Kirklees Business News November 30th 2010

FTSE 100

CHARLES HINCHLIFFE Reflecting on a life on the farm

CLARE QUARTERMAINE -117.75 Women in business

5550.95

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An EXAMINER publication

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Growing company is in good health!

A FIT-OUT company formed less than a year ago has landed a hat-trick of contracts for work at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Lockwood-based CPI Contracts was successful in tendering for the contracts for one of the wards at the L i n d l e y h o s p i t a l a n d fo r i t s out-patients’ and endoscopy departments.

Work on the endoscopy unit, which began at the end of April and finished in September, included fitting the lightweight structural steel walls and installing interior partitions.

Towards the end of that contract, CPI was handed the task of installing internal partitions, flooring and fixed joinery on ward 21 on the top floor of the infirmary.

Now it has begun work at the out-patients’ department on a contract which is due for completion on Christmas Eve. CPI Contracts was launched last December by quantity surveyor Grant Pinder and business partner Jason Carolan, who has more than 20 years experience in construction, latterly as a site manager.

Mr Pinder said the company

planned to focus its efforts on winning public sector work, especially health and education.

“There are concerns about public sector spending cuts, but we are establishing a track record with our work at the infirmary which we believe will give us an edge when tenders are placed,” he said.

“Working at the infirmary was quite a demanding job.

“Materials and equipment had to be brought on and off site before 8am and after 5pm and security was paramount.

“We also had to work to strict timetables to minimise disruption for staff and patients.”

Mr Pinder said the company was now tendering for further work across Yorkshire in a bid to get the new year off to a flying start.

CPI Contracts is already expanding.

The business has moved from a start-up unit at the Ray Street Enterprise Centre in Huddersfield to larger accommodation at Lockwood’s Gateway Enterprise Centre, where it has more space for offices and storage.

Brand on the run A VEHICLE hire firm has a brand new image thanks to the work of a Huddersfield agency.

Manifest Communications, based at New North Road, has provided a new look for Northgate Vehicle Hire, the UK’s largest vehicle hire company.

Northgate has moved from a network of 20 local, individual brands to one national brand – Northgate Vehicle Hire – operating as 12 business areas with more than 60 sites covering the UK and Ireland.

● Full story - Page 5

■ FIT FOR THE JOB: Grant Pinder, of CPI Contracts, with the fittings installd by the company at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary’s endoscopy unit

Kitchen firm achieves 100% recycling rate A DEWSBURY-based company has hit a 100% recycling rate.

Social housing kitchen manufacturer Rixonway Kitchens has implemented a new waste management contract to ensure every last scrap of its waste is now recycled.

Rixonway has moved all its waste management requirements to Leeds Paper Recycling, allowing it to confidently claim that no waste from the plant goes to landfill.

Wood waste is recycled into biomass with larger pieces being sent to be reworked back into chipboard.

Rixonway has also become the largest organisation in the UK to install the

INSIDE

Ecogate System dust control system, which has been developed to support large woodworking manufacturers like Rixonway.

Traditional dust extraction systems run constantly across the whole plant, even if a machine is not in use.

The intelligent Ecogate System monitors when a machine is not in use, shutting down that particular extraction unit, saving the electricity needed to run the unit and heat the factory as less hot air is removed.

Rixonway operations director Nick Greenall said the Ecogate System was expected to save about 23% of the site’s electricity usage, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

“We expect to see a return on the Ecogate System investment within two years and a substantial annual saving thereafter,” said Mr Greenall.

“All these initiatives led Rixonway to receive 100% in its environmental credentials in a recent tender application, a position of which we are tremendously proud.”

Formed in 1978, Yorkshire-based Rixonway Kitchens is the only UK kitchen manufacturer working solely in affordable and social housing.

It makes 12,000 units a week and employs more than 400 people at its UK headquarters and manufacturing site in Dewsbury.

■ WASTE NOT: Nick Greenall, Rixonway operations director

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Canada contract RAVENSTHORPE company Chem Resist Ltd has added Canada to its list of export markets.

The firm, which makes and supplies thermoplastic storage tanks and process equipment, has landed a five-figure contract with chemical company ClearTech.

● Full story - Page 4

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

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BP sells Argentine interests for £4.5bn OIL giant BP has now sold £12.8m of assets to help pay for the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster after offloading its majority stake in an Argentina-based company.

The group said it had sold its 60% interest in oil and gas firm Pan American Energy to Bridas Corporation, a company half-owned by China National Offshore Oil Corporation, for £4.5bn.

The sale brings BP closer to its target to sell up to £19bn of assets by the end of 2011 to help pay the compensation bill for the Deepwater Horizon explosion in April – which sparked the largest offshore oil spill in history.

Before the deal, BP had secured £8.9bn worth of asset sales, by selling interests in North America, Egypt, Venezuela, Vietnam and Colombia.

BP group chief executive Bob Dudley said the latest agreement “further demonstrates both the high quality and attractiveness of the assets throughout BP’s global portfolio and also the company’s ability to meet our significant financial commitments arising from the Gulf of Mexico tragedy”.

BP ultimately expects the cost of the oil spill to be about £25.6bn.

Earlier this month, BP revealed an additional charge of £4.9bn in addition to a £20bn hit in the second quarter.

The initial charge included a £12.9bn compensation fund and sent BP into the red for the first time in 18 years.

The explosion on April 20 killed 11 workers and caused an estimated 4.9m barrels of oil to gush into the Gulf - the largest offshore spill in history.

The well at the Deepwater Horizon

■ ASSET SALE: BP has added £4.5bn to the sum set aside to help pay for the Gulf of Mexico disaster

site was permanently sealed on September 17.

BP has now raised about £13.4bn

through asset sales to meet the clean-up costs, legal fees and damages emerging from the tragic event.

Under the most recent agreement, Bridas will pay a deposit of £2.3bn for PAE with the balance due on completion, which is expected next year.

PAE is Argentina’s second-biggest oil producer.

