MIKE PARKINSON
FTSE 100 +15.16 7037.67
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015
Food for thought Interview - Page 3
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COLIN BARRATT What a great gift idea! Column - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
Business bosses interested in exporting heard what other companies are doing to sell their products abroad at an event in Huddersfield. Huddersfield Town Enterprise Academy (HTEA) staged an international business breakfast with Kirklees College and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) at the college’s Landings 72 restaurant. They heard from a panel of experts drawn from companies in Kirklees and Calderdale which are already successfully exporting their products. The event follows a call for Kirklees firms to make a “concerted effort” to boost Yorkshire’s export performance after the region enjoyed a “solid year of export consolidation” in 2014. Mark Robson, regional director of UKTI, made the call after figures from HM Revenue & Customs showed that total exports for Yorkshire and the Humber were worth almost £17bn in 2014 as a whole – the region’s second highest annual tally ever recorded on the back of a bumper 2013. The final value of £16.95bn is down from the record £17.4bn posted in 2013 – but there were significant gains in the value of exports to the Middle East, SubSaharan Africa and Western Europe compared with 2013. There were marginal declinss in North America, includ-
■■ Export experts at the HTEA event (from left) Richard Paxman, David Biggin, Neil Smith, Mark Young, Joanna Lavan and Richard Kaye
ing the USA, and the European Union. But Mr Robson said: “The year-end values for 2014 are largely positive in the context of the ongoing uncertainty and economic challenges in the Eurozone. “It was essentially a year of consolidation after a hugely encouraging 2013, and although we have taken a slight backwards step on the face of it, we still have a solid base to build from as global economies continue to recover. “The challenge we face in the new financial year ahead is to ensure we are poised to capitalise on opportunities as
they emerge, which may require local companies to look beyond the traditional markets where they already have a presence.” He said: ““Europe remains our biggest market and is the obvious go-to region for many to tackle first, but you shouldn’t be deterred from seeing what lies beyond.” Panel members at the Huddersfield event were Richard Kaye, of household appliances manufacturer Fired Up Group at Longroyd Bridge; Mark Young, of John Walton (Machine Tools) Ltd,
Brighouse; Richard Paxman, of Paxman Coolers at Fenay Bridge; David Biggin, of Birstall-based Future Forwarding; Neil Smith, of Aspley-based sealants and adhesives firm Polyseam; and Joanna Lavan, of ConnectChina in Batley. Mr Kaye said his company had begun exporting 10 years ago when the firm found it’s turnover was stable, but its profits were shrinking. “There is no one size fits all,” he said. “If you’ve got a product and market in mind speak to somebody on the ground in that country who can give you some true advice on whether or not it is likely to work.” Ms Lavan said it was important to do thorough research before considering exporting. “Get out in to the market and see face-to-face what is happening,” she said. “You also need to look at more of a medium to long-term strategy as it won’t all happen quickly. You need to keep hammering away.” Huddersfield Town commercial director Sean Jarvis, who facilitated the event, said: “These companies are doing a fantastic job for our area by being successful around the world and long may that continue.” Kirklees College commercial manager Jason Taylor said: “Through hosting the HTEA events, Kirklees College has gained a reputation as an important venue for bringing business people together and it has given us the opportunity to show what the college has to offer local employers.”
Haulier delivers warehouse expansion and more jobs A company distributing goods nationwide has expanded its fleet, warehousing and staff numbers. Elland-based ADD express Ltd, part of the Pall-Ex palletised goods distribution network, reported business growth of 20% last year – enabling the firm to invest in a new 30,000sq ft transport facility and transform its adjacent premises at Lowfields Business Park into a fullyracked, 80,000sq ft warehouse. The move has enabled ADD to become a 24-hour operation and created four new roles for overnight warehouse operatives, increasing its staff to 45 employees across two sites. Managing director Dave Fairbrother said: “Pall-Ex membership is key to our
success and constitutes approximately 95% of our business. “Working in partnership with Pall-Ex’s network of like-minded, quality hauliers has enhanced our operational capabilities and efficiency by giving us access to the network’s resources throughout the UK and Europe. “This is an exciting time to be part of the Pall-Ex community and we are looking ahead to further growth.” Part of the company’s £1m investment and rapid expansion strategy has involved buying five single and doubledecked trailers, increasing its fleet to 30 vehicles. Said Mr Fairbrother: “We are delighted to be able to create new jobs, boost-
■■ ADD Express Ltd has expanded its Elland facilities and recruited more staff
ing the economy both locally and nationally. The new storage facility is already reaching full capacity, leading the management team to review the possibility
of further strategic storage acquisitions in line with our long term vision.” ADD has been a Pall-Ex member since the network’s inception in 1996. Kevin Buchanan, Pall-Ex Group’s new managing director, said: “Since taking up the reins in November, I’ve been delighted with the passion and drive among our members. “Our focus upon quality, high standards and cost-effective services delivers numerous benefits to all our customers and stakeholders, leading to achievements such as those at ADD Express. “Congratulations must go to the ADD team and the whole of the Pall-Ex network, which has been integral to this latest success story.”
Training pays off Newly-promoted telesales manager Michelle Hamer was given the task of training four new members of the team at Brighouse-based Avocet Hardware. Michelle, who joined the firm in the early 1990s, said she had not expected to still be with the firm 22 years later, but added: “When you have a job that is rewarding, varied and interesting and where you are valued extremely highly by your colleagues in other departments and the owners of the business, then why would you leave?” The nine-strong telesales team boasts more than 100 years of combined industry experience.
