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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Dealer celebrates its 30-year journey A CAR dealership is celebrating 30 years in business – having steered a way through tragic times to emerge stronger than ever. When Tony Baines, founder and chairman of Longley Park KIA died in 2008, the family business he established in 1981 was faced with an uncertainty future. John Waite, managing director and Tony’s stepson, who had been working with him for 26 years, said: “2008 was a traumatic year. The future was uncertain, business was tougher than normal and we had to contend with the start of a recession. “But worse than all that, there was no Tony Baines. “Tony was a demanding boss. He set high standards, but he was always upfront and true to his word. I learnt a lot from him. Although I was up for the challenge and confident in our fantastic team, I was not relishing a future without him. “But on the back of this bleak picture, things continued to go from strength to strength. “Each year – 2009, 2010 and 2011 –
have been record-beaking years. We have seen massive growth in turnover and won many new customers along the way. We have never sold so many cars!” Mr Waite said the dealership’s success was also down to “a fabulous range of cars as technically competent as any manufacturer, but also now looking fantastic, too”. The dealer started with KIA in 2002. Said Mr Waite: “KIA is looking to improve all the time as both a car maker and a customer pleaser. KIA is now accepted as a very savvy purchase.” Longley Park Motors marked its 30th anniversary with an open day and visitor day at its premises at The Triangle, Paddock. Mr Waite said Longley Park Motors had secured many long-term relationships and operated in a relaxed, enjoyable and stress-free environment, which was appreciated by visitors and staff alike. “We receive dozens of notes, postcards and letters thanking us for our service and I think that is because
However, in the shorter-term, businesses in the region are still firmly focused on survival with the active pursuit of growth taking a back seat. Some 64% of company directors say that survival is their immediate key priority. The tough trading environment is seen to represent the biggest challenge
Charity on the cards A FIRM running the UK’s largest diners’ club has chosen Macmillan Cancer Support as its preferred charity for the second year running. Huddersfield-based Tastecard, which allows 350,000 members to save 50% on the food bill at 5,500 partner restaurants, has set a target of raising £50,000 for the charity this year.
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■ PARK LIFE: Celebrating 30 years of Longley Park Motors are (from left) Michelle Dundon, Sharon Brennan, John Waite, Sandra Cross, Kevin Craggs, Lorraine Stott, Tinto Moyo, John Waite
people find it a relief to have a pleasant experience they probably were not anticipating.” Said Mr Waite: “Amazingly, with
cutbacks and an uncertain economy, Ju ly, 2 0 1 1 , h a s b e e n a n o t h e r record-breaking month – this time on used cars.”
Region’s firms upbeat about long-term hopes YORKSHIRE businesses expect to double annual turnover in the next five years, according to a survey. Figures from Santander Corporate Banking show that directors of firms in the region with turnover up to £20m expect to double their annual revenue over the next five years. And 40% are looking to introduce new products.
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to companies’ growth prospects and is cited by half of businesses as preventing them from growing. Nationally, smaller firms are the most optimistic about their growth prospects. The average company with a turnover of less than £500,000 expects to expand its business three-fold over the next five years.
However, larger companies also have ambitious expansion plans – with businesses turning over between £5m and £20m expecting to grow by an average of 86%. Manufacturers are the most optimistic about their prospects followed by financial service firms, wholesalers and construction companies.
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Building handover WORK to transform a landmark Huddersfield building has been completed. The former Huddersfield Christian Fellowship building at Northumberland Street is now providing 57 bedrooms and 11 flats for students.
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