Tu esTuesday, day, Febr uary21, 21, 2012 2017 June 19, 2012 Tuesday, August
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Breaking the mould Firm’s focus on as job targets exceeded future finances page seesee page 2 2
see page 16
Knauf investment will Offices are final piece help future-proof site of potato empire puzzle
by Dave Laister by Dave Laister Business Editor
Business Editor dave.laister@gsmg.co.uk
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MULTI-million pound expansion projecthas is underearly £3-million been way at a into majormaking South invested Bank manufacturing northern Lincolnshire a plant. central hub for the needs boosting capacity at its of Knauf someis of the UK’s biggest distinctive Immingham potato sellers. plasterboard more Elsham Woldfacility, has justwhere become the than 100 people are new headquarters foremployed. AKP Group, New plant and infrastructure supplier to supermarket giant is being brought in, notchip only Morrisons and major providing an McCain. economic boost for manufacturer the German giant and the UK A state-of-the-art office block, team, but part of the works will temperature controlled potato also future-proof the site as it storage facility and grading line, adapts to changing raw material together supply. with extensions to existing handling areas have just Gypsum, which is used been completed, with the to manufacture plasterboard, the 13-year-old firm headed by Richard finish for internal and Arundel moving thewalls whole ceilings in homes, hotels, administration back into the area commercial and industrial from York.is a by-product of settings, The son ofpower Grimsby town centre coal-fired generation. Now and Freemanfor Street marketsenergy as demand fossil-based grocer David Arundel, who also declines, as witnessed in close used to acton asthe a potato merchant quarters Humber, Knauf to is the area’s fish and chip shops, increasing import-handling joined forcesaswith capability, wellSuffolk as exploring businessman Bruceopportunities. Kerr in 1999. further recycling The former KPhave potato storage Recent years seen a focus facility which with has now been on sourcing, Grimsby’s substantially Tioxide plantdeveloped, previouslywas a major acquired 2007, when a project supplier,in and – together with the began to grow skin port-proximity – a finished key factor in potatoes on the of in Axholme. the decision toIsle build North “We Lincolnshire wanted to show wein could East back 1990. produce the required It arrived followingquality the success locally that supermarkets were of a first UK plant at buying in from Herefordshire, Sittingbourne in Kent. Scotland even importing,” Built toorthe same technical he said. “Morrisons backed us has with it specification, Immingham and weon went to Yorkshire Forward gone to service the (the scrapped regional construction industry development agency) requirements in the putting north of together a plan. We and thenIreland tied the England, Scotland supply chain up and got the with plasterboard and thermal funding.” laminates, with a 107-strong team. Thatwhile equated to £700,000. With And much of the production is for the domestic market, Morrisons’ rapid growth in the innovation seen products retail world, has the business has been developed to dealand withworking fire propelled quickly, resistance, steel protection and with Eastoft-based L Harrison & sound reduction. Co, the infrastructure to allow for
W:149.53mm H:98mm
Peter’s warm welcome to British Steel
TRANSFORMATION COMPLETE: Richard Arundel, managing director of potato processor AKP. Picture: Jon Corken
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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 of potential, it will help the environmental footprint and this part of the world has the ability to A spokesman grow some of thetold bestBusiness potatoes in Telegraph: “We is are adding extra the country, that what we are capacity to the calcination process majoring on.” area of the It will A total of 44site. people aregenerate now
employed, handling 120,000 tonnes of potatoes a year. Of that, 35,000 tonnes are self-grown, with a growing group in this region and around another site in Suffolk, contributing the balance. Recently 15 employees were added, with three graduate trainees also part of the company, specialising in growing, logistics and technical elements, including agronomy. The remaining investment has seen a fleet of six Mercedes rigs brought in to deliver the potatoes to customers, with the primary route Morrisons’ packing operations near Harrogate. Keen to cultivate a prosperous future for Lincolnshire potato extra capacity and should be farmers, the 32,000sq ft storage completed by August.” facility and 4,000 sq ft two storey Immingham was–last extended office development which drew in 2006, with a new unit Office massively inspiration from Genesis
Park on Grimsby’s flagship Europarc development, will be officially opened this week by increasing and capacity then. The Agriculture Horticulture latest energyBoard management Development chairman technology incorporated, John Godfreywas CBE, himself a the whole plant insulated and two North Lincolnshire farmer. huge heat exchangers added, Mr Arundel added: “We’re savingforward 10 per cent of the plant’s looking to opening the energy new cold requirements. store and grading facility The new project is being – the uncharacteristic weather delivered have by North Killingholme’s conditions brought us a Cube3 Construction. challenging year, but the opening Graham director, said: event is justMarshall, rewards for everyone’s “Wework. have worked extensively for hard them new sincefacility we set will up six “The notyears only ago, building on the a previous enable us to meet demand of relationship. We have done lots of our biggest customers, but we’ve small and medium-sized also successfully improvedcontracts the and we have been helping quality and freshness of ourthem with this expansion since potatoes bymajor reducing the early part handling of last year.” transportation, and using ● latest See page the cold24. store technologies.”
A FURTHER £4-million of investment across the region this last quarter has seen the total funds issued by Finance Yorkshire climb to £23-million. for the latest andinbreaking The money, available to firms northern Lincolnshire in seedcorn, loan and equity linked business news around the – investments – ranging from £15,000 to £2-million is there to help small and medium sized businesses Humber regionrequirements. meet their growth and development The figure amounts to 224 investments in 183 small and medium sized enterprises since August visit humberbusiness.com 2010, leading 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 P8 Food Chemicals Process Ports &10 Logistics 13Support Energy 16-17 Business Support 18 Training15 19Food Care16 ersTraining 20 Commercial VehiclesVehicles 23 Commercial Property 28 Laister’s Last Word CONTENTS: P610 Chemicals P8/Ports and12 Logistics Business 12 Careers 14 Business Solutions 17 Commercial 18 Diary 20 Commercial Property 21
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Tuesday, February 21, 2017
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News WORK UNDERWAY: James Gallacher, left, shows Jim Travis the early progress on the site expansion. Picture: David Haber. Inset, an installed mould press.