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It’s a hot product An Elland firm is to show off an innovative products on the national stage. Passive fire protection specialist Checkmate Fire is putting its Alufire fire protection system onto the world-renowned BRE Innovation Park, near Watford, which attracts up to 15,000 visitors every year. Alufire, made up of firerated sheets secured in aluminium frames which have a glass fibre reinforced seperator, provides thermal insulation and smoke and fire resistance to protects against the high temperatures of a fire.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
McDonald’s boss named as new chief at Halfords The head of McDonald’s UK is to swap burgers and fries for bicycles and car parts after being poached to become the next chief executive of Halfords. Jill McDonald will take over in May following the departure of Matt Davies, who has been lured to Tesco to become boss of its UK operations. Mr Davies had only taken over in October, 2012, following a profit warning that sparked the departure of his predecessor, David Wild, earlier that year. Ms McDonald will be paid £500,000 basic pay, plus a maximum annual bonus worth 150% of her salary. She will also be entitled to participate in a performance share plan worth up to 150% of salary. In addition, she will be compensated for the loss of long-term share incentives at McDonald’s by being granted stock worth £495,000 over the next three years. Halfords chairman Dennis Millard said: “When the board began a search for a new CEO we were clear that we were looking for an outstanding business leader. “We are delighted to have recruited Jill, who has a strong track record of
■■ Jill McDonald will get basic pay of £500,000 as chief executive of Halfords
heading a large, complex, service-led business with great success.” Ms McDonald said: “Halfords is a business and brand that resonates with me and the UK public and I am delighted to be joining the company.” The new boss has previously worked at Colgate Palmolive and Brit-
ish Airways, where she became head of global marketing, before joining McDonald’s in 2006. She was appointed to her current role as UK chief executive and president for north west Europe in 2010 overseeing 3,300 owned and franchised restaurants in seven countries,
Muller deal referred to watchdog Plans by Germany’s Muller to buy an £80m portion of Britain’s milk market have been referred to the UK’s competition authority. The planned deal, announced in November, will see subsidiary Muller Wiseman buy Dairy Crest’s struggling dairy operations, meaning it controls about a quarter of milk produced in the UK. Dairy Crest said that “following constructive talks with the European Commission” the deal had now been referred back to the UK for review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). It added that the transaction, which has already been approved by its shareholders, remained “on track”. The deal will leave the UK milk market in the hands of three major firms – global dairy co-operative Arla, Glasgow-based First Milk, also owned by farmers, and Muller, which bought Glasgow’s Robert Wiseman Dairies for £100m in 2012. Analysts say it should provide some relief to hard-pressed dairy farmers and it has been welcomed by the National Farmers’ Union. Dairy Crest chief executive Mark Allen said: “This transaction will be a positive development for both Dairy Crest and the UK dairy industry as a whole, delivering economies of scale that will help create a more sustainable UK dairy sector that is better placed to compete.”
and more than 200,000 staff. Mr Davies was reported to be “genuinely gutted” to be leaving Halfords after Britain’s biggest supermarket came calling. A surge in bike sales had boosted profits with latest half-year results showing a 10.8% rise in underlying earnings to £49.4m in the six months to September 26. The latest trading update in the 15 weeks to January 9 showed like-forlike sales up by 6.7%. Halfords employs about 11,000 people at 468 stores in the UK and Ireland and at more than 300 Autocentres. Lewis Sturdy, dealer at London Capital Group, said: “Halfords investors will wait for the new CEO to bring home the bacon before cheering the appointment of McDonald’s UK boss to replace Matt Davies who checked out for Tesco. “The good news is that in Jill McDonald, formerly of McDonalds, Halfords is gaining someone who has the customer-is-king culture at heart, essential if Halfords is to continue its bike-led revival in the face of renewed price competition.”
Takeover boosts half-year profits
Chinese bid for tyres firm Pirelli
Baker Finsbury Food said a new acquisition helped it almost double half-year profits – despite a “challenging” period in the grocery sector due to the supermarket price war. Cardiff-based Finsbury lifted pre-tax profits by 95% to £4.1m in the six months to December 27, aided by its £56m purchase of Sheffield-based Fletchers Group of Bakeries in October. Revenues rose by 24.1% to £107.6m – also driven by strong Christmas trading and revenues from its licence agreement to make cakes linked to Disney
China’s biggest state-owned chemical firm has announced plans to acquire Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli. ChemChina said it is buying a 26.2% stake in Pirelli Tyre SpA from its biggest shareholder, Camfin SpA, which is controlled by the family of Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera. The company said it would offer to buy the remaining outstanding shares. If completed, the deal would value Pirelli at 8.8bn dollars (£5.88bn), according to finan-
animated film Frozen. Like-forlike sales were up by 5.6%. Finsbury Food said it had bought Fletchers to expand its presence in buns, muffins, scones and baguettes. It added that the results for this period include two months of trading from Fletchers. Both firms are major suppliers to the country’s biggest supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. The group said: “Whilst the UK grocery market continues to be challenging, the wider economic environment is slowly
improving.” It said it delivered a good first half performance, and expected this to continue into the second half of the year as it completes the integration of Fletchers which would deliver costs savings. Finsbury Food chief executive John Duffy said: “We have seen notable growth, both organically and through the Fletchers acquisition, which is integrating well.” “We look forward to the remainder of the year with confidence.”
cial information provider Dealogic. Flush with cash from their country’s recent boom, Chinese companies are stepping up acquisitions abroad as they diversify beyond their own economy, where growth is slowing. Europe is viewed as an attractive market for acquisitions due to the relative weakness of the euro and what Chinese companies see as less political resistance to large deals there than they might face in the USA.
