August business telegraph 2017 by Humber Business

Tuesday, June2017 19, 2012 2012 Tuesday, August 21, Tuesday, August 15,

www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/business www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/business www.humberbusiness.com

Six months in,on we sit Firm’s focus down new CEO futurewith finances

seepage page226 see

She’s electric! Cooking up aGreen treat: car guru gets Zappi-d Young’s goes gastro see page 4 see page 16

Huge logistics investment Offices are final piece takes teamempire to a new level of potato puzzle

by Dave Laister by Dave Laister Business Editor

TRANSFORMATION COMPLETE: Richard Arundel, managing director of potato processor AKP. Picture: Jon Corken

Business Editor dave.laister@gsmg.co.uk

dave.laister@gsmg.co.uk

AST-growing South Bank logistics operator East early hasa been Trans£3-million has made £1.6 invested into making million investment in a northern Lincolnshire a new, high-quality warehousing hub for facilitycentral to capitalise onthe theneeds rapid ofgrowth someinof the transactions. UK’s biggest online potato sellers. The Stallingborough-based Elsham Wold has just become the business, one of the Humber’s new headquarters AKP Group, leading integratedfor logistics supplier to supermarket giant suppliers, has invested in the Morrisons and major chip 40,000 sq ft, high-bay warehouse, manufacturer McCain. to win a enabling the business A state-of-the-art office block, major new customer. temperature controlled potato is The significant new contract storage grading line, with a facility leading and medical supplies together with extensions to jobs company . A total of 16 new existing handling have just are being created,areas bolstering the been completed, with the 100 staff at the £18 million 13-year-old firm headed by Richard turnover business. Arundel the East whole It also moving represents Trans’ administration area first move intoback “pickinto andthe pack” from York. logistics – a growing market The son Grimsby town driven byofconsumers and centre and Freemanfavouring Street markets businesses the speed grocer David Arundel, who also and convenience of online used to act as a potato merchant to purchasing – taking the business the area’s fish and chip shops, to a new level. joined with Suffolk The forces investment means East businessman Bruce in 1999.a Trans can now offerKerr customers The former KPsq potato storage total of 200,000 ft of newly-built facility which has now been or recently refurbished substantially was on warehousingdeveloped, over nine acres, acquired in 2007, when a project the doorstep of Britain’s biggest began to tonnage, grow skin finished port by Immingham, potatoes Isle with 75 on perthe cent of of theAxholme. UK’s manufacturers, importers and “We wanted to show we could exporters fourquality hours’ drive produce thewithin required time. that supermarkets were locally buying in from Herefordshire, Managing director Paul Scotland even“This importing,” he Hicklingor said: is a major, said. “Morrisons backed with it long-term investment forusthe and we went to Yorkshire business. It enhances ourForward ability to serve existing and new (the scrapped regional customers requiring reliable, development agency) putting secure and cost-effective logistics together a plan. We then tied the and underpins supply chain up our and position got the as the leading company in the Humber funding.” region for high-class That equated to £700,000. With warehousirapid ng. growth in the Morrisons’ “Although the business Humber has is anbeen retail world, the important hub forand logistics, there propelled quickly, working is very limited availability of & with Eastoft-based L Harrison high-class, modern storage Co, the infrastructure to allow for

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Sir Roger Carr, president of the CBI and Gavin Esler, best known for his role as a presenter on BBC Newsnight, have been confirmed as the guest speakers at one of the region’s leading business gatherings later this year. The CBI Yorkshire and Humber Annual Dinner takes place at Leeds University on October 10. It will be one of the first events with John Fitzgerald, port director for Grimsby and Immingham, as chairman of the region. Mr Esler is an award-winning television and radio broadcaster, novelist and journalist. His latest book, due to hit the shelves next month, focuses on lessons that can be gleaned from leaders in how they tell stories, and will be the subject of his speech to the area’s business bosses, and their guests. For more information about the dinner, which is frequently well represented by the South Bank and features a drinks reception within Parkinson Court, home to the famous Marks & Spencer archive and art gallery, e-mail katya.menhennet@cbi.org.uk or visit http://yorkshire-annual-dinner.eventbrite.com

your daily port of call £20m milestone passed further increases has now been put in place. “We have taken two years to get to this,” said Mr Arundel. “We got the grant funding for storage and grading operations in 2009, and built the storage throughout 2010, to be open for that harvest. We have had potatoes in from 2010 and 2011, and the whole project has been finished with the offices just now. “Our desire is to have more quality potato producers local to this site. It would cut down on transport costs. There is still a lot such as this the offacilities potential, it will helparound the estuary. environmental footprint and this part of the world has theis ability to “The new warehouse grow some to of the the latest best potatoes in equipped standards the country, that is what we are to and is technically far superior majoring on.”facilities – in some many other cases storage amounts no more A total of 44 people areto now

STRONG TEAM BEHIND ME: Paul Hickling, managing director, unveils the £1.6 million investment that is driving East Trans forward. Left, pick and pack. Park on Grimsby’s flagship employed, handling 120,000 tonnes Europarc development, will be and ofthan potatoes year. that,or 35,000 a bigabox inOf a field on an from having a dozen vehicles tonnes are self-grown, with a officially opened this week industrial estate. turnover of £1 million to by growing group in this region and Agriculture and Horticulture operating more than 100 HGVs “Our expanded storage capacity Development Board chairman around another site in Suffolk, and 160 trailers. has already the paidbalance. dividends by John Godfrey CBE, himself a contributing enabling us to provide a pick and North Mr Lincolnshire Aarosin, former farmer. Recently 15 employees were pack service to agraduate major new Bondholders chair, said: “We’re Mr Arundel added: “We’re added, with three customer, supported by full fibre now well positioned for further looking forward to opening the trainees also part of the company, connectivity ourlogistics site which new growth as existing and cold store and grading facility specialising inacross growing, gives the client 24/7 visibility and prospective clients respond to the – the uncharacteristic weather and technical elements, including instant stock ever-growing agronomy . The information.” remaining conditions havedemand broughtfor usonline a purchase and fulfilment, which East Trans year, but the opening investment hasserves seen amore fleet than of six200 challenging require much more for sophisticated clients, including many whom event is just rewards everyone’s Mercedes rigs brought in for to deliver logistics it has been to a key, long-term the potatoes customers, with the hard work.support. logisticsroute provider. “As new trusted warehousing and primary Morrisons’ packing “The facility will not only distribution partners we canof meet It is owned byHarrogate. Mr Hickling and enable operations near us to meet the demand that need, customers, giving our customers fellowtodirector Peter Aarosin, and our Keen cultivate a prosperous biggest but we’ve peace of mind that their stock was acquired 11 years potato ago from also successfully improved the future for Lincolnshire management and deliveries Icelandic-owned international farmers, the 32,000sq ft storage quality and freshness of our are in very good hands. transportation potatoes by reducing facility and 4,000company sq ft two Eimskip, storey which remains an–important transportation, handling and using office development which drew customer. Since then it has grown the ● latest Continued page two. cold on store technologies.” inspiration from Genesis Office

A FURTHER £4-million of investment across the region this last quarter has seen the total funds forFinance the latest and breaking issued by Yorkshire climb to £23-million. The money, available to firms in northern business news Lincolnshire in seedcorn, loanaround and equitythe linked investments – ranging from £15,000 to £2-million – Humber region is there to help small and medium sized businesses meet their growth and development requirements. The figure amounts to 224 investments in 183 small and medium sized enterprises since August 2010, visit leadinghumberbusiness.com to more than 4,600 jobs created and safeguarded in the region. In the last quarter alone, the venture capital and loan fund completed 30 investments totalling more than £4.3 million. Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said: “We are looking forward to building on these figures and helping more companies achieve growth in the coming months. “We urge established and early stage companies to continue to speak to us to see if Finance Yorkshire can help turn their ambitions into a reality.” Supported by the European Union, it has attracted £30-million investment from the European Regional Development Fund, £15-million from Yorkshire Forward’s Single Programme, and £45-million match funding from the European Investment Bank. For information visit www.finance-yorkshire.com

CONTENTS:Energy P6 Energy 8 Food 10P8 Process / Chemicals & Logistics 1812 Business 20 TraSolutions ining 21 C areFood ers 22 25 Construction Commercial Property Property 28 Last Word CONTENTS: P6 Chemicals Ports and Logistics16 10Ports Business Support CareersSupport 14 Business 15 16Commercial Training 17Vehicles Commercial Vehicles 18 &Diary 20 Commercial 21

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A very first venture into ‘pick and pack’ logistics ● Continued from page one. “That confidence is underpinned by technology. We’ve created a bespoke service for our new client, including incorporating their IT systems into our facility. “The full fibre connectivity on site also means they have their own online window into the warehouse. The client can see at all times the efficiency and accuracy of the pick and pack operation and that their stock is being managed professionally and carefully. It’s as good as them being on site.” The new 8m high, heavy duty warehouse has a reinforced floor, offers flexibility of use and is

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built to food grade standards. It was built by Immingham’s PK Construction, with Scunthorpe’s CR Parrott Consultants project managing – both long-established partners who have played key roles in East Trans’ impressive growth. Mr Hickling added: “We’re delighted with these new facilities and the added capacity they offer to develop our services. “It has also been great to work with trusted, long-term partners, who have supported us from day one, to deliver this latest chapter in the East Trans story.” The investment has been backed by NatWest Bank, and attracted a £136,000 Local Growth Fund grant from the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, via North East Lincolnshire Council. Senior relationship manager at NatWest, Nick Spencer said: “We have been delighted to support the team at East Trans with the opening of their new warehouse. The business continues to go from strength to strength and the new facility will provide East Trans with

the space needed to expand further.” Maggie Campbell, lead investment officer for economy and growth at North East Lincolnshire Council, added: “It’s always good to see a local company growing, taking advantage of available grant funding and creating jobs.” Joining the handover celebrations, were the principals behind he construction team. Chris Parrott, managing director of his eponymous business, said: “We provided full project management, architectural and structural design services, working closely with the client and main contractor to deliver a high-specification warehouse facility. We wish East Trans well for the future and for their ongoing development.” Andy Knowles, a director of PK Construction, said: “East Trans were a joy to work with on this project, with a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve and by when, sharing our energy and drive to complete the project on time.”

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British Steel’s key role in the future of UK rail

Month in Review

RITISH Steel is playing an important role in a partnership between the rail supply industry and eight universities which has secured a £92 million funding package to establish the UK as a global centre for railway excellence. The venture – part of the newly-created UK Railway Research and Innovation Network – has won £28.1 million of funding from the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund managed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. It follows a bid successfully led by the University of Birmingham and the funding will be boosted by £64 million of support from 17 industrial partners including the Scunthorpe rail-maker, Alstom, Siemens and Bombardier Transportation. Peter Smith, British Steel managing director for rail, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners on this vital research initiative which will further enhance the UK’s reputation as a world leader in rail transport. “Our research and development and rail technology experts have worked closely to support the bid and it’s exciting to know that, in partnership with our industrial and academic colleagues, British Steel will continue to play a leading role in creating and making products to improve rail networks across the globe. This is vital in making rail transport the preferred choice for its customer base – be they the travelling public or freight operators.” The network will support delivery of the ambitious Rail Technical Strategy and is aligned with the aims of the Government’s Industrial Strategy. The funding will be used to create three linked world-class centres of excellence: ● Digital Systems – located at the University of Birmingham ● Rolling Stock – led by the University of Huddersfield in collaboration with the Newcastle

Offshore wind giant revises profit outlook ENERGY: Dong Energy has raised its earnings projections for the year. The Danish giant has reported strong second quarter results, heavily focused on its under-construction Grimsby wind farm – Race Bank – and a stake sale of a development in Germany. It now predicts to make £2 billion to £2.3 billion over the course of the year, up from £1.8 billion to £2 billion, confirming it is to bid for a subsidy for Hornsea Project Two, its fourth wind farm off the Humber. Bosses in Copenhagen listed higher earnings from the ramp up of offshore wind farms, higher energy generation and the gains of selling a 50 per cent stake in the ongoing project off the Lincolnshire coast as key to the advancing outlook.

40 port roles created SCUNTHORPE STEEL: Advances such as the new resilient Zinoco brand will undoubtedly be part of the new network. and Loughborough ● Infrastructure – led by the University of Southampton in collaboration with British Steel and other academic centres, including Sheffield The latter will focus on the Rail Technical Strategy's vision for infrastructure. Research will be applied to develop a reliable and resilient seven-day railway with world-class asset management, increased capacity and reduced delays. The vision will be to optimise the whole-life, whole-system cost of infrastructure, considering investment, carbon and social factors such as noise and vibration. Dr David Fletcher, director of the Rail Innovation and Technology Centre at University of Sheffield, said: “This is an exciting collaboration for academia and

industry. We will play a key part in this research, using our expertise to power the future of railway innovation in the UK for years to come.” With these world class centres of excellence, the UK rail supply industry will be poised to develop world-leading new technologies and products for trains, railway systems and infrastructure that will deliver a better, more reliable and efficient railway. Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “The UK’s world-renowned leadership in science, research and innovation is helping to solve a range of national and global challenges, and the breadth of the projects funded means this will continue. “Through our Industrial Strategy and £4.7 billion investment for research and development, we're

ensuring we capitalise on the great work taking place in universities across the UK and remain at the forefront of innovation.” The initiative is being supported by a range of clients and stakeholders including Network Rail, HS2 Ltd, Transport for London, Rail North and the Department for Transport. Dr Iain Roche, head of innovation at HS2 Ltd, said: “HS2 will be a transformative project for the UK rail sector. It will require world leading innovative approaches to delivering infrastructure projects alongside cutting-edge design. “The formation of this UK network is great news and I’m absolutely sure it will help us bring the innovation required for HS2 to become reality.”

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PORTS: Associated British Ports is bolstering its 1,000 strong workforce across the Humber. A total of 40 new port operative positions are being created, in a move it hopes will encourage successful applicants to carve a strong career path in the industry. Nearly 100 candidates descended on Catch at Stallingborough this past month to take part in a three-stage assessment, with those impressing likely to start in September. It is part of a wider strategy to improve operations, flexibility and customer focus across the four port locations.

Hilton eyes up Seachill SEAFOOD: Hilton Food Group, the UK-based FTSE listed meat specialist, has emerged as a potential buyer for Grimsby’s Icelandic Seachill. It is understood it is in exclusive talks with the team behind The Saucy Fish Co, which was offered up for sale in April after surging back into profit after a successful turnaround. Representatives from both Icelandic Seachill and Hilton declined to confirm, but it seems a natural fit as both are core suppliers to supermarket giant Tesco, seen as king-maker for any deal. Hilton also issued a statement confirming it was “at an early stage of discussions” in relation to an acquisition, after share prices spiked amid industry speculation.

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Fully charged and ready to go as Zappi gets a YouTube boost from ‘Kryten’ Driving 1,200 miles to the northernmost tip of Scotland to prove a point has the makings of a Proclaimers follow-up, but it has brought more attention than a Grimsby-area business could have ever hoped. Business editor David Laister reports.

