Kirklees Business News, December 2008

December, 2008

234

Chamber ‘farms’ out IT operations A BUSINESS group based in Kirklees has “farmed out” its IT functions in cost-saving move.

The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has switched most of its IT applications to the UK’s first IT Farm.

The move means the Lockwood-based chamber has “significantly scaled down” its own IT infrastructure and now all 70 users are using the IT Farm – which only requires a broadband connection for each PC to run programs, access all their files and share documents.

Chamber director Andrew Choi said that meant more money to spend on improving the services it delivers to 1,200 member firms in Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.

“Every penny that’s not spent on running the chamber’s back office is money we can put into developing additional services for our members,” he said.

“The cost of running the IT infrastructure for an organisation of this size was considerable, but by adopting a new way of thinking, we have been able to outsource our IT and save money.”

Manchester-based IT Farm, was launched early in October to offer its services to start-ups and SMEs. IT Farm chief executive Jim Huntington said : “It’s so simple because all users have to do is go online and they can access their email, programs and share files with colleagues.”

■ WINNING WAYS: Awards host Kriss Akabusi (second right) celebrates with trophy winners (from left) Barrington Douglas; Marcia Hutchinson and Lindel (Johnny) Flowers.

Enterprising trio THREE entrepreneurs in Huddersfield scooped half of the prizes in a contest to recognise the achievements of business people from the region’s African and Caribbean communities.

Barrington Douglas, Lindel Flowers and Marcia Hutchinson were among six outstanding entrepreneurs to be presented with awards at Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium.

The YBEC awards are staged by business support organisation Business Link Yorkshire and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Barrington was named Male

Entrepreneur of the Year for his success running Discovery Bay restaurant at Wood Street in Huddersfield town centre.

He realised the dream of having his own restaurant after 20 years of careful planning and saving.

Lindel Flowers – known to friends as Johnny – was named business personality of the year in the YBEC for his success running Ashbrow Garage, Fartown.

Johnny arrived in England from Jamaica in 1961. Since then he has worked voluntarily to improve the welfare of the Caribbean community in Yorkshire whilst making an impact in his field as a mechanic.

Marcia Hutchinson, of publishing firm Primary Colours, was named female entrepreneur of the year.

Marcia set up Fartown-based Primary Colours in 1997 as a publishing and learning company specialising in cultural diversity.

Now it is one of the leading providers of high quality, culturally-inclusive books and teaching material used to promote cultural diversity in the school curriculum.

As well as its many publications, Primary Colours, founded more t h an 10 ye ar s ago, provid e s theatre-in-education performances and training. The business is supported by Arts Council England.

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December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

COMMENT

by

Henryk Zientek HE Bank of England has made a T dramatic decision to slash the base lending rate by a full 1% in its efforts

to kick-start a flagging economy.

But will it be enough to stimulate the housing market and boost consumer confidence? And will the Government’s decision to embark on a Keynesian spending spree to counter fears of a rising tide of company failures and redundancies do the trick?

Critics question how borrowing and spending money you haven’t got can get the country out of a mess caused by banks and individuals borrowing and spending money they haven’t got.

They argue that a truly prudent approach would be to rein in Government spending and tighten up lending criteria. Only a period of 1950s style austerity can provide the necessary remedy to a severe bout of economic depression.

Small businesses would like to see a series of measures to reduce their costs.

As ever, pundits differ in their assessment of the current situation – and how long the economic gloom will take to lift.

Figures for for company failures, job losses, retail sales and house completions made pretty dismal reading. Most commentators agree it’s going to be hard going for some time to come.

Read Henryk Zientek's Business reports Monday to Friday in ...

Inside Issues

● Paper chase pays off – page 3 ● Royal appointment – page 4 ● Engineering powerful reply – page 6 ● Rising to Italian challenge – page 7 ● Safety plea to firms – page 9 ● Degrees of success – page 11 ● Sell-off boosts FMG – page 12 ● Transports of delight – page 13 ● Crackerjack job for duo – page 14 ● Company’s Liquid assets – page 15 ● Surplus property worries – page 19 ● Retailers still active – page 21

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS IS MAILED FREE OF CHARGE TO NAMED INDIVIDUALS IN ALMOST EVERY BUSINESS IN KIRKLEES Editorial

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FINANCIAL REPORT

Firms scared to chase up debts

FEWER than a quarter of small firms owed money by late payers use legal action to recover debts, a survey has revealed.

Figures from Birstall-based Cattles Invoice Finance showed that only 24% of small and medium-sized firms resorted to court action to get their money during the past 12 months – despite losing revenue as a result of non-payers.

The survey of more than 300 SMEs across the UK showed that firm have collectively lost about £11bn to bad debt over the past year.

Thousands of outstanding invoices have not been acted upon and have therefore turned into bad debt.

While 77% of businesses polled were aware that they had a legal right to charge debtors a percentage on unpaid invoices, fewer than one in four were willing to do so.

When asked why they failed to act, respondents said they did not want to jeopardise their relationship with clients. Comments included “I think there is a fine line between maintaining the relationship with customers and souring it” to “I wouldn’t want to do anything to put pressure on them in this way in case it negatively affected the relationship” and “I just don’t want to alienate my customers”.

David Jones, regional managing director of Cattles Invoice Finance in Yorkshire, said: “SMEs are continuing to experience financial challenges due to the current economic cli-

mate.

“But with an average of one in four businesses losing revenue to bad debt over the past year, it’s a shame that so few are pushing for payment of unpaid invoices, charging interest, or taking legal action simply because they are concerned about the impact it may have on their relationships with clients – particularly when there are experts out there that successfully manage this careful balance on a daily basis.”

Said Mr Jones: “There’s nothing worse than a debtor spotting a weakness. If invoices aren’t chased up, companies will use every trick in the book to avoid payment and with the current economic climate, late payments are undeniably going to leave SMEs with significant cash shortages.

“As a result, financially savvy businesses are lifting their heads out of the sand and looking for alternative funding solutions to their cash flow problems. One way to avoid a potential loss imposed by bad debt is to appoint an invoice finance company that can chase payment on behalf of the business.

“A good invoice financier will agree with their client the frequency, style and stance with which debtors are contacted, as well as the wording and course of action within the letters sent. This then ensures that client relationships remain unaffected and the debt can still be recovered.”

Ambitions undimmed YORKSHIRE firms remain ambitious – despite problems posed by the credit crunch, soaring raw material costs, changes in oil prices and falling consumer demand.

Almost 60% of Yorkshire firmsd polled by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales said the

credit crunch had a negative effect on their business – but 83% listed business growth among their main objectives.

Chris Manners, regional director, said: “Nobody can yet tell what the impact of the current turbulence in the financial markets will be on the broader economy.”

Yorkshire business failure rate rises 7%

BUSINESS failures in Yorkshire rose by 7% during the third quarter of the year, a survey has revealed.

The poll by business information group Equifax showed the region faired better than most when comparing company collapses in the third quarter against the first three months of the year.

The figure of 7% for Yorkshire compares with a 23.4% increase for the north-east, a 14.7% rise for Wales, a 10.6% increase in the south-east and a 10% rise for the West Midlands.

Company failures rose by 5.7% in the north-west, by 4.6% in the south-west, by 2.2% in London and by 0.3% in Scotland. However, the number of failures fell by 4% in eastern England

and by 1.3% in the East Midlands.

Equifax director Neil Munroe said: ““While there is clearly immense pressure on businesses with increased costs all round, it appears that businesses in some regions have been able to take the right precautions to manage cash flow and avoid the risk of bad debt.

“This is enabling them to stay solvent. and this is enabling them to stay solvent.”

Manufacturing was the worst-hit sector with a 13.8% rise in company failures, followed by transport and communications with an 11.9% increase and construction, which was 11.7% up.

Said Mr Munroe: “Business failures continue to rise

and there are a number of external factors that can hit even the most well prepared business.

“But there are indications that firms in some regions and sectors are taking the right precautions to protect themselves from some of the risks in tough trading conditions.

“Businesses need to continue to use rigorous credit checks, alongside ongoing monitoring of the financial status of their customers and suppliers.

“By operating best practice and harnessing the power of the latest risk management solutions, firms can minimise the threat of bad debt and secure the future of their business.”

AWARD-WINNING author and businesswoman Jo Haigh has won yet another accolade – for being an outstanding speaker.

The Denby Dale woman was recognised as an Outperforming Speaker by Vistage, the chief executive membership organisation.

Vistage members meet monthly to share their experiences and offer each other advice.

Jo, who is head of corporate finance at MGR Chartered Accountants in Sheffield and London, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won this award.”

The award was presented by Tony Price, interim chief executive office of Vistage International, who said: “Our 650 chief executives and MDs have acknowledged Jo as one of the most consistent speakers.

Jo’s third book, Tales From the Glass Ceiling, was published earlier this year,.

Cost counts RAPIDLY rising costs are hitting Yorkshire’s small and medium-sized firms, a survey has revealed.

Figures from Bank of Scotland Business Banking showed that 37% of business owners in the region said costs were rapidly increasing while a quarter said profits had been hit by rising fuel costs. Two-third expect prices to soar further – with 41% forecasting above-inflation prices rises.

The survey said that the rising costs of running a small business was preying on the minds of nearly six out of 10 owners, who were all working hard to contain overheads and reduce these costs. Leisure tourism and hospitality were the worst-hit sectors.

Some 55% of small business owners in Yorkshire have passed on at least some of these rising costs to customers in order to remain profitable. One in six building firms have passed on their full cost increases.

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3

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Tourism chief sets targets A HIGH-FLYING businessman has been appointed to lead Yorkshire’s tourism industry in a drive to lift its profile and boost its contribution to the regional economy.

Gary Verity, a former group managing director of Prontaprint and Kall Kwik and a past managing director of Johnsons Cleaners UK, has been named as interim chief executive of the Yorkshire Tourist Board in succession to David Andrews.

Mr Verity, 44, also ran Bradford and Bingley’s Retail Property Services for two years, helping the operation return to profit after four years of losses before achieving a sale of the business. iIn his new role, Mr Verity will work with tourism businesses, local authorities and other bodies to increase the region’s visitor economy by £300m pounds over the next three years.

Mr Verity, who is an award-winning Dales sheep farmer in his spare time, has also raised more than £120,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research after his wife Helen was diagnosed with terminal cancer four years ago.

He has worked around the world, including Hong Kong, Spain, Holland, Italy and Ireland, but is keen to be based closer to home to be able to support his daughter through the changes ahead.

Shortlist INSURANCE and risk management specialist Wilby Ltd has been shortlisted for the 2008 Insurance Times Awards. Wilby, based in Halifax, has been nominated for Commercial Lines Broker of the Year.

It is Wilby’s third award nomination this year. It was also nominated in the UK Broker Awards and the British Insurance Awards. It won awards at both the UK Broker Awards and the British Insurance Awards in 2007.

Recruitment firm comes into town

■ FAST LANE: Stuart Pearson with his winning Ginetta

Racer seeks a sporting sponsor in the fast lane A HUDDERSFIELD man sampling life in the fast lane is seeking a business sponsor to move his sporting career up another gear.

Stuart Pearson, of Jackson Bridge. has won the Club Ginetta series for 2008, which is aimed a privateer racers rather than professional teams.

The series for identical 1.8 litre G20 models has been run at major circuits like Silverstone, Cadwell Park, Snetterton and Brands Hatch.

And with a combination of race wins and consistent podium finishes, Stuart

has beatn pro and guest drivers, including Freddy Hunt, son of former Formula One world champion James Hunt, and former Huddersfield resident Barrie Williams.

As series winner, Stuart won the major prize of a free Ginetta G20 from the factory at Leeds. He will drive the car in next year’s televised Texaco Havoline Championship.

Now Stuart is hoping to attract sponsorship for the coming season – with the opportunity for backers to enjoy special race days as one of the attractions.

Paper chase pays off for direct mailer A MARKETING company has been awarded two certificates for its “green” credentials.

Clayon West-based Adare Group has received certification from the Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.

The standards add to the company’s existing ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification to show that its products and services can be sourced from start to finish in an environmentally considerate manner.

Adare now sources most of its raw material from FSC and PEFC certified mills and merchants. This will ensure that products supplied by Adare can be traced to their original source and will certify that all conservational credentials are kept at each stage of the chain, from forest to end-client.

Robert Whiteside, chief executive officer, said: “We have already proved our commitment to the environment with ISO 14001 and now the FSC and PEFC certifications mark the gold standard in sustainable initiatives.

“Our clients have the assurance that, when requested, paper products maintain the chain of custody requirements

throughout the production process.

“Many of our clients are recognising the benefits that being able to brand their materials with the FSC or PEFC mark can have in assuring their consumers that they are serious about their environmental commitments.

“It is also just as important to Adare as an organisation and everyone throughout the business is aware of the standards we have set as a result of the certifications and everyone works towards maintaining these.”

Adare is one of only a handful of organisations to hold the FSC, PEFC and ISO 14001 environmental certifications at the same time as being registered for the ISO 27001 Information Security Management and ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System standards.

Adare provides marketing and customer communications for clients in sectors such as retail, financial services and the public sector with clients including HBOS, Nokia, Tie Rack, DFS and Waitrose.

Adare has 800 employees in 20 locations across the UK and Europe with annual sales totalling £125m.

RECRUITMENT consultancy Hays Education has opened a new office in Huddersfield.

The company said it had made the move in response to continued demand from schools in the area for teaching staff.

Chris Davidson, manager of the Station Street office, said: “There is a high percentage of education specialists based in the area – and those with relevant skills and experience are high in demand.

“The Huddersfield office will cater for primary and secondary

teachers, cover supervisors, teaching assistants and school support staff.

“It will also cover more specialised roles, including nursery nurses and special educational needs specialists.”

He said: “Our new office will allow us to better meet the recruitment needs of local employers and employees.

“Our specialist consultants are able to provide expert career advice as well as invaluable CV and interview tips.”

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December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

TECH TALK Roger Pearson

Time to find your voice

ANY businesses can’t wait to get M their hands on VoIP technology (computer networked telephones).

According to a recent survey, 60% of businesses were expecting to invest in VoIP technology over the last year and from the depths of the credit crunch Gartner are now predicting future IT investment to be dominated by telecoms and services (those items being 70% of the total forecasted investment).

But, there is a problem! Many businesses have not implemented Voice over IP services because of a lack of information and understanding.

Dr Adam Le Gresley, head of operations at TMB (respected IT accreditation organisation), says many firms are put off because of the complexity of systems.

He goes on to say that “people have to realise that there is very good support from providers”.

That may well be the case, but we as suppliers can also play our part in the sharing of information. You may remember that we have touched on VoIP in a couple of previous Tech Talks so (as ever) Huddersfield is ahead of the game, but perhaps we need to pull some of that information together.

So, VoIP, what’s all the fuss about and does it really need to be so complex?

Cost savings are the biggest attraction for many firms enabled by the joining together or as it is more grandly termed the ‘convergence’ of computer and telephone networks.

This joining of systems also enables smarter use of both computers and telephones which can help to boost sales and customer service by giving a more professional and efficient image of a firm.

There are many VoIP products and services on the market, so it can be difficult to know which is the right service for your company.

In telecoms perhaps this feels particularly bad as for so long BT was the only provider.

There is a warning here – you should take caution not to be seduced by the vendor solely because of the cheapest price as some budget service vendors have struggled to deliver after offering unsustainably low price models.

There are also variations in service quality and it is important that you select a provider and service that is fit for purpose.

The equipment itself does not need to be complex – indeed there are “plug and play” VoIP systems available for small businesses that are relatively easy to configure.

For the simplest and most reliable solution, it is best to marry that with a combined MANAGED voice / broadband service from an established vendor.

