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CLAIRE HARPER Still leading a busy life!
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Company fired up for next 50 years
A COMPANY that was almost wiped out in a devastating fire 17 years ago has marked 50 years in business. Montgomery Engravers Ltd, based at Red Doles Road, Fartown, was badly affected by the arson attack in 1996 which gutted a new extension and caused extensive smoke damage to the original part of its premises. After having to “shrink back” into its original factory space, the firm split its workforce into two shifts and worked tirelessly to keep production going as the extension was re-built. By the end of the year, the enlarged site was back in operation. Montgomery Engravers specialises in screen printing, chemically etching and machine engraving signs, nameplates and labels on materials such as stainless steel, brass, aluminium, laminated plastics and self-adhesive PVC. The firm was founded in 1961 by Frank Montgomery and Gordon Keighley – and became incorporated shortly after Fred Montgomery joined in 1963. The business began in a small workshop on Fern Street, off St. Andrew’s Road, before outgrowing the premises and moving to Bradley Mills – next to the old Huddersfield Town ground – in the late 1960s. The company expanded further in 1977 with the addition of a site in Elland, which was managed by David Telford. In 1983, Fred Montgomery retired and his son Peter, who had joined the company in 1976, became a director. Further expansion in 1985 saw the
■ FIRE-RESISTANT: Directors Peter Montgomery and Anne Lawton with staff with Montgomery (Engravers) Ltd, which fought back from a devastating fire to notch up 50 years in business
two sites amalgamated with the purchase of the firm’s current site at Fartown. David became a director and when Frank Montgomery retired in 1986, Peter and David bought his majority holding in the firm to become equal
shareholders. Following David’s death in 1987, his widow Ann, who had worked for the firm since 1977, became a director. In 1989, a much-needed extension was built to create more production space – before the fire almost brought
about the firm’s demise. The company, which is a proud sponsor of the Bradley-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, now has 25 employees and is looking forward to the next 50 years. Its core business is chemically etching nameplates – such as ones produced for the National Lottery. The firm also produces medical labels for G E Healthcare in America, which has off-shoot companies in this country. A high percentage of customers have been with the firm for many years, including hospital beds and medical equipment manufacturer Sidhil in Halifax for whom Montgomery produces screen-printed sticky labels and alu-printed aluminum rulers to go on their hospital beds. Another long-standing customer is Cadamp, for whom the firm print onto free issue electrical sockets. Overseas customers include ones in Italy and Finland. A spokesman said: “Most of the staff who work for Montgomery Engravers have been with us between eight and 40 years. “In that time, they have shown loyalty and dedication with the continuous efforts of sending out high quality work. “All of the work we produce is bespoke to each customer and with the knowledge and experience of our staff we are able to achieve any requirements.”
Financial risks persist for region’s law firms ALMOST a quarter of law firms in Yorkshire are “at risk” of financial difficulty, according to the research by insolvency trade body R3. A survey showed that out of a total of 509 active legal firms in the region, 14 were considered “high risk” and 104 were in the “caution” band. However, the figures are a slight improvement on a year ago when 27% of the region’s law firms were “at risk”. The latest figure is also more positive than the national one which shows 31% of law firms across the UK at risk
of failure in the next 12 months. The legal sector continues to face the challenge of The Legal Services Act or “Tesco Law” which has made legal services easier to access by allowing non-lawyers to invest in and own legal businesses via Alternative Business Structures. Chris Wood, Yorkshire R3 committee member and partner at Clough Corporate Solutions in Cleckheaton, said: “By opening up the legal market, the Legal Services Act has increased competition at a time when there is already pressure on client budgets and
over supply in the sector, and this combination of factors poses a real threat particularly for small high street firms “Already, we have seen a great deal of consolidation in the regional legal market with a number of mergers. “This is a trend that we expect to see continuing with small practices unable to afford the level of branding and marketing or the technology to compete with Alternative Business Structures.” Said Mr Wood: “Next month, partners in law firms will once again have to
make their second tax payment of the year, which can be a real squeeze on cash flow if it hasn’t been carefully planned for. Ideally, a tax reserve fund will have been maintained for this purpose and this should be monitored and steps taken to apply for a reduction of payments on account if earnings are expected to reduce over the coming year. “While law firms in Yorkshire and the Humber are faring relatively well, they are continuing to face a challenging environment.”