F Government legislation wasn’t enough of a driver, Binbrook-based renewable applications innovator MyEnergi has been given a helping hand by Robert Llewellyn.

question and answer session. She said: “We met Robert on the ferry across, and he loved the product and said he wanted to buy one. We said we would sort one out, but he filmed it there and then. He has already mentioned us and featured it on one episode, The Red Dwarf actor is an ambassador of new and he has said it will appear again. We had 50 technology, fronting his own YouTube channel enquiries on the day it went out and sales have dedicated to electric-powered transport. come from it.” And he is now a proud recipient of a Zappi Seen during his programme on the Tesla prototype from the Lincolnshire team, having Model S, already viewed nearly 200,000 times, met representatives on the way to a special he took his review model from London to the event in Orkney, when both he and the team North Coast of Scotland, where he was joined in behind it decided to put their mileage where the ferry queue by Mrs Brompton. She, their mouths are. however, was in her early edition Nissan Leaf, As reported, MyEnergi launched the charging having made it all the way from Cleethorpes with husband Mike. device concept this spring, building on proven technology from innovative director Lee Sutton “It is the company car, fully branded up, and it that manages consumption to align with gives us great exposure,” she said. “It was quite micro-generation in the home or low tariffs. It a challenge. We only get 60 miles from it, whereas new models are getting 130 plus. has already won awards and enters full production this month, with pre-sales in the “We did, however, prove we could get there boot. and back for free.” Business development manager Jordan Mr Sutton’s energy provider, Solarplicity, Brompton has been exhibiting the product at gives him free charging on the road, and while shows, and was a panelist at Orkney Renewable there were some close calls – unexpected Energy Forum’s special electric vehicle event, diversions not helping – the Bromptons made it held on the island county that is leading take-up to the show. in Scotland. “You just have to plan your routes better, and Visitors were encouraged to test drive models not just think about the final destination,” she ahead of a talk from Mr Llewellyn and the panel said. “Also, you can never be completely stranded as you can use a three-pin plug if need be.” Since the EV adventure, which clocked up 1,190 miles in total, Government has this past month announced the banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040. “It is a massive help and I think it will be sooner,” she said. “Volvo has said 2019 to cease production of petrol and diesel cars, and I think many more will follow suit because the demand will be there. So whether your company is involved in property “At the moment there is a lack of education, development, purchasing commercial property perceptions are wrong, I would urge people to or leasing commercial premises we have the test drive, and if you can get a Tesla, it really is the next level. expertise to help secure the deal within your “Range is getting better and better, and the timescales and budget. warranty on batteries is great – it is getting • Business set up • Landlord & Tenant longer than a warranty on a new car.” • Property • Business To swerve technology advance pitfalls, some Development Succession manufacturers are offering upgrades too as part • Auction Packs of the offer. • Sale & Purchase • Planning Advice She cited one driver who, having clocked up • Employment 63,000 miles, has paid for half of his car just through petrol savings, and was delighted to In these and many other areas we are here to help For more information or to talk to our commercial team call appear on the panel to help “destroy myths like popping balloons. That’s why Robert is so Grimsby on 01472 240 251, amazing, he is so passionate about it,” she said. Louth on 01507 600 610, “He has been great, so nice, and willing to help Barton on 01652 632215 or a start-up. He appreciates we are a start-up and Scunthorpe on 01724 847888. need that little bit of a push from someone like Keep it local - local Lawyers with a Nationwide reach him.” On the episode, Mr Llewellyn, who William.king@bgsolicitors.com evangelises about the EV concept, positively James.clarke@bgsolicitors.com purring over his Tesla, gives MyEnergi plenty Or find us at www.bgsolicitors.com of exposure, with lingering close ups on Zappi

Meeting your Business Requirements

FERRYBRIDGE TO FERRY MEETING: Jordan Brompton with Robert Llewellyn on the ferry to Orkney, above, and the first stop on the 595-mile journey north, Ferrybride Services in West Yorkshire. Facing page, filming the Fully Charged edition, making the cut, and the Orkney Electric Vehicle Event in full swing, with Llewellyn compering and the Zappi being showcased.

as he debunks concerns over range and charge time. Describing the Zappi as “simple but quite brilliant,” he explains how “it only feeds in to your car what is being produced by your solar panels, so you are not using any electricity from the grid, guaranteeing you are charging your car with your own power, ie zero cost, you are not taking anything from the grid at all,” Unlike the early Leaf, he had the confidence of a 330 mile range, when he set off from the capital. “I had to stop after 280 miles for myself, not the car,” he said. “It really does do that distance, and no human being should try and drive that far, it is five-and-a-half to six hours. “There must be some salesmen who have to hammer up various motorways in diesel cars, but they must get lots of difficulty with their backs later.” He also underlined a major factor – and despite supercharge points becoming more prevalent, the three pin plug is still an option –

he said: “90 per cent of cars are not used for 90 per cent of the time. You can charge a car slowly”. Zappi is now shortlisted for the Solar Power Portal Awards in Birmingham in October, where the presenter will be... Robert Llewellyn. By then the 136 pre-orders should be charging nationwide, as the Church View base ramps up to meet a 50-a-day capacity. A ninth employee has been taken on and third party outsourcing for the main boards has also been investigated to ensure higher-than-anticipated sales can be accommodated on the back of the dynamic industry. It has been boosted by OLEV approval too, which means customers can now claim £500 back from the Government on installation costs. “It can now cost between £50 to £100 if one of our approved installers fits it, so it was huge news for us,” she said. “We are still on track for first dispatch this month. All the components have now arrived and the production equipment also.”

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News How Lenzing Fibers could play a role in EV production: See page 11

Simple but quite brilliant... it only feeds in to your car what is being produced by your solar panels, so you are not using any electricity from the grid, guaranteeing you are charging your car with your own power, ie zero cost, you Robert Llewellyn

If you require further information, please contact Jonathan West on 01472 262626, email jonathan.west@wilkinchapman.co.uk or visit www.wilkinchapman.co.uk

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Taiwan’s wind wish to be made in Grimsby? C

LEETHORPES MP Martin Vickers has just returned from a Westminster delegation to Taiwan, having been convinced to go because of the appetite for offshore wind.

can be brought here, either this autumn or next spring. “They know we are working on this and are hoping to arrange a visit,” Mr Vickers said. “They are keen to engage and desperately keen to expand their contacts within the renewable sector. The Conservative backbencher was one of They are phasing out seven MPs to take the nuclear capacity by 2025, five-day trip, and told how and they have to replace the an imminent visit to the UK generating capacity. Like us to foster links and with the North Sea, they are knowledge had prompted an island surrounded by his decision. water, offering great possibilities.” Officially part of China, Britain doesn’t have an Taiwan, which lies 180km embassy, but a British off the eastern coast of office, where Mr Vickers China, is surrounded by the also found his host to be a East China Sea to the north, former Cleethorpes the Philippine Sea to the schoolgirl! east, the Bashi Channel of the Luzon Strait directly to He said: “The reason why the south, and the South I went was that they are China Sea to the south west. looking at developing renewable energy, “They were very aware of CLEETHORPES LINK: Catherine Wilson with Martin Vickers at particularly offshore, and Hornsea, and what has been the British Office in Taiwan. we have got some expertise developed in the North Sea. A government delegation They knew we were at the British office there in that. has already met North East building the world’s largest and we looked at “Dong Energy and Lincolnshire Council leader wind farm, they are very in possibilities of SME Siemens, to name but two, touch,” Mr Vickers said. Councillor Ray Oxby, and involvement in the supply are already active over chief executive Rob Walsh, chain. They said that is there, and don’t need help He is now liaising with at an event in London, and where the potential is for from me, but I spoke to Grimsby Renewables it is hoped the delegation smaller businesses.” businesses representatives Partnership ahead of a

potential visit. “I want to make sure our people are aware, Mr Vickers said. “I want to underline the opportunities there. Virtually every minister, from the president down, their opening remarks were a strong commitment to develop renewable energy. They know we are doing the same. It seems to be a natural relationship we can exploit.” It was Mr Vickers’ first visit to Asia and he was impressed, having heard of Hong Kong and Singapore’s energy. “It was fascinating to go out there, I got the feel it was a dynamic, go-ahead place,” he said. His title clearly attracted interest too. The British representative there, Catherine Wilson, spent part of her childhood in Cleethorpes. “She went to Thrunscoe and Bursar Street schools and lived in Daggett Road while her father worked in the National Health Service,” he said.

LOTS OF LIGHTS TO POWER: Taipei, Taiwan.

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Finances fixed for a big push on major projects G

ROWING Grimsby-based business Allied Protek Engineering Solutions is looking to tender for larger contracts having secured new funding streams from Barclays to support their ongoing expansion plans. Established in 2013, and headquartered at Armstrong Street, Grimsby, the company works in partnership with customers to support their installation and project work. It project manages, designs, installs and manufactures plant and equipment, and other services include utilities design services and 3D scanning. Operating across the UK and overseas, the new funding, from Barclays, will provide the flexibility for the business, as well as supporting the growth of sister company Humber Recruitment. Paul Wilson, managing director, said: “We’ve recently seen a growth in orders both in the UK and overseas and the new funding stream will enable us to develop our manufacturing and testing capabilities. We have been working closely with customers to design and develop bespoke equipment solutions which will give us the product and manufacturing platform we are looking for. “With Barclays’ help we have invested heavily in our manufacturing facilities

Month in Review Maritime heritage plan to be put to Government RENAISSANCE: Massive plans - backed by some of the biggest and most powerful figures in the country – are being prepared for the heart of Grimsby. The transformational proposals for the town centre, embracing the borough’s maritime heritage and making best use of Alexandra Dock, are being brought forward by an elite team. Famous ‘sons’ entrepreneur David Ross and former Chancellor Norman Lamont – together with senior civil servants – are backing the bold proposition from North East Lincolnshire Council. The Greater Grimsby Project will build on the £20 million Riverhead Square cinema and restaurant development, with a sports and leisure plan for the recently bought Victoria Mills, as well as further land acquisitions to create improved residential, business and education opportunities, eventually stretching to the Kazbah on Grimsby Docks.

Watersports venture LEISURE: Forget surfin’ USA and head on down to the North Promenade in Cleethorpes for a new stand-up paddle boarding business. Former Matthew Humberstone pupil Toni Buckle-Weavers, 29, and her husband Vince, 39, have opened their new venture Ebb & Flo in the resort.

PROUD TO BE FINANCE TO FLY: Paul Wilson, flanked by Andrew Marsh, left, and Kevin Peart, both of Barclays. and product development. Our sister company Humber Recruitment specialises in recruitment to the engineering and manufacturing sector and has also benefited from new funding. “We’ve seen rapid growth here bringing a new

dimension to our business enabling us provide additional space and consultants to meet demand.” Allied Protek employs more than 100 staff across sites in Grimsby and Manchester, and turnover for the year is expected to

top £11 million. Kevin Peart, Barclays relationship director, said: “Since Allied Protek moved their banking to Barclays, we’ve been able to provide term debt and more recently working capital as well as supporting grant applications to enable their

continued growth. “The dedicated management team are very capable and focused on what they want to achieve and we’re delighted to once again partner with them for their future growth ambitions.”

RENEWING THE HUMBER

Print specialist Stuart refills franchise with his own brand BUSINESSMAN Stuart Brook has launched Blueprint Document Solutions as he looks to bring a fresh approach to the office printer/copier market. Focusing on combining clarity, accountability and integrity, he has parted company with the Cartridge World franchise he ran, and is now looking to provided managed print solutions to businesses of all sizes. Towards the end of last year he decided it was time to go it alone. He said: “While there are advantages to being part of a franchise network, I was no longer happy with the business direction,” he said. “It was hard to put my own stamp on the business and it no longer offered the flexibility or broader range of services I wanted to be able to offer to customers.” Stuart has kept his dedicated team of seven and employed an extra member of staff . Blueprint has rebranded the offices in

NEW START: Blueprint Document Solutions, with Stuart Brook, centre, and Katerina Dainty, second right. Grimsby, Doncaster and Derby, while using this is overlooked the, often expensive lease rolls over, tying the customer in for another the bases to serve Scunthorpe, Doncaster and five years. Hull, and surrounding areas. “In contrast, Blueprint has a customer first Blueprint is an official Kyocera dealer policy. My aim is to develop long-term enabling it to offer a full Managed Print relationships built on quality service, quality Service to larger scale enterprises which products and trust. We’re not here simply to have fully networked multi-function devices cut costs; at Blueprint we want to make office incorporating a printer, scanner, photocopier life easier so business owners and managers and fax. can get on with running their business.” “Over the years, the old school copier The move sees Katerina Dainty promoted to market has developed some sharp practices,” GP business development manager. She looks MMr Brook said. “Built in price increases after 70 per cent of family doctors in are often buried in contract small print. northern Lincolnshire, and in recent weeks Often businesses have to give six months’ has moved out towards Hull. notice prior to the end of a lease contract. If

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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

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Food

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£30m brand puts Atlas Mountains on the map T

HE Atlas Mountains are coming to London – via Elsham Wold – next month, and where they head after is anyone’s guess. Manufacturers of Industrial Hygienic Doors

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Pipers Crisps’ latest flavour, combining exquisitely-sourced wild thyme and rosemary, will hit the Speciality & Fine Food Fair at Olympia, and for many it will be the first opportunity to taste the latest addition to the range, which now boasts 37 gold Great Taste Awards in a decade. Already exporting to 32 countries with strong national listings, the annual showcase offers more opportunity for it and the seven other flavours in the portfolio. “Growing significantly in popularity,” according to the team at the recently-built northern Lincolnshire HQ, Atlas Mountains Wild Thyme & Rosemary was launched a year ago. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, the new botanical flavours are described as a perfect pairing with the increasingly sought-after craft gins, or to accompany light bites in the catering world – “both representing fast-growing market opportunities,” founder Alex Albone said. The £30 million brand, which employs more than 75 people in Elsham and has regional distribution hubs established, has certainly made its mark since the latest launch, the first new flavour in four years and only the eighth since the 2002 beginnings. Premium crisps such as Pipers are flourishing within the crowded snack market and are an important ‘must stock’ item for independent retailers. The Pipers Crisps brand is a two-time winner of the prestigious DBA Design Effectiveness Award, reflecting the brand’s strong

A FLAVOUR: Alex Albone, left, Pipers’ founder, who is proud of the internationally sourced eighth flavour. Above, the exhibtion space which has been used extensively this year, and right, a promotional product shot. on-shelf impact, helping to drive retail and foodservice sales. Earlier this year it was voted Britain’s Best Brand of savoury snack for the fifth consecutive year in a survey of independent retailers, while The London Stock Exchange Group named it as one of ‘1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain’, as it celebrated the fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses across the UK. At the time of the unveiling, Mr Albone said: “We’re never in a hurry to launch new flavours and, when we do, we set ourselves very strict criteria. We don’t go in for fashionable or seasonal products. We’ll only consider a new line if it

tastes great, has a strong provenance, is relevant to current eating trends and complements our existing range. “Atlas Mountains Wild Thyme & Rosemary flavour more than meets these criteria. We know that vegetarian eating is a rapidly growing trend, and that Mediterranean herb flavours are increasingly popular across Europe. These great-tasting crisps meet this consumer demand in a way that no other manufacturers’ crisps currently do. “The uniqueness of this new flavour, together with the strong growth of premium crisps within the burgeoning snacks sector,

makes it a must-have item for driving sales revenue and margin.” Visitors to the trade-only event, which takes place between September 3 and September 5, will be told of the provenance, with the herbs sought from the foothills, east of Casablanca, deep in the heartland of Morocco, where more than 100,000 acres of herbs grow, and local families bid for plots where they can collect the herbs by hand. Each plot is sustainably harvested, with only a small amount collected per week, with donkeys used to carry the collected herbs back, ready to be sun-dried and exported.

