MARK WEEKS
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FTSE 100 NICK GARTLAND +31.47 Oil and a volatile market Column - Page 3 6576.74
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014
Sounding the fire alarm Column - Page 2
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS MBO team makes the call at noise control company The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
INSIDE
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henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
A Kirklees company is set for further growth following a management buyout. YFM Equity Partners, one of the UK’s most active investors in small businesses, is providing funding to support the management buyout and future growth plans of specialist industrial noise control engineering business Wakefield Acoustics in a £4m deal. The MBO of the Cleckheaton-based firm is being led by Lee Nicholson who has more than 12 years’ experience in the business and will become managing director. Chris Brown, current chairman of Thermal Energy Ventures, who has almost 25 years’ experience in the engineering sector, will join as non-executive chairman. Mr Nicholson said: “We have ambitious plans for the business, which include developing and broadening the product range, consolidating our two current manufacturing facilities into a new facility in 2015 and delivering significant sales growth. “Additional senior sales and engineering resource was recruited in 2014 to support these growth plans.” The company said it planned to move locally, but could not confirm the location at present. Wakefield Acoustics, which employs 40 people, designs, manufactures and
■■ Andy Miller (left), of Sentio Corporate Finance, with (from left) Jane Dawson, nonexecutive director of Wakefield Acoustics; Ian Waterfield, of YFM Equity Partners; and, Wakefield Acoustics managing director Lee Nicholson
installs a range of bespoke industrial and environmental noise control systems. The business, founded in 1980, was acquired by Jane Dawson in 2005 and has recorded consistent growth in recent years – establishing a strong market position with leading blue chip engineering companies supplying sectors such as power, oil and gas, water waste and general manufacturing. Jane Dawson will remain with the business. The other members of the
MBO team are Paul Hebden, finance director; Kevin Dawson, operations director; and Rob Lomax, sales director. The UK acoustics market is estimated at £300m in the UK and growing at 13% a year. Growth is being driven by tougher noise and environmental regulations worldwide along with the recent upturn in infrastructure investment. Mr Nicholson said: “Given the strong market position we have established over 30 years, this is an exciting next step for the business which will enable us to
remain at the forefront of industrial noise control technology, supporting our clients in addressing noise control legislation worldwide. “We are looking forward to working closely with YFM Equity Partners and benefiting from their experience in helping to accelerate the further growth of our business.” Ian Waterfield, investment director at YFM Equity Partners in Yorkshire, said: “We are backing a strong business in Wakefield Acoustics. 2015 will be a busy year for the team with a growing pipeline of business and consolidation of their manufacturing facilities into a new site. “Management have ambitious growth plans and excellent experience and I am pleased that we are retaining the experience and support of Jane Dawson.” Andy Miller, of Sentio Partners, advised Jane Dawson and the management team in relation to the transaction and introduced the deal to YFM Equity Partners. Stephen Jarman, of Taylors Solicitors, provided legal advice to Jane and the management team. Paul Johnson and Sandip Khroud, of Irwin Mitchell, provided legal advice to YFM Equity Partners while Rob McCarthy, of Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services, provided financial due diligence and Patrick Allan, of Smith & Williamson, provided tax advice in relation to the transaction. YFM Equity Partners has invested more than £50m – including 14 new investments – since September, 2013.
Add tax matters to your Christmas ‘to do’ list Business owners have been urged to remember some vital tax rules over the festive period. Nick Brook, of TaxAssist Accountants in Huddersfield, said Christmas was one of the busiest times of year for many independent traders – such as retailers, restaurants and service providers. But he urged them not to fall into some potentially expensive Yuletide traps. He said: “We’re urging local business owners to add one more column to their “to do”
list this Christmas. We want them to enjoy a well-earned break and to make sure they play by the taxman’s rules and avoid potentially hefty penalties.” He said: “If you employ temporary workers to help you meet customer demand over the Christmas period, it’s more than likely that they should be on the payroll. But they shouldn’t pay tax or National Insurance unless they have an unusual tax code or earn more than £153 per week.