Beijing-based ChemChina is one of China’s biggest industrial companies, with interests in oil processing, petrochemicals, gricultural chemicals, rubber products and chemical equipment. The company, which has its own tyre manufacturing operation, said it would support the growth and expansion of Pirelli, the world’s fifth-largest tyre supplier. The acquisition of Pirelli, if completed, would be one of China’s biggest to date in Europe.
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Mike finds a place of his own He’s been dishing up delicious fare at some of the region’s bestknown eateries for more than 20 years. Now Mike Parkinson is striking out on his own – with a little help from family members – running Parky’s Bistro in Milnsbridge. Mike, 37, who hails from Bradford and now lives at Fixby, says: “I have been in the catering industry for 22 years. My family were a huge influence in my career choice – especially my gran. “She introduced me to cooking when I was getting under her feet in the kitchen and things progressed from there! “I did a YTS scheme in catering which involved day release at Bradford College and four days working at the Novotel Hotel in Bradford. I worked with an exarmy chef. It was hard work, but I enjoyed it. “I got a scholarship to work for two years in Normandy. I worked at the local Novotel for a while and then at a small restaurant in the town centre, living above a bakery. It gave me a respect for food which has stuck with me ever since. The French take their food seriously! Again, it was hard work. I was trainee commis chef and I was there to learn. We would work long hours every week in the kitchen.” Returning to Britain, Mike got a
job at Dudley House Hotel in Scotland. The hotel was a sister operation to the more famous Gleneagles Hotel and Mike often found himself working there as well. He spent 18 months there – working with a chef who was a colleague at the Novotel – before moving on. As Mike acknowledges, it’s a fact of life in the hospitality sector that to get ahead you have to keep moving! Next, Mike worked at the Holiday Inn at Brighouse – then one of Trusthouse Forte’s flagship hotels. “The head chef there was very helpful to me,” he says. “What he didn’t know about food wasn’t worth knowing.” When the head chef left, he asked Mike to join his staff working at a restaurant in Jersey. Later, Mike returned to the mainland and Yorkshire to work at Bertie’s in Elland, where he spent three years before moving to the Springfield Park Hotel at Kirkburton. “By the time I left after two years the restaurant was full every night,” he says. Mike went back to Bertie’s Banqueting Rooms briefly before taking up a prestige posting at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Manchester – where he provided fine dining for business lunches and dinners where the conversation revolved around bull markets and multi-million pound deals.
Mike Parkinson
“I went for a three-day trial to see if I would enjoy it,” he says. “I was there for two years. We worked from 7am to 4pm and again from 7pm to midnight. I was living in Huddersfield and commuting every day.” A serious sports injury forced Mike to rethink his career. “I broke my kneecap and damaged my ligaments doing taekwando,” he says. “I was in plaster from my thigh to my ankle and there was no way I could stand all day in the kitchen, so I went into teaching. “I trained at Kirklees College and taught at Merseyside College in Liverpool, which was totally different for me. It seemed really strange. “I stayed there for about a year, but it was a nightmare commute, so I got a job at Kirklees College in the restaurant kitchen, working particularly with the students.” As his leg got stronger, Mike was able to return to the kitchen in earnest, helping out other catering firms and doing outside catering for himself. But he was really looking for a place of his own. The opportunity came when he met Ashley Lindsay, director of furniture store Lindsay’s Allsorts, who had embarked on a major overhaul of the business, based in a sprawling mill at Britannia Road, Milnsbridge, to form @HomeMills. The idea of setting up a bistro to
■■ Mike Parkinson has realised a dream with the opening of his own busniess, Parky’s Bistro, at Milnsbridge
complement the improvements Ashley was making to expand his offering chimed with Mike. Now he is running Parky’s Bistro to provide shoppers with a reason to linger as they look for three-piece suites, dining sets and giftware. “I could see the scope and vision that Ashley had for the mill and we set the ball rolling,” says Mike. “I wanted the bistro to be welcoming so people could come in and feel relaxed. I wanted people to feel as though they were walking into their own home.” Popular dishes range from meatloaf and sea bass to duck, but Mike puts as much effort into creating a lunchtime sandwich as a three course dinner. “Our ethos is all about having high standards and serving good quality food cooked really well,” he says. Helping behind the scenes is Mike’s wife Georgia – who teaches cake decorating and baking at Thomas Danby College in Leeds – and youngest son Jack, 15. Just a few months into the business and Parky’s Bistro is already getting noticed for all the right reasons – with a number one spot on TripAdvisor and a crop of positive comments to its credit. “We are very busy on Fridays and weekends,” says Mike. “We were fully booked for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day and we got busier throughout January.” When time allows, Mike likes walking pet dog Polly in the woods near the family’s Fixby home and around the local reservoirs. Sticking with the sporting theme, the family also enjoys camping holidays in Cornwall to go surfing and bodyboarding. Despite the injury to his leg, Mike still takes part in martial arts – although he has no ambitions to compete for silverware. “I do it for the fun of it,” he says, “I go with a few mates and there’s a social thing to it. I’m at the bistro six days a week, so I need an hour a week where I don’t need to think of anything except getting any aggression out of my system! “Everyone needs a release from the pressures of life.”