Credit rating specialist’s words of caution for industry RISING input costs and the price sensitive food retail market will pressure UK packaged food companies’ margins and profitability in the next 12 to 18 months, according to credit rating giant Moody’s. Most companies have agreed price increases or reconfigured pack sizes but the impact on volumes remains uncertain, it said. Demand could also be curbed by a fall in disposable incomes, although it expects overall volumes to remain stable due to the non-discretionary nature of food purchases. Lower profitability could result in credit quality erosion and potential rating downgrades, especially for those companies with negative outlooks on their ratings including Premier Foods Plc (B2 negative), Boparan Holdings Ltd (B2 negative) and UMV Global Foods Holding Company Ltd (United Biscuits, B1 negative), all with strong past and present links to northern Lincolnshire.

pass-through arrangements in its UK poultry business. “We also expect volumes to remain resilient because poultry remains the cheapest source of animal protein, however, the other parts of Boparan’s operations are more exposed to inflationary pressures,” he said. Frozen fish and seafood is leading the way when it comes to private label growth, up 1.8 per cent, which would suit many in Grimsby, with super brands Young’s and Saucy Fish Co PROFIT IN POULTRY: Scunthorpe’s 2 Sisters Food Group. built on strong support for Analyst Eric Kang, improves and retailers focus retailer’s own label. Icelandic Seachill, currently assistant vice-president at more on private labels to being eyed up by Hilton Moody’s, compiled the increase their point of Food Group, is behind report to show how the difference. Tesco’s fish counters, while weaker pound and higher “Newer brands will also Morrisons has its entire prices for raw materials are continue to pose a threat to vertically integrated established brands because seafood operation in the impacting. He said: “Branded companies will the latter have been slow to town too. need to invest in innovation adapt to new trends, Focusing further on to protect their market especially healthy eating.” Boparan, Mr Kang said: share against private labels He said Boparan, the “The negative outlook on owner of 2 Sisters and Five Boparan’s rating reflects and newer brands. We expect continued private Star Fish, will be less our expectation that label sales growth as affected by rising input profitability in the other costs due to contractual consumer perception parts of its operations –

including red meat, fresh prepared food, frozen pizza and biscuits – could deteriorate due to inflationary pressures.” He said credit metrics were already weak, with earnings to debt ratio hight at more than seven times. Flagging up investment in northern Lincolnshire, he said: “The company has undertaken a series of measures to offset higher input costs and improve profitability. In the protein segment, this includes the upgrading and expansion of its largest poultry processing plant in Scunthorpe and the closure of one of the two red meat packing facilities.” Moody’s expects UK speculative-grade food suppliers to maintain an adequate liquidity in the next 12 to 18 months, underpinned by good cash balances, access to external sources and positive free cash flow generation, albeit at low levels.

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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

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News

School pals reunite for study support business

Month in Review

RIMSBY schoolfriends Dr Nicole Woodford and Dr Fiona Ritchie are celebrating the launch of their business, Larkin Tutors, specialising in academic writing support for students. In addition to private tuition, the company offers group study skills classes and proofreading. The pair originally met at Caistor Yarborough School, and Nicole and Fiona reconnected years later as doctoral candidates teaching at the University of Hull. It was then that they discovered a demand from students for tuition in academic writing and study skills. “Unfortunately, students tend to lack support from their institutions,” Fiona said. “Whether they are home students, international students, mature students or students with specific learning difficulties, many feel as though they would like a bit of extra support with their work.” Unlike other private tuition companies that focus on subject-specific tuition, Larkin is unique in that it offers academic writing tuition solely by PhD qualified experts. This type of support can assist students in all disciplines. “Clarity in a written piece of work is essential to gain a high mark. Having each completed 80,000-word doctoral theses, our tutors are in an ideal position to let students know which areas of their work need improvement,” explained Nicole. Highlighting the benefits of private tuition, she also described how it is easy to lose marks for things such as grammatical errors, ambiguous sentences or errors in referencing. “We advise on all these areas while teaching students how to best express their arguments,” she said. “This type of

Cleethorpes’ legendary cafe to make a return LEISURE: Cafe Dansant was one of the hottest live music venues in Cleethorpes in the early 1900s – and fresh plans show how a 21st century version of the cafe would rekindle “old memories” and breathe new life into the resort. With a vision to transform the Kingsway Kiosk in to one of the resort’s top live music venues, stunning plans, drawn by resort architect Mark Hodson, have been submitted to North East Lincolnshire Council for approval by the team wanting to bring the site back to life. Located in the heart of Cleethorpes and right on the seafront, the new Cafe Dansant would replace the existing Kingsway Kiosk cafe, and take inspiration in its design from the original 1930s Victorian building.

Kirton housing progress

mentoring can lead to a significant improvement in grades.” Fiona agreed, and added that the aim is to cultivate independent learning. “As a result, the skills we teach also benefit students beyond their time in education,” she said. Despite their outstanding academic credentials, launching a business has been a steep learning curve. “Fortunately, we had an incredible amount of support from Julie Sweeney

at E-Factor in Grimsby,” said Nicole, who described how she encouraged them to pitch their idea to a panel of business experts at the University of Lincoln. “We had brilliant feedback from the panel, who felt as though there was a real need for the services we offer and awarded us a grant and business support package to help us get established.” For more information call 07454 907787, or visit www.larkintutors.com.

Local authority wins top safety award NORTH East Lincolnshire Council has won the Public Service and Local Government Sector Award in Occupational Health and Safety Management 2017. The prestigious annual scheme is run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Mark Smith, NELC’s occupational health and safety manager, was presented with the award at a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. Through the RoSPA Awards scheme, which is open to businesses and organisations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas, judges consider entrants’ overarching occupational health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement. Mr Smith said: “Attainment of the sector award is recognition of improved performance and culture change over a number of years, further evidencing our on-going

commitment to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of our employees and continuous improvement in occupational health and safety management. It is a fantastic achievement.” The majority of awards are non-competitive and mark achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Competitive awards, in which North East Lincolnshire Council were successful, go to the best entries in 24 industry sectors. Rob Walsh, chief executive, said: “It is very satisfying to be recognised by RoSPA for the continued focus we give to the protection of our employees and the people we work with. “In an organisation as large as ours, health and safety is everyone’s business and it’s vital that we all play our part. Winning this award evidences our long-term commitment and serves as a reward to the importance

PROUD WIN: Lord Jordan of Bournville CBE, left, presents the award to Mark Smith, with Errol Taylor, RoSPA chief executive. we place on the wellbeing of our workforce.” The award was achieved during a special year for family safety charity RoSPA, as it celebrates its centenary. Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards and events, said: “The RoSPA Awards are the most prestigious in the world of occupational health and safety, and held

in high regard around the world, as winning one demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record. Achieving the standard required is no mean feat, in what is a special year in the history of RoSPA, and we congratulate North East Lincolnshire Council in this, our centenary year.”

FORM FRIENDS: Dr Nicole Woodford (left) and Dr Fiona Ritchie, co-founders of Larkin Tutors.

CONSTRUCTION: Plans to transform the former RAF and army camp at Kirton-in-Lindsey into a major new housing estate have moved a step further. For the Loughborough based firm of Green Meadow is seeking outline planning approval to build up to 302 homes at Kirton. The bid comes three years after Green Meadow bought the former camp from the Ministry of Defence for an undisclosed sum. A 33-acre site at the northern end of the firmer barracks has been earmarked for the development which is set to cost more than £29 million over a five-year rolling programme.

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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

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Chemicals/Process

In association with

Cristal clear messages for a visiting minister

FACT-FINDING: Therésè Coffey MP visits Cristal at Stallingborough. Below, the roundtable discussion begins.

TALLINGBOROUGH titanium dioxide producer Cristal hosted a visit from a British Government Minister Therésè Coffey as she toured Yorkshire and the Humber.

To further raise the profile of your company call Angie Atkinson on 01472 806963 angie.atkinson@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

and suppliers joining in. The gathering included Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency who was also keen to hear from business. The aim was to enable the minister to listen to the true voice The Minister for the Environment of the industry, gauge the mood of and Rural Life Opportunities was business, gain a better on a fact-finding mission during understanding of the key the summer recess, and the South challenges that companies like Bank plant was selected to Cristal are facing, and listen to represent the chemical industry. their views and concerns about Working with the Chemical Brexit and the potential impact of a “bad deal”. Industries Association (CIA), a roundtable discussion was held, As part of her role, the minister with a number of key stakeholders has a specific responsibility for

chemicals, and having a PhD in Chemistry, she is well placed for this. A Cristal spokesperson said: “It was important for her to understand that the biggest customer for the chemical industry is the chemical industry itself. “Cristal relies on others in the chemical industry to supply them with raw materials, and Cristal then sells its product onto other companies within the industry who go on to make products like paints and coatings, for example.” Richard Stansfield, managing director of Singleton Birch, Russel

Argo, president of Brenntag UK & Ireland and David Talbot, chief executive of Catch, participated. “Having a mix of companies around the table who are all interlinked with Cristal really helped her to see the way the industry is interlinked, first hand,” the spokesperson said. Also at the meeting was Simon Marsh, employment and communications director, and Pete Walters – environment and sustainability director, both of the CIA. Brexit was a matter that came up in the discussions on a number of occasions, and was an issue that all the companies round the table had specific concerns about. “The chemical industry is one of the UK’s largest exporters, exceeding all other industrial sectors in the UK so the theme was very much around the importance of achieving an outcome where there is frictionless, tariff-free trade with the EU,” the spokesperson said. “In addition, avoiding border controls for the movement of products is vitally important as these will cause additional delays, wastage and cost for businesses, governments and consumers.” The chemical industry is a vital part of the British economy. It Contributes £60 million a day to the UK economy, £15 billion annually. It also spends £4.4 billion each year on investment in buildings, vehicles and machinery and almost £5 billion each year on research and development. “The industry manufactures products and technologies that are delivering a green economy, including delivering twice the carbon saving for society compared to what we use,” the spokesperson said. “From a workforce perspective, the industry employs about 500,000 people – directly and indirectly – with pay around 30 per cent higher

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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Chemicals/Process

EU economy joy is toasted CHEMICAL businesses across the UK have stressed the importance of an improving European Union economy to their manufacturing operations. In the latest Chemical Industries Association survey of member companies, total sales volumes and export volumes continue to gain. Looking ahead, expectations for export growth remain high. 50 per cent of companies expect exports to increase over the next 12 months with only 6 per cent expecting a decrease. A third of companies saw the expanding European economy as an opportunity over the next year. The EU is the sector’s biggest export market with 60 per cent of trade headign there. Further increases in both capital expenditure and R&D spending with employee numbers expected to rise at the fastest rate since early 2015. 41% of companies expect to increase capital expenditure over the next twelve months with only 9% expecting to lower spending. In addition, no company expects to reduce R&D spending in the next twelve months while 21% will increase R&D spending. Both are very good news for an investment- and innovation-intensive sector. New jobs in the chemical sector mean more well-paid jobs often in regions of the UK where employment is most needed. Chief Executive of the Association Steve Elliott said “In spite of the positive results, the survey also showed that trading uncertainty was already weighing down exports and potential increases in regulatory costs was a big concern for chemical businesses. We therefore continue to urge the government to provide clarity over the future trading and regulatory relationship with the European Union to ensure frictionless tariff free trade, regulatory consistency and access to skilled people are essential to maintaining the growth of the chemical sector across the UK. A strong EU economic performance benefits the UK if we can get the relationship right after we leave.” than manufacturing generally.” As part of her visit, the Minister had the opportunity to meet a group of Cristal apprentices who have just completed their training and have been offered permanent roles. This was one subject matter that was discussed at the roundtable. David Talbot explained to the Minister that there has been a significant drop in the number of apprentices offered by businesses in recent times, and the minister was able to respond by saying that the Government intends to amend the apprenticeship levy to make it more affordable for companies to offer more apprenticeships again. The minister concluded her visit by saying that she really valued the discussion time and the openness of all the business leaders, and she has a number of key points to take back to Government on the group’s behalf. She also committed that the Government “will do everything in its power to execute a smooth and frictionless transition through Brexit.”

£10m investment boosts capacity and credentials TEAM WORK: Lenzing’s sustainability team, from left, Rob Payne, Martin Gorton, Phil Munson and Stuart Gorringe. Far left, an aerial view of the plant, off Moody Lane. Below, production in full flow within.

in association with

EARLY £10 million is being invested into the South Bank facility of wonder textile producer Lenzing Fibers as it builds on demand and factors in industry-leading sustainability credentials.

The Austrian-owned site, producer of high-end Tencel – the brand of plant-based lyocell that is predominantly used in the garment sector – is part way through the huge spend, on two distinct projects. Now complete, the first element was described as a “debottling exercise,” improving the manufacturing process off Energy Park Way, where Lenzing has reaped a 10 per cent capacity boost, while the forthcoming project will revolutionise waste-water handling. Phil Munson, operations director in Grimsby, said: “Our job here is to support the speciality side of the business rather than the commodity side. We are making really specialised products for customers that deliver additional value, and we are cutting to length and dying it, to meet their needs. “Uniformity, strength and comfort, factors you don’t get with cheaper products, are found in Tencel and it can be blended with premium cotton and get a designer end product. “The fibre market is growing, Lenzing is a growing business, and we have just had our second best year ever in terms of revenue (followed by a best ever quarter). We announced expansion plans globally. Lenzing is the market leader by a long way in manufacturing of lyocell, under our Tencel brand. The aim of the company is to maintain that leadership of the market.” Money was spent on additional spinning lines. “We could only run at a certain throughput because we were limited,” Mr Munson said. “We needed to install more on each stream. It gave us just short of 10 per cent, and means we

can run the line at a constant rate and make that extra quantity. “With that we have had to look at other things like chilling capacity, evaporation capacity and a number of similar upgrades across the plant. What goes in, goes out, the amount of raw material – wood pulp – the amount of loads we can send out in a week. It has all been reviewed to make sure we have the ability.” The past year has seen 10 additional employs join, taking the number to 158. The company is also investing in apprenticeships, not just in process operations, but across all aspects of the business. And then there is the next phase of anticipated investment, which is edging towards board approval. “At the moment we are running a project to design a waste water treatment plan for the site. Lenzing is very focused in on a sustainable, long term future and this is a key part of it. “We have been investing across all plants to make sure we are ahead of the game and ahead of the competition and ahead of legislation. “One of the things we looked at here, now the plant is 20 years old, is we looked at what has changed. Waste water treatment has moved in a number of stages, and we

believe we can install additional treatment capacity, and move us on to the best technology in the world. We have a project team working on that right now. It has budget approval, it now needs a final decision to be signed up. We hope to start construction on that later this year, and it will be a year to 18 month project. “At the moment we have a number of different checks. This will add a number of different steps that will take it down to the lowest level that anyone can do at present in the UK and worldwide, creating demineralised water that goes out as effluent. “This will step us forward again. It is a particular investment by the group, the business model works for Lenzing and we are moving ahead for us and our customers, and we can confidently sell into a market that requires the highest standards.” The biggest market is specialty textiles, at about 70 per cent, with a lot of customers in Asia, Medical, pharmaceutical and food industries, with the likes of wet wipes and wound dressings, make up the remainder. One growth market is the electric vehicle industry, with separators for batteries an integral part of the designs. Mr Munson, previously production manager, has headed up the site since 2014. From Grimsby, he worked for Courtaulds in chemical engineering, moving up in the organisation. He joined the Tencell plant when it was being built, and helped recruit the teams, before it was eventually sold off to rival Lenzing. Two employees were actually involved in the initial laboratory trials in the West Midlands, and continued all the way through the scale up to manufacturing. “There is a lot of technical experience in manufacturing support here,” Mr Munson added proudly.

