks. Unveiling a 20% jump in half-year profits for the second year in a row, Majestic said revenues rose by 8.7% to £127.8 million in the six months to September 26 - 2.7% higher on a like-for-like basis. But in the period since then, like-for-like sales were down 1.1% after two weeks of disappointing sales amid the economic turbulence in mid-October. Majestic, which has 176 UK stores, including one in Queensgate, Huddersfield, insisted it was still well

THE UK’s biggest fresh milk supplier revealed a slump in profits. And Robert Wiseman Dairies admits it struggled to pass on rising costs to its supermarket customers. Pre-tax profits at the company, which supplies a third of the fresh milk consumed in the UK, fell 42% to £11.8 million in the six months to October 1. It has put up prices to its farmers three times since March as they struggle with higher fuel prices, while plastic resin used in its bottles has also risen. Wiseman warned the squeeze on its

placed for the Christmas season and pointed out that sales of still wine priced at £20 per bottle or more increased by a fifth during the half year. The average spend per transaction at its stores also rose by £3 to £125, with the average bottle price of still wine now £7.13 from £6.67 last year. Majestic has been one of the success stories of the high street in recent years, leading to today’s half-year profits haul of £8.8 million. It opened 11 new stores in the past six months and has more planned.

margins could intensify if costs rise further but it hopes to make efficiency savings to offset the pressures. The firm said it will seek to “restore margins to an acceptable level” as market conditions improve. Glasgow-based Wiseman also said a new organic milk contract with Tesco will help it boost volumes, with supermarket outlets across the UK. And it has unveiled a £2 million tie-up with a New Zealand dairy that will allow it develop a type of milk that can be drunk by people who are intolerant to milk but are not diagnosed as lactose intolerant.

Page 2 Rail firm’s big deal TRAIN-maker Bombardier has been awarded a £15m three-year maintenance contract from ScotRail. The announcement was made during a visit by Transport Minister Theresa Villiers to Derby's Litchurch Lane plant. A spokesperson said the deal, to support ScotRail’s Class 170 Turbostar fleet, was "significant". But the RMT union expressed frustration that there was no review of the £1.4bn Thameslink contract. It was awarded to German firm Siemens in June, prompting Bombardier to cut 1,400 jobs.

Butchers hit hard A YORKSHIRE supermarket pork supplier revealed a fall in profits but said demand for its products is growing because they are seen as good value. Hull-based Cranswick reported that pre-tax profits fell 22% to £18.5 million in the six months to September 30 despite rising sales as it struggled to pass on higher pig prices to its customers. But it said it was “cautiously optimistic” about the future because recent trading had improved and pork is seen as good value.

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £31.35 -0.33 Gannett 714.51 -13.21 Hess Corp £40.10 -0.84 Microsoft 1690.67 -1.89 Motors Liquidation 47.17 Wal-Mart Stores £36.97 -0.26 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 310 +7 BAE Systems 2853/4 +21/2 Rolls-Royce 727 -11 AIM Brady Plc 781/2 Dawson Intl 11/4 Man Brnze 35 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1927/8 BANKS Barclays 174 -47/8 HSBC 5043/4 +13/8 3 Lloyds Banking Gp 28 /8 -1/2 Ryl Scotland 22 -1/2 Stan Chart 13561/2 -451/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 13201/2 -71/2 SABMiller £221/8 -3/8 CHEMICALS Croda 1763 -23 Elementis 98 1391/2 +11/2 Johnsn Mat 1860 -25 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 236 -11/8 Costain 2017/8 -21/8 ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 554 -171/2

Intl Power 3341/8 -43/8 SSE 1317 -8 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 1471/8 +5/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 340 +13/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1917/8 +1 Cable & Wireless 383/8 +1/8 Comm Cable & Wireless 301/4 -1/8 Wwide 1 Colt Group 101 /8 +5/8 KCOM 73 +1 -41/4 Talktalk Telecom 1281/2 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 3173/4 +3/8 Sainsbury 304 -31/8 3 Tesco 402 /4 -7/8 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1121 -11 -6 Tate Lyle 6711/2 Unilever £205/8 -1/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3033/4 +3/8 National Grid 6241/2 -41/2 Pennon Grp 712 -91/2 Severn 1583 -16 United Utils 629 -2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2013/4 -3 ICAP 3631/8 -73/8 London StockExch 8631/2 -7 Man Group 1461/8 -31/8 Provident Financial 1020 -16 Schroders 1362 -31