A managed service is easier to configure and provides the best possible call quality.

VoIP services are expected to account for 29% of all fixed lines in Western Europe by the end of the year so it does work and can save you money.

There is some complexity but no more than any other technology so the same guidance applies – seek references and if in doubt get advice from your trusted advisor or an accredited provider.

Roger Pearson is a project manager at P2 Technologies Ltd, Lockwood

Royal visitor puts focus on creativity

THE Duke of Kent was in Huddersfield – to officially open a state-of-the-art building and present one of its foremost companies with industry’s top award.

The duke spent 45 minutes admiring Huddersfield University’s £15m creative arts building in company with Mirfield-born actor Patrick Stewart, who is the university’s Chancellor .

They were given a grand tour of the building after the duke unveiled a commemorative plaque in front of dozens of students and professors.

Huddersfield University Vice Chancellor Prof Bob Cryan said it was “absolutely fantastic” to have another royal visit within two years. The Queen laid the foundation stone for the creative arts building at an early stage of the construction work.

The new building will be home to the university’s music and design faculties. It will see 600 students pass through its doors each day and is the latest in the university’s ambitious £150m new build programme, which has already seen £80m invested over the past 10 years.

During his day in the town, the Duke of Kent was also on hand to present the Queen’s Award for Enterprise to Bradley-based print specialist Leach Colour Ltd when he spent a day in the town.

The company was a winner in the innovation category of the award for its STIK magnetic graphics display product, which is used extensively in retail stores, car showrooms, offices, museums and visitor centres in the UK and abroad.

During a two-hour visit to the firm, the duke was given a guided tour of the business by managing director Richard Leach and met staff before presenting the award and having lunch with directors and invited guests.

He visited the production office, design studio and photographic laboratory as well as the main shopfloor and sales and accounts office.

The duke was accompanied by the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Karam Hussain, and Dr Ingrid Roscoe, Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

The visit was the second by a member of the royal family to the company. The Countess of Wessex officially opened the 30,000sq ft premises at Bradley Business Park in 2005

■ TALKING POINT: The Duke of Kent (left) with Dr Ingrid Roscoe, the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, and Richard Leach, of Leach Colour

following the firm’s move to the purpose-built premises from Brighouse.

Leach Colour was founded in 1891 by Richard Leach’s great-grandfather. It employs 80 people at its purpose-built 30,000sq ft premises at Bradley Business Park.

Receiving the award, Mr Leach said: “Stik is our best selling product to the retail sector.

We produce it for several of the leading fashion retailers, motor showrooms and banks. It is the only multi-section graphic product which can be installed quickly and easily by unskilled store staff, eradicating the costs and time delays associated with professional installation.

“It is a privilege to win such a prestigious award and I am particularly proud to say that Leach is the only company in our industry to hold this honour.”

■ STUDIED: The Duke of Kent with Prof Bob Cryan, vice-chancellor of Huddersfield University

Director urges firms not to neglect need to go ‘green’ A COMPANY director in Huddersfield has urged firms not to use the credit crunch as an excuse for ditching efforts to become more “green”.

Nick Peel, of Cartridge World (Yorkshire) Ltd – with branches in Huddersfield, Brighouse and Cleckheaton – said firms would be wrong to think that the economic slump meant hard-pressed customers were only concerned about cost when deciding what to buy.

A survey by marketing group ICM Omnibus for Cartridge World revealed that just 5% of consumers in northern England gave no thought to a company’s environmental credentials when making their purchasing decisions.

Mr Peel said: “Consumers’ decision are being formed by environmental issues as well as tighter purse strings.

“With many companies feeling the economic slowdown, it’s all too easy to lose sight of the benefits of demonstrating clear environmental policies.

“It doesn’t make good business sense to ignore the environment – but being green is not a fad, it’s essential.

“Yes, companies have to adapt to cope with the current credit crunch, but we will be coping with climate change far longer.”

The firm in Yorkshire has adopted green policies, including introducing alternatives to plastic bags and shredding printed paper

to use for packing.

The Huddersfield, Brighouse and Cleckheaton stores have preventing more than 45,000 printer cartridges going to landfill in the 12 months to August, 2008.

The ICM survey showed that one in four consumers will automatically opt for greener products, but that this rises to one in three for people in younger age groups.

With almost 300 stores, Cartridge World is the UK’s market leading retailer of refilled and remanufactured printer cartridges.

The business was launched in Australia in 1988 and now operates more than 1,600 franchises in 60 countries.

5

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Business on the fairway

CITY TALK

Simon Kaye

Is the worst now over?

ECENT months have not been much RAfter fun or rewarding for equity investors. one of the worst quarters on record up

to September, equity markets fell as much again in October, even after a hesitant recovery of some of the lost ground towards the end of the month.

With most major markets down more than 30% this year, 2008 has been one to forget from investors’ point of view (so far).

In retrospect, the decision not to rescue Lehman Bros is probably regretted by the authorities, given the further turmoil it set off in credit markets.

Thereafter, scarcely a single financial institution did not come under speculative pressure, leading to a total drying up of lending between the banks. As a result banks hoarded cash, spreading the effects of the credit squeeze from the financial market arena to the broader economy.

Economic growth and corporate earnings have consequently come under pressure, intensified by the high oil price that prevailed for much of the summer.

Although this has since reversed, it will be some months before the drag from the earlier plateau of high oil prices is offset by lower energy costs.

The early part of October saw the crisis atmosphere worsen, as global fears over bank solvency produced at times near panic conditions. Although Government initiatives to inject fresh capital into the banks appeared to remove the risk of a financial collapse, markets remained under pressure. The principal reasons were that official remedies for the credit crisis will take time to become effective, hedge funds have been forced sellers of assets as banks have tightened their credit lines and the wider economy is suffering from the aftermath of the toxic interaction between the summer's rise in the oil price and the credit squeeze.

As a result, equities have to weather a period of earnings downgrades as global growth forecasts decline and investors anticipate a period of recession. Eventually, this will end and investors will start to take a view on economic recovery, assisted by a declining trend in interest rates and inflation. In addition, the decline in sterling will boost UK competitiveness and the fall in the oil price should help to boost confidence.

Equities seem priced for a poor economic outcome that has a good possibility of improving during 2009. Also some equities appear to be factoring in more bad news than others, partly because so much of the recent precipitous drop in markets was driven by forced selling.

In periods of such volatility, it is hard to make rational investment decisions since share prices have been driven by largely technical factors centred on which companies were widely owned by people who had to sell. With the earlier fears of financial sector melt down abating and with indications that the credit markets are becoming less stressed, we are probably over the worst of the market falls.

Simon Kaye is Divisional Director at Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management

■ PINK POWER: Hairdresser Joseph Scanlon (third left) with the Ask Marketing team (from left) led by Susan Kenyon (third right) and their cheque for the Breast Cancer Campaign

BUSINESS leaders took part in a corporate golf driving event when Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium held a clients forum.

The networking session was held at the nearby Direct Golf UK driving range and involved firms which have close business relationships with Huddersfield Town, Huddersfield Giants and the stadium company.

The client forum is designed to give these “friends” of the stadium the chance to do business together – while having some fun.

Stadium managing director Ralph Rimmer said: ““It was an exceptionally good event and I have to say that Direct Golf UK surpassed themselves.

“There were plenty of non-golfers amongst the group who had an absolute ball. The ‘trick shot’ display was just incredible and had everyone laughing. I have always subscribed to the fact that if people feel good, they do business – so that’s always our aim.”

The invitation-only client forums have been running since 2006 and are held twice yearly.

Pink is the colour Right type for fundraisers!

STAFF at a marketing company in Huddersfield helped a professional photogra pher raise cash for the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Ask Strategic Marketing and Research, based at the Media Centre in Northumberland Street, organised a Wear it Pink charity party for Halifax-based Joseph Scanlon. The event, billed as a “girly indulgence” party, raised £413 for the charity.

Guests included BBC Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd, celebrity hair and make-up ar tist Tally Bookbinder and image stylist Natalia Coleman.

Halifax lingerie boutique Fe m m e Fa t a l e a n d chocolatier Bloc Chocolate were also featured. lJoseph said: “I am delighted with the amount that we all raised for such a worthwhile cause. The evening was

a great success.

“It was wonderful to see so many people turn up to the studio to support Breast Cancer Campaign’s Wear it Pink.

“I would like to thank Ask Strategic Marketing and Research for all their hard work, organisation and support for this special event – as well as all those who turned up on the night showing their support for Breast Cancer Campaign.”

Print award for Elland company A DIRECT mail and marketing firm in Elland has won a print industry award.

Lick Group, based at Lowfields, was named Small and Medium-sized Enterprise of the Year in the PrintWeek Awards held in London.

Managing director Linden Kitson (right) accepted the award, which was presented by comedian and awards host Jimmy Carr.

The accolade comes just weeks after Mr Kitson was named North East Entrepreneur of the Year at the prestigious National Business Awards.

Darryl Danielli, editor of PrintWeek, said judges had been impressed by Lick Group’s “solid financial performance and its progressive and forward thinking culture” in growing from a small start-up to a business with a £5m turnover.

“It’s important for me that The Lick Group is recognised as a great example of successful business in Yorkshire,” said Mr Kitson. “Recognition is always great as it boosts team morale and rewards the work and dedication from

A PRINTING and typesetting group in West Yorkshire has added a new service.

Charlesworth has developed a range of services to allow outsourcing of post peer review work – enabling publishers to focus on core activities.

Charlesworth’s new department, branded PS, will add value to publishers’ content through copy-editing, translation, marketing, subscriptions and distribution services as well as full project management.

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December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Unusual economic times demand robust response

FOR some months now, our surveys have indicated that business confidence generally, has been falling across the manufacturing sector, not only in our region, but also across all parts of the UK. This is hardly surprising given the unprecedented global economic events that have occurred during 2008, and more particularly, during the last two months. Events which, governments, banks, manufacturers, and investors, globally, are still trying to come to terms with today.

I believe that we are all beginning to realise that the time has now come to “pay the piper” for the credit excesses of the last decade and that a return to “easy credit” will be a thing of the past. Looking to the future – and, as this may now well be “payback time” – credit is likely to become much more difficult to come by and this will obviously affect future business borrowing, just as surely as it will affect personal credit applications, mortgage lending and savings.

The predicament we find ourselves in is mostly attributable to a number of irresponsible actions taken by some financial institutions across the global economy over the past two or three years. Institutions, which continued to sell-on unsafe loans, unchecked, with no regulation and to a level that became simply unsustainable. When the bubble burst with the resulting collapse of the US housing market - This proved to be the catalyst, which sparked off potential for meltdown of the

Forecasters are debating whether or not the UK economy is set to enter a short sharp recession or whether a longer more protracted U shaped recession is more likely. As the final quarter of this economic year draws to a close, Alan Hall, EEF region director, gives his views on the

prospects for the manufacturing sector in our region for the early part of 2009.

whole of the global financial system.

As recently as just six weeks ago – when the reality of financial meltdown suddenly became a distinct probability, with global financial institutions unable to meet their commitments and share prices in free fall – governments around the world had no choice other than to respond, and respond quickly by pumping billions of dollars into their respective banking systems. Billions ultimately paid for by taxpayers.

Fortunately, they did respond in time, but since then, we have not seen world markets recover as we might have expected and that is quite worrying. It is worrying because it shows

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that the global economy is still volatile and is not increasing in confidence.

This necessary governmental intervention will unquestionably lead to tighter controls on banks to ensure that the events of the last two months do not repeat themselves. Primarily because it is taxpayers’ money that is at stake and no political party would want to be seen to be throwing taxpayers’ money at “no hope” ventures.

The G20 summit to be held in the US on November 15 is bound to take moves to impose restrictions on the international banking system to safeguard against future crises.

This will undoubtedly affect the propensity of banks to take on questionable risk, but it will also make them more reluctant to lend to businesses, particularly those which don’t have in place watertight investment strategies for growth.

We are already seeing this coming through now, whereby an increasing number of smaller businesses are finding it more difficult, not only to obtain extended credit facilities from their own banks, but also to maintain their existing overdrafts or loans - as the banks start to call them in, to make their own balance sheets look more healthy. The fear is that an increasing number of these smaller businesses will not be able to weather the storm and given this scenario, then this will automatically have an adverse knock on effect for the larger manufacturers who whilst at less risk, still have to remain competitive in a global market.

In our region we have a robust manufacturing base, but the performance of the larger companies, very often relies on local SMEs as key links in the supply chain. If this supply chain begins to deplete then the larger manufacturers will have to source from further afield and this will push their production costs upwards. With global demand having fallen sharply over the past two months, and with many countries already in recession – then with increasing competition chasing far fewer orders, the last thing our manufacturing base needs right now is higher production costs.

It is the performance of SMEs over the next period, which I think will be a key issue in determining whether the recession becomes protracted or whether the economy bounces back quickly and I believe that for these smaller businesses, cash flow over the immediate trading period will prove to be the make or break determinant.

The government has announced two initiatives to support SMEs in the current economic downturn. It is making moves to try to get the public sector to pay its bills within 10 working days and it is making an additional £4bn available to the banking system – designed to feed down to support SMEs in these tough economic times.

Unfortunately, neither of these initiatives seem to have filtered down into the economy so far, as banks continue to remain reluctant to take on anything but cast iron sureties and I believe the bureaucratic wheels of the public sector cannot be made to turn sufficiently quickly to meet the 10 working day payment period which Gordon Brown would like to see in place.

The consequence of this I fear, is that further cost cutting exercises are likely to become more commonplace and this is bound to impact on employment levels.

Earlier in the year indicators suggested that unemployment levels would rise in the last trading quarter and I referred to this issue in a previous commentary. But had anyone asked me then, if I expected unemployment to rise above 2m I would have said – probably not. If asked the same question today I would be bound to give a different answer, as I believe that an unemployment figure of over 2m by the early part of next year is more of a probability

than a possibility.

Despite this, I believe it is the service sector rather than the manufacturing sector, which will bear the brunt of job losses over the forthcoming period – although the manufacturing sector will not be exempt. As 2009 progresses, we are bound to see a bigger fallout of jobs in the financial sector. The announcement by Lloyds TSB that it can make a £1.5bn saving over the next three years as it integrates with HBOS, puts an estimated 20,000 jobs at risk – many of them in our region. I expect there to be additional announcements of job losses in other parts of the financial services sector, across our region, as 2009 gets under way.

Another key determinant in establishing whether we are likely to see a protracted recessionary period is consumer confidence.

At the present time consumer confidence is very weak as consumers are reluctant to spend in the increasingly uncertain economic climate.

The performance of the retail sector over the last quarter reflects this lack of confidence with a sharp downturn in sales recorded and a number of well-known retail names disappearing altogether from the High Street.

In the normally busy run up to Christmas and the very heavy reliance the retail sector has on this short trading period, it will be very interesting to see whether there is a significant decline in retail sales in this last quarter, when compared with last year– particularly as much of the spending in the run up to Christmas is paid for by credit.

The economic events that have occurred over the last two months are unprecedented and for many governments, including our own, we are in uncharted waters when it comes to steering a course, which will provide a solution that is sustainable and can guarantee a return to the heady days of affordable credit in a short space of time. For this reason and as reluctant as I am to say it – I don’t believe we’re likely to suffer a short sharp recession. My instincts tell me that with global markets remaining jittery and likely to remain so for some time; with the slightest media announcement having a disproportionate impact on share trading globally and the knock-on effect that has on our manufacturing base - I think we’re in for a long haul.

But it’s not all doom and gloom, because many manufacturers in our region are continuing to perform well - Particularly those in Hi-Tech and Innovation sectors.