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Breaking the mould as jobs forecast smashed! A
FOURTH line is being installed at Flixborough’s Moulded Fibre Products, as the business smashes initial employment estimates.
Council. They have been very helpful to us as a business, they have played a big part in our growth.” The process involves water being mixed with paper and cardboard, Thriving sales into the NHS, to produce a slurry which is then twinned with the recent British vacuum formed, pressed and Retail Consortium AA grading – extensively dried. setting the stall out for a firm Success with single-use products future in food packaging – has for the NHS has seen medical aids, paved the way for the £2 million led by urine bottles, exported to expansion, bringing with it the Middle East, Australia and another 30 jobs. Singapore. It will see the first thoughts of a The previous phase saw a 60-strong team at the Second dedicated machine brought in, Jobs created by MFP Avenue base in late 2012 propelled exclusively for the health business, to 80 this year, while the 25,000 sq ft Merseyside, and has been grateful but the new line will be able to factory footprint is significantly to the support afforded by the local make medical products, food enhanced. authority and the growth funds it packaging products and industrial “It is phenomenal, the progress attracted. packaging, made,” said James Gallacher, the “We are spending £2 million and “We do see more growth from the managing director who has been at North Lincolnshire Council has NHS,” Mr Gallacher enthused. “We the helm since day one. given us 20 per cent of that,” Mr have put in a super proposal which “This year we will hit the £5 Gallacher said. “We couldn’t have we hope will generate more sales, done it without North Lincolnshire and this expansion will also enable million turnover mark, and we only started manufacturing in 2013. We are growing year-on-year at 50 per cent, breaking sales records constantly, and are a shining light in the LeisureGrow Group.” The Hertfordshire headquartered business selected northern Lincolnshire over sites in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and
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us to be more flexible.” MFP will now be at capacity, having already taken further storage space across the road as it caters for the transportation of items ranging from avacados to flat screen televisions, as well as the single use medical requirements. “We are running 24 hours a day, six days a week,” Mr Gallacher said, spelling out the current challenge. “We always knew the fourth machine would be the hardest to install because of the space, but it is going in and will be commissioned in March, and the new warehouse work is also underway.” That will see a 16,500 sq ft addition to the former Everts Balloons site which the company initially leased, then bought in 2014. It will mean that more than £4.3 million has been spent since the pulp specialist arrived.
‘Strength and performance is shining through’ GROUP financial director Jim Travis has praised the performance of Moulded Fibre Products and the support frm the local authority. The LeisureGrow executive was visiting the site after signing off on the major investments now underway. Mr Travis said: “I am very proud and pleased with what has been achieved here in a very short space of time. Here we are four years later with four machines on site, one about to be put in and a new warehouse. This site has been expanded very well. “We have had good help from the local council, and I really hope we have been an inspiration for the success of the scheme.” When the then Business Minister Michael Fallon toured the facility in early 2013 after a £590,000 initial grant, it became
the example of what could be achieved with the Growing the Humber Regional Growth Fund pot. The partnership approach with the economic development team continued with the British Steel Support Fund contribution. “It is nice to have a manufacturing base in the UK that is exporting, and it has become extremely important, Mr Travis said. “Like a lot of other trading companies in 2017, we have been affected by the exchange situation following Brexit. Moulded Fibre Products is in a strong position and now one of the leading companies in the LeisureGrow Group in terms of strength and performance.” He also lavished praise on the managing director. “The enthusiasm James has is infectious. There is real desire and enthusiasm here.”
EARLY PRIDE: James Gallacher shows Michael Fallon the production lines in early 2013, during his time as Business Minister.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2017
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Biggest vessel yet bought as town berths aid work A
N offshore wind support business that has made Grimsby its key port has invested in its largest crew transfer vessel yet. CWind, operational from Port of Grimsby East, is building capacity for the next round of farms, located further out to sea. Newly named as CWind Phantom, the 27.4m catamaran can hold 20,000 litres of fuel and has a 20 tonne cargo capacity, making her suitable for longer stretches of work. Lee Andrews, the managing director for power at CWind, said the investment demonstrated the company’s ability to evolve with the changing market. “Our experience on the world’s largest offshore wind farms has helped us build a diverse range of vessels that meet the changing needs of our valued clients,” he said. “Transporting technicians quickly, safely and comfortably to and from sites, even in tough weather conditions, is critical to offshore project performance. “The CWind Phantom is designed to exhibit reliability, superior fuel efficiency, high transfer height during operations and a large, flexible payload capability, all crucial specifications for the harsh conditions far from shore. Highly seaworthy and with impressive seakeeping ability, the CWind Phantom is also extremely manoeuvrable for a vessel of her size, with a proven and reliable propulsion combination.” Built in 2015, she can carry up to 12 passengers, with berths for eight people. The accommodation is fully air-conditioned and heated and offers all the amenities required to remain at sea for extended periods, including a dedicated meeting space. Featuring an aluminium hull with 8m beam width and 1.4m draft, CWind Phantom can carry containers in a combination of configurations, while an on board crane can lift 1.1 tons at 5m outreach. The jet-driven vessel is powered by two MAN D2862 main engines and is capable of reaching
Month in Review Lock gates for flood defences at Immingham PORTS: Flood defences at Port of Immingham are to receive a £5 million investment boost, increasing future resilience. New outer lock gates will be installed to boost protection, as the coastal frontage of the UK’s largest dock facility is raised. The port was extensively damaged during the 2013 surge, with widespread disruption costing millions of pounds. Since then, owner Associated British Ports has been working closely with North East Lincolnshire Council and the Environment Agency on a permanent long term solution to reduce the risk, putting together a business case and application for a specific grant from Government. That has now been successful, the gates are under construction, and are scheduled for installation in the summer. New gates have already been added in Hull and Grimsby’s Royal Dock, the latter part of Dong Energy’s commitment to the port for operations and maintenance of the Humber cluster of wind farms.