Schroders NV 1140 -23 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 4735/8 +73/4 REXAM 3321/4 -23/4 1 Smiths Grp 954 /2 +71/2 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 205/8 -1/8 Carphone Whse 3091/4 -133/4 7 Dixons Retail 11 /8 +1/8 Home Retail 811/8 -31/4 Inchcape 3301/8 -41/8 Kingfisher 2523/4 -31/4 7 M&S 330 /8 -1 Mothercare 160 +11/2 Next £28 +1/8 WH Smith 5241/2 +51/2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 5721/2 +141/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 741/4 -1/4 Barrat Dev 923/4 +13/4 Persimmon 4915/8 +51/8 Reckitt Benckiser £321/4 -3/8 3 Taylor Wimpey 38 /8 +7/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 9201/2 -2 IMI 793 -16 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 3123/4 -21/2 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 182 -1/2 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 315 -4 Lgl & Gen 1053/4 -21/4 Old Mutual 1093/4 -13/4

Prudential Resolution Standard Life

624 2631/4 2033/4 MEDIA BSkyB 743 D Mail Tst 431 ITV 653/4 Johnston Press 51/4 Pearson 1105 Reed Elsevier 5401/2 STV Group 105 Trinity Mirror 531/4 Utd Business 4951/8 UTV 1137/8 WPP 662 Yell Group 31/2 MINING Anglo American £241/2 Antofagasta 1175 BHP Billiton 19701/2 Eurasian Natural 6761/2 Res Fresnillo 1812 Kazakhmys 9111/2 Lonmin 1073 Rio Tinto £341/4 VEDANTA 1120 RESOURCES Xstrata 1012 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 4613/4 Vodafone Group 1823/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 8321/2 RSA Insurance Gp 1101/8 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 13621/2

-12 -71/8 -2 -51/2 +21/2 +21/8 +1/4 -32 -41/2 -7/8 +13/4 -43/8 +11/8 -71/2 +1/8 -1/4 -23 -211/2 -71/2 -36 -20 -1 -1/2 -42 -18 -7 +25/8 -71/2 -11/8 -31/2

Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp

290 903/4 6241/2 1905

+2 -41/2 -55

FTSE closed at

5519.04 down 26.34 BP 4583/4 +1/2 Cairn Energy 2903/8 -5 Royal Dutch Shell A £221/4 +1/8 Royal Dutch Shell B £23 +1/4 Total £321/4 Tullow Oil 1347 -21 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 924 -10 Petrofac 1401 -29 Wood Gp(J) 651 +41/2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1421 +44 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £29 -1/8 Axis-Shield 469 GlaxoSmithK XD 11/2 Shire £201/8

REAL ESTATE Brit Land 5031/2 -71/2 Captl Shop Cent 3121/4 -5 DTZ Hldgs 3 +1/8 Hamrsn 3933/4 -61/8 Land Secs 6861/2 -8 SEGRO 2333/8 -41/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp £251/2 Invensys 2131/4 -47/8 Logica 783/4 -13/8 Misys 2915/8 +1 1 Sage Group 277 /8 -37/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 4371/2 +5/8 Bunzl 806 -11/2 Capita 662 +1 De La Rue 9061/2 -71/2 Electrocomp 2077/8 -1/2 Experian 8281/2 -1 1 -21/4 G4S 248 /8 1 Hays 75 /8 -1/4 Homeserve 267 -1/8 Menzies J 485 +5 Rentokil 67 Smiths News 921/4 Wolseley 1879 -4 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 632 -21/2 Psion 531/4 +11/2 3 Spirent Comms 125 /4 -3/8 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £287/8 -3/8 Imperial Tobacco £23 -1/2 LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital 1255/8 -1/4 Carnival £217/8

Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airlines Gp Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread

