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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Recruitment firm in six-figure boost
A RECRUITMENT firm is gearing up for expansion following a six-figure funding boost. Holmfirth-based XCL Management has received a £200,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire to take its ambitious plans forward. The company was set up just three months ago by experienced entrepreneur David Gallagher and his son Ewan. XCL Management specialises in management and director level recruitment for the civil engineering, waste management and renewable energy sectors as well as pneumatics and hydraulics and financial services. It will use the investment from Finance Yorkshire’s Seedcorn Fund to hire specialist consultants, open new offices, develop the company website and develop a digital marketing strategy. XCL which operates from Holmfirth, Wakefield and Manchester, plans to expand into the London market next. David, 62, who has worked in the recruitment industry for more than 30 years, is well known for setting up Prime Time Recruitment, which he opened with six offices in 1992. By 2007 the business, led by a strong management team and aided through acquisitions, had grown to 130 branches and was one of the UK’s top privately-owned recruitment firms when it was acquired by the Cordant Group. David said: “The investment will help us
to achieve our growth plans and the valuable strategic input and business opportunities that come alongside the investment will be welcomed by the team.” Finance Yorkshire will make further funding available to XCL Management based on the company’s continued progress. Graham Davies, Finance Yorkshire investment manager, said: “David has an impressive track record of building and growing companies within the recruitment sector. “His innovative approach allows him to compete in a crowded market and we are confident that his strong reputation will enable the company to grow quickly. “The Seedcorn Fund invests in innovative businesses with the potential for rapid growth and XCL Management fits this profile.” Finance Yorkshire provides seedcorn, loan and equity-linked investments, ranging from £15,000 to £2m to help a range of small and medium-sized businesses meet their funding requirements for growth and development. Supported financially by the European Union, Finance Yorkshire has attracted £30m investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme, £15m from ■ PLANS: XCL Management directors Ewan (left) and David UK Government and £45m match funding Gallagher (right) with Finance Yorkshire investment manager from the European Investment Bank. Graham Davies
‘Make the most of R&D tax benefits’ KIRKLEES firms have been urged to follow the lead of a Brighouse company and take advantage of tax relief available for spending on research and development. Research based on claims for tax relief to HM Revenue and Customs show that spending on research and development by UK businesses hit a record high last year of £11.9bn – a rise of 8% compared with 2011 – with businesses claiming back £1.2bn in tax relief on this investment. Data from Cleckheaton-based accountancy firm Clough & Company show a similar rise in the amount of R&D tax relief claims processed in the region for its clients during 2012. The firm said it attributed the rise to
new incentives introduced by Chancellor George Osborne– but said many businesses were failing to take advantage of the tax relief available to them. Practice chairman Steven Gash said: “R&D tax relief is intended to drive productivity by encouraging innovation. Extending the tax credit for R&D spending by large businesses has encouraged businesses to increase their investment in innovation on a more long-term basis. “Companies can receive up to 225% tax relief on qualifying R&D costs, which don’t just cover scientific development as R&D applies to staff costs and consumables, too. So its important businesses get the right advice to
achieve the tax savings on offer.” Clough & Company has completed R & D r e l i e f c l a i m s fo r B r i ghouse-based Millers Oils, which makes and supplies lubricants for the industrial, commercial and automotive markets. Mr Gash said: “Millers Oils’ continued development of nanotechnology has seen its products rolled out into other markets with trials taking place for the bus and truck industry. “The company hopes to reduce maintenance periods and improve fuel efficiency and Millers’ R&D work plays a vital role in achieving these goals. “We have been able to help Millers Oils receive significant tax relief on its
ground-breaking innovations and are keen to make other businesses in the region aware of how they can qualify for the tax relief. “In addition, businesses don’t need to be designing parts for next generation fighter jets to qualify for R&D, as relief is available for most activities that bring about improvement or changes to products or processes. “It’s also worth checking if the products or processes a business has developed can be patented or carry existing patents as the new ‘Patent Box’ relief could further reduce tax payable on profits generated from any product or process in which the patented product or process is used.”
INSIDE Sales success A LOGISTICS firm based in Huddersfield has won an industry award. The Pink Link Ltd , based at Netherton, scooped the Palletways Northern Hub Award for 2013 at a ceremony at St Georges Park, the home of the new National Football Centre at Burton-upon-Trent. Marc Buchanan, account executive at The Pink Link Ltd, accepted the award on behalf of the company. The award celebrates The Pink Link Ltd’s successful sales performance throughout 2013.
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Housing hindered SOCIAL housing landlords are keen to build more homes – but are hampered by a lack of available land, it is claimed. A survey by Houses4Homes showed that half of the chief executives at 30 major housing associations plan to build more homes in 2014 than they did this year. Houses4Homes said the figures showed a renewed level of confidence in the market.
