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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Water sector taps into export sales A CAMPAIGN has been launched to help firms in the water industry make a splash in major export markets. The Huddersfield-based Water Industry Forum is leading the drive to provide Yorkshire companies operating in the water and waste water sector with targeted help and funding to export their products and services. The move follows a survey commissioned by the business network, which has its headquarters at Leeds Road, Deighton. The study found that businesses in the sector were keen to increase their exports – but were struggling to understand how to do so. WIF director Peter Drake said: “It is this gap between the desire and the ability to export that the new WIF export help group intends to bridge.” Half of all respondents to the study said that export activity was critical to the success of their business and all those polled said they would like to improve their export capability. But firms faced barriers including the difficulties of selling in overseas markets, understanding contracts, currencies and
customs abroad, foreign language skills and the payment and collection of money. David Spurr, of specialist consultancy Water Oracle, which conducted the survey, said: “There is a gap between wanting to export and achieving it – and it’s important to strike the right balance between opportunism and strategy. “There is tremendous potential for the region’s supply chain to take advantage of opportunities, but less ability to plan an export strategy and put it into operation.” Mr Spurr said there were opportunities for Yorkshire companies to succeed in specialist areas such as instrumentation, metering, laboratory equipment, analytics and in the innovation of new services and technologies. The Water Industry Forum’s export help group will be officially launched at a breakfast meeting tomorrow at the Village Hotel, Tingley, south Leeds. Its aim will be to provide help, support and assistance to both first-time exporters and those who wish to expand their overseas trade.
Speakers will include David Connolly, of the environment and water team at government export support arm UK Trade & Investment, who will give a brief overview of the help available to both new and existing exporters. Delegates will also be able to speak one-to-one with UKTI water and environment experts from 11 overseas markets including Saudi Arabia, Romania, Russia, China and the USA. Jim Farmery, assistant director of business at regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, said: “Improving export opportunities is a key part of expanding any business – and this is even more important as companies look to expand their customer bases as we continue to recover from the recession. “The Water Industry Forum export help group is a simple way for businesses to find out more about how they can take advantage of new overseas markets and build on this knowledge to either start exporting or expanding on their current customer base.” Go to www.waterindustryforum.com
specialist employer of disabled people, has teamed up with energy provider EON to introduce a range of renewables, including hydropower, solar, wind and biomass energy, to its factories UK-wide. Figures showed that in the 12 months to the end of April, 2010, the factory at Tandem
Industrial Estate used almost 140,000 kWh of energy – the equivalent of running a three-bar electric fire or boiling a kettle continuously for more than five years. That generated 73 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Now it is reducing its energy use under the initiative to swap
to “green” energy supplies. The factory, which has been open since 1970, employs 35 people and makes car seat covers and vehicle interior trim parts as well as office furniture upholstery. Factory manager Paul Clark said the switch to green energy was a positive move. “It
Balancing the books A HOLMFIRTH accountancy firm has been given a new name – and a new image. Rogers & Co has undergone a complete rebrand at the hands of design agency The Engine Room, based at the Media Centre in Huddersfield, to adopt the new name of Balance and strapline: Balance Accounting – Accountancy for Growth.
● Full story - Page 4
■ WATER WORLD: Peter Drake, director of the Water Industry Forum, is leading the sector’s export efforts
Remploy factory rises to the green challenge A FACTORY in Huddersfield is showing other firms the way to adopting renewable energy for their power supply. The Remploy factory at Waterloo is one of 30 Remploy sites UK-wide to switch to renewables for most of their energy needs. Remploy, Britain’s biggest
INSIDE
is better for the environment,” he said. “I think more companies should consider switching to green energy.” Remploy director Alan Hill said: “Green energy is not just about doing the right thing, it’s about working together and moving toward a more sustainable future.”
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A HOLME Valley firm plans to go national – by launching a major franchising drive. Fuel Doctor, the Brockholes-based emergency fuel drain service, is aiming to build up between 100 and 120 franchisees across the country.
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BP shares blow as clean-up costs soar SHARES in oil giant BP suffered another battering as the group revealed that clean-up costs for the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster had climbed to £1.3bn so far. The blue-chip stock fell by more than 3% at one stage yesterday amid growing concerns over the ultimate cost of the spill. It closed 2% or 8p down at 349.5p. Some reports suggest BP plans to raise £33.76bn to cover response efforts – more than double the amount previously thought. Pressure on the group shows no sign of easing after BP took another blow to its reputation after chief executive Tony Hayward’s mauling at the hands of US politicians last week. Mr Hayward was pilloried in the US for spending Sunday sailing around the Isle of Wight, while the group was forced to halt
oil recovery from one of the ships taking part in the operation for 10 hours. BP said about 11,050 barrels were recovered on Saturday from the ship, which was below recent levels. An internal BP document released by a US congressman indicated that the scale of the crisis could be even worse than feared – with the potential for about 100,000 barrels of oil a day to spew out if all equipment restricting the flow was removed and company models were wrong. It is thought BP approved a scheme last week to raise money in a bid to ensure the group has enough reserves to cover any claims as a result of the disaster. The reported figure is more than double the £13.5bn announced last week by BP to go into a compensation fund for those
affected by the spill. Analysts have warned that the final cost of the disaster could be as much as 100bn US dollars (£67.5bn). BP is expected to start raising the cash as early as this week through a £6.75bn bond sale. It is also understood to be in talks with banks to raise a further 20bn US dollars through loans, with another 20bn US dollars raised through assets sales in the coming two years. The company has already scrapped shareholder dividends until the end of the year to help pay for the clean-up operation. Reports of the fundraising came after BP’s credit rating was cut by the three major credit rating agencies due to fears over the total cost of the oil spill – a move ■ PRESSURE: BP chief Tony that could cause its borrowing costs to Hayward (front) and managing director Bob Dudley soar.