5601/2 366 30 3393/8 1318 4525/8 1071 1475/8

-71/2 +105/8

1347/8 2265/8 224 1447/8 2541/4 1641/8 1628

-13/4 -5/8 -1/4 -51/8 +23/8 +1 -17

-57/8 +4 +1/2 -17 -11/8

FTSE 100

INDEX 5519.04

-26.34

FTSE 250

INDEX 10347.76

-41.54

TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.48 dollars Bangladesh................. 115.61 taka Brazil.............................. 2.50 reals Canada....................... 1.55 dollars China ............................. 9.10 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.49 korunas Denmark....................... 8.26 krone Euro................................ 1.11 euro Hong Kong................ 11.84 dollars Hungary................... 326.27 forints India.......................... 70.85 rupees Japan........................... 117.67 yen Mexico ....................... 19.21 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.90 dollars Norway ......................... 8.62 krone Pakistan.................. 130.92 rupees Philippines ................. 59.43 pesos South Africa.................. 11.81 rand South Korea.............. 1570.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 166.79 rupees Sweden....................... 10.14 krona Switzerland.................. 1.37 francs Taiwan ...................... 42.25 dollars Turkey....................... 2.67 new lira USA ............................ 1.53 dollars

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property

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Betting shop beats the odds A BETTING shop in Dewsbury town centre attracted plenty of punters at a property auction. The premises on Westgate, which are let to Ladbrokes at an annual rent of £23,500, sold for £196,000 off a guide price of £175,000 plus – a return of nearly 12%. Other lots which performed well at the Eddisons sale included a fully let mixed retail and residential property in Batley. The property on Saville Street significantly exceed initial expectations, selling for £81,000 off a guide price of £28,000 plus. Meanwhile, residential stock included a vacant two bedroom end of terrace house on Haighs Square in Huddersfield, which sold for £36,000. Eddisons reported that 106 lots at the two-day sale in Leeds and Manchester were sold, generating proceeds of £6.1m. Tony Webber, of Eddisons, said: “Residential stock performed particularly well with tenanted properties, many of which offered returns of around 10%, in high demand.” Mr Webber said total proceeds for the firm’s 2011 auctions stand at just under £60m, with one sale remaining before the end of the year. “Our auctions have defied the tough economic conditions and with a large December sale expected we are well on course to beat last year’s figures,” he said. “Buyers have reacted positively to sensibly-priced stock and have turned to property as a viable alternative to traditional investment vehicles which continue to under perform.”

Business park hits jobs target AN award-winning business park has reached its target for job creation. Developer Sterling Capitol has announced that more than 1,500 jobs have been created at Capital Park at Tingley, near junction 28 of the M62. Capitol Park is now home to a range of quality regional, national and international companies, together with a prestigious village hotel. The jobs target was reached with the news that James Latham is moving to Capitol Park to boost its expansion in the north. The move will bring 50 jobs to Capitol Park. James Latham operates throughout the UK from 10 regional sites, distributing a range of wood panel products, hardwoods and specialist softwoods.

Page 6

Changes afoot for office sector P R O P E RT Y e x p e r t s a r e predicting a big rise in demand for refurbishment – as technology, the drive for sustainability and changes in workplace practice shorten the lifespan of office buildings across Yorkshire. International property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle has carried out a 2-month research campaign to highlight key factors in Europe’s office market, including those in Yorkshire. The report, Offices 2020, aims to give Yorkshire investors, developers and occupiers greater understanding of trends and changes in the office market to support better decision-making and wider recognition of business opportunities during the next decade. In the report, Jones Lang LaSalle research chief Bill Page said changing workplace technology, a shift in the balance of power from landlords to tenants and increasing risk of building obsolescence

■ STRUGGLE: Jeff Pearey, of agency Jones Lang LaSalle

will have a marked effect on both national and regional office markets. “While the trend toward shorter leases will not necessarily be wel-

comed by landlords, it will have a positive knock-on effect on the number of deals done and increase overall transactional levels,” said Mr Page. “This bodes well for an increase in medium-term deal flow as leases come to an end. The cycle will be self-sustaining as the next wave of lettings will also tend toward shorter terms, pushing up office take-up rates.” Jeff Pearey, director of office agency for Jones Lang LaSalle in West Yorkshire, said: “A lack of Grade A office supply in Yorkshire – when combined with the anticipated shortage of any speculative developments – suggests that larger occupiers will struggle to find suitable space. “Those able to move will increasingly consider pre-let off-plan, controlling far more of the development pipeline than before.” Mr Page said that new work-

place technology, such as cloud computing and mobile and collaborative technology, will enable more efficient occupancy, smaller space requirements and a preference for more flexible product. “Office obsolescence will be a headache and stock across Yorkshire isn’t getting any younger,” he said. “Office buildings will be increasingly scrutinised and legislation more strict – older premises will become harder to let or sell in the absence of major works of refurbishment. “In addition, an increasing embracing of workplace technology and changing working practice will make more stock unfit for purpose leading to further polarisation in the market between the best product – and the rest. “However, problems will be matched by opportunities and the expertise and experience of Yorkshire's property industry will become increasingly important.”