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RBS to investigate Tomlinson claims TAXPATER-backed Royal Bank of Scotland has hired a law firm to investigate claims of “unscrupulous” treatment of small businesses. A new report by Batley-born businessman Lawrence Tomlinson alleges that the lender drove firms to collapse to buy back their assets at rock-bottom prices. Mr Tomlinson, entrepreneur in residence at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and chairman of Leeds-based LNT Group, said he had uncovered a dossier of evidence that RBS had deliberately forced companies into default to seize their properties. His report contains explosive accusations against RBS, which have now been passed to the City watchdogs by Business Secretary Vince Cable. Mr Cable said he was “appalled” by the claims while Chancellor George Osborne said the allegations were “shocking”.
A spokeswoman for RBS, which is 80% owned by the taxpayer, confirmed that it had now hired law firm Clifford Chance to look into the claims. Details are set out in a letter from the banking group’s new chief executive Ross McEwan. Mr Tomlinson, who has been compiling the report independently for the past six months, focuses allegations on the turnaround division at RBS – its Global Restructuring Group. The division handles loans classed as being risky and is understood to have the power to scrap loan deals, impose inflated interest rates and charge hefty penalties. But the report alleges that firms not necessarily in immediate financial distress are “engineered” into GRG, sometimes through small technical breaches of loan terms, such as late filing of minor financial information. They are then hit with exorbitant rates and fees, which in some cases
■ ACTION CALL: Lawrence Tomlinson, of LNT Group
cause them to collapse, allowing RBS to buy their property and assets on the cheap for the benefit of its West Register property arm, according to Mr Tomlinson. His report claims that fees charged by GRG can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. One business
that submitted evidence to Mr Tomlinson said that it forked out £256,000 in fees alone while in GRG. Another said that RBS made it pay an immediate sum of £40,000 to continue borrowing terms with the group. Mr Tomlinson said he was calling for “immediate action to stop this unscrupulous treatment of businesses”. He said: “There are many devastating stories of how RBS has wrecked good businesses and the ruinous impact this has on the lives of the business owners. I look forward to seeing how RBS proposes to take forward the forensic investigation into this part of the bank.” Mr Cable has referred the matter to the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, adding: “Some of these allegations are very serious and I am waiting for an urgent response as to what actions have been taken.”
Iceland acquires Irish outlets
Sales hot up at Waitrose
ICELAND Foods has bought the seven Iceland stores in the Republic of Ireland, previously operated by its franchisee AIM Group, for an undisclosed sum. All the staff in the stores have been offered the opportunity to transfer to Iceland. Grange Moor-bor n Malcolm Walker, chairman and chief executive of Iceland, said: “We see great opportunities for growth in Ireland and taking direct control of these stores will help us to ensure that we offer the best value and the highest standards of service to our valued Irish customers. “It will also help us to accelerate
SHOPPERS stocking up on frozen foods for Christmas helped boost weekly takings for supermarket chain Waitrose. Total sales, excluding fuel, rose by 6.5% in the week to last Saturday compared withe the same week last year – with top sellers including gateaux, ice cream and frozen party snacks.. Online arm waitrose.com put in a fourth record week in a row outside the Christmas peak week with sales 43.5% higher than last year as many shoppers chose to do their grocery shop from the comfort of their own home or on the go using a mobile or
the expansion of the business, creating new Irish jobs, more opportunities for Irish suppliers and m a k i n g o u r u n i q u e b ra n d e d products available to more people throughout the country. “Iceland has operated its own stores in the Republic in the past, but we withdrew because we urgently needed to simplify the severely troubled business to which I and my colleagues returned in 2005. “We are grateful to Naeem Maniar and his team at AIM Group for their good work in maintaining our brand in the Republic since they took on the franchise in 2009.”
tablet device. Click and collect orders with John Lewis.com accelerated to their busiest week yet, with orders double last year’s levels. Waitrose said jam-making was proving one of the year’s top trends for giving personalised gifts – with sales of confectionery thermometers rocketing along with sales of jam pot covers, sealing and labelling kits. Waitrose also reported soaring demand for its new make-your-own hampers with week-on-week sales up by 75% – allowing customers to pick and present their chosen gifts for friends and family. .
Page 2 Whisky galore DRINKS giant Diageo is to offload most of its whisky business Whyte & Mackay amid fears that its continued ownership could drive up prices for drinkers. The sale offer comes after retailers complained to the Office of Fair Trading that Diageo’s acquisition of United Spirits last year resulted in two of the UK’s leading blended bottled whisky brands coming under the same owner. The OFT is now considering Diageo’s offer to sell the bulk of the Whyte & Mackay business with the exception of two malt distilleries, Dalmore and Tamnavulin. The undertakings cover all of Whyte & Mackay’s blended Scotch whisky brands as well as its private label operations.
