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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS 9 , Fe b r u a r y, 2 0 1 0
The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Firms box clever to lift export sales way of helping them through the recession. “Our research suggests that if export growth were to increase from a steady 1% to 2.5% a year, then exports will become a net contributor to the UK economy by 2013 – adding in the region of £247bn to the economy over a five-year period.” “Such an increase might sound ambitious, but if there are ways in which SMEs which might not ordinarily look beyond the UK can be helped to get a foothold in the export market, it could have a significant impact on the speed at which we can put the downturn behind us. “The alternative is a long-term legacy of significant debt.” At present, only 19% of SMEs trade outside the UK and only 4% of those feel they will continue to do so in the next year. In Yorkshire, figures from HM Revenue & Customs show that exports fell by 14.8% during the first quarter of 2009. Export Box is run through the Google Export Adviser Site and provides a collection of useful tools, best practices and insights to help businesses make informed decisions
about exporting opportunities. The package includes an export evaluation, a profitability assessment, guidance on translation requirements and Google advertising. Research by Sheffield University shows that the lack of businesses exporting is due to five real and perceived barriers – language, culture and technical barriers; cross-border logistics; cross-border payments; administrative and regulatory barriers; search and advertising. Said Mr Wheeldon: “With fewer companies exporting because of these barriers, a package like Export Box is vital in altering perceptions. Last time we had a recession, we exported ourselves out of it. However, this does not seem to be the case this time around, hence the thinking behind Export Box.” And he added: “With the help of a well-respected Yorkshire-based partner such as Grant Thornton, which has an in-depth knowledge of SMEs, we will be able to reach more businesses and help them to explore the opportunities to export.”
costs put the squeeze on profit margins. The headline business activity index, which measures the combined output of manufacturing and service sectors, fell back markedly during January – posting a reading of 52.0 from 55.8 in December, 2009.
The poll suggested that rates of expansion were undermined to some extent by the January snow, which led to transport disruption, delivery delays and cancelled bookings. However, slower growth of new business enabled firms to make inroads into work outstanding at the
A HUDDERSFIELD motor dealership has helped its parent firm boost sales. Family-run Yorkshire-based Harratts motor group has been confirmed as the UK’s second largest seller of new Volvo cars after increasing sales by 12% during 2009 – with help from its Volvo dealership at Leeds Road, Deighton.
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■ SQUARE DEAL: Gavin Wheeldon, of Applied Language Solutions
Regional economy feels the blast of winter ADVERSE weather contributed to a weakening of the Yorkshire economy at the start of 2010, according to a key survey. The latest Purchase Managers Index showed jobs continued to be lost – albeit at a slower rate – during the first weeks of the new year while increased
Dealer in top gear
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A HUDDERSFIELD businessman is helping firms export their way to recovery. Gavin Wheeldon, Meltham-based chief executive of translation services company Applied Language Solutions, has joined forces with business advice firm Grant Thornton in Yorkshire to launch a new scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises. Export Box has been devised by Mr Wheeldon to help more firms take advantage of opportunities to sell products and services abroad. Jonathan Riley, managing partner of Grant Thornton in Yorkshire, said he hoped recent figures showing the UK is officially out of recession would give SMEs the encouragement and confidence to consider exporting as a possibility for growth. He said: “Export Box is an exciting new concept which provides invaluable help and support to SMEs who are interested in exporting but don’t know where to begin. “Statistics show that only 75,000 businesses in Britain are exporting – and with the current weakness of the pound it is a great time for companies to look at trading internationally as a
INSIDE
start of the year – meaning that backlogs have now fallen continuously for two years. However, input costs rose during the period, with the rate of inflation at its highest since September, 2008. Respondents also saw higher raw material and supplier costs.
Getting inventive A BRIGHOUSE firm is among innovative companies to be shortlisted for a regional award. Crompton Mouldings Ltd, is one of 12 companies competing for the Innovator/10 Awards.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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Developer upbeat despite profits fall REGIONAL developer St Modwen reported “important signs of improvement” in the property market – despite wider annual losses. The firm, which specialises in town centre regeneration and bringing former industrial sites back into use, posted pre-tax losses of £119.4m for the year to November 30 against a deficit of £73.1m the previous year. But St Modwen said that prices had stabilised after a 20% decline in assets over the year – and predicted a return to profit growth despite uncertain market prospects and “fragile” business confidence. St Modwen is working on town centre regeneration schemes in Farnborough, Skelmersdale in Lancashire, and Wembley, north London,. It is also involved in large-scale
renewal projects such as the former Llanwern steelworks in South Wales. Shares in the Birmingham-based firm rose after it also grew rental income in “very challenging” conditions, with asset sell-offs and tenant failures more than offset by new lettings and income from newly-completed developments. Most of the firm’s losses were taken in the first half when the recession was at its worst, but the performance of the business has “significantly improved”
since then. The group raised £101.6m to cut debts and has scaled back development activity to weather the downturn. It has also cut costs through a pay freeze and by closing its final salary pension scheme. But St Modwen also had an “excellent year” for acquisitions, despite the financial pressure on the business, taking advantage of depressed prices to spend £13m on 705 acres of developable land for its land bank.
Vodafone contract
The group bought sites in Doncaster and Sunderland as well as a portfolio of 566 sites from oil firm BP, mainly in South Wales. St Modwen also signed development agreements with local authorities for schemes in Taunton, Exeter and Weston Super Mare. Numis analyst Chris Millington said: “Whilst the group is yet to benefit from the uplift in commercial property values seen elsewhere, with yields on its portfolio approaching 10% and the rent roll actually increasing over 2009, we feel this is a matter of time. “When this potential is considered alongside the around 20,000 plots of residential land we feel that St Modwen offers the investor a unique mix of residential and commercial exposure.”