Firms need development land

1/21'/*$ 5040#'5'4* 3 0#'4*- 3 +24-(6*04* 3 0)&!-2/ */0%06#0/ 5!66- 3 6'')- /20) 3 "())'/-%!'6) 3 "), .$$

Caldervale Works, Brighouse Newly refurbished, modern, self contained industrial units available for immediate occupation. Large secure yard and loading area. Sizes range from 4,453 to 13,195 sq ft.

Huddersﬁeld Road, Brighouse From 1,117 sq ft to 2,519 sq ft. Situated in a busy town centre with a main road location. The premises are ideal for various uses (subject to planning) Terms available on application Contact: Paul Andrew Walker Singleton 01484 477600 Christine Eccleston MB Services 01484 557102

■ LAND PLEA: Calderdale Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance chairman Gary Smith

MANUFACTURERS in Kirklees and Calderdale say more development land is desperately needed – to help local companies stay in the area and expand their operations. The call comes from the Calderdale Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance as controversy rages over Kirklees Council plans to make green sites at Ainley Top, Cooper Bridge and Chidswell, near Dewsbury, available for development. It also follows the loss of bed manufacturer Silentnight, which is set to close its Batley factory and switch operations to another site in Lancashire with the loss of about 200 jobs. Alliance chairman Gary

Smith said: “There is a need for land to be made available for local manufacturers to expand or re locate locally – to avoid loosing good local employers or job opportunities. Several local employers are currently struggling to find a site within Kirklees. “There is also a need for local land so employees do not have to travel far for work – saving a lot of time and reducing congestion on the roads and transport infrastructure.” Mr Smith said manufacturers also needed sites with good motorway connections, explaining: “Some companies – for example those manufacturing large products such as vessels or structures –

need land close to the motorway junctions, so they do not clog up the towns roads while getting to the motorways. “Supply routes needs upgrading. Most commuters for years have – at most times of the day – ended up queuing coming from the M62 to Huddersfield or Mirfield due to the poor Cooper Bridge road layout.” And he added: “Manufacturers also face a challenge. They have a duty not only to the locality to create local work, buy locally and keep the wealth local, but to build pleasing-on-the-eye and sympathetic to the area buildings which do not ruin the area but enhance it.”

Letting for popular estate REFURBISHED units on a West Yorkshire industrial park have attracted another tenant. Acting on behalf of Blackrock Investment Management (UK) Ltd, the industrial agency team at CBRE in Leeds has let a unit at the city’s Cross Green Industrial Estate to General All Purpose Plastics Group Ltd. GAPP has signed a 10-year lease at an undisclosed rent at the 9,750sq ft unit. The site is just two miles from Leeds city centre and provides direct

access from the East Leeds Link Road to Junction 45 of the M1. The last remaining unit is now available to let in a refurbished condition and provides a total of 9,498sq ft. Daniel Austin, a senior surveyor at CBRE, said: “Cross Green Central offers superb warehousing and industrial accommodation at affordable rents. The layout of the building and excellent location provided an ideal solution for GAPP. “This latest letting demonstrates