INSIDE Marking a milestone A FIRM promoting safer driving among workers at some of the world’s biggest businesses has reached a milestone. Interactive Driving Systems staged a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark 20 years in business and its fifth year operating from its global headquarters at Pennine Business Park in Bradley. The ribbon was cut by Dave Wallington, group safety adviser at BT. Interactive has helped carry out risk assessments for thousands of BT’s drivers
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They’re a glass act! HISTORIC buildings are getting greener thanks to innovative double glazing developed by a Brighouse company. Touchstone Glazing Solutions Ltd manufactures double glazing that fits directly into stone without a frame – eliminating the risk of damage to the fabric of the building. The firm has drawn on more than 25 years experience of the traditional leaded light industry to devise its Insulead glazing system.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Mobile rivals prove smooth operators MOBILE networks Vodafone and Three have announced separate deals to increase customer numbers. Vodafone announced a deal to buy Kabel Deutschland, Germany’s biggest cable operator, for £9.1bn, including debt. And Three is to take on Vodafone’s dominance in Ireland after agreeing an £725m deal for the operations of rival O2. Three’s proposed deal with O2’s Spanish owner Telefonica will give Three a market share of about 37.5% and 2m users, compared with Vodafone’s estimated 40%. O2, which sponsors Dublin’s main concert arena and the country’s rugby team, has 28% of the Irish market, employs 850 staff and has almost 70 stores. Telefonica is selling the business to cut debt. Three owner Hutchison Whampoa said it will now have the scale and
strength to “compete even more aggressively” – although consumers will be left with just three main mobile operators. The other player is Eircom. Three said O2 will be re-branded over the next three years, but added it was too soon to say whether jobs will be cut or when the O2 name will disappear on key sponsorship deals. Hutchison Whampoa, owned by Chinese billionaire Li Ka-shing, is paying £665m up front, plus another £60m depending on it hitting financial targets. It said the deal leaves Three “optimally positioned to become the number one player in the Irish market”. Vodafone’s acquisition of Kabel Deutschland could still be derailed by rival interest from US media group Liberty Global. However, if it goes ahead it will boost Vodafone’s ability to offer consumers bundled packages of telecoms, broad-
band and television services. The addition of Kabel Deutschland’s 8.5m connected households would leave Vodafone with 32.4m mobile, 5m broadband and 7.6m direct TV customers in Germany. The offer, which is backed by Kabel Deutschland’s management and supervisory boards, has a total value of £9.1bn, when including £2.5bn of debt. Operators are increasingly attracted to the “quad play” business model, in which customers are able to subscribe
to a package including TV, internet, landline and mobile services. The British company has been expanding its presence in Germany recently, announcing a tie-up with Deutsche Telekom to offer pay-TV over high-speed broadband to its customers. Germany has been one of Vodafone’s better-performing markets in Europe. Chief executive Vittorio Colao said: “German consumer and business demand for fast broadband and data services continues to grow substantially as customers increasingly access TV, fixed and mobile broadband services from multiple devices in the home and workplace and on the move.” Commenting on its dea,. Three Ireland chief executive Robert Finnegan, said: “As an ambitious competitor in the market, we have been looking at ways to increase customer numbers and grow market share.”
Rail policy branded ‘nonsense’
China ‘crisis’ hits shares
TWO-THIRDS of Britain’s rail operators are owned by overseas companies, leaving passengers paying high fares to boost the profits of foreign firms, according to a new report. The Rail Maritime and Transport union said state railways in Germany, France and Belgium were among those running rail services in this country. The union said its research, released at its annual conference in Brighton, made a “mockery” of the Government’s policy on railways. The union has been campaigning against a decision to re-privatise the East Coast mainline. General secretary Bob Crow said:
THE global stock market rout continued as worries over a developing credit crunch in China and an end to money-printing in the US ensured more pain for investors. The FTSE 100 Index closed down 87.1 points at 6029.1 yesterday – continuing sharp falls seen last week. Germany’s Dax and France’s Cac 40 also closed sharply lower yesterday and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down in early trading. A recent surge above 13% for China’s inter-bank lending rate fuelled worries of a credit crunch that could threaten growth for the world’s second-largest economy.
“This research blows apart the whole government case for bulldozing through the early re-privatisation of the East Coast mainline. What they are actually saying is that any state can run our railways as long as it isn’t the British state. “The hard truth is that the British public are paying the highest fares in Europe to travel on crowded and ageing trains in order to subsidise railways in Germany and other parts of the continent.” He said it was a “nonsense” that the UK Government was denying rail users the benefits of lower costs and increased investment that the public ownership so clearly brings.”
Markets have also been spooked by America’s plans to scale back its vast quantitative easing drive, with the London market now at its lowest level since the start of the year. Until recently, money-printing by central banks had inflated stock markets around the world, as investors were pushed into riskier assets such as equities. The FTSE 100 last month soared to more than 6800 points, nearing a high seen during the dotcom boom in 1999, while the Dow Jones raced to record levels – but markets have since been dragged lower as investors have fretted over the end of QE.
Page 2 Fears for cash flow CASH flow and late payment worries are on the rise among small and medium-sized enterprises, according to research by the Forum of Private Business. Figures from the not-for-profit employer support organisation also show increasing fears among business about their general financial position – including concerns that banks would call in overdrafts or loans. Some 38% of firms said cash flow was the primary cause of concern at present,. This compared to 33% last year. Some 23% expressed concerns about access to finance against 17% last time while 8% were anxious about the cost of finance compared with 6% before. Concern about lack of choice for finance was at 19% against 20% a year ago. Forum chief executive Phil Orford said: “Taken in a wider context, these results are alarming because it suggest a marked deterioration in SME confidence in their finances. “We suspect this is as a result of the banks’ ongoing failure to deliver affordable finance to small firms and the fact businesses are increasingly worried about cash flow and being paid late is surely linked. “These are issues borne of credit being scarce and difficult to obtain. The recently announced OFT investigation into the lack business lending by the banks underlines this.”