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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

GTE-E01-S3

News

Month in Review

He’s in... Humberston! LEISURE: Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne’s fitness empire is swooping into North East Lincolnshire, with a seven-figure investment pledged. The entrepreneur’s main business interest is taking on Humberston Country Club from Virgin Active, after it decided the exclusive leisure complex no longer fitted with its strategy. Bannatyne Fitness has 69 health clubs nationwide, with more than 200,000 members, and it will upgrade the existing facilities, though no immediate plans have been revealed.

Trout has team pouting SEAFOOD: Grimsby seafood processor JCS Fish has been given a Great Taste Award for its BigFish Brand Sea Trout Fillets. Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, Great Taste sets a nationally-acknowledged benchmark for fine food and drink, highlighting products that have been tested and approved for flavour, presentation and overall quality by a team of highly qualified judges and food writers.

Transfer station operator WASTE: A contractor is expected to be found by this winter for a £6.4 million waste transfer station in Scunthorpe. The site on Midland Road has been without a contractor since Impetus Waste Management Ltd pulled out of operations at the site last October. Now, council officials have said that a long term contractor is expected to be delivered for the site.

£3m steel support fund is a spent-up success! M

ORE than a dozen businesses in North Lincolnshire have been granted a share of £2.2 million from the British Steel Support Fund, aiding development and creating nearly 220 jobs. Provided by the Government following the announcement of job losses at Tata Steel in Scunthorpe in 2015, it is understood that the 14 firms will welcome 217 new employees in total, while safeguarding 253 jobs. From the £3 million of funding, £2,271,782m has been allocated to businesses, with the remainder now going through the due diligence period. Councillor Liz Redfern, chair of the British Steel Support Fund Board, and leader of North Lincolnshire Council when the funding was received, said: “The £3 million British Steel Support Fund was set-up to support those at risk of redundancies and to help local

217 Jobs being created from the investments that have been made

CASH BOOST: Cat Tech’s Joe Walker, left, with Baroness Redfern, Cat Tech chief executive Karl Thew and Councillor Waltham.

businesses grow. It is brilliant to see so many businesses and people now benefiting from the funding. “We have come a long way since the funding was first created and I am delighted that so hundreds of jobs have been created and safeguarded. We wanted to ensure that the number of job losses was kept to a minimum and that opportunities were opened up for businesses and residents in North Lincolnshire, which has been achieved.” The intervening period has seen a new lease of life begun at the works, with the new British Steel entity back in the black and actual recruiting again. A total of 350 jobs have been created, albeit not matching the losses suffered as Tata attempted to address losses in its long products division. Baroness Redfern’s successor as council leader, Councillor Rob Waltham, said: “The British Steel Support Fund was set up at a worrying time for many people but it has helped turn things around and made a real difference across North Lincolnshire for businesses. It has supported businesses not only to grow but it has helped safeguard and create hundreds of jobs. “All of the £3 million funding has now been granted subject to a few applications going through the due diligence process, which is fantastic news. “The funding has been a huge boost for North

Lincolnshire and is helping the economy grow. “Supporting businesses in North Lincolnshire and job creation is a priority for us. Businesses have a great impact on what we want to achieve as a council and help put North Lincolnshire on the map as a place to do business and invest.” Last month saw the final agreements made, with announcements to follow when completed. One recent recipient was Scunthorpe’s Cat Tech International Ltd, the heavy industry-focused catalytic system specialist. Joe Walker, finance director at the South Park Industrial Estate base, said: “The support of the BSSF allowed us to invest in the business when sales growth and opportunity was presented. This allowed us to complete projects worldwide without the limiting factor of equipment availability and, increase our locally employed people to carry out the works. This contributed to achieving an increase in turnover of 50 per cent and allowing us to further invest in the business and local suppliers to North Lincolnshire. “Without the support these milestones would have been more difficult to achieve and, also contributed to the winning of the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards for International Business of the Year.” That award was presented at The Baths Hall back in May.

Fortunate 14 – Where the money has gone ● Birkdale Doors Ltd Job creation target: 23 Received funding to install a new mezzanine floor within the current premises and to buy a bespoke machine that will help reduce waste and produce slats for their market. ● Bonds Heavy Casting Ltd Job creation target: 44 with 71 safeguarded Received funding to support the business to buy thee Scunthorpe site and assets from Bradken Ltd as it intended to close/mothball the site. ● Cat Tech International Ltd Job creation target: Eight Received funding to support the business in the extension of the current Scunthorpe site and to buy a specialist humidifier. This will enable the business to win further contracts internationally and continue their expansion plans. ● FJG Logistics Job creation target: Six Received funding to support

the business to buy new equipment and increase of the freezer capacity. ● Grayton Mechanical and Fabrication Services Ltd Job creation target: 50 Received funding to support the business in starting up and growing. ● H L Engineering Contractors Ltd Job creation target: 13 with 21 safeguarded Received funding to help relocate the business. ● Moulded Fibre Products Ltd Job creation target: 32 Received funding to support the business to buy bespoke machines. ● R J Engineering Ltd Job creation target: Three Received funding to support the business in buying new machinery and associated calibration work (professional support) and the wage costs of taking on new staff. ● Rocal Ltd Job creation target: Four Received funding to support the business to buy new

BOOST FOR BIRKDALE: Co-owners Marc Shrimpton, left, and Simon Sturman. machinery and further expand the capability of the site. ● Saxon Abbeydale Foods Ltd Job creation target: 10 with five safeguarded Received funding for two projects: to take advantage of potato opportunities by developing a foodservice brand to provide a range of diverse products and to

consolidate Pie Toms Ltd. ● SC4 Ltd Job creation target: four with six safeguarded Received funding to buy new Gemini equipment to allow the business to produce in-house components. ● TI Trading Ltd Job creation target: 20 Received funding to help the business expand warehousing facilities and create a distribution centre for their wider business. ● The Access Panel Company Ltd Job creation target: 25 Received funding to allow the business to buy a second machine and expand its existing site to accommodate increased trade. ● UK Containers Repairs Ltd Job creation target: 2 Received funding to enable the business to secure premises and obtain the main plant machinery and tools to conduct the inspection and repair service for freight shipping containers.

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News

£1.3m ‘invisibility issue’ EU cash injection boost

OUTH-based plastics specialist Luxus has secured £1.3 million for research and innovation to boost recycling from everyday consumables by solving an ‘invisibility’ issue.

Working with Nordic polymer processing partner Polykemi and global plastics manufacturer One51, the money is coming to Lincolnshire from the Europrean Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. It will support NIRSort, a new commercialisation project that aims to replace carbon black and many other pigments with a range of novel near-infrared (NIR) detectable alternatives for adoption by Europe’s packaging, automotive and consumer durables manufacturers. Annually 3.5 million tonnes of polymer are scrapped in the UK alone, since black and some other coloured packaging cannot be picked up by recycling sorters. As these products contain carbon black that reflects very little or no radiation rendering it ‘invisible’ to sorting machines in recycling depots.

This pioneering project is based on the previous successful work from specialist additive and masterbatch supplier, Colour Tone whom Luxus acquired earlier this year. Dr Christel Croft This two-year project will be led by Luxus, having recently reached commercialisation with another EU funded project, aimed at lightweighting car interior trims - working with Jaguar Land Rover - as reported. Polykemi will participate by formulating, processing and testing materials. The resulting materials will be then further evaluated for use in innovative packaging material via Polykemis subsidary, Scanfill. The third consortium partner is rigid plastics manufacturer, One51 selected for its injection moulding manufacturing expertise. Dr Christel Croft, technical director at the Fairfield Industrial Estate business, said: “This pioneering project is based on the previous successful work to

PIONEERING AGAIN: Dr Christel Croft, and a flashback to March’s Business Telegraph when the acquisition of Colour Tone, in South Wales, was reported.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Black PET food trays featuring the novel near-infrared detectable colourant.

Why recycling rates are now ramping up The requirements for sorting and segregation of polymer types within waste streams are intensifying, with the three main drivers being: ● Extended Producer Responsibility regulations: Increasing the responsibility for the supply side to identify the materials they provide into commercial streams; extending this responsibility through to the

point of recycling ● Stringent recycling targets are forcing recyclers to process increasingly difficult materials that they could formerly lose as scrap ● Increased volumes and high labour costs are moving the industry to reduce manual segregation and increase shredding; this requires more sorting facilities so cost becomes an issue

identify NIR detectable alternatives to carbon black from specialist additive and masterbatch supplier, Colour Tone whom Luxus acquired earlier this year. “It aims to develop a range of colourants for polymers that will enable NIR sorting operations to segregate black and coloured plastics from waste streams to a level of purity that they are useable in highly engineered polymers. Potentially even in our light-weight, high scratch-resistant polypropylene compounds range, Hycolene for example.

“We have defined a programme of development, designed to identify formulations with optimal cost effectiveness in packaging recycling and to extend the technology across to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and end-of-life vehicle applications, each of which has its own specialist requirements.” According to the Extended Producer Responsibility regulations, ‘obligated businesses including retailers, brand owners,

packaging convertors and fillers are responsible for obtaining evidence that plastics packaging recycling has taken place’. The routine failure of these plastics to be identified and recycled presents an urgent problem for producer industries in their efforts to comply. The most immediate market need is for food packaging, which typically has a three to 12 month cycle from ‘make-to-waste’. While waste from consumer durables goods has a mean-life of five years and ‘end-of-life’ automotive vehicles 13 years, both also require solutions to prevent the continued build-up of potentially unrecoverable polymers. Dr Croft added: “Our market strategy is based therefore, on a continuous positive development cycle or a ‘circular economy’ approach. This is where the packaging industry will use virgin detectable polymer to make its packaging and this with its product life of under a year, is recycled into high quality engineered plastics for the manufacturer of automotive and consumer durables to use - without waiting for returns from their own ‘end-of-life’ materials.” Black plastics alone represent around five per cent of packaging (one million tonnes) and 30 per cent of WEEE and vehicle polymers (two million tonnes), none of which can be recycled. A further million tonnes of coloured waste containing carbon black is also lost to landfill or incineration in the UK each year.

Month in Review Hughes Building tribute at beacon Catch site TRAINING: A lasting tribute to a much-loved giant of the Humber’s chemical industry will be unveiled next month. Catch’s new addition, a £3.9 million expansion, is to be called The Hughes Building, remembering long-serving chief executive, Dr Glyn Hughes. The popular gent led the pioneering public-private partnership – then known as Humber Chemical Focus – for a decade, playing a huge part in it becoming a highly respected organisation that has now been replicated across other sectors. He passed away two years ago, having battled cancer, stepping down in 2013 from the key role having already undergone initial treatment.

Flood defence doors are Bradbury’s latest line MANUFACTURING: After more than two years of trials, the Scunthorpe-based Bradbury Group has made a breakthrough in the production of flood-defence doors. The configurations made at the company’s factory on the Queensway Industrial Estate are said to be a first for the UK security industry. The range of doors was developed following a request from Northern Powergrid and have been fully accredited and tested. Now, delighted Bradbury bosses are forecasting sales in the first year will hit the £750,000 mark.

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Advertising Feature

Apprenticeship an ‘ace card’ when it comes to recruitment F

INDING a way for employers to ensure they have the skills, knowledge and experience in the business to ensure the stability and growth of the business moving forwards can be tricky.

a new wave of apprenticeship opportunities being created. Now the majority of employers pay a 10 per cent contribution towards apprenticeship training and employers with a wage bill over £3 million will pay a levy. That makes Many businesses are faced with deal now the time to consider recruiting to with the issue of an ageing workforce minimise costs and take advantage of and are struggling to recruit. opportunities available now to use apprenticeships to recruit new staff or A key option to consider may be to to develop existing staff. invest in training and development, and that’s where apprenticeships More than 96 per cent of employers come into the fold. who take on apprentices report positive benefits including improved Last year, more than 60,000 productivity, staff retention, loyalty apprenticeship placements were and commitment. created in the area and 86 per cent of those apprentices carry on in And the benefits are endless for both employment once their apprentices and their employers. apprenticeship has ended. The average apprenticeship Business leaders claim that there improves a company’s productivity by has never been a better time to around £214 a week and are a tried employ an apprentice or start an and tested way to recruit new staff, apprenticeship. re-train or up-skill existing staff. It’s somewhat of a revolution – and Recruiting in such a way can help to there were 1,656,680 online tackle skill shortage and provide apprenticeship applications in 2015 workers that will form the skeleton of and 2016. businesses future workforce. There are so many ways for Changing in apprenticeship funding that came into play in May has led to companies to introduce apprentices to

Key sectors for apprenticeships THE top five apprenticeship programmes in Yorkshire and the Humber by sector: ● 4,700 are in business, administration and law. ● 4,200 are in health, public services and care. ● 4,000 are in engineering and manufacturing technologies. ● 3,000 are in retail and commercial enterprise. ● 1,600 are in construction, planning and the built environment. the workplace, and learning can even be done on the job, minimising disruption and maximising impact. With many newly-trained workers keen to learn and with a passion to impress, apprenticeships can provide

a great way of attracting enthusiastic talent with fresh ideas. Apprenticeships can help reduce staff turnover, by increasing employee satisfaction and loyalty, whilst injecting a fresh-feel to the workplace.

Almost any company in northern Lincolnshire can reap rewards just like these, so if your business is in need of a boost then considering offering apprenticeships could be the answer.