the growing appeal of the area to occupiers seeking well connected, quality industrial accommodation.” Meanwhile, following the recent announcement that Towers Watson is expanding its offices at MEPC’s Wellington Place business quarter in Leeds, the building consultancy team at CBRE in Leeds has been retained by the professional services firm as employer’s agent to manage the creation of the new offices. Towers Watson has taken its total office space to 19,750sq ft in total.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS KEEN sailor Nick Brook is helping Huddersfield’s small firms keep afloat during the economic crisis. Nick, 51, who has competed at national level in sailing competitions, has also steered his business through the choppy waters of the recession to enjoy five years of growth. The Brighouse-born businessman took up the TaxAssist Accountants franchise for Huddersfield five years ago after being made redundant. He leased premises prominently sited on Lockwood Road and quickly built up an enviable list of clients. “It is a good location,” he says. “Part of the ethos of TaxAssist is visibility and accessibility. “While some of the larger firms of accountants have stayed in the town centre, we have found this site ideal in terms of providing a shop window on a busy route from Huddersfield to the Holme Valley.” Says Nick: “TaxAssist has been going for about 15 years. “It started out as a franchise business for retired bankers and “Banking didn’t really kind of guy to do that,” accountants to run from appeal, but it became says Nick. “I don’t allow the back bedroom doing clear that I was more of a the grass to grow under tax returns. salesman. my feet. “But the franchisors “I went to work for “I researched franchises developed this ‘shopfront’ Forward Trust, a finance and looked at a number of idea and we took it up. company that was a opportunities before Now there are 130 subsidiary of the Midland deciding that TaxAssist ‘shopfronts’ across the UK and sold finance to the was the one for me. out of 186 TaxAssist moor trade.” “I have been in the franchises. Nick later worked for Huddersfield area all my “It has developed to a Suzuki Finance and life and I know the town, full service accountancy Honda Finance before so I was surprised – and office, doing everything moving to Close Brothers delighted – to discover except audit work.” and his first post in senior that Huddersfield was a Nick says: “We focus on management. ‘free’ area for TaxAssist. the small business market. Based at its Doncaster We started with nothing “We know what we are head office, he built up its and built a business that is doing, we are good at light commercial division pretty successful – and we what we do and we do it from £9m to £42m have won a couple of differently to other turnover before switching awards in our own right.” accountancy firms by to its leisure division Nick attends regional keeping things simple for selling finance for meetings and national our clients and making it motorcycles, boats and conferences to meet other easy for them to caravans. TaxAssist franchisees and understand. However, eight months takes part in training days “Nationally, TaxAssist is later he was out of a job. to stay up to date with now the most successful “The powers-that-be industry developments franchise in the UK. I decided they were too and the market. “It won the gold award top-heavy with managers,” He also works with at last year’s British he says. Huddersfield University, Franchise Association “However, I was given a sitting on its Employer Awards and it has been generous severance and Partnership Board and set up as a beacon in that enabled me to buy providing work experience British franchising.” the TaxAssist franchise. for accountancy students The TaxAssist brand “I could have sat back who he finds “enthusiastic and astute marketing on with a huge lump of and keen to learn”. the internet is now money, but I am not the Says Nick: “We have bringing 75,000 online leads a year to its franchisees. Nick is also winning business by word-of-mouth referrals and numbers business consultancies, dance schools, after-school clubs, vehicle mechanics and cafe owners among his growing list of clients. Nick grew up in Brighouse and attended Rastrick Grammar School before joining the Midland Bank in his home town. “My parents wanted me to have a job in a proper business,” he says. “I was quite naive at 18 and I did ■ ROAD SENSE: Nick Brook, of TaxAssist not know what I wanted to Accountants, says occupying a prominent site at busy do. Lockwood Road has helped build up the client base

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Nick Brook

On the crest of a wave some really good staff who are very loyal. That’s what makes a successful business. “We also have some high quality clients. It’s great to help companies with good ideas for business develop and have success. “They trust us, they talk to other people and we get more business out of it. Now 70% of our business comes from direct referral.” Nick’s day revolves around visits to clients, assigning and overseeing work to his team and looking after marketing. He is also considering options for opening a second office, saying: “It’s just a matter of timing.” After a week keeping the business buoyant, weekends are often spend afloat. Nick is currently Commodore of Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club – a post roughly equivalent to the golf club captain – and he has competed in national and regional competitions. He says: “I was about nine years old when my father saw an advert in the Daily Mirror to build a boat called the Mirror Dinghy. He fancied it as a DIY project more than anything. “It was at the time in the late 1960s and early 1970s when amateur boating was popular. “As a result, we learned to sail and joined Huddersfield Sailing Club at Holmfirth. “We were also founder members at Scammonden when that opened.” “Sailing has everything,” says Nick. “It’s outdoors in the fresh air and competitive boat-for-boat racing can be quite