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £47.13 -0.45 Gannett 1523.98 -27.91 Hess Corp £40.62 -0.93 Motors Liquidation 48.68 Wal-Mart Stores £47.45 -0.27 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 4301/2 +151/4 BAE Systems 3821/4 -43/4 Rolls-Royce 1122 -33 AIM Brady Plc 72 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2831/4 -63/4 BANKS Barclays 2783/8 -31/8 HSBC 6543/4 -63/4 3 Lloyds Banking Gp 60 /8 -5/8 Ryl Scotland 2811/4 -1/2 Stan Chart 1393 -101/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 18201/4 -231/4 SABMiller £301/8 -7/8 CHEMICALS Croda £227/8 -7/8 Elementis 98 2123/8 -81/2 3 Johnsn Mat £24 /4 -1/2 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2215/8 +5/8 Costain 2595/8 -53/8 ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 5363/4 -3/4
SSE 1471 -18 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 172 -2 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 415 -81/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 3001/8 -71/4 Cable & Wireless 401/8 +1/8 Comm Colt Group 1001/2 -17/8 KCOM 833/8 -5/8 3 Talktalk Telecom 214 /4 -61/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2563/4 -31/8 Sainsbury 3507/8 -71/8 5 Tesco 327 /8 -3 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1674 -29 -51/2 Tate Lyle 8021/2 1 Unilever £25 /8 -1/2 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3523/4 -41/8 National Grid 7181/4 -101/4 Pennon Grp 6311/2 -1/2 Severn 1640 +26 United Utils 654 +5 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 3101/4 -91/8 ICAP 3781/4 -11/4 1 London StockExch 1286 /2 -321/2 Man Group 797/8 +11/8 Provident Financial 14251/2 -41/2 1 Schroders £20 /2 -1/2
DUE to technical difficulties we are unable to bring you the closing market prices from yesterday. These are the 3.15pm figures. Schroders NV 1604 -51 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS REXAM 4641/4 -9 Smiths Grp 1242 -19 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 263/4 Carphone Whse 2301/8 -37/8 Dixons Retail 367/8 -6 1 Home Retail 128 /2 -2 3 Inchcape 458 /8 -171/8 Kingfisher 3323/4 +1/4 M&S 4171/4 -1 Mothercare 4225/8 +25/8 1 Next £44 /4 -1/2 WH Smith 6931/2 -5 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 7261/2 -81/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 831/4 -13/4 Barrat Dev 2821/4 -103/8 Persimmon 1083 -24
-7/8 Reckitt Benckiser £453/4 Taylor Wimpey 867/8 -23/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 1200 -24 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 1381/4 -6 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2813/8 +11/2 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3207/8 -41/4 Lgl & Gen 1621/2 -27/8 5 Old Mutual 170 /8 -33/8 Prudential 1016 -24 5 Resolution 271 /8 -67/8 3 Standard Life 342 /4 -97/8 MEDIA BSkyB 7683/4 -101/4 D Mail Tst 7281/4 -81/4 3 HIBU /8 ITV 1313/8 -6 Johnston Press 161/4 -3/4 Pearson 1156 -4 Reed Elsevier 7141/4 -63/4 STV Group 1351/2 Trinity Mirror 1051/8 -5/8 Utd Business 637 -271/2 UTV 140 -3 WPP 1065 -24 MINING Anglo American 1315 -37 -243/4 Antofagasta 8133/4 BHP Billiton 16881/2 -16 Eurasian Natural 2167/8 Res
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
358 125 717½ £20
-7 +2¾ -11 -1
FTSE closed at
6029.1 Down 87.1 Fresnillo 887 Kazakhmys 2411/2 Lonmin 260 Rio Tinto £26 VEDANTA 10411/2 RESOURCES MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 646 Vodafone Group 176 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1295 RSA Insurance Gp 1171/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 11241/2 BP 4451/2 Cairn Energy 252
-24 -28 -101/4 -3/4 -551/2
-131/2 +1/4 -15 -15/8 -33 -3/8 -25/8
Royal Dutch Shell A £203/8 -1/4 Royal Dutch Shell B £211/8 -1/4 Total £301/2 -1/2 Tullow Oil 1011 -12 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 9901/2 Petrofac 1233 -15 Wood Gp(J) 7741/2 -8 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1274 -16 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £301/2 -5/8 GlaxoSmithK XD 12 1 Shire 1994 /2 -351/2 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 555 -161/2 Hamrsn 4681/4 -183/4 1 Intu Properties 302 /8 -51/4 Land Secs 8521/2 -20 5 SEGRO 265 /8 -103/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 3953/4 -61/8 Sage Group 3303/8 -27/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 7481/2 +41/2 Bunzl 1242 -17 1 Capita 947 /2 +4 3 De La Rue 933 /4 +33/4 Electrocomp 2337/8 -35/8 Experian 10841/2 -191/2 G4S 2333/4 +13/4 Hays 823/8 -17/8 Homeserve 2761/2 -11/8 Menzies J 700 -41/2
873/8 1521/2 £293/8
-23/8 -21/2 -7/8
IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 757 Spirent Comms 1423/4
-151/2 +71/2
TOBACCO Br Am Tob £327/8 Imperial Tobacco £223/4
-5/8 -1/4
LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital 1123/8 Carnival £217/8 Compass Grp 8111/2 easyJet 1210 Enterprise Inns 1061/4 FirstGroup 973/8 Go-Ahead Gp 1372 Greene King 7263/4 Intercontl Htls 1737 Intl Cons Airl 2531/2 Ladbrokes 191 Mitchells & Butlers 3557/8 Natl Express 2137/8 Rank Org 1591/4 Stagecoach Group 2993/8 TUI Travel 3353/8 Whitbread £29
-27/8 -1/4 -8 -35 -33/4 -11/8 -15 -31/4 -30 -71/4 -55/8 -41/4 -1/2 -23/4 -2 -101/8 -5/8
Rentokil Smiths News Wolseley
FTSE 100
INDEX 6032.96
-83.21
FTSE 250
INDEX 13294.06
-250.88
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.59 dollars Bangladesh................. 112.62 taka Brazil.............................. 3.08 reals Canada....................... 1.54 dollars China ............................. 8.42 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.88 korunas Denmark....................... 8.31 krone Euro............................... 1.12 euro Hong Kong................ 11.30 dollars Hungary................... 314.71 forints India.......................... 80.93 rupees Japan........................... 143.84 yen Mexico ....................... 18.36 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.85 dollars Norway ......................... 8.90 krone Pakistan.................. 142.92 rupees Philippines ................. 57.72 pesos South Africa................. 14.77 rand South Korea.............. 1553.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 186.64 rupees Sweden......................... 9.82 krona Switzerland.................. 1.37 francs Taiwan ...................... 40.37 dollars Turkey....................... 2.82 new lira USA ............................ 1.47 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS CLAIRE Harper has an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time. During a high-flying career in sales and marketing, she was helped take a number of major businesses to “the next level” of their development. Now she’s continuing the trend with her own online children’s clothing and gifts retailer, IndiaCoco. The company, named after Claire’s daughters, Coco and India, was launched just a year ago and operates from the dining room at the family’s Kirkburton home. But it has already won a WOW Award from Knickerbox and Ann Summers chief executive Jacqueline Gold, has been nominated for a regional business award, has expanded into “bricks and mortar” retailing and is building up a loyal customer base at home and overseas. Claire, 39, left her job as marketing director at Colnebridge-based nursery products firm Mamas & Papas to set up the business, which offers British-made high quality and great value clothes for children aged up to eight. Claire joined Mamas & Papas with a CV that any go-ahead executive would envy – having worked in senior positions for