DDM’s buy-out deal
PROUD ADDITION: How the CWind Phantom will look following a refit. Inset, Lee Andrews, and left, heading to the Centrica contract from Grimsby. wind farm built to be operated out of Grimsby. Management and support was also provided from the town. Mr Andrews said: “We were pleased to be able to help Centrica by supplying one of our crew transfer vessels at short notice. This further builds on our productive working relationship with Centrica, and is a clear demonstration of our adaptability to meet customer demands utilising our large fleet of vessels and local presence in Grimsby.” a maximum speed of 27kn. currently significant demand for vessels with the ability to work CWind took ownership of the Jeremy Gilmour, Centrica’s vessel on February 1, and following further offshore and we are already project manager, added: “We seeing client interest in the CWind needed quick access to a suitable a mini-refit, she will made Phantom. Ultimately, this available from March 1. vessel and with CWind having investment enables us to provide a offices and CTV berths at Grimsby The company, headquartered in Colchester but operationally active more integrated offering for both and vessel availability, we were the construction and operations in North East Lincolnshire, now quickly able to arrange this and maintenance phases of an has a fleet of 18, with access to charter. offshore wind farm project.” additional cable installation and “CWind provided a flexible and maintenance vessels via parent Recently CWind has provided responsive service and we look company, Global Marine Systems short notice assistance to jack-up Limited. forward to using their services on work by Centrica at Lynn and Mr Andrews added: “There is Inner Dowsing, the first offshore future charters.”
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PROPERTY: A northern Lincolnshire estate agency has been bought out in a multi-million pound deal. A Hull-based private investment company has taken the majority stake in DDM Residential, which operates five offices in the area. Graham Wilson, who acquired the business through a management buy-out in 1999, having joined it in 1993, will remain as a shareholder and work with the owner to expand the business. Strategic acquisitions into new areas have already been flagged up. DDM has branches in Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Barton, Brigg and Gainsborough, employing 40 people and acting for GRAHAM WILSON: more than 1,000 landlords. Still a shareholder
Brigg bank branch to go CHANGE: THE Brigg branch of HSBC is one of 62 nationwide to be closed this year as part of a restructuring plan. It will close on Friday, June 23. Changes in banking behaviour, with a surge in online transactions, has been given as the reason. Barton and Market Rasen’s HSBC closed in 2015, with Cleethorpes’ branch following in 2016. In order to best support customers, a partnership has been forged with the Post Office so customers can continue to carry out their day to day banking at Brigg Post Office in Wrawby Street.
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Steel chair sets out clear targets appointed to lead the works to A PROFITABLE end to 2016 and a spring in the step as he prepares to welcome new chief executive Peter Bernscher in May. Business editor David Laister spoke to British Steel’s executive chairman Roland Junck about the progress and direction of northern Lincolnshire’s biggest business.
R
OLAND Junck is making through 2017. great strides towards two “Paul has become managing director, he is now fully focused, distinct goals.
customers and our local communities.” As reported late last month, British someone who can pay attention daily Steel ended the third quarter of 2016 Just like that he has and hourly. I still play my role, and we in profit following its first seven contributed towards setting for month of independence, with have done well in our search for a British Steel itself, the executive substantial investments made and chairman has a clearly defined target. CEO, to allow me to concentrate on more than 350 new employees on the part of chairman. One is a £200 million swing in board. “All over the place we are trying to earnings, and having overseen the Of the journey, he said: “We started strengthen the organisation.” steer away from losses, and into some months ago, we did the update He has vowed to continue in the positive territory where investment has been possible, he feels the course current role until the end of the year, at 100 days (showing it was back in the black in September). We still have after which he will take up the is being set, if the obstacles have yet to run uphill, there is volatility in the position of non-executive chairman. to be cleared. market, and it has been so very “I’m delighted to welcome Peter to Personally, he is looking to take volatile with raw materials. It is very our team,” he said. “We haven’t himself out of the equation, and this difficult to forecast the financial rushed the process of securing a CEO destination, but we know where we past week’s appointment of chief because we wanted to ensure we got executive Peter Bernscher is a are. the right person for the role and Peter substantial step. “Last year we reached the change is that person. He said: “I look at it from an from loss-making to a situation where “He’s highly experienced, with a organisation point of view; my target we can afford investment. That’s not is to make myself redundant, but only strong commercial background and value creation, we are not there yet, will bring another important external but we have created £39 million of when this organisation is strong viewpoint to the company as we enough and can fly on its own. The investment, and that shows what we continue our evolution into an first seven months have helped can commit to if we continue forward. outward looking business. understand, while this next coming “We need to reach £100 million, we year, while still stressed, there is “Peter will join the team later in the will not reach it this year, but we have confidence in the management of the spring and be fundamental in a plan to get to that and we are acting organisation.” ensuring tactical growth of our on it. business and our British Steel brand Just prior to Mr Bernscher’s “From a minus £80 million to a plus as we continue to strengthen our appointment, Paul Martin was £120 million, that is a £200 million long-term capability and build a appointed managing director, and no swing. We have done the turnaround, doubt he and Mr Junck will play a key sustainable future as an industry