Deal has the right ingredients
Shed Media in bid talks
A FOOD innovation business which used to be part of UK chemicals giant ICI has been sold in a deal worth £876.6m. National Starch, which includes a technical suppor t centre in Manchester, has been acquired by Corn Products International, based in Illinois, USA. National Starch makes many of the fat replacers and thickeners used in processed foods. The business was sold by Dutch paints and coatings company AkzoNobel, which bought it as part of its takeover of ICI in 2008. Akzo said National Starch was no seen as a core part of its business.
HOLLYWOOD media giant Time Warner is in talks to buy Footballers’ Wives and Supernanny TV producer Shed Media, it has been confirmed. Shed said Time Warner subsidiary Warner Bros Entertainment was “working with certain members of Shed management” as part of the talks following mounting speculation of a deal. It is thought the sale could value Shed at close to £75m. Shed revealed two weeks ago that previous suitors Bowmark Capital and Darwin Private Equity had decided against backing a management buyout,.
The takeover by Corn Products International is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2010, subject to regulatory approvals. New Jersey-based National Starch generated revenues of £809.2m in 2009, including from the sale of speciality starches to customers in the paper-making and industrial markets. It has 2,250 employees worldwide and operates 11 plants in eight countries. The combina tion with Cor n Products will create an ingredients business with almost (£3.37bn in revenues.
It is understood Time Warner, the group behind blockbusters such as Sex and the City, wants to add Shed to a recently-formed London-based production unit launched to tap into new markets following the international success of its US shows. Shed shares rose by more than 5% after news of the Time Warner talks. Warner is said to be particularly interested in Shed because several of its shows, including Supernanny, have already been successful in America. Shed has a production office in Los Angeles and has a number of new programmes in production with US networks and cable channels.
Failures exposed PHOTO booth firm Photo-Me International has been fined £500,000 for failing to disclose key information to the stock market. The Financial Services Authority said the penalty – the biggest of its kind ever imposed – related to a breach of the rules on so-called inside information in 2007. The regulator said Photo-Me failed to inform the market of key details of sales and contracts of minilab photo-processing equipment – leading to a false market in the group’s shares for 44 days. It said Photo-Me failed to disclose information to investors in a timely manner, despite discovering that sales were expected to fall far short of previous expectations. The penalty refers to Photo-Me’s forecasts in 2006 for strong sales – largely based around a big deal with US retailer Albertsons – and its failure to advise the market of changing circumstances which ultimately led to the firm issuing a profit warning on March 2, 2007. Photo-Me said it was “disappointed with the quantum of the penalty”, but welcomed the fact the FSA had not found that any directors or previous directors were at fault. It said the FSA has “underestimated the real-time difficulties faced by the company in updating the market on the possible outcome of the relevant complex contractual negotiations”.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £29.01 +0.66 Gannett 1146.79 +23.61 Hess Corp £38.31 +0.41 Microsoft 1775.09 -8.50 Motors Liquidation 50.59 Wal-Mart Stores £34.50 -0.27 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 112 +11/2 BAE Systems 3233/4 -21/2 Rolls-Royce Gp 605 +51/2 VT Group 749 -5 AIM Brady Plc 561/2 -21/2 Dawson Intl 21/4 +1/4 3 Man Brnze 46 /4 -1/4 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1351/4 +6 BANKS Barclays 3171/8 +43/4 HSBC 6591/4 +103/4 5 Lloyds Banking Gp 56 /8 +3/8 Ryl Scotland 463/4 -1/4 Stan Chart 17921/2 +29 BEVERAGES Diageo 1111 -1 SABMiller £201/4 +1/4 CHEMICALS Croda 1036 +9 Elementis 98 60 -3 Johnsn Mat 1657 +29 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2525/8 +3/8 Costain 1981/2 -2 ELECTRICITY Drax Grp 3813/4 -63/4
Intl Power 3201/4 -3/4 Scottish & Sthrn 1133 +5 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chloride 348 -13/8 Laird 1221/4 +13/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3263/4 +13/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1361/4 -1/2 Cable & Wireless 593/8 +1/8 Comm Cable & Wireless 917/8 +3/4 Wwide Colt Group 1373/4 +33/4 KCOM 481/4 -1 Talktalk Telecom 129 +23/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2611/4 -11/4 Sainsbury 3291/4 -23/8 Tesco 388 -23/4 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1007 +8 Nth Foods 463/4 1 Tate Lyle 490 /4 -33/4 Unilever 1910 +12 -11/4 Uniq 111/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3025/8 +3/4 National Grid 510 -61/2 Pennon Grp 5541/2 +1 Severn 1228 -14 1 United Utils 529 /2 -91/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 301 +2 ICAP 4343/8 +33/4 London StockExch 647 +12
