March, 2009
237
Energy costs add to business woes MANUFACTURERS faced a staggering 51% increase in energy costs during the final quarter of 2008 compared with the same period a year earlier, figures have revealed. The quarterly Manufacturing Energy Tracker compiled by BDO Stoy Hayward said gas prices alone had risen by 21% over the period. Jason Whitworth, corporate finance partner at BDO Stoy Hayward in Yorkshire, said the increase had caused major problems for many manufacturers already facing a tough trading climate. T h e c r i s i s b e t we e n t h e U k r a i n e a n d Ru s s i a wa s unlikely to help the situation, he added.
Mr Whitworth said another key element in manufacturers’ energy costs was oil, which fell in price during the final quarter of last year after a series of price rises. He said: “On average during the quarter, oil prices were at 52 dollars a barrel in comparison to 112 dollars in the third quarter of 2008 and 91.70 dollars in the fourth quarter of 2007. “There is no doubt that this fall will have come as a welcome relief to the UK’s manufacturers. “We hope that these important costs to manufacturers continue the downward trends through 2009 to provide some assistance to manufacturers in managing through this crisis.”
■ AMBASSADOR: Entrepeneur Ajaz Ahmed, founder of Freeserve, backs employment opportunities for the young
Young guns A PIONEERING Huddersfield businessman is backing Government plans to improve employment opportunities for young people. Ajaz Ahmed, co-founder of internet service provider Freeserve, is one of five prominent business figures from Yorkshire to speak out in support of the Government’s New Opportunities White Paper. Measures proposed in the document include creating 35,000 new apprenticeships by 2013 and injecting £57m to extend free childcare for disadvantaged two-year-olds in a bid to improve language development, skills and behaviour.
They also propose setting up a panel to remove barriers to “fair” access to professional jobs; allowing head teachers to offer improved pay packages to attract the best teachers into the worst schools and providing £500 back-to-work training entitlements for parents and carers. Mr Ahmed said: “Children need to be inspired that they can achieve anything they want in life and that the only thing that is holding them back is their own negative self-belief. History is littered with examples of people from normal backgrounds who have gone on to do some amazing things because they believed in themselves.”
Regional Minister Rosie Winterton said: “Role models such as Ajaz have a huge amount to offer to young people. Their work within communities, business, training and on a one-to-one level can often go unsung, but their ability to inspire is fantastic and the imprint on the lives of young people can last forever.” Mr Winterton said: “The New Opportunities White Paper spells out real help now for better opportunities in future. We are investing more in people, their skills, training and future. Only this will ensure every individual, family and community gets the chance they deserve to do well.”
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2
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
COMMENT
by
Henryk Zientek nd it gets worse. Latest figures A from the Insolvency Service have come as no surprise.
They show that 66.301 individuals were made bankrupt during 2008 while 38,538 entered into Individual Voluntary Arrangements. Personal insolvencies stands at more than 104,800 – and while this is lower than the figure for either 2006 or 2007 the trend is relentlessly upwards. Analysts predict that in the current climate, there will be an increase in traders, company directors with personal guarantees, professionals, and entrepreneurs in general seeking bankruptcy as relief from their debts. All the more reason to argue – as several business bodies have done – for the Government to take more direct action to help firms and employees combat the recession. The latest cut in lending rates to 1% was viewed as almost inevitable – but there is increasing concern that this blunt weapon is beginning to lose its impact. Not only is it undermining savers, the real problem is not so much the cost of borrowing as the availability of finance. That applies both to employers strapped for cash to keep their business running and employees who could really do with a bit more cash in their pay packets. The argument for a reduction in National Insurance contributions and company tax is increasingly compelling.
Read Henryk Zientek's Business reports Monday to Friday in ...
Inside Issues
● Fraud fears grow – page 4 ● Sales boost for Chem Resist – page 5 ● Focus on after-market – page 7 ● Time to go to market – page 9 ● Lawyer opens new office – page 11 ● Caring for the carers – page 16 ● Property swap pays off – page 18 ● Jobs ace hits Elland – page 20 ● Paints firm expands – page 21 ● Company comes clean – page 23
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FINANCIAL REPORT
Cattles abandons bid for new licence
SPECIALIST lender Cattles has conceded defeat in its long-running attempt to secure a licence for banking deposits. The Birstall-based group, which operates the Welcome Financial Services business, said it was unlikely to receive permission for a licence given the current market turmoil and ongoing uncertainty over its own debt position. Cattles said it had withdrawn its application to the Financial Services Authority until “such a time as there is greater clarity on both these matters”. Chief executive David Postings said the group continued to trade profitably and in line with expect-
ations. He said Cattles remained in constructive talks with its lenders about the renewal of the group’s bank facilities which are due in July. Cattles’ proposals do not include any reliance on funding from retail deposits and are based on the cost-cutting scheme it announced in January. The company is axing 1,000
jobs, including through the closure of an office in Hull, as it shrinks the business in line with reduced business volumes. A banking licence would have given the company an alternative to the wholesale market, where it raised £350m during the first half of last year. It had been in discussions with the FSA about its application for several months. Cattles, which serves individuals who may not have access to mainstream lending, is due to provide a further update on the progress of banking discussions by the end of the first quarter of this year.
The company also runs debt recovery firm Lewis and a business providing working capital finance to small and medium-sized businesses through six regional offices across the UK. Cattles expects volumes in Welcome Finance to be down by some 75% on 2008, which itself saw a reduction from 2007. Mr Postings said: “Given the turmoil in the financial markets we have taken prompt and prudent action to reduce costs, conserve capital and to focus our efforts on securing ongoing wh o l e s a l e f u n d i n g fo r t h e group.”
Guide full of advice
Firm offers IT support
A FREE guide has been launched to help Kirklees firms ride out the recession. The guide, called Eight Strategies for Surviving the Downturn, has been produced by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and can be downloaded from the group’s we b s i t e a t w w w. i c a e w. c o m / c re ditcrunch. Urging firms to make use of the guide, Andrew McConnell, president of the Huddersfield Society of Chartered Accountants, said the institute’s latest survey in November showed that business confidence had fallen to a new low. “Few businesses think the recession will be short lived and are looking to take steps to ensure they get through the current economic slowdown,” he said. “The vast majority of businesses will emerge from the downturn. However, it is important to seek advice and support from business professionals early – before difficulties become insurmountable – and this guidance can offer real help.”
A KIRKLEES accountancy firm has set up a new service to help companies upgrade their computer systems – and improve IT security. The move by Dewsbury firm Clough & Co follows figures showing that more than 35,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in West Yorkshire have suffered a breach of IT security in the past 12 months – with one the single incident costing the company up to £20,000. Steven Gash, managing partner, said many firms were at risk because their systems were under-specification and they lacked independent support and advice when sourcing new equipment. Mr Gash said: “This common experience was shared by a number of our clients and our firm itself when it was looking to upgrade its own system. “This has led to Clough & Co launching a specialst division designed to provide independent IT advice and support services.
Andrew McConnell The guide covers topics such as generating cash, managing risk, securing funding, reviewing structure and costs and planning.
Critical comments A BIG increase in the number of Yorkshire firms facing “critical” financial problems has been reported by insolvency experts. The latest Red Fleg Alert from Begbies Traynor showed that 551 companies i n Yo r k s h i r e a n d t h e north-east faced critical problems during the fourth quarter of 2008 – some 81% up on the 306 firms in similar difficulties for the same period of 2007. Companies in critical difficulties are those with
county court judgements totalling more than £5,000 or facing winding-up petitions. The report showed that the number for firms in the region showing early signs of financial stress averaged 5,501 a month during the final quarter of 2008. Some 16,500 companies faced “significant” problems – 41% higher than a year earlier. Construction, property and retail were the worst-hit sectors with 4,315 compan-
ies in the region experiencing significant problems. There were also “dramatic” increases for the professional services, IT and telecoms sectors. Julian Pitts, of Begbies Traynor, said: “The numbers make grim reading and show the extent to which the downturn is reaching more and more industry sectors. “But compared with the rest of the country, the region has seen fewer companies with problems than the national average.”
Whether you are looking at buying a new business or selling your existing one, there are plenty of things to think about including:
• Valuation range and structuring options • Financing arrangements • Tax-planning ideas For truly independent advice and guidance, backed by years of experience, please contact Am Hayer or David Butterworth Tel: 01484 423691 email: am.hayer@wheawills.co.uk www.wheawills.co.uk www.wheawill.co.uk
Chartered Accountants Business & Tax Advisers Registered Auditors
3
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Rise and shine!
STAFF at a Huddersfield travel shop dressed in pyjamas, dressing gowns, nightcaps and slippers to provide a wake-up call to customers about hearing loss. Employees at The Co-operative Travel in Cross Church Street joined thousands of colleagues across the UK to help launch a £2m fundraising campaign for RNID, the charity for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Staff across the Co-op’s whole business – including food stores, travel shops, funeral parlours, pharmacies, banking and insurance – are joining in the campaign. The aim is to alert some of the 4m people in the UK who are losing their hearing, but do nothing about it. During the campaign, RNID aims to test the hearing of one million people and will call for everyone aged over 55 to be invited to have their hearing tested on the NHS. Kerry-Ann Foster, branch manager at Cross Church Street, said: “Coming to work in our pyjamas got us some strange looks from customers, but if we can raise money for this worthwhile cause and give people a wake-up call about their hearing it will be a dream come true!” RNID provides services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Service include help lines, websites, publications, products and communication aids. The charity already runs a confidential telephone-based hearing check service on 0844 8003838 and is also launching a free online version at www.mid.org.uk/hearingmatters. A spokesman said: “Many people wait up to 15 years to seek advice following the onset of hearing loss, but it is better to get help sooner as it can become more difficult to adapt to
Creative business event ARTISTS and creative business people from North Kirklees attended a networking event with a difference – and tried their hands at rug-making. Andrew Warburton, who runs Area Rugs & Carpets at Mill Street East, Dewsbury, co-hosted the evening with arts and regeneration agency Loca, which runs regular Creative Connections events as part of its creative business support programme. Andrew demonstrated the production methods and materials he uses to create his designer rugs. There was an opportunity for the more adventurous to have a go. More than 30 creative firms attended the evening, which also included guest speaker Ivor Tymchak, a creative thinker, artist and consultant, who gave a talk called Assume Nothing.
Training fund is bringing benefits to 1,000 firms MORE than 1,000 businesses in Yorkshire have benefited from a £48m fund to help with skills and training. The Train to Gain Enhancement Fund was launched last year by the Learning and Skills Council and regional developmet agency Yorkshire Forward. More than £3m of the fund has been committed in the region. Kirklees companied can still apply by calling 0800 0155545 to contact a local “skills broker” who will identify their training needs and direct them to the appropriate
■ WAKEY WAKEY: Staff from the Cooperative Travel Store on Cross Church Street dressed in their pyjamas with a giant alarm clock to raise awareness of hearing disabilities
using a hearing aid once you are used to a quieter world.” Deafness affects one in seven of the UK population, while 2.4m deaf and hard of hearing people are under 60 years of age.
Some 700,000 are profoundly deaf. RNID said deaf people were four times more likely than other people to be unemployed – while only 1.4m of the 2m people with hearing aids use them regularly.
Companies targeted for investment
A FUND set up to help small and medium-sized businesses has invested almost £37m in companies across Yorkshire. Partnership Investment Finance has invested £36.8m in more than 570 businesses in the region since it was launched in 2004. PIF was created specifically to help SMEs bridge the funding gap as they seek to grow and develop. PIF chief executive Dr Jon Harris said: “The latest figures show that the fund has been virtually fully invested and will achieve its targeted investment return. “This is terrific news for business in the region and underscores the contribution a fund like PIF can make to the regional economy. “PIF is working closely with Yorkshire Forward and South Yorkshire Investment Fund to develop plans for a new regional fund, which it is anticipated will be worth up to £100m and start
investing in autumn 2009.” Yorkshire Forward has announced that it has made £9.7m available to PIF and SYIF to ensure they can continue to invest in regional businesses prior to the launch of the successor fund. Alex McWhirter, assistant director of business at Yorkshire Forward, said: “PIF has invested significantly in the region’s economy, supporting businesses and entrepreneurs operating in a wide range of sectors. “At a time when many companies are struggling to raise funds or credit from traditional funders, PIF investment can play a crucial role in supporting the region’s businesses through the credit crunch. “While we develop plans for a new regional fund that will make it easier for businesses from across our region to access finance for growth, the £9.7m interim fund will ensure capital is still available.”
training and funding. The fund, which is administered by Calderdale College in Halifax, provides support for staff development at any level up to a value of £20,000. Ruth Adams, assistant director for Yorkshire Forward, said: “To remain competitive in the marketplace, a business needs highly trained and efficient staff who can deliver for their company’s bottom line. “The Enhancement Fund can help our region’s businesses achieve this.”
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4
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Eastern jets off to Norway
TECH TALK
Roger Pearson
Five rules for business
INDING good business, keeping good F business and delivering the best possible service at the right price.
Sounds like a reasonable set of principles for a business but what has this got to do with IT? Well, as we are now officially in recession, it is essential that every part of your business – whether that be IT, sales, finance, customer cervice or any department – are all aligned as closely as possible with the principles and strategy of your business. So, here are my five top tips to making IT work for you through tough times: ● Finding good business doesn’t always mean new sales and keeping good business is at least as important. Use your contact management systems wether that is simply Outlook, Act or something more sophisticated. These systems are there to make sure you keep all your good clients and never miss a call or a review date. ● Profitability is keenly important when perhaps turnover is lower and this means knowing exactly where your revenue is coming from. Use your accounts system or management system reports to make sure you know who are your profitable customers, products and services. Now is the time to make sure your time and effort is focussed on those areas which have the most value to your firm. ● Delivering the best possible customer service really can make the difference between good firms and great firms. If you do this simply out of a natural concern for your customer that is great but also consider the importance of repeat business and referrals. For most companies that customer contact starts with the telephone system so make sure yours is up to scratch. First things first, your customers appreciate being dealt with efficiently so the system must be reliable and easy to use so that calls can be answered and directed in a professional fashion. For a really professional customer service experience check if your have a good system may also have enhancements such as contact integration, auto attendants or call recording. Keeping an important customer or starting a new relationship can hinge on a critical communication but you never know when that call or e-mail may arrive. Using the remote access features of your email, telephone and application systems makes it easier to deal with customers from wherever you are and being able to work flexibly is a good incentive to encourage the best from key workers. ● Continuing success may depend on competitive edge and being as fit and lean as possible. Enabling a smooth flow of business through the firm from order receipt to delivery and billing is often where IT can deliver the most efficiency. Investigate if your systems can be integrated together. This can be as simple as integrating sales with accounts to reduce re-typing information and ensure accurate information passes from one to the other and for some firms it is possible to automate large portions of the workflow, eliminating bottlenecks and making it much easier to scale a business model. Roger Pearson is a project manager at P2 Technologies Ltd, Lockwood
■ NAME GAME: Huddersfield Town legends Trevor Cherry (left) and Andy Booth (right) with winner Sally Peckett (centre) and The Pink Link Ltd’s directors Richard Allen and Vicki Davenport
Sally wins name game and meets her soccer heroes LIFELONG Huddersfield Town fan Sally Peckett was the winner of a competition to name five trucks after her footballing heroes. And she met two of them when she was presented with her prize of a signed Town shirt. Netherton-based haulage firm The Pink Link Ltd ran the contest to give Town fans to name five of the company’s 10 new trucks. Supporters were invited to submit the names of their top five lpayers of all time. More than 10,000 e-mails were sent out and thousands of supporters responded. Sally, who lives at Longwood,
was chosen as the winner. She received her prize of a signed Town shirt from former Town skipper Trevor Cherry and present-day favourite striker Andy Booth. They were joined by The Pink Link directors Richard Allen and Vicki Davenport. Sally also “crowned two of the trucks with their new names – “Trevor Cherry” and “Boothy”. Mr Allen said: “We’re delighted that a fan like Sally won our competition. She’s Huddersfield born and bred, a lifelong Town supporter and a season ticket holder. “The competition worked in
conjunction with The Pink Link Ltd’s sponsorship at The Galpharm Stadium to help encourage local pride in Huddersfield’s sporting legends.” The other players chosen for the striking new trucks are Steven Kindon, Frank Worthington and Denis Law. The Pink Link Ltd, formed in 1981, operates a fleet of vehicles which have become a familiar sight on local roads and around the country. The company specialises in delivering goods on pallets and is a member of the Palletways network of haulage firms.