Role: Owner and chef Age: 37 Family: Married to Georgia with sons Matthew, 19, and Jack, 15 Holidays: We go to Cornwall where we enjoy camping, surfing and bodyboarding Car: Skoda Fabia First job: Washing up in a pub kitchen when I was 14 Best thing about the job? I enjoy the people. It’s nice to know that your standards are appreciated Worst thing about the job? There aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done! Business tip: Be true to yourself and don’t let go of your vision. I had a clear vision when I came here about what I wanted to achieve. Don’t lose sight of your goals
Parky’s Bistro Site: Stanley Mill, Britannia Road, Milnsbridge Phone: 01484 961906 Email: parky.106@hotmail.com Web: www. homemills.com/parkysbistro/
Independent financial planning services for companies and individuals Eastwood Financial Services Ltd Pennine House, Lowfields Close, Lowfields Business Park, Elland HX5 9DA 01422 377737 www.eastwoodfinancial.co.uk Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
local
KIRKLEES BUS
Why it pays to use the Gift Aid option Chamber reports stronger exports Exporting activity has surged across Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield, it hs claimed. The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce reported a 13% rise in exporting activity in the first two months of this year – based on the demand from exporting companies and freight forwarders for export documentation services, which the Huddersfieldbased chamber provides via its international trade arm MY Export Hub. Chamber chief executive Martin Hathaway (pictured) said the figure was good news for local companies and the country as a whole as the rebalancing of the economy towards manufac-
turing and exports was critical to the UK economy. Mr Hathaway said: “Despite the very strong Pound rate against the Euro in particular, it is most reassuring to see that our exporters are successfully selling British goods and services into export markets at a time of continued difficult trading conditions overseas. “Our chamber provides a complete range of export services throughout our chamber area and we are very pleased to be playing our part in these tremendous sales efforts which are so essential to the ongoing and sustainable recovery of the British economy”.
Conference call The Huddersfield-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has set a date for businesses to meet in Wakefield. The chamber’s fourth annual MY Conference Wakefield will take place on Wednesday, June 24, at the newly-refurbished Unity Works in the heart of Wakefield city centre. The conference will be held during Wakefield Business Week, which will run from June 22 to 27, and which is organised by Wakefield First. For more information email info@mycci.co.uk.
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Under the Gift Aid scheme, donations to charity are deemed to have had basic rate tax relief deducted by the donor. The charity will receive not just the amount of donation but the tax deemed to be withheld. For individuals who are liable to basic rate tax, broadly those with gross income of up to £41,865 there will be no further tax relief due on the Gift Aid donations made. But higher rate taxpayers will be able to obtain a tax refund on their donations equivalent to 25% of the amount paid. For instance, if an individual pays £80 to charity it will get £80 plus the £20 tax “withheld” giving it £100 and the individual can claim a higher rate tax relief of £20 meaning the £80 donation has actually cost them £60. For those liable to additional rate tax of 45% which starts where taxable income exceeds £150,000, they will be able to claim even more tax back on any Gift Aid donations made. For those with income over £100,000 the personal allowance will taper away and an individual with an income above £120,000 will receive no personal allowance at all. Individuals with income falling in this range who make a Gift Aid donation will obtain a tax refund equivalent to 50% of the net payment. (Pay £80 and you get back £40, a net cost of £40 and the charity gets £100). Those couples affected by the taxation of Child Benefit, where one spouse has income above £50,000, the payment of a Gift Aid donation to reduce
TAX TALK Colin Barratt income below this threshold may be worth considering thus ensuring the benefit is received in full as well as gaining higher rate tax relief on donation made. An individual is usually required to sign a Gift Aid declaration confirming that they have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year that is at least equal to the amount of tax that the charity will reclaim on the gift made. The declaration can cover current and future donations as well as gifts made in the past four tax years. Non-taxpayers should not complete this declaration meaning that the charity will receive only £80, as in the examples above. Should an individual having completed a Gift Aid declaration find their circumstances change so that they end up not having paid tax or insufficient tax to cover the amount reclaimed by the charity, HMRC would regard them as being liable to repay the tax recovered by the charity, although in practice they will initially look to the charity
to repay the tax claimed in error. Tax relief on Gift Aid donations is usually allowed in the year of payment. However, an election can be made, normally through the Self-Assessment Tax Return, to carry back a later year’s donation to the previous tax year. The availability of this election allows an individual to obtain higher rate tax relief in one year if they know they will only be liable to tax at a lower rate in another year. It is too late to carry back from this year to last year, but next year’s donation could be carried back to this year when your Tax Return is being completed. For married couples suffering different rates of tax it would be sensible for Gift Aid donations to charities to be made by the spouse who is the highest rate taxpayer as they are able to obtain the optimum relief for these payments. How many times do you make Gift Aid donations and forget to claim relief? If you are a higher rate taxpayer make a diary note every time you do, you might be surprised!
Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield
Payment plan boost for Brighouse firm Independent payment provider Yorkshire Payments has announced a three-year partnership with one of the largest worldwide providers of payment solutions. The Brighouse-based firm, which provides a wide range of merchant services to businesses in Yorkshire and beyond, secured the prestigious contract with Global Payments following a rigorous tender process, which took almost three years to complete. Partnering with Global Payments will allow Yorkshire Payments to provide its customers with another world class acquiring banking platform, offering rates that are up to 40% cheaper than its competitors. Yorkshire Payments, founded by 29-year old entrepreneur James Howard in 2011, provides credit and debit card processing facilities as an independent service organisation – officially licensed by MasterCard and
■■ Managing director James Howard (right) and team members at Brighouse-based Yorkshire Payments
Visa – to small and mediumsized businessess across Yorkshire. It is one of only three businesses in northern England to have gained independent status from Visa and was one of the last businesses to be granted an independent licence. Mr Howard said: “We are immensely proud about securing this contract with Global Payments. They are a
great brand and one of the leading providers of merchant services not only in the UK but worldwide. “Our aim is to provide businesses across the Yorkshire region with a local, customer focused service that is supported by some of the most innovative and advanced technology. Our partnership with Global Payments will help us to achieve this.”