Earlier this month, BP said it had recovered from losses in the second quarter to report a £1.1bn profit in the third quarter.

The firm has taken additional steps to move forward from the spill and rebuild trust.

Mr Dudley unveiled a new safety and operational risk unit, a review of pay focusing on safety-led incentives and a review of third-party contractors.

Go-ahead for airlines merger

Middle East move for Sky

SHAREHOLDERS of British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia have voted in favour of a £5bn merger.

The green light from the shareholders means the creation of a new parent company for the two carriers – International Airlines Group.

The name BA will no longer be among those listed on the London Stock Market, with IAG taking its place when the deal is finally completed about January 21.

However, both airlines will keep their individual identities, with IAG’s head office being in London and the new company’s annual meetings being held in Madrid.

The merged airline will have 408

SKY News has announced plans for its first foreign language service in a move that will see it broadcast in Arabic across the Middle East and north Africa.

The free-to-watch channel will be run as a joint-venture between satellite broadcaster BSkyB and Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corp, owned by Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan – who is best-known in the UK for buying Manchester City football club.

The service, which will start broadcasting from 2012, will be based in Abu Dhabi but will have offices in London and Washington DC.

aircraft carrying about 57m passengers a year.

Between them the two carriers have more than 57,000 staff and fly to more than 250 destinations.

One of the key benefits of the merger to BA is the access it will now get to South America.

At present BA flies to only three South American destinations – Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil and Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Iberia also flies to these three cities, but also operates to eight other South American destinations.

In return, Iberia will gain from BA’s more extensive North American operations.

The service will be set up under the guidance of Sky News’ former head of international news Adrian Wells before a permanent director of news is appointed.

Sky News became Europe’s first 24-hour news channel when it launched in 1989.

It now broadcasts to 145m people in 36 countries in Europe, and is also watched in Asia and Africa.

Its latest move, which it described as “a significant step” into a “dynamic marketplace” will see Sky News compete head-to-head with Arabic stations including Al Jazeera.

It’s good on paper THE owner of wallpaper brands Sanderson and Harlequin reported record autumn sales and profits as more households look to improve their homes.

Walker Greenbank, which also owns fabric and wallpaper brands Morris & Co and Zoffany, said pre-tax profits for the year to January, 2011, will be ahead of market forecasts following the strong season.

The group, which sells its brands in John Lewis among other stores, said mid-market products such as Sanderson’s Vintage wallpaper collection launched this year, were particularly successful.

Walker Greenbank chief executive John Sach said homeowners were investing more in decoration as they opt to stay in and entertain guests rather than dine out at restaurants.

Footsie tumbles HEIGHTENED fears about Europe’s sovereign debt crisis led to a fresh plunge for the FTSE 100 index.

The Footsie closed more than 117pts down at 5550.95 yesterday as investors fretted about the economies of Portugal and Spain – despite the fianlisation of ireland’s £72bn rescue package at the weekend.

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £27.16 -0.02 Gannett 819.99 -8.04 Hess Corp £44.05 -0.81 Microsoft 1612.99 -10.29 Motors Liquidation 48.22 Wal-Mart Stores £34.50 -0.05 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 202 +2 BAE Systems 3337/8 -61/4 Rolls-Royce Gp 608 -81/2 AIM Brady Plc 621/2 +11/2 Dawson Intl 11/2 1 Man Brnze 63 /2 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1881/4 -53/8 BANKS Barclays 263 +31/8 HSBC 6513/8 +1/4 Lloyds Banking Gp 601/2 -11/4 Ryl Scotland 381/2 -1/8 Stan Chart 17491/2 -8 BEVERAGES Diageo 1150 -29 SABMiller £201/2 -5/8 CHEMICALS Croda 1433 -27 Elementis 98 1141/4 -13/8 Johnsn Mat 1814 -58 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2725/8 -63/4 Costain 196 -14 ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 3601/8 -105/8 Intl Power 4097/8 -67/8 Scottish & Sthrn 1121 -27 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 1535/8 -1 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS 1 Alliance Trust 352 /8 -25/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 169 -51/4 Cable & Wireless 447/8 -11/8 Comm Cable & Wireless 62 -13/4 Wwide Colt Group 122 -41/2 KCOM 523/4 +13/4 7 Talktalk Telecom 152 /8 -21/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2725/8 -51/4 Sainsbury 360 -71/8 5 Tesco 421 /8 -83/8 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1067 -16 Nth Foods 59 +13/4 1 Tate Lyle 511 /2 -61/2 Unilever 1795 -42 3 -1/4 Uniq 6 /4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 311 -5 National Grid 567 -9 Pennon Grp 6311/2 -71/2 Severn 1438 -30 United Utils 596 -12 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 3021/4 -51/8

ICAP 4733/4 -21/4 London StockExch 777 -1 -9 Man Group 2603/4 Provident Financial 834 -131/2 Schroders 1630 -46 Schroders NV 1291 -34 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 552 -181/2 REXAM 3053/4 -61/4 Smiths Grp 1159 -16 GENERAL RETAILERS 1 Ashley L 16 /2 +1/4 Carphone Whse 377 +3/4 Dixons Retail 257/8 -1/4 Home Retail 2013/4 -31/2 1 Inchcape 330 /8 -73/4 Kingfisher 2371/2 -71/8 M&S 3773/8 -81/8 Mothercare 5771/2 +81/2 1 Next £20 /8 -5/8 WH Smith 4731/2 -13/4 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 5861/2 -8 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 74 -51/2 Barrat Dev 71 -33/8 Persimmon 3451/8 -141/2 Reckitt Benckiser £341/4 -3/4 1 Taylor Wimpey 24 /4 -1/2 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 692 -8 IMI 862 -12 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 3561/4 -127/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION

BBA Aviation 195 Forth Ports 1311 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 359 Lgl & Gen 94 Old Mutual 1211/2 Prudential 5681/2 Resolution 2195/8 Standard Life 209 MEDIA BSkyB 719 Chrysalis 158 D Mail Tst 520 ITV 671/8 Johnston Press 101/2 Pearson 9311/2 Reed Elsevier 516 STV Group 923/4 Trinity Mirror 701/2 Utd Business 6151/2 UTV 127 WPP 7121/2 Yell Group 121/4 MINING Anglo American £281/4 Antofagasta 1299 BHP Billiton £225/8 Eurasian Natural 8831/2 Res Fresnillo 1406 Kazakhmys 1395 Lonmin 1683 Rio Tinto £403/8 VEDANTA £201/8 RESOURCES Xstrata 12941/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

-11/2 -12 -103/4 -17/8 -51/2 -81/2 -51/2 -47/8 -11/2 -1/2 -29 -3/4 -1/2 -211/2 -91/2 -1/2 -181/2 -8 -121/2

-7/8 -26 -1/2 -26 -36 -35 -35 -13/8 -5/8 -371/2

Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp

2163/4 231/2 1051/2 567 1703

+161/4 -21/2 -9 -53

FTSE closed at

5550.95 Down 117.75

Inmarsat 653 Vodafone Group 1591/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1541 RSA Insurance Gp 1201/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 11681/2 BP 4281/4 Cairn Energy 3775/8 Royal Dutch Shell A 19451/2 Royal Dutch Shell B 1919 Total £311/4 Tullow Oil 1151 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1108

-231/2 -6 -35 -5/8 -381/2 -73/4 -173/8 -44 -441/2 -1/2 -31 -17

Petrofac 1392 -85 Wood Group 4731/4 -73/4 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 996 -44 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £301/4 -1/2 Axis-Shield 2491/2 -51/4 GlaxoSmithK XD 36 Shire 1522 -45 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4801/8 -10 Captl Shop Cent 4001/8 -7/8 DTZ Hldgs 391/2 -1 3 Hamrsn 394 /4 -121/4 Land Secs 634 -131/2 SEGRO 2791/2 -5 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1325 -16 Dimension Data 1201/4 +1/2 Invensys 3187/8 -73/4 3 Logica 117 /8 -21/4 Misys 2911/4 -13/4 Sage Group 2581/4 -15/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Bunzl 715 -8 Capita 659 -11 Davis Service 3961/8 -31/2 Group De La Rue 5521/2 +3 Electrocomp 262 -51/2 Experian 744 -7 G4S 2373/4 -21/2 Hays 1107/8 -13/8 Homeserve 4283/8 -91/4 Menzies J 470 Rentokil 891/4 -11/4 Smiths News 1041/2 +13/4

Wolseley

1720

-61

IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs Psion Spirent Comms

3907/8 98 1451/2

-75/8 -13/8

TOBACCO Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco

£233/8 1895

-5/8 -60

LEISURE & HOTELS Brit Airways Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express PartyGaming Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread

2611/4 £253/4 5491/2 4393/8 107 3603/4 1203 4521/4 1133 1261/8 3455/8 2235/8 2337/8 127 1991/8 2143/8 1697

-103/4 -5/8 -51/2 -35/8 -17/8 -8 -6 -2 -30 +1/4 -77/8 -11/2 +3/4 -23/8 -3/4 -1/4 -46

FTSE 100

INDEX 5550.95

-117.75

FTSE 250

INDEX 10689.60

-119.83

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS WHEN veteran farmer Charles Hinchliffe saw his 100-year-old Yorkshire family business – and one of the UK’s first farm shops – go up in smoke this year, he was determined that it would rise from the ashes.

The notion of “true Yorkshire grit” might have become something of a cliché, but there’s no better way to sum up the determined personality of 86-year-old Charles Hinchliffe.

Charles works seven days a week to oversee the day-to-day running of his Sunnyside Farm at Netherton.

That might seem more than enough work for any octogenarian – but up until this summer, the beef and poultry farmer was also heavily involved in running the farm shop which his father built up in the 1920s as well as butchery and restaurant complex.

Then in July this year, the unthinkable happened. A fire tore through the farm shop complex and burnt everything to the ground.

Charles and the family could only stand and watch as the farm, representing the efforts of four generations of the Hinchliffe family, went up in flames.

“Many people cried that day,” says Charles. “I shed a few tears myself, but it’s just one of those things in life that you just have to get through. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved and this gives me the kick to get up in the morning. We will get through it; we have to.”

The tenacious Hinchliffe spirit started with Charles’ father, Allen. Having served unscathed in the First World War, he lost a leg falling from scaffolding while working as a plumber and spent the rest of his life with a peg leg.

Despite this, he set up a successful butcher’s shop in the centre of Huddersfield.

When slum clearances threatened the shop, the family moved across the road to another shop – and then bought a travelling shop to reach the displaced population.

“We could have started trading from a market hall or on the street, but this wasn’t our scene,” says Charles.

“Eventually my father and mother moved out of the town altogether and began farming poultry – an easier form of farming for someone with one leg. In 1929, he set up one of the UK’s first farm shops selling fresh eggs and chickens.”

Eleven-year-old Charles, the eldest of four children, was already showing hints of his father’s business acumen.

“I’ve always been a wheeler-dealer,” says Charles. “From three years old I kept bantams and at 11 I used to sell sweets to my grammar school friends out of my school bag.

“I wasn’t allowed to, of course, and they chucked me out in the end because they had to shut up the tuck shop: I sold them at half the price and practically put them out of business!

profile

Life down on the farm “When my father died in 1940, I was only 17, and there were three other younger children to bring up.

At that stage, I was already into growing my own; I had a nursery growing tomatoes and vegetables. Everything has always been home produced and the Hinchliffe name has grown up with that.”

Charles says the business simply evolved from there.

“Initially, we didn’t know what to do with the hen manure, so we purchased some land to put it on and the hen manure grew a lot of lovely grass so we bought some beef cattle to eat the grass,” he says. “I first started farming when I was 23-years-old – the year I got married – and we began selling our meat, chickens, eggs and fresh vegetables from surrounding farms at the farm shop.