“Unless the employee declares it on their tax return, it’s illegal for an employer to pay cash in hand without deducting the necessary tax and National Insurance contributions. “The staff party might now be a happy memory or something you’d rather forget, but make sure you have all the relevant receipts. If the total costs for all of the annual events exceeds £150 a head, it becomes a benefit in kind, so the employee could be left with a headache and a tax bill!
“Staff gifts and bonuses are a great way of saying thank you for your team’s hard work throughout the year, but cash or gift vouchers of any amount are taxable and should go through the payroll. Trivial seasonal gifts such as a bottle of wine, a turkey or a box of chocolates can escape the need to be reported as a benefit in kind. But more generous presents will need to be reported on form P11D and require payment of Class 1A National Insurance. “And if you tire of indulging
■■ Nick Brook
over the festive period, you might want to take the pressure off those January tax return deadlines by using the Christmas break to get all the paperwork done!”
examiner.co.uk
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter
A Huddersfield fashion brand has secured the first of a number of national charity partnerships. Zhoodz, which designs and supplies reflective clothing, has become a “Corporate Friend” of Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. The company, founded by Steve Cooper, has gone from strength to strength since entering the retail market last July. The latest tie-up will see Zhoodz donate 10% of the sale of dog-related products and accessories to the charity. Zhoodz introduces a fashion element to road safety, with full colour reflective designs so dogs and their owners will be seen in car headlights.
The most trusted news brand in the business
Further finance Brand consultancy Propaganda has sealed a refinance deal with Yorkshire Bank. Directors at the agency, which was founded in Huddersfield, said the deal will enable the business to grow while allowing for innovative new services and new ways of working. The agency, which is celebrating 21 years in business, said the deal will help deliver increased value for existing clients. The business has made a number of appointments – and further appointments are planned.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
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KIRKLEES BUS
Refinancing deal brings benefits to brand agency Brand consultancy Propaganda has sealed a refinance deal with Yorkshire Bank. Directors of the consultancy, which was founded in Huddersfield before moving to Leeds, say the deal will allow the business to continue to grow while allowing for innovative new services and new ways of working. The agency, which this year celebrated 21 years in business, says that the deal will help deliver increased value for existing clients. The business said it had made a number of appointments – and further appointments were planned in coming months, which would help to drive new business opportunities and further growth. Propaganda said the year to the end of April had been one of its most successful in recent years – with the agency signing major contracts with well-known brands such as Clipper, Ann Summers and PDM Group. The agency works alongside senior level board members of the clients they serve. Over the past 20 years, the company has helped its clients achieve exit values of more than £500m. The business was formed in 1993 and has worked with some of the region’s biggest brands over that time, including ghd, Seabrook and Clipper Logistics plc. Pete Sumner, business development manager at
Yorkshire Bank, said: “Propaganda is a successful business with impressive commercial initiative. They’ve demonstrated consistently strong finances and have an outstanding reputation, which has been recognised through continued client successes. We’re delighted to be working with them.” Julian Kynaston (pictured), chairman and founder of Propaganda said: “Yorkshire Bank understood our unique story and we feel this news is a great opportunity for all involved. We’re already seeing the benefits of our new arrangements and look forward to working with them to help build on our continued success. “Our strategic offer has delivered many years of growth for our business, but more importantly, we measure our efforts on our client’s success. We’ve been able to boast some truly innovative thinking for the clients we’ve worked with over the past 21 years, delivering real value to their bottom line. Refinancing allows us to progress our strategy for future growth.”