Page 3 Role: Owner Age: 51 Family: Married to Pat with children Andrew, 25, and Nicola, 22 Holidays: This year we have been to Croatia and Spain Car: Porsche Boxster First job:Stacking shelves at Hillards in Brighouse Best thing about job: The independence. Being self-employed means you don’t have anyone telling you what to do Worst thing about job: Paper. We are working very hard to make ours a paperless office Business tip: Know your market. If you can’t find your client, you won’t have a business

exciting at times. It is physically demanding, too.” Nick has won regional competitions in his single-handed 13ft National Solo. Last year, he got to try out the Olympics yachting venue at the Portland National Sailing Academy at Weymouth. But more importantly, sailing has proved a boon to family life. “The best thing my father ever did was to build that boat,” says Nick. “I brought my kids into the sport and that meant we were still going on family holidays even when they were 16 and 17. We would go to places all over the UK. It kept the family together in some ways. “Now my son Andrew is a marine journalist and my daughter Nicola designs interiors for yachts that only multi-millionaires can afford to buy!” Nick and his wife Pat also enjoy ballroom dancing, attending dance classes at Shelley two or three times a week, which Nick says is good fun. But he says: “Sailing is the best family sport there is. You can join a sailing club for less than the price of joining a golf club or a tennis club. “With £100 for basic gear, away you go. “I think the Olympics will give a push to the sport at grassroots level. “That will be good for us because ours is a very keen racing club and we want to attract new members.”

HENRYK ZIENTEK

TaxAssist Accountants

Work: Accountancy and tax services for small businesses Site: Lockwood Employees: 5 Phone: 01484 424961 Email: nickbrook@ taxassist.co.uk Web: www.taxassist.co.uk/ huddersfield

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Judge’s decision is in the balance A HOLME Valley accountancy firm has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award. Balance Accountants, based in Holmfirth, is competing in the category for Independent Firm of the Year for the north of England in the British Accountancy Awards. The competition is sponsored by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and magazine Accountancy Age. The awards will be presented at a gala dinner on November 30 in London – where more than 800 guests will gather to celebrate the best achievements in the accountancy profession. Ashley Barrowclough, pictured, of Balance Accountants, said: “To get shortlisted for the award is a fantastic achievement in itself. I don’t think that anyone else in our area has ever been shortlisted before. “Even if we don’t win, it is still great recognition for everything that we have achieved here at Balance during the last 12 to 18 months. “In fact, this is the second national award that we have been shortlisted for in as many months. In October, we were shortlisted in the 2020 group’s national awards in the category of the UK’s most innovative sole practitioner of the year. “We were one of only three firms shortlisted, but unfortunately on that occasion we didn’t win. Perhaps we can go one better in London on 30 November!”

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Can your business afford to ignore Health & Safety? With Competent Health and Safety advice from just £25 a month you don’t need to Wilby Risk Management offer a range of services including: Competent Advice Risk Assessments Assistance with CHAS applications contact us today on 01422 358525 or email healthandsafety@wilbyltd.co.uk

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Top firms post robust results

Spot the signs of workplace stress OR the first time, stress F has topped the list of reasons for long-term sickness

absence among both manual and non-manual employees, according to the latest absence management survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). For manual workers, stress is now level with acute medical conditions and has superseded musculoskeletal problems to become the chief cause of long-term absence. Among non-manual staff, stress has moved ahead of acute medical conditions. The survey also reveals a close connection between job security and mental-health problems. More than half of employers planning to make redundancies in the next six months reported an increase in mental health problems among their staff. However, of those employers that are not planning job-cuts, just under a third reported an increase in mental health issues. Organisations preparing to make redundancies were also more likely to witness a rise in presenteeism (32% compared with 27% of those who had no redundancies planned). Those respondents that had noted an increase in presentee-

RISKY BUSINESS restructurings and pay inequalities are having more than just an economic effect,” he explained. “They are having a serious impact on people’s health. Unfortunately, there is still a tendency among many employers to think of it as ‘just stress’, but this is a real issue, which can devastate people’s lives and tear apart families.” More than a quarter of organisations (29%) – including more than two-fifths in the public sector – said they have increased their focus on employee well-being and health promotion as a result of the impact of the economic turbulence. Simplyhealth, which conducted the survey with the CIPD, said: “With many organisations looking for ways to save money, employee health and well-being shouldn’t be overlooked and should remain at the heart of the company. Benefits that engage employees do not have to be expensive.”

