Kirklees Business News 22nd Feb 2011

PHIL HAYNES A walk on the wild side Full inter view - Page 3

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ALEX MCNEIL Proper ty prospects Full stor y - Page 6

An EXAMINER publication

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Firm shows rivals clean pair of heels

A COMPANY providing drinks dispense equipment aims to clean up with the launch of a new business.

Huddersfield-based Brewfitt has set up Steripax under sales manager James Whittaker to sell sterilising solutions.

The two key products are SteriEx, which is aimed at the food production and preparation industries, and SteriBev, which is used by the hospitality, beverages and brewing industries.

The sanitizer is billed as a leading environmentally-friendly product in the market as it has no special disposal requirements, is harmless to humans and can be recycled after use.

Mr Whittaker said: “Steripax will be selling this revolutionary product which has been developed by Hypotech.

“As the main distributor for Hypotech’s products, I saw the role of sales manager at Steripax as a great opportunity to use my experience in the

cleaning and janitorial industry to develop this new side of the business.

“I will be responsible for attracting new customers and raising awareness of the Steripax brand.

“I am ready for the challenge and look forward to working with the Brewfitt team to expand the company further.”

Curtis Paxman, managing director of Brewfitt, said: “We are delighted to welcome James to the Brewfitt team.

“With his extensive experience of the sanitising industry we saw this as a great opportunity to launch Steripax and grow the business across new industries.”

Brewfitt, a family business launched in the 1950s and based at Fenay Bridge, is one of the UK’s largest providers of dispense equipment.

Brewfitt is regarded as one of the industry’s most innovative firms.

Steripax is the official distributor for Hypotech in the UK.

countries to attend the show. Ot hosts 3,800 exhibitors in 81 international pavilions and welcomes 55,000 buyers.

Curry Cuisine is making the trip with deliciouslyorkshire, the campaiging brand established by the Regional Food Group to promote local produce.

Joining them will be food companies from Beverley, Hull, Brigg, Whitby,

Body of evidence A CREATIVE company went on a dummy run – as part of a publicity campaign.

Highfields-based Manifest Communications took to the streets with a life-sized mannequin to talk to consumers about their body hang ups – as a fact-finding mission for consumer brand and online store Club Cleo.

● Full story - Page 8

■ SCREEN WASH: James Whittaker, sales manager for biocides supplier Steripax, aims to expand business further as part of Brewfitt

Company sets out to curry favour in Dubai A DEWSBURY company is set to exhibit at the world’s biggest food, drink and hospitality event.

Pickles and chutneys specialist Curry Cuisine is one of seven Yorkshire businesses to attend Gulfood 2001, which takes place from February 27 to March 2 in Dubai.

The event is rated as one of the industry’s most prestigious events – with delegates travelling from 152

INSIDE

Womersley and Steeton making products ranging from crisps, sugar-free fudge and fruitcake to jellies, vinegars and cookies.

Visitors to Gulfood get the opportunity to review the latest industry trends, ingredient innovations, restaurant styling and live demonstrations. Gulfood also offers delegates the chance to get world-class advice by industry leading figures.

Jonathan Knight, chief executive of deliciouslyorkshire, said: “We hope our presence will build new routes to market and connections for businesses across Yorkshire, as well as showcasing some of the best produce from our region.”

Curry Cuisine’s Dubai date follows its success in landing a contract to supply award-winning pickles and chutneys to Booths supermarkets.

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People power A FAMILY firm has been shortlisted for a national prize.

Portfolio Display is among the finalists in the CBI People’s Awards.

● Full story - Page 4

Solicitors for business inYorkshire www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk Huddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Leeds

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

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Recession boosts budget hotel group

■ STAYING POWER: Hotel chain Travelodge is expanding

TOUGH economic conditions helped Travelodge enjoy a strong year during 2010 as the group benefited from budget-conscious consumers.

The hotel chain, which offers rooms from just £19 a night, had a record 13m customers stay at its sites during the year – 12% up on 2009.

It also continued its expansion programme, opening a further 70 hotels during the course of the year.

The group, which has plans for a new hotel in Huddersfield, said the recession had enabled it to target sites that would have been beyond its reach before the economic downturn.

It also completed a deal with pubs group Mitchells and Butlers under which it acquired 52 of its Innkeeper’s Lodges.

The acquisitions saw the group con-

tinue its strategy of shifting away from roadside locations to city centres.

Only a fifth of its rooms are now on the edge of motorways and major roads, with 18% in London and the remaining 62% in other major towns and cities.

The group has already opened four new hotels this year, including one in Cardiff city centre, while it is building a further 36 hotels.

The latest openings mean it now operates 463 hotels, including 10 in Ireland and three in Spain, and it said it remained “well on track” to reach its target of having more than 1,100 hotels and 100,000 rooms by 2025.

Total sales in 2010 rose by 13% to 7.2m rooms with like-for-like growth up 6%, driven by an 11% rise in London.

Guy Parsons, chief executive of

Travelodge, said: “Despite the tough climate in 2010, we have delivered a robust performance whilst continuing our strategic UK growth programme and demonstrating Travelodge’s continued strong recovery.

“The year has started in line with management’s expectations, though clearly there has been an impact on the consumer from the recent VAT increase a n d t h e f u e l a n d e n e rg y p r i c e increases.”