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Advertising Feature

Support is available at North Lindsey College N

orth Lindsey College is the largest provider of apprenticeships locally, including higher technical and professional apprenticeships.

contribute 10 per cent of the cost of the training, with the government paying the remaining 90 per cent. Businesses with employers with less than 50 staff paying nothing if they employ The college is also the largest apprentices between the ages provider of higher of 16 and 18. apprenticeships and is introducing the new leadership North Lindsey College has and management standards at seen substantial growth in Level Three, Five and Six apprenticeships provision suitable for team leaders to year-on-year over the past senior managers. three years as more employers The Scunthorpe college has recognise the opportunities funding to support apprenticeships can bring. apprenticeship training at all The college’s business levels and assist levy paying employers to maximise the development team support impact on their business by employers across the region, utilising their apprenticeship helping them to identify where funds. This funding can an apprenticeship is support qualifications, as well appropriate as well as as bespoke training designed READY TO HELP: Jill Cooper, business development director. supporting the recruitment specifically to meet a business process for new employees. needs. range of sectors and are employers to invest in therefore way ahead of many of apprenticeship programmes If your business would Jill Cooper, business and raise additional funds to development director at North providers in terms of the benefit from an apprentice and support and provision we can improve the quality and Lindsey College, said: “We you would like to discover how offer.” quantity of apprentices coming the college can support you, have 80 apprenticeship into the business. This levy is frameworks and standards to The Apprenticeship Levy, please contact the business work from, including 25 new which came into effect on April only applicable to employers development team on with a wage bill of more than apprenticeship standards, 6, is a payment collected from employertraining@north £3 million. which means as a college we large employers. The purpose lindsey.ac.uk or 01724 281111. are able to support a wide of this is to encourage Non-levy paying employers

Apprenticeships

We are the largest provider of apprenticeships locally including higher technical and professional apprenticeships. Over 900 apprentices with local and regional employers 96% of organisations report positive business beneﬁts from taking on apprentices Our achievement rates are 10% above the national average

Apprenticeship opportunities include:

Accounts (AAT) INT Accounts Assistant ADV Business Administration INT ADV HIGH Customer Services INT ADV Hospitality Commis Chef INT Hospitality Supervisor ADV Hospitality Team Member INT HR Consultant/Partner ADV HR Support INT Infrastructure Technician ADV IT Digital Marketer ADV IT Software, Web & Telecoms Professional INT ADV Retailer INT Retail Team Leader ADV Warehousing and Storage INT ADV Bench Joinery INT ADV Bricklaying INT ADV Construction Contracting Operations ADV Construction Operations & Civil Engineering INT Housing/Property Maintenance INT Plastering INT

Plumbing INT ADV Surveying Technology ADV Wall and Tiling INT ADV Business Improvement Techniques INT ADV Electrical Installations ADV Electrical Maintenance ADV Fabrication and Welding INT ADV Furniture Manufacturing INT Performing Manufacturing Operations INT Pipeﬁtting ADV Science Industrial Maintenance Technology ADV Science Manufacturing Process Technology ADV Children and Young Peoples Workforce INT ADV Health and Social Care (Adult Skills) HIGH Health and Social Care (Assistant Practitioner)

Travel Consultant ADV Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair INT Management Chartered HIGH Operations/Department Manager HIGH Team Leader Supervisor ADV Vehicle Body and Paint INT ADV Vehicle Fitting INT Vehicle Maintenance and Repair INT ADV Beauty Therapy INT ADV Hairdressing ADV Hairdressing Professional INT Sport Active Leadership INT Sport Instructing Exercise and Fitness INT Event Assistant ADV

HIGH

Health and Social Care (Clinical Healthcare Support) INT ADV Health Care Support INT ADV Lead Adult Care Worker ADV Supporting Teaching & Learning in School INT

Key: ADV

INT ADV HIGH

Intermediate Apprenticeship – Level 2 Advanced Apprenticeship – Level 3 Higher Apprenticeship – Level 4, 5 and 6

Contact Customer Services on 01724 281111 or by emailing: employertraining@northlindsey.ac.uk Further information about apprenticeships can be found at: www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

ADV

DEVELOPING A WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE

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Ports & Logistics

in association with

Capital showcase for key Humber ports delegation T

HE Humber is to be showcased for the first time at the highlight of the UK’s maritime calendar, London International Shipping Week.

www.modaltraining.co.uk

01472 311222 ext 1184

Humber Work Boats

Marine Contracting, Dredging and Boat Building www.humberworkboats.co.uk Tel: 01469 540156

For the latest and breaking business news around the Humber region

To further raise the proﬁle of your company call Angie Atkinson on 01472 806963

angie.atkinson@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk WELCOME: Regular sight on the Humber, Pride of York, moored at Zeebrugge, right, having completed the crossing from Hull, while Chinese-owned CSCL Globe, the world’s largest ship, has also visited the port.

A special event is to be held in the capital on September 12, with Team Humber Marine Alliance working in collaboration with Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, University of Hull and key regional stakeholders. Mark O’Reilly, chief executive and chairman of THMA, said: “This is an outstanding opportunity for the Humber to highlight its strengths as a leading international maritime hub, home to the busiest ports complex by tonnage in the UK and fourth busiest in Europe. “As the UK’s Energy Estuary the Humber has in recent years seen hundreds of millions of pounds invested in new transformative port infrastructure to support the burgeoning renewables and automotive logistics industries. “It is the first time the Humber has been represented at the conference which attracts 15,000 global industry leaders from all sectors of the maritime industry. “The showcase will bring together leading business leaders and government officials to discuss key topics, investment opportunities and skills, as well as to heighten the profile of our region. “Key note speakers from industry and government are contributing, including Lord Prescott.” The former Hull MP remains a strong

ALL ABOARD: The Humber has a lot to shout about at London International Shipping Week 2017. Clockwise from top left, Simon Reilly, Bird, Mark O’Reilly, the approach to Port of Grimsby, Kishor Tailor, Lord Prescott and a new generation DFDS freight ferry on the outer harbour roll-on roll-off berth at Port of Immingham. ambassador for the region, and he will be joined by Simon Bird, Humber director for Associated British Ports, Kishor Tailor, chief executive of Humber LEP, Stephen Weaver of P&O, and others. Lord Prescott said: “The Humber is one of the most exciting estuarial developments in the world today. Its connections, its renewable growth and potential make it a natural fit with the Government’s industrial strategy. There are many exciting developments of national and global significance of which we’ll talk at the conference.” Across London International Shipping

Week more than 160 industry functions are taking place across all sectors. Mr Bird, who heads up Immingham, the giant in ABP’s portfolio, a well as Grimsby, Hull and Goole, said: “It is fantastic that we are able to give the Humber ports a profile at the world renowned London International Shipping Week. The Humber is the UKs busiest trading estuary and the four ports which service this traffic play an integral part in the trade for the North of England and beyond. “ABP Humber plays a major role in supporting the energy sector underlined by recent investments of £130

million in Immingham Renewable Fuels Terminal and £150 million in Green Port Hull to support wind energy manufacturing. We are also heavily involved in the automotive, food and forest products sectors and with our recent £50 million investment in container terminals the established container shipping work is expanding rapidly. “There is a reason for the Humber being the UK’s busiest trading estuary.” The past month has seen DFDS launch its next generation freight ferries on the Immingham North Sea route, while ABP itself is recruiting 40 more port operatives, having held a dedicated assessment day

for 100 shortlisted candidates from more than 400 applicants. While the ‘Energy Estuary’ keeps the terminals and quays busy, so too do containers, with millions of pounds being invested to scale up capacity and capability on both banks in a key growth area as the logistics of a central entry point stacks up. The Humber Maritime Showcase takes place at the Willis Building from 10.30am to 12.30pm, with registration and networking from 9.30am. There is no charge, but places should be reserved through Eventbrite, with the link available at dedicated business website www.humberbusiness.com

...as Zeebrugge representatives visit the area A BELGIAN delegation is heading to the Humber to underline the role of Port of Zeebrugge. Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce’s World Trade at One platform will host a free-to-attend Zeebrugge Port Day at the Institute of Logistics, University of Hull, on Tuesday, September 7. A presentation will be followed by a networking lunch, with the opportunity for one-on-one meetings. Like the Humber, Bruges with its port Zeebrugge, has a long maritime history which goes back to the Middle Ages. Today it is an economic and logistic growth hub with modern infrastructure and equipment suitable for every type of vessel, and claims to ‘connect the world to Europe’.

The present port structure was modernised in 1985. The emergence of the roll-on/roll-off techniques, the containerisation and the increase in the scale of the ships convinced the Belgian Government to develop Zeebrugge as a deep sea port, resulting in the increase of cargo traffic from 14 million tonnes in 1985 to almost 40 million tonnes today. Six overnight sailings a week provide a freight link between Killingholme and the Belgian port, served by Cobelfret, while P&O serves passenger demand from Hull. Grimsby’s links see British built Toyota cars head to Europe through the port. To reserve a place email Jeanette Smith at j.smith@hull-humberchamber.co.uk.

BELGIAN BOOM: Port of Zeebrugge from the air. Twitter / @Port_Zeebrugge.

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News

Seafarers’ struggle to surf the web ONLY virtually one in 20 seafarers has sufficient internet connectivity for video calls when at sea, despite often being away from their families for months on end. A survey of nearly 2,000 seafarers and shipping industry leaders by the maritime professionals’ trade union, Nautilus International, found that 6 per cent had adequate facilities. By comparison 91 per cent of UK homes and 85 per cent of European homes have broadband access, with the United Nations recently suggesting that it should be a basic right, rather than a luxury. The findings emerged from a white paper released by Nautilus. It also found that despite nearly 88 per cent of seafarers having some form of internet access at sea, most have very limited speeds and at high costs. In addition, only 57 per cent of crew have personal email access and just one third have social media access at se, leaving the majority of seafarers isolated from friends and families. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (63 per cent) also suggested they would consider moving companies if the new company provided better quality internet. Of the industry leaders surveyed, 14 per cent admitted they don’t provide their employees with any access to the internet. The two biggest reasons given were fears crews would access illegal or adult content and the potentially high installation costs. The survey also found that 58 per cent of respondents were concerned the provision would result in a distraction to work. Nautilus has published the white paper to further raise awareness of the current communications provision for those living and working at sea, and has presented it to industry leaders, politicians and those working in the industry. It hopes that shipping companies will then act to provide internet access to all which is free at the point of use. Nautilus general secretary, Mark Dickinson, said: “It’s shocking that in this day and age access to the internet at sea is not viewed as a fundamental right. At home we take this for granted and being able to contact anyone in the world at the touch of a button with devices in our pockets is fantastic. But why shouldn’t seafarers also be able to do this? “We hope this survey will highlight just how poor connectivity is for our members. With very limited and regulated shore leave, increasing workloads, reduced crewing levels and reductions in the quality of social life onboard, it’s essential that we have free, high-speed internet access. We hope the results of our survey will help to convince shipowners of the benefits of providing internet access and explain how the costs and other counter-arguments are outweighed by the positive impact of greater connectivity at sea.”

PRIDE: Steve Beaumont, left, and Phil Mercer, directors of PowerON.

Month in Review

Welcome to Immingham!

PowerON joining Microsoft’s elite I

T AUTOMATION specialist PowerON, has become one of only a few firms in the world to join an Elite Partner Team with Microsoft. The Grimsby-founded firm will now assist the world’s largest software maker in developing both new and existing products, having been given the special status for Enterprise Mobility + Security. The ‘invitation-only’ team of partners features just 70 companies globally, and PowerON is only the sixth UK-based firm to join the exclusive, handpicked programme. This coup is a huge boost for the team provides powerful, high quality, IT management and cloud automation solutions to organisations of all sizes. As part of its involvement, PowerON will now participate in Microsoft-hosted face to face events and regular conference calls covering everything from product releases and deep dives through to engineering updates. It will also have access to technical content and early product announcements via a private Yammer group, as well as engaging in private previews, early product testing and contributing to an Intune UserVoice group. Microsoft EMS is an integrated set of tools that enable businesses to administer, manage and secure all types of devices including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, in a single system. PowerON’s product development director, Steve Beaumont, co-founder, is from Grimsby, and a third of the staff is based at Europarc, with a recently opened office in York, and another base in Surrey. Stewart McLaughlan, PowerON’s EMS mobility consultant, said: “Being invited to join Microsoft’s prestigious EMS Elite Partner Team is a major feat and reinforces our

credentials as one of the world’s leading players in the IT automation field. It gives us direct access to Microsoft’s product development team and its decision makers, so we can share feedback from our customers and other end-users, as well as supporting them as they plug potential gaps and develop new products. “This means we’ll be completely up to date with Microsoft’s latest software developments, as well as helping to shape their future, which will further enhance the levels of service, knowledge, expertise and opportunities that we can offer our customers.” PowerON has seen a surge in turnover to almost £2 million since its inception less than three years ago, and has grown staff numbers from just four people to 30. The company now works for a wide range of public and private sector organisations including City of Wolverhampton Council, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital NHS Trusts, Stena Group, Drax Group, Tesco, British Land and GHD. Suzanne Grant, senior programme manager at Microsoft, said: “We are pleased to welcome PowerON into the EMS Elite Partner Program and look forward to collaborating to drive EMS deployment and usage to ensure our customers get the most value out of our products and services.” Microsoft revealed PowerON was invited onto the programme in recognition of it earnestly building its EMS practice and investing deeply in technology to ensure it delivers maximum value to customers. The software giant also praised PowerON’s desire to continually innovate with the EMS stack and actively provide considered feedback on ways to improve the technology based on practical engagements with customers.

SHIPPING: A new era in DFDS’ north sea services between the Humber and Rotterdam started with the maiden voyage arrival into Immingham of the Gardenia Seaways. It is one of two new freight superferries entering DFDS’ Immingham-Rotterdam service. The vessel was loaded in Immingham ready for an overnight crossing for Rotterdam, arriving there yesterday. Gardenia Seaways (IMO 9809095), is one of two new generation cargo-only superferries commissioned to handle increased volumes on DFDS’ busy North Sea freight route. Each vessel is 210 metres long, with the capacity for 262 trailers and a load space of 4,076 lane metres. The second vessel, Tulipa Seaways will enter service in autumn.

District heating explored ENERGY: Grimsby’s carbon neutral ambition is building a head of steam as first steps exploring district heating opportunities are made. Five potentially viable zones have been initially identified in North East Lincolnshire, as the local authority looks to build on the green credentials blown in by offshore wind. As reported in April, by 2050 borough leaders wants to eliminate fossil fuels, and together with Grimsby Renewables Partnership, the concept was explored with businesses at an event, with the local authority welcoming advisor Peter Anderberg, of Sweden’s Nordic Heat, to discuss the potential, and the supply chain opportunities.

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Business Support

in association with

www.wilkinchapman.co.uk

01472 311711 bmcf.co.uk

New branding frames growth across business A

BUSINESS that helps others forge a strong identity is enhancing its own this summer.

be a common theme. The black and white Sign of the Times logo is remaining, but we’re adding colour.” The business, approaching a Grimsby’s Sign of the Times is quarter of a century trading, last refreshing its look with a bold had a refresh in 2011, when a colour scheme focused on retail sales counter and different elements of service, manufacturing base for the while taking the opportunity to business was established within create a stronger link with an the former The Humber pub, acquisition made last year. with car parking immediately Mick Clarke, managing behind, off Humber Street. director, purchased the assets of While signage remains the key JPP Framing in King Edward business area, engraving and Street, a company that assembles heat pressing/embroidery has picture and photograph frames also developed, so too the sale of for retailers to sell. Now it is the garments they adorn, with being aligned with the existing education and sport building on Cleethorpe Road operation, with strong sales in workwear, as the stock builds from kitchens to construction sites, school sweatshirts to football, cricket and hockey teams. “We have built that side up nicely, and we are in the process of creating a new sportswear department, refitting the shop with a new footwear area for Mick Clarke, managing director work boots and shoes too. “We are going greener too, changing all the lights to LED the public-facing Graphics and with the help of grant funding.” Print business to be rebranded to It will see a contemporary build on the JPP addition, and approach to the sales floor, with its complementary services. “We are completely rebranding striking images used to the framing shop to JPP Gallery exemplify the stock. Last year’s addition of what and Picture Framing,” Mr was once Jackson’s Pictures and Clarke enthused. Frames, has dedicated retail “We have brought in new t-shirts for the team, and across accounts it serves, and is forging ahead in e-commerce. “It will all the businesses we are provide a new revenue stream partway through implementing for us,” Mr Clarke said. the new look. We have a new A total of 14 people are now scheme for the windows at Sign employed across the three sites, of the Times to show the with a 50/50 split of male and different sectors we cover in different colours, but there will female employees.

We have a new scheme for the windows at Sign of the Times T: 01652 680888 www.hibl.co.uk

t: 01472 350601 Scunthorpe t: 01724 863105 Grimsby

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A decade of Work Wise Women is celebrated Chartered Accountants in Grimsby - T: 01472 355215 Scunthorpe - T: 01724 844876 www.hwca.com

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WORK Wise Women celebrated a decade of business networking success at its recent annual dinner. Trophies for business excellence were presented at the event, held at Grimsby’s Upstairs at Abbys, with Jayne O’Flynn, director of Driver Hire Grimsby and Scunthorpe

named as Work Wise Women Business Woman of the Year. The group was launched back in 2007 by Lindsay Henson, pictured above left, a tax specialist, and Sarah Brattan, formerly with HSBC and now Investment Hub NEL manager, above right.