The wheels of industry will not grind to a halt this winter, as they will remain reasonably well oiled by lowered energy costs. The record of 147 dollars per barrel for crude oil we saw a few months ago is now down to 64 dollars, so there’s at least some good news at the petrol pumps. Lower fuel prices and lower food prices, which are now beginning to filter through, will also bring the headline inflation figure down. Some pundits are even forecasting inflation below 0% by 2010.

The other glimmer of hope for the manufacturing sector was the 1.5% cut in base rate announced by the Bank of England on November 6 from 4.5% to 3% – the biggest single interest rate cut since 1981. These are unusual economic times, calling for brave and robust responses to support our economy and the manufacturing sector. Let’s hope it’s enough to kick-start demand and begin to restore confidence, so our manufacturing base comes out of contraction in the shortest term possible.

For more information on EEF ServicesContact 0113 289 2671 (Leeds) 0114 268 0671 (Sheffield) or 0191 416 5656 (Washington) or visit www.eef.org.uk

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Floodsax making waves

Ditch the Christmas trimmings KIRKLEES firms have been urged to trim their “waste lines” this Christmas.

Environmental support group Envirowise said businesses should cut back on unnecessary packaging and explore “eco-design” options instead.

Envirowise design specialist Jenni Rosser said: “Rubbish and recycling bins are set to burst at the seams this Christmas under an estimated 3m tonnes of waste.”

She said the drive to adopt greener packaging was being fuelled by the need to reduce operational costs in the current economic climate; Government targets to reduce, recover and recycle waste; and growing consumer demand for more sustainable business practices.

She said: “Packaging has been challenged on environmental grounds for a number of years and the industry has responded – not only by putting significant resources into recycling schemes but also by continuing to reduce the use of resources in packaging.

“However, there is always room for improvement and – particularly in today’s economic climate – businesses stand to benefit not only in environmental but financial terms by looking at how they can reduce unnecessary packaging in time for Christmas and the New Year.”

Charity boost STAFF at the Leeds office of accounts Pricewaterhouse Coopers have raised an astounding £40,000 for two local charities.

Employees, who were set the challenjg of raising as much money as possible throughout the year, have donated £20,000 each to Martin House Hospice and Jane’s Appeal.

The fundraising events included a glitzy auction and ball, fielding a 100-strong team in the Leeds 10k run, art exhibitions, taking part on the Jane’s Appeal End to End cycle challenge and “dress down” Fridays.

7

■ MEETING IN MILAN: Shelli Perkins, of Equine Evolution, and Paul Paxman, of Paxman Coolers, take time out from the International Business Network against the backdrop of Milan Cathedral

Companies rise to Italian challenge THREE Huddersfield firms had just 48 hours to make their mark on potential customers on a trade trip to Italy.

Paxman Coolers, Equine Evolution and Olicana Textiles were among 30 export-minded companies from Yorkshire to take part in the two-day trade mission to the fashion capital of Milan organised by the Government’s UK Trade & Investment.

Olicana Textiles, which makes luxury fabrics for soft furnishing and interior décor kicked off in style with an appointment at Versace, the famous Italian fashion house.

Sales director Sarah Stringer s a i d : “ We w e r e e x t r e m e l y well-received by the people at Versace who took a real interest in our sample fabrics and wanted to see more.

“Since we already supply the Italian soft furnishing industry through some of our other customers, we know that our high quality fabrics have a special appeal to the Italians. That’s why we felt it was high time we explored the possibility of entering the market directly.”

The trip was the third International Business Network to be held overseas. All participating companies benefited from UK Trade & Investment’s export service, the

Overseas Market Introduction Service.

G r a h a m Pe rc iva l , d e p u t y regional director for UKTI, accompanied the Yorkshire delegates. Colleagues from the British consulate in Milan helped line up one-to-one meetings for the regional firms with potential Italian partner companies.

Said Mr Percival: “Finding match companies in Italy for over 30 Yorkshire companies has kept our colleagues busy in Milan, but some real business opportunities have sprung up out of the one-to-one sessions we arranged for the Yorkshire businesses.

“The OMIS usually takes the form of a business report on a country tailored to an individual company’s profile. In addition, the report suggests some strong contacts or leads for the companies to follow.”

Paxman Coolers, which manufactures a cooling system to prev e n t h a i r l o s s fo r p e o p l e undergoing chemotherapy, was seeking potential distributors in Italy.

General manager Paul Paxman said: “We are familiar with UKTI’s export services and have already used the OMIS programme in France and Germany.

“This was a chance to meet p o t e n t i a l bu s i n e s s p a r t n e r s

eye-to-eye on their own turf as well as do some general networking, not least with the variety of Yorks h i r e c o m p a n i e s wh o w e r e involved.”

Shelli Perkins, of Equine Evolution, was on the trip to introduce her Equisafe Easiloader system to the Italian market.

Earlier this year, Perkins took the British Equine Trade Association by storm with her invention for the safer loading of horses.

With orders already in from South Africa, Australia, USA and Dubai, coming out to Milan made perfect sense.

She said: “Now that my business is taking off, I need to take every opportunity to showcase my product overseas.

“Italy was already on my radar as it has a significant equine industry, so when I heard about the IBN event, things just fell into place.

“What really surprised me, however, was the amount of valuable networking that went on among the Yorkshire companies during our stay in Milan.

“As well as furthering my business prospects in Italy, I’ve made business contacts in Yorkshire that will assist my growth both at home and overseas.”

A COLNE Valley firm is hoping for a flood of orders following a six-figure investment deal.

Environmental technology specialist Andel Ltd, based in Marsden, has secured a £650,000 equity investment from Partnership Investment Finance.

The firm is hoping to continue to grow the business by 30% in the coming year across its range of products and services which aim to protect customers’ premises and equipment from flood damage.

Andel’s major brands are Floodline, a leak detection system to protect assets and property from unseen potentially disastrous leaks, and PPL – Pollution Prevention, the company’s environmental services division.

Andel acts as a consultant to carry our site surveys and audit environmental risks. The company then supplies all the necessary equipment and carries out any upgrading or remedial work offering a complete service package.

Among Andel’s clients are Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, Royal Mail, Arriva Buses, BT, Lloyds TSB and the Ministry of Defence. The work ranges from protecting priceless art works and essential IT systems from leaks to preventing and containing fuel spills from tanks and pipes.

Managing director Ian Pogson said: “The environmental sector is a growing industrial area and to capitalise on the opportunities available we need to invest in staff, equipment and buildings.

“With an ever growing raft of legislation, it is becoming increasingly hard for companies to keep up to date with environmental law and the best way to look after valuable assets – and that’s where Andel can help.”

“It isn’t just about being ‘green’, it is about protecting your assets. That could mean looking after legal documents, computer hardware or bank notes; or avoiding a fine if an industrial accident causes a polluting leak.”

PIF senior investment manager Ondrej Okeke said: “The decision to invest in Andel was relatively straightforward as it has a track record of delivering high value goods and services to blue chip companies and government organisations.

“The company has a well balanced management team able to make the most of its innovative products in a growing market.”

PIF is a commercial fund part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund programmes.

It holds a £37m investment fund aimed at supporting growing businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber. PIF aims to encourage enterprise and economic regeneration by providing equity investments and loans.

Naylor wins numbers game

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Naylor Industries, based at Cawthorne, near Barnsley, was presented with the Growing Business Award for its progress in product and business development, while chief executive

Edward Naylor was also voted People’s Champion.

Judges said the way Naylor had transformed its business over the past 15 years was “a story of total change management from start to finish”.

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8

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

TOWN TALK

Companies scared of technology SMALL firms in Yorkshire are shying away from technology – as they fear conducting sensitive transactions online could leave them open to fraud.

Almost 275,000 small and medium-sized firms in the region admitted to conducting less than 20% or less of their business online while 38% still handled all their financial affairs by traditional methods.

The latest Small Business Finance Barometer by Close Invoice Finance showed that just 6% of firms operated fully computerised finance procedures – despite the proven time and cost savings as well as the environmental benefits of doing so.

Some 35% of firms said they were deterred from embracing internet technology by the risk of online fraud while 10% were concerned about the cost of training staff.

The survey follows separate figures suggesting that online fraud costs British businesses £3bn a year – 15% of the total fraud bill. As part of that, 2,000 SMEs are affected by identity fraud each year.

David Thomson, chief executive of Close Invoice Finance, said: “These latest findings provide a stark indication of just how much of a concern online fraud is to SMEs. “However, it’s disturbing to see this deter them from embracing online technology, which could provide enormous cost and time efficiencies for their business as well as giving them access to new sales avenues.”

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Results off the pitch

OOTBALL is notorious for being a F results-driven business and that was demonstrated this week with the

■ WINNING WAYS: PM Marketing account manager Keerti Baker and managing director Steve Green (right) receive their award from Paul Sutherland, senior partner with award sponsor Think M at the Northern Marketing Awards

Marketing firm wins top prize A MARKETING agency moving to Huddersfield as landed a regional ward.

PM Marketing Group was named winner of the category for Most Successful Launch Strategy in the inaugural Northern Marketing Awards.

The company, which is set to transfer from offices at Liversedge to new premises at Penistone Road, Kirkburton, was recognised for its work on the the launch of the JT40 brand and products. JT40 is a low-profile shower tray produced by Leeds-based bathroom supplies manufacturer Just Trays.

PM Marketing’s winning ideas and strategies featured stunning photography, a simplistic brand identity and a fully integrated PR, marketing and advertising campaign.

Managing director Steve Green said:

“This award stands for the strong relationships we build – not only with Just Trays but all our clients that enable us to offer the best ideas.

“We're a very straight-talking marketing agency and Just Trays is a company that encourages innovation and unique ideas.”

The Northern Marketing Awards were open to companies, in-house departments and individuals to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the North of England's marketing and communication industries.

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A BRIGHOUSE boss drove away with a top prize when he attended an open day at the Huddersfield sales and service centre of pneumatic products supplier Thorite.

John Low, managing director of GE Mitchell, which buys electro-pneumatic control equipment from Thorite, won first prize in a free draw – and won a Mini Moto motorcycle donated by CP Tools.

The open day at the Barge Street site allowed customers from throughout the region to see the latest developments in compressors, air

tools and process equipment from leading manufacturers including HPC, Norgren, Hydrovane and Chicago Pneumatic.

Thorite has implemented major staffing changes in Huddersfield, including the appointment of a new branch supervisor, with the aim of creating a local centre of excellence for customer service, choice and value.

The Huddersfield sales and service centre is one of nine Thorite sites throughout the north.

departure of Stan Ternent as manager of the club.

Although the ultimate reason for him parting company with Huddersfield Town was a difference in opinion on how to take the club forward, I dare say the outcome would have been different had we been 10 points clear at top of the league.

But it is not just on the field where results matter. Everyone behind the scenes, from the club’s excellent department heads to part-time shop staff, have targets to hit and demands placed on them to make sure that Huddersfield Town is fulfilling its commercial potential. Simply, we have a clear vision of where we want to be as a club and everyone at Huddersfield Town has to work towards that goal. This week’s events have illustrated that perfectly.

On the field, the promised land of the Premiership is the ultimate goal, but our first step on that road is promotion to the Championship. When that is achieved, which we all hope will be this season, the challenge is to ensure the club is able to cope with the demands of a higher division and that the ambitions of the commercial side of the business match those on the field.

I am happy to say that with the help of all our current partners and the increasing number of businesses involved with Huddersfield Town, we are ready for the challenge.

We are bucking the current financial trends – indeed, our commercial revenues are up 61% last year – but we are not resting on our laurels. We have cultivated relationships with many local, national and even international businesses over the past month, including with F&G Commercials, Korean car company SsangYong, Boots the Chemist and Perrys the car dealer. These companies know that Huddersfield Town is a fantastic business proposition and they recognise the power of a club to lift a community and increase investment in a town.

This has been proven at Hull this season.

The football team have taken the entire community on a fantastic journey into the Premiership for the first time and those businesses involved at the KC Stadium are reaping the benefits.

Huddersfield Town is already a leader in the business community and we are going from strength to strength; our November businesses forum, in association with Chadwick Lawrence, was attended by more than 90 companies; more and more are companies are joining the corporate Blue and White Foundation; and we have had interest from businesses wishing to become the Academy sponsor.

To get involved in these, or any of our other schemes and commercial activities please call our team on 01484 48414.

As the football team’s fortunes fall and rise, the commercial side has stayed a steady ship. Many companies have realised the power of being involved at Huddersfield Town and they, like us, know that football clubs can be a beacon, guiding businesses through financial waters no matter how turbulent.

Sean Jarvis is director of business development at Huddersfield Town

9

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Bosses braced for safety blitz

■ SAFETY DRILL: Philip Marsh (left), health and safety manager at British Glass, with Declan Moore, health and safety manager for the Glass and Glazing Federation, and Judith Hackitt chairman of the Health and Safety Executive at the glass industry conference

Health plea to hard-hit firms

FEWER people were injured at work in Kirklees last year, latest figures have revealed.

But health and safety officials urged employers “not to take their eye off the ball” and neglect safety in the workplace as they battle to cut costs in the face of the economic recession.

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive showed that 184 people were seriously injured in the workplace in Kirklees during 2007-2008.

There was also one fatality.

That compares with 194 serious injuries and no deaths for the previous year.

The number of people off work for more than three days due to injury or ill-health at work in the district totalled 674 compared with 743 last time.

Across Yorkshire, the number of fatalities rose to 16 from 9, but the number of major injuries to workers in the region to ell to 2,894 from 2,983 while the number of injuries requiring three days absence from work fell to 0,908 from 11,342.

The HSE said the latest figures translated to about 2.8m working days lost in the region due to injury and ill-health in the workplace – an average of 1.4 days per worker.

The figures said farming, construction and the waste and recycling industries had the worst accident records.

Dr David Snowball, regional director for the HSE in Yorkshire, said: “The pattern of workplace deaths in Yorkshire and Humber is similar to the national pattern and every one of those deaths is a tragedy.

“We investigate all fatal incidents and will continue to take firm enforcement action against those duty holders who fail to come up to scratch in managing health and safety.

“We have also continued to target our inspection work this year on high-risk work in manufacturing and waste recycling.”

organisations can expect to see inspectors taking a close interest in how well they are personally taking a lead in ensuring appropriate standards are followed.”

Judith Hackitt, HSE chairman, said: “Any improvement in the number of people being injured or made ill by work must be welcomed.

“However, there is a need for a step change.

“Of particular concern are the agriculture, construction and waste and recycling industries.

“I am also concerned that slips and

trips – which can have an enormous impact on peoples’ lives – are still not reducing.”

She added: “In the difficult and uncertain months ahead, I urge employers not to take their eyes off the ball.

“Good business management will be vital and good health and safety management is an integral part of that.

“Health and safety contributes positively to competitiveness and should not be sacrificed in times of financial pressure.”

Industry sets an excellent example COMPANIES must step up the fight to reduce accidents and injuries in the workplace, a health and safety chief told business people at a conference in Huddersfield.

Judith Hackitt, who chairs the government-back Health and Safety Executive, said recent figures showed industries were making progress in reducing deaths and injuries at work.

But she said: “We are not moving as quickly as I would like to see. We need another step-change in tackling this issue.

“We still have 200 people killed through work-related incidents every year and between 5,000 and 6,000 people who die as a result of exposure to materials at work.

“We are heading in the right direction, but we need to get every industry to consider what are the risks in their workplace.

“It is not about eliminating all risk, but doing what everything to

reduce the risks. Everyone has a right to go home at the end of the day unharmed by the work they do, whatever that is.”

Ms Hackitt was guest speaker at the annual glass industry health and safety conference at Bagden Hall Country House Hotel in Scissett.

The industry has embarked on a 10-year programme to reduce accidents across the sector by 30% over the next 10 years.