Travelodge has planning permission for a new hotel at Spindlegate, Leeds Road, Hillhouse. The 62-bed hotel will stand on part of the site formerly occupied by chemical company James Robinson. Costa Coffee has also tabled plans for a new outlet while a pub, the Yorkshire Rose, is already operating.

Worries resurface for retailers

Opportunities overseas

THE owner of the Bullring and Brent Cross shopping centres said a recovering UK retail market helped 2010 profits rise by 11%.

Butt he company warned that Government spending cuts and the increase in VAT could see some embattled retailers fall behind with rent repayments.

The group, which also owns Reading’s Oracle and Cabot Circus in Bristol, said 2010 saw a turnaround for many retailers as trading improved and administrations fell.

Hammerson’s full-year results revealed underlying profits of £144.5m in 2010 – up from £130m in 2009.

A UK oil and gas services firm has unveiled plans for an overseas push as part of a business overhaul.

Aberdeen-based Wood said it was looking for takeover opportunities in Angola, Brazil, Canada, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia and expected strong growth over the next few years.

Wood said the move to increase its international reach formed part of a strategy to focus on to its core engineering, production facilities support and gas turbine services.

The company recently sold its well support arm to General Electric and announced a merger with energy services group PSN.

Retail vacancies fell as the recession saw many new developments cancelled or put on hold, which helped overall occupancy levels rise to 97.3%.

Hammerson said: “The trading environment has continued to improve during 2010 and the rate at which retail companies in the UK are going into administration has fallen.

“However the effects of increased taxation and restrictions on government spending may mean that some tenants, principally in the UK retail sector, face difficult operating conditions and there is a risk that they will be unable to pay their rents.”

Chief executive Allister Langlands said Wood posted a 3.9% drop in pre-tax profits for the year to December 31 to £156.8m, despite a 2.8% rise in revenues to £3.1bn.

Wood’s production arm generates 47% of its revenues from the UK North Sea, but the addition of PSN in areas such as North America and Russia will cut its dependence on the UK and offer higher margin work.

The sale of Wood’s well support arm, which makes electric submersible pumps used to maximise oil production, will raise £1.7bn. More than half of the proceeds is set to go to shareholders.

Turkish delight DRINKS giant Diageo announced a £1.3bn deal to snap up Turkish spirits maker Mey Icki as it expands in emerging markets to offset declining European sales.

Mey Icki is Turkey’s biggest spirits producer with sales of about £300m a year. It is the market leader in raki, the aniseed-flavoured national drink.

Diageo, which makes Smirnoff vodka, Guinness and Baileys, has agreed to buy the company for £1.3bn from private equity firms TPG Capital and Actera in a deal expected to complete in the second half of 2011.

The acquisition will give Diageo increased exposure to the rapidly growing Turkish spirits market and will allow it to increase sales of its existing brands, such as Johnnie Walker whisky, through its distribution network.

Diageo is forecasting an increase in consumer spending in Turkey as its growing middle class aspire to drink quality spirits.

Diageo’s sales in Europe slumped by 3% in the six months to December 31, but this was more than offset by strong growth in emerging markets and North America as pre-tax profits rose by 16% to £1.61bn.

Paul Walsh, chief executive of Diageo, said: “The acquisition of Mey Icki transforms our existing position in this fast growing spirits market.”

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £28.04 Gannett 1045.82 Hess Corp £52.35 Microsoft 1666.67 Motors Liquidation 46.19 Wal-Mart Stores £34.11 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 233 BAE Systems 3411/2 -11/4 Rolls-Royce Gp 624 -31/2 AIM Brady Plc 83 Dawson Intl 11/2 Man Brnze 39 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2105/8 -51/4 BANKS Barclays 3221/4 -71/4 HSBC 7043/8 -183/8 1 Lloyds Banking Gp 66 /2 -23/4 Ryl Scotland 465/8 -17/8 Stan Chart 1631 -33 BEVERAGES Diageo 1200 SABMiller £203/4 -1/4 CHEMICALS Croda 1494 +2 Elementis 98 1361/4 -13/8 Johnsn Mat 1889 -43 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 3545/8 -21/2 Costain 2341/4 -23/4 ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 3947/8 -61/8 Intl Power 3417/8 -25/8 Scottish & Sthrn 1206 -5 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 1593/8 -27/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3643/8 -5 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1821/8 -31/4 Cable & Wireless 467/8 -3/8 Comm Cable & Wireless 731/4 -13/4 Wwide 1 Colt Group 155 /2 +5/8 KCOM 623/4 -11/4 1 Talktalk Telecom 150 /4 -3/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2861/4 +11/4 Sainsbury 383 -1 1 Tesco 413 /2 +31/2 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1050 -5 Nth Foods 741/4 Tate Lyle 583 -3 Unilever 1832 +5 1 -11/8 Uniq 9 /8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3417/8 -3 National Grid 5661/2 -8 Pennon Grp 623 -41/2 Severn 1464 -7 United Utils 589 -51/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 3131/8 -37/8