Mark Dalton is associate director at Wilby Ltd

Alert over scare tactics UNSCRUPULOUS companies are targeting small and medium-sized firms in Kirklees with a scare campaign demanding computer licensing details – and threatening large fines for companies that don’t respond. IT consultancy firm ITwiser, a division of Cleckheaton-based accountancy firm Clough & Company, warned businesses not to divulge details of the computer licences to which they subscribe under any circumstances. Martin Clark, head of ITwiser, said: “We have become aware of these official-looking letters demanding proof of computer licences and we want to make it clear to businesses that unless the letter is from a hardware manufacturer or software house they do not need to take any action. “Of course, it’s essential that firms have the right computer licences in place for the hardware and software their employees use, but the companies issuing these letters, are in fact, simply third-party organisations who are using scare tactics to gain fees from selling extra licences. “The threatening letters are typically being sent to smaller

S it finally the season to be jolly? Icaused Despite the uncertainty and frustration by the protracted wranglings over

Mark Dalton

ism were also more likely to report a rise in stress-related absence over the same period (49% compared with 33% of those who did not report an increase in people coming to work ill). A CIPD spokesman said: “To a large degree, managing stress is about effective leadership and people management, particularly during periods of major change and uncertainty. “Line managers need to focus on regaining the trust of their employees and openly communicating throughout the change process to avoid unnecessary stress and potential absences. They also need to be able to spot the early signs of people being under excessive pressure, or having difficulty coping at work, and to provide appropriate support.” TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said too many employers take stress lightly. “These figures show that the cuts, job losses,

■ SYSTEM CHECK: Martin Clark, who heads ITwiser, part of Cleckheaton-based accountancy firm Clough & Company businesses which are the most vulnerable to such a tactic as they are less likely to have the in-house expertise that would spot that it’s a potential scam.” Mr Clark said: “The best course of action is to ensure all the right licences are in place – and one of the best ways to do this is to use an independent firm that can help determine what is and isn’t

licensed and then help sort out the right licensing package.” Clough & Company launched ITwiser in 2008 to provide a full range of independent IT services including system audits, risk assessments, support programmes, network services and impartial advice when it comes to buying systems and equipment.

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■ TRAINING DAYS: Sue Alderson, partner at Azure Consulting

Deadline nears for skills fund BUSINESSES in Kirklees have e until the end of next week to apply for high level training to help manager gers in the coaching and mentoring of their staff. The Government’s Skills Enhancement Fund offers 50% funding for such training, but the November 24 deadline for applications is drawing near. Yorkshire based Azure e Consulting is one of the specialist firms chosen hosen to deliver the training, which aims to enable business leaders to build self-reliant employees who take responsibility for making things happen and delivering results esults within their businesses. The coaching hing and mentoring course is suitable for any line manager ger or “people professional’” essional’” who wishes to build their personal coaching skills and to engender a coaching culture within their organisation. Successful participants will receiv ve an ILM Level 5 Certificate after a one-day induction module and five e days intensive skills development from Azure Consulting’s executive e coaches and facilitators. Sue Alderson, partner at Azure Consulting, said: “Leadership ship skills are critical for the successful development of growing businesses usinesses in North and West Yorkshire. “Coaching and mentoring are essential leadership skills for any manager who wants to achieve e the best results from a motivated workforce. Smart organisations tions ar are increasingly using a coaching hing style and approach to manage ge people and develop high potential.” She said: “The Government is getting behind this approach by offering considerable ble discounts to encourage participation. tion. The funding is targeted at private sector organisations – however,, it will not be available for companies thatt miss the November 24 deadline.” Contact Azure e Consulting on 01924 385 600 or email sue@azure-consulting.co.uk

the resolution of the European sovereign debt crisis, major corporates have continued to deliver reassuringly strong operational performance. As we entered the third quarter earnings season there were fears that Euro-zone concerns would curtail companies’ performance and prospects, which in turn would further dent global economic growth, already suffering from fiscal consolidation in the developed world and monetary tightening to combat inflationary pressures in emerging markets. In the event, the earnings season has been surprisingly robust so far; while there have been a few high profile “misses”, for example Amazon.com and 3M, the overwhelming majority of companies that have reported so far have delivered sales and earnings growth ahead of market expectations. This positive trading was helped by continued resilience of emerging markets and also the fact that the eurozone crisis really only peaked in August. Ongoing economic challenges have understandably meant an added tone of caution in management’s assessment of the outlook. The proposals to solve the sovereign debt crisis that emerged from Wednesday’s European heads of government summit, while being long overdue, look to be a meaningful step forward. While much of the