“In 2002, my grandson Simon opened the on-site restaurant.”

It seemed only natural that Charles’ children – Robert, Richard and daughter Susan – would go into the business, and, although his sons have since moved away, Susan and her husband Les, continue to work alongside Charles with their own sons – and Charles’ grandsons – Simon and Ben. “I’m proud that they’ve all gone into the business and

it’s still in the family,” says Charles. “The Hinchliffe name stands for freshness, quality and service.”

And it’s that traditional, personal touch that has continued to appeal to Hinchliffe’s loyal band of customers.

“It’s all about good staff – some of them have been here their whole lives, since they started working at 15 – and the family has kept a watchful eye on what’s going on,” says Charles.

“This place is personal to me – and it’s personal to everyone who works here.”

With the business booming at the beginning of 2010, Charles could never have imagined that he’d have to start from scratch all over again.

But at 9.30am on July 5, a small fire, started by an electrical fault in the butchery department, eventually engulfed the entire farm, gutting the butchery, farm shop, restaurant, storerooms and offices and killing more than 200 chickens.

“Because we had three gas tanks on the site, the fire brigade had to focus their energies on keeping these cool,” says Charles. “So we watched the buildings burn from one end to the other – everything was wiped out. I just kept asking ‘Why?’ It was very hard to take in.”

■ TAKING STOCK: Farmer, Charlie Hinchliffe of Hinchliffe's Farm and Farm Shop, Netherton

Page 3 Charles Hinchliffe

The Hinchliffes were quick to pick themselves up. “We’d been through BSE, salmonella and so on, but this was the hardest time. Everything was gone – computers, paperwork, you name it; we had nothing to show for anything,” says Charles.

“The main problem was that we had a build-up of cattle ready for slaughter but we ended up having to send these to market instead of going through our shops. It was really hard when you’d put the work in and reared these cattle yourself to see them go off for someone else to sell.

It’s difficult to put into words how hard it’s been.

“But we kept thinking at least we’ve got each other and, straight afterwards, our plan was just to get up and running as soon as we could. We started off selling eggs and chickens out of a big cattle trailer and then we bought a

travelling butcher’s shop on wheels. I guess if you haven’t got a sense of humour you might as well not bother carrying on – it definitely helped me get through it! You’ve got to laugh otherwise you’d cry.”

Since August, the family have been trading from an enormous permanent marquee on site, selling a wide range of fresh-from-the-farm produce – while sales have rocketed once more.

But what does the future hold ?

“I have to keep working; I can’t live off my pension!’ laughs Charles. “I’m a workaholic and if I didn’t enjoy what I did I would never keep doing it. The future is great; it’s got to be, hasn’t it, with a name and a business like ours?

It’s just a matter of time before we get going properly again.”

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Charles Hinchliffe Age: 86 Family: Widower of Joan with children Robert, Susan and Richard Holidays: South Africa Car: Mercedes-Benz E Class. I have driven them for over 40 years First job: Butchering for my father. My first wage was 10s 6d Best thing about job: Breeding and feeding cattle for sale in our farm shop Worst thing about job: Nothing. That’s why I’m still working at my age!

Business tip: Stick to one quality – the best! There’s always a market for it

Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop Work: Food retail Site: Netherton Employees: 40 Phone: 01484 661231 Email: info@hinchliffes.com Website: www.hinchliffes.com

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KIRKLEES BUSIN

Company boxing clever in Canada A KIRKLEES company has added a new country to its list of export markets.

Ravensthorpe-based Chem Resist Ltd has already clocked up tens of thousands of air miles to secure contracts in Algeria, Australia, Egypt, Russia and the Middle East in recent times.

Now the world leader in the design and construction of thermoplastic storage tanks and process equipment has secured a deal in Canada.

ClearTech, a leading distributor of chemicals, chemical feed equipment and laboratory products across Canada has ordered an acid dilution system from Chem Resist with an estimated value of some £50,000.

Chem Resist chairman Seamus Quinn said a recent overhaul of the company’s website – with a balanced mix of technical and product information coupled with testimonials from happy customers across the UK – was catching the attention of potential customers overseas.

Said Mr Quinn: “Obviously, the

value of sterling at present is helping us in the export markets – but the personal touch is very important, too. All enquirers receive a call thanking them for their interest with an offer to visit them if required.

“There’s nothing like a personal call to get across the technical know-how we have at Chem Resist!”

Plans are well advanced to grow the company’s export markets which – building on an already healthy domestic order book – will see Chem Resist further developing its reputation as a global brand within its specialist market sector.

Chem Resist was established more than 40 years ago and has supplied chemical storage tanks and installations for many of the UK’s leading companies, including Glaxosmithkline, Kodak, Corus, Agfa and Thames Water.

Demand for its products led to the firm doubling its manufacturing capacity in 2008.

Making the cut A LEISURE company with operations in Huddersfield has been recognised for its safety record.

The British Safety Council Sword of Honour for 2010 has been presented to The Rank Group, which includes Mecca Bingo at Folly Hall.

The prestigious prize is only open to companies which have already achieved the British Safety Council 5-Star grading.

Only 40 Swords are awarded worldwide every year. The Sword of Honour was presented at a ceremony in London.

CREATIVE MARKETING SOLUTIONS 01484 483194 info@qtcreative.co.uk www.qtcreative.co.uk

Blacksmith strikes a blow

■ GLOBAL AMBITIONS: Seamus Quinn, chairman of Chem Resist Ltd, flags up sales across the world

Insight into Ireland A BUSINESS transformation company can’t be accused of lying down on the job.

Insight with Passion, based at Holywell Green, has completed a project with Dublin-based mattress manufacturer Kaymed which will see its product become the “backstage bed” for use by rock stars and other performers at Manchester’s MEN Arena.

IwP handled the UK launch of Kaymed’s new K3Gel mattress, which uses a network of gel cubes to relieve pressure points and provide improved comfort for the sleeper.