ICAP 5311/2 -111/2 London StockExch 9041/2 -141/2 3 Man Group 294 /4 -91/2 Provident Financial 997 -6 Schroders 1736 -24 Schroders NV 1359 -17 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 6601/2 -81/2 REXAM 371 -43/8 Smiths Grp 1363 -15 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 231/2 -1/4 Carphone Whse 4031/4 -4 3 Dixons Retail 20 /4 -1/2 Home Retail 230 -3 Inchcape 3941/2 -105/8 Kingfisher 2591/4 -4 -25/8 M&S 3547/8 Mothercare 4963/4 -31/8 Next 1982 -23 1 WH Smith 468 /4 -63/4 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 729 -13 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 123 -6 Barrat Dev 995/8 -1/8 1 Persimmon 438 /4 -13/4 Reckitt Benckiser £327/8 -1/4 Taylor Wimpey 371/2 -1/2 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 7501/2 +161/2 IMI 896 -10 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 425 -141/4 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION

BBA Aviation 2281/4 Forth Ports 1444 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 4621/4 Lgl & Gen 1191/4 Old Mutual 1331/4 Prudential 7161/2 Resolution 2851/4 Standard Life 2395/8 MEDIA BSkyB 753 D Mail Tst 560 ITV 841/2 Johnston Press 10 Pearson 1032 Reed Elsevier 5641/2 STV Group 1191/2 Trinity Mirror 821/4 Utd Business 707 UTV 1261/2 WPP 841 Yell Group 73/4 MINING Anglo American £317/8 Antofagasta 1391 BHP Billiton £233/4 Eurasian Natural 9851/2 Res Fresnillo 1550 Kazakhmys 1452 Lonmin 1841 Rio Tinto £431/8 VEDANTA £23 RESOURCES Xstrata 1411 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 675

-53/4 +14 -8 -11/4 -17/8 -14 -81/8 -33/4 +1 -6 -17/8 -26 +1/2 -3/4 -121/2 +11/2 -4 -3/8 -3/8 -16 -1/8 -141/2 +43 -29 -12 -7/8 -5/8 -19 -17

Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp

2901/8 1141/2 5661/2 1709

-23/8 -1 -8 -6

FTSE closed at

6014.80 68.19

Vodafone Group 1791/2 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1737 RSA Insurance Gp 1413/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1457 BP 4911/2 Cairn Energy 4203/4 Royal Dutch Shell A £213/4 Royal Dutch Shell B £215/8 Total £361/4 Tullow Oil 1376 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1138 Petrofac 1427 Wood Group 6431/2

-21/4 -16 -13/8 -10 -11/2 -11/4 -1/8 -1/8 -1/2

-2 -17 -21/2

PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1177 -13 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £301/4 -1/8 Axis-Shield 3191/2 +101/4 GlaxoSmithK XD 41/2 Shire 1723 -11 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 5541/2 -9 Captl Shop Cent 383 -33/8 DTZ Hldgs 38 -3/4 Hamrsn 4551/4 +73/4 Land Secs 7351/2 -9 SEGRO 325 -3/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1654 -31 +123/4 Invensys 3573/4 Logica 1461/8 -11/8 Misys 3331/2 -73/4 Sage Group 2857/8 -23/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 447 -41/8 Bunzl 7681/2 -111/2 1 Capita 670 /2 -7 De La Rue 699 -6 -13/8 Electrocomp 2711/8 Experian 772 -15 G4S 2671/2 -1/2 Hays 1211/4 -2 1 Homeserve 466 /4 -77/8 Menzies J 448 +8 Rentokil 911/4 -11/4 Smiths News 97 Wolseley £21 -1/2 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 597 -23

Psion Spirent Comms

933/4 1553/8

-1/2 -3/4

TOBACCO Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco

£241/2 1962

-1/8 -30

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

£281/8 5661/2 377 1001/2 373 1435 4741/2 1415 2391/2

-1 -2 -8 -21/8 -5 +27 -21/8 -20 -7

1395/8 333 2557/8 1733/4 1285/8 2131/2 2453/4 1834

+1 -1/4 -31/8 -1/4 -11/4 -13/4 -41/8 -9

FTSE 100

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TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.52 dollars Bangladesh................. 108.48 taka Brazil.............................. 2.43 reals Canada....................... 1.52 dollars China ............................. 9.52 yuan Czech Republic ...... 26.66 korunas Denmark....................... 8.41 krone Euro............................... 1.13 euro Hong Kong................ 11.98 dollars Hungary................... 286.96 forints India.......................... 64.54 rupees Japan........................... 128.38 yen Mexico ....................... 17.38 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.98 dollars Norway ......................... 8.79 krone Pakistan.................. 130.61 rupees Philippines ................. 60.28 pesos South Africa................. 10.78 rand South Korea.............. 1580.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 169.64 rupees Sweden......................... 9.93 krona Switzerland.................. 1.46 francs Taiwan ...................... 41.59 dollars Turkey....................... 2.41 new lira USA ............................ 1.55 dollars

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS NOTHING beats the great outdoors.

Just ask Phil Haynes, who lists ski-ing, hill walking and biking among his favourite pursuits.

Phil’s hobbies certainly help when it comes to his job as retail development manager for outdoor clothing and equipment company Outdoor Mania, which is based at the former Crag Rats mill in Dunford Road, Holmfirth.

And its a passion shared by other members of the team.

“We ski, we snowboard, we camp and we go bike riding,” he says. “That’s how we try out the products we sell and how we can talk with authority about them to the customer. We are very active people.