Lending latest A RISE in new mortgage borrowing and approvals for house purchases gave fresh impetus to the housing market in October, latest figures reveal. Data from the British Bankers Association showed new mortgage borrowing was 32% higher than for the same month last year while approvals were 33% ahead. But improving consumer confidence is also leading to the banks seeing higher demand for personal loans. At the end of October, personal deposits rose by 4.5% over the year.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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Robyn finds a fitting career IT’S a big step from the says Robyn. “When I first saw The decor was also designed relative security of being it, I didn’t see how it could be to be simple, inviting, employed to the risky venture a shoe shop, but we have minimalist and clean. People of running your own business refitted it and it’s great. It’s like the shop because there’s – but Robyn Poynter is taking located in a busy village, right something a bit special about it all in her stride. by the zebra crossing with it.” The 21-year-old is living her parking nearby. It has four Says Robyn: “We have got dream as owner of Pie floors, including the cellar, off to a good start, despite the Children’s Shoes in Lindley which means there’s lots of downturn. We opened just in and has no regrets about space to expand when the time to catch the end of the making the move into time comes. It has a lot of summer season, selling self-employment. potential. Lindley is a cracking flip-flops and some nice “I have been in the footwear little centre. What makes it sandals. Now the bad weather sector for four years,” she special is that people are so is coming along we are selling says. “I started working in a friendly. Everyone is willing to boots and wellies. shoe shop and I fell in love help each other.” “People haven’t as much with the industry. I got a job Robyn has only been in the money to spend, but they will with the UK distributor of a premises since the summer, spend a little bit more on Brazilian company supplying but has already attracted children’s shoes and making flip-flops under the Ipanena attention through the shop’s sure that the shoes are fitted brand. I became the northern unusual name and its blue and correctly. You can get away sales manager, which actually pink decor – chosen to reflect with putting them in cheaper took me all over the country its focus on shoes for both clothes, but caring for and gave me a real insight into boys and girls. A Facebook children’s feet is so important. footwear retailing. We had lots page is helping to spread the “People like to see the of customers, including small word and a full-blown website brands they recognise. There independents. Every time I is imminent. are so many different brands went into a shop I saw things I And the name Pie? “It of children’s shoes – it’s not liked and it helped me to means ‘foot’ in Spanish,” says just Clark’s any more. But formulate ideas for my Robyn. “I was trying to find a people will take advice and go business.” word that was very simple and for whatever fits the child’s Robyn, who lives at Holywell easy to remember. Many of feet properly.” Green, was brought up in the most successful big Says Robyn: “It is quite Elland and attended brands use simple names. rewarding to have people Brooksbank School. In the ‘Pie’ is simple and catchy and come into the shop, listen to sixth form, she took a BTEC in has a bit of a hidden meaning your advice and go away business studies. “I always behind it – although some happy. I get to know each and knew I wanted to run my own people may think we sell pies! every one of my customers. business,” she says. “I wanted to take the plunge. My parents are very ‘risk-averse’ and work in settled jobs – but my parents, my sister and my partner have all helped me realise my dream. It has been a family adventure, really!” Robyn says: “The BTEC helped me when I wanted to work in the shoe shop, but it has also helped me understand things like profit and loss accounts and how to make a business run.” Searching for premises, Robyn says she “stumbled across” a shop in Lidget Street, Lindley, which looked just right. The shop had sold cake decorations for many years, but the owner wanted to retire and was happy for Robyn to take up the space. “We took the shop in August ■ FEET FIRST: Robyn Poynter of Pie Children’s Shoes, says Lindley is a “cracking” place to run a business and ripped everything out,”
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Robyn Poynter
It’s not like you sometimes see in the big chain shops with the parents getting stressed and the kids screaming. Service is the most important thing. It is service that sets you apart.” Robyn is quick to credit the part played by her partner Chris in getting business up and running. “Chris has been brilliant,” says Robyn. “He’s the brains behind a lot of the boring stuff!” Robyn says her parents Tricia and Darren, sister Laura.and brother Adam have also been “a massive help”. Chris has his own business as owner of The New Hobbit hotel and restaurant at Norland. “This is his first country pub,” says Robyn. “Previously, he ran city centre bars, but this is a lot more personal, you get to know your customers. I help out at the hotel a lot and I am very involved in it, but I wanted something of my own. The hotel business is all about long hours and unsociable hours. Chris is a great supporter of what I am doing and I support his business, too.” Their busy workloads leave little time for hobbies – or cooking, it seems!. Says Robyn: “We have been in our new house for four weeks and we have eaten in just three times! We eat out an awful lot.” Robyn is single-minded about her business and has ambitions to build it up. “The immediate goal is to get the shop established,” she says. “The website is really important in that respect. I would like to think that in the next couple of years there will be another Pie shop up and running. “It takes time to build a business, it doesn’t happen overnight. But it is well worth it in the end – when you see customers coming through the door and realise that you’ve made it happen. I’ll be able to sit back one day and think ‘I did that’.”