now we need more than the leader serving our employees, our role in a planned out handover turnaround plan, which had been started by Tata Steel. We have taken it over, redefined it and implemented different subjects. We are filling up the pipeline of potential action. “If we want to make a £200 million swing then we probably need to identify £250 million of options as they don’t all come in time at the right moment. I am very pleased with the creativity and with the work to fill Tel: 01472 812934 the pipeline up.” Mob: 07950 816421 There are in fact two key pipelines, one of orders, and another of new products, innovation, while a third Pitched roofs & flat roofs has also been welcomed, the Slate roofs, tiled roofs, transparency Government has given to upcoming projects. peg & pan tiling “We always blame the Government Lead work that they didn’t tell us about procurement. They are still moving Sun tunnels & Velux windows behind the curve, but before they Bird control chimney didn’t even know there was a curve. protectors We have now seen the gap and are trying to close the gap. We have a Chimney repairs positive attitude and try and make Fascias, cladding & guttering that happen.” HS2, Heathrow expansion, and Roof repairs & roof Hinckley Point are all going through, maintenance with work already won on the latter. Modern & period properties “All these events are great for the sector, and they are priorities for us. New roofs and re-roofing It is important to take the Roof domes and skylights opportunities they present.” He sees benefit from the recent Insurance work Industrial Strategy launch, too. “It Roof inspections & has started with 10 pillars, and they written reports line up well with what we have, our vision for what we do, and we will contribute to every one of those. They are aligned to what we do in our "We are writing to thank you for completing sectors, and we are in further discussions on how alignment could the tiling on our house, it has made a big difference. be better and what it would mean for We are pleased with the finished product, we would also strong government and industry,” he said. like to thank the lads who did the work during the hot While only taking up his role in July weather. People have commented on it(the roof) and last year, the former ArcelorMittal chief executive has had a lot to deal seem to like it also." with. He inherited a plummeting Ian and Chris Smith - Grimsby pound, strong domestic market and rapidly rising gate prices. “We have increased our prices, and I Free No obligation quote am proud about that, as overall the ©LW
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL ROOFING AND GUTTERING SERVICES
We are now doing things today we didn’t dare think about a year ago. It has become a real business, not purely a production hub for steel. We have to recognise a spirit of entrepreneurship, and look at things differently, and that is crucial for the future. Roland Junck
trend has been that the raw materials basket is getting more and more expensive in dollar terms, and in pound terms even more expensive. “We had to be proactive and change our prices. It is very difficult when you compete with people who do the same product, in construction, but we have been able to do that. We have not been buying market share, we have been regaining market share, and it is a positive dynamic. It has been slightly easier with the change of organisation, the construction market is closer to the raw materials cost base, and we have worked hard to create that.” Part of the outward looking philosophy is ensuring products are better placed, too. “There is an important role in distribution, and we are expanding our presence again in the UK, as well as outside the UK, to be present everywhere, to have British Steel products there, which is something very positive,” he said. A total of 20 jobs were created in a focus on service and last mile advantage, building on a similar number recruited before Christmas. “We have had more than 3,400 people applying for roles, with 350 new people in the business,” Mr Junck said. “This is brand power, before this we had zero people interested. “In terms of the brand the perception of British Steel is something that has significantly improved with suppliers, customers and government. It makes life easier when we have a good perception and we are adding a lot of importance to that. We feel it in the town, in London, in the West Midlands. “There are things we still have to improve. Health and safety performance is part of the brand, and environmental issues are a major concern, but we have data we can take
it forward. This is all still new for us.” For observers on the outside, it seems like the pace of change is incredible, aided by a run of positive announcements, contract wins and expansions. But not so for Mr Junck. “Overall, for me, we are not there fast enough. We should be better. For our shareholders we should be better and better. “The direction is the right one, I think that is clear, and skills and knowledge in the company are improving significantly. “It is the might of the people; the spirit, too. There is positive momentum, a spiral. It goes up, and it is very difficult to stop, but it can go down too. I am happy to see more innovation. We are now doing things today we didn’t dare think about a year ago. It has become a real business, not purely a production hub for steel. We have to recognise a spirit of entrepreneurship, and look at things differently, and that is crucial for the future. “We have to learn to make deals, that nothing is taken for granted. This organisation has to do that, to understand the client, to be quick and more flexible. In a fast-changing world. This cannot be a tanker that takes two months to change direction. “At some time it will all come together; the profit is improving, there is still a way to go, but that’s the challenge. “I like steel, I have been in steel all my life, and I think like steel. That has to be challenged by the others. When we discuss it, we have different opinions, and it is good because we make sure we are making a stronger business. We ask the question is that good, or is there something better? We have to let people fail, but not too much!”
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Tuesday, February 21, 2017
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as new chief executive is long-term sustainability Peter recognises the inner strength’ of British Steel’s core
PROGRESS REPORT: Roland Junck, executive chairman of British Steel, casts his eyes over Scunthorpe, where the turnaround gathers momentum.