Takeover is on the menu
Buyers found for bakery chain
THE owner of restaurant chains La Tasca and Ha Ha Bar & Grill is being circled by private equity-backed firms keen to snap up the group, it is claimed. Bay Restaurants is understood to be completing a shake-up that will see the Slug and Lettuce chain transfer to its sister group Town & City Pub Company – a move expected to put the group in the frame for takeover. There have already been several approaches from interested suitors, according to newspaper reports. The overhaul is said to follow the decision of its chief executive Paul Symonds to leave.
BUYERS have been found for the vast majority of Yorkshire-based bakery business Ainsleys. A team of restructuring and corporate finance specialists at Grant Thor nton’s Leeds office have brokered deals to save most of the 285 jobs at the firm. The deal means Leeds-based Countrystyle Foods has bought the Ainsleys bakery business and name while 20 of the firm’s 29 leasehold retail outlets have been sold – split evenly between Cooplands of Scarborough and Cooplands of Doncaster. The firm’s sandwich van business has been sold to A W Food Services Ltd.
He is believed to be looking at acquisitions in the leisure sector and is reportedly in talks with a number of private equity firms. It is thought he may look at launching a buy-out bid for Bay Restaurants. Other possible interested parties including Cafe Rouge and Strada restaurant firm Tragus. Experts have reportedly put a price tag of at least £100m on the firm. B ay re c e n t ly c o m p l e t e d a debt-for-equity swap that helped secure its financial future until 2012. But this saw the group fall under the control of failed Icelandic bank Kaupthing, now in administration.
MOBILE phone giant Vodafone has unveiled a four-year contract to provide services to more than 16,000 staff at technology giant Oracle. Vodafone Global Enterprise, the company’s division devoted to the communication needs of major corporate customers, will supply mobile services management and mobile voice and data services in Europe, Middle East and Africa. The deal is expected to provide Oracle with the potential for significant savings, as well as greater cost efficiencies. Oracle vice-president Carol Kelly said: “As well as greater convenience, we expect that this partnership will deliver enhanced services to our employees.”
Dismal dividends
Joe McLean, partner at Grant Thornton in Leeds, who has been leading the search for a buyer for Ainsleys since the firm went into administration in November, said: “We are are really pleased to have found buyers for the majority of the various businesses within the Ainsleys portfolio. “Negotiations are still ongoing in respect of the remaining nine stores and we hope to be able to announce a positive resolution shortly. Anthony Bar rett, of Grant Thornton’s Leeds-based corporate finance team, led the transaction with legal advice from Sally Williamson of DLA Piper.
DIVIDEND payouts for investors in UK companies fell by £10bn last year and will continue to disappoint in 2010, said a report. UK firms paid out £56.9bn in dividends in 2009 – 15% less than in 2008 – with investors in the banking sector the worst hit as the financial crisis wrought havoc, said Capita Registrars. Bank shareholders alone saw their pay outs cut by £6bn.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £24.04 -0.13 Gannett 882.56 +18.52 Hess Corp £37.06 +0.03 Microsoft 1791.94 +2.55 Motors Liquidation 47.90 Wal-Mart Stores £34.06 -0.08 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE 1 BAE Systems 344 /4 -15/8 Rolls-Royce Gp 4813/4 +23/8 Smiths Grp 1002 -5 +41/2 VT Group 5191/2 AIM Brady Plc 65 +1/4 Dawson Intl 23/8 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1063/8 -21/4 BANKS Barclays 268 -1 HSBC 6483/8 +3/8 Lloyds Banking Gp 471/4 -11/8 Ryl Scotland 321/8 -1/8 Stan Chart 1403 -31/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1010 +10 SABMiller 1699 +49 CHEMICALS Croda 790 -6 Delta 145 Elementis 98 53 -1 Johnsn Mat 1500 +2 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2617/8 -5/8 Costain 221/2 ELECTRICITY 3
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Intl Power 3205/8 +63/4 Scottish & Sthrn 1165 +11 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chloride 1777/8 -43/4 Invensys 2973/4 +13/4 Laird 1241/4 +11/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3061/4 -3/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 131 +11/2 C&W 1391/4 +1 3 +21/2 Colt Telecom 122 /4 3 KCOM 52 /4 -13/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2933/4 +15/8 Sainsbury 3205/8 +11/2 1 Tesco 414 /4 +31/2 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 8761/2 +2 +51/2 Cadbury 8381/2 1 Nth Foods 58 /4 -1/2 Tate Lyle 4051/8 -11/4 Unilever 1844 +26 +3/4 Uniq 251/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 2661/2 +25/8 National Grid 629 +21/2 1 Pennon Grp 513 /2 +11/2 Severn 1127 +5 +3 United Utils 5291/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2563/4 -11/4 ICAP 3033/4 +93/4 London StockExch 640 +91/2 7
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Provident Financial 930 +201/2 Schroders 1130 +7 Schroders NV 939 +91/2 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Avon Rbbr 95 +33/8 Cooksn Grp 4235/8 REXAM 2871/8 -3/8 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 123/4 -1 DSG International 30 -1/2 Home Retail 2561/2 +11/4 Inchcape 25 -1/2 Kingfisher 1981/2 -21/8 M&S 3305/8 -23/4 Mothercare 642 +31/2 Next 1882 -29 +11/8 WH Smith 4881/4 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 6321/2 +8 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 137 -3 -1 Barrat Dev 1123/4 1 -93/4 Persimmon 409 /4 Reckitt Benckiser £311/2 +1/4 Taylor Wimpey 37 -3/4 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 6681/2 -11 IMI 532 1 Man Brnze 87 /4 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 1981/4 +11/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 1623/4 -31/2 Forth Ports 1051 -2 LIFE INSURANCE 3
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71 -25/8 973/8 5601/2 -14 77 -11/2 1 193 /8 -11/8 MEDIA BSkyB 5241/2 Chrysalis 1031/4 -21/4 D Mail Tst 446 -27/8 ITV 511/4 -11/4 Johnston Press 243/4 -11/2 1 Pearson 863 /2 +81/2 5 Reed Elsevier 486 /8 +41/8 STV Group 471/2 7 Trinity Mirror 137 /8 -77/8 Utd Business 413 -11/2 UTV 100 -21/2 WPP 5721/2 -11/2 1 Yell Group 41 /2 -1 MINING Anglo American £231/4 +1/2 Antofagasta 831 +41/2 BHP Billiton 1857 +321/2 Eurasian Natural 907 +211/2 Res Fresnillo 705 +351/2 Kazakhmys 1240 +33 Lonmin 1783 +47 Rio Tinto £305/8 +1/4 VEDANTA £231/4 +1/8 RESOURCES Xstrata 9833/4 +333/4 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 7181/2 +11 Vodafone Group 1391/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1125 -4
Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
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Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Marshalls National Grid Rensburg Sheppards Weir Gp
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5092.3 Up 31.4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 10941/2 -171/2 BP 563 +3 Cairn Energy 3181/4 -31/4 Norsk Hdro 4355/8 -53/4 Royal Dutch Shell A 1743 +201/2 Royal Dutch Shell B 1680 +241/2 Total £353/4 +5/8 Tullow Oil 1158 +1 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Petrofac 9561/2 -5 Wood Group 3351/4 -17/8 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry 5901/2 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £273/4 +1/2
GlaxoSmithK Shire 1236 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4381/8 DTZ Hldgs 84 Hamrsn 3835/8 Land Secs 622 SEGRO 3003/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1605 Dimension Data 80 Logica 1165/8 Misys 2025/8 Sage Group 223 SUPPORT SERVICES AMEC 7531/2 Bunzl 6271/2 Capita 702 Davis Service 3931/2 Group De La Rue 945 Electrocomp 181 Experian 603 G4S 2551/2 Hays 1063/4 Homeserve 1656 Menzies J 3051/2 Rentokil 1131/4 Smiths News 1171/2 Wolseley 1352 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 202 Psion 943/4 Spirent Comms 1091/2 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £21 5
13 +2 -71/2 +11/4 +2 -9 -41/4 -15 -23/8 -53/8 -1/8 +5 +21/2 -1 -33/8 -81/2 -5/8 +9 +31/4 +1/4 +18 -71/2 -11/2 +1/2 +2 -3 +13/4
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4903/4 199 £223/8 4463/4 4003/4 1081/2 3491/8 1310 4191/4 893 1521/2 2667/8 198 2717/8 893/4 172 2577/8 1357
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FTSE 100
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS JANE Dawson’s business interests could hardly be more of a contrast. As well as engineering a successful career in manufacturing, she has also fashioned an online retail operation providing clothing for busy businesswomen. As managing director of Cleckheaton-based Wakefield Acoustics, she oversees a thriving company with 30 employees providing noise reduction equipment to blue-chip customers such as Cadbury, Nestle and Pilkington Glass. As a director of Business Wardrobe – with business partners Claire Crabtree and Paul Hebden – she is enjoying the challenge of bringing high quality women’s business wear to the boardrooms via online retailing. “As most working women know, juggling career, work life and family puts time at an absolute premium and anything which saves time is a real help,” says Jane. “In my own career, a smart professional appearance at work has always been a requirement, but this never seems to be matched by a clothing outlet which pulled together quality, stylish designs at affordable prices with easy availability.” Jane and her business partners identified a gap in the market to cater for women who simply don’t have the time to shop for work clothes, but who want to look good at work. Jane says: “A detailed research programme confirmed to us that many business women shared the same problem – so after 12 months of intensive business planning, Business Wardrobe was launched in April, 2009. The aim was to provide a one-stop online shop for quality contemporary business clothes available 24/7. Having now been trading for nine months, the business is growing rapidly and we seem to have tapped into a substantial market.” Within a short space of time, Business Wardrobe has built up an impressive designer list, which includes French Connection, Betty Jackson, James Lakeland and Helene Berman. It is now in talks with other design brands in a bid to add to the stable of labels. Online sales were “phenomenal” during the
profile
Dual career suits Jane recent snows, says Jane, adding: “We believe online is the future for retailing. That is why we are spending a lot of time investing in honing and continually developing the website to make it a convenient, hassle-free, informative and enjoyable shopping experience. It has been a steep learning curve for all of us, very challenging but very enjoyable at the same time.” Jane is also enjoying life at Wakefield Acoustics. Having acquired the company in 2005, the business has grown year on year. It currently has six months of solid orders on the books and expects to replicate last year’s 30% rise in turnover during 2010. Says Jane: “Despite the recession, we have maintained strong order numbers and have needed to keep overtime operating, which has been good for the workforce. “Twelve months ago, the television news every night would be full of stories of doom and gloom and graphs pointing downwards showing a deeper and deeper recession. “Clearly, people worry about what it will mean for them and the uncertainty can unnerve people. “As a management tea, we took a very positive stance that Wakefield Acoustics was not going to
have a recession and while that was clearly something we were not in control of, we wanted to create a mindset of ‘we can get through this’. “The past 12 months have been the hardest during my time with the business and the whole team has had to work very hard at doing ordinary things – going out to see more clients, generating new business, marketing the company and its products and delivering to our customers what they require and when they require it – just doing it better and better.” “When companies spend money on noise reduction systems it is all about meeting health and safety regulations and environmental noise requirements. The decision to invest is usually a fairly major one and in times of economic uncertainty many companies have been deferring investment decisions and holding on to their cash. So the challenges have been pretty tough and 2009 was certainly not an easy year – but we have a great team who have worked really hard to continue to achieve success.” For the future, Jane says Wakefield Acoustics will continue to expand and has been actively pursuing “bolt-on” acquisitions. It is also honing and developing
Page 3 Jane Dawson Role: Managing director Age: 45 Family: Married with two daughters First job: Export sales assistant Best thing about job: Working with people and seeing them take their opportunities to fulfil their potential Worst thing about job: Paperwork Business tip: Be honest and tell it like it is!