+6 Man Group 2543/8 Provident Financial 906 -13 Schroders 1321 +19 Schroders NV 1078 +18 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 4805/8 +187/8 REXAM 3253/8 -1/8 Smiths Grp 1151 +11 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 131/2 Carphone Whse 195 +1 +1/4 DSG International 271/2 Home Retail 235 -1 Inchcape 286 +83/4 Kingfisher 228 -13/4 M&S 3423/4 -87/8 Mothercare 585 -4 3 -1/8 Next £21 /8 1 WH Smith 435 /4 -11/4 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 663 -11/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 881/2 +1 -31/4 Barrat Dev 1033/4 Persimmon 3711/2 -41/4 Reckitt Benckiser £325/8 -3/8 Taylor Wimpey 311/2 +1/2 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 725 +22 IMI 737 +1/2 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2941/4 +195/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 1943/4 -1 Forth Ports 1196 +20 LIFE INSURANCE
3543/8 +1 857/8 +13/8 1 115 /2 +13/4 579 +13 601/4 1 189 /2 +1 MEDIA BSkyB 705 +7 Chrysalis 991/2 -1/4 7 D Mail Tst 482 /8 -17/8 ITV 571/4 -7/8 Johnston Press 17 -1/2 1 Pearson 965 /2 +61/2 1 Reed Elsevier 503 /2 +21/2 STV Group 99 Trinity Mirror 94 +33/4 Utd Business 5321/2 +2 UTV 1233/4 +11/4 WPP 706 +4 Yell Group 301/4 -3/8 MINING Anglo American £273/8 +7/8 Antofagasta 921 +431/2 3 BHP Billiton £20 /8 +7/8 Eurasian Natural 1062 +15 Res Fresnillo 1086 +26 Kazakhmys 1235 +41 Lonmin 1709 +41 Rio Tinto £347/8 +15/8 VEDANTA £243/4 +13/8 RESOURCES Xstrata 1076 +49 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 762 +7 Vodafone Group 1445/8 +15/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1422 +4 RSA Insurance Gp 1243/4 +13/8 Aviva Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Marshalls National Grid Rensburg Sheppards Weir Gp
1521/2 231/2 801/2 510 812
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FTSE closed at
5299.1 Up 48.2 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1125 +9 -8 BP 3491/2 +91/4 Cairn Energy 4447/8 Norsk Hdro 4905/8 Royal Dutch Shell A 18591/2 +251/2 Royal Dutch Shell B 1784 +33 Total £34 +1/2 Tullow Oil 1176 +26 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 8581/2 +71/2 Petrofac 1276 +34 3 +111/2 Wood Group 332 /4 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry 813 +16 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £301/2 -1/4
Axis-Shield 2661/2 GlaxoSmithK XD Shire 1446 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4571/2 Captl Shop Cent 3407/8 DTZ Hldgs 581/4 Hamrsn 364 Land Secs 610 SEGRO 2703/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1964 Dimension Data 1011/4 Invensys 2883/4 Logica 1183/4 Misys 2591/4 Sage Group 2453/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Bunzl 7461/2 Capita 777 Davis Service 3827/8 Group De La Rue 966 Electrocomp 2305/8 Experian 6361/2 G4S 282 Hays 1001/8 Homeserve £203/8 Menzies J 345 Rentokil 1213/4 Smiths News 1111/4 Wolseley 1596 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 291 Psion 781/4 Spirent Comms 1131/4 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £213/4
+11/2 31/2 +1 +3/8 +37/8 +4 +1 -11/4 +10 +3/8 +51/2 -7/8 +1/2 -1/4 +11/2 -9 -11/4 -4 +45/8 +1 +13/8 -1/2
Imperial Tobacco Arriva Brit Airways Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Greene King Intercontl Htls Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express PartyGaming Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread
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7651/2 2133/4 £251/2 557 4261/2 1041/4 3987/8 1312 4051/8 1208 136 3045/8 2391/4 2601/4 1123/4 1893/8 223 1478
-1/2 -3/8 -1/4 -101/2 -3/8 -23/4 -1/4 -12 -107/8 -7 -35/8 -61/4 +21/2 -3/4 -41/4 -11/8 -17/8 +1
FTSE 100
INDEX 5299.11
+48.27
FTSE 250
INDEX 9997.81
+45.11
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LEISURE & HOTELS
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.60 dollars Bangladesh................... 97.51 taka Brazil.............................. 2.36 reals Canada....................... 1.44 dollars China ............................. 9.06 yuan Czech Republic ...... 28.16 korunas Denmark....................... 8.47 krone Euro............................... 1.14 euro Hong Kong................ 10.99 dollars Hungary................... 297.64 forints India.......................... 59.97 rupees Japan........................... 128.78 yen Mexico ....................... 16.52 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.95 dollars Norway ......................... 8.94 krone Pakistan.................. 119.85 rupees Philippines ................. 58.01 pesos South Africa................. 10.31 rand South Korea.............. 1523.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 159.48 rupees Sweden....................... 10.86 krona Switzerland.................. 1.56 francs Taiwan ...................... 41.29 dollars Turkey....................... 2.18 new lira USA ............................ 1.42 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS WANT to know the recipe for business success? You could do worse than experience the pressure, teamwork and occasional chaos found behind the scenes of a top-class restaurant, says Paul Dolan, operations director of social enterprise group Sadeh Lok. And he should know. After gaining a degree in housing at Sheffield Hallam University and working as a housing officer, Paul took a year out in 2002 to work as a chef with Raymond Blanc at his two Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons in Oxford. “My wife, Amanda, entered my name for a cooking competition in a national newspaper to work with Raymond,” says Paul. “After the final cook-off, I was offered a scholarship with Raymond for 12 months. So we sold our house and I went to work 18 hours a days in the kitchen at Le Manoir.” The experience left deep impressions, not least the contrast between wealthy restaurant clients and the workers preparing