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Role: Owner Age: 21 Family: Partner Chris Car: Audi A1 Holidays: We spend a lot of time at my grandparents in southern Spain and we plan to go to Dubai in January. I’m also a sucker for Disneyland Florida! First job: Restaurant supervisor at the Malt House, Rishworth Best thing about job: Simply the fact that I have my own business and that I get to know each and every one of my customers Worst thing about job: The hardest thing is resisting the temptation to spend too much money on stock! Business tip: Just go for it. For every problem, there will always be a solution, but a business takes time to build – it doesn’t happen overnight
Pie Children’s Shoes Work: Children’s footwear retailer Site: Lidget Street, Lindley Phone: 01484 644282 Web: www.pieshoes.co.uk
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KIRKLEES BUSIN
Investors welcome more positive signs HE year continues to progress positively for T investors, with gold and emerging markets being the notable exceptions.
In the medium term, we are happy that a “risk on” stance is appropriate. Bonds continue to offer minimal long-term returns and equities are preferred both for valuation and growth prospects. We have now reached the point where equities have outperformed bonds on a total return basis over one, two, three, five, 10, 20 and 25 periods in both the US and UK. The UK economy has shown encouraging signs over the summer. Activity indicators such as the Purchasing Managers’ series point to recovery, and average house prices are now beginning to rise outside London. Furthermore, the recent Bank of England Quarterly Inflation Report raised Gross Domestic Product growth estimates for 2013 from 1.4% to 1.6% and for 2014 from 2.5% to 2.8% and brought forward the estimate of the timing of unemployment reaching 7% (now a 50-50 probability of unemployment reaching 7% by the middle of 2015; previous estimate was Q2 2016). The resurgence of Initial Public Offering (new issues) activity is also a welcome sign of confidence displayed by both companies and investors. October was a key month for US earnings releases and once again, aggregate earnings grew faster than revenues. A consensus is forming that now that market valuations are closer to the long-term averages, upwards re-rating of equities offers finite potential. Eventually, an economy needs stronger final demand to push it forward and to be healthy this should come from employment growth and
CITY TALK Nick Gartland
higher wages. Ultimately this improved demand will take up the slack in capacity, and capital expenditure, the holy grail of economic policy, will pick up. With regards to Europe, real economic data continues to show signs of recovery, however sluggish. It is notable that the current accounts of the peripheral countries are swinging into surplus, although this is as much a function of collapsing local demand as export growth. Still, productivity improvements bode well for the future. What we really need to see is more demand from the surplus nations, notably Germany. Earlier this month, the European Central Bank made a surprise decision to cut European interest rates from 0.5% to 0.25% in a move designed to combat deflation (most market participants expected no change) which consequently has seen a renewed focus on the outlook for European economies, with France a specific concern following its recent Standard & Poor’s credit rating downgrade to AA from AA+. Japan is potentially getting close to a pivotal moment in its recovery plan. Certainly, there are encouraging signs from both demand and inflation, but the plan still has to be seen to be reducing the public debt, which involves a tricky trade off between, for example, raising consumption taxes and pressing ahead with the most
aggressive iteration of Quantitative Easing (QE) yet seen. Investors who are not “in” Japan might feel they have missed the boat, but a look at the 30-year chart of relative performance against other global equity markets suggests that we are potentially only coming towards the end of a very long bottoming out process. Emerging economies continue to grow. In China, particularly, the transition from investment-led to consumption-led expansion is proving troublesome, but still delivered real growth of 7.8% in Q3. It is notable that consumption has been contributing more to growth than investment, so the rebalancing is well under way. Elsewhere in the emerging world, the threat of QE tapering in the US created havoc and market participants were finally forced to sort out the sheep from the goats, and countries with twin deficits (fiscal and trade) saw their stock, bond and currency markets put to the sword. India, Indonesia and Turkey were notable casualties. But unlike the emerging market crises of the 1990s, struggling countries should avoid a more serious economic crisis this time thanks to higher reserves and improved fiscal balances. Our positive view is underpinned by the belief that developed economies are slowly gaining traction and corporate balance sheets remain strong enough to fund growth and returns to investors. It would be irresponsible to ignore geopolitical risks (Syria and Iran dominate our thoughts), structural issues in Europe or the levels of debt still borne by governments and households, but policymakers remain hell-bent on stimulating final demand and it would be churlish to stand in their way.
Nick Gartland, Senior Financial Planning Director, Investec Wealth & Investment
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Taking the temperature! S the temperature drops A many employers may experience complaints from staff
about the temperature in the workplace. There is a common misconception that there is a “legal minimum temperature” – however there is no such minimum temperature specified by the law. But it is recommended by the HSE that the temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16deg C – or 13deg C if much of the work is physical. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment. The seventh of these regulations deals specifically with the temperature in indoor workplaces and states that: “During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable. However, the application of the regulation differs depending on the nature of the workplace i.e. a bakery, a cold store, an office, a warehouse.” The associated Approved Code Of Practice (ACOP) goes on to explain: “The temperature in workrooms should provide reasonable comfort without the need for special clothing.