A YORKSHIRE airline has launched its first ever link to the Norwegian capital of Oslo. Eastern Airways is offering a daily weekday connectin service from Leeds-Bradford to Oslo via Aberdeen. The new service is aimed at business travellers, tourists and winter sports enthusiasts. Flights depart from Leeds Bradford at 8.30am, arriving in Oslo at 1.05pm local time. Departures leave Oslo at 1.45pm, arriving in Leeds Bradford at 7.10pm local time. “Our first service to Norway’s capital will help to further strengthen business links between both regions,” said Eastern Airways director Graeme Ross. “Our frequent service to Aberdeen from Leeds-Bradford has developed over the years to provide businesses, including the energy sector, with a vital transport link which now connects to Norway’s largest city.” The airline has also been providing high frequency domestic flights from Leeds-Bradford to Aberdeen and Southampton since 2003.
Major fraud predicted to escalate this year
FRAUD is nearing record levels – and there is worse to come, a survey has warned. Figures from accountancy firm KPMG showed fraud cases involving more than £1.1bn came to before courts across the UK last year – the second highest level for 21 years. Major fraud in Yorkshire totalled £27.48m in 2008. But KPMG said the full impact of the credit crunch had yet to be seen. Across the UK, there were 239 cases involving sums of £100,000 or more. Fraud by professional gangs remained at the “extremely high levels” and accounted for £800m in 2008. But there was also a marked increase in fraud by individuals. Taken together, company managers, employees and customers together were tried for some £300m of fraud last year – three times the value seen in 2007. Crown courts across Yorkshire dealt
with 22 cases of large scale fraud valued at £27.48m during 2008. They included an £8m fraud relating to counterfeit jewellery, brought to court by York trading standards officers; a financial adviser sentenced to 10 years in prison for spending £1m of his clients’ investment funds on a lavish lifestyle; and a fraudster in Hull who applied for more than £494,000 loans and credit cards to buy luxury goods, including a motorbike and a speedboat. KPMG said worse was to come. The bulk of the fraud committed since the credit crunch which began in August, 2007, had not yet have come into the public courts. Vivien Osborne, director in KPMG’s forensic practice in Yorkshire, said: “As the economic downturn takes hold and organisations look increasingly closely at their operations, it is very likely that more fraud will come to light, so the real impact of the credit crunch on fraud is yet to be fully
felt. “Already though, the signs are there. Globally in the last 12 months alone at least three alleged multi-billion pound frauds have been uncovered. ” The worst hit sector for fraud last year was financial services, which suffered £388m of fraud in 63 cases. That compared with 36 cases totalling £37m cases in 2007. There were 25 mortgage fraud cases worth £36m against just 10 cases worth £3.7m in 2007. Companies were also badly hit – with fraud losses suffered by firms totalling £125m on 54 cases compared with £24m on 45 cases. Managers were responsible for £128m of fraud in 2008 against £54m the previous year and employees committing £100m of fraud compared with £27m last time. Customers inflicted £66m of fraud against £25m before.
5
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Competition call to firms
RISKY BUSINESS Mark Dalton
COMPANIES in Kirklees have been urged to enter a major national competition. The National Business Awards feature eight categories, including ones covering use of technology, innovation, growth strategy and customer care as well as ones for the employer of the year, entreprenuer of the year and the best small or medium-sized business. Organisers will stage a regional awards ceremony in July – with the winners going forward to the national awards later in the year. Firms can enter the awards online at www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/regionals. The closing date for registrations is April 7, 2009.
Continuity questions RECENTLY attended a short workIpresented shop hosted by a local council and by members of the
counter-terrorism team. This well-attended, interactive presentation required the attendees to respond to events as they developed during a scenario in which a number of bombs were exploded in a typical city centre shopping centre. The actions to take immediately after the explosions and then in the following hours were discussed, supported by input from the experienced police officers. The lessons learnt during the morning were a spur for me to go back to the office and review our disaster recovery plan. We looked at our emergency contact information and how up to date it was. We checked the contents of an emergency “grab bag” and debated whether the action plan would work in reality. A terrorist bomb may appear a remote scenario for a business not located in a central shopping area but other emergency situations are a real possibility. What would you do if the power supply to your premises failed for more than an hour or so? How would you cope with a major water leak in your premises over the weekend? If access was interrupted to your offices due to industrial action by a neighbour’s employees, what would you do? And this is where, in my opinion, business continuity planning goes beyond disaster or emergency planning. In the current troubled economic environment, companies need to be aware of business risks in all forms. There have been press reports of a national high street retailer going into administration due to the collapse of its major supplier of products for sale. Another high street retailer has suffered damage to its brand image when it was discovered one of its suppliers were employing illegal workers in Britain. Major companies regularly receive hefty health & safety prosecutions arising from accidents caused by their contractors. Organisations with good business continuity plans in place will have asked such questions as “What if our biggest customer goes bust?”, “How long will we be out of action if our main production line breaks down?”, “How will the business cope if a key skilled employee goes on long term sick leave?”. Business risks come in many and varied forms. Well managed organisations look beyond the obvious disaster scenarios. It is not enough to have a phone number for a 24-hour plumber or to know where the spare fuses are kept. Risk management includes the management of all risks to the business. The current challenging financial conditions are an ideal time to examine your business risks, check your plans to respond to emergency situations and ask yourself will your “Plan B” actually protect your business. Mark Dalton is an associate director at Wilby Ltd, based in Halifax
■ GLOBAL PRESENCE: Neil Williams, of Dewsbury company Chem Resist
Chem Resist boosts sales
A KIRKLEES company supplying chemical pumps across the globe has reported a 50%-plus increase in annual sales. Dewsbury-based Chem Resist is a leading designer and maker of chemical storage tanks and vessels to the power generation, water, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Now the company, formed more than 40 years ago, has reported increased demand for world-class pumps supplied by its fluid transfer division. Divisional director Neil Williams said: “Our regular customers include G l a x o S m i t h K l i n e , U n i l e v e r, Ciba-Geigy and Kodak. We are UK distributors for Almatec, World Chem-
ical, Pan World and Schmitt pumps among others. “We can offer more than 30 years of expert experience in the most aggressive fluid transfer applications such as corrosive chemicals and acids.” Mr Williams said Chem Resist was benefiting in the current economic climate as companies undertake refurbishment programmes to keep current plant operating as efficiently as possible. “We’ve been a bit of a well-kept secret until now,” said Mr Williams. “But once local companies began to realise the world’s top pumps are on their doorstep and mostly instantly available from stock, business has really taken off!”
Research company testing the markets A MARKETING and research company has carried out a study into open markets at Huddersfield and Dewsbury for Kirklees Council. Ask Strategic Marketing & Research, based at the Media Centre in Huddersfield, was commissioned to do the work by Kirklees Regeneration and Development Service. The research, carried out during November and December, will form the basis of a five-year programme spearheaded by the council and involving
one-to-one in-depth interviews and focus groups to market traders, users and non-users of the markets. Ask director Susan Kenyon said: “The project was complex and multifaceted from start to finish and brought to light a range of specific development areas key to the survival and progression of the markets. “We now look forward to working closely with Kirklees to formulate the markets’ five year development strategy for 2009 to 2014.”
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6
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
TAX TALK
Dragon’s Den star helps out ENTREPRENEUR and Dragon’s Den panellist James Caan is leading a drive to boost ethnic minority businesses in Yorkshire. The star of the hit BBC show has been appointed co-chairman – alongside Yorkshire Forward chief executive Tom Riordan – of the Ethnic Minority Task Force by the Department of Business. Mr Caan’s responsibilities will include opening up discussions with banks and financial institutions on ways in which the Government can better support black and Asian business owners. Tom Riordan, chief executive of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, said Mr Caan would bring “a huge amount of skill, experience and acumen” to his role. He said ethnic minority entrepreneurs were very important to the growth of the regional economy, adding: “It is vital that we make the most of every talented individual with the ambition to grow their own business - regardless of their background or ethnicity.” Mr Caan said: “I am pleased to be working with the Ethnic Minority Business Task Force which is a very important initiative. “The entrepreneurial sector of the economy has always been where my passion lies and to which the Ethnic Minority group makes a very valuable contribution.”
Colin Barratt
Tax returns to the fore HAVE decided to look again at the Iornew penalty regime relating to errors inaccuracies contained in tax
■ FAIR TRADE: Peter Marks, chief executive of the Co-operative Group, said the retailer had benefited from competitive pricing and the appeal of its new-look stores
Co-op revamp boosts sales
A RETAILER with food stores across Kirklees has reported strong Christmas sales. The Co-operative Group said the improvement was due to competitive pricing and investment to improve the look of its shops and he ranges on offer. The Co-op, which has scores of stores in the Huddersfield and Dewsbury areas, said like-for-like sales rose by 6% in the three weeks to January 3. That means same-store sales soared by 5.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008 and by 4.9% for the whole year. The Co-op, which is close to completing its takeover of rival Somerfield, rebranded and refurbished 700 stores during 2008 at a cost of £200m. The effort was rewarded with an average rise of 13% in total sales. During the three-week period covering Christmas and New Year, sales growth was strongest for beers, wines and spirits, soft drinks, seasonal lines and fresh food. The group’s online electrical business also enjoyed a buoyant Christmas. Like-for-like sales for the two weeks before Christmas were up 20% while Christmas week sales rose by 32% as shoppers snapped up TVs, food processors and coffee makers. Chief executive Peter Marks said: “These results represent a good trading performance from our food business in an increasingly competitive market place
and a difficult economic climate. “We continue to make very good progress in all our target areas with great products, local convenience, good value and responsible retailing at the heart of our customer offer.” Mr Marks said: ““Leading into and throughout the seasonal trading period, we sharpened our prices and strengthened our customer offer providing even greater value locally, backed by our best ever national TV advertising and local marketing campaign. “This came on top of continuing new product development and maintaining a leading position in ethical trading. For example, our Fairtrade offering included Champagne truffles, Christmas puddings and mince pies, all our fresh turkeys were free range and British, and all our own-brand Christmas cards and wrapping paper were accredited by the Forestry Stewardship Council.” Mr Marks said the “unprecedented” investment in store rebranding and refurbishment was being paid back ahead of target as customers took to the new look and feel of its modernised stores. The Co-op plans to refit another 700 outlets this year. Said Mr Marks: “This robust performance is particularly pleasing coming ahead of our exciting acquisition of Somerfield, which we will complete in the first quarter of this year. We look forward to 2009 from a position of increasing strength.”
Training company upgrades its IT A COMPANY providing training on equality issues for the housing sector has tapped into IT. Housing Diversity Network, based at Crosland Moor, has upgraded its computer systems after calling in Lockwood-based P2 Technologies for IT support. P2 provided HDN with a new platform from which to operate e-mails, store documents and access their system remotely. The new simplified platform operates more quickly and enables day-to-day operations to be carried out more efficiently.
Hannah Mason, events and publicity co-ordinator of HDN, said: “After considering several companies for help with our IT problems, P2’s locality, professionalism and high standard of support matched our business needs. “The upgrade was carried out smoothly and we now have the confidence that our new system will support the business in delivering our services to our clients.” Martin Page, of P2 Technologies, said: “Cost, function and maintainability were the main considerations for P2 while deliv-
ering this project. “Housing Diversity Network now has a system which delivers real benefit to the business and ultimately saves them time and money. Housing Diversity Network will continue to benefit from P2’s responsive support services ensuring that on-going costs are controlled.” HDN works with housing providers to help them develop products and services to meet the needs of the diverse communities they serve.