Andy Ward , strategic partnership manager at Global Payments, said: “We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Yorkshire Payments. This joint venture highlights our strategy to support independent merchant solutions providers and support Yorkshire businesses. “The Yorkshire Payments team has done a great job of putting together a successful application to become one of our preferred suppliers and we look forward to working with them over the next few years.” The 12-strong Yorkshire Payments team recently moved to larger, purposebuilt offices in the new Thornhill Brigg Mills development in Brighouse – having outgrown offices firstly in Halifax and then The Boathouse at Brighouse. The new site will support Yorkshire Payment’s expansion plans, which include further staff appointments.
■■ Gareth Dando, head Ramsdens Solicitors
Male w likely to more ti
Male employees ar opportunity for incre for fear of being judge Of the 520 men resp Huddersfield-based 20% of those workin fewer than 10 emplo paternity leave for the pares with 57% of mal company employing 2 The Labour Party ha increase paid paterni – on a use it or lose it support new fathers more hands-on role has also pledged to in nity pay from £120 a w Gareth Dando, hea Ramsdens, said: “Des extending the right to ing to all employees changes being implem ing both partners’ r leave at the same tim dissuaded from takin allowance and it seem the size of the compan Among employees who said they woul paternity leave, 16% s they would feel unco much time off work. only 11% at large busi Furthermore, 25% micro-businesses said unsupported by their take longer than two w compared with only 5 Mr Dando said: “Th them understanding t workplace would be take more time off to Some 33% of m employees believe th view them negatively more time off, becau pick up the absent em In a large business, as easier to cover for a staff, 40% thought th with indifference agai they would be viewe employees.
5
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015
SINESS NEWS
d of employment at
workers o shun ime off
re likely to shun the eased paternity leave ed, a report claims. ponding to a survey by Ramsdens Solicitors, ng for a business with oyees took two weeks eir last child. That comles employed in a large 250 to 999 staff. as announced plans to ity leave to four weeks t” basis – to financially and help them play a in parenting. Labour ncrease statutory paterweek to £260 a week. ad of employment at spite the Government o request flexible works in 2014 and further mented in 2015 regardright to take parental me, males are still being ng their full paternity ms this may be down to ny they work for.” s of micro-businesses ld not take extended said that was because omfortable having that . This compared with inesses. of respondents from d that they would feel r boss if they were to weeks’ paternity leave, 5% at bigger firms. This view may be due to the pressures that their under if they were to help with childcare.” male micro-business heir colleagues would y if they were to take use they would have to mployee’s workload. where it could be seen an absence member of hey would be viewed inst 30% whoe thought ed positively by fellow
local
Student with a flair for flavours A student at Huddersfield University is tasting success with his new business. And Stephen Bond hopes his flair for flavours will expand the market for a unique and exotic range of liqueurs. During an enterprise placement year for his advertising design degree course, Stephen launched Panda’s Kitchen, which devises, blends, bottles and sells the liqueurs. So far he has sold his products at events such as craft and food fairs, but in May – after his coursework is completed – he is due to open his own outlet in Huddersfield’s Byram Arcade. He has also held talks with a highlyprestigious London retailer. Panda’s Kitchen is on the brink of success – but it came about after an earlier business collaboration, on a web-based publication, fell through. The Enterprise Team at the university urged Stephen to try his hand at another venture and he immediately thought of a special interest that he had pursued since the age of 18 – devising recipes for flavoured liqueurs and then producing the blended products, most of which have a vodka base. “I have always been interested in flavour combinations,” he said. “I can’t cook very well, so I wondered what I could do to encompass a lot of wonderful flavours in one neat package. If I couldn’t eat them, I could drink them!” He got to work in the kitchen of his student digs and a coffee liqueur was the first to emerge, which soon proved popular. Now the range has expanded to include popular blends such as marshmallow, white chocolate and – perhaps unexpectedly – chilli. “You see people try it and think it is really going to blow their heads off and singe their tastebuds!” said Stephen. “But as they sip the drink and taste its
■■ Huddersfield University student Stephen Bond has launched flavoured liqueurs business Panda’s Kitchen
combinations of honey, spices and fiery chilli they are rapidly converted.” “Panda” was a nickname once bestowed on Stephen, so he has appropriated it for the new business. Moving on from an enthusiastic student market for his creations, he is now targeting an older customer base which has developed a taste for specialist liqueurs. In order to open the Byram Arcade premises – which will be up and running in May – Stephen, 24, has been through an exhaustive process of acquiring licences and meeting regulatory requirements. And he continues to receive crucial advice and mentoring from the university’s Enterprise Team within the Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Centre. Stephen said his advertising design
Budget views for businesses More than 130 local business-people and professional gathered at Greenhead Masonic Hall in Huddersfield for a review of last week’s budget hosted by chartered accountancy firm Wheawill & Sudworth. Tax director Colin Barratt (right) highlighted some new ideas to mitigate both Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax liabilities. “Despite further crackdowns by HMRC, there remain a variety of sensible steps that entrepreneurs and their families can take to preserve wealth for future generations,” he said. Guest speaker Guy Ellison (centre), head of UK equities at Investec Wealth & Investment, provided a global eco-
nomic overview, including thoughts on how the possible outcomes of this year’s General Election would impact on share prices A reduction in corporate tax rates and further tax breaks for R&D projects were analysed by Wheawill & Sudworth managing director David Butterworth (left). He said: “This is further good news for local businesses looking to build and invest for the future.”
degree course has also been invaluable. It means that Stephen knows how businesses tick and how to engage with customers – and he has developed a wide range of presentational skills. Stephen, from Luton, now plans to remain in the North, where the towns and cities are increasingly vibrant, he says. He added: “I aim to get my products stocked in London, but I don’t want to live there!”