RISKY BUSINESS Mark Weeks
Where such a temperature is impractical because of hot or cold processes, all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a temperature which is as close as possible to comfortable. ‘Workroom’ means a room where people normally work for more than short periods.” The temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16deg C unless much of the work involves severe physical effort, in which case the temperature should be at least 13deg C. These temperatures may not, however, ensure reasonable comfort, depending on other factors such as air movement and relative humidity. If the temperature in a workroom is uncomfortably high, for example due to hot processes or the design of the building, all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a reasonably comfortable temperature by shading win-
dows, insulating hot plants or pipes, providing an air-cooling plant, locating workstations away from places subject to radiant heat. If a reasonably comfortable temperature is unable to be attained throughout a workroom, local cooling should be provided. And in extremely hot weather fans and increased ventilation may be used instead of local cooling. If – despite the provision of local cooling – workers are exposed to temperatures that still don’t give reasonable comfort, suitable protective clothing and rest facilities should be provided. Also, where practical, systems of work should be implemented such as task rotation. This would ensure that the length of time for which individual workers are exposed to uncomfortable temperatures is limited.
Mark Weeks is a risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd
Agency sporting
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UK service sector resurgent
y forges g link-up
SERVICE sector firms feel bullish about their prospects following a second successive quarter of solid growth in activity, according to the CBI’s quarterly Service Sector Survey. In the three months to November, optimism across the sector as a whole increased at the strongest pace since the start of the survey in 1998, while business volumes rose at the quickest rate since November, 2007. Against this
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under way for the best es. of Small Businesses ent processing dPay have launched ness Awards to raise mall firms across the ht their “crucial” role
chosen in four usiness Innovation, neur, Micro Business iness. Each category ive £4,500, plus a ing workshop. One he four category also be chosen as the of the FSB WorldPay the Year Award and al £5,000. st Yorkshire FSB d: “Small retailers, ufacturers, service pecialists are the Britain’s economy.” ve until January 31, applications online at ayawards.co.uk
Page 5 backdrop, the rise in staffing levels also reached a six-year high. Consumer services firms reported particularly strong activity in the quarter to November. Hotels, bars, restaurants, travel and leisure firms saw business volumes far outstrip expectations, to grow at the strongest pace since 2007. The business and professional services sector saw business volumes expand for a second successive quarter.
■ PARTNERSHIP: Susan Kenyon, of Ask Marketing Ltd, with Huddersfield Town’s Jonathan Wilkinson
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Seeking out the answers
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A MARKET research firm working for organisations at home and abroad is marking a magnificent seven years in business. Call us today on 01484 437424 to book a Ask Marketing Ltd, based at the Media Centre in Huddersfield, has carried out a wide range of projects – from a consumer survey into who eats the most lobster to Marketing Think, Plan, Do Session hosting product tasting panels for cakes, health drinks, beverages and chocolate. Other work has included mapping the social and economic impact of cultural www.askinsight.co.uk festivals and carrying out employee satisfaction surveys. Ask founder Susan Kenyon said the company was celebrating the completion of more than 190 projects for over 100 clients – and the firm’s resilience in the face of tough trading conditions. And she emphasised the importance of market Thinking… outside the books research for firms now hoping to take advantage of the slowly improving economic climate. She said: “Investment in market research as the first stage in the marketing planning process can generate real long-term value in the years to come – while those that do not invest in market research may fall at the first hurdle. “Not being able to identify and profile customers prevents businesses and organisations from being able to develop market-aligned products and services. “Not being aware of competitor activity results in poorly positioned products and services and ineffective use of marketing budgets.” She said basic market research could help develop Tailored programme to maximise profitability new customers, products and services, help to retain existing customers and give firms an insight into how their brands are perceived. Tailored tax efficient solutions Said Susan: “Our clients value the customer and market insight that market research can generate, which is then used to direct their marketing strategy Regular updates & support to help your business and the allocation of their marketing budget. “As an established, experienced research agency, Ask has invested in new technologies to enable us to FREE use of our facilities for your meeting deliver a more cost-effective market research service to suit most budgets.” Ask Marketing has completed research organisaSupport all day, every day tions including Kirklees and Calderdale councils, Total Food Service, ProperMaid, Kirklees College and the Textile Centre of Excellence as well as ASDA, Marks & Spencer and Herbert Brown. Ask is a partner of the Market Research Society and features in the Research Buyers Guide as well as being and quote KBN /1211 to give us the chance to help you research partner with both Huddersfield Town and achieve your goals, or contact us through our website at:Kirklees College. It has employed 15 graduates and is providing work experience and internships for Huddersfield University and Kirklees College students.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Funding worries A NATIONAL conference to unveil a ground-breaking proposal for new homes will be held in Yorkshire this week. How To Build The Homes and Communities Britain Needs will be staged on Thursday in York by the Royal Institute of British Architects, which has set up the Future Homes Commission to inquire into the quality and delivery of new homes and raise standards of housing in the UK. This conference is the first opportunity for the commission’s report, Building the Homes and Communities Britain Needs, to be discussed in public. The commission proposes a new funding model to help the housing sector achieve its ambitious goals with no additional cost to the taxpayer. The funding model will be presented at the conference by Sir John Banham, chairman of the Future Homes Commission.