national retailer Argos, John Lewis Partnership’s fledgling online grocery business Ocado and supermarket chain Sainsbury’s. She left Mamas & Papas after five hectic years of helping take the business onto the world stage to spend more time with her children. And after talking things over with husband Lee Williams, who has his own career at Morrisons, decided that running an online business would give her the best of both worlds. “The catalyst was having our second daughter,” says Claire. “With one child, I could devote time to the job at Mamas & Papas, although it was far from being a nine-to-five job. With two children, I couldn’t keep it going. I was travelling a lot as Mamas & Papas developed internationally – on the plane to America and Europe. I needed things to change. “It is hard for a working mum with two young children to be travelling a lot and putting in long hours. I didn’t want a nanny bringing up my children and driving them to school. I wanted to be there for my kids. With IndiaCoco, I have the flexibility to take my oldest daughter to school and be around for my youngest daughter during the day.” She admits: “There are still not enough hours in the day! But I have never looked back. “I am so excited by the opportunity of growing the brand and growing into international markets,
profile
Online life suits Claire which has taken me by surprise! The customer base is growing, customers are coming back and recommending us to others.” While being predominantly online, IndiaCoco sells some of its products at the gift shop at Blacker Hall Farm Shop, Calder Grove, near Wakefield. Claire says: “The farm is a family business and we have very similar values around customer service. I just approached them and suggested there was an opportunity to introduce our gift lines into the shop.” Claire, who hails from Southampton, gained a degree in business studies with marketing and French at Southampton University before joining the graduate scheme at Argos. “The company was at the forefront of web-based retailing,” she recalls. “They set up ‘click and collect’ and ‘ring and reserve’ and at that time they were leading the way. As a young graduate, what they were doing inspired me. I was learning from the ground up. I used to put my hand up and volunteer to do everything – working in-store, going out in the vans to do deliveries and working in the warehouse to understand how the business operated.” After five years, during which time Claire also assumed a number of marketing roles, she was approached by Ocado – at the height of the dotcom boom – to help develop the new online shopping
venture for John Lewis Partnership and its Waitrose grocery arm. “My role was to go from postcode to postcode across north London, put flyers through letterboxes, carry out interviews on the doorstep and try to change people’s shopping habits of a lifetime,” she says. “On Friday nights I was still in the warehouse packing people’s orders to make sure they got out. It was hard work.” Claire says her experience in retailing taught her the importance of “surprising and delighting” the customer. “It doesn’t matter what kind of product you are in,” she says. “There are basic principals that apply.” Another five years later, Claire was head-hunted by rival retailer Sainsbury’s to work under newly-appointed chief Justin King.
■ WINDOW SHOPPING: Claire is making the most of her experience in retailing
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Claire Harper
“It was a fun time,” she says. “Sainsbury’s had been at the top, but it had slumped and Justin King was called in to get the business back to basics. He got a great team of people in, people who understood the customer and got the brand back where it should be. “To be part of that and to do basic things well, to increase customer numbers and to take on Tesco was a fantastic experience for me. Most of the time, I was part of their online team and became head of marketing for online. I was based at head office only half the week because I was encouraged to go into the stores, put my orange fleece on and meet the customers, get into the stockroom and get back to the shopfloor.” Claire became Mamas & Papas’ first-ever marketing director after moving north with Lee after he was offered a position as divisional marketing director for Bradford-based Morrisons. She played a key role in the expansion of the family firm into an international brand and after leaving remains on good terms with founders Luisa and David Scacchetti. “I have worked with so many amazing people and companies going through a lot of change,” says Claire. “It has inspired me to build on that experience. There’s nothing like running your own business and having that experience has helped me enormously in marketing and establishing the brand.”
Claire says: “There are a lot of online businesses, but they aren’t all doing it well. To succeed online you have to make sure your website and brand are strong. You are only one click away from the competition and your site has to work properly time and time again. It is tough out there, so you really have to understand the customer. If they are going to shop with you, they have to know they are going to get a great product. “They have only so much disposable income. There isn’t room in the economy for spontaneous purchasing. Customers are more demanding and their expectations are high.” Says Claire: “I was under no illusions that running the business was going to be an easy ride. But I enjoy a big challenge!”
Role: Founder Age: 39 Family: Married to Lee Williams with daughters Coco, five, and India, two Car: Mercedes ML Holidays: Skiing in Switzerland. In the mountains, you can get away from it all – and your mobile struggles to work! First job: Care assistant in a residential home for the elderly. It was a privilege. I learned a huge amount about like skills and doing things with compassion and integrity Best thing about job: The relationship with my customers, the products I sell and having the flexibility to be a mum as well Worst thing about job: There aren’t enough hours in the day! Business tip: Research your market, understand your customers and be prepared to work long hours. But have a bit of fun along the way
IndiaCoco Work: Online retailer of children’s clothing Site: Kirkburton Phone: 0845 475091 Email: claire@india coco.com Web: www.indiacoco.com
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Who will be the next Business of the Month? If you are proud of what your business has achieved; why not tell us about your success story and you could be a winner of our prestigious award. For further details please contact: Ian Greenwood, Eaton Smith Solicitors, 14 High Street, Huddersfield HD1 2HA T: 01484 821389 E: iangreenwood@eatonsmith.co.uk Business Of The Month Awards - Rewarding Success Since 1995
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Page 4
Hot competitor ICELAND Foods kept its cool to become a top performer in the 2013 British Frozen Food Awards. The company, led by Grange Moor-born founder and chairman Malcolm Walker, scooped five awards – one gold, two silver and two bronze – across four categories. The retailer, which has stores at Aspley and Trinity Street in Huddersfield and at Batley Shopping Centre, won gold for best new poultry-based product, silver for best new fish-based product and best new dessert product. It took bronze in the categories for best new poultry-based product and best new meat-based product.