“In fact, people generally are becoming more active – and they don’t just go to the gym.

“Many people are leading healthier lifestyles. And it’s not just about being healthy.

It’s about enjoying the countryside.”

Outdoor Mania was launched seven years ago as an internet-based business selling everything from checked shirts and walking gear to ski clothing and camping equipment.

But the founders quickly realised the need for a showroom to enable customers to see the products for themselves.

That led to the formation of retail arm Let’s Go. “We had a lot of people who were happy enough to order online, but we realised we needed somewhere for people to touch and feel and try out the products,” says Phil.

“While other companies are going from bricks and mortar to online, we are going the other way.

“In both cases, it’s a matter of providing customer service, attention and care.”

The showroom was opened two weeks before Christmas – and the timing couldn’t have been much better. “The wintry weather certainly helped focus people’s minds on our products,” says Phil.

“We have had a lot of customers from as far afield as Durham, Doncaster and Hull.

“About 90% of our customers have seen the products online, but they want to see them for themselves.

“When you are buying a £600 tent and all the accessories, you want to see what you’re buying.”

Phil and the team had been looking for suitable premises for three or four years before fixing on the mill, which became available following the demise of training and theatre company Cragrats.

Says Phil: “It was an awful shame that Cragrats went out of business, but it would have been just as big a shame if the mill had gone to wrack and ruin.”

Thankfully – although the mill was empty for some time – that hasn’t

profile

Phil’s getting out and about happened. And after moving into the building, Outdoor Mania set about restoring it to its former glory the building.

“There was an awful lot to do,” says Phil. “It took 11 months to get it looking half right and there has been significant investment. We stripped back the walls to expose the original stone and features. We restored the wood flooring and installed new staircases.

“The mill has returned to textiles, only this time it’s modern, technical textiles in their finished form.”

The ground floor is given over to the retail showroom while the second and third floors accommodate the internet business.

There are plans to open a coffee shop on the third floor during April, while the top floor houses the company’s call centre.

Outdoor Mania/ Let’s Go currently employs seven

people, but has the potential to create up to 20 jobs, says Phil.

“That would be a positive boost for the area,” says Phil, who sees the company as a key part of efforts to generate wealth for the Holme Valley and maintain its tourist trade.

“Last of the Summer Wine has finished,” he points out.

“It wasn’t just about three grumpy old men – it was about the landscapes and the countryside.”

Phil was born in Newcastle and grew up in Yarm on Teeside. “My ambition was to become a paramedic,” he says. “When I grow up, that’s probably what I’ll be!”

Instead, he has spent 21 years in the “outdoor” industry. At first, it was just another job, but over the years Phil has developed a real love for the outdoors.

Phil also works with two

other companies in Heckmondwike, Outdoor Revolution and caravan and motorhomes firm Blue Diamond.

Says Phil: “I have done the Six Peaks Challenge – walking up the six highest mountains in Great Britain in 72 hours.

“You get a sense of achievement doing that, but it is the spectacular sights of nature that you really appreciate.”

It’s also a family affair.

“When the kids were young, I didn’t have a great deal of money to spend on holidays. We’d spend time together in the outdoors because it was a cheap and fun way to get to know the kids.

“We lived on the edge of the North York Moors and when my daughter was very young, she’d set the alarm for six o’clock in the morning, We’d take a

Phil Haynes Role: Retail development manager Age: 42 Family: Married to Carol with children Matthew, 18, and Emily, 14 Holidays: Ski-ing every spring, particularly enjoying Bulgaria, Italy and Austria Car: Ford Mondeo First job: Paperboy – I lasted two weeks!

Best thing about job: No two days are the same Worst thing about job: If anything about the job was bad I wouldn’t do it!

Business tip: Always do what you promise you are going to do packed breakfast and sit out in the hills.”

Photography is another growing interest. “I bought myself a new camera for Christmas,” says Phil. “I also got a book on how to use it and I am going to go on a course so I can get the best out of it. It’s all about catching those memories.”

Meanwhile, other people are discovering the simple pleasures of the great outdoors, says Phil.

“The recession has meant lots of people holidaying at home to save money – and finding out what there is on their own doorstep.

“People say the British weather is what puts them off holidays at home, but we have technical products to deal with the elements.

“As Billy Connolly said: There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!”

HENRYK ZIENTEK

■ FREEZE FRAME: Phil Haynes’ colleague Graham Holmes tries out some of the firm's products on the ski slopes at Schladming in Austria

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Outdoor Mania/ Let’s Go Work: Technical outdoor clothing, accessories and camping equipment Site: Dunford Road, Holmfirth Employees: Seven Phone: 0844 979 8586 Email: enquiry@emania.co.uk Web: www.outdoor mania.co.uk

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KIRKLEES BUSIN

Company motors into national final A FAMILY business has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

Elland-based Portfolio Display is among the finalists in the category for growing business in the CBI People’s Awards, which will be held in March in London.

Portfolio Display designs, makes and prints display products mainly for the motor trade, although they have customers across all industries.

Products include PVC banners, roller banners, bunting, flags and flagpoles.

Advertising products include tax disc holders, car window stickers, key rings, poster cases and brochure stands.

Other organisations nominated in the awards include major names such as Jaguar, Sainsbury’s, Gatwick Airport and McDonald’s.