property
Page 6
Firm marks move to new premises
A FAMILY business with strong Huddersfield connections has marked its 150th anniversary in style – by opening anew multi-million pound headquarters. The James Durrans Group, which was founded in 1863 and supplies carbon-based products to the world’s manufacturing industries, hosted a grand unveiling of the facility – with more than 150 guests from around the world attending. The 11,200sq ft, four-storey, office building, called Phoenix Works, has been developed on the same site in Penistone where the firm was founded. Managing director Chris Durrans, who lives at New Mill, said: “The company boasts a rich and proud history in Yorkshire and we are delighted that we have made a real statement of intent about where our future lies with this iconic building on the site where it all began. “I would often return from visits to our overseas operations and wish that our headquarters
reflected the company’s success, so that was a driving factor behind this development. “Additionally, we needed a fit-for-purpose building that would bring all our staff under one roof and create a modern, enjoyable working environment. “As we are in a conservation area, we thought hard about creating a design that will stand the test of time and really add to the area.” Durrans operates from four factories in the UK – at Penistone; Bilston, West Midlands; Brancepeth, Co Durham; and Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire – as well as plants in Germany, China, South Africa, India and France. The company supplies the road, rail and aerospace sectors, the power industry, oil and gas producers, telecoms and utilities companies and chemicals firms. Products include refractory coatings, milled coal dust, anthracite, metallurgical and petroleum cokes.
■ OPEN DAY: Chris Durrans (second right) with guests (from left) Joe Gerzina, of oil and gas business Phillips 66; Brian Cooke, of iron castings firm Castings PLC; and Deepak Chowdhary, of foundry products supplier MPM Refracoat, at the official opening of the new premises
Chancellor urged to back housing sector FOR SALE
On instructions of Northern Way Business Quarter Properties Ltd.
Unit 15, Cartwright Court
Bradley Business Park, Huddersfield, HD2 1GN 1 Modern office investment opportunity 1 472.86m2 (5,090 sq ft) 1 Income of £56,044 PAX rising to £64,050 PAX 1 Strong national covenant Price: Offers invited in the region of £675,000
TO LET
Upon the instructions of Wharfedale Finance Company
Holme Street Business Park
Holme Street, Liversedge, WF15 6JF 1 Modern workshop units 1 77.11 – 154.22m2 (830 – 1,660 sq ft) 1 Ease of access to main road and motorway network 1 Business rate free until April 2014 Rent: Unit 3 – £6,000 per annum exclusive Unit 5 – £6,000 per annum exclusive
TO LET
St George’s House
7 St George’s Square, Huddersfield, HD1 1LA 1 Ground floor offices 1 49.33m2 (531 sq ft) 1 Frontage to St George’s Square 1 Ease of access to town centre amenities Rent: £6,000 per annum exclusive
Please note a service charge will be payable in respect of maintenance of common areas, heating, cleaning, decorating and lighting of common areas and buildings insurance.