returns which are due to be sent to HMRC on or after April 1, 2009, given that under the new regime penalties will be imposed more frequently. The new penalties will initially apply to Income Tax, Corporation Tax, Capital Gains Tax, VAT, Construction Industry Scheme, PAYE and National Insurance Contributions but they are to be extended to all other forms of tax such as Stamp Duty and Inheritance Tax from April, 2010. Penalties will be linked to the behaviour of taxpayers that gives rise to a potential loss of revenue resulting from errors contained in tax returns. The potential loss of revenue includes actual additional tax becoming payable as a result of an error, failure to repay tax incorrectly issued by the Revenue as well as future tax that may be lost due to inaccurate loss claims. For careless errors, the maximum penalty will be 30% of the tax unpaid rising to 70% for deliberate errors but not concealed. Where errors are both deliberate and concealed the maximum penalty will be 100% of the potential lost tax. HMRC has confirmed that no penalty will be charged where reasonable care was taken to get things right but an error still arose. This will vary according to the particular circumstances and abilities of taxpayers. Someone with straightforward tax affairs may only need to keep a simple system of records which are regularly updated. Those with more complex tax affairs will need more sophisticated record systems that are maintained carefully. Also, where a taxpayer encounters a transaction or other event with which they are not familiar they will need to take care to check the correct tax treatment, or seek suitable advice in order to demonstrate that a penalty should not be imposed. Penalties can be mitigated for disclosing errors, giving HMRC reasonable help in working out what extra tax is due and giving them access to records to check the figures, with a higher level of mitigation being given for unprompted disclosures. This would be at a time when a person has no reason to believe that HMRC had discovered or were about to discover the error. Under the new regime, penalties may be suspended for up to two years but only to encourage taxpayers to avoid making future careless errors. The suspension of penalties will be accompanied with conditions such as ensuring future returns are correctly completed as well as taxes are paid on time. Failure to adhere to the set conditions will lead to the suspended penalty becoming payable. To minimise exposure to potentially costly fines, taxpayers will need to take greater care with their tax affairs, and urgently review their record keeping systems to ensure that returns submitted from April onwards are correct. Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth, chartered accountants, Huddersfield
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
UNIVERSITY VIEW Glynis Jones
Student engagement N the last column, I talked about the Idents business placements that our stuundertake during their third year
of study. This is just one of the means by which students are able to develop their business skills. From the time the students join us in the first year we try to give them the opportunity to learn these skills alongside business theory. Another form in which students and graduates can obtain real life experience out in the business world while benefiting industry can be seen in our Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a three-way partnership between a company, a university and someone employed by the scheme as an associate. The company will usually have some strategic issue, vital for its long term survival, that it needs to address. The university will provide a set of skills and knowledge that the company itself does not posses. Together, senior members of the company and academics develop a proposal and project plan for a programme of work to address the strategic issue. The project proposal must demonstrate when, and how much, the programme of work will contribute financial improvement to the company. An associate, usually a recent graduate, is employed to carry out and manage the work of the programme. The government tells us that we should be engaging with the local business community and we try to do this and help students develop their skills at the same time by undertaking projects with a variety of local companies. One example of this is the market research and consultancy module. As well as providing an understanding of the theory of market research, a group of four students is linked to a local business and undertakes a piece of market research for them. Over the years, many businesses in the area have taken advantage of this free research. We don’t just let them loose of course, they are supported by a marketing tutor who helps sort out any problems which might arise. Feedback shows that the students enjoy these live projects and learn a lot from them – time management skills, how to deal with clients, communicating appropriately, business etiquette as well as the research skills. If you think that this type of project would be useful for your organisation, why not contact us to find out more. You benefit from some free research and we help students to develop their skills – it’s a win-win situation! Glynis Jones, Department of Strategy and Marketing University of Huddersfield
Firm gears up for after-market role ENGINEERING company David Brown is gearing up to help customers keep the wheels of industry turning. The Lockwood-based firm has set up a new stand-alone after-market business to take care of David Brown branded or any other geared installation for its customers in the marine, oil and gas, cement metals, processing, power generation and rail industries. The new service will be the focus of the company’s presence at one of the sector’s biggest trade events, Maintec, which takes place in March at the NEC in Birmingham. The new business will provide replacement parts and a complete service to repair, overhaul and upgrade geared systems. The company aims to set new standards in customer service and tackling contracts promptly. Industrial after-market director Steve Watson said: “The industrial after-market can enjoy the same levels of customised solution as new build. “We firmly believe we have a product and level of technical expertise that is beyond reproach. “But we are committed to the highest levels of flexibility – sticking resolutely to deadlines, respecting promises and keeping customers fully informed of progress so they
can make the best management decisions. “And under the new ownership of Clyde Blowers, we are making substantial investment in expert people and customer focus.” David Brown has fully qualified field service engineers on all continents to deliver a whole range of essential services direct to customer processes. The company can work independently or alongside existing plant personnel to provide the specialist on-site support required. David Brown engineers regularly inspect and install transmissions and equipment or offer inspection services and advice to ensure a proper start-up of equipment. Experienced service engineers also have the technology to provide fast, effective repair services at customer plants. David Brown, based at the 17-acre site at Park Works and dating back almost 150 years, is the largest designer, manufacturer and repairer of gears in the UK. Last November, the company was back in British hands after it was bought by Scottish-based Clyde Blowers from US conglomerate Textron in a deal worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
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■ GEARING UP: Lockwood-based David Brown has established a stand-alone after-market business to take care of any geared installation
Fitting award A FITNESS club in Birstall has been voted the tops in a company-wide competition. JJB Fitness Club at Gelderd Road was named top of all the JJB clubs at the company’s annual awards. The national fitness chain also recently won the prestigious title of Best Health & Fitness Company 2008, Birstall club can claim to be the nation’s number one. The club at Birstall, led by general manager Matthew Sykes, now been open for six-and-a-half years and employs 36 fitness experts. It has previously won Club of the Year in 2002 and was runner-up in 2005. ■ BRIGHT IDEA: Aimbry sales director Les Childs(right) and Sarah Senior (left) show off the lighting design awards with staff members
Spectacular light show A FIRM in Huddersfield has won two awards at a major industry show. Milnsbridge-based Aimbry Lighting won the trophies for an innovative new lighting product when it exhibited at The Lighting Show in Birmingham. The awards recognised the firm’s investment in the Snood, a British-designed adaptor which transforms a halogen spotlight “down lighter” into a decorative light fitting. Sales director Les Childs said: “The Snood is a versatile product and we have put a lot of time, effort and investment into it. Winning these awards will raise the profiel of the product among the lighting retailers
we supply – and in turn generate demand from their customers.” Mr Childs said: “The product transforms the stark, white light of a standard ‘down lighter’. We have a lot of mill conversion apartments which are typically fitted with these down lighters. It is estimated there are more than 60m of them UK-wide, so this is a massive potential market for us.” The company’s latest triumph follows its success in winning the award for best exhibition stand at last year’s show. Aimbry, formed almost 30 years ago, has 35 employees. It designs and makes decorative lighting.
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March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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STAFF at a long-standing travel agency in Huddersfield have scooped four awards. Althams triumphed in the company’s annuals awards for its 32 branches across Yorkshire and Lancashire. Colin Milner, who has been with the company 41 years, won the award for achieving the most passenger sales as a part-time employee while Ka thr yn
Crowther, who has 20 years’ service, was second in that category and second for holiday sales. Emma Wilkinson was second for passenger sales as a full-time employee. Manager Nicky Lynn said: “We have kept the part-time sales award in the office for the past three years, but this is the first time we have won four awards. We have been doing very well and
we are all pleased with our achievements.” Althams was formed in 1875 when it rented its Cross Church Street premises to sell tea. I t began selling rail tickets as well before changing into a travel agency. It bought the premises in 1914 and continued to operate from the same site.
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FIRMS in Kirklees have been urged to recruit academic expertise to help develop new products with the launch of a new scheme. Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is funding the Innovation Vouchers scheme to help the region’s small and medium-sized firms remain competitive by continuing to invest in research and development. Under the scheme, run through Business Link Yorkshire, firms will be able to apply for vouchers worth up to £3,000 to help tackle a problem or an idea to improve a product or service. Firms can fill in the application f o r m a t w w w . b u s i n e s slink.gov.uk/yorkshire/innovation. Successful businesses will have their applications sent through a central system to universities, colleges and research institutes in Yorkshire which have registered for the scheme. Businesses will then choose which academic expert they
work with to test and develop their ideas. Helen West, chief executive of Business Link Yorkshire, said: “There is a wealth of academic expertise in our region that smaller businesses just aren’t tapping into. “We have worked with universities and colleges to make it really easy for the two to work together so businesses can innovate and find new ways of being competitive in the current economic climate. “Our advisers can help translate academic language so that businesses can understand and be involved in the process.” Helen says that many businesses may have been thinking about improving things already, but lacked the knowledge or funding to do anything about it – yet innovation was vital to survive in the current economy, “A farmer might be wondering about developing their own fertilisers,” she said. “A food processor
might be frustrated with packaging or a manufacturer might want to produce a product with cheaper components if prices have risen.” Simon Hill, executive director of business for Yorkshire Forward, said: “It is essential that businesses make sure that their products and services continue to be competitive if they want to weather this economic downturn and be even stronger when the upturn comes. “This scheme means that companies which wouldn’t necessarily put research and development at the front of investment priorities, can gain the help they need to resolve issues which will increase their productivity and make them more efficient.” Businesses that are not successful in their application could still qualify for free support from a Business Link adviser to find the right organisation to help them innovate, find new markets and customers or reduce costs.
A DESIGN and marketing agency in Huddersfield has added a new client to its list. C l ay t o n C r e a t i v e, based at Shepley, has been appointed by Aspley manufacturer Longwood Engineering to handle all aspects of its public relations and marketing activity. Longwood Engineering designs and manufacturs automated screens and screenings handling equipment used by municipal companies in the UK as well as blue chip industrial users in various industry sectors. The company has also been appointed exclusive UK distributor for the REKO range of products – enabling it to offer a wider cross-section of products that directly compliments its existing products and engineering capability. Clayton Creative’s relationship with Longwood Engineering began in 2007 when the agency re-branded the Longwood Engineering ident i t y, T h e b r i e f a l s o included desiging and building a new website, new-look advertising, brochure and photography. Jeff Pierson, Longwood Engineering’s sales and marketing manager, said: “Longwood Engineering has a long established reputation for providing first class engineering solutions backed up with a first class service and this is well known within our industry. “However, we are now diversifying by pushing into new market areas and expanding our range of products and capability. “We feel that it is time to drive our marketing more aggressively, particularly now that our new corporate identity is well established and we have a website that is bringing about excellent, positive results for us. We look forward to continuing our working relationship with Clayton Creative.” Claire Clayton, marketing director of Clayton Creative, said: “We are delighted to be officially appointed as Longwood Engineering’s PR and marketing agency as we have thoroughly enjoyed working with them over the past few years.”
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Get plans into gear!
■ MONEY GAME: Clare Quartermaine pictured) says a recession may be a good time to hone your marketing efforts and steal a march on the competition
CLARE QUARTERMAINE, managing director of QT Creative, a marketing, design and web agency based at the Media Centre, discusses the big question: Now that easy street is over and recession is affecting all of us, how much should we spend on marketing?
MUST admit that I haven’t run a Isome business through a recession like of my clients have – but I do
remember the last one quite vividly and not just because of grunge music and shopping in Oxfam. Now that my company is approaching it’s 10 year anniversary; I look back on the last 10 years and yes; wish Id known then what I know now – like we all do. But on the whole there has been plenty to go around and it hasn’t been terribly hard to find business. Many of my clients do say the same. What are they saying now? I’m losing count of how many business people I’ve heard saying recently: “We’ve been too complacent, it’s just been a bit too easy and we’ve forgotten how to fight for business.” Clearly, people are worried and the media tells us we should be. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Yes it’s going to be harder to get business, but isn’t it the hard times that seem to give us the best music, the best art and brings the creative side out of people? Surely that’s a great thing? The celebrity driven “Must have it Now” culture is coming to a close and, to be honest, I’m glad. We’ve almost been drunk on affluence and now we’re waking up to reality. It was never sensible to believe that continuous growth was really possible. So now we see the end of ‘conspicuous consumption’ with the sobering return to austerity. This all leads me to one simple conclusion: If there is only so much bread in the shop, then it makes sense to ensure you’re at the front of the queue, rather than your competitor. It’s definitely not time to stop
marketing; but it is time to make your marketing and advertising work harder for you, get creative with your budget and approach things differently. And how? Attracting attention requires creative thinking, but I’m not suggesting we all run round town in chicken suits. Now is the time to think about your marketing strategy. Do you have one for a start? Detailing actions for promotional activities can really help get your marketing plans into gear and is an ideal opportunity to re-motivate you and your team. This is also a great time to revitalise your brand and re-visit your materials by looking at them in a new and creative way. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a new message and new look. Price promotions aren’t always the best option; they reduce profits and brand value and have been used most unusually over the last six months. The one day type sales in the run up to Christmas meant that retailers sold the same items they would have anyway, but just at a lower price. Many businesses are also utilising the web more – rather than a completely new website, spend more on getting people to find it. E-newsletters provide prospects with a quick ‘hello, we’re here!’ message and are a much cheaper alternative to paper mail shots. If your competitors are pulling back their budgets and not advertising as much – what a great opportunity for you to step in! Take advantage of the falling media prices and get those adverts booked now….So take this unique opportunity, and where others are panicking – keep your cool and get to the front of the queue.
Looking to the future A PROGRAMME to help companies invest in their staff has been launched in West Yorkshire. The Future Leaders programme for 2009 was launched at the Halifax offices of Action Halifax. It was attended by local business leaders and current and past Future Leaders Programme graduates. Programme manager Mel Greenwood said: “This launch celebrates the beginning of another Future Leaders programme, a positive step for local employers who are investing in key staff to equip them to cope
with the turbulent economic times ahead.” The launch of the new programme will be strengthened throughout 2009 by a new Future Leaders brand, website and marketing campaign, Are you up for it? Marketing support is being provided by Huddersfield-based Ask Strategic Marketing & Research. Future Leaders, a subsidiary of Action Halifax, is a seven-stage management development package, which includes team managing profiling, an eight-day intensive training programme, one-to-one coaching and an end-of-course challenge”.
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March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
ON THE MOVE
Broker takes national role LESLEY Sutton has joined Huddersfield accountancy firm Revell Ward as tax director. Ms Sutton, pictured (right) with Revell Ward partner Karen Borowski, has more than 15 years tax experience and has advised clients across a range of industry sectors. She has worked with a number of different organisations from listed companies to owner-managed businesses, advising on areas including business start-ups and succession planning, acquisitions, disposals and restructuring. She also has extensive experience of property transactions and regeneration projects.
Coffee recruits SARAH Dyson has been appointed customer accounts manager at Bradley-based Cooper’s Coffee. Ms Dyson (right) graduated from Leeds M e t ro p o l i ta n U n iversity with a degree in accounting and finance. Most recently, she was purchase ledger clerk with detail group Instore and before that worked as accounts payable auditor for the Audit Partnership in Leeds as part of her degree course. Her appointment
Legal recruits comes just two months after Samantha Stokes joined Cooper’s Coffee as customer account manager.
Brand new task BRAND communications agency Clearsilver has appointed Deborah Miskell to its life and style PR team. Ms Miskell, who graduated from Leeds University in 2007 with a degree in English language and literature, completed a Chartered Institute of Public Relations advanced certificate in PR at Leeds Metreopolitan University in 2008. in her new role, she will help maintain and develop relationships with the company’s growing number of bar, fashion and lifestyle clients, including BaByliss PRO and Leeds bars Oporto, Jakes Bar and The Angel’s Share.
New chief P R O P E RT Y a g e n t DTZ has named John Forrester as its head in UK and Ireland. Mr Forrester takes responsibility for the UK business’ financial performance and client service. He continues his advisory role to London developments and corporates, while
A BRIGHOUSE man has been appointed to a national post in the finance industry. Philip Hellawell has been named chairman of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers for the next two years. Mr Hellawell, a former Lloyds TSB bank manager in Bradford and Leeds, is the owner of Connect Business Finance Ltd in Ripponden. The firm was launched by Mr Hellawell 13 years ago and is shortly to move to new offices in Brighouse. Mr Hellawell, who has been a member of the NACFB for 13 years, is secretary of Calderdale Business Trust. ■ NATIONAL ROLE: Philip Hellawell, of Brighouse, has been He is also a former governor of appointed chairman of the National Association of Commercial Calderdale College. Finance Brokers
working closely with senior managers in the business. The post of UK chairman is being retired. Robert Peto will be vice-chairman of DTZ Capital Markets, focusing on working directly with investor clients. Mr Forrester said: “The continuing profitable performance of DTZ’s UK business is testimony to the hard work of individuals and teams across the firm and to the quality of our people.”