Fire safety figures a cause for alarm According to the latest government statistics, more than a third of nonresidential premises audited last year by fire and rescue authorities were not fully compliant with the government’s Fire Safety Order. Action was taken in 12,932 premises as a result of non-compliance with the order. The worst performers were licensed premises. Only 52% of 8,200 licensed premises audited were satisfactorily compliant. Thirty percent of 4,900 offices and 29% of 6,000 factories and warehouses were also found to be non-compliant. This is even more concerning when we look closer at the data. Just 3% of premises in England and Wales were checked last year, so who knows what the standards were like in the other 97%. It’s quite possible that there are hundreds of thousands of non-domestic premises that are breaking the law, risking fines, potentially invalidating their insurance and most worryingly, endangering the safety of workers and the general public – these could include shops, factories, schools, offices, warehouses, restaurants, pubs and public buildings. The areas in which premises were most commonly non-compliant were risk assessments, emergency routes
■■ Jon Dyson, of Wilki
RISKY BUSINESS Mark Weeks and exits and maintaining precautions. This is somewhat frustrating as these common areas of non-compliance can be swiftly identified and managed with the correct advice and guidance. It is essential to promote how important it is to get a thorough and robust fire risk assessment completed in premises by someone who is suitably trained and experienced. Wilby risk management can help in all the mentioned areas as we employ a specialist fire risk assessor who is accredited by the Institute of Fire Safety Managers and is on the Register of Competent Assessors. However, in many cases it is actually the simple things that cost nothing to do – like clearing fire exit routes – which make a big difference. Better training must also play a key part in fire safety management. Busi-
ness owners need training to alert them to their responsibilities and the legal requirements of fire safety. Managers and supervisors need training to adequately implement the management standards and controls identified within the fire risk assessment. Fire marshals need training in the crucial role they play initially in preventing fires and then dealing with emergency situations, and then training of employees to play their part in ensuring the fire safety of the premises. Clearly something is failing – potentially a third of English and Welsh businesses aren’t complying with the law. It is important to get the message out there so that business can get the help they need to become compliant.
Mark Weeks is a risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN
American Express Chevron Du Pont Exxon Mobil Gannett Hess Corp Microsoft Motors Liquidation Wal-Mart Stores Wrigleys
£59.62 £71.27 £47.27 £59.46 £20.20 £46.83 £30.67 48.02 £55.09 £51.20
+0.14 -1.03 +0.35 -0.49 -0.28 -0.87 +0.16 +0.57
AEROSPACE & DEFENCE
Avon Rbbr BAE Systems Chemring Cobham Meggitt Rolls-Royce Senior
AIM
600 Group API Grp Brady Plc Highland Gold Mining Johnson Service Grp London Security M”S Intl Nichols Redhall Group Scapa Grp Youngs GKN
727 4711/4 2341/4 3247/8 5141/2 8731/2 2991/2
-3 +85/8 +61/4 +41/8 +3 +3 +41/4
153/4 471/2 73 28 611/2 £233/8 1481/2 875 111/2 135 1040
+1/8 -1/4 +11/2 +11/2
AUTOMOBILES & PARTS BANKS
Barclays Bk Ireland HSBC Lloyds Banking Gp Ryl Scotland Stan Chart Barr (AG) Diageo SABMiller Croda Elementis 98 Johnsn Mat
+4
346
+21/2
2403/8 247/8 612 765/8 3877/8 943
+25/8 +1/4 +41/2 +3/8 -3/4 +16
BEVERAGES
595 /2 -3 18491/2 +141/2 £337/8 +1/8 1
CHEMICALS
£263/8 258 £341/8
+1/4 +3 +5/8
2033/4 1512 2811/2 491/2 2283/4
+13/4 -11 +63/4 +1/4 -21/4
CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS
Balfour Beatty C”R”H Costain Low Bonar Marshalls
+1 +10
ELECTRICITY
Drax Gp SSE
4533/8 1619
+123/8 -5
ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Domino Ptg Laird Morgan Advanced Ox Instmts Volex
640 3081/8 3081/4 1218 711/4
+93/4 +13/4 -16 +1
EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS
Alliance Trust Br Assets Candover Inv Dunedin Inv Dunedin Sml Edin Invst Electra Private Equity Forgn & C Henderson Smllr Cos North American Inc Scot Am Scottish Mortgage Witan
473 133 401 265 1811/2 657 £30 4213/4 545 868 2525/8 2453/4 762
- /4 +3/4 -5 +6 +43/4 +8
BT Grp Cable & Wireless Comm Colt Group KCOM Talktalk Telecom
411 501/8 1313/4 891/4 3051/4
+6 /4 +1 -3/4 +1/2 +1/4
176 2395/8 181 1181/4
- /4 -1/4 -43/8 -3/4
£321/8 1735 335 6001/2 £261/2
+1/4 +16 +21/2 +1/4
2771/4 9161/2 917 £203/8 9301/2
+45/8 +41/2 +121/2 +1/4 +81/2
4501/2 1513 4551/2 £221/2 1573/8 £243/4 £271/8 £207/8
+13/4 +32 +61/8 +3/8 +17/8 +1/8 +1/4 +1/4
FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS
Morrison W Sainsbury Tesco Thorntons AB Food Carrs Millg REA Hldgs Tate Lyle Unilever
GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES
GENERAL FINANCIAL
3i Group Close Bros ICAP London StockExch Man Group Provident Financial Schroders Schroders NV
GENERAL INDUSTRIALS
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88 2283/4 9161/2 1874
-21/4 +41/2 -31
FTSE closed at
6576.74 Smith DS Smiths Grp
3235/8 1082
GENERAL RETAILERS
Ashley L Dixons Carphone Home Retail Inchcape Kingfisher M & S Mothercare Next Signet Jewelers WH Smith
301/4 4607/8 2013/4 7091/2 3301/8 4803/4 171 £651/8 £823/4 1325
-3/4 +10 +3/4 -3/4 +101/8 +4 +57/8 +43/4 -1 +1/8 +13/8 +7
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
Smith Nph
1108
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Aga Rangemaster Barrat Dev Bellway Persimmon Reckitt Benckiser Taylor Wimpey
Ferrexpo
+19
114 4657/8 1935 1593 £531/8 1361/2
-1/2 +63/4 -1 +16 +1/4 +11/2
209 1251 81 573/4 £283/8 1874
+83/4 +4
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
Fenner I”M”I Molins Renold Spirax-Sarco Weir Grp
+13/4 -31
INDUSTRIAL METALS 501/2
INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION
BBA Aviation
3497/8
LIFE INSURANCE
Aviva Friends Life Gp Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Standard Life
MEDIA
4921/4 3711/4 2451/8 1897/8 15261/2 4093/4
D Mail Tst ITV Johnston Press Pearson Reed Elsevier Sky STV Group Trinity Mirror Utd Business UTV WPP
MINING
Up 31.47
1
FOOD PRODUCERS
Centrica National Grid Pennon Grp Severn United Utils
Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
1
+45/8 +7 -101/2 +91/8 +3/4
FIXED LINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Local shares
Anglo American Antofagasta BHP Billiton Fresnillo Kaz Minerals Lonmin Rio Tinto VEDANTA RESOURCES
811 2121/2 1631/2 1181 1096 896 375 156 4707/8 172 1342
+1 +25/8 -1/4
11731/2 7381/2 1368 714 2413/4 1691/2 £285/8 5751/2
-191/2 -6 -91/2 -25 -51/2 -41/8 -1/8 -101/2
796 2251/4
+10 +1/4
1339 891 £371/4 4451/4
+30 +4 +1/8 -43/8
886 /8 4135/8 175 166 £213/4 £221/2 £335/8 407
-15 /4 +5/8 -31/4 -51/8 +1/8 +1/4
+18 +7 -51/2 +11/2 +11/2 -13/4 +14
MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Inmarsat Vodafone Group
NONLIFE INSURANCE
Admiral Grp Jardine LloydThomson Marsh McL RSA Ins Gp
OIL & GAS PRODUCERS
BG BP Cairn Energy Premier Oil Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B Total Tullow Oil
1
OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
AMEC Petrofac Wood Gp(J)
-171/4
1055 /8 7041/2 5961/2
-18 -111/2
1640 3037/8
+19 +3/8
£46 1390 £465/8
+3/8 -2 +3/8
779 7341/2 614 3383/8 1173 3807/8
+111/2 -3 +4 +27/8 +18 +87/8
PERSONAL GOODS
PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY
-1/4
-23/4 -11/4 +21/2 +15/8 +14 +1/4
Astrazeneca GlaxoSmithKline Shire
REAL ESTATE
Brit Land Gt Portland Hamrsn Intu Properties Land Secs SEGRO
461
SUPPORT SERVICES