their meals. “You have 30 or 40 chefs on relatively low incomes turning out this fantastic food,” says Paul. “You see two different worlds come together. “At the same time, with prices of £38 for a starter you can also see the importance of providing service and quality. It shows that every organisation needs to get a clear focus on customer service. “Raymond is an exceptional leader. Sometimes, you sit in a restaurant and you don’t realise just how hard the proprietor works – if the proprietor cares about the customers, the produce and the staff.” Paul was tempted to change careers and open a restaurant himself, but returned to the world he knew best. He remains an enthusiastic cook, however. His signature dish is wild mushroom ravioli with spinach and parmesan. “I was inspired by my time at Le Manoir,” he says. “I have more than 100 cookbooks. For my 40th birthday, we went to a couple of top restaurants in London, including one of Gordon Ramsay’s, to get some inspiration about new flavours and ingredients. “The TV celebrity chefs have enthused people about food and raised expectations and standards. Marco Pierre White is an inspirational chef, but for different reasons so is Jamie Oliver, who has made cooking accessible and demonstrated a social conscience with projects to improve school dinners. He’s a real food hero.” Barnsley-born Paul joined Sadeh Lok eight years ago after a career with several local authorities and housing associations. He was a housing officer with Craven District Council covering Skipton and the
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Recipes to cater for any business worked for Sanctuary Housing in Leeds, one of the UK’s biggest housing associations with 70,000 properties. Sadeh Lok began life in 1988 as a black and ethnic minority housing association and has grown to manage more than 1,000 properties located across Yorkshire, principally covering Kirklees and Wakefield. They include properties in Rashcliffe, Newsome, Dewsbury and Batley. The group has diversified to cover areas related to housing need – tackling unemployment through its UP & Working recruitment agency based at Huddersfield’s Media Centre and operating national charity Children’s Links to support families and improve the quality of life for children and young people. It also provides a childcare voucher scheme for employers under the Linking Up banner and – underlining its national reach – runs The Millin Centre, a community centre providing educational programmes and training in Newcastle upon Tyne. “As a housing association, we have always looked
■ HOME HELP: Paul Dolan says Sadeh Lok looks beyond “the bricks and mortar”
beyond the bricks and mortar,” says Paul. “Many of the people who require social housing also have other issues to address in terms of help to find work or needing support for the family.” The group has expanded from 50 staff just 12 months ago to a workforce of 160, presenting particular challenges for Paul and his team. And while Sadeh Lok holds closely its principles as a social enterprise, it has also put functions such as UP & Working on a commercial footing to ensure it generates income to reinvest at a time of uncertainty about public sector funding levels. “Our vision is greater than just letting houses to tenants,” says Paul. We have some of the best performance indicators of any housing association. We have held the Chartermark Award for excellent customer service since 1999 – and when this award was replaced by the Customer Service Excellence Award, we were successful in achieving that earlier this year.” The importance of applying sound commercial principles to every type of business was underlined to Paul earlier in his career when he was awarded a scholarship to Cranfield University Business School. He recalls: “I was sitting alongside senior directors from some of the biggest companies, including Marks & Spencer, Rolls-Royce and Total, focusing on business strategy, income and finance. “It was interesting to see how the issues about leadership are the same regardless of the type of business – or whether it’s the private or public sector. “Being the leader or senior manager in any organisation can be a lonely position. You may have nobody to consult – and the wife and family can
get the worst of it when things go wrong! “Everyone has an element of doubt about the decisions they make. The secret is to have a clear vision of what you are trying to achieve and – more importantly – that you have talented people to help you achieve it. “Leaders are expected to have all the answers, but they don’t. The key is to work with your team to understand the issues and to come to the right conclusions. It is also about empowering people and giving them the space to do their job.” Paul, who lives near Penistone and is a keen Sheffield Wednesday fan, certainly enjoys his job at Sadeh Lok. “I’ve been here eight years – and that’s longer than I’ve been anywhere
Page 3 Paul Dolan
during my career,” he says. “The work is interesting and challenging – and it’s never simple because of the bureaucracy you have to deal with.” One of its proudest achievements was a regeneration programme to build more than 70 new homes to replace old tower blocks on land at Thornton Lodge. “There had been major issues with vandalism and anti-social behaviour,” says Paul. “Thanks to the regeneration project, it became somewhere people really wanted to live.” And that dream of owning his own restaurant? “It’s on the back burner!” Paul jokes.