In the main picture above are, from left: Jayne O’Flynn; Alexis Powell Howard, Fortis Therapy, winner of Excellence in Professional Therapy & Training Award; Elly Dolan, Natural Choice Training, winner of Excellence in the Community Award, Natalie Clarke, Just Wills

and Legal Services, Business Administrator of the Year; Rachael Clark, Hobo Soy Candles, Social Media Entrepreneur of the Year and Joanne Chafer, Joanna Leigh Couture, Creative Designer of the Year. ● Pictures: Lusina Photography.

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Business Support in association with

Architecture Project Management Structural Engineering

T. 01724 278155 • 01472 268485 www.crparrott.co.uk

info@gskelsey.co.uk www.gskelsey.co.uk

01724 854362

SOUND ADVICE: Mark Stothard, left, partner in Haines Watts, and Nolan Gooch, head of tax advisory services, outside the Cleethorpe Road office

R&D tax credit scheme ‘should not be missed’ T

HE taxman is giving money back to businesses – are you missing out? As a business owner, the opportunity to claim back tax and receive a cash repayment from the taxman can be a very exciting prospect and the Government’s Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit scheme provides just that. “The opportunity to reclaim significant repayments from HM Revenue & Customs is already being seized upon by some local business owners, but many are unaware of the opportunity,” explained Nolan Gooch, head of tax advisory at Haines Watts. The scheme has gained massive momentum over the past few years, partly due to the fact it has received a number of modifications which made it both easier to access and more rewarding. “The relief is being actively pushed by HMRC to help support and fund innovation in UK business” Mr Gooch said. “It is available to

limited companies that can demonstrate they are seeking an advance in science or technology, the relief can provide a valuable new cash flow to your business.” A company can claim enhanced deductions against its taxable profits for expenditure which is qualifying R&D expenditure. The amount of the enhancement has increased over the years. The rate was 125 per cent for expenditure incurred before March 31, 2015, and has increased to 130 per cent from April 1, 2015. This amount is in addition to the actual expenditure (ie a 230 per cent total deduction). R&D enhanced relief represents an additional corporation tax reduction of 26 per cent of the expenditure incurred. Uptake of the relief is on the rise, but there is still a significant amount of UK businesses not gaining benefit from the relief that could, as they do not think they qualify. “When you think of research and development, the first thing that probably springs to mind is scientists in white lab coats fumbling around with Bunsen burners and test

tubes” explains Mark Stothard, partner at Haines Watts. “Well, when it comes to R&D tax credits, this couldn’t be further from reality. R&D relief can be claimed by companies that have incurred expenditure on all sorts of innovative projects that involve the development of new products, services or processes. A project should address an area of scientific or technological uncertainty and be innovative. “We have found in reality that a wide range of business sectors can benefit including engineering businesses, architects, fish processors and digital agencies. We urge local businesses to take professional advice to ensure that they are not missing out on this valuable relief.” ● If you’d like to book a free, no-obligation appointment to find out more about the relief and whether you qualify, contact Haines Watts in Grimsby on 01472 355215 grimsby@hwca.com or Scunthorpe 01724 844876 scunthorpe@hwca.com

G.S. Kelsey Construction Ltd

Housing Management Property Development Community Investment 01724 279900 www.ongo.co.uk

HMRC’s online forum A NEW online tax forum and dedicated webchat service for small businesses and the self-employed has been launched by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Whitehall chiefs describe The Small Business Online Forum as a quick and easy way for small businesses to get answers to their tax questions as well as help with: ● starting a business ● support for growing a business – including taking on employees and expanding ● buying and selling abroad ● completing tax returns

● tax credits Mel Stride, pictured, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General, said: “The UK’s 5.4 million small businesses play a vital role in our economy. We want to help businesses get off the ground and support them as they grow. “That is why we are launching a new forum and webchat service which will give these companies useful hints and tips – including how to complete tax returns, grow a business and trade outside the UK – so that they can continue to flourish.”

www.ashbournehotel.co.uk T: 01469 541010 Without the support of these companies this page would not be possible For you company to be included contact

Angie Atkinson on

01472 806963

angie.atkinson@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

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Training

in association with

Redwood Park Estate, Stallingborough, North East Lincolnshire, DN41 8TH www.hcfcatch.com Tel: 01469 552843

Providers of health and safety training, and engineering apprentices www.heta.co.uk Tel: 01469 552880

TRAINING FOR BUSINESS info@gss.gb.com 01472 889229

To further proﬁle your company contact Angie Atkinson 01472 806963 angie.atkinson@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

Young Enterprise needs business adviser boost V

OLUNTEERS are being sought by entrepreneurial seed-sowing charity Young Enterprise.

After a successful campaign to get northern Lincolnshire schools on board, business advisers are now being sought to role out the company programme. Kathy Fillingham, treasurer of the South Humber Local Voluntary Board, praised the efforts of manager Lucy O’Donnell, who started at the beginning of the year after a 15 year career with Department of Work and Pensions. “We are a charity and we rely more heavily on volunteers now,” Mrs Fillingham said. “Lucy has come on board and been really good, she believes in what she is doing and has got 13 programmes ready to go, now we need to recruit the people to help.” YE’s overall aim is to reduce youth employment by preventing it in the first place. It teaches pupils about the world of work and financial literacy, helping with key employability skills such as confidence, resilience and communication. The company programme sees schools develop teams and run businesses, competing with others in the area, then regionally and nationally, where more than 250,000 young people take part. This coming year is seeing a targeted approach to increase engagement with schools serving disadvantaged areas. “Company programme students develop their key employability skills by making all the decisions about their business, from deciding the company name and product to creating a business plan, managing the finances and selling the products,” Mrs Fillingham said, herself part of the YE alumni. “It is a fantastic scheme that gives the children a great opportunity.”

HELP NEEDED: South Axholme Academy Urban Garden Project, who won the South Humber Final in 2016, left with clockwise from above, Kathy Fillingham, Murray Sellers and Nicola Barrass. Research undertaken shows that 94 per cent of those engaged in the programme on to further education, employment or training. “Business advisors go in and give an hour a week to go an assist. It is a big commitment, but that’s what we initially need,” Mrs Fillingham added. One who played a role last year was Murray Sellers, a director of Lindum Packaging at Stallingborough. He said: “My son took part in this year’s Young Enterprise, and it has been a fantastic experience for him. The small group of Year 10 Pupils from Focus School, Cottingham Campus that took part hit a large number of real-life challenges. “They suffered exposure to regulations and challenges to logistics that tested their ingenuity, and their Geography, and perhaps the greatest challenge of all, working together

while remaining friends. Through the whole process, including the head-to-head competitions, there were no losers, only learners! “Having had the privilege of seeing what goes on behind the scenes, I can honestly say that the experience of being involved in a Young Enterprise company is a brilliant opportunity for local businesspeople to get involved in as we seek to understand commerce in the future. “The speed with which these young persons collaborate, solve problems and action the solutions through electronic means is enlightening. I certainly hope the initiative goes on from strength to strength as each year leaves a higher standard for the next follow.” The organisation is also looking to swell the board, chaired by long-serving former British Steel boss Mike Hare. Monthly board meetings are held, with a number

of events also supported. Nicola Barrass, partner at pan-Humber law firm Bridge McFarland, is creating a vacancy as she moves to head up the North Bank board. She said: “I have been a board member for Young Enterprise in the South Humber area for several years now. I thoroughly enjoy being involved with the charity and seeing first hand the journey that the students go through in learning about running a business and the development of employability skills such as communication and teamwork. We see them dealing with the challenges as well as the high points, and it is very rewarding to observe how they develop in confidence during their time on the programme.” For more information about the advisor or board positions, email Lucy at lucy.odonnell@y-e.org.uk or call 07917 185582.

Bomb disposal experts look to the Humber for fire safety training HUMBER-based HFR Solutions CIC has recently delivered fire awareness and fire safety training to a sub-unit of 33 Engineer Regiment, one of the Royal Engineers’ specialist bomb disposal units. The full service emergency response provider, safety team, risk prevention and workplace safety specialist – a division of Humberside Fire and Rescue Service – trained a group of 55, comprising of civil servants who work and operate alongside the military as explosive ordnance searchers, and military personnel as part of their community engagement initiatives. As a result delegates have increased their knowledge and understanding of what constitutes best practice fire safety procedures. The 33 Engineer Regiment receives mandatory annual fire prevention training in the form of an internally delivered scripted Powerpoint presentation, however as it was

delivered by an external fire prevention specialist on this occasion, Staff Sgt Jamie Lister, Troop Commander, felt this helped to add creditability. The Explosive Ordnance Clearance Group is a UK-based specialist unit providing a vital surface and sub-surface search and locate service. The role is to identify potential unexploded ordnance contamination, and render safe any live threats in order to provide safe spaces and areas for military and public usage. This annual training is essential to keep the civil servant explosive ordnance searchers operating safely in their essential duties protecting the public by clearing the UK of unexploded ordnance. Two separate interactive sessions were delivered by the HFR Solutions’ lead medical practitioner. The blended style of learning with a question and answer session encouraged candidate participation which

made the whole experience more enjoyable. Staff Sgt Lister said: “We would like to express our extreme gratitude to the HFR Solutions CIC team for delivering training to 33 Engineer Regiment. HFR Solutions CIC not only managed to deliver the training with expertise and enthusiasm, they also carried the credibility that can only be gained by professionals who are intensely knowledgeable within their field of expertise. “As a troop commander, the training co-ordinator and operations senior non-commissioned officer for Explosive Ordnance Clearance Group, the delivery surpassed my expectations, I am delighted with the quality of the service delivered to our team.” HFR Solutions CIC’s community interest initiatives range from the proactive basic life support and first aid Heartstart program that enables communities to learn

JOB WELL DONE: Staff Sgt Jamie Lister, and HFR Solutions’ promotional material. and administer first aid in the event of a real-life situation, to the installation of defibrillators at various rural fire stations throughout the community. The organisation also delivers

a breakfast seminar focusing on improving the safety of the workers when undertaking working at height and in confined space environments. Activities like these help to

meet the HFR Solutions CIC vision of making our communities and places of work safer. For more information visit www.hfrsolutions.co.uk.

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Careers

International moves in oil and wind hit the headlines AUGUST saw the announcement that there is to be a change at the helm of Total Lindsey Oil Refinery. Jacques Beuckelaers, who has overseen a monumental transformation at the North Killingholme site, is moving on, and will be replaced by Jean-Marc Durand, next month. The pair are working through a handover now. Mr Durand, pictured, a French national, arrives

from a group refinery in Antwerp, in Belgium, with Mr Beuckelaers, a Belgian national, to remain with Total, taking up other

duties in the group. Under his watch the site has halved capacity, with headcount reduced from 580 to 400 – without a single compulsory redundancy – to ensure it has a profitable future in the French-owned global business. He arrived in northern Lincolnshire in late 2012, not long after a sales process for the 500-acre plant was scrapped. At Dong Energy, deputy construction manager

Lasse Hartvig Hirsch, is heading back to Denmark, having arrived with former colleague Tue Lippert as the advance party ahead of the construction of Westermost Rough offshore wind farm. Then marine manager, he was promoted when he moved to Race Bank, working alongside Jason Ledden. He will become digitisation manager, LEAVING: Lasse Hartvig Hirsch, heading a team to make best use of new technology. left, and Jacques Beuckelaers.

Laser Red boosts team with experienced duo T

WO new team members have been welcomed to award-winning website design and digital marketing specialist Laser Red.

The Grimsby-based business, headed by Young Entrepreneur of the Year Liam O’Leary, has added a new designer and client account manager, as demand for services swells. Danny Gower, who for the past six years has worked as a self-employed graphic designer – specialising in branding and printed collateral – has joined the team. Over the years he has created strong and powerful branding for local companies suchas The Comfy Duck and The Lincolnshire Chef. He has also worked closely with Holiday Inn Express Grimsby, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill, designing items from room business cards to fully branded hotel, restaurant and bar materials. He graduated from De Montfort University with a degree in Interactive Design but over the course of his education, studied various forms of multimedia. He became interested in graphic design at college and made it his focus while in Leicester. “I’ve been in touch with Laser Red a few times over the past few years and I’ve always been impressed by their work and way they interact with their clients,” he said. “When the opportunity arose to be part of the team, I knew it was the right move for me. I can’t wait to get stuck in and start working with this brilliant team.” He enjoys working closely withpeople, understanding their brand, their aims and creating an identity for their business which will help them grow, adding that he “loves nothing more than seeing his work help a company become its own”. Out of work he is a Netflix fan, loves a nice

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RED TOPS: Danny Gower and John Pearce, who have joiend Laser Red. meal out and a glass of wine – red, obviously – and also plays squash. Joining him at the E-Factor Enterprise Village, is John Pearce, as the company ensures it provides the same level of care and attention as the influx of new and repeat client projects builds. Joining from Clarriots Care, where hew was business development manager, he has a strong background in design and marketing, having run his own design agency between 2010 and 2013. “I am extremely excited to be joining the award winning agency Laser Red, and helping

to drive the business forward to meet it’s very exciting goals for the future,” he said. He has 12 years experience in design and marketing. He studied Interactive Design at the University of Lincoln where he gained a diploma. The thing he enjoys most about being part of the design industry is solving client problems to help change their business for the better. A father of two, the youngest five months, and eldest four, he has his hands full out of work too, squeezing in some kick-boxing and swimming with the latter, and the odd beer with his wife.

online recruiter.fish4.co.uk phone 0333 406 0268 email jobs@localworld.co.uk

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Engineering, Design, Project Management Recruitment and Construction Services

Schemes and affinities director is appointed AN “enduring commitment to local recruitment and investment in continual development” is paying dividends for Henderson Insurance Brokers Ltd, it reports. The company has recently added to its home-grown talent with a key appointment at the group’s main administrative office in Kirmington. New employee, Andrea Thompson joins Henderson from Bluefin, as director of schemes and affinities. She brings a wealth of experience, having worked in the insurance sector since 1997. Andrea said: “I am excited to be part of HIBL. We share a common focus: to provide customers with a first class, professional service.” She has previously developed a number of schemes including ‘quote and buy’ facilities. This new appointment will focus on growth and development, identifying new potential markets and building up relations with appropriate affinities and will also complement the performance of the current schemes team based in the Leeds Riverside office. Commenting on the new appointment, HIBL founder and chief executive, Joe Henderson, said: “Andrea will be a great addition to our schemes team and also to the group. Our company ethos has always been simple; to employ the best people and put customer service at the heart of everything we do. Staying true to these two core principles has helped us to achieve consistent growth and success.”

Mark takes Clugston health and safety role LONG-serving Clugston Construction employee Mark Atkinson has been promoted to the role of health and safety manager across the wider group. Having joined the Scunthorpe family-owned firm in 1993, he has worked predominantly for the Construction division but will now take responsibility for co-ordination of all group safety issues and will work with the senior leadership teams across Construction, Distribution, Property and Facilities Management to ensure the approach to health and safety remains focused and consistent. A Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, he has extensive knowledge and experience in the health and safety field, and travels extensively, visiting sites, assessing, monitoring and ensuring that the regulatory and health and safety requirements are achieved. Mark, who lives in Grimsby, represents Clugston on the Build UK H&S Group, chairs the Health and Safety Executive’s Working Well Together South Humber & Yorkshire panel and sits on FASET and IPAF health and safety groups. He has previously represented Clugston at the Construction Confederation – Sub Health & Safety Committee of CONIAC.