Berendsen Bunzl Capita Connect Group De La Rue Elctro Com Electrocomp Experian G4S Hays Homeserve Interserve Menzies J Northgate Prem Farnell Rentokil Travis & P Wolseley
+33/8
1100 1778 1092 1543/4 5221/2 2143/8 2143/8 1094 2783/4 1461/4 327 5561/2 3491/4 590 1731/4 1203/8 1847 £363/4
+5 +18 +16 -21/4 +5 +11/4 +11/4 +6 +27/8 +2 -51/8 +10 -53/4 +6 +27/8 +7/8 +23 +1/4
9751/2 £1031/4 731/2
+4 +13/4 +15/8
£353/8 £283/4
+3/8 +1/8
1165/8 £281/4 1107 1658 110 1061/4 £245/8 7391/2 £26 4715/8 1091/4 141 374 2481/4 120 162 655 7603/8 3693/4 £473/8 3571/2
-13/8 +1/8 +21 +6 +3 -3/4 -1/8 -2 +1/4 +25/8 +11/4 +13/4 +14 -1/4 +7 +21/2 +101/2 +31/2 +13/4 +1/2 +35/8
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT
ARM Hldgs IBM Spirent Comms
TOBACCO
Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco
1
3
Burberry Gp PZ Cussons
SOFTWARE & COMPUTER SERVICES
Sage Group
TRAVEL & LEISURE
Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Marston’s Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Punch Taverns Rank Org Restaurant Grp Ryanair Stagecoach Group Whitbread William Hill FTSE 100 FTSE 250
INDEX
6576.74 +31.47 15991.54 +102.63
New Ye resolut
December and Jan when thoughts turn tions and resolving is bled us during the ye And this is especi comes to resolving lo or grievances at wo employment law sp Woodward in Hudder “During December ment law solicitors se ple who have been agreement by their em “Formerly known a ments, settlement ag tainty between two pa – and hopefully ami employer. “Commonly used such as redundancy long-term sickness o ties, settlement agre binding arrangement and an employee, wh ties with a release or w For example, the agr the case via an emplo “Settlement agreem employee’s terms of nation payment in ret against the employer. Said Mr Dyson: “If ment agreement by must obtain indepen the agreement and it tory rights. Check th has insurance relatin given. He or she mus agreement. “The agreement m relate to a particular c ings. An ‘adverse com included which preve bad-mouthing the ot for example to oth employers. “A settlement agre employee from discu reason for leaving an they leave. “However, it shoul to disclose details to spective employers an job reference attache “If you’re not worki being paid ‘in lieu’, th your agreement. It’s a the first £30,000 of an ment can usually be m deductions, so the s needs to reflect this.” Mr Dyson specialis ments, unfair dismis discrimination and c assment in the workp Wilkinson Woodwa dersfield, Brighouse a
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014
SINESS NEWS
inson Woodward
ear’s tions?
nuary are often times to fresh starts, resolussues which have trouear. ially the case when it ong standing problems ork, said Jon Dyson, pecialist at Wilkinson rsfield. r and January, employee an increase in peooffered a settlement mployer,” he said. as compromise agreegreements provide cerarties and offer a clean icable – break with an
to resolve problems y, performance issues, or a clash of personalieements are a legally t between an employer hich provide both parwaiver of future claims. reement to not pursue oyment tribunal. ments also set out an departure and termiturn for waiving claims r.” you’re offered a settley your employer, you ndent legal advice on ts effect on your statuhat your legal advisor ng to the advice being st also be named in the
must be in writing and complaint or proceedmment’ clause may be ents both parties from other to third parties – her staff or potential
eement can restrict an ussing with others the nd the terms on which
ld allow the employee o their family and proand can have an agreed ed. ing your full notice and his should be stated in also worth noting that ny compensation paymade free of tax and NI settlement agreement
ses in settlement agreessal and redundancy, claims relating to harplace. ard has offices in Hudand Halifax.