A FORMER partner and head of wills, trusts and estate planning at a Huddersfield law firm is among four new recruits to a Leeds practice. Viv WIld, previously at Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield and a former principal lecturer on the legal practice course at Huddersfield University, has joined commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney. She is joined by senior wills and probate solicitor Sarah Hodkinson, formerly head of wills and probate at Wilkinson Woodward in Halifax; private client solicitor Maureen Gilroy-Thomas; and solicitor Janine Ward.
Viv Wild (left) with (from left) Sarah Hodkinson, Maureen Gilroy-Thomas and Janine Ward
Corporate plan HEALTHPLAN provider LHF has appointed Andrew Macdonald as corporate development executive. Mr Macdonald (left), 25, will have the job of increasing the Leeds-based firm’s client base in Yorkshire and pursuing new business leads. He will organise
appointments for LHF sales consultants to meet potential clients to discuss the benefits of LHF’s healthcare policies to their business. Mr Macdonald previously worked at the Leeds Innovation Centre. In his spare time, he enjoys spinning records as an amateur DJ.
Angela takes new road ANGELA Calow has been appointed associate director of the new automotive and roadside department at the Leeds office of property agent Colliers CRE. Ms Calow (left) has more than 13 years experience in the property industry and was previously in the motor trade department at Lambert Smith Hampton. She has spent the past few years in residential valuation. In her new role, she will be responsible for setting up the new automotive and roadside department in Leeds,
complementing departments currently located in London, Birmingham and Bristol as well as working closely with the Leeds-based valuation and retail teams. The new department will provide services to occupiers, investors and developers with a remit encompassing areas as diverse as motor retail, roadside retail and trade parks, tyre and exhaust, motorway service areas and the oil industry. Ms Calow will be responsible for clients across the north of the country.
Philippa Sanderson
Senior post at PwC ACCOUNTANCY firm PricewaterhouseCoopershas appointed Philippa Sanderson as a senior manager in the Sheffield tax team. Ms Sanderson is transferring from the firm’s Leeds office. She has been with PwC for more than 10 years after graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in economics. At PwC, she worked in the firm’s audit practice, before joining the firm’s transaction services team where she acquired UK and international mergers and acquisitions experience. She later moved to the fir m’s corporate tax department, passing the Chartered Institute of Tax examinations and becoming a member of the institute’s corporate and international tax technical sub-committees. he was promoted to senior manager in 2007.
Director named at Imexpart NATALIE Chappell has been promoted to director at Imexpart Ltd, the Castleford-based distributor of replacement parts for commercial vehicles and trucks. Ms Chapell, who has been with the firm for five years, was previously personal assistant to the m a n a g i n g d i r e c t o r, Arthur Pinkney, as well as working as a manager in personnel and policy. She will retain those responsibilities in her new role as part of the senior management team.
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March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Firm tapping into big markets A BATHROOM company making a splash across the country has won a business award. TC Bathrooms, which has moved into purpose-built premises at Dewsbury, was named Business of the Month in the competitiion run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith. TC Bathrooms was founded in 1998 with a single outlet – but has expanded to become one of the biggst employers in Kirklees, involved in manufacturing and supplying bathrooms, bathroom fixtures and fittings. The company has also become a major bathroom designer brand with its ranges available through an ever-expanding list of independent national retailers. From towel warmers to taps, cast iron baths to steam cabinets, TC Bathrooms can source and supply an extensive range of goods. Its expanding business prompted the move to a new 200,000sq ft distribution centre and head office at Bretton Park. The company has earned a reputatino for quality, value and service through trained staff and knowledge of the consumer market. It also has a policy of working closely with retailers in both merchandising and marketing to kep up with changing customer demands and trends. Managing director Martin Chalcraft said: “We were truly delighted to be chosen as Business of the Month. We have some tremendous people in our company, and it is a credit to these guys and girls first and foremost that
Jill Hague
Taxing time at the wheel cost of providing company cars TTheHE set to rise in 2009. 2008 Budget greatly increased the link
■ WINNER: Deborah Melluish (third right) presents the award to Mike Savage (second left) and Martin Chalcraft (third left), of TC Bathrooms, with (from left) Paul Shelton, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Andrew Steen, of Redwoods Dowling Kerr; and Diane Kinder, of Tenon Recovery we have been recognized in this way. “We have been part of the Kirklees area for over 10 years, with over 80% of our workforce coming from the Kirklees community. To win the award and to continue to support the area is a privilege.”
The Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award, which is run in association with The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, is open to all companies in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Go to www.eatonsmith.co.uk or contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389.
Training provider hails new course AN award-winning training company has hailed the opening of a new centre. Kirkburton-based ESTL is set to provide vocational qualifications across the north-east from a new training centre at Kingston Park, Newcastle. The centre is headed by Nicki Hlousek, who is supported by six administrative staff. A further 10 training places will be in place by the end of February. The first NVQ to be launched is a customer care course for the region’s taxi drivers.
Funding for the training, which is being offered to both private hire and hackney carriage drivers, is being provided by the Learning and Skills Council north-east. The move comes just days after ESTL announced plans to move its headquarters from Kirkburton to the restored 19th century Folly Hall Mills at Folly Hall in Huddersfield. The company is taking 15,000sq ft at the development to provide space for about 100 staff. The Grade II listed building on the banks of the river Colne is being converted
into 60,000sq ft offices by Dewsbury-based Jay Tee Group. Last summer, ESTL launched a course to help Huddersfield taxi drivers take better care of their passengers. The company joined forces with Huddersfield Technical College – now Kirklees College – to run the course with funding from the Learning and Skills Council for West Yorkshire. It involved a series of workshops on passenger and driver safety, customer care and customer service.
New office for lawyer
A HUDDERSFIELD man is set to recruit more staff after expanding his legal practice. Amin Ullah, who lives at Gledholt, has opened a branch of his firm, Appleby Solicitors at Westbourne Road, Marsh. The firm, which specialises in personal injury litigation, already has well-established offices at Sunbridge Road, Bradford. Kirklees Mayor Clr Karam Hussain officially opened the new office, which occupies a detached building previously used by a mortgage broking business. A three-month refurbishment project included improving the reception area, redecorating and installing partitions to create the offices, which are staffed by three people.
BANKER'S BLOG
Mr Ullah, who is proprietor of Appleby Solicitors, said it was hoped to increase staffing levels to about 10 or 15 by the end of the year as the branch became more established. He said: “I am a Huddersfield resident and it was a logical choice to open our next office here. “It is a very good location as well. We have been in Bradford for 15 years, but we needed another office.” Mr Ullah, attended Fartown Secondary School and Preston Polytechnic, now the University of Central Lancashire, before completing his legal studies at Chester College of Law. He worked for law firms in Oldham and Bradford before setting up his own firm.
between vehicle emissions and taxation. The extensive changes announced will have significant consequences for company car policies and methods of funding. The tax charge on the company car benefit, private fuel, vehicle excise duty and the VAT fuel scale charge which are already based on CO2 emissions will, from April, 2009, be joined by the treatment of capital allowances and the lease disallowance. Capital allowances on cars are set for a radical change. The write down allowance has already been reduced from 25 per cent to 20 per cent with effect from April 2008. From April, 2009, the availability of capital allowances will depend on emissions. Cars will be pooled according to the level of CO2 emissions and allowances calculated on the given pool on a reducing balance basis. Vehicles emitting 161g of CO2 or more will qualify for a write down allowance of just 10 per cent. The current rules on write down allowances for expensive vehicles, those costing more than £12,000 where the allowance is restricted to a maximum of £3,000 and a balancing allowance/charge arises on disposal, will then no longer apply. For all organisations that purchase company cars, the net effect of these changes will be that tax relief obtained through capital allowances will take much longer to realise. The other key change is that the expensive car lease disallowance for vehicles costing £12,000 or more is being replaced with an emissions orientated approach. If a vehicle's emissions are 161g or more then from April, 2009, a 15% restriction will apply to the lease payment. What actions should a company take? Individuals responsible for running company car fleets should review their choice of funding method. Whereas today, best practice suggests that it is cheaper to purchase rather than lease cars costing £23,000 or more, from April, 2009, it is likely that expensive cars with low CO2 emissions maybe cheaper to finance through contract hire than other funding options. HSBC can advise customers on the impact and the effect of these changes. Organisations should start to align their car policies and funding arrangements to the new rules, otherwise they may find that fleet costs rise unnecessarily. For more information, please contact me at jillhague@hsbc.com Jill Hague is Head of Commercial Banking for HSBC in Huddersfield
■ OPEN DAY: Kirklees mayor Clr Karan Hussein opens the Marsh branch of Appleby's Solicitors with proprietor Amin Ullah
Company news? E-mail henryk.zientek@examiner. co.uk or ring 01484 437766
12 Clean sweep
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
A DEWSBURY company has won a contract to make sure ambulances are properly cleaned and sanitised. Rotajet Systems, part of the Richard Alan Group, has secured the deal with the North East Ambulance Service. A machine designed, built and assemblied at Rotajet’s site, has been bought by NEAS) to make sure that essential ambulance equipment is properly cleaned and sanitised. Rotajet director Colin Steward said: “Ambulance equipment is routinely brought out of service for overhaul and maintenance purposes – the first part of which is a deep cleaning process to ensure that all the equipment is free from dried body fluids and dangerous micro organisms. “Typically, the cleaning process for such items as stretchers and wheelchairs has been carried out manually using power washes, brushes and strong detergents. Rotajet was approached by the NEAS to ask if this process could be improved. “After a comprehensive evaluation of the equipment, Rotajet proposed a machine that would automatically wash, rinse, dry and sanitise all the equipment in one cycle. This was subsequently ordered by the NEAS for its Sunderland site.” A series of trials carried out to assess cleaning times and performance showed that all equipment was cleaned and sanitised to a higher standard than by previous methods and that health and safety issues associated with cleaning contaminated equipment were reduced significantly. Investment Management
Healthy deal for supplier
■ NEW FACES: Latest recruits on the Employability Scheme run by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust include audit administrator Debie Sandford (front, right), coding clerk Brenda Parsons (back, third left) and assistant healthcare scientist Ning You (left). They are pictured with health information manager Jackie Wood; laboratory manager John Hardy; head of clinical information Sam Ingram; Jim Duffy, team leader in the clinical governance support unit ;Denise Speight, admin assistant for audit. Kam Khehra (back right) and Zoe Mason (front left) are from the Trust’s employability team, which also includes Stuart Sandys, Lin Lawrence and Susan Lee
Healthy outlook for scheme A SCHEME to help people get health sector jobs in Huddersfield is going from strength to strength. The employability scheme run by the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust offers people the chance to take up a range of posts at Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary after they have first gained work experience in a placement on the scheme. Latest recruits include Debbie
Sandford, who has taken up a post as audit administrator; coding clerk Brenda Parsons and assistant healthcare scientist Ning You. Trust director of personnel Julie Hull said: “As one of the largest local employers, our trust is committed to supporting our local communities. “Helping people into work is a very important role for us and our employability team work very hard to achieve this. “I am delighted that the scheme
Worker excels in exciting new role
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is proving such a success and when possible people are supported into vacancies.” Employability administration manager Kam Khehra, said: “The time spent in placement helps to build up confidence and self-esteem. This helps people into posts either with us but also outside the organisation and we are delighted to be able to help in either way.” Everyone on the scheme is referred by the JobCentre or other work-related agencies.
A BRIGHOUSE company has secured a multi-million pound deal to supply ambulances to health chiefs in Scotland. UV Modular will provide “frontline” ambulances to the Scottish Ambulance Service NHS Trust in an £8m two-year deal. There is also a possibility of extending the contract for a further two years. The agreement follows UV Modular’s success in landing a £700,000 contract with the Scottish Ambulance Service to provide a number of van conversions. In the past four years, the company has been responsible for the design and manufacture of almost all frontline vehicles in service in Scotland. Peter Mounsey, managing director of UV Modular, said: “This contact win demonstrates that even within today’s tough economic conditions, there is a market need for specialist technology and integrated vehicle design and build.” The firm, formed in 2002 is based at Armytage Road.
■ WORK PLAN: Peter Read, formerly of Remploy, now works for Excel Manufacturing in Huddersfield
lA DISABLED worker who lost his job when Remploy closed its Halifax factory has quickly found new employment with a Huddersfield firm. Peter Read, 53, of Newsome, worked for Remploy for almost 20 years until the organisation closed its Halifax factory as part of a modernisation plan. But following support from Remploy’s specialist employment services – which helps people who experience complex barriers to employment – Peter is now working for Excel Manufacturing at Old Fieldhouse Lane, off Leeds Road. The company, which employs about 50 people, makes 5,000 window blinds a week for domestic and commercial markets. “We all knew the Remploy factory was scheduled to close, but hoped that other employers would give us the opportunity to show what we can do,” said Peter. “With the help and guidance of Remploy’s employment advisor, Dianne Howard, who knew of this vacancy and helped ensure I was ready for an interview, I applied and was appointed straightaway. When I got the phone call, nobody was more surprised and thrilled
than me!” As well as working as a general handyman, Peter packs window blinds ready for shipment throughout the UK – a job that calls for flexibility and an organised mind. “And that’s exactly what Peter has!” said Diane. “Of course, manufacturing jobs are hard to find right now, but our developing relationship with Excel Manufacturing meant we knew they had a vacancy. “Their requirements matched Peter’s skills and experience and I am delighted to say that he is really enjoying his new job!” Said Peter: “I had no intention of staying at home all day. I am fit and active and never let my disability become an obstacle – so why should others?” Government-funded Remploy has closed some of its loss making factories, including Halifax, but pledged no compulsory redundancy for disabled employees. Its modernisation will enable the company to find 20,000 jobs in mainstream employment for people with disabilities and health conditions by 2012.