the skills of its staff. “We have people on training all over the business as we believe it is really important to give our staff the opportunities to progress. That’s the best way of keeping talented people here and continuing to drive the business forward..” Further legislation on industrial and environmental noise control legislation will also provide opportunities for the firm. “We export half of what we make through our UK customers and we do a little direct exporting ourselves,” says Jane. “Our name is known overseas in a number of markets. “A lot of the work we do is in power generation, oil and gas and waste water treatment in emerging markets such as India, China, South America and the Middle East. “We want our brand to become the supplier of choice in all those markets as well as the UK.” Jane entered the world of work armed with a degree in business studies and modern languages and went to work in sales for Ring Lighting in Leeds. She progressed to become export sales manager
for South America before joining Brook Crompton at Doncaster and gaining an MBA at Huddersfield University. Jane worked for Brook Crompton for 10 years – working on a number of large corporate projects. She moved to director level and learned the different skills of running a smaller business at centrifugal pumps firm Holden and Brook in Manchester before deciding to acquire her own business.
Wakefield Acoustics Work: Industrial and environmental noise control solutions Site: Cleckheaton Phone: 01274 872277 Email: noise@ wakefieldaccoustics .co.uk
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Tourism hotspots T O U R I S T bu s i n e s s e s i n Kirklees could benefit from grants being made available through regional development agency Yorkshire Forward. People trying to start, grow or improve a tourism business in rural parts of the region could be eligible for grants which are being rolled out as part of the Ru r a l D eve l o p m e n t P rogramme for England. The move follows research commissioned by Yorkshire Forward which identified the need to improve the quality of accommodation offering in some parts of rural Yorkshire. Grants from £25,000 and equivalent to 50% of total project costs are available for accommodation meeting the criteria. Serviced accommodation is the key priority – including rural pubs wishing to develop new high quality bedrooms or upgrade existing accommodation. Businesses can check to see if their location fits the criteria at www.yorkshire-forward.com
KIRKLEES BUSIN
Roaring trade for Harratts
A HUDDERSFIELD motor dealership has helped its parent firm boost sales. The family-run Yorkshire-based Harratts motor group has been confirmed as the UK’s second largest seller of new Volvo cars after increasing sales by 12% during 2009. Despite tough trading in a car industry which contracted by 6%, Harratts more than doubled the Volvo national average sales increase of 5%. Harratts, which has 11 dealerships in Yorkshire, consolidated its position as second biggest Volvo seller by volume – increasing its 2008 figure of 1,871 car sales to an impressive 2,123. Its four Volvo dealerships in Huddersfield, Leeds, Sheffield and Wakefield all operated well above the industry average. Harratts began selling Volvo from just one dealership in Wakefield in 1985. Managing director Shaun Harratt said: “We are thrilled by these latest results in a very difficult UK market-
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place and especially pleased that we have maintained our position as the second biggest Volvo vendor in the UK by volume. “In spite of a very difficult year for the car industry, we have not only defied the gloom but surpassed Volvo’s average sales increase for the UK by a considerable margin. “This is testament to the fantastic team we have at Harratts and I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication over the past year.” Nick Connor, sales director at Volvo Car UK, said: “We are thrilled that Harratts sales figures for the past year have been so positive. “With an increase of 12%, they have bucked the industry average and more than consolidated their position as the second biggest Volvo vendor in the UK. “Our overall UK figures have been very pleasing this past year and we are delighted that we have seen a 5% increase in sales when so many car manufacturers are struggling.”