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Vehicle rental firm delivering growth A COMPANY specialising in vehicle hire has charted a course for expansion just weeks after opening a new depot in Huddersfield. Northgate Vehicle Leasing established a 40-strong fleet when it opened its premises at Red Doles Lane, off Leeds Road at Deighton, and expects to increase the number to 70 over coming months. In six months time, it hopes to have more than 100 cars, mini-buses, vans and trucks available. The company is staging an official opening event at the site on Tuesday, July 2, when it expects to welcome representatives from hundreds of local businesses. The site currently employs eight staff at the Huddersfield base, but expects to have up to 14 people – including drivers, mechanics, and other operational staff – by the end of the year. Northgate has set up operations on a one-and-a-half acres site formerly occupied by its vehicle sales arm. Operations manager Andrea Cowburn is joined by new business managers Tamara Nikitin and Paul Rodney while other staff include rental representatives Nicola Plumbly and Becky de Bemels. Andrea said the new depot had already made contact with Huddersfield’s Young Engineers Academy – a not-for-profit social enterprise, which operates a commercial recycling business to help 16 to 24-year-olds gain new skills in manufacturing – as part of efforts to build links with local organisations. She said: “Huddersfield was chosen for the new site because it was felt there was a gap in the market for light commercial vehicle rental. “The perception is that we focus on short-term rental – one or two days. But we are also involved in long-term vehicle rental and 80% of our total fleet is liveried-up. We are also here to service the retail side of the market for people who need transport when they are moving house or need a mini-bus or people
■ THE FLEET’S IN: New business manager Tamara Nikitin (above, left) and operations manager Andrea Cowburn at Northgate Vehicle Leasing’s premises at Red Doles Lane, off Leeds Road, Huddersfield
six, 10 or 15 vehicles, but they don’t have the money to buy or contract hire vehicles,” she said. “We can minimise the risk for companies.” Darlington-based Northgate also has sites at Rochdale, Wakefield and Pudsey, but said the Huddersfield depot would serve customers in a 25-mile radius. The company now has more than 60 sites UK-wide.
Family firm changes gear ONE of Yorkshire’s longest-standing family owned logistics companies has completed a rebrand to bring it bang up to date. Hanson Logistics, which traces its roots to 1848 and is based at Deighton, linked up with agency Creative Network to update its website. Along with standard distribution and warehousing, Hanson Logistics is one of the UK’s most specialised chemical logistics companies. It also provides comprehensive in-house accredited forklift training. The company said the new website would serve to promote Hanson’s credentials to a wider audience.
Mel Fenna, regional client director for Creative Network, said: “Hanson Logistics has such a long and proud history in the region and – having remained strong through difficult economic climates and changes in the industry – we had to be clever about how we subtly shifted their brand into a new era.” Paul Pheasey, managing director of Hanson Logistics, said: “Changing designs after such a long time was a big decision. Creative Network sensitively suggested the change and this was definitely the right thing to do. “We are very pleased with the new layout and customer feedback so far
MORE than two thir in Yorkshire are una funding they requir The findings of the independent invoic Bibby Financial Ser announcement by D Minister Nick Clegg more regional supp through a local gro Whitehall. The survey revealed businesses in York funding have been amount they requir Mark Storey, manag BFS Yorkshire, said many SMEs across struggled to access traditional channels so we welcome the Government is look to support regional “Giving local gover autonomy in relatio is allocated would b forward.” The study showed SMEs feel there are support networks in region and just 9% have experienced b 2013. Mr Storey said: “Th for a much stronge regions as clearly t national recovery. “It’s time for SMEs the banks for fundi
Chance for legal
■ DESK WORK: (right) Rental representatives Nicola Plumbly and Becky De Bemels at Northgate’s Huddersfield site
carrier.” Business-to-business customers typically include building firms, civil engineers, couriers and delivery services as well as printing and packaging companies. Tamara said a number of customers in construction were turning to Northgate to rapidly expand their fleet to handle an influx of business resulting from the Government’s Green Deal . “They may suddenly find they need
Two-third funding p
has been very favourable. “ We hope to work with Creative Network to develop this new brand throughout the company.” Hanson Logistics has extensive warehousing and transportation operations throughout the North of England, including a specialist hazardous chemicals capability . In addition, Hanson International Freight Forwarding provides a comprehensive import/export service to all corners of the globe. The Hanson stable also includes Strand Hanson, the niche London based investment bank, which has Robert Hanson as chairman.
KIRKLEES lawyers compete in a nation The Law Society is professionals from to enter the Excellen The awards, now in year, recognises ind teams across the se setting precedents i The winners in 17 c collect their awards event on October 22 Plaza Hotel. New awards for this excellence in divers pro bono work, mar communications, bu development and in exporting legal serv Others cover practic environmental resp service, learning an and conveyancing. Categories for indiv legal personality of business woman of advocate of the yea the year, solicitor of in-house and privat the lifetime achievem Nominations are op The shortlist will be September 16 2013. www.lawsociety.org
NESS NEWS
ds face problem
rds of businesses able to access the re, says a study. survey by ce finance provider rvices follow the Deputy Prime g of plans to offer port to businesses owth committee in
d that 77% of kshire to apply for refused the re. ging director for d: “It’s evident that s the country have s funding through s, such as banks, e news that the king at new ways l businesses. rnment more on to how funding be a big step
that only 14% of e good business n place in the of firms said they business growth in
here is a real need er focus in the they will drive the
to look beyond ing support.”
to fly eagles
are urged to nal awards. inviting legal across Yorkshire nce Awards 2013. n their seventh dividuals and ector who are in the profession. categories will s at a presentation 2 at London’s Park
s year include sity and inclusion, rketing and usiness nnovation and vices. ce management, ponsibility, client nd development
viduals are for the year, legal f the year, solicitor ar, junior lawyer of f the year – both te practice – and ment award. pen until August 9. e announced on . Go to g.uk
local
Page 5
‘Bogeymen’ a force for good
Time for Twitter Social media is the topic for debate when the Kirklees branch of the Federation of Small Business meets from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday at the Canalside Sports Complex on Leeds Road, Huddersfield. Go to www.kirkleesfsb.eventbrite.com
THE BUSINESS BATTLEAXE Amanda Vigar
AX avoiders beware – the GovT ernment is about to come down on you like a ton of bricks.