Kaymed, which has been established for more than a century, has gained a reputation for being a forerunner in the industry and for innovative mattress technology.

IwP – led by partners Kate Hardcastle and Richard Gomersall – carried out a full brand communication campaign for Kaymed and secured vital meetings to help the company build strategic partnerships. It also had talks with charities to create lasting relationships with Kaymed.

Also working in Ireland, IwP has carried out work for iconic department store Clerys.

■ IRISH AYES: Conor Stapleton (left), of Kaymed, with (from left) Jenny Tomlinson, Kate Hardcastle and Richard Gomersall, of Insight with Passion and a section of the K3Gel mattress

The contract was won following Kate and Richard’s presentation on “Retail Theatre” at the industry’s fifth world congress in London. Clerys – which is regarded by many as the “Heart of Dublin” – approached Kate and Richard to help implement plans to rejuvenate the store.

S a i d R i c h a r d : “ To b e

approached by such a legendary department store as Clerys – and know that our concept of Retail Theatre can be of some help – is such an honour. The store is loved by everyone in Dublin and being a part of rejuvenating such a well-loved brand is fantastic.”

A TOUGH economic climate is encouraging more firms to look at enhancing their image, according to a Huddersfield design agency boss.

Neil Smith (pictured), of Lepton-based Blacksmith Design Consultancy, said his company was attracting firms keen to counter the effects of the recession and boost business performance by improving their branding strategies.

Blacksmith Design, formed in 1991 had secured several account wins from Yorkshire based businesses looking to improve their marketing and internet presence – at a time when many companies were struggling to find work and increase revenue.

Mr Smith said his company’s success lay in demystifying the internet and demonstrating how improved branding and positioning could provide a competitive edge in difficult times.

“Despite the disquieting talks of spending cuts and VAT rises, there are always companies looking to hone their marketing strategy, branding and online activity,” he said.

“Increasingly we find that we are focusing on helping ambitious local companies to devise strategies which use branding and the internet to improve business performance. Our transparent approach and commitment to demystifying the web has recently resulted in several client wins.”

Recent account wins for Blacksmith include Samson Fire Protection, Scunthorpe’s John Leggott College, kitchen and bathroom designer Milligan and Jessop, interim financial director business FDYL, Swiss chalet operation Chalet Charr and bottled water brand Ice Valley.

Said Mr Smith: “Although we are in a recession, businesses can protect themselves and help to boost sales by fine-tuning their branding and reassessing their online strategy.

“The work we have just completed for Milligan and Jessop is a fine example of this. Since redesigning their branding and website, the company has seen its average order value increase and enquiries from their website have exploded, such is the power of professional design.”

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Manifest drives branding project A VEHICLE hire firm is driving ahead after a full-scale rebranding carried out by a Huddersfield agency.

Manifest Communications, based at New North Road, was commissioned to provide a new look for Northgate Vehicle Hire, the UK’s largest vehicle hire company.

Northgate has moved from a network of 20 local, individual brands to one national brand – Northgate Vehicle Hire – operating as 12 business areas with more than 60 sites covering the UK and Ireland.

A large part of the company’s 60,000-strong fleet of mainly light commercial vehicles now carries the Northgate Vehicle Hire branding, giving the company maximum impact nationwide. The rest of the fleet is typically branded by long-term hirers with their own corporate livery.

Manifest has rebranded Northgate Vehicle Hire from top to bottom – with new signs across all 60 sites, new livery on thousands of vehicles and the development and launch of a single website with online booking facilities.

■ BRAND ON THE ROAD: Northgate Vehicle Hire has a new brand image thanks to the efforts of Manifest Communications

Northgate Vehicle Hire decided to re-brand in order to build on its reputation and gain further value from its industry-leading position.

Carly Gould, head of marketing at Northgate, said: “Northgate decided it was time to move from operating several brands to one national brand, with a single powerful identity, to increase awareness of the size of the organisation.

“The Northgate brand is hugely influential and we needed to make sure our existing customers knew this while also using the rebrand as a means of attracting new business.”

Manifest was responsible for a brand refresh of the Northgate identity, seeing a transition from 12 regional brands to one powerful brand, with one logo and one brand message.

The Manifest team created all of the marketing collateral – from literature to signage, work wear to stationery and brand guidelines to vehicle livery.

The results – hailed by Northgate as “phenomenally successful” – were rolled out this year.

Now Manifest has since been engaged to carry out further developments to the company’s Norflex, Sale and Rentback and Vehicle Monitoring packages.

Nev Ridley, joint managing director at Manifest Communications, said: “We have developed both creative and multi-media campaigns for Northgate over the last few years, but this re-brand is the largest project to-date.

“Its roll-out was significant, but it couldn’t have gone better and rarely is there a day when one of our members of staff doesn’t see a Northgate van on the road.

“We’re currently working on several other creative projects for Northgate and look forward to maintaining our successful relationship.”

A woman’s work is never done!

HIS month I thought I’d T write about something I know a lot about – being a

woman who runs a business.

Is it easy? Is the business world still a man’s world? Are women as good as men at running a business?

Although I am known for being a feminist, I promise you this won’t be a feminist rant, but I strongly believe that there is a plethora of innovation, imagination and creativity among women entrepreneurs in our society that is not always seen.

I read recently that 8.4% of our female workforce is self-employed, a figure that is steadily growing. But why?

Having run a successful marketing and design agency for 11 years, I have plenty of experience on being a business woman and juggling family life with business demands and I have had to make changes.

Every high powered career woman I speak to, whether her partner’s the main bread winner or not, is still the one who is expected to do the majority of school runs, take time off to cover illness - not to mention the pay gap.

Whilst the sexual revolution did

MARKETING MATTERS Clare Quartermaine

many good things for the career women’s cause, many would say it just doubled our work load – maybe we can’t actually have it all!

I think that it probably takes longer for women to be taken seriously than their male counterparts.