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Commercial Vehicles in association with

be part of the family

Grimsby: 01472 355801 Lincoln: 01522 544700 Scunthorpe: 01724 271800 Hull: 01482 330660 COURTESY CARE: Lee Grech, Read Suzuki's sales manager, left, hands over the keys to the new cars to Jeremy Clark at the Grimsby dealership in Railway Street.

To further raise the profile of your company call Andy Bannister on 01472 806962 andrew.bannister@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

Exports up 11% as EU importance highlighted EXPORTS of British-built vans, trucks and buses rose 11.6 per cent in the first six months of 2017, with almost all headed to the EU, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufactuerers and Traders. Nearly two-thirds (63.5 per cent) of commercial vehicles built in Britain were exported, with 27,818 of the 43,782 total produced headed to more than 45 countries around the world. British commercial vehicle manufacturing has been bolstered by growth in the EU following the recession, resulting in a 13.8 per cent rise in demand from the region, and 94.7 per cent of UK-built vehicles headed there so far this year. Moreover, every British van (24,447 vehicles) and almost two thirds (62.9 per cent) of trucks exported in the first half of the year were destined for EU fleets. Israel topped the list of largest markets outside of the EU, taking 1.2 per cent of all exports. The UK and European vehicle manufacturing industries are highly integrated, with both vehicles and parts moving seamlessly across borders. Therefore, any changes to tariff and non-tariff barriers or regulatory and labour issues will have a detrimental effect on the competitiveness of this vital industry. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “It’s positive to see such strong growth in comercial vehicle exports, however, with almost every British-built van and truck destined for Europe, this reiterates the critical need to secure a new trading relationship that ensures this important sector can remain competitive. The British and European vehicle manufacturing industries are highly integrated, and a beneficial relationship will take time to negotiate. This is why we need Government to seek an interim arrangement that will maintain our place within the single market and customs union until this can be achieved.”

Partnership flourishing for dealer and bodyshop K

EEPING customers on the road in style, with smiles, has seen vehicle repair specialist John Clark Bodyworks turn to Read Suzuki once again. A total of five new Celerios have been leased by the Humberston business, in a refresh of the courtesy fleet. Jeremy Clark, director, said: “We are keeping out courtesy cars up to date, providing new vehicles for our customers, and building on the relationship we have with Read Suzuki.”

The family business, based at Jackson Place, Wilton Road Industrial Estate, is – among other brands – a Hyundai and Suzuki approved body shop, with trained technicians equipped with the tooling to repair the vehicles Read Group specialises in across North East Lincolnshire. Lee Grech, Read Suzuki’s sales manager, handed over the keys at the Grimsby dealership in Railway Street. He said: “We have a great working relationship with John Clark and the Celerio model is a good choice for them.

“It is a five seat, five door model, ideal for any customer they have in, and a great little town car that is brilliant on fuel.” While nationally car sales have dipped for four successive months, Read is bucking that trend. “We are doing really well, outperforming the national rates,” Mr Grech said. “Suzuki is a brand people recognise, and the cars coming out are of a proper specification for a reasonable price, and the value is recognised, too. “When money is tight, and there

is ‘doom and gloom’ in the market, people do look at other brands, and they are finding Suzuki a nice fit.” Having launched his first dealership with the Hyundai brand in 2010, in Railway Street, Mike Read, managing director of the eponymous group, introduced Suzuki three years ago in Grimsby, and has expanded Hyundai to Lincoln, Worksop and King’s Lynn. In that time he also opened a purpose-built flagship Hyundai dealership in North East Lincolnshire, on Altyre Way.

Nissan’s limited edition offers difference by degrees NISSAN produces some of the best pick-ups around, according to our reviewer, and the latest to be available in the UK – with a limited 400 being offered – is the Nissan Navara Trek-1°, a special version of the double cab model. It costs £35,065, and is based on the award-winning Tekna grade. The Trek-1° designation comes from the geographical location of the Navarre desert in northern Spain – at -1° longitude. The special Navara is powered by a 2.3-litre dCi 190 diesel engine, which offers fuel economy figures of 44.9 mpg for the six-speed manual and 40.1mpg for the seven-speed automatic, giving CO2 emissions of either 167 or 186g/km depending on the transmission.

All versions offer ‘on-demand’ four-wheel-drive as standard. The Trek-1° also includes a number of useful extras for the additional price of £3,435 above a top-spec Navara Tekna. Exclusive extras include black sport styling bars, with two forward-facing LED spot lamps attached to the top section. It also comes with black side styling bars, black 18-inch six-spoke alloy wheels and a new load bed cover. Made from high-grade durable plastic and finished in black or white, the load bed cover is hinged at the end closest to the cab and lifts easily using a single gas strut at either side. The load cover offers added security, allowing valuables

to be secured from view. Beneath the cover is a load bed divider and liner, which keeps loads secure during transportation. As with all Navara double cab models it is fitted with multi-link rear suspension plus a number of safety

technologies including forward emergency braking, vehicle dynamic control, hill descent control and hill start assist. The Navara Trek-1° also has the NissanConnect infotainment system with satellite navigation and

DAB digital radio, a 360 degree around view monitor, rear parking sensors, full-sized spare wheel, leather seats, heated front seats and eight-way adjustment on the driver’s seat.

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News

Finding a perfect niche in the congested market IN today’s fast-paced and often over congested market sectors, finding your place can be the difference between success and failure. While many entrepreneurs know exactly what their niche is before they even come to market, for others, it’s a journey of discovery as they grow their business. Gary Edwards, marketing manager at business valuation expert, Company Valuation Services, gives his top tips that will ensure success.

ETERMINING a business niche has never been so important for entrepreneurs. The very best products or services can fall on deaf ears, while – at the other end – defining your business before a sale can translate into increased worth and a smoother, more successful sale transaction. Finding the right niche Finding a good business niche will not only help you serve your target customers appropriately, but enable you to determine a reliable and robust strategy for growth and success. Your business niche assists you in present and future endeavours, particularly if you ever come to sell your business. Recent statistics published in a briefing paper by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy revealed that the number of UK businesses hit a record high during 2016. There are now 5.5 million businesses in the UK. That’s 23 per cent more than there was in 2010, which means competition is at its highest level. Defining your business niche will go some way in separating you from your competitors. Demonstrating the value of your business will also come down to your place in the market. Specialising in a business niche ensures customer experience is high, the competition you face is limited, and the value of your business is an even more attractive prospect for potential buyers. Determine your business niche Firstly, understand what makes a good niche. It should: ● Satisfy your growth objectives ● Be in demand ● Involve careful planning ● Be as individual as possible ● Have the capacity to evolve as your market does Remember smaller is bigger Harnessing a large proportion of a more specialist market often equates to more than grabbing a smaller share of a larger market. Focus on being more specific about your brand, its aim and its product or service range. Identify strengths and achievements Gaining a more focused view of your target market isn’t just about defining your audience. Breaking down what you do best as a business is integral to determining your niche and the skills that will satisfy your specialist market. Past achievements will also help you to take a more calculated view of what you can offer to your audience. Define your dream customer Your business should revolve around one thing – satisfying your

GY solar shares success

customer base. Getting to know your target customer is your golden ticket to a great customer experience, but doing this in as much detail as possible is vital. Many companies avoid overspecialising, however, by aiming to be ‘all things to all people’ you run the risk of confusing your target audience and PLAN, TEST, ALALYSE ...SUCCEED: Give yourself the best chance! exhausting yourself. Evaluate, evaluate and evaluate Once you have established what you can offer and to whom, return to what makes a good niche and evaluate the product or service using these criteria. Once you have evaluated your proposal, it’s time to test your niche on your target market. Offer samples of your product or service and analyse its performance. Learn from any feedback you receive before launching or re-launching your new and improved niche business. Finding your niche, whether you are a start-up or established business, will reflect on the overall value of your company. By following the advice above, you can find your niche, set your business up for success and make it an attractive asset for future buyers.

Month in Review

ENERGY: Grimsby Community Energy has raised all the money needed to fund the first phase of renewable energy projects. A total of £115,300 has been invested, and much of it has comes from ‘ordinary people’ who have each invested from £100 upwards, with more on a waiting list for any further issue. The community benefit society now has 49 members – all with a democratic say in how the organisation is run. It also means £25,000 will come from the Power to Change Trust, via Co-operatives UK, who will become Grimsby Community Energy’s 50th member. The organisation owns 100kW of solar PV panels on five buildings across Grimsby, appointing Scunthorpe-based Flixborough Eco-techologies as the installer.

Water companies unite UTILITIES: Anglian Water has been given the go-ahead to form a joint venture to serve business requirements nationwide. The company, which supplies the whole of Lincolnshire, has partnered its business division with that of Northumbrian Water Group. It comes after the commercial water market was opened following April’s deregulation. Now, rather than being restricted to regional operators, businesses can shop around for the best deal. The new company, to be called Wave, will report a turnover in excess of £500 million and an estimated 19 per cent market share across the UK, serving approximately 300,000 business customers.

your daily port of call for the latest and breaking business news around the Humber region visit humberbusiness.com

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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

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News

New hotel is cleared for take-off as hero passenger cuts the ribbon G

ENERAL manager Sam Teale shakes John Wildey by the hand, pictured right, after he officially opened the Hampton by Hilton Humberside Airport Hotel. Mr Wildey, the passenger who took the controls and managed to land the four-seater light aircraft he was flying in when the pilot was taken ill back in 2013, has a conference room named after him at the 100-room venue. Pictures: David Haber.

Search for commercial properties at www.humberbusiness.com/commercialproperty

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Construction &

Britcon builds on relationship with regional power giant S

CUNTHORPE building and civil engineering firm Britcon has completed a £200,000 project to extend a key facility at the UK’s largest power station.

produces – enough to power Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool – is now made using compressed wood pellets rather than coal. Recent announcements and an ambitious acquisitions programme set out targets to increase its renewable The contract was part of an ongoing brief for the team with electricity supply in the UK. Drax Group Plc, which it has To support this, Britcon has maintained a relationship for completed a 2,500 sq ft more than a decade. extension to the 16,500 sq ft strategic store that it built nine Drax, at Selby, is currently years ago to house back up responsible for generating components for turbines in more than 7 per cent of the case of a shut down. UK’s electricity. Following The steel frame clad, high bay successful upgrades to the site building designed to through innovative incorporate a 5T overhead engineering, it is now a predominantly biomass-fuelled girder crane, required groundworks, extensive paving generator, with feedstocks predominantly arriving via the and new barriers. Humber ports. A total of 70 per Britcon’s Engineering cent of the electricity it Services division designed and

built the steelwork on the project at its manufacturing site in Scunthorpe’s Midland Road. As well as the strategic store, Britcon and BES have previously completed rail outload facilities, ash storage facilities, on site roads, switch rooms, lagoon repairs and ash PRIDE: Paul Clarkson, inset, and works ongoing at Drax Power Station, with the familiar cooling towers pit projects, all on site in North rising behind. Yorkshire. Paul Clarkson, managing director at Britcon, said: “We are pleased to maintain a strong and trusting relationship with our fifth project in the last three years with Drax which continues to embark on innovative new practices to secure its place as a top five energy provider. We look forward to continuing our work with the Drax team for years to come.” FOR SALE FOR SALE RETAIL/WORKSHOP FLAT INVESTMENT R/O 251 ASHBY HIGH STREET, SCUNTHORPE 1 & 1A ASHBY HIGH STREET, SCUNTHORPE

Major works at hospital added WORK on medical facilities in northern Lincolnshire have brought Britcon success in Sheffield. The company has secured a £280,000 contract to improve main entrance access to the city’s Northern General Hospital. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust has appointed the civils team at Britcon to widen access on Barnsley Road from two to three lanes and at the same time improve pedestrian facilities including lighting and bus stops. The contract with the trust is the second for Britcon after it secured a place on the Contractors’ Framework last year. Britcon has recently completed a £700,000 contract to expand car parking provisions at the Northern General and The Jessop Wing. The Scunthorpe team is now working to accommodate the live environment to

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Situated central to Scunthorpe.

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Very popular trading location.

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Over 100 retail outlets.

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National, regional and local traders.

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Two retail areas.

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Approx size 30.80 sqm 330 sq ft

Prominent corner location to Ashby High Street and Grange Lane South.

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Each flat with living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom & storage.

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External parking for two cars.

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Vacant possession on completion.

FOR SALE SARGENTS ICE CREAM & TEA ROOM 5 MARKET LANE BARTON UPON HUMBER,

TO LET LIGHT INDUSTRIAL UNIT/STORAGE WENTWORTH ROAD, SCUNTHORPE, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

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Located in Market Lane Barton upon Humber. Long established Ice Cream and Tea Room business with knowledge of ice cream production not necessary as this is outsourced. Retail unit extends 925 sq ft 86.22 sqm with 25 covers. Leasehold premises. Profitable business with huge potential.

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Situated on the popular South Park Industrial trading estate.

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Unit extends to approx. 46.50 sqm (500 sq ft).

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Monthly tenancy available.

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Ideal for small business startup.

FOR SALE £39,950 BUSINESS, FIXTURES & FITTINGS

RENT £58.00 PW + VAT PER WEEK

FOR SALE CONVENIENCE STORE & POST OFFICE POPULAR VILLAGE, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

TO LET OFFICES 145 CHERRY GROVE, SCUNTHORPE

FURTHER WORKS: Sheffield's Northern General Hospital, seen from Barnsley Road. Picture: Google Maps. the next five years. It has extensive experience working in the healthcare sector with previous projects including Scunthorpe General Hospital, Goole and District Hospital, Bradley Woodlands Private Hospital and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.

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PRICE £85,000 FREEHOLD

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the hospitals we are working at best efficiency to accommodate continued access to the public and critical ambulance routes.” Britcon is one of three contractors appointed to the four year framework which has allocated millions of pounds to improve hospital facilities over

Located close to Ashby High Street retail area.

PRICE £35,000 FREEHOLD

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complete the project in just 18 weeks. Ian Chapman, who leads Britcon’s Yorkshire office, said: “We are pleased to secure our second contract on the framework for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Due to the nature of the 24-hour operation at

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Popular village in North Lincolnshire. Frontage to the main road.

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Convenience store & post office along with lottery & newspaper round.

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Approx 148 sqm 1592 sq ft.

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Present owner 10 years plus trading.

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Leasehold tenure with new lease available. Possible freehold sale.

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£25,000 FOR BUSINESS F&F - SAV Large selection of further properties available

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Close to the vibrant centre of Ashby High Street. Large detached former office building approx. 239.40 sqm 2576 sq ft. Building includes passenger lift. Forecourt car park, rear gardens and garage. Landlord to carry out refurbishment programme prior to occupation. Ideally suit Children's Nursery, Private Learning Centre, Vets, Dentists etc.

RENT £14,500 PER ANNUM

Contact John Knight Tel: 01724 870520 32 Oswald Road, Scunthorpe

All aspects of commercial property dealt with

www.humberbusiness.com and facebook.com/grimsbytel and twitter.com/grimsbytel

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

GTE-E01-S3

Construction

New Clugston chief executive is role within the communities the A FIRST six months have been rung up by new Clugston Group chief executive Bob Vickers. With the annual results out this past month, business editor David Laister met up with the career construction figure, as he drives forward the Scunthorpe giant.