Last week’s G8 Summit at Enniskillen outlined measures to tackle the problem of tax avoidance by the “bogeymen” of multi-nationals such as Google, Amazon and Apple. In recent months, large corporations have come under the media microscope for the way they have – legally – reduced their liabilities. It was the thoroughly unhelpful and headline-grabbing posturing in the media that led to calls for a clampdown. Some forward-thinking companies such as Accenture have even moved their HQs from Bermuda to Ireland to show they are paying tax in the EU – just at a much lower rate than in the UK! The G8 saw the assembled world leaders agree to further transparency on the sharing of tax information. The G8 leaders announced that they will draw up a template for global corporations to report to tax authorities where they make their profits and pay taxes around the world. The new powers will give govern-
ments a tool against tax avoidance by multinationals and will be particularly helpful to the governments of developing countries. So far, so fine and dandy; or is it? The problem is that these bogeymen in the multi-nationals are protecting their interests in a totally legal and above board way. Greater transparency is one thing, but this will naturally entail more bureaucracy and a further damaging slew of negative headlines. At a time when the economy continues to be on its uppers, with unemployment standing at 2.51m (I Googled that!), should we be knocking these companies for protecting their profits? Don’t forget, those profits are paid as dividends and go to fund our private pension schemes! Large profitable businesses employ A LOT of people. Taking people off the unemployed list doesn’t just give politicians a warm fuzzy feeling when they get to announce improved statistics, it makes a huge difference to peoples’ lives and helps to keep tax down for all of us.
Amanda Vigar is managing partner at Holmfirth-based accountants V&A Bell Brown LLP
Strategic move CAMPING kit supplier The Lazy Camper has appointed a Brighouse-based public relations agency to develop its communications strategy. The company, founded by Huddersfield University student Jacob Hill, has teamed up with Faith PR, which was founded in 2007 by Stephanie Hopkins. Jacob’s complete festival kits company was launched in November, 2011, and in recent weeks has secured £180,000 of investment, taken on a team of six people and landed a contract to be a main sponsor of one of the UK’s leading music events. Faith PR will now work with The Lazy Camper to develop the brand and produce and implement a strategy to win more recognition of the company as a growing force in the UK’s leisure market. Said
Stephanie: “Faith PR has strong credentials through extensive experience of working with the business-to-consumer market and I am excited that we are going to be working with Jacob so more people know about his achievements and what The Lazy Camper can offer.” Jacob said: “I am delighted at the success of the Lazy Camper and hope to build the company’s profile with Faith PR. I hope this is only the start. I want to keep developing the brand to offer more quality, convenient and affordable products that take the pain out of travelling and camping.” The Lazy Camper, based at Huddersfield’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, has secured backing from entrepreneurs Graham Leslie and David Cooper, who have both taken roles in the company.
Employed people also spend more in the economy and this helps retailers and their supply chains to thrive. In turn, these retailers employ more people and more money by way of income tax and the VAT on goods sold, which goes into the economy. Yes, there is a moral argument that companies shouldn’t “get away with it” by paying proportionally less tax than others. However, isn’t it more important to encourage job creation? The social benefits alone, which come from increased employment, are surely evidence that these companies are actually a force for the good and not multi-national bogeymen?
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Backing Britain HUDDERSFIELD -born architect Jonathan Wimpenny has been promoting British products to the US market. Mr Wimpenny, who has a practice in New York, welcomed delegates to a cocktail reception hosted by the Royal Institute of British Architects-USA and UK Trade & Investment at a major architecture conference in Denver. Mr Wimpenny was joined by UK consul-general Beverley Simpson for the event, which introduced delegates to three British designers and manufacturers on the eve of the annual American Institute of Architects conference. Mr Wimpenny, a member of the Wimpenny family of builders in Huddersfield, is a president of RIBA-USA.