BRITISH Steel has appointed a new chief executive. Peter Bernscher will take up the position in May, and brings 30 years of industry experience to the role. The 48-year-old Austrian has held numerous board and director positions with global leading technology and capital goods group Voestalpine in his home country, and across Europe. His most recent post is as executive board member of the company’s Metal Forming Division. Previous positions in the company included a chief executive role in the Dutch Voestalpine Polynorm Group and managing director in the Steel Division’s International Service Centre Organisation. He spent several years as executive board member of Metalservice Group, a Voestalpine joint venture in Italy. He obtained a Masters in Business Administration in 2006. Mr Bernscher said: “I’m delighted to have accepted the role of CEO at British Steel. I’m immensely impressed with the turnaround the business has made in the past 12 months – the change in results and in the way the business is now operating makes me excited about what lies ahead. “The British Steel brand also attracted me to the position – it brings strength from its heritage but also a fresh approach and will be a great asset in helping the business to
Month in Review
Bodyshop business taken over by car dealership
be successful in both domestic and international markets. “Everyone I’ve met within the business has shown a drive and determination to make sure it continues to secure further growth. I’ve worked in the industry all my professional life and I’m looking forward to bringing my own perspective to the company. “The steel industry still faces many challenges but with strategies already being implemented to overcome these, and an inner strength across the business that enables it to make the most of the opportunities available, I’m looking forward to contributing to the success of British Steel on its journey to long term sustainability.”
AUTOMOTIVE: Marshall Motor Group, the national company behind northern Lincolnshire’s BMW, Mini and Volkswagen dealerships, has bought out Grimsby body repair specialist Scratch Match. The business, launched nearly 20 years ago, serves trade needs as well as the motoring public from South Humberside Industrial Estate. It will now operate under the name Marshall Paint & Body Repair Centre Grimsby. Already an approved repair centre for Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda, it will add BMW and Mini as work is transferred from the Laceby dealership, with a major redevelopment planned for the site beside the A46. The showrooms are being expanded in a phased project starting this spring. Launched in 1998 by Tony Thompson and partner Tina Peacock in premises off Cromwell Road, Scratch Match expanded to the industrial estate in late 2004. Following Mr Thompson’s sudden death in 2006, the business was sold to Pocklington’s Renault of Louth, who briefly ran it, before Jamie Bunten Motor Company took over in late 2008.
Next generation of leaders let knowledge shine CHRIS Webster, a researcher in process technology at British Steel, has won the local round of Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining’s Young Persons’ Lecture competition. Hosted at the Scunthorpe works by the Lincolnshire Iron and Steel Institute, three judges assessed the four entries, all of which were from British Steel employees, and described by the lead judge as the best he’d ever seen. Chris’ presentation, Capturing Carbon for a Sustainable Future, will now be fed into British Steel’s own research. The 27-year-old Oxford graduate joined the company four years ago. He said: “Carbon capture will be essential for us to meet the carbon dioxide emission reduction targets set by the UK Government in their future policy. “My talk highlighted our options and the need for us to develop our knowledge – this will help us make the correct choice to match our site costs, energy balance and by-products. I also looked at the competing technology we could use and the pros and cons of these different options.” He received a £500 prize and now progresses to IoM3’s North East regional final, which will also be
PAPERS FOR PRIZES: From left, Chris Webster, Mojisola Sobanwa, Paul Chimdiribe and Christopher Payne-Dwyer.
hosted by British Steel in Scunthorpe, on March 27. Chris, who is originally from Streatham, south London, and read engineering science at university, was a finalist back in 2013, having just joined what was Tata Steel. Currently based at the Rotherham Research and Development Centre, he said: “I was delighted to win, particularly as the other three entries were so strong, and now I’m looking
forward to the competition’s regional stage and the exciting opportunities this could bring.” If successful, he will go forward to the UK finals in London, the winner of which will travel to Perth, Australia for the Young Persons’ World Lecture Competition. John Wilkinson, Fellow of IoM3 and a competition judge, said: “The overall standard of the presentations was the best I’ve
ever seen. All would have been worthy winners. “We were particularly impressed with Chris’ entry. His research looked to the future and clearly considered the bigger picture of one of the issues facing the steel industry. Chris confidently handled all the questions from the judges.” Helping Mr Wilkinson judge the local competition were LISI president Richard Farnsworth and last year’s winner Ross Angove, product and process development technologist at British Steel. He added: “We all wish Chris the best of luck for the next round – he’ll be up against some tough competition including entries from the Sheffield Metallurgical and Engineering Association and the Cleveland Institute of Engineers, but we’re confident he stands a great chance.” Paul Chimdiribe presented on Digital Imaging Rail Inspection System: Optimisation and Recommissioning; Christopher Payne-Dwyer on The Power of Electromagnetism and Mojisola Sobanwa on Biological Removal of Nitrogenous Compounds in Coke Oven Wastewater.
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Month in Review Skippingdale drive thru application submitted LEISURE: Planning approval is being sought to open a drive-thru restaurant on Scunthorpe’s booming Skippingdale Retail Park. The building will cover 1,800 sq ft of a brown-field site at the entrance to the park in Hollyrood Drive. It was formerly used as a petrol filling station. Planners at North Lincolnshire Council have been told the restaurant will provide an important and sought-after amenity for customers of existing retailers. The operator has not been identified.
Rail order rolls north
MANUFACTURING: British Steel has delivered 16km of rail for the latest phase in the revamp of the Tyne and Wear Metro system in North East England. The works are part of a £350 million programme of modernisation, with ageing tracks replaced to ensure passengers receive a smoother and more reliable service. The order for 900 tonnes of rail is the second delivery of its kind by British Steel. The first delivery, of 936 tonnes, was completed last year. The rails were manufactured at British Steel’s Scunthorpe steelworks before being handed over to contractor TXM Rail for fabrication and installation.