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Role: Operations director Age: 40 Family: Married to Amanda with children Max, seven, and Mary, two-and-a-half Holidays: Greece Car: BMW 3 Series First job: Working for my brother’s plumbing firm during the school holidays Best thing about job: Making a difference to people’s lives Worst thing about job: Bureaucracy Business tip: Without talented people in your business you will not achieve your objectives
Sadeh Lok Work: Social enterprise focusing on housing, children’s services and employment Site: Edgerton, Lincoln, Hampshire, Newcastle upon Tyne Employees: 160 Phone: 01484 435715 Email: pauld@ sadehlok.co.uk Web: www. sadehlok.co.uk
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KIRKLEES BUSIN
Glad their future is in the Balance! AN accountancy firm has undergone a dramatic rebrand – complete with snowboard, hula hoop and a set of sassy headphones. The team at Holmfirth firm Rogers & Co put the unusual boardroom accessories to good use – incorporating them into the company’s new website. The site includes photrography of one of the directors snowboarding on the boardroom table! The rebrand, masterminded by design agency The Engine Room, based at the Media Centre in Huddersfield, included providing Rogers & Co with a new look, the new name of Balance and the strapline: Balance Accounting – Accountancy for Growth. The driving force behind the company’s dynamic new identity is Brand EngineTM, a service offered by The Engine Room to companies looking to really make a mark with their brand – using marketing strategy coupled with design to help generate substantial business results. The rebrand project, which ran over a four-month period, involved reviewing the business’ operations to understand its best and worst performing income streams, dissecting the man-
■ BALANCING ACT: Ashley Barrowclough (left), of Balance – formerly Rogers & Co – and Darren Evans, of The Engine Room
agement team’s aspirations for business growth and establishing an in-house “design council” to enhance internal communications and team mor-
ale. Balance director Ashley Barrowclough said: ”The Engine Room has worked really closely with every member of the team to get under the skin of each individual and to understand what we see our business as being all about. “The name of Balance is perfect as it represents so many things – from the work-life balance we try to help clients achieve to balancing of their books, to balancing the challenges of stability and growth.” Darren Evans, creative director of The Engine Room, said: “We are delighted with how the rebrand has been received. “It has injected new energy into the team and given them renewed confidence, which will help them move forward. It also makes them stand out in a traditional sector. “They always said they were different, but now clients can see that for themselves.” As a result of the rebrand and strategy work carried out by The Engine Room, Balance has also launched new services to more closely support their key audience of regional small and medium-sized firms.
School survey seeks answers
Are you a Creative, Digital Business, Organisation or individual based in Kirklees?....then you may be interested in being part of one of the most exciting developments in this area... Research is now underway to support the development of Kirklees Studio School, a bold new type of state school, that will equip young people with the skills and experiences they may need to succeed in the local creative and media sector. And to support that development, we need your help... please help us by completing a simple questionnaire online at http://www.askinsight.co.uk/bepartofit We are keen to hear from Advertising Agencies, Crafts, Design Agencies, Fashion Designers, Performing Arts, Film, Video & Photography, Interactive Leisure Software, Printing & Publishing, Software and Computer Services & TV & Radio Companies who are interested in being part of this exciting new development. For more info: Susan Kenyon or Richard Noon ask insight 01484 437424 http://www.askinsight.co.uk/bepartofit
Taxing times for companies
KIRKLEES firms have been urged to protect themselves against the taxman. Cleckheaton accountancy firm Clough & Co is alerting firms to a penalty regime introduced by HM Revenue & Customs last April, which is now taking effect. Partner Nigel Westman said: “Businesses that are being investigated can be looking at anything from £1,500 to £3,000 in professional accountancy fees just to get matters in order for the first stage of an investigation.” The new penalty regime has been put in place to provide a sliding scale of consequences for people whose individual or business affairs are being investigated as a result of discrepancies found on their tax returns. Said Mr Westman: “HMRC are now using a sophisticated software programme that cross-references and compares accounts and tax returns against a national database. This means there is a greater likelihood of businesses and sole traders being investigated. “The obvious course of action is to always keep and maintain good records and employ a book keeper – but for an annual premium of between £75 and £362.50 depending on the size of the business, an insurance policy that covers the professional fees of an accountancy firm during an investigation could prove invaluable.” The new penalty regime uses a behavioural-based system that measures the level of involvement in the discrepancies that have been found. These range from failure to take care to deliberate conduct. There is now a statutory band of penalties ranging from no penalty to doubling the amount of tax due.
Branch plays part in success ■ ONLINE POLL: Richard Sharp, of The Sharp Agency with Susan Kenyon, of ask: insight
A MAJOR survey is under way into proposals for a new-style Studio School in Huddersfield. Market research company ask: insight, based at the Media Centre, is carrying out the study among organisations and individuals in the creative and digital sector – including gleaning market intelligence via an online questionnaire. Kirklees Cabinet gave the go-ahead last month to a plan for a studio school at the Netherhall Learning Campus, Rawthorpe, to provide academic and vocational lessons in partnership with local firms for 300 young people aged from 14 to 19. Youngsters across Kirklees will be able to apply for places at the school. The £4m capital funding is being provided by the Government. The school will aim to equip young people with the skills and experiences they need to succeed in the local creative and media sector. The market research conducted during June and July by ask: insight will look at how creative and digital businesses in Kirklees can assist in developing the Studio School.
STAFF at a building society branch in Huddersfield have helped it to win two top awards. Leeds Building Society, which has a branch at Cherry Tree Centre, Market Street, was named Best Notice Account Provider and Best No Notice Account Provider in the 2010 Moneyfacts Awards. The accolades go to companies that have consistently offered the most competitive products, the best levels of service and shown the greatest innovation in the personal finance world during the past 12 months. Diane Adamson, Huddersfield assistant branch manager, said: "To come out on top in these two awards is a testament to both the quality of service our staff provides to people in Huddersfield and throughout the country and the innovative products that we have brought to the market.”