Portfolio Display is run by brothers Robert and Garth Walker, who are both directors of the company.

Robert Walker’s background is in sales and marketing while Garth’s experience is in transport design.

Both graduated from Hudders-

field University with honours, but neither has previous experience of running a company before launching Portfolio Display two years ago – since when they have seen the business grow substantially.

Robert said: “We recently won a local business award and thought we’d try on a nation level.

“We really didn’t expect to get this far and the high profile names on the list just shows the quality that will be there on the night.

“We will be keeping our fingers crossed, but whether we take the award or not it’s a huge achievement to make it this far.

“Everyone involved at Portfolio Display should be extremely proud of their hard work.”

The CBI People’s Awards cover six categories – Growing Business, International People Engagement, Skills for the Future, Change Management, Green Strategy and Value in the Public Sector.

The awards ceremony will be held on March 28 at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square and will be hosted by Olympic medallist Steve Cram.

■ LONDON CALLING: Brothers Rob Walker (left) and Garth Walker, of Elland-based Portfolio Display Ltd , whose company is among the finalists in the prestigious CBI People’s Awards, to be held in London

New image for funeral business

■ BY DESIGN: Nikki Phillipson, of 10 Associates, with Robert Burgess, managing director of R J Burgess

A BRANDING specialist in Huddersfield has provided a new look for a West Yorkshire funeral business.

Bradley-based 10 Associates had refreshed things for R J Burgess, a family-owned funeral directors in Normanton, using the agency’s Designing Demand initiative and unique Brandschool programme.

The key challenges were to reflect the unique qualities of managing director Robert Burgess and his team, highlight the bespoke service and underline how R J Burgess is a forward-thinking company.

Nikki Phillipson, account manager for 10 Associates, said: “It was clear from the start that Bob and his team were ‘salt of the earth’ types who genuinely cared for the families they looked after.

“But a funeral directors is a business like any other and Bob needs it to be profitable in order to keep his business and

employees secure for the future.”

The agency helped R J Burgess create a pack providing families with more information about the range of services available, useful contact details and answers to commonly asked questions.

Nikki said the pack had proved to be a real success – giving families time to choose options for a funeral individual to their loved one, which Robert would never have felt comfortable recommending for fear of appearing too sales-focused.

David Worthington, managing director of 10 Associates, said: “What this project for RJ Burgess clearly demonstrates is how taking a fresh look at a business’ brand proposition is one of the most economical ways to give a company a clear direction for the future and increase profits.”

Bank embarks on expansion YORKSHIRE Bank has created a 50-strong team across Yorkshire as part of efforts to significantly increase its support for small firms across the UK. The bank is expanding the services and products on offer to businesses – typically those with annual turnover of less than £1m or borrowing less than £250,000.

Measures will include free banking offers for start-ups and switchers and a new small business service.

The bank said Britain’s 5m small businesses were a key driver of the economy – representing 35% of the turnover of all UK businesses and 55% of all business current accounts. In addition, an estimated 400,000 new businesses start trading each year.

Gary Lumby (pictured), director of small business for Yorkshire Bank in the region, said that many businesses would welcome the return of local, relationship-based banking that enabled swift lending decisions and created networking opportunities.

The new team of small business managers would concentrate on building and supporting relationships with businesses such as shopkeepers, retailers, tradesmen, small manufacturing and engineering firms as well as professionals such as accountants or architects.

Local small business managers will be located in Yorkshire Bank branches and Financial Solutions Centres – initially at sites including Huddersfield, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Hull, Halifax, York and Doncaster.

The bank expects the roll-out of the new service will see a significant number of new appointments to the team over the next three years.

Said Mr Lumby: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and economy.

“We’ve been listening to them and have developed our business to help them develop theirs. We see a real opportunity to offer a credible alternative – establishing local relationships to help small businesses flourish, with local knowledge and services that suit their needs in branch, online or by phone.

“The evidence suggests that the small business market is under-served by the ‘big banks’.

“We see this as a great time to correct that and build on our already successful business banking approach.

“These moves underline our commitment to UK businesses.”

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Valley agency minds its manners in China A KIRKLEES company forging strong links with China is getting a lesson in business etiquette.

At the start of the Chinese Year of the Rabbit, Holmfirth-based graphic design, marketing and web design company Worthington Brown, is building on its success in the Chinese market by consulting a local expert on Chinese business etiquette.

The company has teamed up with Fiona Chen, of The Gleddings Preparatory School in Halifax, for lessons in the Mandarin language and culture.

The school was recently conferred Confucius status by the Confucius Institute at Manchester University – and Fiona is on a mission to introduce the Mandarin language and culture to local businesses in Yorkshire.

Topics covered in her lessons include basic Mandarin, Chinese culture and customs, arrival at Chinese airports, registering at a hotel, greeting others and introducing yourself, requesting information about items such as food or accommodation.

Worthington Brown is the only British graphic design company with an office in the Hangzhou province, and managing director, Neil Worthington, is keen for staff to avoid the pitfalls common to westerners conducting business in China.

After lessons with Fiona Chen, Worthington Brown’s latest recruit,

Fired Up is a hot winner

■ CHINESE CHECK: Neil Worthington, of Worthington Brown, gets to grips with Chinese culture alongside colleague Jenny Hurman (right) and Fiona Chen, of the Gleddings Preparatory School

creative designer Jenny Hurman, has departed for a six-month secondment at the company’s China design studio – confident in her Chinese business etiquette.