CHANCELLOR George Osborne must make investment in Britain’s ageing housing stock as his top priority in next week’s Autumn Statement, it was said. The Federation of Master Builders urged him to reduce VAT on renovation and repair work and invest public money in improving the homes of the fuel poor in order to secure the economic recovery and protect households from rising energy bills. FMB chief executive Brian Berry said: “The Chancellor must view the UK’s homes as an infrastructure investment priority if he wants to fulfil his responsibilities by boosting growth and protecting families from rampant increases in the cost of energy. “Unlike big rail or aviation projects, domestic repair and improvement projects can start right away, so the positive impact on the economy would be felt immediately.” He said: “The Chancellor must act quickly and decisively to cut VAT on all domestic building work to 5%, which will encourage more householders to have energy-saving measures installed and give families new armour in the fight against ever-increasing energy bills. “It just doesn't make sense that the full rate of VAT is charged on work to make the average British home warmer and cheaper to run. Just under half of EU member states currently offer a discounted rate of VAT on this type of work, so why is the UK also not taking advantage of the opportunity to incentivise the
■ PRIORITY: Chancellor George Osborne must cut VAT on repairs and restoration work, says FMB market in this way?” Mr Berry said the government should be investing the £4bn raised annually via carbon taxes to improve housing stock and help those unable to help themselves through the VAT reduction. Berry added: “In terms of the construction industry, although we’re starting to see some initial improvement, it is important that the Chancellor remembers what a low base this industry is recovering from. While it is encouraging that we have seen two consecutive quarters of largely positive results in the construction sector, the previous 22 consecutive quarters were pretty much all bad news for Britain’s beleaguered builders.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Housing plans being stymied SOCIAL housing landlords are keen to build more homes – but are being hampered by a lack of available land, it is claimed. A survey by Houses4Homes showed that half of the chief executives at 30 major housing associations plan to build more homes in 2014 than they did this year while 19% match this year’s number. Houses4Homes, which provided funding for social, supported and extra care housing, said the figures indicated a renewed level of confidence in the market. But 55% said that a lack of available land is hampering their ability to begin new projects while 40% said planning restrictions continued to get in the way. Huddersfield-based Phil Shanks, chief executive at Houses4Homes, said: “These findings reflect the concerns of housing associations across the region. “Good quality, sustainable and affordable social housing development is badly needed and while landlords have an appetite to create new communities,
TO LET
■ LAND LOCKED: Phil Shanks, chief executive at Houses4Homes
there are a number of bottlenecks which have been identified. “I think most people accept that land has to be made available for housing. This country remains gripped in a housing crisis and without appropriate places to build, it will remain so.” The survey looked at a variety of issues affecting housing associations – the companies which manage and lease the vast majority of the UK’s social housing
Offices
FOR SALE
– as part of its ongoing project to support affordable development across the UK. In addition to land availability concerns, Houses4Homes also discovered that a lack of bank funding has been a significant drain on associations' ability to maintain housing stock in the past 12 months with 71% complaining that banks have not been as supportive as they could. Meanwhile, the “Bedroom Tax” has already influenced the types of development housing associations are planning, with 46% confirming that it had increased their need to develop new one and two-bedroom accommodations. Said Mr Shanks: “The Spare Room Subsidy has been controversial and landlords are having to adapt. Nevertheless, with those types of demands imposed on them – politically rather than market driven – housing associations need help in terms of new funding solutions and land acquisition support to ensure that Britain's housing crisis does not continue indefinitely.”
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Former ‘The House’ Restaurant, Scholes, Cleckheaton 165m2 (1,770 sq ft)
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Industrial/Trade
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Commercial
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property
Page 7
Redrow land director spells out its strategy HOUSEBUILDER Redrow’s new land director in Yorkshire is firmly focused on finding sites suitable for developing new homes of varying sizes. Matthew Barker (pictured), who has joined the company from Linden Homes, said: “We need to ensure continuity for the business so that employment and activity is sustained and, at the same time, we are also keen to grow the division. “To facilitate this we’re looking to acquire sites in prime locations and are interested in a mix of small sites from around two-and-a-half acres to medium and large scale ventures.” Mr Barker, who is based at the Redrow Homes (Yorkshire) divisional headquarters in Wakefield, said the most significant growth will come from the “core areas” of West Yorkshire. Mr Barker has a degree in building surveying from Leeds Metropolitan University and spent his early career working in an architects’ practice before moving to housebuilding, where he has spent the past 15 years, initially in project management but later in land acquisition. He joined Broadgate Homes in South Lincolnshire before moving to Pelham Homes in Lincoln, where he became senior land manager. He spent six-and-a-half years at Stamford Homes, now Linden Homes, where he latterly worked as land director in North Humberside.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Glen Staddon
Disposables UK BATHROOM products supply firm Disposables UK has bolstered its team with the appointment of Glen Staddon as European business manager. Mr Staddon (pictured) will play a crucial role in the company’s five year growth plans, which will see the company almost double its current £16m turnover to £30m by 2018. Disposables UK has recently moved into new state-of-the-art premises and made a £1.7m investment in new machinery as part of its ambitious expansion plans. With more than 36 years in the industry, Mr Staddon will work alongside Paul Halliwell, director of sales at Disposables UK, to support the company’s European export plans. He will be responsible for broadening the Bay West brand in untapped European markets, as well as extending business into existing areas where the company already has a presence. Before his appointment, he was national accounts controller at Georgia-Pacific and he brings a wealth of knowledge of European distribution across Western and Eastern Europe. He said: “I am delighted to be joining the team at Disposables UK at such an exciting time. I have known the team here for many years and I have always admired the company for constantly striving to drive the business forward through investment and innovation. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into my role and playing a part in the ambitious growth plans.”