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■ FUEL INJECTION: Craig Biggington, of Brockholes company Fuel Doctor
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A HOLME Valley company is going national – with the launch of a major franchising drive. Brockholes-based Fuel Doctor, a mobile emergency fuel drain service for people who have put the wrong type of fuel in their car, has ambitious plans to establish nationwide coverage by building up between 100 and 120 franchisees across the country. The move comes a year after business partners Craig Biggington and Peter Mitchell set up Fuel Doctor after recognising how many “mis-fuelling” incidents were taking place. Figures suggest that the AA alone is called out to 166,000 such incidents a year – as people swapping between diesel and petrol vehicles, such as company cars or works vans, fill-up with the wrong type of fuel on the forecourt. That can result in thousands
of pounds of damage to the vehicle if the driver attempts to run it – or a bill stretching to hundreds of pounds to call out the breakdown company to drain the tank. Mr Biggington said: “We have been trading for 12 months and demand has been phenomenal. “The idea was to cover West Yorkshire, but we are extending across South Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. “We had been thinking about franchising out Fuel Doctor as a cost-effective way of expanding our geographical coverage without incurring huge costs in staffing and administration – but the scale of demand has forced us to bring it forward.” Mr Biggington said the company had already received more than 20 enquiries after launching the franchise plan online just a week ago – with potential
franchisees as far afield as Nottinghamshire, London, Cornwall and the Scottish Highlands. “A number of them are people who have been made redundant and are looking to use their redundancy pay to become their own boss,” he said. “Some of them are ex-service personnel who are leaving the armed forces with their pay-off and are looking for something else to do.” The firm has consulted with the British Franchise Association over its plans and has compiled an information pack detailing facts about the market for fuel drain services and the support franchisees will receive – including training, head office support, a five-year licence to cover a large territory, a fully-equipped car with corporate livery, tools and workwear.
Financial advice day BUSINESSES facing problems finding finance have been urged to attend an event this week. Kirklees Council has joined forces with Business Link to stage Winning Ways: Accessing Finance at the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield on Thursday. The free breakfast seminar, which takes place from 7.30am to 10.15am in the Fantastic Media Suite, is aimed at companies seeking financial support or better relationships with their bank managers. Speakers from Yorkshire Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC will cover key topics such as how to approach you bank, financial forward planning, financial help for international trading and financial products or grants specific to Yorkshire businesses. The event is aimed chiefly at firms with annual turnovers between £1m and £20m. Go to www.buisinesslink yorkshire.co.uk/events or email info@business linkyorkshire.co.uk
Glimpses into the future N the current climate, it is easy Iwithout to be consumed by the present keeping an eye on the
future. At HSBC we firmly believe that while we have an obligation to help our customers conquer the challenges they face today, we also play a crucial role in helping them to prepare for the successes of tomorrow. In the light of this, HSBC commissioned a report to explore the future of the UK business landscape and investigate how and why UK business models will change in the future under the influence of a generation of increasingly “tech savvy” businessmen and women. In the report, we acknowledge that many of the lessons learnt in the previous recession will have a critical role to play in ensuring businesses are able to rise and prosper out of the current downturn. Industry skills such as social media and social networking created during economic hardship are destined to become tools of the trade for many of tomorrow’s businesses. As a result we can expect to see more businesses improving their flexibility, operating within leaner working structures and exhibiting real dynamism. The report gathered insights from 500 entrepreneurs and business decision makers in 17 cities across the
BANKER’S BLOG Jill Hague
UK and asked them for their attitudes to business and employment. Here are some extracts from the findings: ● The recession will put an increased emphasis on interpersonal skills in business and the interpersonal economy. As new ways to market unfold and new ways to do business are embraced, we will see a profound change in Britain’s business regions and cities as the 21st century unfolds ● From the survey, we can already predict that Belfast (and not London) is emerging as one of the most fearless and opportunistic cities. Here 33% of entrepreneurs describe themselves as pro-risk and determined to change the UK and international business landscape over the next decade ● It is predicted that we will see the
rise of “supercities” and cities such as Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool and Brighton over the next 20 years. These supercities and regions will derive their status, income and prestige from new economy income such as biotech, stem cell, innovation, gaming and even work practices and business models. Regionally, we will be looking at a map of the UK that is radically different to that once familiar to schoolchildren which will contain wind farms, robotics, nanotech, biotech and gaming software parks, as broadband connectivity, regional diversification and a growing emphasis on the bio and tech science rewrite our notion of region specific industries. To read the full publication, go to www.hsbc.co.uk – HSBC publications or e mail jillhague@hsbc.com
Jill Hague is HSBC area commercial director for Calderdale and Kirklees
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Industrial
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Industrial
Victoria Court, off Wakefield Road, Clayton West 8,000 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 16,000 sq ft will split
To LeT
Recently re-built industrial units benefitting from large service yard and strategic location for Junctions 38 and 39 of the M1.
To LeT
Unit 7 Barncliffe Business Park, Near Bank, Shelley 678m2 (7,298 sq ft)
Riverside Court, Colne Road, Huddersfield 95m2 (1,027 sq ft)
Modern single storey warehouse/industrial unit with good site loading and parking. Well located for M1.
Modern single storey trade warehouse/industrial unit close to town centre on secure site. Nearby occupiers include James Hargreaves & Plumb Centre
Flexible Terms
To LeT/MAy seLL
New Highfield Mill Cleckheaton 995 m2 (10,713 sq ft)
Unit 7 Old Fieldhouse Lane, off A62 Leeds Road, Huddersfield 295m2 (3,179 sq ft)
Well located industrial/ engineering premises less than mile for J26 M62 (Cleckheaton).
Modern high quality industrial/ warehouse unit on secure site with yard space just off main A62 Leeds Road.