■ THRILLED: Shaun Harratt, of Harratts, said the firm had “defied the gloom”
Killer questions OU have probably heard Y the advertisements on local radio and television
recently relating the numbers of plumbers, electricians, builders and joiners who are dying from asbestos related diseases as a result of exposure to asbestos while in their work. Current figures suggest about 4,000 people are dying each year from exposure to asbestos. The message is clear: asbestos kills and exposure must be prevented. Unfortunately, many companies appear to still be ignoring the danger and exposing their employees – and even the public – to asbestos. In early January, the Health and Safety Executive announced it had initiated proceedings against a major high street retailer and four of its contractors for asbestos-related breaches during refurbishment work at stores in the south of England. It is alleged that the companies failed to ensure that staff and members of the public were not exposed to risks from asbestos. The retailer and two of the contractors were alleged to have contravened section 2(1) and section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Section 2(1) relates to the health, safety and welfare of employees, while Section 3(1) relates to non-employees – in this
RISKY BUSINESS Mark Dalton
case customers. The other two contractors were alleged to have contravened the Control of Asbestos Regulations relating to the requirement to prevent employees being exposed to asbestos and to prevent and control the spread of asbestos in any place where work is carried out. As well as ensuring people are not exposed to asbestos, the above examples also show care must be taken when selecting contractors. If the contractors are not working with due care and cause the release of asbestos fibres, the host company can also be held liable. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, the “duty holder” must: ● Take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is and what condition it is in ● Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not
● Make and keep up-to-date a record of the location and condition of the asbestos containing materials - or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos ● Assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified ● Prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed ● Take the necessary steps to put the plan into action ● Periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up-to-date ● Provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them. The “duty holder” is the person or organisation responsible for direct maintenance of non-domestic premises, ie the owner or managing director of a company.
Mark Dalton is associate director at Wilby Ltd
Exporters get additional help YORKSHIRE exporters are set to get extra help after figures showed a big rise in overseas sales. NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland have launched an Exporters Package to support the upturn in UK businesses looking to sell their goods and services abroad. Figures from Revenue & Customs showed that the value of exports by companies in Yorkshire and Humberside increased by £119m or 4% between the second and third quarter of last year. That compares with a £723m or 1% rise in the value of exports UK-wde in the same period. The average value of goods sold abroad per exporter in Yorkshire and the Humber increased by 9%, rising to about £807,000. Nationally, the increase was 6%, rising to £1.132m. The banks’ Exporters Package offers UK businesses a free exporter review, helping them to identify new opportunities for growth yet maintain a healthy cash position. It covers issues such as analysis of their existing export markets and potential new markets; review of the company’s credit and risk management processes; buyer credit and collection assessment; and current funding structure analysis and recommendations. Tony Kelly, managing director for RBS and NatWest Business and Commercial Banking in the north-east, said: “Exporting can seem a complex activity with a lengthy order to cash cycle. “We’re here to help simplify the process and offer all the support we can. “In addition to having a strong product that appeals to overseas markets, you need to be able to assess your prospective customer’s credit standing as well as cross-border collection risks. “You also need to have a strong understanding of the specific risks you face in exporting. “That is why we have developed a dedicated suite of materials and services that provides exporters in Yorkshire and the Humber with all the information they need to be successful.” Government figures show there are 48,500 companies in the UK exporting – of which more than 3,500 or 7.27% are based in Yorkshire and the Humber. Research by NatWest and RBS reveals that the top country for UK exports is USA – accounting for 15% of all UK exports or £8.34bn. This is followed by Germany at 11% or £6.29bn and France at 8% or £4.37bn.
NESS NEWS
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Diploma finds a new champion
■ MESSAGE: Simon Moorhouse, managing director of Denford Ltd
THE boss of a Brighouse engineering firm is championing a pioneering qualification giving young people hands-on education in manufacturing. Simon Moorhouse, managing director of Brighouse-based Denford Ltd, has joined a national network of employer champions who work to encourage colleagues in the industry to get involved with the Diploma for Manufacturing and Product Design. The MPD was introduced for 14 to 19-year-olds in schools and colleges around England last September. Mr Moorhouse has spent the past 10 years as managing director of Denford, which makes and exports computer-aided design and manufacturing machines for education and training markets worldwide.
He said his 30 years’ experience working in manufacturing and engineering at home and overseas – including managing companies in Europe and the Far East – had given him an insight into how far manufacturing has slipped off the radar as a potential career option for young people in the UK. He said: “In countries such as China, Pakistan and India, they still value engineering and manufacturing as a career – it’s seen as high tech and a fantastic opportunity. “Our message is to promote the diploma for MPD as a way of encouraging interest in manufacturing among young people again. “It is in all our interests as employers to get the best students into manufacturing and to inspire young people to under-
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stand that it’s a sophisticated, high-tech, diverse industry with great career prospects. There are a lot of companies crying out skilled people, so let’s invest to develop the next generation.” Mr Moorhouse said the UK was still able to compete on the world stage for excellence in manufacturing and engineering, but there was a lack of understanding about the industry and its strengths. “Many UK companies remain highly successful and are here for the long term,” he said. “They continue to offer great career prospects for bright young people.” The Diploma in MPD has been developed to sit alongside traditional academic qualifications, with students dividing their time between classroom, college and the workplace.