College engagement for manufacturers KIRKLEES manufacturers are being urged to find out about a new partnership which aims to fill the skills gap and help businesses grow. The partnership between Calderdale College and the Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance will be launched on at 5pm on Thursday at the college in Francis Street, Halifax. CKMA will get the chance to tour the college’s new technology centre, find out about external funding opportunities to update the skills of their employees and learn about the advantages of traineeships. A special curriculum covers the core skills already identified by CKMA, including fabrication and welding, use of power tools, basic electronics and electrical skills, basic mechanical engineering skills, accurate
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Award puts firm truly in the pink! A LOGISTICS firm based in Huddersfield has won an industry award. Netherton-based The Pink Link Ltd scooped the Palletways Northern Hub Award for 2013 at a ceremony at St Georges Park, the home of the new N a t i o n a l Fo o t b a l l C e n t r e, B u rton-Upon-Trent. Marc Buchanan, account executive at The Pink Link Ltd, accepted the award on behalf of the company. The award celebrates The Pink Link Ltd’s successful sales performance throughout 2013 after delivering the highest volume through the Northern hub. The award was presented by celebrity guest speaker and former Wolves and England footballer Steve Bull and Rob Gittins, UK sales director of Palletways (UK) Ltd. Vicki Davenport, sales and commercial director of The Pink Link, said: “We are thrilled to be recognised for putting the highest amount of volume through the Northern Hub. “It is a testament to the hard work of our staff and shows our customers that they can expect the very best transportation and logistics service from The Pink Link Ltd.” Palletways is Europe’s largest and fast-
■ TRANSPORT OF DELIGHT: Marc Buchanan (centre), account executive at The Pink Link Ltd, receives the award from former Wolves and England footballer Steve Bull (right) and Rob Gittins, of Palletways (UK) Ltd
est growing express palletised freight network. It has 300 members across Europe, of which 106 are in the UK. The company’s distribution networks
are made up of independent transport companies who share resources to deliver small consignments of palletised freight quickly and cost-effectively.
Putting on the style THE founder of a clothing design company counting the royalty and Hollywood stars among its clients was guest speaker at a meeting of Huddersfield Textile Society. Victoria Stapleton, founder and creative director of Brora, addressed the audience at the Textile Centre of Excellence. She was introduced by society president Chris Wilkinson. Victoria launched Brora 20 years ago with the intention of using only British manufacturers. Her collection of cashmere, fine wool, silk and linen products – designed in collaboration with model Sophie Dahl – are regarded as outstanding examples of clothing bearing the “Made in Britain” label. Brora’s star clientele including the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of
Cambridge, her sister Pippa Middleton, model Kate Moss and actresses Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts and Helena Bonham-Carter. In 20 years, Victoria has built up a £17m company and opened 14 shops as well as running a very successful online and mail order facility. Said Chris: “Her impact on the packed audience at the Textile Centre of Excellence, which included many young students from the university and the apprentices and practitioners in the local Industry was plain to see. “No one could resist her passion for her company, her love of textiles and clothing design and her belief in British Industry – a truly fascinating and inspirational presentation and a triumph for British textiles.”
■ FASHION FAME: Victoria Stapleton (left), founder of clothing design firm Brora, with Chris Wilkinson, president of Huddersfield Textile Society
Backing for breakfast scheme measurement and the ability to interpret and work from a range of diagrams, instructions and drawings. Students will also develop work-readiness skills including maths, English, IT and health and safety and will enhance these skills through real work experience or traineeships with CKMA members. Visitors to the open day will be welcomed by college principal Chris Jones and hear from teaching and learning champion Greg O’Shea. There will be demonstrations from students, a tour of the technology centre and the opportunity for informal discussions and networking. To register, email enquiry@ckma.info
A SCHEME to ensure schoolchildren start the day with a healthy breakfast is being backed by businesses. The Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has signed up to support another year of the Huddersfield Town Foundation’s Early Kick-Off Scheme at Hillside Primary school in Newsome. After a successful first year supporting the scheme, Hillside Primary School has had an average daily attendance of 30 children – more than double that of their previous breakfast club. The breakfast club now attracts families who are not entitled to free school meals – but still struggle to make ends meet – enabling more parents to get back into
employment. Jill Mellor, learning mentor at Hillside Primary, said: “The Early Kick-Off Club has proved to be a resounding success and we predict that it will continue to thrive in the future, benefiting not just the children in our school, but the wider community as well. “We owe a huge debt of thanks to the chamber for sponsoring Hillside Primary in this initiative and are extremely proud and grateful to hear that this will continue.” The chamber was encouraged to hear that the scheme also helped volunteers to secure employment and education – one has gone on to study a teaching assistant
degree and another has been offered paid employment. Chamber director Andrew Choi said: “We are delighted to support such a great initiative for a second year. “Hearing the difference the scheme has made to the children, parents and wider community is fantastic and we will are looking forward to visiting the school again to see the progress for ourselves.” Mandy Taylor, of the Town Foundation, said: “The generosity of our local companies and organisations never ceases to amaze me, especially so when the donation is not only repeated for a second year running, but increased substantially.”