13
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Plumbing business finds help on tap! A PLUMBING and heating business is looking to further growth – following funding from Birstall-based Cattles Invoice Finance. Gary Jones Plumbing and Heating Ltd, which installs a full range of utilities into domestic buildings, has major contracts with local authorities. It is also in a good position to benefit from the Government’s public sector spending push to counter the economic dowturn. Some £775m was earmarked in the Pre-Budget Report to build and modernise thousands of social homes – with an extra £100m promised for Warm Front, the Government initiative to improve insulation and heating for vulnerable households. This latest cash injection comes on t o p o f a £ 7 0 0 m p rog ra m m e announced two months ago to build social rented homes. Working with Cattles, Castleford-based Gary Jones Plumbing and Heating Ltd is looking to purchase more equipment and recruit more staff as demand for its services grows in line with Government
spending. Managing director, Gary Jones, said: “The business has gone from strength to strength since it was established in 2006 and . “And with the Government looking to the public sector to get the country out of a recession, there is a bright outlook for us, too. Working with Cattles has freed up the necessary finance and enabled us to make the most of these opportunities despite the wider economic downturn.” Mark Brown, Yorkshire regional managing director at Cattles Invoice Finance, said: “Particularly in the current climate, when credit is harder to obtain from banks, alternative sources of funding such as invoice finance can provide a lifeline for growing businesses. It is fantastic that Gary Jones can take advantage of Government initiatives, allowing his business to grow and prosper in spite of the economic downturn.”
THREE trainees at Huddersfield accountants Revell Ward have taken another step on the road to becoming chartered accountants. Craig Peace, Matthew Bestwick and Melanda Abbott, all second year trainees, have passed their professional stage exams with the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
get noticed. don’t miss your FREE copy of ‘get noticed’ in this month’s Kirklees Business News.
not got one?
call Emma on 01484 688808 email emma@worthingtonbrown.co.uk or visit www.worthingtonbrown.co.uk
■ ON TAP: Gary Jones (front), of Gary Jones Plumbing and Heating Ltd, with Mark Brown, of Cattles Invoice Finance
Free Disability Awareness Training Free training for all your staff
Do you employ someone with a disability or a health-related problem? Do you require advice or training around the Disability Discrimination Act? Interested in meeting like-minded employers? Then Mentorlink Training could help you Worklink are holding training events on
Wednesday 4th March
■ TRAINING DAY: A group of service providers attending the fair organised in Huddersfield by A4e Pathways
Focus on finding work ORGANISATIONS working in the fields of health and disability met in Huddersfield to discuss initiatives aimed at helping more people into work. Training provider A4e Pathways hosted the event at its Market Street offices to examine ways of improving job prospects for people currently on incapacity benefit or facing problems finding work due to other health-related issues such as drug dependency. Groups represented at the event included Calderdale and Kirklees Careers, Jobcentre Plus, Kirklees Council, the NHS Employablity Scheme, charities the RNIB and the
RNID, employment service Work Link and drugs charity Lifeline. Richard Marsh, employment coach with A4e Pathways, said: “The event went well because all the people there are really passionate about their work. “The networking event allowed health providers around Kirklees to find out more about the services available and how they can work together. “It also makes our customers – who are one of the hardest groups to get into work – aware of the fact that these organisations are out there and how to get information about them.”
Wednesday 17th June & Wednesday 18th November at Briar Court Hotel, Birchencliffe, Huddersfield 10am till 4pm Lunch and refreshments provided
To register a place at one of the above events:
Contact Worklink on 01484 223520
14 Stores urged to buy locally
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
A GROUP promoting Yorkshire’s food producers is urging supermarkets in the region to increase their sourcing of local food. The Regional Food Group, which has 360 member firms – including dozens in Kirklees – said that buying local food could bring significant benefits to the region during the economic downturn. Chief executive Jonathan Knight said: “Local food can benefit local economies in a number of ways. “First and foremost, local food production creates jobs in the local community, which in turn will have a positive impact on future investment and opportunities in the area. “Plus, support for local food is good news for the environment, as well as the economy. Local food production often means lower distribution and travel miles – and in many cases these savings are passed back to the consumer.” He added: “As a nation we should be very proud that some of the best food products in the world are produced in the UK. In Yorkshire – the third largest food and drink manufacturing region in the UK – we boast a wealth of innovative food suppliers and producers.” Mr Knight said: “An important part of our role is to work with leading retailers to help source the very best local and regional foods. “Consumer research tells us that customers have pride and passion for their regions and want access to regionally sourced products, so retailers need to ensure that they are catering for this need.” More than 460 farmers in Yorkshire and Humberside now supply Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket, with meat, poultry and eggs. Tesco stores throughout the region now stock 120 local products – including yoghurt made by Holmfirth-based Longley Farm. Tesco regional marketing manager Caroline Bartrop said: “The Tesco northern regional buying office, based in York, has been open for just over a year and we are delighted to have been able to support local suppliers and launch new local products from around our region.” Wendy Hey, regional sourcing manager for Leeds-based Asda, said: “We have a very strong record on local sourcing and have grown from a four-man local sourcing team to a department of 10 in the last two years.” Said Mr Knight: “The Regional Food Group applauds those supermarkets making steps to ensure that local specialised products are getting the shelf space they deserve. “However, more can be done, and particularly in these times of financial uncertainly it is important that we all work together to drive home the financial, ethical, environmental and social benefits of local food.”
EMPLOYERS' BRIEFING Neil Wilson
Issues for employers HE Chartered Institute of Personnel and T Development has conducted research aimed at highlighting the efforts companies
■ DESIGN BRIEF: Batley Art College students (from left) Clare Markham, Emma Jones and Marie Dorrill look at designs for the Cafe Geo project
Students brew up new ideas for cafe STUDENTS at Batley School of Art and Design are helping to re-brand a town centre cafe. George Alexander, owner of Cafe Geo in The Arcade, Dewsbury, invited the students to help with the re-branding after seeing the standard of work at one of the college’s recent showcase events. He said: “I really wanted new and fresh ideas as well as a real energy that the students would bring to this project. “I decided against using an external agency as I really wanted to use the local talent we have right here on our doorstep. The students have done fantastically well and I’m very happy with the final designs.” Students from the foundation degree course in fashion styling and promotion course at Batley are helping to
re-design the cafe’s logo, the staff uniforms and the interior decor. Previously, students have successful worked with numerous local businesses on wide-ranging projects, including dressing the shop window at high street retailer Boots for Father’s Day. Sam Hudson, fashion course leader at the college, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to work alongside businesses and get real commercial experience. “We have a long history of successful partnerships with business and the students love working in their local community and really contributing to the re-generation of Dewsbury.” The project in due to be completed mid-February and a launch event is planned when the final design will be unveiled.
Sam’s success as top coach
A BUSINESS coach in Huddersfield has won a national award. Emley-based Samantha Wright, a member of the ActionCOACH business coaching organisation, scooped the prize for Best Client Results 2008 at the group’s annual UK conference held at Ickworth House in Suffolk. The awards recognise the achievements and successes of ActionCOACH business coaches. Since joining ActionCOACH in 2006, Samantha has coached many small to medium sized businesses on aspects such as time management, team working and finances to help them improve their performances and generate more profit. Judges said she had “inspired and
■ TOP COACH: Samantha Wright, Emley-based member of the ActionCOACH business coaching organisation, was a winner in the group's annual awards
motivated her clients to achieve fantastic results and realise the true potential of their business”. Receiving the award, Samantha said: “I was delighted to accept the client results award and pleased that the hard work put in by my clients has been recognised.”
are making to their survival during the current economic difficulties. The report, which will be published next months, shows that recruitment freezes have been implemented in over half of the respondent companies. A similar number have terminating temporary or agency worker contracts in addition. Flexible working measures, cutting bonuses and wage reductions have also featured prominently in employer’s responses over the past few months. The CIPD comments: “There is little doubt that private sector companies will continue to shed staff this year and into 2010. However, what often goes unnoticed beneath the headlines is the extent to which employers are introducing alternatives to avoid or minimise the number of redundancies they make.” Meanwhile, the Government’s Equality Minister Harriet Harman has urged employers not to use the recession as an excuse to make women redundant, pursuant to worrying figures released recently. Statistics published in January, 2009, showed that the number of full time female workers fell by 53.000 from September to November last year. The comparative figure for male workers was just 36,000. It is suggested that employers have favoured making women redundant over men because of worries such as maternity leave and flexible working packages, which carry a significant financial cost to businesses. One senior employment expert commented: “Recent years have increased the family friendly rights available to employee such as enhanced maternity rights, flexible working and parental leave. Many employers view these rights as expensive and a disruption to the business. Given that many still perceive women as the primary child carers, this may lead to women losing out on recruitment.” Employers who are considering making redundancies must ensure that any scoring criteria they apply is based on job competencies and is not tainted by any form of discrimination. In another development, the European Court of Justice has ruled that all workers are entitled to up to four weeks of holiday pay for each year they are on sick leave. This completely overrules the previous position, where it was held by the Court of Appeal that workers on long term absence could not claim holidays or holiday pay for the time they were absent, nor could they claim a lump sum for lost holiday if they left their employer before returning to work. Many commentators have expressed both surprise and concern at the ruling, not least because of the huge expected cost to employers of administering such payments, particularly in light of the difficult economic climate. The courts in the UK are now likely to overturn the decision of the Court of Appeal, and employers must now follow the ECJ ruling. Research suggests that 42% of employees are reluctant to take any sick leave for fear it will have a negative impact on their jobs. Nearly 25% of workers feel under pressure to work late; 16% of workers would not request to be paid overtime; almost a fifth of workers admitted they would tolerate bullying and sexual discrimination at work, because making a stand may jeopardise their jobs. Neil Wilson is an Employment Lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
CITY TALK Simon Kaye
Punishing the bankers HE newswires are heavy with reports T of the impact of recession on the UK economy.
Retail sales have been weak and only achieved with heavy discounting (good for consumers but not for retailers); investment plans have been cut back and there are daily reminders of the human cost in the form of rising unemployment. A necessary process of reducing debt has been accelerated by the collapse in confidence in the banking system. Banks appear uncertain what losses they face, while markets are unwilling to provide additional capital until both the banks’ solvency and the outlook for the economy are clearer. The Government announced a number of measures to address liquidity problems and confidence in the banks during January and was reportedly dismayed when the immediate market reaction was a melt down in bank share prices. However, the sharply critical tone of ministerial statements towards the banks left investors wondering whether the government was seeking to punish the sector or work with it in combating recession. The pregnant silence on the subject of nationalisation (while possibly designed to put pressure on banks to lend) led to fears of further dilutive equity injections at a time when private capital lacked the confidence to invest. Markets began to price in the effective nationalisation of RBS, Lloyds and Barclays, thus cutting off the likelihood of any private capital being injected to strengthen the banks’ balance sheets. Who would want to buy a security that might be nationalised on unknown terms within weeks? Criticism of some banks' behaviour in recent years is warranted. Those responsible are rightly being called to account. However, the immediate priority should be to re-establish normal lending so that creditworthy borrowers can access funds on commercial terms. Encouraging a return to measured risk taking by the banks is unlikely to be helped by public (or leaked) dressings down or the threat of nationalisation. This is not about the taxpayer shelling out billions to enable “a few bankers to keep driving Maseratis” but about ensuring the banks have adequate capital and confidence to resume their normal function in the economy. The victims of the credit crunch are the individuals and companies whose lives are turned upside down by the resulting recession. Their lot will be worsened if the Government allows rhetoric to take precedence over enlisting the co-operation of the banks, whose current caution is driven by fear over losses from a deepening recession. It is also worth noting that the majority of the owners of bank shares and bond securities are pension fund and insurance managers looking after private savings. The repercussions of allowing the banks' securities to be wiped out when they currently appear to be solvent would be widespread. Ultimately, taxpayers will be rewarded for their interventions by a rise in the value of the government's stakes in the banks, by their restoration to profitability and by the earliest possible end to the recession, boosting government tax revenues. Simon Kaye is Divisional Director at Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management
15
Canadian ceremony TWO team members of Mirfield-based training organisation have received awards at an international ceremony in Canada. Dale Carnegie North director Amanda Duggan (top, right) and business coach Graham Perkins (bottom. right) were presented with awards in recognition of their sales achievements in the past 12 months. The presentations were made by the Dale Carnegie chief executive Peter Handal (also pictured). They were accompanied to the event by Dale Carnegie franchise owners Juliette Dennett and Mark Fitzmaurice. Amanda, who is director of project delivery, received three awards for achieving more than 500,000 dollars in personal sales, managing a sales team which achieved more than 1m dollars in sales and being one of the top 10 sales people in the world and the best in the UK. As well as being given three prestigious Dale Carnegie medals, she was also presented with a luxury holiday for herself
and husband Mike. Mr Perkins, who only joined the company 11 months before attending the ceremony, was given a Rookie of the Year Award for exceeding his targets while only working for the company for a short period of time. Mr Fitzmaurice said: “As an organisation, we operate in more than 70 countries and have more than 600 sales people worldwide.The awards are testament to Amanda and Graham’s hard work and dedication. The whole team are extremely proud of them.” Dale Carnegie is a performance-based training company focusing on giving people in business the opportunity to sharpen their skills and improve their performance in order to build positive, steady and profitable results. Dale Carnegie Northern England, a franchise of the overall group, generates turnover exceeding £1m a year and provides performance-improvement programmes for professionals across northern England.
Bosses urged to invest in skills BUSINESS leaders across West Yorkshire have joined a campaign to urge firms to continue investing in skills – despite the recession. Rosie Winterton, regional minister for Yorkshire, has recruited 30 leading business people as “ambassadors” to support the region – using their business knowledge and experience to help other businesses in the downturn as well as to support the region’s inward investment plans. They include John Anderson, regional director of BT; Andy Bond, president & chief executive of ASDA; Jan Fletcher, chairman of Montpellier Estates; Richard Gregory, chairman of Yorkshire Bank; and Andrew Palmer, regional director of the CBI. They have penned an open letter highlighting how these organisations have successfully survived a number of recessions – and how they are pooling their experiences to pinpoint the priorities for Yorkshire businesses during the current crisis. The letter said: “A big issue for many businesses right now is cost cutting – and training budgets
■ CALL FOR TRAINING: Regional minister for Yorkshire Rosie Winterton
a false economy. “Even in these difficult times, there are real opportunities we should seize. In many businesses, it may be easier now to release staff for training. Larger businesses could strengthen their supply chains by developing training in partnership with suppliers.” Other areas they highlight
include a focus on marketing and the pursuit of excellent customer service as well as “good and timely financial information, particularly daily cash reporting”. The ambassadors stress that there are still businesses doing well and new opportunities even in difficult times. The letter urges businesses to make use of the funding and support to help innovate and develop products and services as well as find new export markets. Ms Winterton said: “A number of ambassadors want to pool their experiences of having successfully survived a number of recessions to help other businesses in the region. “They are particularly keen to stress the importance of continuing to invest in skills through the downturn. “They are also urging businesses to use the free support available and to contact Business Link to maximise every opportunity. “Other Ambassadors are keen to support us in our plans for inward investment and promote the region as a great place for business both nationally and
Process sector firms get new group A NEW training provider network for firms in the process industries has been launched across Yorkshire. Ther regional network is the brainchild of the National Skills Academy Process Industries, which aims to help employers bridge the skills gap facing firms in the chemicals, polymer and pharmaceutical industries. Private and public sector training providers of all sizes are being invited to join the network – to provide a group of quality-assessed providers for employers to access. Each provider will sign up to have their products and services assessed and accredited to national standards agreed with Cogent, the process industries sector skills council. Those meeting the standard will be able to use the skills academy logo as a mark of quality.