To LeT/MAy seLL
www.michaelsteel.co.uk
To LeT
Offices
Wakefield Road, Clayton West, Huddersfield Modern ground floor open plan office suite with parking strategically located for M1.
To LeT
immediately available
For more information contact Alec Michael on 07717 870 320 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
PROPERTY experts in Yorkshire have urged Chancellor George Osborne to maintain investment in construction – as the best way to help the regional economy grow. The appeal comes as Mr Osborne prepares to deliver the coalition government’s emergency budget today. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, which has 20,000 members across northern England, said investment in construction is one of the most efficient ways to create jobs and wealth in the region. Yorkshire region chairman Colin Harrop said: “Investing in construction has both short and long term economic benefits. “Keeping our property and construction professionals in work will benefit our economy in the short-term and their work output will benefit our region in the long run as it will improve our towns and cities and encourage more visitors and business to the area. “The government should be looking to spend on property and construction sensibly with a Yorkshire approach to investment. This can be summarised as spending only on sectors which give back more then you put in – so not really spending at all.” RICS’ submission to the Emergency Budget suggests approaches which recognise the challenges facing Yorkshire and the UK economy as a whole – as well as the essentials of a properly functioning land, property and construction sector.
A BUILDING firm has maintained its record for award-winning excellence by lifting another trophy. Honley-based A E Haywood and Sons Ltd won the category for best new single dwelling in the Built In Quality Awards 2010 run by the building control officers for the West Yorkshire local authorities of Kirklees, Calderdale, Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield. The company was recognised for work of a consistently high standard on a project to build a detached house at Farnley Tyas. The architects for the scheme were A & DP Design, of Holmfirth. The award and certificate was presented at a black tie dinner held in Leeds. A E Haywood was the only local company out of five Huddersfield area projects in the finals to win an award. It is the third time in four years that the company has reached the finals. In 2007, A E Haywood won the award for best domestic extension while in 2008 it was one of three finalists in the category for best restoration and conversion. The company was formed in 1957 and has 10 employees. The firm, headed by directors Michael, James and Dave Wood, specialises in domestic and commercial work. It works in Yorkshire, but has also carried out projects as far afield as London.
investment
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Rents ■ VacantGround possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential ● Part Let - Achieving £29,400 uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent ● Also available in parts
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
For Sale £300,000
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● 246.65m² (2,655ft²) Net ■ Vacant possession
Suitable for refurbishment for ● Large Car Park occupational residential alternative uses or possible complete ● Pleasant private setting subject to redevelopment, planning consent ● 6 miles from Huddersfield town centre ■
■ WINNER: Directors (front, from left) Michael, James and Dave Haywood show off the Built In Quality Award with staff of A E Haywood and Sons
office building
Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, For sale £600,000
● ERV £54,080 p/a 4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES ● Commercial, Residential and
characterful office building
7 FORMER CLIFTON LANE, MELTHAM, HD9 4AQ HOSTEL PREMISES
p/a
retail unit
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL DOCTOR LANE, MIFIELD, FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
For Sale £55,000
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● 14.5m² (156ft²) ■ Vacant possession
Suitable for refurbishment for ● Outskirts of popular town centre alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete ● Sold with vacant possession redevelopment, subject to planning consent ● May let at £85 p/w ■
offices with warehouse
CONCEPT HOUSE, COWLERSLEY, HD7 5TQ To Let £22,500 p/a
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
office building
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
MARSH LANE, HUDDERSFIELD, HD8 8AE FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
THIRSTIN ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD9 6JG FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
● 58.89sqm ■ Vacant(634sqft) possession
● 268sqm (2,883sq ft) ■ Vacant possession
Offers around £100,000
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Development potential alternative occupational residential ● Could usesdivide or possible complete redevelopment, ● Close to village centre subject to planning consent ● Car parking
To Let £30,000 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Dedicated car parking alternative occupational residential ● Pleasant uses orlocation possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● outskirts of Honley village planning consent ● Will Sell
characterful office building
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
GREENHEAD ROAD, PREMISES HUDDERSFIELD, FORMER HOSTEL
To Let £19,500 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● 227.4sqm ■ Vacant(2,446sqft) possession ■ Suitable for Accessible location
refurbishment for ● alternative occupational residential ● On-Site carpossible parking uses or complete redevelopment, ● Excellent security systemsubject to planning consent ● Perimeter of Huddersfield town centre
industrial / warehouse
office suites
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
CLOTH HALL STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, FORMER HOSTEL PREMISESHD1 2EG
To Let From £9,000 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● 98.62 - 198.53sqm (1,061 - 2,037sqft) ■ Vacant possession
for alternative occupational residential ● Good usesQuality or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● Open Plan planning consent ● Self contained
●
■ Suitable for refurbishment Recently refurbished
industrial unit
● 290.96 sqmt (3132sqft) 4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent
Page 7
Builders secure another award
Let’s invest the Yorkshire way
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
property
4 RANGE LANE ● High offices Halifax, HX3specification 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
● Good2)car parking 395m2 (4,250ft Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ● Pleasant Working environment ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential ● Will split uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning ● consent May sell
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
GEORGE STREET, MILNSBRIDGE, HD3 4JD FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
WHITACRE STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, FORMER HOSTEL PREMISESHD2 1LY
● 1677.25sqm [18,054 sqft] ■ Vacant possession
● 199.36m² (2,146ft²) ■ Vacant possession
To Let
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Popular Industrialoccupational Location alternative residential uses or possible complete ● Flexible Terms redevelopment, subject to planning consent ● Also 13,188sqft available
To Let £10,000 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Leeds Road Corridor location alternative occupational residential ● Close M62 Motorwaycomplete usestoor possible redevelopment, subject to ● Good loading planning consent ● 600 sqft starter units available
T. 01484 530361 www.bramleys.com
■ industrial LAND ■ offices OFFICES INDUSTRIAL ■ retail INVESTMENT ■ investment RETAIL ■ land
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Prizewinners on their mettle Mark Jacobs
Huddersfield Town HUDDERSFIELD Town has completed another summer signing by appointing Mark Jacobs as advertising manager. Mr Jacobs, pictured (above), left, with Town commercial director Sean Jarvis, was previously hospitality manager at Sheffield Wednesday and has 15 years experience in buying and selling. In his new role, the 42-year-old will join Town’s commercial team working alongside commercial manager Tracy Nelson and business development manager Mark Davies. He will be responsible for selling advertising and other offers in Town’s award-winning matchday magazine as well as perimeter boards and introducing new advertising initiatives to the business community.