Early intervention vital if signs of distress show C
OMPANY failures may be at a record low, but professionals in the business community have been given an insight into useful distress techniques. With clear warnings about a high number of zombie companies still out there, and increasing prospects of volatility in the market, those working closely with firms have been given a useful overview. Kingsbridge Corporate Solutions held the special session at Grimsby Golf Club. Liam Cotter, director, said: “2015 saw the lowest number of corporate insolvencies since 1989 – nearly 30 years – that’s quite an impressive figure, and 2016 hasn’t seen an awful lot of change. “Economic growth has been pretty good over the last couple of years, at 2 per cent or thereabouts; inflation is low, less than 2 per cent for the last few years, and there is cheap money, with a base rate of 0.25 per cent and it not being above 0.5 per cent for seven years. Most of the headings on a profit and loss account are running low, too: wages, commercial rents, energy and fuel, there hasn’t been a lot of upward pressure on any of these. “However, fuel prices are rising, and that may change. The Bank of England is suggesting inflation may rise to 2.8 per cent, some forecasters are saying 4 per cent, and that could change things altogether.”
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DISTRESS TECHNIQUES: Liam Cotter, left, Simon Smith, centre and Calvin Dexter. He told how 136,000 businesses in the UK are only paying interest on debts. “These zombie companies are still lurking around and it wouldn’t take much to change in the economy to push them over, so while the garden appears to be rosy there are factors that could influence change,” he said. While signs of distress are near record lows, with a recent survey showing only 4 per cent of companies at maximum overdraft; five per cent seeing a fall in market
It is rare that a business goes from corporate health to insolvency in one fell swoop. It is incumbent on us all to recognise these signs Liam Cotter
share and 2 per cent making redundancies, he said there are pressures in the economy that may change things. “One is Brexit – the party line from Government is everything is fine and dandy, and nothing to worry about, I have inside information that would suggest otherwise.” He said while 74 per cent of businesses recently surveyed said they had yet to feel any financial impact, 16 per cent had been negatively impacted with only 5 per cent positive, with only the exchange rate a tangible change since the vote. Underlining what to watch out for, Mr Cotter said: “It is rare that a business goes from corporate health to insolvency in one fell swoop. There are nearly always signs and always time. It is incumbent on us all to recognise these signs.” Flagging them up, he said: “Utilisation of cash, people may talk about refinancing or
leveraging assets a bit more. “When we get beyond distress and at crisis point, then we are talking about creditor pressure, CCJs and writs, the company may be on stop with some of the suppliers and may be making redundancies. At this stage options reduce even further, it maybe beyond refinance and be a combination of refinance and restructure that we have to look at. Once beyond that, we’re talking HMRC arrears, persistently exceeding borrowing limits, you are increasingly looking at insolvency and if rescue isn’t an option, closure and liquidation. “The earlier people like us get involved the more options we have and more tools we have in our kit to assist businesses to recover their financial health. It doesn’t always work, but the earlier we get in, the more chance we have got and the greater the degree of management control.”
Investments now lead to sales, not closure THE number of established northern Lincolnshire companies going bust has fallen to its lowest level since the onset if the recession in 2007, according to leading industrial auctioneers CJM Asset Management. “We have not dealt with a single local company insolvency of any size in the past 12 months,” said Charles Moses, managing director of the Scunthorpe-based operation. “That’s the first time that’s happened in years.” “Of course there have been failures – and the bald national figures indicate that the number of insolvencies increased last year – but most of the businesses that are going under are start-ups or fledgling ventures that hit problems in the difficult first two or three years. They’re usually small and they usually own little in the way of assets that need to be recycled back into the market.” Mr Moses’s confidence in the economy is further spurred by the amount of machinery passing through the business, as companies invest. “Where we have been seeing a significant uplift is in the amount of used kit that we’re being asked sell as
asset management firm in the steel and aluminium industries, negotiating the sale of plant, machinery and equipment valued at in excess of £20 million in the past year. Mr Moses added: “ He said: “We have been developing our specialist expertise in these industries for many years and I’m pleased to say that we are now the go-to people when firms are disposing of high value assets at sites all over the continent and indeed further afield.” The past year has seen work in Britain, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Spain, Sardinia, Turkey SPECIALIST: Charles Moses. and Vietnam, selling to buyers in the companies invest in new equipment. That’s an encouraging indication that United States, China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Iran, Turkey, Germany, at the moment GB Ltd is feeling more Indonesia and Chile. confident about its prospects. “These major projects, which “Whether or not that confidence invariably involve seven figure sums, survives in the coming months have included among others, the sale of remains to be seen. Accurately forecasting what the economy is likely the Sheerness Steel plant in Kent, a complete stainless steel plant in to do is never easy but – with Brexit, Germany, the majority of the assets of the Trump Presidency, the possibility of trade wars and everything else that’s an Outokumpu steel plant in Sweden and a 700,000 ton wire rod mill, used going on – it’s just impossible this for the production of high quality rod year.” for the automotive industry, in The company has consolidated its position as Europe’s leading specialist Austria.”
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News More pictures from Future of Food event over page and at www.humberbusiness.com
Changes to Energy Efficiency Standards By Laura Lougher, solicitor in the commercial property team at Wilkin Chapman LLP Solicitors SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE: Organiser Julie Snowden, left, of Seafish, with, Helen Munday, Richard Askam and Mat Thompson.