STRONG and robust boutique business, with the agility to adapt. That’s how Bob Vickers sees his new charge, as he settles into life at St Vincent House. It is also a welcome return to a business with a real family feel, having spent recent years in the corporate kingdom. A celebrated ‘builder’, having gone from quantity surveyor to project director – or “money man to delivery man” as he puts it, you sense the pride in jobs well done and the fit he will forge in a business that has carried arguably northern Lincolnshire’s most recognisable family name proudly for very nearly 80 years. “It is really interesting and I’m really enjoying it,” he said. “It makes a big difference coming to a big private business rather than a corporate. It is different to the Carillions, the Balfour Beattys, and I’ve also sat on the board at Morrison Construction for many years, and that was a family business that was taken over by Anglian Water. It is really nice to go back to the family environment again. “One of the issues with a corporate is it is very process driven, and despite the processes, if you look at Carillion and Balfour Beatty, both have had their difficulties. Although they have processes, with control, and are well managed businesses, they still ended up in difficulty. Corporate businesses step too far back from the coal face, whereas a company liked this, you have to be on the pulse of what is going on all

FOR SALE/TO LET HEWITTS BUSINESS PARK BLOSSOM AVENUE, HUMBERSTON, NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE DN36 4TQ • Prestigious new ofﬁce development with car parking. • Popular and desirable location with good access to roads, public transport and local amenities.

• Two storey office buildings, constructed around a central courtyard. The offices have been finished to a high standard, and are set within pleasant landscaped grounds. • Open plan accommodation with ancillary storage, kitchen and WC facilities, providing carpet flooring, a gas fired wet flow central heating system, double glazed windows and suspended ceilings with inset lighting. • The offices are fully DDA compliant, and a lift could be installed if required. For further information and viewing please contact:

01472 267513

DUNCAN WILLEY • PPH Commercial Email: duncan.willey@pph-commercial.co.uk LAWRENCE BROWN • Scotts Email: lawrence@scotts-property.co.uk

the time. A corporate is like an oil tanker, but we can change direction really quickly, and adapt. We are agile in what we do. That is the biggest difference I have noticed, and it is quite refreshing to come into a business where the business itself is quite diverse. “There are three sectors and require different approaches, and are all very successful in their own right.” One is very new to him, having never been involved in distribution. The delivery quip was clearly projects not products. “I am finding my feet in that, and we have expansion plans there, and we have been busy investing in the site at Brigg Road to develop that further with new vehicle maintenance facilities,” he said. “Our bulk flour fleet is increasing in size and that is very successful and very profitable.” Construction itself is diverse too. “We have £20 million energy to waste and then little refurbishment jobs around Scunthorpe - it is quite a mixed portfolio,” he said. They all add up though in no uncertain terms. Turnover will exceed £200 million this year, and there’s plenty in the bank too, a major reassurance for an industry that is at the behest

The order book is secure for this year and we have got six months of next year secured already. We have £18 million of cash in the bank and no debt with anybody – it is a strong and robust business Bob Vickers of delayed starts, materials prices and the weather. “The order book is secure for this year and we have got six months of next year secured already,” Mr Vickers said. “We have £18 million of cash in the bank and no debt with anybody, it is a strong and robust business.” Closing the books on 2016 saw Clugston record a £1 million pre-tax profit on a turnover of £118.2 million. Due to a number of delayed-start projects – which have subsequently begun in this financial year – turnover was down 18 per cent from £143.4 million, but since publication in late July and this interview last week, expectation on turnover has risen £30 million, as the business recoups and then builds again. “We are a boutique business really,” Mr Vickers said, conjuring up quite a trick in the mind with hard hat and high fashion in the same breath. It is the unique nature he is pinning down though, not the one-size fits all high street equivalent when it comes to construction. “My background has been going in to difficult businesses and turning them around. I was brought in to Balfour Beatty at a difficult time, a division I had we turned

around, and did it quite successfully, then with Carillion it was a similar situation, but wasn’t public. “It is quite easy to go in to a distressed business and make a change. You can see very quickly the difference you have made. In a business that is successful it is more difficult to make a difference because the business is good and the changes we need to make are not as easy to measure. It is more difficult, you don’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water. We want to future-proof the business for the next 80 years. I am creating a platform for that, introducing KPIs, but again it is difficult. Out

safety record is industry leading, as is our retention of staff.” Born in Fulham, west London, and moving to Harrow, then Bedfordshire, Mr Vickers’ career began first with ‘old fashioned’ ONC and HNC route, leading to a management training role at the London Brick Company. He has subsequently worked for Wimpey Tarmac – delivering University of East London and several supermarkets “I was building Sainsbury’s while Clugston was building Morrisons’,” he joked, before joining the distinctly different Scottish-based Morrison Construction as regional director. He worked

Search for commercial properties at www.humberbusiness.com/commercialproperty

GTE-E01-S3

www.humberbusiness.com and facebook.com/grimsbytel and twitter.com/grimsbytel

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Commercial Property

looking to play a wider town giant helps build

Material squeeze

BUILDING EVER BETTER: Bob Vickers, new chief executive of Clugston Group, reflects on the first six months in the role. Right, the major logistics development in Lutterworth, and the Duckworth Jaguar Land Rover dealership at Boston, which have respectively begun and completed on his watch. Below left, predecessor Stephen Martin, right, now director general of Institute of Directors, on a recent tour of Nottingham University with Baback Yazdani, dean of the business school.

through the buy-out by Anglian Water, and then was given responsibility for the later sale to Galliford Try (if it rings bells it bought Grimsby’s Chartdale Homes), at which point he stepped out. Balfour and Carillion followed, before being identified as a potential candidate to take over from Stephen Martin as he became director general of the Institute of Directors. “Many years ago when I was with London

Clugston has been through wars, recessions and is still here, still making money, and a great healthy business to be proud of Bob Vickers Brick Co. there was some work with Clugston on heavy materials, so I was aware of them, and very interested by the fact they had been around so long, which is a great attribute in the industry. Clugston has been through wars, recessions and is still here, still making money, and a great healthy business to be proud of. “It is not about turnover, it is about profitability and securing a future for the employees. Any business is only as good as the people within it. I would like to think we are as fussy about the people we work for as they are about choosing us. “The vision for the business is based on the long term predictive income, we need to know what we are doing, when we are doing it, building on repeat business and client relationships.” This is evidenced by the waste to energy, working with French technical partner CNIM, it is now on the 13th scheme. Unlike others, it has stuck to what it knows, delivering the civils and leaving the process to the experts. “The board is very committed and the non-executives are very supportive of what we are doing,” Mr Vickers said. “John is through the adjoining door, and we talk eery day.

“Building on these relationships is the important thing for the future, for a long term sustainable future, it is not one off contracts. What we deliver is fantastic, what we do, we do well.” Living in Bawtry, this three sons are all now working themselves, with the eldest also in construction with Wilmott Dixon. Another is a teacher and the third a freelance travel journalist who speaks fluent Swedish, with absolutely no connection to one of the culminating projects – Ikea for Sheffield. But collaboration on a professional basis with key partners in the public sphere is emerging in a new model Mr Vickers is keen to pursue.

Commercial property expertise across the Humber Region

“We are exploring joint ventures with local government, where there is a share in the retur ns,” he said. “It is good governance, a community commitment to help the place, the environment. We are talking to local authorities about what this looks like. We are really keen to immerse ourselves in these community initiatives in the right way. “It is not a not-for-profit, but adds considerable advantage. It is a risk, but a risk worth taking it you get a good partner with you. Returns are well worth while. “If you keep trying the same thing you keep getting the same result. It is a new initiative, and we are keen to promote it. It has to start on a small scale with the right partners who have the right approach. Unlike PFI, where you put money in and take out for a long time, this is about making them part of that outcome.” We watch with interest.

MARSHCHAPEL

A THIRD of small building firms say that soaring material prices are squeezing their margins and almost a quarter have had to pass these price increases onto consumers. Construction SMEs have reported a range of material price increases since the depreciation of sterling following the EU referendum in June 2016. Materials increasing the most are: ● Timber ● Insulation ● Bricks ● Blocks ● Windows ● Plasterboard / slate (joint sixth) ● Boilers and radiators ● Porcelain products The impact of these material price increases have been wide-ranging, according to the Federation of Master Builders. Worringly, 85 per cent of builders think material price rises could drive consumers to hire rogue traders in an effort to save money on their building projects; while more than one-in-ten builders report making losses on their building projects due to material price increases. Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “Material price increases have left builders under severe pressure. A third of builders report that these price increases are eating into their already razor-thin margins – and this on top of increased wages and salaries stemming from long-term construction skills shortages. Furthermore, one-in-ten builders say that they’ve actually made losses on projects due to material price increases – this is most likely to happen when a particular product or material jumps up in price mid-project when then builder has already quoted for the work. Perhaps unwisely, some builders are absorbing these extra costs as opposed to re-quoting for the project. “Material price spikes aren’t just a problem for builders – they’re also a problem for the home owner, with almost one quarter of builders saying that they have had to pass on price increases to their clients. This means that building projects now cost significantly more than they did this time last year. With stagnant wages and price inflation across the economy, consumers are feeling the pinch and it might be that they decide not to commission that loft conversion or extension after all. Or worse still, will be tempted to hire rogue traders who are quoting a lower price than a professional building firm. “If that’s the case, material price rises could lead to a flurry of botched jobs and distressed consumers. We’re calling on home owners to hold their nerve – they’re better off commissioning a more modest project from a professional builder than a high spec project from a cowboy. Don’t take the risk.”

GRIMSBY

Marshchapel Butcher's Shop, Sea Dyke Way Unit 2, Prince Albert Gardens FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Unit 20, Garden Street TO LET

* Comprising former butcher's shop, garage and detached bake house/store * Long established fish processing premises, Processing area of approx. 1866 * Retail premises, Approx. 297 sqm/3000 sqft; on 2 floors * 3 bed accommodation, Investment income from let fish & chip shop, sqft/173.4 sqm with roller shutter door and floor drainage, Ancillaries * Ground floor sales approx. 176sqm/1894sqft, Suit * Significant potential subject to planning consent, EPC: Butcher's shop EPC; approx. 178.3 sqft/16.57 sqm; First floor offices approx. 483sqft/45 sqm; alternative uses (subject to consents), E, Accommodation EPC F, Fish & Chip shop - C * Site approx. 0.13 acre with potential to expand, EPC Rating E, Freehold * EPC Rating C

O/A £200,000 SCUNTHORPE

SALES & LETTINGS | LEASE ADVISORY | VALUATIONS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT | BUSINESS RATES

PRICE: £200,000

Land at Yaddlethorpe FOR SALE

* Approx. 11.1 acres/4.5 hectares (STSS) * Undulating grass land * Vacant possession * Freehold

01482 645522

1, Railway Street FOR SALE

Chartered Surveyors and Commercial Property Consultants

www.clarkweightman.co.uk A full property search is available on our website

RENT: £25,000 p.a.x.

GRIMSBY

PRICE Offers in Excess of £100,000

* Workshop approx. 1432 sqft/133 sqm with 2 sets of loading doors and office * First floor office/stores approx. 356 sqft/33.3 sqm, Yard approx. 4900 sqm with circulation and palisade fenced/gates for in the order of 40 cars * Suit alternative uses (STP), Freehold, EPC Rating E

PRICE £200,000

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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

GTE-E01-S3

News

Could salmon knock LAISTER’S Last Word sausages off the BBQ? H

BY DAVE LAISTER

OT dogs are out and dining ‘Al Pesco’ is the way to go this summer, as 82 per cent of Brits say serving seafood is the best way to impress your guests at a garden party. And while eight in every ten people are favouring fish dishes, only 3 per cent of us are still eager to serve sausages, meaning bad news for bangers as sausages sizzle out of fashion. Research into summer garden party serving trends from Grimsby’s The Saucy Fish Co also identifies how Eighties inspired canapes also seem to be a thing of the past, with only 7 per cent of Brits believing they’re the best way to ensure a sophisticated gathering, with a high majority preferring a much cooler spread that taps into the new trend of ‘al pesco’ summer dining. Of the seafood and sunshine lovers, salmon reigned supreme as the most popular choice to get guests hearts racing, closely followed by seabass. One-third of respondents favouring fish stated they would be happy serving any type of seafood. The survey, which targeted more than 2,000 UK consumers, also revealed

SEA CHANGE? Saucy Fish Co reports changing habits on the barbecue. Above, Katie Pix, and below, salmon and seabass dishes. how the heat is on for the long-serving king of the BBQ with one-in-four men saying they would prefer to serve up seafood than traditional char-grilled meat when dining outside. Another new garden party trend identified from the research sees the older generation needing more alcohol, apparently, with 84 per cent of those aged 45 plus thinking a garden party isn’t a party without plenty of alcohol and time to socialise, while only half of 18 to 24-year-olds agree. And in the quest for the UK’s number one fantasy garden party guest, brains

beat brawn as Stephen Fry tops the poll with David Beckham, Beyoncé and Harry Styles hot on his heels. The findings of The Saucy Fish Co survey are released as part of the summer campaign from Icelandic Seachill, which aims to inspire more people to eat more fish more often. Officially recognised as the UK’s first and only fish ‘CoolBrand’, The Saucy Fish Co launched its frozen range earlier this year in a bid to encourage a new generation of shoppers. Leading food influencer and star of Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube channel, Katie Pix, who

has incorporated the new Saucy Fish Co frozen range into several summer garden party serving suggestions, said “The versatility of the new Saucy Fish frozen range means you can cater to all tastes at your summer garden party. From superfood salmon salads for the more health conscious to the light and fluffy fishcakes which seriously fill you up, there’s something for everyone. Best of all, being able to pop them straight in the oven with no fuss means you can spend plenty of time socialising and still impress your guests.”

Please #SaveTheBarge I don’t like to sit on the fence when it comes to opinion! Grimsby’s £20 million Riverhead cinema scheme seems to come at another price, iconic venue The Barge. Moored in the town centre for a long as I’ve been able to walk without reigns attached – for fear of falling into said waterway – The Barge has been there. And while I’m not a regular, despite it now being in a dead heat with the Hope and Anchor for nearest pint to the office – I am well aware of its appeal, from thirsty students through the demographic, to those who may remember when this stretch was navigable. It appears the attempts to anchor down national names means it has to be cut loose, or rather lifted to new parts, at a prohibitive cost and undoubtedly doing damage to a

business that has ploughed profits back into the town, arguably more so than those that seek to take new custom. A fountain sparkles in the artist’s impression, which sparked initial fears, then came the news of the licence low blow, and that it won’t be renewed. But surely there’s a way to keep both afloat. Fountains can be re-designed, dotted down The Riverhead, and The Barge can trade on, boosted by the entertainment wave at maritime heritage renaissance that a Greater Grimsby Project now promises. For many, The Barge is heritage, as important as the likes of The Pier in Cleethorpes and the Kasbah in Grimsby. Don’t leave it too late for a U-turn, otherwise The Barge will be torpedoed in an act as savage to a local business as the U-boats in war.

Materials squeeze felt! NO surprise to see building materials prices making the news (overleaf on page 27). Having finally discovered an interest in doing more than just sitting in the garden with a cool pale ale, I’ve embraced garden DIY.

However, having managed phase one with minimal expanse. I started pricing up phase two when a day’s work looked like costing me £300 – pretty much all of which was timber. I may have to sit and think about that, in the garden, with a beer...