property
Page 6
Got the authority? INFORMED DEVELOPMENT
EPORTING of proposed new R planning legislation around extensions and conservatories
has raised a number of questions about what are the legal requirements for works and if works are undertaken without approval what can be done. The law currently requires that any work which involves the alteration of buildings or the construction of buildings is subject to building regulations. For example, the removal of a chimney breast, the removal of a load bearing wall and extensions require evidence of building regulations approval. Building regulations scope has, however, been extended and also now covers work such as replacement windows, gas and electrical installations and replacement hot water tanks. Evidence of approval will be required for such works, but this can often take the form of a commissioning certificate from a qualified contractor, or a FENSA certificate for windows and doors. For new build properties, this is relatively straight forward but where convers i o n o r a l t e r at i o n s h av e b e e n undertaken some years ago this may not be so obvious and the solicitor has a professional duty to buyers to ensure that necessary approvals have been obtained. There are options open should the solicitor discover that works
Martin Thompson are not approved. One option is to apply for and gain retrospective building regulation approval. This is known as a Regularisation Application. A Regularisation Application allows work which has been carried out since November 11, 1985, which did not have the necessary Building Regulations approval. In applying for this “regularisation” of unauthorised work, the owner must be prepared to open up as much of the construction as necessary so that the Building Control Surveyor can check compliance with the Building Regulations in force at the time of construction. If this is carried out and the works comply or if alterations are made to ensure compliance with the Regulations a Regularisation Certificate will be issued. Please note that it is a criminal offence to carry out unauthorised works to a listed building and that includes new stairs and other internal
works. The second option is indemnity insurance. Insurance policies can cover: ● No Planning Permission/Buildings Regulations – This is used to protect the policy holder from costs and complications that might arise should previous building work done not have appropriate planning permission from the council or have failed to follow building regulations ● Restrictive Covenants – Some title deeds may forbid certain alterations to a building or request consent. Should such alterations have been made by a previous owner the current owner could be forced to rectify the situation. A restrictive covenants indemnity policy will protect against liability for the costs of any ensuing legal expenses or additional work that may be ordered by a court. ● Absence of Easement – This type of policy insures against the risk that a
Martin Thompson, is a partner in Commercial Property at Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield
lack of access rights could affect the way you maintain and use your property. This type of policy can help with legal expenses incurred in obtaining legal access or creating new access. It may also provide an amount of compensation should the changes that have to be made reduce the value of the property. For these reasons indemnity insurance has proved a popular route and is now a common option. There are conditions which have to be met in order for an Indemnity Insurance policy to be acceptable though – for example: The work has to have been completed at least 12 months prior to the indemnity Insurance policy being taken out; no formal application must have been made to the local authority, and neither of the parties are aware that the local authority have been informed of the works; the property is used as a residential dwelling and will continue to be used as such Indemnity policies will only cover losses and expenses arising out of enforcement action, not any loss arising because of a defect in the work.
Commercial
Residential, Commercial & Industrial Surveyors, Estate Agents, Auctioneers & Property Management Consultants To Let
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ST JAMES ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD HD1 4QA
Ground Floor Retail Premises
Ground Floor former studio premises
34.65sqm (373 sqft)
323.12sqm (3,478 sqft)
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WESTBOURNE ROAD, MARSH
To Let
Basement Storage 99.62sqm (1,072 sqft) Centrally heated Computer cabling 1.5 miles from Huddersfield town centre
HALF MOON STREET, HUDDERSFIELD HD1 2JF
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Prominent Retail Property
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82.68sqm (890sqft)
88.66 sqm [954 sqft]
Popular suburban location Excellent display frontage Suitable for a variety of retail uses EPC Rating: C
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t: 01484 530361
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
New owner
PROPERTY agency Walker Singleton has completed a “substantial” letting at Cleckheaton. The 18,000sq ft warehouse and industrial unit at Riverside Drive, close to junction 26 of the M62, has been let off an asking rent of £80,000 after being vacant for a matter of weeks. The new tenant, Cutwel Ltd, is a leading supplier of ■ MOVING UP: The industrial unit at Cleckheaton performance cutting tools continuing demand for income for our client.” and machine tool accessories . The move will modern accommodation in Walker Singleton has been the region. It is extremely retained to sell Cutwel’s see the business expand encouraging to be able to existing premises at and relocate from its facilitate such a deal to Central Street in Dewsbury, existing site in Dewsbury. support a local business which offers 7,000 sq ft of Jonathan O’Connor, of like Cutwel who continue workshops, stores and Walker Singleton, said: their growth as well as offices and is being “The speed and quality of this letting shows the producing a strong rental marketed at £295,000.
FMB says ‘get it written down’ WRITTEN contracts for building work are the best option for consumers wanting to protect themselves from unscrupulous tradesmen, says the Federation of Master Builders. The FMB was commenting
in response to the publication of the Draft Consumer Rights Bill, which seeks to protect people from rogue traders by suggesting customers record verbal agreements with tradespeople on their mobiles.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: "The Government is right to want to increase protection for consumers against rogue traders and to ensure they are better informed about their rights.”
Offices
Ponderosa Park, Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike 800 - 1,500 sq ft High quality office suites with on site parking and conference facilities on site
to let
Immediately available for occupation
Offices
Queens Square, Leeds Road, Huddersfield 200 m2 (2,150 sq ft) Single storey refurbished offices off main A62 Leeds Road with excellent onsite parking
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Immediately available for occupation
R
U ne e- xp av ec ai te la dl bl y e
Industrial
Cumberworth Lane, Denby Dale 1,017 m2 (10,949 sq ft) Single storey warehouse/workshop & office/ showroom with large external yard
to let www.michaelsteel.co.uk
on 0.65 ha (1.6 acres) approx
All enquiries to Alec Michael at Michael Steel & Co on 0113 234 8999 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
TO LET
48 New Street
Huddersfield
1 Prominent frontage to prime town centre retail position 1 392.42m2 (4,194 sq ft) 1 Nearby occupiers include Yorkshire Bank, Moss Bros, Waterstones and Top Shop 1 Rent £45,000 per annum
TO LET
Imperial Arcade
Off New Street, Huddersfield
1 Various retail and restaurant units 1 Units from 821 – 4,194 sq ft 1 Vibrant town centre retail location 1 Rents from £6,500 per annum
TO LET
Spindlegate
Leeds Road, Huddersfield
1 Retail, trade counter and leisure unit development 1 93 – 557.4m2 (1,000 – 6,000 sq ft) 1 Prominent frontage to A62 Leeds Road 1 Nearby occupiers include Travelodge, Costa Coffee and BMW 1 Rent on application
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Vicky Medd
Ridley & Hall HUDDERSFIELD law firm Ridley & Hall has appointed Vicky Medd to head its mediation department and work with the family team. Ms Medd (pictured) is a solicitor with 21 years' experience of family law and specialises in divorce and financial provision. She is an accredited member of Resolution and a collaboratively-trained solicitor. Adam Fletcher, managing partner, said “We are really pleased that Vicky has joined us. She is an experienced solicitor and family mediator, and is well known across West Yorkshire. I have every confidence that she will provide clients with a good service.” Said Ms Medd: “I am looking forward to working with the team and welcome the opportunity to head up a new department in mediation. Family mediation is a much cheaper way of resolving disputes between divorcing or separating couples.” She said: “Mediation tends to have better outcomes than court ordered arrangements, as it is the clients themselves who make the decisions that are best for them. In addition, I hope to guide clients through a difficult emotional time at a pace that is best for them and their situation.”