Top food scientist’s praise for industry C
HIEF scientific officer for the Food and Drink Federation, Helen Munday, has underlined the phenomenal role of the seafood industry cluster in Grimsby in feeding the nation. A keynote speaker at a special careers event this past month, she underlined the sector’s ability to deliver what was needed, praising the pace at which it adopts to trends and innovates to meet them. Mrs Munday, who worked for Mars and Coca-Cola prior to taking up her current wide-reaching role, told Business Telegraph: “The industry in Grimsby is at the forefront.” Giving examples, and referencing some of the stars of the seafood industry, she said: “One of the things that is so important is that people find the food convenient and that it fits into their lifestyle. People aren’t as confident in preparing foods as we think they are, so how we can take away some of the uncertainty and do the preparation for people is key. It adds value for the manufacturer but also helps people consume something they might not consume otherwise. “The people behind The Saucy Fish Co products (Icelandic Seachill) they are incredibly insightful in terms of what a consumer wants. People are intimidated to do that sort of meal.” She also praised the efforts on the health agenda, with another town giant, Young’s Seafood, investing heavily to make its Chop Shop range better for the body, with work on the batter. “Even when it comes to something we’re quite comfortable with, something like straight forward fish and chips, companies are there making it as healthy as can be, that is something I know manufacturers are now working on,” she said. “They want people to be able to fit it in to their healthy diet and lifestyle.” And this, according to Mrs Munday, is where the town’s big export is a winner. “Fish is one of those positive foods; we care constantly reminded that we should have two portions a week, and one should be oily. “We are not meeting these recommendations in the same way we
are not consuming our five a day. “Overall the UK is looking at sugar, salt, saturated fats, and (in that context) fish always has a lot going for it, while at the same time we are seeing positives with stocks and sustainability. “The seafood companies have quite a lot to work with, and they need to bring as much as possible to the consumers, it is a positive.” During her address, Mrs Munday highlighted two other key elements of the industry integral to Grimsby’s economic footprint, engineering and packaging. She compared the building of the huge food factories and process lines – niches proudly exploited by town firms – as being as sophisticated as oil refineries, while underlining the packaging’s role in portion control and shelf life. Perhaps because of her upbringing close to the home of Melton Mowbray Pork Pies in Leicestershire, she also has another of Grimsby’s stars close to her heart, the EU Protected Geographical Indication bestowed on Grimsby’s traditionally smoked fish.
She is a leading voice in calls to ensure that once the UK is untangled from Brussels, these producers who make livings and envelope pride from local products keep the protection to survive and thrive. “We know Brexit is coming and it is something keeping us busy,” she said. “It is very important to our local producers that we keep programmes like that going. “We are already discussing this with Defra, the department of Government that takes care of this. We need to be planning to have a system that picks it up. It is currently an EU scheme, recognised between different countries as well. At the moment the EU provides the assessment and management, and it is going to need some people who can do that assessment in the UK, maintain the register and keep it ticking over. “We also need to make sure the reciprocal agreement with other countries remains. It is something we need to do to protect producers.”
Sector offers local and global opportunity HOST Mathew Thompson, senior food consultant at Grimsby Institute, told the audience of the opportunities that exist in the industry. The regular contributor to Business Telegraph said: “The food sector can open new doors, there are lots of opportunities to progress and everyone needs food. “My first job was working in a food factory for summer work, and that taught me what I wanted to be.” He went on to describe how the industry had taken him around the world. “It is not just about working on a line, it is about marketing, business, IT. It is not just a
factory or a restaurant, it is so much more wider than that. “There are lots of great companies in Grimsby to work for and work with. Not just in the factory, in the supply chain, in HR, in creative. There are 100,000 people who work in the food sector in Lincolnshire and the Humber, in related roles, it is massive, with a lot of opportunity.” For Mr Askam it was a return to his old stomping ground. “I was a pupil here 34 years ago. It is ironic, as teachers would then say ‘Richard if you could just stop talking and entertaining the class you could learn something,’ and now I’ve been asked to stand up and entertain
the class!” Explaining how he was from a family of “alcoholists,” his father having worked for Hewitt’s then set up the town’s first independent off licences, and he having gone on to deal in wine for the public and trade, Mr Askam recalled the tale of his personalisation journey. “Packaging is one of the most important areas,” he said. “It is ‘the pretty’, the message, the bit that conveys its personality to you,” he said. Mr Askam now shares his knowledge of consumer behaviour, branding and the like on the international stage, and is soon to head to Phoenix, Arizona, USA, to speak.
Landlords and tenants of commercial property should be aware that important changes are afoot in relation to lettings. From April 2018, it will be unlawful to let a property with an efficiency rating of ‘F’ or ‘G’, which will affect approximately 20% of commercial properties. These changes stem from the Energy Act 2011. Unless the energy performance rating of the property is ‘E’ or above, or the property is exempt, the changes stipulate that a landlord must not let the property (including granting a lease extension or renewal) from 1st April 2018 or continue to let the property from 1st April 2023. What does this mean for landlords? It is important that landlords review the energy performance rating of their properties and take steps now to ensure that their properties are compliant. Landlords should be aware that: •
There are monetary penalties of up to £150,000 for non-compliance;
•
Breaches are published on the public PRS Exemptions Register, which could result in reputational damage;
•
Marketability of some properties could become impossible unless they are upgraded to meet the minimum standards;
•
Valuations of those properties could be affected if their marketability is reduced;
•
Dilapidations assessments could be affected.
What does this mean for tenants? Tenants may find that their landlord will expect them to pay for works necessary to improve the energy efficiency rating of the property, which could be costly. A tenant wanting to sublet their property will also need to comply with the minimum energy standard. Can a landlord pass the cost onto his tenants? Leases commonly require tenants to keep the property in good repair and condition and all plant, equipment or fixtures properly maintained and in good working order. If a lease does not require replacement of an item, the landlord can only insist on replacement if it is beyond repair. However, replacement does not necessarily mean improvement, so this may not help a landlord in improving the energy efficiency of the property. Landlords and tenants should carefully consider the wording of their leases to establish who is responsible for the cost of any works carried out.