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Pouring oil onto troubled waters Equity markets continued to show positive momentum throughout November, steadily increasing with the S&P 500 reaching year-to-date highs. However, the momentum has since faltered and equity markets once again have taken a turn for the worse. Any signs of the traditional “Santa rally” (December has statistically been the best month for returns on the FTSE 100 Index since its inception in 1984) remain well hidden – with the FTSE dropping back to levels seen in October. The fluctuating oil price is likely to have contributed to the market volatility experienced in recent weeks. The fall in the oil price was initially deemed to be a good thing, putting more disposable income into the pockets of consumers at a time when global demand was in need of a pickme-up, an indirect form of economic stimulus. Markets duly followed that script for a while. But the faster the oil price fell, the more investors focused on the potential disruption. This dramatic basis shift in the oil price owes much to politics, which is a factor that has been worryingly influential on financial markets this year (think Russia/Crimea, Scottish Referendum, etc) and is likely to remain so. Much of the pain in the oil market is down to the fact that there was a generally accepted belief that the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would support an unofficial oil price floor around $90 (through controlling supply). However, in their November meeting OPEC refused to cut its output ceiling from 30m barrels per day in the face of sluggish demand and plentiful alternative supply, causing the collapse in oil price to accelerate. Since this meeting the price has continued to fall to below $60, almost
CITY TALK Nick Gartland
■■ Are falling petrol prices a good thing?
a 50% drop from its June peak of $115. Possible theories for the lack of support from OPEC for a higher oil price range from: the Saudis appearing to be unhappy about the burgeoning production of US shale drillers; looking to increase market share through making shale production less viable; or (one for the conspiracy theorists) that Russia is out to destabilise the West’s financial system via the high yield
Nick Gartland, Senior Financial Planning Director, Investec Wealth & Investment
Gold for gas training company Gas training company Brookhouse Training has struck gold. The Cleckheaton-based firm has been granted Gold Status by the sector skills council, Utility & Skills, for its Managed Learning Programme (MLP) in gas training. The only training company in the UK to receive this award, Brookhouse Training was assessed by the Independent Assessment Service (IAS) against new protocol called the Standards for Training in Gas, which details exactly what must be included in a MLP. David Dumaresq-Lucas, director at Brookhouse Training said: “We were assessed across our entire facility. Nothing was left out of this
bond market. An estimated 16% of the high yield bond universe is represented by the issues of oil drilling and services companies. Most of this exposure is to shale developments in the US – the very supply that the Saudis are allegedly trying to suppress by refusing to cut production. Disinflation is considered beneficial and the boost to real incomes is a positive development, encouraging greater spending and economic activity, but if this is then followed by deflation there is much more debate regarding the impact. Many believe that the ensuing fall in headline inflation will be more negative. It is entirely unclear exactly how consumers would react if deflation does occur, but shoppers withholding purchases in anticipation of even lower prices would be most unwelcome. At least in the case of deflation it might encourage yet more monetary easing which would be positive for financial assets, so maybe it’s a winwin situation after all. The fact that central banks seem determined to underwrite growth and inflation should provide both liquidity and support for riskier asset classes going into 2015.
intensive and demanding assessment and I’m very pleased to report we have not only achieved Gold Status but we are the first in the UK to have an IAS approved Managed Learning Programme. I thank our entire team for their hard work and diligence in helping to achieve this.”
■■ Zhoodz founder Steve Cooper shows off the firm’s dog-related reflective clothing
Steve setting a shining example A Huddersfield fashion brand has secured the first of a number of national charity partnerships. Zhoodz, which designs and supplies reflective clothing, has become a “Corporate Friend” of Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. The Outlane-based company, founded by Steve Cooper, has gone from strength to strength since entering the retail market last July. The latest tie-up will see Zhoodz donate 10% of the sale of dog-related products and accessories to the charity. Zhoodz introduces a fashion element to road safety, with full colour reflective designs so dogs, and their owners will be seen in car headlights. The link-up with Dogs
Trust is the first of many charity partnerships to be formed by the brand as the business sets its sights on expanding nationally. Mr Cooper said: “It has been an extremely busy few months at Zhoodz. We are overwhelmed with the positive influx of interest we have received on the products since launching. We are extremely proud to support Dogs Trust. The team at Zhoodz are passionate about protecting the welfare of animals and look forward to maintaining a relationship going forward.” Mr Cooper started the Zhoodz operation from his offices in a converted barn in Outlane, where the company prints and finishes the items before distributing nationally direct to customers’ homes.