Correction, not a rout! GAINST a background of a return A to strong growth accompanied by a very solid fourth-quarter corporate
earnings season in America and with early European corporate profit reports reflecting positive trends, it seems strange that global equity markets should choose this moment to go into reverse. The explanation for this perverse behaviour is simple. Rather than simply enjoying the sharp reversal in fortunes that has characterised the previous nine months, investors are now being forced to look forwards to the second half of 2010 and beyond. Many increasingly fear that they may have confused volatility (as economies and markets have snapped-back from overly d e p re s s e d l eve l s ) w i t h s u s t a i n abl e momentum. These nagging doubts spring from the undeniable fact that in the developed world the consumer is in no position to drive growth forward. Unemployment levels are set to rise further, tax rises look inevitable and the financial system undergoing running-repairs has neither the appetite or the ability to revive their animal spirits. Until this last situation is corrected – which takes time - we are unusually reliant upon our governments and demand derived from overseas developing economies to underwrite growth. This being the case, there is understandably heightened sensitivity to signs that authorities in the developed world are now beginning the process of withdrawing extraordinary support measures, whilst at the same time the key growth engine in developing markets (China) is moving to
CITY TALK Simon Kaye
moderate its own stimulus. The “icing on the cake” for those of a cautious disposition is the sight of the EuroZone dealing with the stresses of applying a single currency regime to many different economies. For equity investors who are relieved to have regained much lost ground, the logic for taking some chips off the table becomes clear. However, there are strong reasons for believing that this correction will not turn into a rout. The most important of these is the health of the non-financial corporate sector, where profit margins are close to the levels achieved at their peak in 2008. With balance sheets also in a healthy state, companies are well placed to withstand unexpected adverse developments and the likelihood is that, absent external shocks, more favourable employment and investment trends will soon become evident. In addition, government support remains strong. Whilst some stimulus measures are set to be withdrawn, these are only the extraordinary “printing press” measures (known in the UK press as “QE”) adopted to counteract a dysfunctional credit market. Conventional monetary policy remains very stimulative, which manifests itself in the unappetisingly
low interest rates available to depositors at their high-street banks. The positive side of this is that many of these funds are hunting for higher returns and are prepared to accept modestly higher risk to achieve them. Hence creditworthy borrowers in the corporate sector are finding it easy to access funds in the corporate bond markets. In short, the machine of capitalism may be running at a reduced rate of revolutions, but it is once again creating wealth, not destroying it. With this perspective, the issues in the EuroZone debt markets do highlight one important point, which is that the principle “risks” to an ultimately benign outcome are now political, not systematic.
Simon Kaye is divisional director at Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management
Reward for innovation A BRIGHOUSE firm is among innovative companies to be shortlisted for a regional award. Crompton Mouldings Ltd, which makes plastic products including grit boxes and street bins, is one of 12 companies competing for the Innovator/10 Awards, supported by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, Business Link Yorkshire and Yorkshire Innovation. The firm, based at Wakefield Road, is recognised for creating Layered Engineering Active Polymer – a novel patented process designed to manufacture large, high specification panels using recycled materials. The system has significant energy savings over conventional processing methods and has been designed to provide a wide range of sizes of panels for many different purposes. Other finalists include companies producing printable electronic switches and sensors, developing resins for use in building immunity to disease, devising computer hardware and software for pallet distributors and finding ways to reduce energy consumption. Four awards are available – each carrying a £3,000 cash prize. They aim to recognise firms and individuals in Yorkshire who have embraced innovation and developed alone or in partnership, new ideas, products, technologies or ways of working in order to improve their business. A panel of expert judges will visit the entrants before the winners are unveiled on Wednesday, March 3, at a black tie event at Leeds City Museum. Julie Kenny, Yorkshire Forward board member who chairs the shortlisting panel, said: “The overall standard of entries this year has been exceptionally high and we really had our work cut out narrowing down such a large number of high quality entries to just 12. “By recognising those companies in the region who excel through innovation, the bar is continually being raised. But I am confident that the skilled workers at businesses in Yorkshire and Humber will continue to meet and exceed the increasingly high standard they set themselves.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
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Holme Valley scheme on awards shortlist
A PROPERTY developer based in the Holme Valley has been shortlisted for a major design award. Conroy Brook, based at Brockholes, is one of the top three contenders for the Pinders National Healthcare Design Awards. The nomination is for its Rowan Court development – a close-care unit built in Holmfirth for the Mirfield-based Hollybank Trust. The awards were set up in 1999 to promote and recognise the best UK developments in all types of care-related property. It is the second time that Conroy Brook has been nominated. In 2005, the company won an award for its White Rose Nursing Home in Holmfirth. The complex is operated by Meridian Healthcare Ltd. This time, Conroy Brook is in the top three in the independent living category for Rowan Court – a £4m, 15-bed residential close-care unit for young people with disabilities. John Hall, chairman of trustees at Hollybank, said: “We are delighted that our new building has been deemed worthy of a place in the final of the awards.
“As a brand new purpose-built facility, it enables us to provide a wonderful, caring environment for the young people who live there.” Richard Conroy, chief executive of Conroy Brook, said: “Rowan Court is a well-designed, efficient, modern, close-care home for a very deserving cause, so we are very pleased that the quality that we put in all our developments has been recognised by the judges.” Conroy Brook joined forces with award-winning architects Chris Carr Associates to design Rowan Court – a three-storey building with one five-bedroom apartment on each floor. They worked in close conjunction with Hollybank to meet the trust’s specific requirements for a modern, purpose built ‘state of the art’ close care facility, which would meet and exceed all current legislation regarding the young people’s needs. Judges will visit the development before the winners of the Pinders National Healthcare Design Awards are announced at a ceremony on March 25 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
TO LET
2 Cloth Hall Street, Huddersfield 240 - 490 m² (2,582 - 5,274 ft²) Self contained offices Prominent town centre location
TO LET
2b Emley Moor Business Park Leys Lane, Emley, Huddersfield 125 - 554 m² (1,350 - 5,963 ft²) Modern warehouse/industrial unit High quality unit available as a whole or in part
TO LET
29 Old Leeds Road, Huddersfield 939 m² (10,111 ft²) Industrial/trade counter unit Popular location close to town centre
■ PRIZED POSSESSION: Rowan Court, a close-care residential development designed by Brockholes-based Conroy Brook, has been shortlisted in a national awards
Demand soars for rental premises THE amount of business property available to tenants in Yorkshire declined for the first time in two years, says a survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. However, its UK Commercial Property Survey showed surveyors across the region still have a “wide portfolio” of office, industry and retail property available. Some 63% of surveyors have vacant office space – down from 67% in the last quarter. Some 38% of surveyors have available retail space – down from 67%, And 43% have vacant industry space compared with 72% in the last quarter. Demand for commercial property in Yorkshire increased in the fourth quarter of 2009 – with office space, retail outlets and industrial property all proving particularly popular. Some 36% more chartered surveyors
reported a rise in demand for office space, while 27% saw an increase in demand for retail space and 43% saw demand for industry property rise. However, the lack of new developments being built in the region has resulted in surveyors reporting a slight decrease in confidence for sales and lettings of space to occupiers for the coming quarter. Richard Corby, regional spokesman for the RICS, said: “The slight decline in available commercial property space is certainly down to a lack of development starts. “But, the fact that Yorkshire and Humber currently boasts a healthy supply of commercial property means that occupiers still have a wide range of potential buildings and units to choose from.”