Worthington Brown, which has

Dealership Hungary for success!

A MOTOR dealer in Huddersfield has won an award from car manufacturer Skoda.

DM Keith Group, based at St Andrew’s Road, Bradley Mills, was named top Skoda retailer for customer finance at the Prestigious Prague Awards, which was held at Zofin Palace in Prague.

The annual awards, hosted by Skoda UK, recognise the brand’s top dealerships.

Dougal Keith (centre), of DM Keith, received the award from BBC TV presenter Kate Silverton and Skoda’s Robert Hazelwood (also pictured).

DM Keith dealer principal Peter Donnell said: “Buying a car is now as easy as going to the supermarket or shopping on the high street. We are extremely delighted with this award, which is a reflection of the hard work and dedication shown by our staff.”

been based in Holmfirth since 1990, opened its first China office in Hangzhou to provide graphic design, advertising and web design services for both western and Chinese businesses.

A FIRM well-versed in dealing with China is Huddersfield-based domestic heating products manufacturer Fired Up. And the company, based at St Thomas’ Road, Longroyd Bridge, has emphasised its success in the region by winning the China Business Award for Yorkshire and Humber.

The accolade recognises Fired Up’s success in establishing a factory in China to make and supply items including rice cookers and electric fires – as well as exporting electrical products made in Huddersfield to China.

Chief executive Richard Kaye and Chris Chan, general manager of the 300,000sq ft factory at Zhongshan City in Guangdong Province, received the award at a presentation in Sheffield.

Fired Up has lifted turnover in China from about £900,000 in 2006 to a budgeted turnover of about £6m for 2011. Sales into China are expected to account

■ ACCOLADE: Richard Kaye (centre) and Chris Chan, of Fired Up, receive the award from Josh Wong, of event sponsor DLA Piper

for almost 25% of turnover generated by the Chinese operation this year.

Fired Up began its Chinese venture six years ago as a way to combat the threat from low-cost Chinese manufacturers.

Sesame wins again A FINANCIAL services firm with operations in Huddersfield has scooped a top industry award for the second year running.

Sesame, with offices at Halifax Road, Birchencliffe, was recognised for high quality services and support delivered to independent financial advisers Sesame won Best IFA Network – which is voted for by financial advisers – for the second year in a row at the Professional Adviser Awards 2011 in London.

Sesame, part of the Sesame Bankhall Group, has led the Top 100 Advisers list for the past six years.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Chance to sample American dream A NEW award for an outstanding academic or professional to pursue research into property, land or the built environment in the USA has been launched by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The first Fulbright RICS Scholar Award will provide the winner with an appointment of three to 10 months at any US institution to begin at any stage between August 1, 2012, and April 30, 2013. The recipient will be awarded £2,750 a month.

Jennifer Turner (pictured), operations director for the RICS in the north, said: “The global Fulbright Programme is one of the most prestigious worldwide award systems, operating in more than 150 countries. The RICS is delighted to be extending this exceptional opportunity to the world of property, land and the built environment.”

Successful applicants will be UK citizens who hold or expect to receive a Master’s, PhD or possess equivalent professional experience in a relevant area.

Go to www.fulbright.co.uk

Further lettings for top city property PROPERTY agents have concluded two more lettings at a prominent city centre site.

The completion of the deals means that just 6,000sq ft of space remains at 49A St Paul’s Street in Leeds. The building is owned by Kelly & Co Solicitors.

Watts, a leading consultant to the property and construction industry, has agreed a three-year lease on 887sq ft of space. In the second deal, financial advisers Prosperis has taken a three-year lease on the building’s second floor.

Tom Brammeld, of joint leasing agents Jones Lang LaSalle, said: “These deals – which follow on from the 2,450sq ft letting to Trend Micro completed late last year – bring two further quality tenants into the building and mean that almost 4,000sq ft of space has been let at 49A St Paul’s House within the last few months.”

Jones Lang LaSalle and Sanderson Weatherall are joint leasing agents for the property.

Key investments now completed TWO key investment sales totalling more than £3.5m have been completed in West Yorkshire.

Acting on behalf of Monument Investments, the Capital Markets team at CB Richard Ellis in Leeds has sold Prospect House, an 18,643sq ft office building on Sovereign Street in Leeds city centre to a private London-based buyer for £2.09m.

The rapidly expanding serviced office provider has committed to lease the building for a further 15 years.

And acting for CBRE Investors, the Leeds team sold a 30,000sq ft industrial unit on Tyler Close in Normanton, Wakefield, let to Wincanton Plc to The Burgess Group

property

Page 6

Premises need flood protection KIRKLEES businesses are being urged to check their flood insurance cover – as public sector spending cuts lead to the postponing of several defence schemes aimed at protecting homes and commercial premises across the country.

The warning from Bluefin Insurance Services, which has offices in Cleckheaton, comes as scheme are set to be postponed for at least three years – in the face of increased evidence of climate change.

More than 5m people in England and Wales live and work in properties that are at risk of flooding from swollen rivers or surging seas.

In Yorkshire, hundreds of families and businesses were forced to leave their properties during intense summer flooding in 2007.