At 34, I am now more than capable of holding my own, of making the difficult and ruthless decisions that business sometimes demands.

But it has been, at times, a bumpy ride and challenging to my inner nature.

As a culture, we recognise business success in masculine ways – making as much money as possible, employing people and being brave enough to take risks.

Women, on the whole, want something different.

They want a quality lifestyle, a

sense of achievement and meaning in their work, enjoyment and confidence in their work values.

But isn’t this the way things seem to be going in general – irrespective of gender?

Are we starting to see a change in the way business is conducted?

Perhaps the banks who are the epitome of “risk taking, ruthlessness and greed” have paved the way for change.

At the end of the day, why does there always have to be a victim where big business and profit is concerned? Whether that’s the man on the street or a child working in a sweat shop.

I see the rise of a new wave of conducting business – where huge profits aren’t the only mark of success, but customer service, values,

Clare Quartermaine is director of QT Creative

hard work and quality are more attractive.

The challenges that women are given has resulted in an amazing amount of innovation, often in the form of developing micro-businesses and the creative forms of marketing these that I have seen.

They know their stuff and they work hard and many larger businesses would do well to observe their business models – especially in light of the recent recession.

Taking the green way A COMPANY supplying compressed air products is taking a leading role to promote environmental awareness among firms.

Thorite, which has operations at Barge Street in Huddersfield, has signed a 12-month agreement to help the Better Business Environment Forum get its message across.

The BBEF helps local companies find ways to cut waste, conserve raw materials, reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, comply with legislation and promote sustainable development.

Thorite managing director Stephen Wright said: “For many manufacturers, compressed air represents the second or third highest utility cost in their plant.

“About 10% of energy consumed by industry is used to generate compressed air, yet many local companies still struggle with outdated, inefficient and energy wasting compressor systems and skimp on maintenance programmes which can allow leakage to represent as much as 40% of the total air system demand.”

Mr Wright said Thorite could save firms up to £7,000 pounds a year in energy costs by installing the latest energy efficient compressors and pipework, carrying out ultrasonic surveys to find leaks and ensuring companies comply with all current regulations.

He added: “I look forward to our association with the BBEF enabling more local companies to realise how simple it can be to save energy and money by working with suppliers who have a proven track record in achieving these twin goals which are so vital to ensure future success.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

property

Page 6

Flooring firm top for quality New owner for pub A PUB near Huddersfield has been sold for an undisclosed sum.

Property agency Christie + Co had sought £185,000 for the freehold of The Oddfellows (above) at Shelley.

The two-storey detached property features an L-shaped, open-plan bar accommodating about 50 with a games area and three-bedroom owner’s

accommodation on the first floor.

The site also has a good-sized rear car park.

Christie + Co acted on behalf of a national corporate client and sold the Oddfellows to a Leeds-based private property developer.

After refurbishing the property, the new owner will re-open the pub with new tenants in place.

TO LET 1a Lord Street, Huddersfield 166.30 m² (1,790 ft²) Town centre offices Available on flexible terms

TO LET Station Buildings, St Georges Square, Huddersfield

A DEWSBURY company has floored the competition by gaining an environmental award.

Directors at Rackham Housefloors were presented with the ISO 14001 certificate in a ceremony at the company’s Mill Street East premises following a rigorous assessment by the British Board of Agrément.

Rackham, which also has sites in Gloucestershire and Lincolnshire, makes and supplies pre-stressed concrete floor beams and associated products to the house building industry nationwide.

The company decided to go for ISO 14001 in response to increasing demand from customers and prospective clients for suppliers to have an independently certified environmental management system – thereby enabling builders to claim additional credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes when building new houses.

Rackham achieved ISO 14001 Certification for all its sites at the beginning of October.

Martyn Reed, operations director for the BBA, said: “The implementation of an ISO14001 environmental system requires good management control and a genuine care for the environment.

“The BBA is proud to be associated with this achievement and I congratulate the management and staff of Rackham Housefloors.”

David Andrews, Rackham’s sales

■ FLOOR SHOW: David Andrews (left) and Roger Varley (second right), both of Rackham Housefloors, with Philip Curry (second left) and Martyn Reed, both of the British Board of Agrément

director, said: “The ISO 14001 accreditation is already proving beneficial and we are also beginning to see additional sales generated as a result.”

Technical director Roger Varley said: “The whole certification process has proved to be a positive experience for Rackham Housefloors Ltd and it has significantly raised environmental

awareness throughout the company”.

Rackham chairman and managing director Paul Moore said: “We are sure that both the environment and the company will be reaping the benefits for years to come.

“A l l Ra c k h a m H o u s e f l o o r s products are BBA approved, ensuring that all our products meet rigorous quality and performance standards.

306 - 621 m² (3,297- 6,685 ft²) Impressive town centre office building Excellent location fronting Huddersfield railway station Contact Jonathan O’Connor on 01484 533151

eddisons.com/property

Eddisons

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGENTS CONSULTANT ADVISOR •

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TRAFALGAR MILLS LEEDS ROAD HUDDERSFIELD HD2 1YY •

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Unit 17 From 4,899 sq ft Modern Industrial Units to Let Ideally located for town centre Terms available on application Contact:

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Tougher times for construction YORKSHIRE construction companies could be facing another tough year – as almost half of insolvency experts believe the sector will bear the brunt of the public sector cutbacks in 2011.

A survey by insolvency trade body R3 suggests that construction is the sector facing the biggest challenges in 2011 – followed by wholesale and retail, health and social work.

The survey forecast a big reduction in spending on education and social housing which would not be mitigated by a corresponding increase in private sector contracts. It said the shortfall would leave the construction industry in a vulnerable position.

Given that the sector accounts for the greatest number of trading-related bankruptcies, there is also a worry that a large number of failures in this industry will lead to an increase in related personal insolvencies.

Andrew Walker, chairman of R3 in Yorkshire, said: “Previous R3 research found that a third of small businesses rely on public sector contracts, so our members expect the fall-out of the public sector cuts to

■ WARNING: Andrew Walker

have a significant impact on the private sector in 2011.