Ms Hackitt praised glass firms for their work to share best practice on health and safety, which had made it one of the safest industries in which to work.

“They do an extremely good job of monitoring performance and sharing information through their trade association,” she said. “They write guidance for the industry which is relevant and written in their terms and language.”

ALMOST eight out of 10 employers in Huddersfield expect to be bombarded with a new wave of weighty health and safety rules.

A survey by Leeds-based health plan provider LHF showed that more than 78% of employers in the town are worried that the next five to 10 years will bring “a considerable increase” in the duty of care imposed on fir ms through new health and safety legislation.

Raman Sankaran, member services director at LHF Healthplan, said: “These results show the real concerns that businesses – particularly small and medium-sized firms in Huddersfield – have about meeting their health and safety obligations in coming years.

“Anxieties about complying with health and safety requirements and fears over litigation are no longer the domain of employers in industrial and manufacturing types of businesses, but are a real worry for all kinds of

CHARTERED accountancy firm MGI Watson Buckle has appointed a new member of staff.

Alex O’Leary has joined the Bradford-based firm on a three-year training contract, during which he will work to achieve qualification as a chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

■ CONCERNS: Raman Sankaran office-based companies too.”

Mr Sankaran said: “Current legislation requires employers to prevent their employees being harmed by or becoming ill from work by taking the right precautions and providing a satisfactory working environment.”

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10

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

ON THE MOVE

Law firm making top level changes BIRSTALL-based Fantastic Media has announced a top level appointment. The marketing agency has named Larner Caleb as creative director. Mr Caleb Right), who trained in graphic design and is a copywriter by trade, joins Fantastic Media from Ripe Design (UK), where he also held the post of creative director. He is pictured with Fantastic Media managing director Andy Hobson. Mr Caleb previously worked with WWAV Rapp Collins, part of one of the world’s biggest communication groups, and northern financial services and travel specialists The Black Hole. Mr Caleb has worked on major brands including HBOS, Bula, Gossard and Bombay Sapphire.

Joining Jordan LYNN Durham has been appointed managing partner at Jordans Solicitors.

The firm, which has offices in Dewsbury, Wakefield and Castleford, is one of Yorkshire’s long established legal firms.

Ms Durham (pictured) is a partner in the firm with more than 10 years experience in family law. She is fully trained in collaborative law and is abl e t o o ff e r t h i s approach for those who are seeking a different way to resolve family disputes.

Senior partner Simon Lindley said: “Lynn has established herself as a notable family lawyer in the north of England. Her

partner at Chadwick Lawrence. Over the years, I have seen the company grow and evolve to reach its present position as a major regional law firm specialising in private client and commercial matters.

“After overseeing recent changes such as a move to new prestigious offices at Wakefield and the launch of the new corporate identity I felt the time right for me to retire from my current position.”

Said Mr Garside: “Stephen is synonymous with Chadwick Lawrence having been with the company for so long. Luckily we’ll still be able to draw on his experience and expertise in his capacity as a consultant. I’m thrilled to be appointed as the new senior partner.”

Bank post ■ SENIOR SERVICE: Jeremy Garside (right) succeeds Stephen Oakes (left) as senior partner at law firm Chadwick Lawrence

Manufacturing expertise

technical expertise is complemented by proven financial management skills.”

Said Ms Durham: “Jordans is experiencing a phase of dy n a m i c o rg a n i s ational development and I'm delighted to be entrusted with this important role.

“I have plans to further strengthen the service delivery which will provide clients with excellent value for money. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the management team.”

Legal work SUE Cash has been appointed to strengthen the wills and probate team at Huddersfield law firm Ridley & Hall.

Ms Cash (pictured) joined the firm as head of the private client department after 14 years with another local firm.

She advises on all aspects of private client wo rk , p a r t i c u l a rly wills, probate, tax planning and powers of attorney.

LAW firm Chadwick Lawrence has announced a top-level change.

The company, which has offices in Huddersfield, Dewsbu r y a n d Wa ke f i e l d , h a s announced the retirement of senior partner Stephen Oakes and the appointment of managing partner Jeremy Garside as his successor.

Mr Oakes has been with the firm for 34 years, the past 23 years as senior partner. He will remain with the company as a consultant.

Mr Garside, who has been with the firm for 23 years, has played a major part in steering the firm’s identity as a modern legal practice with traditional values.

Mr Oakes, 60, said: “I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as senior

BUSINESS advisory firm Deloitte has appointed David Raistrick as its manufacturing industry leader for the UK and Switzerland.

Mr Raistick (right), a partner since 2002 and based in the firm’s Leeds office, is a specialist in the automotive sector and leads Deloitte’s indirect tax practice for this industry across UK and Europe. He also manages the firms VAT practice in northern England.

“I take up this role at a time when manufacturing is experiencing some

Health plans

MICHAEL Revill has been appointed head of customer services at LHF Healthplan.

Mr Revill, 36, who joins the Leeds-based provider to take responsibility for the 40-strong internal customer contact team, previously worke d at Abbey.

very serious challenges,” he said.

“The enormity of recent events will no doubt lead to some sizeable changes in the UK manufacturing industry. However, many manufacturers have been proactive in addressing some of the challenges facing their business.

“I look forward to working closely with our clients to help them manage their way through the difficult economic conditions and continue to look for opportunities to grow.”

Solicitor on the move LAW firm Lee & Priestley has appointed Matthew Morton as a commercial litigation solicitor.

Mr Morton (pictured) joins the firm from Emsleys in Leeds, where he worked as an associate solicitor and where the bulk of his caseload focused on commercial litigation. He worked on a range of high value litigation matters for commercial clients and employment related cases.

After graduating from Hull University, he completed his legal practice and professional skills courses at The College of Law, York, and worked initially as a trainee solicitor at Rice Jones where he gained legal experience in property, family Law, probate and litigation.

Team building A notary public, she has links with several local charities and is secretary of the Huddersfield branch of the National Childbirth Trust.

Before becoming a solicitor, Ms Cash gained a degree in Egyptology.

BUSINESS Link Yorkshire has strengthened its marketing team with two key appointments.

Ellen Breur has been appointed public relations manager and will work alongside new events manager Vernon Tolson (left).

Ms Breur joins Business Link Yorkshire from South Kesteven District Council in Grantham, Lincolnshire, where she was

communications manager.

She also spent four years as marketing and communications manager for Connexions South Yorkshire.

Mr Tolson was previously events and marketing manager at Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, where he worked on the rebrand of the chamber, its 150th anniversary celebrations and promoting Sheffield.

IAN Wilkinson has joined Yorkshire Bank’s team covering Kirklees and Calderdale.

Mr Wilkinson (pictured), 46, who lives at Ainley Top, joins the 15-strong team led by senior partner Kevin Newson, who provides business and private banking services across the two districts. The main Huddersfield branch is in New Street.

Mr Wilkinson was previously a business partner in the Yorkshire Bank’s Aire Valley partnership and has been with the bank for 29 years. He has also worked at its head office in Merrion Way, Leeds.

He is experienced in working with business across the commercial and industrial spectrum i n c l u d i n g h a u l ag e, property, manufacturing and printing enterprises.

New status L AW f i r m L e e & Priestley has promoted two of its solicitors to associate status.

They are Stuart Tansley and Ann Marie Cousins.

Ms Cousins, who qualified in European legal studies at University College Dublin and in commercial and corporate law at University College London, deals with a wide range of commercial litigation m a t t e r s, i n c l u d i n g breach of warranty claims, breach of contract claims and property matters.

Stuart Tansley, who graduated with honours degree the University of Derby, specialises in commercial property, including landlord and tenant, business sales and acquisitions.

11

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Graduate returns to back start-up A BUDDING businesswoman from Huddersfield University is getting expert advice – from a former graduate who now heads a successful construction firm.

Laura Pearce, who gained a degree in exhibition and retail design, has already received a £2,400 bursary through the university’s Business Mine to help develop her start-up enterprise.

Now she is also receiving mentoring from Linda Green, who studied hospitality management at the university and is now managing director of a South Yorkshire construction company specialising in refurbishing hotels and office space.

Linda was first employed as a sales and marketing graduate trainee at Joshua Tetley in Leeds then as an area manager for Scottish & Newcastle before progressing to brand director at the time of her departure in 2001.

She became managing director of Habitat and group commercial director at Shop Direct in 2004. Linda bought her first business in 2006, She sold that and bought her second business, Ringland Construction, in 2008.

She is now managing director of Ringland Construction, based in Sheffield, which refurbishes four and five-star hotels nationwide.

Michelle Hoggard, of Business Mine, said: “Linda is an alumni of Huddersfield and was a key speaker on our entrepreneurial programme two years ago.

“Despite her immensely busy schedule, she has expressed an interest in helping students start their own business. In this case, we have two graduates from Huddersfield at different ‘ends’ of their business career.”

Jill Hague

Economic snapshot S I write this article I hope that by the A time it goes to print and you are reading it that the world has not changed

■ ADVICE TIME: Michelle Hoggard (left) business start-up adviser at Huddersfield University, with Linda Green (centre), of Ringland Construction and Laura Pearce, who has started a new business called Concepts & Spaces

Said Michelle: “One survey we did recently flagged up how appreciative would-be entrepreneurs felt when modelling their behaviour and attitudes on successful people – and the need to have an authentic experience with someone already in business.”

Laura gained her degree this summer impressed the panel of business advisers and consultants with her plans to be an interiors designer working with commercial clients.

She was awarded a £2,400 bursary from the Business Mine to pursue her business idea and has set up Concepts and Spaces Ltd as her business and brand.

Business Mine, based at the Queensgate campus, is a free facility which helps students and graduates to research and try out their business ideas. It also runs business advice workshops and provides facilities and support for business development.

Company cooks up dream kitchen for mobility aids firm A COMPANY providing mobility aids for disabled people has been given a specially-adapted kitchen for use by its staff.

Huddersfield businessman Stewart Preston arranged for the kitchen to be fitted free at the Aspley premises of Lazarus Mobility, which is run by Stephen Collins, who has cerebral palsy.

Lazarus Mobility hit the headlines earlier this year when Duncan Bannantyne, a panellist on TV’s Dragon’s Den, agreed to support Stephen’s fledgling firm by paying his wages for a year.

Mr Preston, business manager for Manchester-based Distinctive Kitchens, donated and installed a working disabled kitchen in the showroom at Lazarus Mobility for Stephen and his staff to use and for him to show to customers.

Fe a t u r e s i n c l u d e a n e l e c t r i c rise-and-fall sink unit and a pull-out table as well as wall units that incorporate a shelf unit that pulls out and down to provide access for wheelchair users. All the kitchens are manufactured to suit individual customers’ needs.

Said Mr Preston: “Distinctive Kitchens is a well-established family-owned com-

BANKER'S BLOG

■ RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: Stephen Collins (left), of Lazarus Mobility, with Stewart Preston, business development manager at Distinctive Kitchens, in the new kitchen at Lazarus’ Aspley showroom kitchens and bedroom units for many years. We have now added disabled kitchens to the range of services offered.

“The firm has not had a large presence in this area until now, but with the kitchen display at Lazarus Mobility they hope to attract interest from architects, care

the public from far and wide.”

Mr Preston said he had contacted 40 hospices across the north, including Kirkwood Hospice at Dalton with an offer to supply kitchens at a discount – while also making donating 10% of the cost to hospice funds.

again.

These are the thoughts of HSBC’s chief economist Dennis Turner and I hope that they give you food for thought in an ever-changing world.

It has been a long time since economic and financial affairs dominated the news to the extent they have in the last few weeks. For once, the dramatic media headlines about a possible collapse in the international banking system were not exaggerated. The global turmoil called for ambitious, imaginative, and expensive responses from the policymakers, without any certainty of success.

Included in the flurry of activity was a half point cut in UK bank rate, announced a day earlier than expected. It was the first half-point cut for seven years (since the aftermath of 9/11) and it took rates down to 4.5% where they were last in August, 2005. This was aimed as much at the economy as the banking system and was the first in what is likely to be a series of reductions, which will see rates at potentially 3.5% in 2009.

There are two problems, which are still essentially separate but which have been slowly coming together. The credit crunch is about banking, about banks individually and their relationships with each other. Secondly, the economy has been slowing during 2008 to the point where growth is now officially negative. The economic slowdown was not triggered by a shortage of finance, but is instead a long-overdue correction to years of spending and borrowing by consumers and not to mention the government.

At the heart of the slowdown is a very constrained housing sector. Accounting for almost two thirds of final demand, consumers – aided and abetted by steadily rising levels of borrowing – underpinned the UK’s remarkable 16 years of unbroken growth. With personal debt reaching £1.4 trillion, equivalent to 160% of annual earnings, the consumer has now gone into retreat. Steadily rising inflation, which led to interest rates edging up to 5.75% was the trigger for the long housing market boom to fizzle out and for the initial softening of sentiment.

All the indicators of domestic activity are now moving in the same direction. The public sector is the one part of the economy that is still expanding.

The obvious response from the authorities would be to cut interest rates, but the MPC has been boxed in by inflation. The Consumer Prices Index is currently increasing at an annual rate of 4.7%, more than twice the target 2% rate, and it probably has not yet peaked. Given that its primary responsibility is to price stability, it was difficult for the MPC to respond to calls for lower interest rates to mitigate slowing growth.

But with evidence that inflation was soon likely to turn down, the MPC was free to consider the issues of growth and employment. Reducing interest rates would serve the two purposes of complementing the Government’s package of measures to bring stability to the banking system, and injecting some spending power and confidence into the real economy. The MPC’s action on rates was co-ordinated with other central banks as the authorities try to stave off the threat of a global recession.

Jill Hague is Head of Commercial Banking for HSBC in Huddersfield

12

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Paying with a wave of the card

EMPLOYERS' BRIEFING Neil Wilson

Directives to be noted MPLOYERS need to take heed of the E latest changes to employment legislation.

Among the new developments, the European Parliament has approved a proposal for a European Directive on temporary agency workers.

The directive will ensure equal treatment for temporary agency workers compared to permanent workers in terms of basic working and employment conditions.

These include pay, holidays, working time rest periods and maternity leave. Workers will also have equal access to collective facilities e.g. canteens, child care facilities and will have better access and currently to training both from working on an assignment and in between assignments.

While the directive does not yet apply here directly, regulations must now be passed which will make it effective to all employers in UK. It is envisaged that agency workers will only qualify for such equal treatment after 12 weeks on an assignment. There is no announcement as yet on when the Directive is set to be transposed into national law but news is expected in the near future.

Meanwhile, the Information Commissioners Office has ruled that the identity of all respondents in employment tribunal cases must be disclosed under a Freedom of Information Act request. The concern following this ruling is twofold. Firstly, it means that commercial organisations may well continually target parties offering to represent them in tribunal cases. Secondly, a company with a bad track record of tribunal cases against them could have this information shared in the Employment Tribunal if it is freely available to claimants.

Among other developments, the European Commission is proposing to increase maternity pay to 100% of an employee’s salary for the first 18 weeks of leave. In the UK, women currently receive 90% of their salary for the first 6 weeks and then a statutory rate for up to the next 33 weeks. It is now up to the member states to agree to the changes and, if they do, proposals could become law in 2011.

Finally, research carried out by a leading law firm has concluded that most UK businesses find complying with the new age discrimination laws both time consuming and onerous.

Under the legislation, employers must write to employees giving them six to 12 months notice of retirement and allowing them to request to work beyond retirement. If such a request is made they must hold a meeting and then communicate their decision and the employee is also entitled to a right of appeal which again involves another meeting.