Bluefin said the main problems facing businesses were inadequate sums insured, non-compliance with warranties and insurance policies and insufficient business interruption cover.

It said that despite an earlier commitment to protecting funding for flood and coastal defence schemes, the government had revealed there will be insufficient money to continue with all planned schemes, leaving thousands of businesses across the country unprotected.

“In the current climate of austerity and economic pressure, when businesses are looking for ways to reduce spending and manage their costs, there may be a temptation to cut back on expenses such as insurance”, said Bluefin flooding expert, Philip Jackson.

“That would be a short-sighted decision as the effects of flooding can often result in much higher costs than simply replacing damaged equipment.

“Business continuity insurance is now essential, for example, to provide cover against lost income due to IT system failures, lost work time and restricted access to premises.”

Bluefin said flooding posed an increasing

■ WATER WARNING: Firms can keep their heads above water by ensuring premises are properly insured against flooding

threat to homes and businesses due to climate change and rising sea levels as well as human factors such as property development on flood plains and deforestation.

The cost of insurance claims following the 2009 floods in Cumbria is now estimated at £206m – with 60% of this cost relating to business damage. Even the 2004 floods in Boscastle, Cornwall, cost an estimated £4m in insurance claims.

Said Mr Jackson: “The cost of flood damage can have a devastating effect on businesses. Businesses in Yorkshire must be more proactive about covering themselves against

the risk of flooding despite the current economic climate. As a precaution businesses should look again at their insurance policies and identify areas where they are not covered.

“We must learn from the lessons of the Cumbrian floods last year and make changes while there is still time.

“Without appropriate insurance, businesses may not be able to recover from flooding or other adverse weather conditions such as snow and drought, both of which we have seen more often over the last few years.”

Commercial sector paints varied picture CHARTERED surveyors are cautiously optimistic about prospects for the Yorkshire commercial property sector, a survey has revealed.

The latest market survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors shows that the balance of members expecting new sales and lettings to rise rather than fall in the next three months stands at plus 14% – although this is a decline from plus 24% in the third quarter of 2010.

Meanwhile, the figure for occupier enquiries stood at plus 18% against minus 11% last time while overall tenant demand for commercial property increased to plus 19% from minus 5%.

Just 10% more surveyors saw an increase rather than a decrease in available occupier space – down from a reading of

plus 26% in the third quarter.

Available space in the office sector stood at plus 33%, although this is the lowest figure since the fourth quarter of 2007.

Available space continued to edge up in the industrial sector at plus 26%. The retail sector saw a considerable drop in availability with a net balance of minus 6%.

On the investment side, 20% more surveyors in Yorkshire and Humber said that capital values fell rather than rose – suggesting that commercial buyers remain cautious about investing in the region. Looking ahead, overall expectations for commercial rents in Yorkshire and Humber fell to a net balance of minus 8%.

Rent expectations were lowest in the office sector at minus 21%.

Alex McNeil, of Bramleys in Huddersfield, said: “Conditions remain tough with new enquiries

coming forward. Activity does remain however, with those active in the market having a genuine appetite for acquisition, albeit at the ‘right’ price or rent.”

Colin Harrop, commercial market spokesman for RICS Yorkshire and Humber, said: “The commercial market in the region still faces significant challenges, with the picture on rents and capital values broadly reflecting the emerging economic recovery.

“Not just in Yorkshire and Humber, but across the country, offices are a particular area of concern as any over-supply will be compounded by likely consolidation in the public sector.

“On top of this, the general lack of new projects being initiated in our region doesn’t provide the kick-start to the regeneration that parts of the north really need.”

■ ASSESSMENT: Alex Michael, of Bramleys

Industrial

Commercial

Offices

Thornhill Beck Lane Off A641 Bradford Road, Brighouse 9,305 – 38,815 sq ft may split (leasehold)

17 Old Leeds Road, off Leeds Road, Huddersfield 46 m2 – 218 m2 (503 sq ft – 2,350 sq ft)

Modern good quality warehouse/ factory with offices only 2 miles from J25 M62

High quality refurbished office space with parking within walking distance of Huddersfield Town Centre

To leT / For SAle

Immediately Available

Commercial

To leT

Immediately Available

High profile retail/showroom and storage units fronting main A62 Leeds Road within walking distance of Town Centre and retail parks

To leT

www.michaelsteel.co.uk

For SAle

Listed Town Centre retail and offices premises in centre of Batley opposite Market Square. Near Batley bus station with upper floors capable of being let separately

To leT (MAy SplIT) /For SAle Commercial

Commercial York House, 80 Leeds Road, Huddersfield 3,969 – 15,146 sq ft

9/10 Market Place, Batley 260m2 (2,794 sq ft)

3-5 Bradford Road, Cleckheaton 261 m2 (2,812 sq ft) gross

Wakefield Road, Clayton West, Huddersfield 126m2 (1,354 sq ft)

Highly prominent town centre retail and office premises with large public car park opposite being only a short distance from J26 M62

Modern ground floor open plan office suite with parking strategically located for M1

of interest to occupiers & investors

To leT

For more information contact Alec Michael on 07717 870 320 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Movers and shakers

Page 8

Society stages a design double Tony Belmega & Joanne Brook

Improve TWO new appointments have been made by food and drink sector skills council Improve and the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink.