16
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Josette wins top health and safety award
Service set up to help carers cope A NEW service has been launched to help Yorkshire’s 390,000 working carers in employment and support businesses under pressure in the face of recession. Government-backed business group Employers for Carers has been set up to give advice to employers on supporting employees who have to combine work with caring for ill, frail or disabled family members and friends. Official figures show that one in five carers are forced to give up work because of their caring responsibilities and can end up isolated and living in poverty. Employers for Carers aims to help both businesses and carers to increase understanding and flexibility in the workplace – and help more carers stay in their jobs. Figures show that Yorkshire has 390,058 working age carers with 30,753 of them in Kirklees. However, the total number of full-time and part-time working carers across Yorkshire stands at 222,405 with 17,689 in Kirklees. Now businesses are being urged to sign up to Employers for Carers to get access to legal advice and expert guidance on setting up carer-friendly employment policies – including flexible working practices. Caroline Waters, director or people and policy for BT, who chairs Employers for Carers said: “There is no doubt that business needs to respond to the stark demographic reality of rapidly increasing numbers of working carers. “By joining Employers for Carers, businesses can be part of an employment agenda which not only supports working carers but improves the productivity and skill retention of our workforce. “The business community must act now to address this challenge as the alternative is to risk a future that is unsustainable, both as a society and as a competitive economy.” Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK said: “Employers, whether large or small, cannot afford to ignore working carers. “By working smarter and offering real opportunities for people to transform the way they work, businesses can reduce costs and support and retain their most skilled and experienced staff, at a time they can least afford to lose them. “We are calling on employers to join Employers for Carers and reap the benefits for both their business and their employees.” A new website will be going live at www.employersforcarers.org detailing the support available to Employers for Carers members. Carers can also call CarersLine on 0808 808 7777 or email info@carersuk.org
■ CAREERS DAY: Matthew Lander (left), of Crowther and Shaw, returns to Newsome High School, with Michael Reeves, development manager of SummitSkills, the sector skills council for the building services engineering sector
Matthew speaking up for engineering AN award-winning engineer has returned to his old school – to act as an ambassador for industry. Matthew Lander, 20, who lives at Berry Brow in Huddersfield, visited Newsome High School to encourage youngsters to consider a career as a building services engineer. Matthew, who works for refrigeration and air conditioning company Crowther & Shaw at Honley, has won two top awards in recent years. He was named Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Craft Operative of the Year at the 2008 Building Services Engineering National Training Awards. He also won the SkillFRIDGE competition in 2006. Both events were run by SummitSkills, the sector skills council for the building services engineering
sector. He visited the school to inspire other young people into the sector by sharing his experiences and exlaining his route to employment. Said Matthew: “I really enjoy my role at Crowther & Shaw Ltd and the variety of work and challenges it presents. “Winning an award at this year’s National Training Awards has given me a real boost and I hope I can help encourage others to consider a rewarding career in this industry.” The visit was part of a national promotion that has seen three other NTA winners take to the road, visiting their former high schools, meeting pupils and telling them about the range of job prospects offered by the building services engineering sector.
Awards focus is on Xanthe!
A YOUNG photographer scooped awards in London. Xanthe Hutchinson, of Dewsbury and a student at Kirklees College, won prizes at Nikon’s Discovery Awards at Olympia, London. She was competing against four other students and won a D300 Camera and lens kit from Nikon UK. The contest was part of the company’s initiative to support the country’s emerging photography talent. The awards were set up two years ago in association with British Journal of Photography to encourage photographic excellence by offering students, universities and colleges the chance to win a share of £50,000 worth of prizes. The entries were judged by Simon Bainbridge, editor of the British Journal of Photography, and Dylan Martinez, chief photographer at Reuters News Pictures. Presenting the awards was Alex Bailey, film photographer for Atonement, The Other Boleyn Girls and Bridget Jones’s Diary. Simon Bainbridge, said: “We were very impressed with the standard of work. Congratulations to Xanthe for an outstanding piece of work.”
■ PICTURE PERFECT: Photographer Xanthe Hutchinson
Xanthe said: “The standard of work was amazing and a real honour to be nominated. It’s a testament to the quality of teaching and support we received on the course that we were invited to such a prestigious awards event.”
A HEALTH and safety training company in Marsh has won an award. Meditrain Ltd, led by businesswoman Josette Bailly, was recognised by Manchester City Council with a Partnership in Training Award for training offered to the authority’s employees. Ms Bailly established Meditrain four years ago to provide health and safety training to industry, education, the care sector and hospitality among others. Meditrain now employs 15 freelance trainers on a regular basis and has opened a south of England branch at Littlehampton, which is being run by Ms Bailly’s daughter and business partner Louise Mellodew.
Butcher gets a slice of the prizes A HUDDERSFIELD butcher picked up a tasty prize at the 2008 great Yorkshire Pork Pie, Sausage, Black Pudding and Beefburger Competition. Sharlands Butchers, of Paddock, finished runner-up in the beefburger class at the 20th annual competition staged at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford, by the Confederation of Yorkshire Butchers Councils. The contest attracted more than 300 entries from butchers across the county. Nicholas Sharland, of Sharlands Butchers, receivied his award from Philip Edge, president of the National Federation of Meat and Food Traders, and David Hamer, president of the Confederation of Yorkshire Butchers Councils.
17
March, 2009
eddisons.com KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
PROPERTY
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FOR SALE 1,460 m² (15,720 sq ft) Modern warehouse/trade counter unit Prominent frontage to busy main road. Planning consent for 500 m² (5,400 sq ft) extension
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TO LET 362 m² (3,898 sq ft) Lofty single storey industrial accommodation Extremely competitive rent. Flexible lease terms available
Old Fieldhouse Lane, Huddersfield
TO LET 1,272 m² (13,689 sq ft) Modern warehouse/trade counter unit. Generous secure yard/ car parking facilities. Excellent access to J25/M62
Dortech scales the heights with latest contracts A COMPANY providing commercial glazing has completed two major installations. Dortech, based at Old Leeds Road in Huddersfield, has installed curtain walling, windows and entrances at two new buildings in Barnsley and Stockport for the United Learning Trust Academies. Stockport Academy at Cheadle Heath is directly under the flight path of Manchester airport. Architects Aedas addressed environmental issues with an innovative design and choice of specialist building materials. Dortech installed full height slim-section Technal MX curtain walling to the feature atrium forming a central hub for the school. The same system was continued in the main and pupil entrances, assembly hall and canteen. It also provided aluminium cladding and sandblasted glazed panels to offer privacy in non-vision areas. The work included installing fire rated screens to two internal staircases. The contemporary design of Barnsley
Academy, by Howarth Litchfield Partnership, exploits the site’s natural topography with a split level scheme. Glazing is used to maximise views into and out of the site as well as a means of flooding natural daylight into the building. The façade and entrance to the Academy incorporate full height curtain walling, while the rear glazed elevation, a particular design feature, steps down to a lower ground floor level. Dortech installed Technal MX capped curtain walling to create a dynamic visual statement, maximise light and provide space planning flexibility. Elsewhere, FXi 65 high performance glazed windows provide practical functionality. Both Stockport and Barnsley Academies are currently being fitted out internally and will receive their first intake in September, 2009.
Ellerslie House Queens Road, Huddersfield
TO LET 39 m² - 402 m² (421 sq ft - 4,323 sq ft) High quality office suites. Generous on site car parking Well located for J24/M62
Chequers, Woodsome Park, Huddersfield
TO LET 21.56 m² - 90.23 m² (232 sq ft - 971 sq ft) All inclusive office suites. High standard of accommodation Allocated car parking
Cartwright Court, Bradley, Huddersfield
TO LET 69 m² - 231 m² (740 sq ft - 2,490 sq ft) Modern office accommodation. Popular business park location Ease of access to M62 motorway
retailretailretail
■ HIGH RISE: Dortech has completed work on Stockport Academy (above)
officeoffice officeoffice
90 New North Road, Huddersfield
TO LET 22 m² - 88 m² (235 sq ft - 951 sq ft) Prestigious refurbished accommodation. Gated secure car parking Immediately available
Market Street, Huddersfield
TO LET 93 m² (1,006 sq ft) Prominent town centre location. Competitive rent and flexible terms available. Suitable for a variety of uses subject to planning
Contact Philip Deakin or David Wright
01484 533151
Oak House New North Road Huddersfield HD1 5LG Birmingham Bradford Bristol Glasgow Huddersfield Leeds London Manchester
eddisons.com
Eddisons
18
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
PROPERTY FOCUS
Property swap scheme keeps sales buoyant
■ POWER PLANT: The team at Michael Steel and Co, Leeds
Expansion for Yorkshire property consultancy A YORKSHIRE property consultancy is expanding at a time when many others are reducing their staffing levels. Michael Steel & Co has launched a sister operation to deal with plant and machinery alongside its existing property consultancy, which spans West Yorkshire and beyond. Michael Steel & Co (Plant & Machinery) has been set up to advise private clients and insolvency practitioners on the value and disposal of non property-related business assets. The operation is headed by Mark Hodgson, a plant and machinery surveyor who has joined the company from Boultons. Andrew Steel, who founded Leeds-based Michael Steel & Co with Alec Michael in 2004, said the company was planning to expand the plant and machinery team over the coming months. Mr Steel said: “To provide maximum services in this area at this time is a no-brainer. With Mark on the plant and machinery side we can offer a wide range of services to a bigger cross-section of
insolvency practitioners.” Mr Steel said Michael Steel & Co would now provide a “cross section of comprehensive asset valuation and disposal services”. The company's established property team, which also employs Andrew Backhouse and three support staff, is to be boosted with the arrival of Richard Barker, formerly of Sanderson Weatherall and most recently Colliers CRE. Mr Steel said: “There are a number of firms like ours that I think can differentiate themselves. We can approach instructions from a commercial aspect.” The plant and machinery division will share the company’s offices in East Parade, Leeds. Michael Steel & Co advises clients across the UK, including property companies and practices including accountants, banks and law firms. Mr Steel and Mr Michael have 30 years experience in the commercial and industrial property market.
A NOVEL approach to selling houses is helping a Huddersfield estate agency to keep the property market moving. Cornerstone completed 35 deals during the second half of 2008 through a pioneering house swap scheme launched in the summer at the firm’s branches in Honley, Kirkburton and Denby Dale. Now the scheme is being copied by other agencies across the country after it attracted nationwide TV and radio coverage. Justin Dugdale, based in the office at Wakefield Road, Denby Dale, said the scheme aimed to help buyers and sellers in a stagnant housing market. “We were faced with properties that were not selling,” he said. “We had a lot of people who wanted to move, but who had little prospect of selling without reducing their asking price.” Cornerstone set up the house swap scheme in June to match sellers and buyers.. Said Mr Dugdale: “Typically, one family wants to upgrade to a four-bedroom detached house because they have a growing family – while another couple wants to move out of such a house because their children have grown up and left. “Quite often, sellers want to remain in the same area so they are looking for property locally.” Mr Dugdale said most of the swaps involved three or four properties – and in one case five – because issues such as price and location made a simple swap difficult to achieve. “We find out what the buyers want,” he said. “We list all their criteria and seek to match it to the criteria of the sellers.” Mr Dugdale said the scheme was time-consuming for the agent – try-
Justin Dugdale
ing to match buyers’ and vendors’ requirements and helping the inevitable negotiations on price. “People have had to compromise,” he said’ “But those clients we have helped are very pleased. We have strained every sinew to help them achieve a deal where they would otherwise be unable to sell a property and it has proved very welcome for the vendors.” Mr Dugdale said the scheme had been such a hit that Cornerstone was promoting it on its “sold” boards. So far, the agency has completed 35 house swap deals. “In the last quarter of 2008, we sold twice as many properties by the house swap scheme than we did through ‘normal’ sales.” Mr Dugdale said scheme would not be needed when the housing returned to normal levels of activity, but said: “I am pleased we were the first to operate this scheme and believe it is a good product. I certainly think think we will be operating ‘house swap’ for most of 2009.”
Bathrooms firm seals move to new business site in Dewsbury
A BATHROOMS supplier has defied the downturn to report increased sales as it prepares to settle into bigger new premises. TC Bathrooms has completed a £14m move from Grange Moor to a 300,000sq ft warehouse and office complex at Bretton Business Park, Dewsbury. The company, which has 120 staff at Dewsbury and five retail showrooms across the UK, said the move would improve efficiency and enable it to meet its commitment to next-day delivery. Operations director Adrian Thomas said the 190,000sq ft of warehousing space
provided more space for the company’s 37,500 product lines, which include baths, washbasins and taps made by other makers as well as its own products. He said a better-designed racking system meant stock could be distributed more quickly to its showrooms and retailers in the UK, Ireland and Holland. He added: “We were struggling for space at Grange Moor, which was effecting efficiency and supply.” TC Bathrooms completed acquisition of the Dewsbury site last November and has been fitting out the premises to accommod-
ate its warehouse workers, sales and accounts teams, marketing department and a display assembly area. The company has embarked on the major move while achieving a 5% rise in turnover for 2008, despite a decline in contracts from the housebuilding sector as a result of the recession. TC Bathrooms is one of seven companies to buy units at Bretton Business Park, together accounting for 340,000sq ft. Another 15,000sq ft unit is being leased to a sixth firm, leaving just a 15,000sq ft unit and a one-and-a- half-acre plot to develop. Other occupants of the site include
Kirklees Council, beds company Sleepmode, engineering firm A&J Fabtech, JP Distribution and Spafield Displays. Joint agents GVA grimley and Carter and Co Commercial said they were pleased with the progress of the scheme, which has provided purpose-built premises for local companies previously based in old mills. Rob Oliver who is head of industrial at GVA Grimley, said: “Kirklees is still tight for industrial and commercial space. Despite the downturn there are still companies which need improved premises and also want to remain in the local area.”