According to the survey, each request to work past retirement age was taking at least half a day to deal with. One in five employers had dealt with age related grievances two years since legislation came into effect and over two-thirds of those questioned stated that the laws were having a negative effect. Employers should be aware that failing to follow the default retirement procedures, including giving the correct notice of intended retirement, will allow an employee to bring a claim of unfair dismissal and age discrimination. If the procedures are followed, the employee cannot bring such claims.

Neil Wilson is an Employment Lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

■ ROAD AHEAD: Nick Brown, chief executive of FMG Support, aims to focus on core activities

Fleet sets sale!

A FLEET management company in Huddersfield has sold part of its business in a multi-million pound deal.

FMG Support, based at St Andrew’s Road, Bradley Mills, has sold its vehicle rental operation to Leeds-based Nexus Vehicle Rental. The exact value of the deal is undisclosed.

FMG said the move would raise capital for continuing investment and enable the company to further its growth plans by focusing on its main areas of expertise.

The sale comes just weeks after FMG Support landed a contract from the Highways Agency to become the UK’s first national vehicle recovery manager with powers to clear abandoned and damaged cars from Britain’s motorways.

To meet demands of new business and the Highways Agency contract, FMG Support is recruiting more than 100 new staff. The contract will run for an initial three years with an option to extend it for a further two years.

FMG Support said there would be no redundancies following the sale of the vehicle rental arm and all of the staff of the rental business will be offered roles in either the incident management or roadside repair and recovery divisions of the company.

Chief executive Nick Brown said: “Vehicle rental has delivered a significant commercial contribution to FMG Support over the years.

However, for the next phase of our development it is important that we focus on the core competencies of the organisation.

“I am delighted that our continuing growth allows us to not just keep our exceptional rental team, but also to employ more than 100 people over the course of the next year.”

He added: ““The board and I believe it is appropriate that in order to focus on developing our incident management and roadside proposition, this is the right time to enter into this transaction”.

FMG Support’s vehicle rental management team will continue to run the business for at least three months while integration with Nexus’ online booking and management system is completed to ensure a smooth changeover for customers.

FMG Support, formed in 1986, is the UK’s largest independent fleet management company with services covering fleet incident management and roadside repair and recovery management.

The company employs about 360 people and annual turnover exceeding £70m.

Nexus, based in Leeds, is one of the country's largest independent providers of corporate vehicle rental with clients ranging from major companies and government departments to national charities and leasing organisations.

Recovery team A HUDDERSFIELD law firm helped vehicle recovery management company FMG Support to step up a gear.

Eaton Smith, based at High Street, played a major part in the recent award of a national government agency contract to FMG Support, which is based at St Andrew’s Road, Bradley Mills.

Company commercial lawyers Annabel Howarth and Chris Taylor acted for FMG Support on the legal aspects which led to the award of the Highways Agency’s newly created National Vehicle Recovery Manager contract.

The team advised throughout the entire ten-

involved in-depth contractual work and helped FMG Support in their successful bid.

Working with the Highw a y s A g e n c y Tr a f f i c Officer Service and on behalf of the Highways Agency, FMG Support will be responsible for recovering vehicles from the network of motorways and major roads across England.

Eaton Smith partner Deborah Melluish said: “We have a long-standing relationship with FMG Support and are delighted to have played our part in securing this contract, which will create over 100 jobs in the Huddersfield area.”

■ ADVICE LINE: Tim Pickup (centre), finance director for fleet management specialist FMG Support, with Annabel Howarth and Chris Taylor, company commercial lawyers at Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith

KIRKLEES customers of Barclays will be able to pay their way with the wave of a card when the bank becomes the first in the UK to roll out “contacless” debit cards to its customers.

From March next year, most Barclays debit cards that are issued or reissued will have contactless technology built in as standard. More than 3m customers are expected to be using the new-style debit cards by the end of the year.

The cards use contactless technology to enable transactions of £10 or less to be paid for by holding the card up to a special reader, without the need to enter a PIN or insert the card into a terminal.

The transaction is debited directly from the customer's current account in the same way as a standard card transaction. The cards will still have chip and PIN which will be used for purchases and for ATM transactions.

Periodically, the card will prompt for the PIN to be entered to verify the customer's identity.

Mark Parsons, managing director of current accounts for Barclays, said: "Barclays has long been a pioneer in banking. We were the first to launch the debit card in 1987 and now we are the first to give our customers the latest incarnation – the contactless debit card.

“This gives people a new way to pay for things that is quick, secure and convenient and we are confident that it is going to be really popular with customers."

More than 7,000 retailers already accept contactless payments, including many branches of Coffee Republic, Krispy Kreme, Threshers and thousands of independent retailers.

Barclaycard was the first to introduce contactless technology on credit cards in the UK in September, 2007, with the launch of Barclaycard OnePulse.

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Call to combat online criminals A CALL for tougher action to combat online crime has been made after a survey revealed that 54% of small firms have been victims during the past 12 months.

The Yorkshire and Humber policy unit of the Federation of Small Businesses said the survey results supported the need for a national co-ordination unit to support police work into “e-crime” and `e-crime’ and co-ordinate expertise from the private sector in combating the growing problem.

The survey showed that a third of firms falling prey to online crime did not report the crime to the police or banks as 23% believed it would not achieve anything.

Some 53% of the 1,823 firms responding to the poll wanted clearer information about how and where to report online crime while 44% wanted their local police to establish and publicise a local named contact.

Some 85% said they would report online crime and fraud if a designated reporting centre was established to fight fraud. Although 54% said the cost of online crime cases was negligible, 12% had lost between £50 and £4,999 – significant sums to small, low-turnover enterprises.

13

Company on the road to greater successes following office move A COMPANY helping keep the traffic moving is on the road to success – despite the impact of the credit crunch.

Consulting engineering firm Sanderson Associates, based in purpose-built offices at Grange Moor, is recruiting extra staff as it sees an increase in demand for its expertise covering highways, traffic and transportation matters.

The firm, led by managing director Alison France, already has 46 employees, but is in the middle of a campaign to recruit 11 more staff. It has appointed six and is seeking another five experienced highways engineers to meet its target.

Said Alison: “It has been a bit quieter recently, but we are beginning to see plans coming through from some major construction companies.

It was not that long ago that construction work simply stopped. The signs are that it is starting to move again, which is very positive.”

Sanderson Associates provides a reliable barometer of the state of the economy. At a time of high consumer spending, developments such as fitness centres and restaurants featured heavily on the books. Today, with money tight, discount retailers are a feature on the workloads.

The company’s work includes advising on the traffic aspects of developments ranging from major roads and motorway junctions, shopping centres and industrial estates to access issues surrounding a new house or garage.

It operates as far afield as Scotland, Land’s End and the Isle of Man

– providing services including traffic assessments and surveys, giving expert evidence in court cases and at public inquiries as well as advising on issues such as street lighting, speed limits and car parking.

The company was founded in 1987 in a small office in Holmfirth before moving first to Scissett and then to Waterloo. In 2004, the firm opened an office in Lincoln and in 2006 head office was switched to Jubilee Way, Grange Moor.

Alison joined Sanderson Associates as a traffic engineer when the firm was based at Scissett. She had previously worked for the highways and engineering directorates of the former West Yorkshire County Council, Leeds City Council and Kirklees Council.

She attended Holmfirth High School and Huddersfield Technical College, where she went to take her ONC and HNC in civil engineering.

She became a director of Sanderson Associates in 1997 and was appointed managing director in 2005.

In Huddersfield, Sanderson Associates has worked on schemes including the Morrisons supermarket development at Waterloo, the proposed Kirklees College campus at Chapel Hill and even a new car park for the Three Acres restaurant at Shelley.

Other projects include housing developments in Birkby, Oakes and Lindley as well as schemes for Leeds-Bradford Airport and Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax.

■ ONWARD AND UPWARD: Alison France (front) and colleagues at the purpose-built Grange More premises of Sanderson Associates

Overhaul needed for transport BUSINESS leaders have called for an overhaul of Yorkshire’s transport network – to keep goods and people moving.

A new report by the Federation of Small Businesses outlined measures including more car parks near railway stations, wider use of car sharing and a switch of freight from road to rail in a bid to tackle growing congestion on the region’s roads.

But it opposed any extension of London’s congestion charge to towns and cities in the region, saying that would penalise small firms unfairly.

The report, Transporting Our Infrastructure, was presented to an audience of transport professionals and representatives from local councils and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward at a meeting in Leeds.

The 18-page report – drawn up after talks with the FSB’s 16,000 Yorkshire members – said the region’s £81bn economy was “floundering” due to lack of an integrated

transport strategy.

Among its proposals, the report calls for extra, cheap car parking to be provided near railway stations as a way to stimulate rail travel and park-and-ride.

It said more should be done to promote car sharing by considering an expansion of car-share lanes at traffic “hotspots” using motorway hard shoulders and making better use of bus lanes which are “often empty” at off-peak times.

It called for research and investment to shift freight from road to the railways, waterways and air as well as action to encourage local sourcing to reduce the distance goods travel.

The report urged greater investment in transport links to airports and local economies near regional airports to support the expansion and employment potential of small enterprises.

The FSB rejected congestion charging, saying it failed to reduce traffic levels while

penalising businesses which had no option but to travel in the charge area.

It also called for cheaper bus fares, more reliable and punctual buses and increased evening services.

FSB regional policy chairman Tony Cherry said: “Transport is a considerable concern for every business, urban or rural, regardless of their size or sector.

“However reliance on road transport is more acute for small businesses which rely on the network for customers, staff, deliveries, collections and ancillary services.

“They have the extra burden of additional costs in terms of fuel charges, poor infrastructure and traffic congestion which causes delays and loss of man hours which they are unable to pass on to customers.”

Mr Cherry said: “While the FSB recognises that some improvements have been made to the region’s transport infrastructure, lack of investment has resulted in the region being stifled by its transport problems.”

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14

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

This job’s a cracker!

TWO business management students from the University of Huddersfield have been given a chance to sparkle after securing a one-year work placement at the country’s largest fireworks supplier.

Crosland Hill-based Black Cat Fireworks, which also supplies the famous Standard Fireworks brand, had originally sought one post through the university’s business placement unit.

But the firm was so impressed with the quality and enthusiasm of the students, that when another vacancy came up at the same time, it took on two students in full-time paid positions.

Sarah Jagger, 21, and 20 year-old Jonathon Lees, both from Manchester, are on the third year of their four-year degree in business management.

Sarah worked as a marketing executive for Black Cat Fireworks – getting to grips with a range of marketing activities, including working with point of sale materials, making up dummy product packs and liaising with regional sales managers.

“The business management degree gives a great insight into many different aspects of business and the theories behind it.,” she said.

“However, working at Black Cat has provided excellent practice of real working business situations and I now know that would like to work in the marketing industry.

“The opportunities to learn have enabled me to develop my skills, knowledge and experience and I have gained some great contacts for my future ‘working life’. This year spent in industry and the invaluable experience it will give me will hopefully make me more employable.”

Jonathon said: “I had already been to various interviews around the north-west and was waiting to hear back when I noticed the vacancy on the university website at Black Cat for national account co-ordinator.

“My reason for choosing possible placements was not who or how big the company was but mainly what I would get out of the placement.

After reading the job description, I realised this was a great opportunity.

“The role is very challenging, with my responsibility being to work with the team to ensure the smooth running of Black Cat’s national trade accounts, including Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

■ STANDARD CLASS: Huddersfield University students Jonathon Lees (third left) and Sarah Jagger (second right) with (from left) Black Cat Fireworks national account manager Austin Brown, central services manager Nicola Hirst and marketing manager Laura Peters

“I have been involved in meetings at a very high level with Tesco’s head office and in updating the store managers with vital information on deliveries in the lead up to the firework selling season!”

Black Cat Fireworks was supporting the university’s placement scheme for the first time this year – offering the vocational training as a way of giving students a real flavour of working life and to allow the theories gained at university to be put into practice.

Laura Peters, marketing manager at Black Cat Fireworks Ltd said: “We are delighted to support the placement scheme and to offer Sarah and Jonathon the opportunity to develop new skills and to bring fresh ideas and creative thinking to our organisation.

“We have been very impressed with the level of business knowledge from Sarah and Jonathon

and their enthusiasm for learning about the Black Cat organisation and fireworks is tremendous.

“Already they are both proving to be assets to the company and I believe they will gain further valuable experience in the industry in the forthcoming weeks as we lead up to our busiest time of the year.”

May Nairn, placement officer from the Business School, said: “Black Cat’s decision to employ Sarah and Jonathon is testimony to the abilities and enthusiasm shown by our students at interview.

“We believe that the marketing experience they will gain at Black Cat will be an enormous asset when they graduate, allowing them to demonstrate that they have achieved real life workplace skills and made a significant contribution to the success of the company.”

Broker opens office in the valley A BUSINESS brokerage has opened a new office in the Holme Valley.

Amberglobe, which sells businesses ranging from retail shops, hotels and restaurants to children’s day nurseries, care homes and kennels, has taken offices at Victoria Road, Holmfirth.

The team includes valuations director Nick Brown, sales manager Stephanie Brown and sales negotiator Linda Burkinshaw.

Mr Brown said: “This is an exciting time for us. After working for another business broker for more than 10 years and being unsuccessful in attempting a management buy-out of our old business, we all decided that trhe time was

■ READY FOR BUSINESS: Nick Brown with Linda Burkinshaw (centre) and Stephanie Brown right to make the break and join this exciting, growing company.”

Amberglobe already has offices in Exeter, Peterborough and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Said Mr Brown: “All of the team at Amberglobe have worked together for many years and are seasoned professionals with

more than 60 years combined experience of selling businesses throughout the country.”

As well as selling businesses, Amberglobe provides business owners with the new energy performance certificates that arwe required by law when selling or leasing a business.

‘Learn the lessons of data loss’ KIRKLEES firms have been urged to learn the lessons of the latest government data loss – and double check that their own in formation is secure.

Holmfirth-based Malcolm Pow, of computer support company Ulysses IT, made the plea after the Ministry of Defence admitted that a contractor had lost a hard disc containing data on 1.7m people who had applied to join the armed forces.

Mr Pow said: “Many businesses in Huddersfield are as much at risk of losing vital data as the government is.

Yet it’s actually easy for businesses to ensure data is secure.

“We find business owners tend to be one extreme or the other. They either believe everyone wants their data and take huge steps to protect it, or they don’t think their data is important. Many local businesses don’t even take backups of data, let alone ensure it is secure.

“Yet data is vital to all businesses these days. No-one wants to have to ring their clients to admit confidential information has been lost. Worse than that, if a key employee walks out with data it can rip the heart out of a business.”

Mr Pow said measures to keep data safe included having written policies on data, making data protection and security part of the induction process for new staff, changing passwords when staff leave and removing opportunities for staff to steal data by disabling DVD writers and limiting size of e-mails.

“You don’t have to be paranoid about data loss in your business,” said Mr Pow. “But you do need to ensure it is secure, so your business doesn’t face the embarrassment the government has faced.”

Firms finds an agency talking their language A FIRM offering translation services has got a new look, thanks to a marketing agency in Huddersfield.

The Engine Room, based at the Media Centre, Northumberland Street, provided a facelift for Roevin Translation Services following its acquisition from Swiss human resources giant Adecco by a former Roevin director and his business partner.

The £2m turnover business provides services including translating printed communications, website translation, multi-lingual document production, software localisation and conference and courtroom interpreting.

Darren Evans, creative director of The Engine Room, said: “The business needed to become independent of Adecco and become a company in its own right. But it had built up a loyal client base and

solid track record, so it didn’t want to abandon its former identity entirely.”

The Engine Room provided a new brand identity for Manchester-based Roevin, stressing its new image as “The Translation People”.

Following the rebrand, The Translation People reported a 5% rise in sales against 2007, created four new posts and hopes to open an office in Germany.