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
2014 review
Look back at an eventful year January ■■ Neil Bangham, managing director of Weedfree - a weed control company established in Huddersfield - paid for the firm’s 45 staff to spend three days in Tenerife for a team-bonding conference. The firm was founded in Holmfirth more than 30 years ago and almost half its workforce is still made up of Huddersfield people. The employees - based in the north and south of Britain and in Belgium - jetted out to hear about the firm’s expansion of its UK business, its export success and plans for the future. ■■ A hotel in Huddersfield changed hands in a £2.55m deal. The 62-bedroom Travelodge at Leeds Road was sold by GMI Developments to CRT Property Investments Ltd. The hotel was completed in 2011 as the final phase of GMI’s £10m Spindlegate regeneration scheme. It created 13 jobs when it was officially opened in December that year. February ■■ A global deal saw an historic textile mill become a new star of the Orient. Folly Hallbased Taylor & Lodge – world-renowned for its quality cloth – announced a link-up with China’s biggest name in fashion textiles, the giant Shandong Ruyi Technology Group Co Ltd, based in Shandong province. The deal teamed Taylor & Lodge’s expertise with the world-class textile technology, marketing and financial power of Shandong Ruyi. ■■ Construction firm Dortech was reaping the rewards for making an astute move to counter the worst effects of the recession. The Huddersfield-based specialist commercial glazing contractor set up Dortech Maintenance in 2012 to work directly with building owners, property managers, builders and refurbishment contractors to provide a high-class commercial glazing maintenance service. Since then, Dortech Maintenance has tackled projects UK-wide with values up to £250,000. March ■■ A firm supplying crushed stone to the building industry weathered the recession to expand its business. Family firm PMW Quarries, based at Upper Cumberworth, built on its 35 years experience in the sector by investing in new equipment and expanding its 16-strong workforce. Among its contracts, the firm supplied 25,000 tons of aggregate to the new Huddersfield leisure centre, provided thousands of tons of aggregate for Kirklees College at Chapel Hill and transported crushed stone and concrete from the demolition of old YMCA building in Huddersfield town centre. ■■ Paving stone supplier Marshalls plc put its Huddersfield headquarters up for sale with a £1.3m price tag. The stock market-listed company was selling its impressive property at Birkby and relocating its 26 head office staff to its registered office, Landscape House, at Premier Way on the Lowfields Business Park in Elland. Birkby Grange was a former gentleman’s residence dating from the mid-1800s. April ■■ As Huddersfield prepared to welcome the Tour de France, Kirklees manufacturers staged a special showcase of their own across the Channel - at the British Embassy in Paris. Those taking part included Joshua Ellis & Co Ltd, of Batley, which manufactures luxury fabrics; Samuel Tweed Fabrics, of Taylor Hill, which is famed for its luxury mohair fabrics and accessories; Michael George Manufacturing Ltd, of Lockwood, which designs and manufactures menswear accessories; Holmfirth firm Mollie Sash, which makes contemporary country clothing, bags, hats and scarves; and Slaithwaite-based McNair Mountain Shirts. ■■ An award-winning Huddersfield company providing firefighting equipment expected to double its workforce following a £1.5m-plus takeover deal. Austrian fire vehicle and equipment manufacturer Rosenbauer International took a majority stake in Brockholes-based North Fire plc. North Fire managing director Oliver North retained a 25% holding in the new com-
■■ Business Person of the Year Zeb Pervaiz (right) receives his award
■■ Martin and Brian Duckett, of Holmfirth Dyers, with Paul Kemp, of Kirklees Council, at Park Valley Mills
pany following the move which sees North Fire supplying Rosenbauer’s full range of fire-fighting vehicles in the UK. May ■■ A Huddersfield businessman donated 100 quality tailored suits to charity to help raise money for some of the world’s poorest people. Chris Antich, of Antich and Sons (Huddersfield) Ltd, based at Bradley Junction, decided to donate the suits to Cafod (Catholic Agency For Overseas Development) to sell following a stock clearout to help Cafod’s charity work overseas – and those who need a good quality suit for a job interview or special occasion. ■■ Weir Group, which includes Weir Valves & Controls with operations at Elland, abandoned plans to create a £9bn engineering giant after Finnish rival Metso rejected a takeover offer for the second time in two months. June ■■ A leading Huddersfield textile