Kelly Fitzgerald & Daniel Walker
TaxAssist Accountants HUDDERSFIELD-based TaxAssist Accountants has expanded its team with the appointment of Kelly Fitzgerald – thanks to a successful partnership with Huddersfield University. Ms Fitzgerald, 22, who graduated this year, has been appointed full-time as a trainee accountant following a 12-month placement. TaxAssist Accountants in Lockwood has been taking on placement students from the university’s accountancy and finance degree course since 2009. Thanks to the successful partnership with the university, TaxAssist Accountants has also welcomed Daniel Walker, who will shadow the team for a year. As part of the partnership, TaxAssist Accountants in Huddersfield also sponsors the award for best student on placement, which is presented at the university’s graduation ceremony.
Pink, blue and white DISTRIBUTION company The Pink Link has renewed its backing for Huddersfield Town for an eighth year. The Netherton-based company, well-known for its distinctive pink cabs, has been supporting the club since 2005. Its pink and black logo will be visible around the John Smith’s Stadium on match days. The family-run firm was title sponsor of Town’s second, third and fourth Pedal for Pounds bike rides and will sponsor the fifth fundraising event in 2014.
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Safe driving experts celebrate 20 years A FIRM promoting safer driving among workers at some of the world’s biggest businesses has reached a milestone. Interactive Driving Systems staged a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark 20 years in business and its fifth year operating from its global headquarters at Pennine Business Park in Bradley. The ribbon was cut by Dave Wallington, group safety adviser at BT, a long-standing customer of Interactive Driving Systems. The company has helped carry out risk assessments for thousands of BT’s drivers during a 12-year relationship with the telecoms giant. Kirklees Mayor Clr Martin Bolt also attended along with representatives of key customers, Huddersfield University and road safety charity Brake. Interactive Driving Systems provides fleet risk management services for organisations in more than 35 countries. To date, more than a million drivers have benefited from its services while their employers have seen their road safety costs massively reduced. The company has offices in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Poland, the Netherlands and New Zealand. Among its achievements, it pioneered the use of multi-media and online tools in its sector, including the world’s first Defensive Driving CD-ROM in 1996, working with the British Armed Forces, Zurich Risk Engineering, the Institute of Advanced Motorists and Driving Standards Agency. It has strong links with Huddersfield University through research programmes such as the Driver Risk Assessment & Monitoring Project. Several of its senior personnel are graduates of the university while research director Dr Will Murray has a PhD in transport and logistics from the university. Research projects are also under way at Loughborough University, focusing on evaluating work-related road safety interventions and in-vehicle telemetry to improve driver behaviour.
■ CELEBRATIONS: Interactive Driving Systems managing director Andy Cuerden and Dave Wallington, of BT, join guests including Kirklees Mayor Clr Martin Bolt to cut the ribbon and mark 20 years at Bradley
Interactive Driving Systems played a leading role in staging the first Global Road Safety at Work Conference in Washington DC in 2009 – an event attended by delegates from more than 40 countries. And it has undertaken good practice and policy-shaping projects with governments in the UK, the European Union, the USA Australia, New Zealand and Canada. More than 1m drivers have been risk assessed and coached via the firm’s online Virtual Risk Manager program, launched in 2001. The company has also undertaken driver licence entitlement and risk-based checks directly with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and similar checks with state agencies in the USA. Clients and partners include BT, TNT, Arriva, British Gas, Lex Autolease, Nestlé, Johnson & Johnson, Royal Mail, Vauxhall, Initial-Rentokil and Pfizer. It also works with organisations such as
He’s a real high-flier! A MELTHAM man is on cloud nine after completing his cabin crew training with Monarch Airlines. Benjamin Booth (pictured) received his wings from airline managing director Kevin George at a ceremony at Rudding Park Hotel, Harrogate.
He spent four weeks undertaking extensive training with the airline in safety and equipment procedures, customer service and first aid training and is now flying from Leeds-Bradford Airport on the airline’s newest two aircraft, both Airbus A320s.
Set for some celebrations A NETWORKING group celebrates its third birthday this week. The Last Friday Club, organised by law firm Ramsdens, will mark the occasion at its next meeting on Friday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at V Eleven Bar in Halifax. The aim is business networking
without fees or pressure – and the opportunity to bring a colleague. The club is also supported by the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Barclays and Begbies Traynor. Go to www.ramsdens.co.uk for more details
the Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers, the European Transport Safety Council and Huddersfield-based Brake. The firm runs a UK Fleet Safety Benchmarking programme – developed with Brake, BT and the Department of Transport – which has involved more than 170,000 drivers and 80,000 vehicles and saved employers more than £11m in direct collision costs over the past three years. Dr Murray said: “In 2013, our approach – based on 20 years of successful research and practice – is to provide clients and partners across the world with the tools to turn their management of road safety into a ‘proactive’ strategy and data-led discipline. Virtual Risk Manager is now used by organisations in more than 30 languages in 35 countries, including an increasing number in global road safety “hotspots” such as the rapidly emerging BRIC economies in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia.”
Joanna Sykes
MMA HUDDERSFIELD company My Management Accountant has appointed Joanna Sykes, 33, as a junior accountant. Ms Sykes (pictured), who is a mother of two and lives in Highburton, joins the company with a background in industry and spent several years working for Norwood Interiors. Martin Brown, managing director of MMA, said: “Joanna will be very important to the future growth of MMA. She will be in an integral part of the MMA outsource office operation, My Finance Team, providing facilities like credit control services.” MMA is based at The Media Centre in Northumberland Street.