Despite the difficult economic climate, The Translation People has picked up its largest-ever contract with a major international publishing house. Clients now include Boots, Toshiba, NatWest and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Liz Athey, operations manager at The Translation People, said: “The Engine Room guided us through the whole process.”

15

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Carl is top for prizes

UNIVERSITY VIEW John Anchor

Peter speaks out

LOBALISATION was the subject G of a provocative lecture by Peter Jay in front of an audience of staff,

students and other distinguished guests at the University of Huddersfield this November.

Peter Jay is professor of political economy at Henley Business School, University of Reading. Peter’s career has been of a portfolio type, well before it became fashionable. His period in academia follows a lifetime in government and the media focused mainly on the way in which government manages the economy.

The first six years of his working life were spent in the Treasury, followed by 10 years as Economics Editor of The Times. During this period he also founded and for five years presented London Weekend Television's Sunday morning news programme Weekend World.

After two years in Washington as British Ambassador, he returned to the UK for an extensive career in the media including founder chairman and chief executive of the TV-am team, presenting Channel 4’s A Week in Politics, more than three years as chief of staff to Robert Maxwell at the Mirror group and as Economics Editor of the BBC. In 2003 he became a director (non-executive) of the Bank of England.

Peter’s research has been an integral part of his career as a working journalist, most notably in his preparation of BBC TV’s millennium six-part series The Road to Riches, an economic history of mankind, with which was connected to his book, Road to Riches, or the Wealth of Man. Peter’s theme was that globalisation should first and foremost be seen as the reintegration, indeed the reunification, after a hundred millennia of Diaspora and fragmented isolation, of mankind upon this planet. For, globalisation in its simplest essence is the removal of barriers – physical and political, cultural and psychological between sections of mankind.

The legacy of separate development was overwhelmingly the dominant force in shaping the human species after it initially covered the face of the habitable earth. And in that separation and its natural result – physical and cultural differences – lie both the causes of the stresses and strains which reunification now causes and the supreme value of the chance we now have to end it.

Peter presented globalisation as an exciting chance to overcome ignorance, suspicion, fear and hostility and perhaps for the first time in human history develop a series of truly global and objective challenges.

His conclusion was that this challenge can be met only by some kind of negotiated set of cooperative regimes under which we establish together rules and institutions to govern our shared occupation of the planet replacing the long dominant motif of seeking survival and success through the rivalrous empowerment and enrichment of the nation state.

Peter Jay’s lecture, his thesis was certainly a topical and thought provoking one.

Dr John Anchor is head of Strategy and Marketing at the University of Huddersfield

■ STORE TEAM: Store manager Greg Lawton (left) with (from left) Elizabeth Verity, Sophie Newsome, Aaron Ormiston, Simon Roberts, Wendy Richardson and Ghada Beal

Boots launches store RETAILER Boots has created 40 jobs with the launch of a new superstore in Huddersfield.

The firm has opened the new 10,000sq ft outlet at the Great Northern Retail Park as part of a programme of store expansion across the UK. Town player Kiegan Parker was among guests welcomed by store manager Greg Lawton to the of ficial opening, which included entertainment from a DJ, a balloon modeller and face painting.

Pictured at the opening are Mr Lawton (left) with (from left) team

mana gers Eliza beth Verity, Sophia Newsome and Aaron Ormiston, retail director Simon Rober ts, divisional director Wendy Richardson and area manager Ghada Beal.

The new store occupies half of the former Courts furniture store, which was converted at a cost of £1m over the summer to create two stores. The other outlet is occupied by electrical retailer Empire Stores.

The new Boots store includes a team of pharmacists, healthcare consultants and advisers.

A pharmacy service to pick up

prescriptions and medicines will open until midnight Mondays to Fridays.

The Boots store at King Street in the town centre continues to trade as normal.

Mr Lawton said: “The new Boots store makes customers’ shopping experience more enjoyable with a light, bright and spacious environment and a wide range of great brands and services.”

The new store opens as retailers gear up for the key Christmas trading period.

BRIGHOUSE businessman Carl Hopkins presented awards to top marketing students at a ceremony in Leeds.

Mr Hopkins, managing director of Kloog Business Development, presented the prizes to five outstanding students a Chartered Institute of Marketing event at Electric Press.

They were among 160 s t u d e n t s t h ro u g h o u t Yorkshire who have completed their CIM courses.

Diane Earles, CIM northern regional director, said: “It’s vitally important, especially in the current market, for marketers to distinguish themselves and stand out from the crowd. “Qualifications, such as the ones completed by these students, can really help job-seekers to stand out when applying for jobs.”

The students completed their courses at Wakefield College, Leeds P a r k L a n e C o l l e g e, Robert Chiswick Training and Development centre and by distance learning at Cambridge Marketing College.

Envirowise website up to date ENVIRONMENTAL support group Envirowise has reported a 22% rise in visitor numbers to its website. The group said the increased number of “hits” reflected a growing appetite for green business advice among UK firms. As a result, Envirowise has launched an updated website at www.envirowise.gov.uk with extra features and a more user-friendly format. The new-look site makes it easier for businesses to get hold of the information they need. It also includes improved events and news sections to help visitors keep up to date and hosts unique “pod casts” giving advice on a range of environmental issues for business. The site hosts more than 620 publications containing advice and information to help businesses address their environmental impact – with specific help for sectors such as production, design and construction.

Envirowise director Mary Leonard said: “Since 1994, Envirowise has saved UK businesses more than £1bn through its range of free advice and support.

Alongside the Envirowise Advice Line, the website is one of the key resources for guidance on saving money through resource efficiency.”

Drive to raise £500 CAR dealership Colin Appleyard has raised £500 for Macmillan Cancer Trust.

The Folly Hall-based Suzuki dealer raised the money by serving refreshments to customers during the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning earlier this month and with a contribution from the company.

Event co-ordinator Geoff Lingard presented the cheque to Macmillan fund raising manager Shelagh Hopkinson, who also hap-

pens to be a Colin Appleyard customer.

The annual coffee morning is Macmillan’s main fundraising event of the year and.

The charity hopes to top £8.5m from this year’s event to help support people living with cancer.

Mr Lingard is pictured handing over the cheque to Macmillan’s fund raising manager Shelagh Hopkinson

16

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Direct is in the picture

TAX TALK Colin Barratt

Errors and inaccuracies N an article earlier this year, I looked at Ierrors the new penalty regime relating to or inaccuracies contained in tax

returns, which will come into effect for tax returns submitted to HM Revenue & Customs on or after April 1, 2009. Following further important announcements, it is worth re-visiting this topic.

Briefly, the penalties will be linked to the behaviour of taxpayers that gives rise to a potential loss of tax resulting from errors contained in tax returns. For careless errors the maximum penalty will be 30% of the tax unpaid rising to 70% for deliberate errors but not concealed and where errors are both deliberate and concealed the maximum penalty will be 100% of the potential lost tax.

Also from April, 2009, controversial new inspection and information powers will come into effect.

HMRC will be able to request taxpayers, both businesses and individuals, to provide them with information or documents reasonably required to enable them to check their tax position. Although this is nothing new, the HMRC would need to issue an enquiry into a taxpayer’s return first before requesting such information. From April next year, HMRC will be allowed to inspect records even before a tax return is submitted to them thus enabling them to check not just past tax liabilities but also present and future tax positions.

Penalties already exist for failing to comply with a HMRC request for information, but these will be increased under the new regime. A current standard £50 penalty will be increased to £300 and where delays continue in providing such information, current daily penalties of £30 will rise to £60.

From April next year, HMRC will be allowed to enter and inspect business premises, including vehicles, as well as inspecting business assets and business documents on the premises. They will not be able to inspect any premises used solely as a dwelling but a taxpayer’s home could be inspected if some business activity is carried on there.

Under normal circumstances, HMRC will be required to give at least seven days’ notice of their intention to inspect business premises and this notice can be given verbally. However, unannounced inspections can be made if internal HMRC approval is given. In such cases, HMRC will be allowed to enter business premises even if the occupier is not present at the time of the visit and HMRC will only have to leave a written notice of inspection “in a prominent place”.

While appeals can be made against penalties for failing to provide information to HMRC, there is no process of appeal against the HMRC’s power to inspect business premises, and this has caused great concern among tax professionals.

In the light of this new and wide-ranging HMRC inspection regime, taxpayers need to maintain and retain accurate records of all transactions affecting their tax position to ensure that any queries can be resolved without triggering additional tax, interest and penalty charges.

Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth, chartered accountants, Huddersfield

■ CAST IRON: Deborah Melluish (fourth right) presents the Business of the Month Award to Dean McFadden (fifth left), of Timothy Wood Ltd with (from left) Anne Hollingworth, of Timothy Wood; Anne Gerard, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Vicki Davenport and Richard Allen, of The Pink Link Ltd; David Menaghan, of HSBC; Julie Hill and Jay McFadden, both of Timothy Wood

Adaptable firm is monthly winner ARCHITECTURAL ironmonger Timothy Wood Ltd has emerged as the latest winner of the Business of the Month Award run by law firm Eaton Smith and the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

The well-established company was recognised for its ability to adapt and develop in a competitive market and for its continued attention to customer service.

Deborah Melluish, partner at Eaton Smith, presented the award to representatives of Timothy Wood at a lunch which was also atended by guest judges.

Timothy Wood, which is based at Bradley Mills and also specialises in hardware and power tools, has a wide range of customers, including joiners, builders, shopfitters, interior designers, local authorities and technical colleges.

The firm prides itself on having experts on hand to give the sort of

personal service sometimes missing from major retailers.

The company has aisles of products to browse through, but now their massive range of stock is computerised to meet the demands of the business as it moves further forward to supply a wider overseas market via the internet.

Family member Jay McFadden said: “We are very proud to win Business of the Month. The judges have obviously seen how far we have advanced as a company. Hopefully, with the improvements we are making, we can go one further and win the Business of the Year!”

The Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award, which is run in association with the Lockwood-based chamber, is open to all companies in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Go to www.eatonsmith.co.uk or contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389.

A COMPANY specialising in videoconferencing has been given a major accolade.

Direct Visual, based at Lowfields, Elland, has been named as a videoconferencing centre of excellence by the firm’s partner, Tandberg.

The accreditation, based criteria including professional qualifications and standard of facilities, makes Direct Visual the second Tandberg centre of excellence in the UK. Tandberg chief Allan Bjornstad travelled from Olso, Norway, to officially launch the centre of excellence at a special open day at Direct Visual’s headquarters.

The event was attended by representatives of Direct Visuals’ customers, including AstraZeneca, Cadbury’s, Bentley Motor Cars, Leeds University, Leeds Teaching Hospitals and British Waterways.

Direct Visual, which was formed 13 years ago, is continuing to grow in the face of a slowing economic climate. The company said its success was due to continued investment in professional development.

Managing director Marina Shaw said: “Everyone needs to tighten their belts at the moment and while we will also try to cut back on some things, we would never cut back on quality as it is what has kept us ahead of our competitors.

“Investment in staff development, in knowledge and in the correct technology to ensure that we provide customers with the highest standard of professional services and videoconferencing solutions is paramount to a successful and profitable business.

“Receiving this accreditation shows that our investment and our commitment is justified and is yet another feather in our cap and vindication of our decision to continue to invest in the face of a difficult economy.”

Mitral plays a big part A COMPANY in Shepley has helped its parent group land a regional award.

Leeds-based Arena Group, which includes electronic document management firm Mitral Systems in Shepley, was named winner of the Excellence in Customer Service Award in the Yorkshire and Humber region of the Chamber Awards 2008.

Arena, formed in 1991, is one of the north’s leading suppliers of photocopiers, IT support and electronic document management. Mitral was formed more than 20 years ago and serves customers across a variety of sectors.

Arena won the award for its “strong vision and strategy”.

Victoria Georgalakis, customer service director for awards sponsor AXA/PPP, said: “Many of today’s most profitable businesses attribute their success to their high levels of customer service. “ Customer service has the power to make or break a brand overnight. Arena

Group has shown how exemplary customer service has paid off. They deserve to be recognised for this significant achievement.”

Arena Group now goes through to national judging and the chance to win the top prize of £50,000. The national winners of Chamber Awards 2008 will be announced at a gala dinner onNovember 27 at the Natural History Museum in

London.

Gary Lumby (right), president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce, presented the award to Martin Wright (left), general manager of Arena’s IT division.

Said Mr Wright: “This award is testament to the hard work of all our staff. It is their dedication to satisfying the needs of our customers that has allowed us to reach this level.”

St Thomas’ Road, Huddersfield

FOR SALE – NEW INSTRUCTION

industrial

1,460.4 m² (15,720 sq ft) Prominent frontage to B6432 St Thomas’ Road. Close proximity to Huddersfield town centre. Planning consent for a 500 m²extension (approx)

Britannia Mills, Stoney Battery, Huddersfield

FOR SALE / TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION

1,625.23 m² (17,494 sq ft) on a site of 0.94 hectares (2.3 acres) Modern industrial factory/warehouse premises and development site. Good access to junctions 23 and 24 of M62 motorway. Potential redevelopment opportunity (subject to planning)

Gannex Mill, Dewsbury Road, Elland

FOR SALE – NEW INSTRUCTION

6,049.17 m² (65,114 sq ft) on a site of 3.71 ha (9.18 acres)

officeoffice office

landlandlandland land landlandlandland

Landmark industrial complex. Redevelopment opportunity (subject to consent). Close proximity to junction 24 of M62 motorway

Sports Ground, off New Hey Road Salendine Nook, Huddersfield

FOR SALE – NEW INSTRUCTION 2.1 hectares (5.2 acres)

Conveniently located approximately 2½ miles distance from Huddersfield town centre. Providing two football pitches in winter and cricket ground in summer Long term development potential

Land at St Andrew’s Road, Huddersfield

FOR SALE

0.51 hectares (1.25 acres) approx Surfaced car park with provision for approx 100 vehicles. Located off St Andrew’s Road (B6432) a short distance south of A62 Leeds Road Suitable for a variety of uses, subject to consent

Hangingroyd Mill & Victoria Works, Victoria Road, Hebden Bridge

FOR SALE – NEW INSTRUCTION

1,975.73 m² (21,267 sq ft) on a site of 0.27 hectares (0.67 acres) approx Planning consent for 10 town houses, 6 apartments and 6 B1 units. Sought after residential location. Excellent waterfront position

Delamere, Fixby Road, Huddersfield

FOR SALE – NEW INSTRUCTION 1.62 hectares (4 acres) approx

Outline planning consent for residential development. Sought after residential location. Accessed off the A617 Fixby Road

Land off Huddersfield Road, Elland

FOR SALE – NEW INSTRUCTION 1.52 hectares (3.75 acres) approx

Allocated as a new employment site within UDP.

2

3 mile

north of junction 24 M62. Rare industrial/commercial development opportunity

Unit 10 Pennine Business Park, Bradley, Huddersfield

FOR SALE

232 m² (2,500 sq ft) High specification offices - Unexpectedly re-available. Popular Bradley Business Park location. Ease of access to M62 motorway

Contact Paul Andrew or Philip Deakin

01484 533151

Oak House New North Road Huddersfield HD1 5LG eddisons.com Birmingham Bradford Bristol Glasgow Huddersfield Leeds London Manchester

Eddisons

18

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

PROPERTY FOCUS

Firm buys into business park A FINANCIAL services company has taken a stake in one of West Yorkshire’s leading business parks.

Alexander Forbes Financial Services has moved into Calder Park – with a lease on desk space at UBC Wakefield,1 Mariner Court. The business is taking advantage of brand new serviced office accommodation as it expands in the north of England.

The scheme, a joint venture between United Business Centres plc and Gladman Developments, is one of seven similar sites across the UK. UBC, a specialist serviced office provider, has created 12 work stations at Mariner Court as an extension to existing office suites available at the development.