Joint Agents: DTZ
FOR SALE
142 Blackmoorfoot Road Crosland Moor, Huddersfield 516 m² (5,556 ft²) Substantial retail unit Prominent location with parking
Contact Jonathan O’Connor on 01484 533151
eddisons.com
Leeds, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Glasgow, Huddersfield
Eddisons
DTZ spurs them on PROPERTY agency DTZ has added two major names to its portfolio of tenants at a West Yorkshire industrial estate. Acting on behalf of Standard Life Investments, DTZ has concluded deals to bring international distribution company Caterpillar Logistics and lighting manufacturer and supplier Powerlite Lighting Solutions Ltd to Gildersome Spur, near Leeds. Caterpillar Logistics has moved from Normanton to unit J at Gildersome Spur. The premises comprises 42,600sq ft on a five-year
lease with an option to break after the third year. Powerlite Lighting Solutions Ltd has moved from Beeston Royds Industrial Estate and has two units together comprising 21,200sq ft on a seven-year lease. Paul Mack, industrial associate director at DTZ, said: “DTZ has advised on eight lettings totalling over 190,000sq ft in the past two years. We are delighted to have landed the two deals with two extra units currently in solicitors hands.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Agency sees better signs
■ UPTURN: James England, head of residential for Carter Jonas in Huddersfield
A YORKSHIRE estate agency has reported a “glimmer of confidence” in the regional property market. Latest figures from Carter Jonaes, which has offices at Slaithwaite and in Leeds, York and Harrogate, showed the agency has received 31 instructions so far this year totalling nearly £28m of property. In Huddersfield alone, more than £5.5m of property has come to market since the New Year. Yorkshire properties on Carter Jonas’s website received more than 28,000 visits throughout January and agents at each of the offices are noticing a renewed enthusiasm for the market – albeit with a cautionary approach. James England, head residential at Carter Jonas’ Huddersfield office, said: “At the end of 2009 we predicted an early upturn in activity with buyers returning to the market with a greater level of confidence. “However, we were expecting
Training days pay off TEN employees at estate agency Bramleys have achieved NVQ qualifications in residential property services. The employees undertook six to nine months of study, during which they were asked to show their skills and document and provide evidence of their work. They also had to complete project as well as sit a series of key skill tests. Seven of them also sat a four-unit technical award exam, which they passed – enabling them to be accredited as members of the National Association of Estate Agents. The course covered such topics as health and safety, general law, law relating to residential property sales, practice relating to residential property sales, property appraisals and basic construction.
Three new names T H R E E n e w n a m e s h ave opened for business at a West Yorkshire shopping centre. Santander, Browns Café and Home Bargains have taken space at the 5Rise Shopping Centre in Bingley, which opened in December. Banking group Santander has opened a 1,235sq ft branch while Browns Café has taken a
much fewer instructions after the deluge of snow in early January so these figures are particularly pleasing.” He said: “Whereas in the past we’ve seen a real seasonality to buying trends, in the current market people are simply buying and selling when the time is right for them. “We used to say that people waited for the daffodils before putting their houses on the market – t h at o l d a d ag e i s d e f i n i t e ly something of the past.” Mr England said the rise in activity could be attributed to a number of factors – from property owners becoming impatient with the market to those pre-empting a lull in activity with the forthcoming election.” Said Mr England: “Our advice to those intending to buy or sell a property in 2010 is get on and do it whilst the going is good.”
■ HOME WORK: Successful candidates (from left) Sarah Burley, sales negotiator; James Parkinson, residential valuer; and Amanda Rudd , sales and marketing manager, at the Huddersfield office of estate agency Bramleys. The three are among 10 employees at the firm to complete their NVQ qualifications in residential property services
Paul Keighley, residential partner at Bramleys, said: “Legislation constantly changes and it is important for us as a company to ensure that our staff are trained to the highest possible standards. “There was a huge amount of work involved for all the staff concerned and we are immensely proud of their 100% success rate.” Amanda Rudd, sales and marketing manager, said: “When this was first introduced to us we knew it could only be of benefit and was undertaken enthusiastically. “ James Parkinson, senior valuer at the Huddersfield office, added: “I found the course both challenging and rewarding and immensely enjoyed increasing my knowledge of the property market.”