19
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
PROPERTY FOCUS
New acquisition for Eddisons team A FIRM of chartered surveyors with offices in Huddersfield has announced a takeover. Eddisons, which has a branch at New North Road, has acquired asset management business Wildheart LLP for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition extends Eddisons’ residential property management division and enables it to provide services to the banking and insolvency sectors that have seen both their residential stock holding and exposure to distressed lending increase over recent months. The extended team has a wealth of experience in recommending the best approach to deal with completed or part-completed residential schemes which have run into financial difficulties. It means Eddisons can provide a full asset management facility, which includes building management as well as finding suitable tenants to generate income from the development until a disposal can be arranged. The new division will trade as Eddisons Residential Ltd, being run by the existing Wildheart directors of Graham Bates, who assumes the role of chairman, Helen Peace and Simon Halls. Eddisons managing director Nigel McDonald said: “Adding the Wildheart business and their specialist expertise to our established residential property management division allows us to extend our proposition to both existing and new clients with an emphasis on helping them maximise residential asset values.” Said Mr Bates: “We are responding to the
■ BIG MOVE: Eddisons managing director Nigel McDonald said adding Wildheart to its residential property management division would benefit clients
needs of the banks and other professional clients with residential exposure in both pre and post-administration. Current market conditions have made the disposal of residential property harder and we aim to offer fresh solutions. “Eddisons Residential Ltd has a unique proposition and a wealth of expertise capable of adding strategic value to developments nationwide. We are completely focused on assisting our clients in the challenging year ahead.” Eddisons has eight offices across the country and provides a range of services to owners and occupiers of industrial, commercial, office, retail and residential property along with sales and valuations of machinery and business assets. They also work with all the major clearing banks and a significant number of insolvency practitioners.
■ LANDMARK: Orion marketing director Dianne Reynolds (left), chairman Tim Lumb and managing director Chris Weston examine plans for their latest development, to be launched in 2009 as Orion Homes notches up 30 years in business
Orion aiming high A WEST Yorkshire housebuilder is celebrating 30 years in business. Wakefield-based Orion Homes said it was looking forward with optimism to the start of its fourth decade – despite the slowdown in the housing market. That follows the success of a development near Huddersfield. Chairman Tim Lumb said confidence had been boosted by developments like The Maltings in Shepley, where nine of 14 detached properties have already been sold, mostly from plan. Demand was also healthy at other sites in
Yorkshire, he said. They include Spring Park place at Mirfield and Brunswick Place in Heckmondwike. “Having started out building in the Leeds area in 1978, Orion Homes is preparing to launch its 82nd development this year,” said Mr Lumb. “It’s fair to say that 2008 will not be re m e m b e re d a s a v i n t a g e ye a r fo r house-builders, but the fact that Orion Homes has been able to achieve consistent sales proves that the company is set up in a way that can cope with severe downturns.”
industrial
office TO LET
Affordable Works/Warehouse Premises With Yard TO LET
Victoria Works
WhitwellGreenLane,Elland • SingleStorey warehouse/factory • 29,575sqftinternal (includes20,000sqft modernportalframe) • Largesharedyard • Visiblelocationwithgood accessJ24M62 • Rental:£90,000pax
TO LET -New Instruction
Modern Industrial Unit with Good Eaves Height
UnitA2SpringBankIndustrial Estate, Watson Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge • 251-503m2 (2,704-5,408sqft) • Availableasoneunitoras twoequallysplitunits • 2xelectrical4mhighsteel rollershutterdoors,SCF, halogenboxlighting,3 phaseelectricitysupply • Sharedloadingyardand parkingareasecuredbya perimeterpalisadeand electricfence Excellentlocationcloseto • J22M62 • Rentalonapplication
TOLET-Incentives Available
Modern Trade Industrial Units
Victoria Park, Lightowler Rd, Halifax • 1,530–4740sqft • Secureyardwithparking • Rentfrom£1persqft yearone
TO LET
Modern Single Storey Factory/ Warehouse
Unit B5, Lowfields Business Park, Elland • 1029.4m2 (11,076sqft) • Detachedunitwithsecure privateyard • Twostoreyoffices • Excellentlocationwith motorwayaccess • Furtherdetailson application
22B Calder Trading Estate, Bradley, Huddersfield • 929m2 (10,000sqft) • 2xfullheightshutter dooraccess • 5mminimumeaves • Rental:£22,000pax
TO LET
Modern Industrial /Warehouse Unit Unit G14, Lock View, Lowfields Business Park, Elland • 1027.6m2 (11,062sqft) • Fullyfitted • Excellentlocation withintheM62corridor • Secureyard • Rental:£57,500pax
TO LET
TO LET
• GroundFloorOfficeSuite
• 10,290sqftrefurbished
Britannia Buildings, Briggate, Elland • • • • • •
750Sqft HighSpecinternalfinish PrivateMeetingRoom W/C&Kitchenettefacilities Intercomdoorentrysystem Cat5ENetworkPoints. Rentaluponapplication
TOLET(May Sell)
Clifby Works
Pellon, Halifax • Workshopandofficeunits • 1,000sqftto20,290sqft • RedevelopmentPotential • Rentals/Priceon application
FOR SALE
Licensed Haulage Depot, Holdsworth Road, Halifax
TO LET
• ModernSingleStorey
Self-contained factory/warehouse Unit 25, Grove Mills, Elland • 957.28m2 (10,300 sq ft) • Excellent main road communications • Minimum eaves height 3.7m • Private offices • Rental: £38,500 pax
TOLET
Modern Trade Counter Unit
Unit1,BrighouseTradePark, Armytage Road, Brighouse • Unit456.19m2 (4,910sqft)plus MezzanineStores 43.13m2 (464sqft) • Accessvia5mx6m electricrollershutter door • SCF,Sodiumlighting andW/Cfacilities • Establishedtrade location • Rentalonapplication
FOR SALE
The Bembridge Park Centre
Francis Street, Halifax • 1023.6m2 (11,014sqft) • Convertedtooffices throughout • PartLetandcurrently producing£18,975p.a • GradeIIlisted • Primaryhousingarea allocationunderadopted CalderdaleUDP
OwlerIngsRoad,Brighouse
• • •
premiseswithsecureyard andcarpark 645.33m2 (6,946sqft) Situatedwithin1mile ofJ25M62 Guideprice/Rentalon application
TOLET-New Instruction
Sedburgh Mills
Sedburgh Road, Halifax • FactoryandOffice complexwithparking • 2,439m2 (26,264sqft) onasitearea1.2Acres • Rental:£30,000pax
detachedworkshop 2,321sqftplusmezzanine storage278sqft • VehicleInspectionPit • 3xfullheightrollershutters • Worksoffice • OperatorsLicense • Securesiteextendingto approx0.44Acresoffering expansionforfurther development. Priceonapplication •
TOLET-New Instruction
Shaw Lodge
Halifax • Goodqualityperiodoffices onListedHoldsworthsMill site • Suitesfrom100sqftto 5,500sqft • Lowcoststorage/ industrialspace • From5,000sqftto 100,000sqft • Rentalonapplication
land Former Marsden Fire Station
FOR SALE/TO LET • ProminentShowroom
•
office/workshopinrural location Rental:£40,000pax
misc
TO LET
Ability House
Old Mill Wainstalls, Halifax
Manchester Road, Marsden • Residentialdevelopment opportunity • Fullplanningpermission for4dwellings • Popularvillagelocation • Totalsitearea0.122 hectares(0.30acres) • Offersinvitedintheregion of£300,000
FORSALE
Park URC
Francis Street, Halifax • DetachedChurch 8,624sqft • Detached3bedhouse • Privateparking • Potentialforalternative uses(subjecttoall approvals) • GuidePrice£500,000
20
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
PROPERTY FOCUS
Manager joins the team
■ HEADQUARTERS: The Elland premises of building products firm Heywood WIlliams
Jobs axe falls as sales slide at Elland firm
BUILDING products supplier Heywood Williams has axed about 100 jobs in the UK after cutting its worldwide workforce by almost a quarter. The Elland-based group, which distributes products across the UK, Europe and North America, unveiled the job losses tally as it reported a 13% fall in sales to 219m for 2008 compared with the previous year. Sales for the second half of the year fell by 17%. Like-for-like sales during the year were down by about 14%. In a bid to cut costs, Heywood said it had shed more than 300 jobs – about 23% – to bring its total workforce to about 1,000. About 100 of the redundancies were at its sites across the UK, with most taking place last year. A statement said: “All the markets that the group services declined sharply in 2008 and trading conditions were very tough
throughout the year. The markets have declined due to the global credit crunch and its impact on consumer confidence.” Heywood Williams said it would make a loss for the year, in line with market expectations. The group said it was in talks with its banks to arrange “appropriate covenants” for 2009 and 2010. It said debt levels were reduced by £3m in the second half of the y e a r t o s t a n d a t a b e tter-than-expected £47m – driven by a substantial reduction in working capital. But the statement added: “The group anticipates that the markets it serves will be more difficult in 2009 before a slight improvement in market conditions in 2010. “To take account of this, the group has already implemented significant cost reduction initiatives. Cash management initiatives are also underway to further reduce
DTZ seals the deal PROPERTY company DTZ has completed a £4m “sale and leaseback” deal on an industrial building in Leeds for Solvgrin Ltd, a private firm based in North Yorkshire. The 61,000sq ft property at Cross Green is let to the Palmer & Harvey Group for 15 years, with five-yearly rent reviews and minimum compound uplifts. Mike Curtis, investment director at DTZ, said the acquisition presented its client with an excellent opportunity to invest in a modern, well let property.
working capital.” Heywood Williams has a hardware division supplying handles, hinges and locks for doors and windows across the UK, Ireland, the Benelux countries, Scandinavia, and the Baltic States. The division includes market leading brands including Carlisle Brass, Mila, Eurospec, Window Ware and Eurolite and works with housing developers, builders merchants and manufacturers of windows, doors and conservatories. In the USA, Heywood Williams owns LaSalle Bristol, a leading supplier of building products including plumbing, lighting, floor coverings and air flow systems for manufactured housing and recreational vehicles. The group bought Irish architectural hardware supplier Avenco in 2008. Sales from that business were excluded from the like-for-life figures for last year.
NATIONAL design practice P+HS Architects has appointed Diana Cole as marketing manager. Ms Cole (right), who has more than 20 years marketing experience, previously worked for Philips, and for the last five years, for Purple Leaf in Richmond as marketing manager. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and an ambassador for the CIM Durham branch. P+HS, which has offices in Leeds, is celebrating its 25-year anniversary. Ms Cole will be responsible for managing the firm’s overall marketing and communication
strategy. Working across the key sectors of health, education, commercial and residential, she will focus on raising the company profile and maintaining national recognition for P+HS designs.
Birstall proves big draw for retailers WELL-KNOWN local floorings firm Carpet & Vinyl Showroom has moved to brand new premises at Birstall Retail Village, positioned on the junction of Bradford Road with the main A62 Leeds Road in Birstall. The new larger store is immediately adjacent Subway. Owners Antony Newton, Ryan Fisher and Chris Lenton want to develop Carpet & Vinyl Showroom’s reputation for choice, value and service even further from their new Birstall base. Said Ryan: “The new store is much more suited to our business. It was an empty new building when we moved in and we have tailored it to our customers needs. “We have a larger car park than ever before to the rear of the building, which we share with Subway and Memory Foam Warehouse.” Michael Steel & Co acted on behalf of the landlords. The joint agent was Eddisons in Huddersfield. Alec Michael, partner at Micheal Steel & Co, said: “Clearly the superb
location of this development has been proven by the securing of Subway last year and the letting of the final unit to Carpet and Vinyl Showroom, who has an excellent local reputation, provides a good mix of occupiers on site along with Memory Foam Warehouse. “While we are all very much aware of the effects of the credit crunch, whether this be on the property market or the retail sector, there does remain a certain level of demand from good quality local covenants if the ‘product’ is right in terms of location and lease terms.” The premises have been taken by way of a new six-year lease. Continuing to book the trend, Michael Steel & Co – which recently opened a new plant and machinery department and expanded its experienced property team – has reported reasonable interest in two large showroom/retail premises they are offering on behalf of clients just off Huddersfield Road in Mirfield. The premises were previously occupied by Calder Tile and Beauty Works .
Vinci joins tenants at Thorpe Park PROPERTY agency DTZ has completed the sale of a 10,000sq ft office unit at Thorpe Park in Leeds. The disposal to construction company Vinci plc was completed on behalf of Taylor Wimpey Developments. Vinci plc has taken an assignment, which expires in February, 2018. Eamon Fox, associate director at DTZ, said: “Thorpe Park offers a superior location for a broad range of occupiers.
“Vinci plc will be joining occupiers including HBG Construction, Valad, Coors Brewers, Northern Foods, and WS Atkins.” He added: “The letting of office space in the out of town market is good news for Leeds and supports the recent statistics published by DTZ which showed higher take up of out-of-town space compared to city centre take up in the third quarter of last year.”
Mr Fox said: “This recent activity highlights a continued demand for high calibre product in a strategic location. We are very pleased to welcome Vinci to Thorpe Park, while assisting Taylor Wimpey with their operational requirements in the process.” DTZ also provided survey and rent review advice to Taylor Wimpey Developments. Thorpe Park is next to Junction 46 of the M1 north of Leeds.
21
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
PROPERTY FOCUS
Estate agent sees hopeful signs for the 2009 market A LEADING estate agent has reported a “distinct” movement in the region’s property market during the first month of the new year. Dacre Son & Hartley said it arranged almost 2,500 viewings of clients’ properties during January at its branches across Yorkshire – four time as many as for December, 2008. The agency also reported an increase in the number of offers being made and a healthy rise in the number of properties sold during January this year compared with the same month last year. Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at the agency, said: “As house prices across Yorkshire fell between 10% and 20% last year, we have entered the New Year with m a ny p ro p e r t i e s o ff e r i n g extremely good value for money and this is encouraging buyers back into the marketplace. “We’re confident that this momentum of improvement will continue this year as the recent steep interest rate cuts, combined
with price reductions will tempt even more buyers back in to the market.” Said Mr McCutcheon: “It’s also interesting to see the number of high net worth individuals shying away from equities and deposit saving and actively look to build sizeable property portfolios instead. These buyers are now being joined by the more ambitious and the better funded ‘buy to let’ investors. “Dacres places a huge significance on these buyers, so much so that we have set up a specialist division to handle these enquiries headed by director Dave Phillip who is based at our Otley office.” Mr McCutcheon added: “The property market in Yorkshire is recovering, but the improvement is fragile. “The availability of mortgage funds and other lending remains crucial to the upturn of the property market and should be the government’s key focus in trying to secure continued improvement.”