CITY TALK Simon Kaye

detail is yet to emerge, the broad outline is encouraging – a 50% haircut on the face value of Greek government bonds, a $106bn mandatory recapitalisation to strengthen the European banking sector and a further expansion of the European Financial Stability Facility bailout fund through leverage. One of the disappointments of the last 12 months has been that, while corporates have enjoyed record profit margins as a result of cost-cutting during the economic downturn, amassing substantial cash piles as a result, this strong financial position has not led to the expansion in investment and hiring that one would normally see at this stage of an economic recovery. Concerns about the over-indebtedness of peripheral European countries first arose in May 2010 and the subsequent failure of European governments to devise a credible solution led corporate management teams worldwide to question the sustainability of the recovery, and therefore to hoard their cash. This lack of corporate expansion has

contributed to the anaemic nature of current economic growth and the heightened fears of a “double dip” recession. While the devil remains in the detail, there appears to be a good chance that Wednesday’s summit has produced the workable solution to the eurozone crisis that financial markets and corporate managements have long been awaiting. If this is the case, then we might finally start to see corporates loosen their purse-strings and spend more freely on capital investment, job creation and acquisitions, which would provide the developed world with additional and much needed levers of growth, just in time to prevent a lapse back into depression. In this benign scenario, provided that China successfully engineers a ‘soft landing’, global economic growth should at last shift up a gear, which would boost investor confidence and mean that forthcoming corp o rat e e a r n i n g s s e a s o n s c o u l d b e approached with far less trepidation than this one.

Simon Kaye is divisional director at Investec Wealth & Investment

Care group in funding deal A SOCIAL care specialist with operations in Dewsbury has secured new funding to support expansion and a move to new premises. Not-for-profit care group Avalon Group, a registered charity established in 1994 and based in Harrogate, provides supported living schemes, shared life services, supported travel and employment in small mainstream business for people with learning or physical difficulties. Businesses providing employment include a restaurant and a vintage tea house as well as employers offering horticultural and painting and decorating projects. The group operates from sites including Wellington Street in Dewsbury and at Harrogate, Skipton, Scarborough, Northallerton, Stockton, Penrith, and York. It employs more than 800 staff and provides services to more than 1,000 individuals and 30 organisations nationally. Tony Hind, group finance director, said: “We were previously leasing premises, but in the current climate of moderate property prices and low

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interest rates, we’ve been able to purchase larger premises, while at the same time reducing our outgoings. “This means not only are we operating more effectively, but we have also used this as an opportunity to strengthen our balance sheet and secure our future.” Barclays Corporate has provided a commercial mortgage of £400,000 to enable the purchase of the new premises at £570.000. Daniella Taylor, Barclays Corporate relationship director, said: “It really is a pleasure to see a local social care organisation go from strength to strength and buck the current market trend. “The Avalon Group is a great example of a well-run business taking the opportunity to secure its future with the current low interest rates and thrive in the current climate. “ We look forward to seeing their continued success and supporting them throughout their continuing expansion plans.”

■ SUPPORT: Daniella Taylor, Barclays Corporate relationship director, with Tony Hind, finance director of The Avalon Group

Mandy’s helping out the hospice A NEW café bar has pledged to raise funds for the Huddersfieldbased West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. The hospice aims to provide vital support to children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families across Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield. The hospice at Brackenhall will provide much-needed residential and respite care. Mandy Naylor, pictured, managing director of The Taste Café Bar at Northgate, Cleckheaton, said: “I have children of my own and also run two day care nurseries in Brighouse and Hipperholme – Little Tinkers – so this is a charity that is very close to my heart. “I always had the intention of supporting a charity through the new café bar and Forget Me Not couldn’t be more deserving. I’m really looking forward to getting involved and being a part of something so worthwhile. “Besides having collection tins on display and selling pin badges and other merchandise on the charity’s behalf, we also have a large space upstairs which we hope can also be used to hold some fundraising events – or even as a space for their staff to hold training or planning days.” Kate Goldring, partnership development manager at the hospice, said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Mandy and the team at Taste Café, it’s great to see a brand new business supporting a brand new local hospice. “As we begin to deliver a full hospice service, we will need to raise about £2.5m each year, so corporate support is more important than ever.”