810sq ft spot next to Boots and the main pedestrian walkway. The company already has an outlet in Halifax town centre. Existing retailers include Co-opera tive Food Store, which has a £1m store at 5Rise. The shopping centre, acquired by 4Urban in 2007, has 18 shop units in total comprising 60,000sq ft of retail space.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGENTS CONSULTANT ADVISOR •
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TRAFALGAR MILLS LEEDS ROAD HUDDERSFIELD HD2 1YY •
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Queens Mill Industrial Estate Queens Mill Road, Huddersfield Units 5, 7 and 19 From 1,775sq ft to 4,966sq ft Modern Industrial Units to Let Ideally located for town centre Terms available on application Contact: Jason Metcalfe/Phil Deakin Hanson Chartered Surveyors 01484 432043
TO LET/FOR SALE
■ :Pennine Business Park Bradley, Huddersfield
1 High specification offices 1 372 & 557m2 (4,000 & 6,000 sq ft) 1 Ease of access to J25 of the M62 Rental/Price: On application. Joint Agents: Eddisons
TO LET
Park Works
Ainleys Industrial Estate, Elland
1720.4m2 (7,754 sq ft) 1Established location/Within one mile of J24 M62 17m eaves 1Good loading & parking facilities Rental: On application
TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION
The Coach House & Stoneleigh 39 Halifax Road, Brighouse
1107.88 – 647.24m2 (1,161 – 6,967 sq ft) 1Two detached office buildings 1Open plan & private offices 1w/c’s, kitchen facilities & all mains services 1Sufficient private car parking provision
FOR SALE
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Instructed by C M Brook and P Sargent, Joint Administrators of Esograt Ltd.
Caldervale Works River Street, Brighouse
12,530m2 (27,233 sq ft) 1Secure surfaced private yard extending to 0.6 Acres 1Located within 1 mile of J25, M62 1All mains services provision Offers over £800,000 (Deadline 25.02.10)
Paul Andrew Walker Singleton 01484 477600
Christine Eccleston MB Services 01484 557102
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Movers and shakers
Firm backs super Drew
Responsible Long Term Investing We manage funds for private clients, charities, trusts and pension funds. We can help you in all aspects of your financial planning, whether it’s your investments, pension or general financial matters.
Graham Cox
We are committed to providing high quality independent professional advice with the aim of helping our clients to achieve their financial objectives.
Chadwick Lawrence LAW firm Chadwick Lawrence has welcomed Graham Cox as its latest addition to the team. Mr Cox, who has more than 40 years experience as a conveyancer, joins the law firm to help deal with increasing demand as the UK’s property industry begins to move once again. He will work from the Huddersfield office at Railway Street alongside Sarah Haller, manager of the conveyancing department, to provide services to hundreds of people who will use Chadwick Lawrence to move house this year. Mr Cox, pictured (above) with Ms Haller, is well-known in West Yorkshire, but particularly in the Bradford and Halifax areas after spending 20 years at Reads, of Bradford, and 10 years at Last Cawthra Feather. Ms Haller, a partner at the firm, said: “Graham is an excellent addition to the team. His extensive experience is proving invaluable and clients can be assured that they are in very safe hands.” Said Mr Cox: “I’m enjoying my new role at Chadwick Lawrence. It’s a forward looking firm with a refreshing attitude to work.”
Terry Scuoler
EEF MANUFACTURING employers group the EEF has appointed former Army officer Terry Scuoler as its new chief executive. Mr Scuoler, who is managing director of Oldham-based Ferranti Technologies Ltd, will take up the post in March. He served as an infantry officer for five years before starting his commercial career in publishing and the construction industry. Later, he joined Royal Ordnance – now part of BAE Systems – as European marketing manager. In 1999, he became managing director of Ferranti, which supplies specialised equipment to the aerospace and defence markets. In his new role, Mr Scuoter will be responsible for enhancing EEF’s representation role as the voice of manufacturing at a crucial time for the sector and the UK economy. He will also lead the further development of its business services in employment law, occupational health & safety and environmental services.
Simplify your life Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management Quayside House, Canal Wharf, Leeds, LS11 5PU Tel: +44 (0)113 245 4488 E-mail: info.leeds@rsim.co.uk Member firm of the London Stock Exchange. Member of Liffe. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management Limited is registered in England. Registered No. 2122340. Registered Office: Quayside House Canal Wharf Leeds LS11 5PU. Offices at: Belfast Cheltenham Edinburgh Farnham Glasgow Leeds Liverpool London Manchester Reigate Sheffield.
CHARTERED accountancy firm Rogers & Co is adding up to become a major name in the world of rugby league. The Holmfirth firm has signd up Huddersfield Giants star Brad Drew as a client – bringing to 15 the number of Super League players signed up for the firm’s tax services. Other recent signings include Giants player David Faiumu. Australian Brad Drew is pictured with Karen Ashton, client services manager at Rogers & Co. Partner Ashley Barrowclough said rugby players from Super League clubs on both sides of the Pennines had come to Rogers & Co by word of mouth. As well as acting for several British players, the firm is also acting for a number of Australian and New Zealand players. Rogers & Co, based at Victoria Court is a member of the Value Added Network and handles a range of accountancy matters, including tax, audit, bookkeeping and payroll services on behalf of a wide variety of clients.
Paul’s dinner date FORMER Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson (right) is coming to Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium. The 41-year-old, who also helped Middlesbrough achieve promotion to the Premier League and had spells with Aston Villa and Portsmouth before managing Walsall, is the main speaker at the annual Huddersfield Town Sporting
Page 8
Dinner, which takes place on Monday, March 8, at the stadium’s English Partnership Suite. Paul , who is now focusing on a career in the media, will be joined by comedian Gary Marshall – making his second appeariance at the dinner following his 2008 debut – and MC Malcolm Lord.