Yorkshire’s SMEs buoyed by better trading climate MORE than two-fifths of small and medium-sized businesses in Yorkshire say that trading conditions are improving – with almost half saying that they will invest in their business during 2015. Results of the latest Close Brothers Business Barometer also reveal that 31% of businesses in the region believe they will expand over the course of this year. Mike Randall (pictured), chief executive of Close Brothers Asset Finance, said: “The UK economy has turned a corner, with the European Commission telling us that it is expected to grow by 2.4% over the course of this year. “This is, of course, good news for businesses of all sizes, but particularly for smaller firms that have arguably struggled more than most to thrive over the past five years. “Our survey results suggest that almost half of SMEs in Yorkshire and Humberside are now feeling confident to make strategic decisions about growth.” The survey, which canvasses the views of SME owners and senior management from a range of industry sectors, also shows that 43% of local businesses are planning a recruitment drive this year – with just 8% stating that they will reduce staffing numbers. Some 42% of business
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owners polled said that they are actively seeking funding to support growth. “The challenge now is to ensure that these ambitious small businesses can access the finance they need to achieve their growth and job creation targets,” said Mr Randall. “One of the biggest barriers to growth is accessing appropriate funding. “It is essential that businesses are able to access the right type of finance at the right time for them and they can only do this if awareness of the full spectrum of financial options continues to rise. “As an asset finance provider, we are glad to see a growing recognition from both the government and the business community for the role alternative finance is playing in supporting business growth.”
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6
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
local
Technology transfer – from lab to shopfloor THE manufacturing environment can be a harsh one for delicate instrumentation. Now a Huddersfield University scientist has been awarded a government-backed fellowship to help him investigate ways for advanced technology to move from the controlled conditions of a laboratory to a busy factory production line. Senior research fellow Dr Feng Gao has received his award under Innovate UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult – a project described as “the catalyst for the future growth and success of manufacturing in the UK”. Fellowships awarded under the scheme are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and designed to help firms develop new technologies through to commercial reality. The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) in County Durham is part of the HVM Catapult. Its specialities include printable electronics, such as rolls of flexible solar panels, embedded with photovoltaic cells. Researchers at Huddersfield University’s EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Advanced Metrology have played an important role in improving the quality control and reliability of these flexible solar panels, so that they can be manufactured more efficiently and economically. Under another research programme, the EPSRC Centre has developed new technologies to detect, clean and repair micro and nanoscale defects in the thin films that are vital in printed electronic products, using an award-winning Wavelength Scanning Interferometer, which can detect defects in the coatings of roll-to-roll flexible photovoltaic cells. Dr Gao’s three-year HVM Catapult fellowship will see him investigate how to use the EPSRC Centre’s prototype instruments in the roll-to-roll production line at the Centre for Process Innovation. Instruments normally used in an optical lab, where they are stabilised and protected, now have
■■ Senior research fellow Dr Feng Gao at Huddersfield University
to be adapted so that they can be embedded into a round-the-clock factory production line, with conditions that can include a great deal of vibration. Also, the roll-to-roll films are produced at great speed, adding to the difficulty of monitoring for defects. Dr Gao has responded by developing a new inferometer that can compensate for the levels of vibration. During his Catapult fellowship, which lasts
until 2016, he will pay repeated visits to the CPI to witness the processes at first hand. Dr Gao is an expert in the research and development of industrial measuring instruments and has published more than 50 academic papers. In addition to his work on the HVM Catapult fellowship, Dr Gao’s current research includes the use of optical deflectometry as a means of measuring complex freeform surfaces such as lenses.
Apprentices on film at Heckmondwike lathes firm A short film highlighting apprenticeship opportunities in engineering has been made by Heckmondwike-based 600 UK Group and Kirkdale Industrial Training Services (KITS) in Brighouse. In the film, second year apprentices Anthony Travers and Luis Lowe give an insight into their activities and achievements at 600 UK, their plans for the future and the role played by 600 UK and KITS in their professional development. 600 UK makes high precision machine tool products, including Colchester and Harrison lathes. To emphasise the opportunities available to young apprentices, 600 UK employee and former KITS apprentice Ryan McMaster was named runner-up in the MTA Manufacturing Industry Awards - Young Engineer of the Year. Ryan joined 600 UK as a first year apprentice in 2007 and a year later was named Best Multi-Skilled Apprentice by KITS. Ryan completed his apprenticeship in 2011 and was deployed in the machine tool assembly section as a skilled fitter, focusing on building precision lathe headstocks.
■■ Anthony Travers (above left) and Luis Lowe (right) with Joanne Zalesinski, 600 UK educational sales representative and Howard Bamforth, 600 UK sales director; Ryan McMaster (right), runner-up in the Young Engineer of the Year Awards
The following year, Ryan was promoted to team leader in machine tool assembly section where responsibilities included build co-ordination and production planning. His development over the past year has seen his skills enhanced in disciplines including quality con-
trol, 3D design engineering and production engineering. Last year, Ryan successfully project managed a special machine tool supply project through procurement, manufacturing, testing and despatch phases.