The concept brings flexible office space to market on terms of one month to three years, with the added benefit of fully inclusive, cost-efficient pricing and complete IT, telecoms and business support.

Sizes range from 150sq ft to 3,250sq ft for one to 50 people.

Sanderson Weatherall advised Alexander Forbes on the lease.

Jonathon White, of Sanderson Weatherall, said: “Alexander Forbes needed modern high quality space on flexible terms at a well-connected address in York-

shire to continue their expansion into the North of England.

“Having undertaken a comprehensive search of both serviced and traditional office space in the area we are pleased to have located and negotiated the ideal product on behalf of our client.’’

David Pye, regional director at Alexander Forbes, said: “As a national financial services company, we have a firm commitment to the continued development of our offering and needed flexible and cost-effective office space in Yorkshire without compromising on quality.

“Our second base in the north of England, 1 Mariner Court is a perfect place continue our expansion and we look forward to building further on our successes in the region.”

BC area manager Richard Johnson, said: “Businesses of all sizes choose UBC for our flexible offering and prestigious office space and we are delighted to welcome Alexander Forbes as the first occupier at UBC Wakefield.

“I am particularly pleased to have concluded this deal with Sanderson Weatherall and look forward to working together on future projects.”

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGENTS CONSULTANT ADVISOR •

•

•

TRAFALGAR MILLS LEEDS ROAD HUDDERSFIELD HD2 1YY •

•

•

To Let Modern and Purpose Built Units

Why not use the experts? MB Services have over FREE RENT OR RATES PERIODS 20 years experience AVAILABLE ON SELECTED LETTINGS in letting industrial units Queens Mill Industrial Estate

Queens Mill Road, Huddersfield 1 mile from town centre, easy access to M1/M62 Modern Industrial Units to let Mezzanine floor Unit 19 ....4966 square feet Unit 20 ....5362 square feet Brockholes Business Park

Trafalgar Mills

Leeds Road, Huddersfield 2nd floor offices to let 4376 square feet Modern hi-tec office unit can be subdivided Broadfield Mills

Albert Street, Huddersfield Unit 1a . .6650 square feet Mezzanine floor

New Mill Road, Brockholes 41/2 miles from town centre, easy access to motorway network Unit to let in attractive business park Unit 11 ....985 square feet

Mirfield Good access to motorway network Modern Units to let Unit 2 . . .5272 square feet Unit 3a . .4793 square feet

Old Fieldhouse Lane

Fieldhouse Park

Leeds Road, Huddersfield Unit 2 . . .3250 square feet

Leeds Road, Huddersfield Unit 12 . .11986 square feet

Contact: Paul Andrew Eddisons 01484 533151

■ CONTROL PANEL: Andy Dry (left) project engineer for Garndene, with (from left) Peter Foy, head of security at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Grandene technical director Adrian Brown; and the firm's business development manager Kieron Stead

Security contract for valley business A COLNE Valley firm supplying security systems has completed a ground-breaking £3.5m hospitals contract.

Golcar-based Garndene Communications Systems Ltd provided access control, closed circuit TV cameras and a new control room with monitoring and digital recording facilities for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The system is used to control more than 500 doors and 700 cameras across several hospital sites across Leeds – all linked to the control room at St James’ University Hospital.

The centre – believed to be the biggest of its kind in the whole of the NHS – was officially opened by Sir Norman Bettison, chief constable of West Yorkshire.

Peter Foy, head of security for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: “This is the largest and most ambitious facility anywhere in the NHS and is a major step forward in ensuring safety and security on all our sites.

“Advanced technology means security staff can monitor activity in hundreds of indoor and outdoor locations, home in on any problems quickly and direct on-site staff to any trouble-spot.

“We face a huge logistical issue in

terms of the size and geographical layout of our various sites and this is the best possible solution for ensuring we keep on top of any incidents.

“We want to make sure everyone who uses our hospitals feel as safe as possible both day and night.”

Mr Foy said: “The cameras are also extremely useful in tracking an incident as it occurs, providing evidence which can be used by the police and the courts if necessary when, for example, anti-social behaviour is identified.”

The new control room replaces a smaller CCTV room at St James’ Hospital. It is linked into cameras at throughout St James’ Hospital, Seacroft Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital and Wharfedale Hospital.

The centre can monitor access control, intruder detection and other alerts, relating to medical gases, blood banks, lifts and fire systems.

Adrian Brown, technical director for Garndene said: "The project was quite ambitious and presented many challenges along the way, but working closely with the design team we feel that we have achieved a more than satisfactory result for the hospital trust.”

The trust has a 60-strong security team as well as five police community support officers – supplied as part of

a three-year contract with West Yorkshire Police.

They have to deal with vagrants and people sleeping rough, drug and a l c o h o l - r e l a t e d t ro u b l e a n d anti-social behaviour.

Mr Foy said: “All in all, Garndene have done an excellent job in working with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals and providing a new centralised security control room which we believe is now the largest within the NHS.” Garndene, which was formed in 1967 in Slaithwaite before moving to Golcar in the 1970s, is the firm behind the original Huddersfield town centre CCTV system – supplying 150 security cameras and a central control room to monitor local streets.

It has installed satellite TVs in guest bedrooms at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Leeds; the public address system for Freeport Shopping Village in Fleetwood, Lancashire; and warden call systems for a number of sheltered housing schemes.

The family-run firm is headed by managing director Malcolm Stead and employs about 60 people at Slades Road in Golcar and 12 at a smaller office at Tyne and Wear.

Junction 25 Business Park

Christine Eccleston MB Services 01484 557102

Recovery team is here to help COMMERCIAL property agent CB Richard Ellis has formed a corporate recovery team to meet an increased demand from overstretched lenders in Yorkshire.

The new loan and corporate recovery division led by executive director Charlie Wardroper will

provide comprehensive advice to lenders and borrowers on a number of “potentially distressed” lending situations across the Yorkshire region.

He said: “There seems to be a greater scrutiny within banks in relation to individual loans. It’s not a

panic situation, but they’re investigating whether they can restructure or reposition things.

“If loans are at risk of default, our team can offer strategic loan and corporate restructuring advice to identify and formulate strategies to manage the risks.”

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

19

PROPERTY FOCUS Ron’s charity effort

Redrow lands accolade DEVELOPER Redrow has been named Housebuilding Innovator of the Year for a combination of its regeneration work, community involvement, marketing and training initiatives.

The accolade came at the 2008 Housebuilding Innovation Awards, which recognise companies for demonstrating a commitment to innovation in the housing industry.

The company also won two individual awards and had three other initiatives shortlisted, earning praise for its “outstandingly innovative and imaginative work across the industry”.

The judges said: “Some very impressive entries were received for the large housebuilder category, but Redrow took the prize for its work in regeneration and partnering with the public sector, community involvement, training and marketing. An all-round

■ INNOVATION: Redrow chief executive Neil Fitzsimmons (centre) receives the Housebuilding Innovator of the Year Award from BBC Radio 4 Today presenter John Humphrys (left) and Ian Exall of category sponsor H+H UK winner.”

Redrow has offices in Wakefield and developments ithroughout Yorkshire.

In individual categories, Redrow’s collaboration with English Partnerships to revitalise a neglected area of Devonport, Plymouth, was voted the best regeneration partnership between a developer and the public sector. It also won the Community Award

for its efforts to consult with and engage local people.

Redrow enterprises also accounted for two of the six shortlisted entries in the category for best training/staff initiative – including a scheme to “home grow” future site managers through an ambitious assistant site manager development programme.

Firms cut their property space FEWER firms expanded their property holdings in the past six months – and more firms are planning to reduce their holdings in the next half-year, a survey has revealed.

Figures from the CBI and estate agency GVA Grimley showed a balance of plus 3% had increased their property holdings in the past six months.

That compares with plus 15% in the previous six-monthly survey.

In the coming six months, a balance of plus 24% of firms plan to reduce their property space – with retail, financial services, manufacturing and leisure showing the biggest change in direction.

Retailers reported that their property holdings increased in the past six months, but they expect little change in the coning half-year.

The leisure sector expects “very modest” growth in property holdings followed by a “sharp contraction” over the coming half year.

Falls in financial services and manufacturing are expected to intensify.

Asked about the impact of the credit squeeze and the slowing economy, some 80% of firms reported that both factors had hit their business.

Half of firms said surplus property was an issue. About 50% of respondents have surplus property, with retail (66%), mining, chemicals & utilities (90%), manufacturing (61%) and the leisure sector (64%) carrying a material amount.

Howard Cooke, director at property consultants GVA Grimley, said: “The trend of more firms planning to reduce their property holdings is accelerating, with a significant fall

Companies hit by surplus as demand dips

in demand expected over the coming six months.

“Most firms are now feeling at least some effect from the tighter lending conditions and the economic slowdown.

“Falling business activity and lower demand is likely to increase the property surpluses, which will only push up the cost of paying empty property rates.”

More than a fifth of businesses said they were demolishing empty property or were considering doing so in response to the Government’s decision to impose business rates on empty buildings.

Another 21% were considering reoccupying vacant space and two-fifths (38%) were speeding up the surrender of their leases to landlords.

Karen Dee, the CBI’s head of infrastructure said: "Businesses are paying a billion pounds a year more due to the government’s changes to empty property rate relief.

“The government should look at everything it can do to help businesses through these difficult times and reversing its recent decision on empty rate relief would be one good way of doing so.”

SURVEYOR George Wise has raised £2,000 for charity by completing a series of tough sporting challenges over the summer.

Mr Wise, of property agent DTZ, spent six months in training before completing his first challnge, the Ironman UK 70.3 in Exmoor.

He followed that with the Property Triathlon and the London and Allerthorpe triathlons.

He raced in the Big Bad Bike Ride in Peebles in September before finishing in October with the Great North Run. The money will be donated to Ataxia UK.

20

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

PROPERTY

FOCUS

Property sale brings good result SENSIBLE pricing and renewed buyer confidence contributed to better than expected results at a property auction run by Eddisons in Leeds.

Sixty out of 87 lots were sold at the auction, achieving total sales of nearly £6.5m.

The highlight of the busy auction was a series of for mer Yorkshire Water sites – some of which were offered at declared nil reserve and generated combined sales of £73,000.

The Shepley/Deershaw former service reservoir at Holmfirth which fetched £21,500 off a guide price of just £300 while a former water pumping station at Thornhill Lees, D e w s b u r y, s o l d fo r £9,000 off a guide price of £2,000 to £4,000.

Tony Webber, of Eddisons, said: “This was a good sale with many lots performing better than we anticipated in both the commercial and residential sectors.

“There was a favourable response to the more sensible prices set by vendors who are clearly now taking note of the credit crunch and which indicates that investors and developers are once again prepared to buy at the right price.

“There is a perception from a number of seasoned investors that we are now at the bottom of the market, which was reflected in their willingness to buy.’”

Among other lots, a vacant former care home in Bingley, near Bradford, was sold for £322,000.

The building extends to 5,600 sq ft and is set in grounds of almost half an acre, making it attractive as a residential development opportunity, subject to the necessary consents. Another former care home at Horsforth, near Leeds, exceeded its guide price of £400,000 to realise £475,000.

Agency completes lettings P R O P E R T Y c o nsultancy Knight Frank has let all six floors at a £65m office development in Leeds.

The latest tenant to take space at 2 City Walk is a specialist contact centre provider, which has occupied 15,000 sq ft on behalf of its clients BSkyB. The company is new to Leeds.

Dave Rumble, sales director at BSkyB, said: “We’re really excited to be coming to Leeds. We looked at a number of sites across the UK, but we’ve chosen Leeds because it’s a vibrant city with a strong track record in the contact centre sector and excellent transport links.”

Guy Cooke, partner at Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “Knight Frank, acting for Simons and Credit Suisse, has now let all six floors, comprising 65,000sq ft of quality office space, at 2 City

Walk.

“These lettings have been to first-rate occupiers such as bookmaker William Hill and consulting engineers Faber M a u n s e l l , a n d n ow BSkyB. As an inward investor, this is a tremendous vote of confidence for Leeds.”

Said Mr Cooke: “The doom and gloom merchants are telling us that we have never had it so bad, but there are deals to be done.

“We are finding that if the product, pricing and location are right, then it is business as normal.”

Meanwhile, two major office developments underway in Leeds.

Exemplar Properties a re c re at i n g n e a r ly 27,000sq ft of prime Grade A office space in the heart of the city.

The nine-storey Toronto Square, will be ready for occupation in June, 2009.

Training plan is looking to the future

■ ROUND VIEW: Roger Williams, director of HHP Developments (left) with Robert Smith, senior relationship manager for Royal Bank of Scotland, on the site of the new care home at Bradley

Care home takes shape at Bradley A CARE home to provide 24-hour support for adults with learning difficulties is being built in Huddersfield.

Building firm HHP Developments has begun construction work on Hampton House at Keldregate – on the site of the former Little John pub.

Funding for the project – which will create 20 full-time and part-time jobs – has come from Royal bank of Scotland.

Hampton House will provide round-the-clock support for adults with learning difficulties who may also have a physical disability.

The accommodation will provide two principal suites as well as two studio apartments.

The suites will be fully furnished – with each one providing five en-suite bedrooms, a communal lounge, a kitchen/dining room with height adjustable tables, a bathroom, a multi-sensory activity room, a laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryers and a wheel chair store.

Level entry access to the front and rear of the property is available and the residents can take advantage of a flat patio with gardens and raised

flower beds at the home.

The studio apartments are on the first floor with access via a wheel chair lift or stairs. Each apartment provides an en-suite bedroom and a height adjustable kitchen Hampton House will also have off-street car parking and its own adapted vehicle to help take residents on trips. Care and support will be provided 24 hours a day by qualified staff.

The development is due for completion in April next year and will create 20 jobs ranging from a service manager and deputy manager to care and support staff.

It is the second care home for HHP Development in Huddersfield – the first being Langley Lodge on nearby Deighton Road.

Roger Williams, director of HHP Developments LLP, said: “Hampton House is built on the site of a former public house that had been derelict for years, so we are delighted to be providing a capital injection into the area, creating employment opportunities and a new service to people with a disability which will enable them to stay in the area.”

VAT matters come to the fore HOUSEBUILDERS have been warned to review their VAT position if they decide to rent out houses they cannot sell in the current market.

David Butterworth, of Huddersfield chartered accountancy firm Wheawill & Sudworth said that normally housebuilders were able to recover all of the VAT on their construction and overhead costs as part of their ongoing business.

He said: “Although no VAT is actually charged on the sale of new houses, strictly the builder is charging VAT but at 0% and this allows full recovery of VAT on their costs.

“The problem comes when the builder rents out houses that can-

not be sold. Again, no VAT is levied on rental income. However, this type of revenue is exempt from VAT rather than zero-rated and results in a potential clawback of VAT previously claimed by the builder.

“Builders need to be alive to this issue and review the VAT position accordingly as part of their overall strategy.”

Said Mr Butterworth: “To be fair to Revenue & Customs, they have publicised the possible pitfalls here and issued revised guidance, together with some relaxations on the normal rules – so it is up to companies to take the necessary action to minimize any loss of VAT.”

■ COSTS: David Butterworth, of Wheawill and Sudworth

BUILDING and maintenance firm Rok has launched a training programme to nurture the business leaders of the future.

The company, which works extensively in the Kirklees area, has joined forces with Leeds-based Red Sky Learning to pilot its “Leading the Way” training programme on leadership skills for 40 team members across northern England.

Ten of the candidates will come from Rok’s offices in Wakefield, Rotherham, Leeds and York with the rest drawn from the north-east and the north-west.

Rok director Rob Dickson said: “It is vital that our leaders have the knowledge and skills to enable them to lead people effectively.