■ WINNING LINE-UP: Brunswick Estates personnel (from left) Irena Krcmarova, Ian Hinchcliffe, Alan Whyke, Mick Walker with the awards they received for showing a commitment to training and confirming its approved contractor status with the Contractors Health and Safety Scheme
Contractor wins at the double A CONTRACTOR has put its customers and employees to the fore to land two awards. Architectural design and building contractor Brunswick Estates, based at Highfields, has achieved Investors in People status, recognising its commitment to training and developing its workforce. The firm, headed by business partners Mick Walker and Alan Whyke, has also been named an approved CHAS contractor. The Contractors Health and Safety Scheme rewards contractors who can demonstrate high levels of legal compliance and excellent safety standards. Mr Walker said: “Our customers
Paints and coatings firm expands its Kirklees site PAINT manufacturer PPG Architectural Coatings UK Ltd has brushed up its retail presence in Kirklees. The company has underlined its commitment to the region’s professional painters and decorators and DIY enthusiasts by investing in the expansion and relocation of its Johnstone’s Leyland Decorating Centre in Birstall. The new-look outlet has moved to a new building on the company’s site at Bradford Road, just around the corner from its original location. The move enables the store to offer a wider range of paints, wallpapers and equipment to trade and retail customers. The store as officially opened by Neil Ogilvie, north-east regional president and senior vice-president of the Painting and Decorating Association. Said mr Ogilvie: “It’s extremely positive that in the current economic climate, Johnstone’s is investing heavily in new Decorating Centres – and it’s a real honour to have been asked to officially open the new store in Birstall.” Centre marketing manager Gina Laycock said: “The new store will retain its existing branch team and
and sub-contractors are ver y important to us and because we operate a ‘concept to completion’ service, we are able to pay attention to any quality issues right from the initial design process through to completion of the project. “Achieving these awards involved many hours of work on the part of all our team along with cooperation and feedback from our customers and sub-contractors.” Said Mr Walker: “Applying for these awards made us take a critical look at our systems and working practices – how we deal with issues, how we interact with our staff and
each other, making improvements along the way. “It is important, especially during these uncertain times that we are able to give our customers confidence in our ability and a business edge over our competitors.” Services include architectural drawing, preparing ahd submitting planning a pplica tions, noise assessment and flood risk assessment surveys, refurbishing and restoring historical buildings, alterations and extensions and new build projects.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGENTS CONSULTANT ADVISOR •
•
•
TRAFALGAR MILLS LEEDS ROAD HUDDERSFIELD HD2 1YY •
•
•
To Let Modern & Purpose Built Units
Why not use the experts? MB Services have over 20 years experience 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 5 ......2500 square feet (available for sub let) Unit 19 ....4966 square feet Unit 20 ....5362 square feet Brockholes Business Park
■ OPENING DAY: Neil Ogilvie (right), north-east regional president and senior vice-president of the Painting and Decorating Association, opens the new Johnstone’s Leyland Decorating Centre in Birstall watched by members of the team
convenient location, but will offer even more in terms of product ranges, technical help and colour matching services. “It is more important than ever to offer our customers the best service and best value possible and we are confident that our new Decorating Centre in Birstall will effectively meet these demands.”
New Mill Road, Brockholes 41/2 miles from town centre, easy access to motorway network Unit to let in attractive business park Unit 3.......985 square feet (available March 2009) Unit 11 ....985 square feet Unit 25 ....1170 square feet (available for sub let)
REDUCED RENTAL ON SOME UNITS 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 Junction 25 Business Park
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
Christine Eccleston MB Services 01484 557102
Alec Michael Michael Steel 0113 248 999
22
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
014 8 4 4 3 2 0 4 3 Redevelopment
Offices
Contact Jason Metcalfe or Mark Hanson
01484 432043 The Old Gatehouse
Offices
Midland Mills Fartown Huddersfield
Stable Block/ Lockwood House Lockwood Park Huddersfield
Industrial Unit 4 Greenhill Mills Grange Road Batley
FOR SALE/TO LET
TO LET
TO LET
TO LET
6,273 to 12,968 sq ft
799 sq ft/ 1,093 sq ft/ 1,184 sq ft
4,963 sq ft
3,027 to 14,655 sq ft
Cost effective workshop/warehouse accommodation Potential for residential redevelopment subject to planning Of interest to owner/occupiers, housing associations and developers
3 good quality office suites Close to public transport links Tranquil setting
Modern industrial/warehouse/ engineering unit Eaves height 18 feet with travelling crane Within 2 miles of junction 40 M1 and junction 28 M62 Joint agent Michael Steel & Co
Visit our website w w w. h a n s o n - c s. c o. u k
68 New North Road Huddersfield
SKA House St Thomasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Road Huddersfield
Cost effective office suites Good quality specification On site car parking available Joint agent Eddisons
HD1 5NE
23
March, 2009
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
TOWN TALK
Women network event
Sean Jarvis
Proud day with Town
OR 60 minutes we were by far the best F side and I think had we scored the third I am certain we would have gone on
to win the game. Of course, I am talking about the fixture versus the league leaders Leicester. As some of you know, I was born in Leicester and grew up watching the likes of Worthington and Lineker. However, for me to see our supporters in full song and pack the corner of the Walkers Stadium was pure brilliance – to be honest possibly one of my proudest moments at the club. The hairs on the back of my neck were certainly up! I had a lot of family and friends at the Walkers that day who naturally were giving me lots of stick prior to the game, so to see and hear our fans in full voice filled me with such pride. What made me equally proud of Town was the complements that were provided to us from the Leicester fans saying things like that was by far the best team they had seen at the Walkers and how great the Town supporters were. On to business. There has been considerable speculation over the past few weeks surrounding our sponsors for next season. Casino Red, the land-based site, has faced some difficulties and closed its doors. Hopefully, this is just temporarily. Having spoken to the directors of Casino Red just before Christmas they were seeking new investment for their land-based venture. As I have said in the media I wish them every success in this. As for the internet site of their business – casinored.com – this is still operational and is officially our club sponsor, and as such we are under contract with the online site. Casino Red remain good supporters and friends of the club and I am due to meet with the directors of that business in a couple of weeks to discuss how we can go forward. One of the HTSA representatives spoke to me the other day regarding the Centenary and what was the latest activity. To be honest, we have looked for a blend of things that can hopefully appeal to all types of supporters and involve some of our key sponsors. So to give you a bit of flavour of what’s going on and how you can get involved , here’s a list of a variety of things: We have a Centenary Legends Dinner planned for March 2 at the stadium featuring a galaxy of former legends in our biggest Q and A yet. Book ASAP via 01484 484140. We are giving you the chance to play on the pitch. On Sunday, April 26, we will hold a Centenary Matchday featuring legends and TV stars with some of our lucky fans. Put simply, if you open a YBS Terriers Account you will be in with a chance to play on the pitch. Call Cammie Batten on 01484 484173 or email her on cammie.batten@htafc.com We also have limited edition Centenary merchandise, including the 99 Years and counting book? Call into the club shop and have a good look for yourselves. We also plan a Centenary Ball and Player Awards. We are still confirming the date and venue, but you can register your interest on 01484 484140 or commercial@htafc.com As for businesses who fancy their chances at six-a-side, then we have got something for you – a Centenary Football Tournament in association with KBN at The Zone. Taking place on the April 1 it promises to be a great night. Call the commercial team on 01484 484140. Sean Jarvis is director of business development at Huddersfield Town
■ WASHDAY: Julia Ruddiman (left) and Debbie Riach of The Washing Angels, at Meltham
Newcomers aim to clean up A NEW company is aiming to clean up – despite the economic slump. The Washing Angels, headed by manager Debbie Riach has set up shop in Meltham to provide a laundry service for local businesses, sports clubs and individuals who want someone else to do their weekly wash! The business has opened fol-
lowing a six-month refurbishment of the Station Street p r e m i s e s, w h i c h i n c l u d e d installing state-of-the-art washing machines. Yorkshire Bank provided funding to get the venture up and running. “Our aim is to save customers time and money,” said Debbie. “e have installed a commercial 40lb washer which enables us to wash
very large loads, including horse blankets and duvets. The launch of the business has also brought work to other local firms. The display window at the premises was designed by The Design Mechanics, of Manchester Road, Marsden, and installed by Andre McGee, of tfive sign consultants and project management.
Thirsty work for Ask A MARKETING company in Huddersfield has completed a thirst-quenching contract. Ask Strategic Marketing and Research, based at the Media Centre, Northumberland Street, was commissioned by Ilkley-based Together Health Ltd to run a product sampling session with target consumers for its new range of Active Health Drinks. Research was carried out over three days at the Media Centre and the Round Foundry in Leeds. The findings were used to help Together Drinks pitch for business with a leading coffee shop chain. Susan Kenyon, director at Ask, said: “It’s
great to be working with such an innovative producer. This collaboration further builds on our food and drink sector experience and once again puts us at the forefront of new product development in the region.” Samples tested for the research included Together Drinks’ Detox Digest, Natural Energy and Age Defence drinks. The products have been developed with leading experts in nutrition and herbalism to ensure Together Drinks products boost natural nutritional content adding a real and lasting benefit to today’s busy lifestyles. Ask was formed in 1997.
BUSINESSWOMEN from Kirklees and Calderdale got together for a networking event in Huddersfield. Some 56 people attended the Huddersfield and Calderdale WiRE Networks meeting at the Textile Centre of Excellence to hear from speakers, take part in an open networking session and browse around stalls demonstrating products and services made by WiRE members. The speakers were Lisa Kendrick, of Longwood-based accountancy software specialist Liquid Accounts; Sally Robinson of North Yorkshire lingerie business Ample Bosom; Georgie Oldfield, of The Pain Relief Centre, Longley: Sarah Gathercole, of Mosaic Virtual Office in Longwood; and Helen Williams, of Elland-based image consultants Helipad Lifestyles. Ms Gathercole, Huddersfield WiRE network leader, said: “The feedback from the event has been very positive and both WiRE networks have received requests from a number of ladies to visit the network meetings to find out more about WiRE and how they may benefit from meeting up with other inspired women in business.”
Consultancy forges new alliance with high street pharmacy chain A COMPANY in Huddersfield helping property owners comply with the law has landed a contract with pharmacy chain Alliance Boots. BES Consulting, based at Moldgreen, will provide energy performance certificates to the health and beauty retailer. The agreement, which will see BES Consulting work with Alliance Boots’ stores nationwide, follows the Huddersfield firm’s £1m investment in building the country’s largest field-based team of EPC-qualified surveyors. Jean Waring-Thomas, energy man-
ager for Boots UK, said: “It was clear to me that we needed specialists to support the group with these new certificates. “By working with BES Consulting, we not only receive the certificates but we also get useful recommendations about how we can improve the energy performance of our properties.” The first Alliance Boots properties to be surveyed by BES Consulting include offices, warehouses and residential flats located above stores. EPCs are a new a legal requirement for any commercial building that is let or
sold. BES Consulting has already landed major deals to supply the certificates to national pubs chains, including Marston’s and Punch Taverns. The company, which has offices and surveyors across the UK, works on some of the country’s largest commercial property estates, including most of the top 10 pub chains and has helped companies to cut energy costs by up to 30%. BES Consulting provides services covering areas such as legionella, fire, asbestos, health and safety, EPCs and display energy certificates.
WE BRING BUSINESS FACE TO FACE WITH BUSINESS
Welcome for safety legislation
Water music! A BRIGHOUSE-based brass band has helped Yorkshire Water win an award for customer service. The Yorkshire Co-op Brass Band provides the music played when customers are “on hold” when ringing the water firm’s call centre. The band was recorded playing popular tracks by Robbie WIlliams, Tony Christie and Katie Melua. And the authentic Yorkshire sound seems to be music to the ears of customers. Water industry watchdog Ofwat has ranked Bradford-based Yorkshire Water top of the table for the quality of customer service when calling the contact centre about any water and sewerage issues. Each quarter, Ofwat contacts a random selection of customers from all the water and sewerage companies and asks them to rate the service they have received on a scale of one to five. Customers are asked about how long it takes their call to be answered, how well the staff they talk to understand the reason for the call and whether the enquiry was resolved by the end of the call. Yorkshire Water, whose contact centre is operated by its sister company Loop Customer Management, took the top spot out of the 12 water and sewerage companies – out-performing the industry average. Zoe Mason, head of customer service at Loop, said: “Each time a customer contacts Yorkshire Water, our aim is to provide them with an excellent level of service so they leave
■ GOOD CALL: Yorkshire Co-op Brass Band provides the music for customers on "hold" at Yorkshire Water's call centre knowing their enquiry has been dealt with efficiently. “To come top of the class is a great achievement and one which we will be determined to achieve for the rest of the year.” She said Yorkshire Water had improved customer satisfaction by
reducing the level of automated answering at the contact centre to ensure more calls were answered by a real person. The firm had also recruited Yorkshire Co-Op Brass Band to record the “hold” music – and guarantee a true Yorkshire experience.
A SAFETY training specialist in Huddersfield has welcomed new laws to make rogue employers smarten up their act. Under the new Health and S a f e t y ( O ff e n c e s ) A c t , employers face stiffer penalties for failing to safeguard their employees from injury or illness in the workplace. The Act widens the range of offences for which an individual can be imprisoned and increases the maximum penalties that can be imposed for health and safety regulation breaches from £5,000 to £20,000 in the lower courts. The Government said the changes aimed to deter businesses that did not take their health and safety management responsibilities seriously and encourage employers and others to comply with the law. Richard Wrigley, a director of Meltham-based Fenay Safety (IOM) Ltd, which specialises in woodworking machine safety issues, said he had noticed a strong uptake in enquiries from potential
clients following the introduction of the Act at the start of the year. He said: “The new law is about creating a level playing field for firms. People who have been getting away with non-compliance will not be able to do so now. Everyone will be up to the same standa r d s. C o m p a n i e s h av e everything to gain by from the creation of a level playing field.” Ray Hurst, immediate past president of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, said: “We hope these new sanctions will act as a strong deterrent to the minority who need it. “Rogue employers should not escape with meagre fines for serious health and safety offences that can needlessly destroy people’s lives.” Fenay Safety (IOM) Ltd [provides safety training for employees using woodworking machinery, including manufacturers, technicians in schools and colleges as well as local authorities and prisons.
Record order book for property experts
Yorkshire’s Legal People.
the largest field-based team of surveyors qualified to help commercial property managers reduce their energy costs and receive Energy Performance Certificates. EPCs became a legal requirement for all commercial buildings let or sold from October – and BES is creating at least 30 new jobs to help meet soaring demand. Recent contracts include ones with pubs groups Marston’s and Punch Taverns. BES sales and marketing director Steve Daniels said:
“Our business is ideally suited to address the boardroom issues of the day – helping companies to reduce compliance costs and the environmental impact of their operations.” Said Mr Daniels: “Some of our customers operate thousands of properties across the UK. “We help to identify ways to reduce energy wastage and stay on top of the legislative requirements for commercial buildings.”
Huddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Dewsbury | Leeds: Morley | Leeds: Pudsey
A COMPANY in Huddersfield is bucking the trend by achieving record orders. Moldgreen-based BES Consulting has increased orders by 40% in the past six months – even though it is operating in the hard-pressed property sector. T h e c o m p a ny, w h i c h employs almost 200 people, specialises in statutory property compliance in areas such as asbestos, fire, legionella and health and safety. BES recently announced a £1m investment in building
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