Providing training in the valleys A Marsden man is working to help stem a big fall in new apprenticeships in Kirklees. Adrian Bird set up his specialist recruitment service, The Apprentice Finder, 15 months ago and last year found placements for about 50 young people, most of them in Kirklees and Calderdale. The number of people starting apprenticeships in Kirklees last year fell by 8% to 3,800. In Calderdale, there was an even larger fall of nearly 15% to 2,030. Mr Bird, 43, said in the wake of National Apprenticeship Week that he expected his service to expand – so that he can provide an even stronger link between schools and colleges, business and training providers for the benefit of young people aged between 16 an 19 years. Mr Bird spoke about his work to Colne Valley’s Labour Parliamentary Candidate Jane East, who stressed the importance of finding a vocational option for the 50% of students who choose not to go to university. “Labour believes we need to give all of our young people the best chance to get on in life,” she said. “I think Adrian is playing an important role in finding apprenticeships, despite a number of difficulties created by current legislation. “He clearly shares my belief that we have to ensure that young people get a meaningful learning opportunity and are not just seen as cheap labour. We need more and better apprenticeships in the valleys so that our young people don’t need to move away for a decent job.”
Taking to the stage Students from Huddersfield University take to the stage at a national business event today. Charlotte Todd, Jason Weal and Vivienne Lau will tell delegates at the Conference and Hospitality Show at Elland Road, Leeds, about their experiences running EM-VA, a student enterprise affiliated to the university which allows students to work with a range of organisations to stage different events. They have included the Prince’s Trust, the National Apprenticeship Scheme and the Tour de France organisers. The students have also staged events for Huddersfield’s Packhorse Centre, the Friends of LBT and the university itself. EM-VA – standing for Events Management Volunteering Agency – has been run by placement students for two consecutive year. Students taking part include ones on courses such as events management, business management and advertising and marketing communications.
7
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Fire safety product set for the national stage An Elland company is to showcase one of its innovative products at a national innovation park. Passive fire protection specialist Checkmate Fire is putting its Alufire fire protection system onto the world-renowned BRE Innovation Park, near Watford, which attracts up to 15,000 visitors every year. The Alufire system is made up of fire-rated glass sheets secured in aluminium frames which have a glass fibre reinforced seperator. It provides the thermal insulation and the required smoke and fire resistance that protects against the high temperatures of a fire. Checkmate Fire, based at Lowfields Business Park, is installing the system into many buildings and developments across South East England and hopes businesses across Yorkshire recognise the benefits as well. Its innovative features include its high impact resistance, which means it can be used in areas where there is an increased risk of accidents or falling – such as schools, hospitals and other busy buildings. It also boasts reduced maintenance costs over the lifetime of the product, when compared to traditional systems such as fire doors. The Innovation Park, launched in 2005 and
based in Watford, is home to some of the world’s most sustainable buildings, landscape designs and innovative technologies and is known as a test-bed for future ideas and products for building projects. Checkmate Fire is the sole distributor and installer for Alufire in the UK and Ireland. Checkmate managing director Mark Williams said: “Alufire is a product that can revolutionise passive fire protection in buildings where the look and design are vital, such as hospitals where being able to see out of an office towards patients is so important. “It is made up of an innovative system of state-of-the-art glass, frames and separators which give it a high degree of fire resistance and a high impact resistance. “This means that it can be used in some of the most demanding buildings and allows projects to be constructed with maximum flexibility of design but no compromise on fire protection. “Showcasing the system at the BRE Innovation Park is another illustration of how important and innovative we think this product is and we hope the thousands of people who visit every year get a clear understanding of its value and impact.”
■■ Checkmate Fire Solutions is set to showcase its Alufire fire protection system (above) at the BRE Innovation Park in Watford
QuickStep to success A flooring installation firm has become one of the first in the UK to gain a prestigious new title. Longwood-based Bawn Flooring, run by Dale Rogers and Nigel Bawn, has been named QuickStep Master Installer of LIVYN Luxury Vinyl flooring after passing a rigorous course at the nationally-renowned Quick-Step Academy of Excellence in Flooring. Dale and Nigel received intensive training delivered by industry experts at the Quick-Step Academy and are certified to offer the highest levels of professional workmanship in luxury vinyl tile fitting. Dale (above, right) and Nigel (left) are pictured with their certificates and Lee Thompson, procurement and technical manager at the Quick Step Academy.
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8
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
movers and shakers
Michelle makes the call for telesales team ■■ Alnwick butcher Mark Turnbull (centre), new chairman of the national Butchers Q Guild, is congratulated by outgoing chairman Brindon Addy (right) and new national vice-chairman David Lishman
Brindon relinquishes role Kirklees butcher Brindon Addy, who runs J Brindon Addy Butchers in Hade Edge, Holmfirth, has stepped down after a three-year stint as national chairman of the Butchers Q Guild. Brindon is succeeded by Mark Turnbull, who runs Turnbull’s Butchers in Alnwick. Both Brindon and Mark are members and past chairmen of the Q Guild’s north-east region. The Hade Edge butcher’s shop, which last year completed a new extension to double its retail area, first joined the Q Guild in 1998. The guild represents 110 awardwinning butchers from the Scottish Highlands to the south coast. Brindon was elected chairman of the northeast region in 2005, national vice-chair in 2010 and national chairman two years later. As retiring chairman, he continues to serve on the executive committee. He said: “Q Guild membership has proved
of tremendous benefit, being both aspirational and inspirational in equipping our business with new ideas and new goals. In fact, we use the guild’s quality manual as our own business manual. We regard it as the benchmark for our industry sector. “There is little doubt that our organisation remains in great heart and in good hands with Mark Turnbull at the helm. He has a true passion for the industry, underpinned by his own business, which represents everything the Q Guild stands for.” Mr Turnbull said: “During his three-year tenure as chairman, Brindon has done such a great deal to raise the profile of the Q Guild and our industry in general. He has been both a superb ambassador for the guild and a true champion of great British butchery.” The new national vice-chairman is Ilkley butcher David Lishman, who has also been elected north-east regional chairman.