Shaun Cross
Barclays Corporate BARCLAYS Corporate has appointed Shaun Cross to lead its food and drink manufacturing team across Yorkshire. Mr Cross (pictured) is an experienced banker who has worked for Barclays for more than 20 years, mainly in relationship management and business development roles working with manufacturing clients. Michael Hartig, regional head of Barclays Corporate, said: “Shaun’s appointment is a reflection of our confidence in the business opportunities within the region and our desire to support a more specialised approach to the market by continuing to segment ourselves along industry sectors. “We aim to be the best and the largest corporate banking provider in the north and will be aggressively attracting new customers to Barclays Corporate during 2010.”
A COMPANY supplying architectural metalwork has been recognised for overcoming the impact of the recession. Liversedge-based AS Fabrications (UK) Ltd is the latest winner of the Business of the Month Award run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in association with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. The firm was formed less than two years ago by management of Glentworth Architectural Metalwork, which went into liquidation in May last year – leaving the directors and 40 staff out of work. Instead of giving up, the management team took over the business just four weeks after their redundancy and by obtaining financial support from HSBC and Yorkshire Forward were able to re-employ 18 of the Glentworth staff. AS Fabrications have gone from strength to strength – having received massive support from previous suppliers and customers. It has expanded its workforce from 18 to 39 in just 12 months and has introduced its own in-house training schemes. Mick Fortune, managing director of AS Fabrications, said: “We could not have achieved our present level of success
■ BACK IN BUSINESS: Deborah Melluish presents the award to Jarvis Parsons (second right) and Chris Crossley (right) of AS Fabrications, with (from left) Andrew Choi, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Sam Turner, of Business Link; and St John Emms, of Skipton Business Finance
without the confidence and support of our customers, suppliers and funders. “We consider the Eaton Smith Award to be acknowledgement of all the hard work our management and employees have put
Boomerang returns!
Janice Haigh
FSB JANICE Haigh has been elected Yorkshire and Humber policy chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses. Wakefield-based Ms Haigh (pictured), originally worked in sales before becoming a therapeutic consultant providing complementary therapies, counselling and neuro-linguistic programming to businesses and individuals. She now represents the interests of the FSB’s 16,000 Yorkshire members. She joined the FSB’s Wakefield branch in 2000 and was first elected to its policy committee early in 2009.
■ RECOVERY PLAN: Tanya Lowe (left) and Nicky Battye of Boomerang Recruitment, 30, Knaresborough Drive, Fartown A RECRUITMENT agency says the economy is bouncing back. Boomerang Recruitment, based at Fartown, has appointed a new recruitment consultant amid signs that demand for staff is beginning to pick up following the recession. Tanya Lowe has joined Boomerang from rival agency Manpower to help develop business with existing clients and foster relationships with new clients. Boomerang director Nicky Battye said: “We have been quite over the past 18 months as the recession held sway. A lot of small agencies
have closed. “But we celebrate our fifth birthday in September and we are still very much here. “Business has been doing very well in recent weeks. Our clients have remained loyal and we are getting more work. “Demand for sales jobs is picking up particularly as companies seek staff to take advantage of improving markets.” Boomerang provides permanent and temporary staff in sectors such as sales, administration, business development, transport and IT.
in, which has enabled us to achieve our current level of success.” For details of the award, visit www.eatonsmith.co.uk or contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389
Call in the inspector A BUSINESS development consultant has completed projects with two leading Yorkshire firms. Holmfirth-based Darryl Gould – who was dubbed “Yorkshire’s own business inspector” at a recent awards ceremony, has undertaken a market development plan for social enterprise SHINE at Harehills in Leeds. And he has also completed a research task for leading kitchen manufacturer Laminates in South Yorkshire. He said: “I thought the title ‘business inspector’ was a bit of fun at first, but people really seem to have latched on to it and does sum up what I do rather well.” Darryl, who has worked in senior management for Hambros Bank, Saatchi and Saatchi and Dixons Stores Group, is engaged by companies to come up with solutions to help them move forward, change direction or develop new markets. Mr Gould is chairman of the Institute of Directors in South Yorkshire and has been a chamber of commerce member for more than 10 years. He said: “I know how difficult business development can be at this time. My skills are in helping companies find ways to move forward and – luckily – within Yorkshire there are many companies still keen to swim out to their boat rather than wait for it to come in.”