Tony Belmega and Joanna Brook (above) take up key management posts.

Mr Belmega joins the academy as network development manager, having previously held senior management positions at the Learning & Skills Council and the Skills Funding Agency. He takes responsibility for managing the academy’s national network of accredited training providers.

Ms Brook becomes contracts and performance manager at Improve. An accountancy graduate, she has previously worked for Yorkshire Forward and Yorkshire Electricity.

Charlotte Britton & Kenton Robbins

Institute of Directors

TWO renowned fashion designers made a big impression at a meeting of Huddersfield Textile Society.

Emma Sewell and Harriet Wallace-Jones use Yorkshire yarns to create in-demand fashion items such as high-quality scarves and throws in wool crepe, cashmere and silk.

Their work is sold across the world via the fashion centres of London, Paris and New York.

The designers, who use the expertise of Moldgreen dyers and finishers W T Johnson & Sons, also accept commissions to design – including scarves for the recent Gauguin exhibition at the Tate Gallery, for the British Museum and the Royal Academy.

They work with interior designers for hotels and designed upholstery for the London Overground trains.

The duo also won design competition for new upholstery for London Underground, which will be intro-

duced later this year on the Central Line.

Emma and Harriet hold masters degrees from the Royal College of Art and Emma is a past winner of the Silver Shuttle, awarded by the Worshipful Company of Weavers livery company.

The two designers gave a presentation entitled Hand Loom to Power Loom at a meeting of the textile society held at the Textile Centre of Excellence.

Before the meeting, they met textile students at Huddersfield University’s school of art, design and architecture to encourage students to be innovative in their use of traditional techniques of textile production.

The Textile Society awards prizes to students for creativity and innovation in textile design and supports efforts to bring on a new generation of designers.

■ CUT ABOVE: Designers Emma Sewell (left) and Harriet Wallace-Jones with textile society president Bill Skidmore

Jill’s become a networking expert

THE founder of an internet marketing and social media agency has been appointed chairman of the West Yorkshire branch of the Institute of Directors.

Charlotte Britton (pictured) is founder of Leeds-based business Optimum Exposure and has been actively involved with the IoD for several years. She is stepping down from her current role as chairman of the IoD’s Yorkshire Young Directors’ Forum to take up her new role.

Kenton Robbins (also pictured), former vice-chairman of the Young Directors’ Forum and business coach and owner at The Alternative Board in Leeds, replaces Ms Britton as chairman of the forum with immediate effect.

Dave Cullen

Carole Nash MOTORCYCLE insurance specialist Carole Nash has appointed Stainland man Dave Cullen, 43, as operations and sales director.

Mr Cullen (pictured) joins the company from the LSL Property Group, where he has set up a new sales centre to help increase revenue to their retail network.

He brings some 20 years financial services operational experience to the Altrincham-based company.

Mr Cullen previous roles include head of customer sales and service at Barclays Bank’s Woolwich direct mortgage business, head of retail sales and service at AXA Insurance, head of tele-advice at Norwich Union’s joint operation with RBS and senior contact centre manager at its Your Move estate agency.

BUSINESSWOMAN Jill Evans (above) needed plenty of persuading before agreeing to attend her first meeting of the BNI networking group.

Now she has become the first person to win the BNI Member of the Year Award for two years running.

Jill, who has been working for 10 years at Birkby-based creative design agency The Planet Group, is an assistant director of BNI, which stands for Business Networking International.

At Planet, she heads accounts for local businesses and major international brands including Kirklees Active Leisure, Vivimed and Surfachem.

At BNI meetings, she focuses on helping other business people achieve success by “trading” leads and word-of-mouth referrals.

Mike Holman, executive director for BNI, said: “The reason Jill is such a great member is her alignment with the whole

Plainly put, if I find business for you, you will also want to help me find business. It is more of a support network than anything.

“This is the way Jill approaches everything.

“She is constantly giving business opportunities to others with no thought on what she may receive in return.

Said Mr Holman: “It took eight or nine invites to get Jill to come to her first BNI meeting but when she saw the power of working with local businesses to increase word-of-mouth marketing she was hooked.”

“She told me that nearly all of the new work that comes into her business is generated through BNI. Jill is a real success story, a great ambassador for BNI in general and a deserved winner.”

BNI runs five networking groups in Huddersfield and three in Halifax.

To find out more, contact Jill Evans on

Dummy run for Manifest THEY’RE no dummies!

Manifest Communications, based at Highfields, took to the streets with a life-sized mannequin to talk to consumers about their body hang ups – all in the spirit of health and beauty.

Working on a publicity campaign for consumer brand and online store Club Cleo, Manifest launched its fact-finding mission among the women of Leeds and London to identify problem areas and pinpoint them on a mannequin.

Some 47% of London ladies wanted to firm up their thighs, while toning the tummy was the main concern expressed by Leeds lasses. The day also showed that 12% of northerners worried about crows feet, frown lines and puffiness around the eyes whereas the face fared well in the south.

Nev Ridley, joint managing director of Manifest Communications, said: “Taking PR out of the office and interacting with the client’s target market is crucial when it comes down to measuring the impact of a campaign.”

A new social media programme, The Cleo Class, has also been launched by Manifest to help the Club Cleo brand adopt an educational and conversational style and link products and their