Carl Sutton
Poundstretcher posting Huddersfieldbased retailer Poundstretcher has appointed Carl Sutton (pictured) as head of marketing. Mr Sutton joins the Bradley-based firm after 13 years at Wilkinsons, where he was responsible for brand development, store experience and throughthe-line campaigns. Carl joins managing director Ian York, who joined the retailer in October, 2014. As part of his new role, Mr Sutton will implement a change in approach of the brand’s marketing communication plan, as the business nears the comple-
tion of a “very successful” trading year. He said: “The discount market is so competitive at the moment and joining the team at Poundstretcher at such a crucial time as the brand embarks on a significant period of change is a challenge I’m very excited about.”
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
When it comes to telesales nobody can touch Avocet Hardware’s team – thanks in no small way to its new telesales manager, Michelle Hamer. Michelle, who has worked the phones at the Brighouse company for 22 years, was promoted last month and her first task was to train four new members of the telesales team – one of whom, Linzi Wagstaff, was returning to work for Avocet two years after leaving. “When I started at Avocet in the early 90s I never for one minute thought I’d still be working here 22-years later,” said Michelle. “But when you have a job that is rewarding, varied and interesting and where you are valued extremely highly by your colleagues in other departments and the owners of the business, then why would you leave?” Rythm Jain Saigal, chief executive of Avocet Hardware, said: “Call centres have given telesales something of a bad name, but to us it is a vital element of our business strategy and as such is staffed solely by industry professionals with the kind of expertise that would make our competitors green with envy.” The nine-strong team, which boasts more than 100 years of combined industry experience at Avocet alone, covers everything from
■■ Avocet telesales manager, Michelle Hamer (front right) with (left to right) Linzi Wagstaff, Oliver Hobson, Jemma Purvis, Sally Regis, Helen Turner, Marie Helliwell, Teresa Lawler and Emma Gallacher
generating new appointments for the field sales team to developing existing business. They also ensure that key accounts are kept informed on all company and product developments and have an industry expert on-call whenever they need them. The growth of Avocet’s telesales team is the latest in a series of departmental expansions that started last November with the appoint-
ment of three new field-based business development managers. in Decemer, Avocet announced up to 20 new jobs after doubling its warehouse capacity. The Jain family has now invested almost £15m in the company since buying it in February, 2012.
Summer show for manufacturers
Hundreds of Yorkshire’s leading manufacturers are set to converge on Huddersfield this summer. The second Manufactured Yorkshire Trade Show – MY15 – will take place on June 9 and 10 at the John Smith’s Stadium, The aim of the two-day forum – which has already attracted the likes of HS2, Haribo, Turnbridgebased Cummins Turbo Technologies and central government – is to strengthen supply chains regionally to bolster re-shoring, raise Yorkshire’s profile as a leader in “circular economy” and get more of the region’s manufacturers involved in major contract opportunities. The event will feature a series of interactive workshops and seminars, Meet the Buyer opportunities on a regional, national and international basis and an exhibition featuring almost 100 manufacturers. Speakers will include Andy
■■ Chrissie Slater (back, centre) and a montage of business leaders and others who will be aiming to make MY15 a success
Tuscher, regional director of the EEF; Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire; Herwig Vennekens, managing director of Haribo; and Kevin Butterworth, marketing director of Seabrook Crisps. Chrissie Slater, event director of
MY15, said: “The circular economy, sometimes referred to as remanufacturing, is not a fad or a trend. It is growing fast and it’s here to stay. “Once UK manufacturers crack the business model, this sector is worth £5.6bn and is set to create
200,000 jobs. “Yorkshire currently holds the only MBA in the world for Circular Economy at Bradford University. “MY15 intends to cement Yorkshire’s position as a leading light by working with key partners in the field to get down to detail and explain exactly what a manufacturer can do to prove they are part of the Circular Movement – therefore making them a much more attractive supplier. “MY15 is all about continuing to strengthen supply chains in the sector and maintaining Yorkshire’s position as an innovation leader.” Mr Tuscher said: “Through raising awareness of the region’s manufacturing excellence and connecting supply chains, we will grow our manufacturing sector and strengthen the economy.” MY15 is free to all manufacturers and buyers. Visit wwww.manufacturedyorkshire.com
Businesswomen forge stronger links Two women who are passionate about business have joined forces to help female entrepreneurs across the country. Marina Simioli, founder and director of Ladies 4 Networking, and Judith Wright, of Wright Angle Marketing (WAM), at
Barkisland, have set up L4N UK Ltd to build on foundations established by Ladies 4 Networking over the past six years and develop a network of meetings across the UK. Ladies 4 Networking has offered informal, nonmembership women’s
networking since 2009 while WAM works with both national and international businesses, Marina and Judith already have 13 business women who are interested in setting up L4N UK Ltd meetings in their local areas.
L4N UK Ltd aims to provide an opportunity for women in business to network, gain support, grow in confidence, learn new skills and develop collaborative links with other women in business. Email marina@ladies4networking.com.
■■ Marina Simioli (left), and Judith Wright, of L4N UK Ltd