“Leading the Way goes further in that it helps people learn more about themselves and the way they operate as leaders.”

He said: “The programme is vital in the current economic climate and is designed with Rok’s values and strategies for success in mind.

“The aim is to strengthen the organisation for the future, making sure the right people are in place with the right skills.”

Mr Dickson said: “While Rok is well-positioned to weather the downturn in the economy, it would be foolish to stop development of our people because they are vital to our success both now and in the future.”

Diane Coolican, managing director of Red Sky Learning, said: “The workshops are energetic, participative and incredibly practical.

“The impact on the business has also been immediate – with delegates adapting their leadership style, empowering others and seeing the bigger picture after just the first workshop.

“The programme incorporates a series of workshops, one to one coaching, line manager input and the completion of a business improvement project.”

21

December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

PROPERTY FOCUS

Retailers still keen to snap up property

Jones bucking the trend for land CLECKHEATON-based housebuilder Jones Homes (Northern) Ltd is bucking the trend to acquire land for development.

The company has bought a site at Wyke next to its recently completed Norwood View development.

The new site, to be known as The Grove, will accommodate three detached properties and four mews homes.

Building work at The Grove has started – with the development appealing to a wide spectrum of buyer looking for a quality new home in a delightful village location.

Sales and marketing director Jayne Swift said: “We have enjoyed immense success at Norwood View over the years and are delighted to have acquired more land in Wyke so that we can continue with our presence in the area.

“The Grove is a modest development of just seven stunning properties. It is an exciting time for Jones Homes as we build The Grove, offering local buyers more choice and adding to our own portfolio.”

■ DEVELOPING: Property expert CB Richard Ellis has promoted Robin Bullas as associate director in the capital markets division and Juliet Petty as an associate director in the asset management team

New appointments PROPERTY consultancy CB Richard Ellis has strengthened its regeneration team with the appointment of senior surveyor Victoria Baker-Sinclair.

Miss Baker-Sinclair graduated in 2004 from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh with a degree in estate management. She qualified as a chartered surveyor in 2006. She began her career

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Promotions PROPERTY adviser DTZ has announced the promotion of Russell Hefferan and Niall Mackinnon to associate director.

As an associate director in the professional advisory team in Leeds, Mr Mackinnon specialises in landlord and tenant consultancy, advising on rent reviews, lease renewals, lease restructuring and asset management.

He also acts as an expert witness in rent review disputes. Mr Mackinnon’s key clients include AXA, Norseman Holdings, Lloyds TSB, Standard Life Investments, Resolution Asset Management and

Trehaven.

Mr Hefferan undertakes valuations for secured lending purposes, covering the main sectors of commercial property throughout the north-west.

He undertakes regular portfolio valuation work for a range of institutional funds and provides expert evidence reports for litigation advice.

His experience includes regular valuations of the Mall Shopping Centre in Chester, the freehold interest of Cheshire Oaks retail, leisure and office parks, the Tithebarn Development in Preston as well investments in Manchester, Chester, Liverpool and Preston.

FOOD retailers are still hungry for new store sites, a report has revealed.

While the property sector in general has been laid low by the credit crunch, leading supermarkets are still seeking new sites in Huddersfield and other parts of West Yorkshire, claimed the survey by property agent King Sturge.

And it said food stores would become the staple diet of property development in Yorkshire during the next few years in a continuing tough market.

“The ‘big five’ supermarkets – Asda, Morrisons, Tesco. Waitrose and Sainsbury’s – are all seeking new sites in the region including in Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull and many small towns,” said Nick Ferris, of King Sturge’s retail and leisure team in Leeds.

“Food retailers are actively expanding their property portfolios through aggressive acquisition of sites in a generally challenging market.”

Mr Ferris said: “The only change in food buying appears to be that economic worries have led more families to seek out value food stores such as Netto, Aldi and Lidl.

“These stores have recently benefited from increased exposure, particularly in the property trade media and national press, which has seen a steady increase in market

Partner for Leeds office P RO P E RT Y c o nsultancy Knight Frank has promoted Mark Rotherty to partner at its office in Leeds.

Mr Rothery, 31, who has worked at Knight Frank since leaving college in Leicester in 2000, became an associate two years ago.

Bradford-born Mr Rothery, who lives in Bingley, is a retail and leisure expert, who has worked on projects such as Castlemore Retail Park in Huddersfield and Glydegate Square Leisure Quarter in Bradford.

share.”

In Huddersfield, Tesco has plans to open a new store at Southgate on the site of the sports centre and the Ibbotson and Lonsborough flats. A new sports centre would be built at Springwood and Tesco’s existing store at Viaduct Street demolished for new development by the retailer.

There are also plans to expand the Kingsgate Centre to provide a new department store and smaller shop units – while the Kirklees C o u n c i l - b a c ke d Q u e e n s g at e Revival scheme calls for more shops in addition to a revamped market hall and a new library and art gallery.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman also revealed that department store operator The John Lewis Partnership was interested in siting a Waitrose supermarket in the town – but claimed the retailer was being deterred by fears the Tesco development would drag shoppers out of the town centre.

Mr Ferris said supermarkets were able to forge ahead with store building plans partly because sites which developers bought for housing schemes were now being offered to food retailers.

Supermarket chains were also less reliant on bank funding as other property sectors – allowing them to finance expansion from their own coffers.

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Housing market quick to adapt THE Yorkshire housing market is adapting half in some parts of the north. more quickly to the slowdown than other parts However, as prices began falling here earlier of the UK, claims a residential property than in other regions, recovery may be quicker agency. than elsewhere. Interest in the land market is A report by Knight Frank said prices have already increasing and investors will begin fallen by as much as 25% in some parts of the making their first moves early next year. region – against a predicted overall fall of Jon Neale, head of development research at about 30% – from last year’s peak. The report Knight Frank, said: “As the slowdown hit said that suggested “market correction” in the many northern markets first – as much as a region was close to completion. year before prices began falling in London – It said buyers may begin to return to the developers had put their activities on hold well market for new-build over the next few months before the effects of the credit crunch really – leading to higher sales volumes next year. became apparent.

Julian D’Arcy, head of residential develop“As a result, land values have already begun ment for Knight Frank in northern England, to approach their lowest level in parts of the said: “This rapid fall in prices in Yorkshire has north and this could attract interest from one big silver lining. There has never been a better time to buy a property in the county for developers.

“Also, the almost-complete halt in new the past 15 years. housing development suggests that, in certain “Moreover, there is still a demand for housing, especially for quality homes in good locations, under-supply of good-quality units locations and for a more diverse mix of could soon be an issue.”

In the longer-term, the lack of new housing housing, particularly family houses.”

Mr D’Arcy said: “It is important to remem- could be a real issue for the north’s economy. ber that this more realistically-priced housing By 2021, there will be 1.1m more households market provides the clarity that buyers need to in the north-east and Yorkshire. The governbe able to commit with confidence. This is a ment’s own housing targets dictated that the time when it pays to be brave, especially since three regions provide 52,950 homes per annum this current decline cannot and will not last to cater for this increased demand.

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The report said development land had been dramatic fall in completions over the past few particularly badly hit by the housing down- months suggests that it will become even turn, with land values falling by as much as further away over the next few years.”

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December, 2008

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Russian revolution for Mamas & Papas

NURSERY products firm Mamas & Papas is set to make its mark in Russia.

The Colnebridge-based firm has signed an exclusive franchise agreement with Moscow company FD Lab Group to launch about 30 Mamas & Papas stores throughout Russia over the next five years – mainly in the Moscow and St Petersburg areas.

Mamas & Papas, which was named Rising Star of the Year for franchising at the Retail Leisure Industry Awards in London, said its latest expansion plan would help turn it into a world-leading brand for nursery goods and maternity wear.

The family-owned business already has offices in London and Hong Kong as well as 32 stores across the UK, eight outlets in the Middle East and a retail presence in boutiques and department stores in the Far East, Australasia, North America and Europe.

The company, which has been trading for 27 years, is headed by founder partners Luisa and David Scachetti.

It has 1,100 staff and sales exceeding £100m. Mamas & Papas plans to open 12 more stores in the UK before the end of 2009.

Deputy chief executive Richard Faulkner said the new agreement included setting up a “flagship” store in Moscow, which would closely resemble Mamas & Papas flagship outlet on London’s Regent Street.

FD Lab is owned and run by Mr Lopatine, a Moscow-based entrepreneur.

The firm, formed in 1997, is one of the top five players in the Russian clothing market and sells global brands through more than 600 stores, including wholly-owned shops, multi-brand stores and franchises.

■ HEAD OFFICE: the Mamas and Papas premises at Colnebridge – now the company is extending its retail operations to Russia

Travelling in right direction!

A TRAVEL agent working from home has won an industry award.

Linthwaite man David Hoyle, who works for Future Travel, was named Agent of the Year at the Travel Trade Gazette Awards hosted by actor James Nesbitt and held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Mr Hoyle, who has 25 years’ experience in the travel industry, beat competition from travel agents across the UK to win the award.

The prize came just days after he won the Travel Weekly Agency Excellence Homeworker of the Year Award for northern England for the ■ HOLIDAY PRIZE: David Hoyle (second right), of Future Travel, receives his award as Travel second year running.

Agent of the Year at the Travel Trade Gazette Awards with (from left) TTG editor Lucy Huxley: Lisa Father of two Mr Hoyle, who only joined McAuley, of award sponsor Avis; and host actor James Nesbitt Future Travel three years ago, said: “Winning these awards means so much to me – and totally travel industry.” playing field with the rest of the industry.” justifies my decision to move from being a high Sheena Darby, head of Future Travel, said: Future Travel, part of the Co-operative Group, “David’s knowledge, service and approach are is the UK's leading homeworking agency. It has street travel agent to becoming a homeworker.

“I like to think that I bring a real passion and second to none and he thoroughly deserves this more than 500 professional travel consultants commitment to my job – and it’s wonderful to recognition. who advise customers on a wide choice of “In addition, it's fantastic that for the first time holidays from hundreds of tour operators. have this recognised at an awards ceremony attended by many of the biggest names in the homeworking has been honoured on a level

23 Asda seals a health deal SUPERMARKET chain ASDA has teamed up with one of Yorkshire’s leading healthplan providers to provide a healthcare benefit for its 165,000-strong workforce in stores and depots nationwide.

The policy with LHF entitles ASDA staff to claim money towards everyday, essential healthcare treatments including dental and optical care, plus access to a wide range of complementary therapies including visits to the physiotherapist.

As well as helping colleagues take greater control of their own healthcare an reducing absence levels, the health cash plan encourages staff to take an interest in treatments that will help then to stay happy and healthy at work.

ASDA reward manager Jane Earnshaw said: “We were searching for a tangible benefit that our colleagues would find really useful - the health cash plan from LHF fits the bill perfectly.”

Mary Green, a colleague at ASDA, said: “The new LHF policy is a fantastic perk.

“For just £1.95 a week, it helps relive the worry relating to unexpected healthcare costs such as a check up at the dentist or the price of new glasses and therefore avoids the need to delay going for simple health checks so this policy gives me complete peace of mind.”

As part of the partnership, ASDA colleagues can look forward to a national programme of store and depot visits, during which representatives from LHF will communicate the numerous benefits of the healthplan.

Colleagues will also be able to learn more about the healthplans on a specially designed internet site and a comprehensive range of communications.

These have been included within a specially designed healthplan toolkit going out to each site.

LHF is part of the Simplyhealth Group, a community of healthcare businesses that have joined together with a common purpose, to help more people feel better.

A mutual organisation, LHF exists purely for the benefit of its members and continues to make regular charitable donations throughout Yorkshire.

WE BRING BUSINESS FACE TO FACE WITH BUSINESS Elland firm is in the know AN Elland firm supplying videoconferencing equipment has won an excellence award.

Direct Visual, based at Lowfields Business Park, was handed the award by Tandberg, the world’s leading manufacturer of video communications.

The award recognises Direct Visual’s record of growth, the knowledge and qualifications of its personnel in supporting and maintaining Tandberg videoconferencing systems.

Ut also recognises the firm’s commitment to working with the worldwide firm.

Direct Visual, founded in 1996 in Skelmanthorpe, has been one of the leading brands in the supply and support of videoconferencing technology in the UK for several years.

The new award underlines its status as one of the leading lights in Europe.

■ PASSING ON THE SKILLS: Tom Fretwell (left), Peter Parry and Ian Guest inspect a thermoplastic storage tank at the training facility at Dewsbury firm Chem Resist

Generation gains DEWSBURY firm Chem Resist is investing in its future – with the launch of an in-house training school for young apprentices.

The company, which manufactures and installs thermoplastic chemical process plant and chemical storage tanks, is enjoying a period of growth – with several major contract wins, including tanks for a desalination project in London.

But managing director Simon Hewitt said many of Chem Resist’s experienced fabricators and installers were approaching retirement and wanted to pass on their

skills to the next generation.

He said: “Some of our production staff have been with Chem Resist almost since its formation 40 years ago. It’s certainly not unusual to find people with more than 20 years’ service, so it makes sense for our apprentices to listen and learn from them in tandem with their formal training.”

Experienced employees include 67-year old Peter Parry, who was with the company for 28 years spends a day a week teaching and testing the importance of high quality welding techniques.

He said: “It keeps me in touch

with all my former colleagues and I’m putting something back into a company it was a pleasure to work for.”

Tom Fretwell is a 16 year old apprentice learning the practicalities of his job with Ian Guest – who joined Chem Resist when he was 24. Tom said having an experienced employee to learn from was a great help with his NVQ Level 2 studies.

He said: “I’m with a successful manufacturing company. Every day and every job is different – and I’m learning a lot!”

Hotel has a cool way to overcome competition A HOTEL has hit on a brand new version of “cold calling” to drum up business.

Stephen Domjan, head chef at the Brighouse Holiday Inn, has devised an ice cream with a difference to raise awareness of the hotel’s series of festive party nights launched next month – Christmas pudding flavour!

Businesses across the district have been given a taste of what’s in store after the hotel teamed up with Billy Briggs, of Kendall’s Ices at Hipperholme, to take the festive flavour out into the community.

“With the current economic climate, we wanted to promote our Christmas packages in a more eye-catching and mouth-watering way this year,” said the hotel’s general manager Louise Dodd.

“Teaming up with Billy was the ideal vehicle for achieving this. His van turned heads and created a lot of interest wherever he stopped with our sales team on board.”

And she added: “Demand for Christmas parties is not only getting bigger, but it is also starting earlier in the year.

“It’s a key time for the community and it is a key time for us. We decided we needed to do something different to give the hotel its very own X-mas factor.”

Young drivers a cause for concern

Yorkshire’s Legal People.

Huddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Dewsbury | Leeds: Morley | Leeds: Pudsey

A MAJOR study has been launched to help young drivers stay safe when they are on the road as part of their job.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ Young Drivers at Work project is seeking the views of managers who employ 17 to 24-year-old drivers.

It aims to lead to a better understanding of the safety issues involved in these employees getting behind the wheel for tasks such as mak-

www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk

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ing deliveries, going to meetings or travelling between sites.

A q u e s t i o n n a i re fo r employers can be found at w w w. r o s p a . c o m / r o a dsafety/youngdriversatwork/ until December.

RoSPA said young drivers and work-related driving are two of today’s biggest road safety challenges.

Figures show that young motorists are more at risk of being killed or injured on the roads than more experienced

drivers.

It is also estimated that one in three crashes involves a vehicle being driven for work.

This means that every week about 200 deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads involve someone at work.

RoSPA is asking bosses to compare the driving styles of young and more experienced drivers, including how they assess risks, route planning, fuel-efficiency and awareness of the danger of fatigue.