“In view of upcoming cutbacks, businesses relying on public sector contracts should attempt to diversify their income stream towards a broader customer base.”

The research also showed that almost a third of insolvency experts think that a squeeze of the Time to Pay facility would be the most harmful potential development.

A modest rise in interest rates was also a major concern, according to 23% of insolvency practitioners.

“Our members have seen how invaluable the Time to Pay scheme has been to businesses,” said Mr Walker.

“We believe that it is important that it remains available as a breathing space for viable businesses, but that it is not used as an alternative credit facility for ‘zombie companies’.”

Mr Walker said: “The rise in VAT will make spending more expensive, serving a further blow to struggling businesses, such as retailers and restaurateurs, that rely on consumer spend. “ As a percentage, the hotel and restaurant industry suffered most during the recession and many vulnerable businesses will find themselves either shouldering the extra tax burden or suffering a further fall in consumer demand by passing the tax on.

“In fact, our members expect the retail sector will witness the greatest number of insolvencies next year.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Property ripe for right buyer A VACANT former care home in Liversedge is one of the lots under the hammer at an auction next month.

The site at Strawberry Bank, off Halifax Road, is being offered on the instructions of the administrator at a guide price of £170,000 plus and will feature in the auction run by Eddisons on December 9 in Leeds.

When operating as a care home the property accommodated 24 registered occupants.

Tony Webber, of Eddisons, said the site had potential for redevelopment, adding: “The property is in a predominantly residential location offering good access to the motorway network.

“The property could be suitable for conversion into flats or split into terraced houses.

“Alternatively it could be demolished and the site redeveloped, all of which are subject to the appropriate consents.”

Meanwhile, a parcel of development land in Lockwood Scar is also up for sale.

The LPA receivers have instructed Eddisons to sell the half-acre site at the former Sovereign Business Centre which has a guide price of £70,000 plus.

The site has the benefit of planning consent for 28 apartments, along with alternative

Modern Industrial/Warehouse Unit with Private Yard

Unit 5, Brookfield works, Quebec Street, elland, HX5 9AS

1 160.88 (1,732 sq ft) (Eaves height of approx 4m) 1 Popular location, close to J24 of M62 motorway 1 Open plan unit with new block built office and canteen 1 SCF, halogen box lighting and roof lights Rent: £9,000 pax

To LeT

Modern Workshop Unit

Unit B, Brockholes Business Park, Huddersfield, HD9 7BN

1 307m2 (3,308 sq ft) 1 Prominent location along the A616 New Mill Road 1 Ample car parking and yard Rental: on Application

FoR SALe

Car Sales & MOT Station well Lane, Batley, wF17 5HQ

■ CLUB ROOM: A former club premises at Bath Street, Cleckheaton, is up for auction with Eddisons with a guide price of £150,000 to £180,000

planning consent for a residential nursing home.

In Cleckheaton a vacant former club and premises which was previously marketed at £295,000 has been significantly reduced and carries a guide price of £150 to 180,000.

The property on Bath Road has a gross floor area of 2,849sq ft and is described as being suitable for a large residential dwelling, residential conversion or other uses subject to consents.

Among the residential lots is a vacant newly built three-bedroom town house on

Red Doles Road, Huddersfield.

The guide price of £75,000 plus compares favourably to various similar properties which sold recently on the same development for prices in excess of £80,000.

A total of 79 lots are scheduled to come under the hammer at the final Eddisons two-day auction of the year, which takes place at 2.30pm on December 7 at The Fairways Lodge and Leisure Club, Prestwich, Manchester, and at noon on December 9 at Leeds United Football Club, Elland Road, Leeds.

RICS names new board THE Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has appointed a new Yorkshire and Humber regional board.

The board will be responsible for addressing property issues and concerns in the region by acting as a voice for members.

The new Yorkshire and Humber regional board comprises chartered surveyors in the region who hold key positions in land, property, construction, project management, planning and infrastructure across both the private and public sectors.

Regional chairman Colin Harrop, said: “The regional board has the goal of giving a strategic steer to RICS activity in the region and making sure that the institution delivers to surveyors in the region, as well as other professionals and the public as stakeholders.

To LeT

1 Garage and substantial car display area 1 378m2 (4,071 sq ft) 1 Site area of 0.22 ha (0.54 acres) approx 1 Edge of town centre location Price: on Application

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Unit 1, cartwright court, Bradley Business Park, Huddersfield, HD2 1GN

1 High quality, modern office accommodation 1 Generous car parking provision 1 Ease of access to J24 and J25 of the M62 1 94 – 205m2 (1,000 – 2,200 sq ft) Rental: on Application

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Detached Industrial Warehouse Unit Unit H3, Premier way, Lowfields Business Park, elland, HX5 9HF

1 Modern detached industrial warehouse unit 1 Two storey offices 1 Eaves height of 6.50m 1 Warehouse heating via gas fired ducted warm air 1 Three electronically operated up and over doors Rental: on Application

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77/77a Lidget Street, Lindley, Huddersfield, HD3 3JP

1 Ground floor retail unit 1 32.5m2 (350 sq ft) 1 With self contained first floor apartment offers in the region of £170,000

To LeT

High Quality Offices

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1 High quality offices 1 Generous car parking provision 1 6,900 – 13,800 sq ft 1 Air conditioning, raised floors 1 8 person passenger lift Rental: on Application

■ ON BOARD: The new RICS Yorkshire regional board of (from left) Kevin Wood, Andy Dransfield, Alex McCallion, Chris Gomersall, Colin Harrop, Rob Hiundle, Jennifer Welch, Peter Swift and Martin Conlon “We have some great people supporting RICS activity. I have no doubt that we’ll make sure that the high quality regional activity goes from strength to strength.”

There are 6,000 RICS members in the Yorkshire

and Humber region and almost 100,000 worldwide in 146 countries. Chartered surveyors work across a wide variety of sectors, from property, land and quantity surveyors to arts and antiques auctioneers.