firm joined a global marketing initiative. Woollen yarn spinner Z Hinchliffe & Sons Ltd, which has operations at Denby Dale and at Dalry in Ayrshire, Scotland, joined The Woolmark Company Quality Assurance Programme for wool. This year, the Woolmark symbol celebrated its 50th anniversary ■■ Thirty-five jobs were on the line with the shock announcement that retailer Homebase was to close its Hudderseld store. The DIY chain planned to transfer its lease on the 32,000sq ft store at Great Northern Retail Park to another retailer The Range. It was hoped that staff at Huddersfield’s Homebase store would be able to get jobs with The Range or relocate to other Homebase or Argos stores in West Yorkshire. July ■■ Holmfirth Dyers completed the £1.3m first phase of an ambitious plan to build 18 modern industrial units with office and storage space on its 13-acre site at Park Valley Mills, Meltham Road, Lockwood. Tenants had already taken space in three of the six units making up phase
■■ Educating Yorkshire’s Michael Steer, who was among speakers at a key seminar held during the Kirklees Business Conference 2014
■■ Chris Antich, of C&J Antich & Sons at Bradley Junction, who donated suits to raise charity cash
one and work was under way on phase two – providing another four units built at a cost of £660,000. ■■ Wesco Aircraft, based at Clayton West, was among Yorkshire suppliers to share in more than £12.5m of business from the team behind one of the world’s leading fighter aircraft – the Eurofighter Typhoon. August ■■ Meltham-based Disposables UK Group celebrated a successful first year at its 150,000sq ft state-of the-art premises. The family-run business saw a year-on-year sales increase by 9% with turnover rising to £17m – putting it on track to meet its £18m target for 2014 and driving forward its ambitious five-year growth plan to increase turnover to £30m by 2018. ■■ Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman was seeking an urgent meeting with bosses at nursery products firm Mamas & Papas after the announcement that the Colnebridge-based company was seeking 50 to 90 redundancies at its head office and urging landlords of its 60 UK stores to back a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) allowing it to revise its lease terms and cut its rent bill. September ■■ Mamas & Papas sealed a deal with creditors on proposals to safeguard the future of its UK retail arm. Creditors voted overwhelmingly to back a CVA at a meeting in London. ■■ Plans were unveiled for a major industrial and business park in Kirklees which could create 1,000 jobs. Yorkshire Water sister company, Keyland Developments aimed to transform the 57-acre former water treatment works at North Bierley, near Cleckheaton, to provide 500,000sq ft of employment space for a range of industrial and distribution uses and tackle a “chronic” shortage of new industrial accommodation in the region. October ■■ More than 390 new businesses have been set up in Kirklees under a government scheme
which helps people on benefits become their own boss. And the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) helped 6,500 new businesses get off the ground across Yorkshire between April, 2011, and June this year, according to figures from the Department for Work and Pensions. ■■ Kirklees Business Week 2014 was hailed as the best yet. And Kirklees Business Conference, which formed the centrepiece of the week’s activities, was adjudged the busiest ever. More than 600 delegates registered for the event, which was held at the John Smith’s Stadium, while almost 800 people were involved on the day. November ■■ There were hopes for new jobs following the sale of three major industrial units in Kirklees. Two warehouses on Jubilee Way, Grange Moor, were bought by leading internet home furnishings retailer Green and Brown while a unit at Bretton Park, Dewsbury, was acquired by greetings cards business UK Greetings Ltd. ■■ Textile boss Zeb Pervaiz was named Business Person of the Year at the Examiner Business Awards. Zeb, director of Huddersfield-based SKA Textiles, was recognised for revamping SKA’s St Thomas’ Road site to improve efficiency and production and investing in new dyeing machinery, a new finishing plant and boosting SKA’s capabilities in colour matching and fabric testing. December ■■ Huddersfield proved to be an online shopping hotspot on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Deighton-based Buy it Direct notched up record sales on the Monday – taking more than £1m in just 24 hours for the first time in 10 years of trading. ■■ Changes to the stamp duty system announced by Chancellor George Osborne were likely to revitalise Huddersfield’s housing market, according to estate agents Alex McNeil, of Bramleys and Raymond Butterworth, of Boultons.