To LeT

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10 New North Parade, Huddersfield, HD1 5JP

1 Attractive character town centre offices 1 66.1m2 (712 sq ft) 1 Newly refurbished Rental: on Application

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Cian O’Carroll

LSH NATIONAL commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton has strengthened its business rates consultancy team in West Yorkshire with the appointment of Cian O’Carroll as a senior surveyor.

Mr O’Carroll (pictured) joins the team from Colliers International, where he spent six years advising on rating matters for many different classes of property – from offices, industrial and retail units, to pubs, nightclubs, advertising rights and funeral homes. He also has extensive experience in representing clients in complex valuation tribunals.

Richard Wackett, national head of business rates consultancy at LSH, said: “In the last 12 months alone we have saved our clients over £40m nationally in excessive rates bills.

“The experience that Cian brings to LSH’s business rates consultancy team, particularly in relation to valuation tribunals, is invaluable and will enable us to provide first class advice to even more businesses across Yorkshire.”

Richard Bass

Orchard Energy ENERGY management consultancy Orchard Energy has appointed Richard Bass to oversee its expanding finance team.

Mr Bass joins Orchard following a period of rapid growth at the company, which has led to the opening of six new UK offices this year in addition to its established centres in Brighouse and Bradford.

Mr Bass has extensive experience in the not for profit sector, handling governance, audits and inspections by major regulatory bodies.

Orchard managing director Gareth Henderson said this experience would benefit clients in both the business energy and charity and trust divisions of the firm.

Said Mr Henderson: “Orchard works with a large number of museums and trusts, including Harewood, Jorvik and York Minster, to help them comply with industry regulations and control energy costs, which are often one of their biggest overheads.”

Movers and shakers

It’s all change for Elland firm!

PARTNERS and staff at an Elland accountancy firm are bidding goodbye to two of their number – and welcoming two new faces.

Paul Davison and Kelly Marsden, of Peel Walker Chartered Accountants, are departing for New Zealand to realise their long-time dream of travelling around the world.

Paul, who lives at Brighouse, has worked as an accountant at Peel Walker for more than 12 years while Kelly, of Clayton West, has spent more than six years in the tax department.

In their place, the partners are welcoming new recruits Kathryn Hampshire and Lindsey Kershaw. Kathryn, of Netherton, has worked both in practice and in industry in West Yorkshire for the past 20 years while Lindsey, who lives at Lindley, has worked as a member of the tax department in a Huddersfield firm for more than 20 years.

Paul Nutton, of Peel Walker, said: “We send our best wishes to Paul and Kelly.

Kathryn and Lindsey both bring with them a wealth of experience and have already settled in well with the rest of the team.”

■ CHANGING ROOM: Pictured at Peel Walker's Elland offices are (from left) Sharon Cousen, Lindsey Kershaw, Paul Davison, Kathryn Hampshire, Paul Nutton and Kelly Marsh

Broker earns recognition

Erick Mackay

CITG Ltd A TECHNOLOGY company has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Erick Mackay as marketing director.

Mr Mackay (pictured) joins Concorde Informatics Technology Group Ltd following a succession of appointments of senior managers from local rival IT firm Servo.

Parent company Concorde Excel Holdings Ltd recently announced a rebrand of its subsidiary businesses to mark 25 years of business success – uniting them under the new name Concorde Informatics Technology Group Ltd. Mr Mackay joins CITG after 10 years with Servo, formerly known as ICM Computer Group plc and part of the multi-million turnover Phoenix IT Group. He joined ICM after selling his own business to the company and was responsible for rebranding several companies and brands into ICM. Mr Mackay also worked with CITG chief executive Colin Meakin, who was ICM’s group sales and marketing director at the time.

Mr Mackay also teams up withe former ICM colleagues including CITG chairman Barry Roberts and CITG chief operating officer Neil Roberts.

Page 8

■ STAR TURN: Philip Hellawell (centre) receives his award for five years' service on the board of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers from chief executive Adam Tyler and singing group The Leading Ladies A BRIGHOUSE businessman has been recognised for his work with a national organisation.

Philip Hellawell, managing director of Connect Business Finance Ltd, was presented with a trophy to mark his five years’ voluntary service on the board of directors at the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers.

The presentation was made by association chief executive Adam Tyler at its gala dinner attended by 400 guests at the Birmingham Metropole Hilton.

Mr Hellawell spent the last two years as national chairman of the association – helping to ensure the organisation achieved a surplus over the past four years in the face of a severe recession while continuing to run his own business .

Mr Hellawell said: “If you do a voluntary job like this for less than two years, you are not being fair to the organisation. And if you do more than five years you are not being fair to yourself.

“I believe you should make your contribution and move over to let someone else have a crack at it.”

Mr Tyler said: “Philip has admirably steered our professional trade body through some of the most difficult times in its history – as finance director for three years and chairman for two – and leaves us with a really strong base to build for the future.”

The NACFB was set up in 1992 to counter fraud in the commercial mortgage market, to establish a code of conduct for brokers and to further education and training for its members.

Time for questions MEMBERS of the newly-formed Huddersfield Town Enterprise Academy will be set some challenging questions at their next meeting.

One of the club’s main partners – and one of Huddersfield’s most successful companies – takes centre stage when the academy holds its second meeting on Tuesday, December 14, in the Fantastic Media Suite at the Galpharm Stadium.

John Chamberlain, of Linthwaite-based pharmaceuticals company Thornton and Ross will deliver a presentation on the leading international business and pose three challenges to the audience!

The event follows the success of the academy’s inaugural meeting in October, when a capacity 130 delegates listened to speakers from commerce, education and industry.

Details of the December meeting, which is sponsored

by Chadwick Lawrence and Grant Thornton, will appear on Town’s commercial website at www.htafccommercial.com in due course.

However, existing members of the HTEA via LinkedIn will get the first opportunity to take up places.