If you would like advice on how the Act might affect you, or whether your property is exempt, please contact Laura Lougher at Wilkin Chapman on 01472 262626 or visit wilkinchapman.co.uk.
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Awards at the double as service is celebrated A
IR Compressors and Blowers North Ltd is powering on in 2017, after winning two accolades in a very successful 2016. Manufacturers of Industrial Hygienic Doors
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The company, attracted to Grimsby in early 2015, with a strong role in the food and power industries, was named Aftermarket Distributor of the Year and Vacuum Distributor of the Year by Gardner Denver, original equipment manufacturer of the products the company specialises in. The US giant is one of the world’s leading suppliers of air and gas related products to global industry. Lewis Smith, who heads up the town office at the Business Hive in Dudley Street, said: “It was a very good 2016 for us. “It was a very strong year and very successful. “We picked up the two awards at a celebration in Coventry, and it was excellent recognition for the work that goes into the relationship with Gardner Denver.” Vacuum pumps are used in food process and film packaging production, drawing air out or moving products and ingredients around automated lines and tubes. ACB North was found to
has been a significant focus in working with clients to help reduce consumption, with variable speed, leak surveys, flow monitoring and data logging brought to the fore. He believes the service which concentrates on removing downtime helped the company succeed, while engineer training is also stepped up to ensure the team is fully conversant on new technologies. Mr Smith said: “If a customer has a vacuum pump repaired by us in our Leeds workshop we will give them a hire unit so they don’t lose production while it is being fixed. It cuts down on lost time. We have recently increased the compressor hire fleet, and this investment ensures while we grow our customer base we can continue to offer this valuable service.” The team is also proud PERFORMANCE WITH PRESSURE: Chris Hall, left, managing director of Air Compressors and that ACB North have now become a Gardner Denver Blowers North Limited, and Lewis Smith, service support engineer, with the two awards. Solus Distributor which be the number one Leeds to support offices in fourth main source of shows the commitment distributor of Gardner the North, North East and energy in industry, after from both ACB and Gardner Denver’s Elmo Rietschle East Midlands. electricity, water and gas. It Denver, which managing products across UK and is what we specialise in.” Mr Smith said: “Vacuum director Chris Hall said Ireland. systems are favoured for As with all energy, the “will only develop our It came as a state-of-the-art energy efficiency. importance of making it already strong partnership vacuum and blower Compressed air is the efficient is a priority. There over the coming years.” workshop was opened in
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HELPFUL: Demonstrations, exhibitions and information aplenty made for a successful Future of Food event, put on by Seafish and Grimsby Institute. Pictures courtesy of Seafish/www.davemoss.com. See a full gallery by searching for Future of Food at www.humberbusiness.com
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Month in Review
Blackrow has a new MD as Barry takes the helm LAUNCH: Simon Smith, chief executive of Icelandic Seachill, inset, and one of the products
Frozen in thoughts: We go behind the big freeze THIS past month has seen Saucy Fish Co launch a frozen range into Sainsbury’s. Chief executive of Icelandic Seachill, Simon Smith, spoke to David Laister.
“
IT was a headline made in heaven... ‘The freezer just got cooler’,” Simon Smith smiles as he reflects on the the Coldwater time dealt with. And while some launch into the sub-zero category.
“Having been named four times as a Coolbrand (listed alongside the likes of Apple and Aston Martin) allowed that. Our position has always been that we want to be seen as cool, but it is very hard to confer on yourself. When other people tell you it is nice to accept it. For us, now, we can genuinely say ‘frozen has got cooler’ because Saucy Fish is in there.” The chief executive of what is now Icelandic Seachill arrived in Grimsby as sales and marketing director, acutely aware how the latter drives the former. It was undoubtedly the branding of Saucy that has made it a stand-out product, catching the eye in the aisle, resonating with a demographic that is time precious, health conscious, and digests digital messages daily. For Saucy’s model, read win, win, win. A sharp look came with both packet and promotion, and once in the kitchen it made seafood so very easy. Fish without the fuss, as it quite rightly claims. So on the back of the success of chilled, we now see a temperature drop in search of a further sales surge. Midweek convenience is seen as a key driver for this, while ensuring the same quality that has built return custom from the fridge for the past seven years. Icelandic Seachill is not alien to the freezer aisle, but with own-label and Saucy together, chilled has been a huge part of a history that saw one half spin off from Bluecrest under Frank Flear and Mike Walker, before being bought by Icelandic Group and eventually merged with Coldwater. “In the wider business we have done some frozen, but not a huge amount,” Mr Smith said. “This is a big expansion of our frozen capability and our performance. We have already had success in the Canadian market with this product, and we are hoping for similar success in the UK, and that will bring more production in to Grimsby.” The business has been through a major turnaround, with loss-making elements under
work has been lost on the way – the entire Marks and Spencer contract for instance – the resurgence of Tesco and the brand’s international appeal has ensured it remains an incredibly strong player, and an agile one too. Restructure continues in town, with the footprint adapting from three sites to two, but expansion underway to bring a state-of-the-art deli to the coated site on Estate Road Two, where it sits at the town’s entrance, proudly displaying its Saucy signage. This tightly under wraps project allowed M&S’ departure down the road to Five Star, and others, sightly more palatable, saving a feared 120 of the 200 jobs to be hit by the switch. “We have been working on this for the last two years,” Mr Smith said. “We have taken our time to get it right, but the test marketing in Canada has been very successful.” He is pleased with the look, the fact the fish is visible, not standard for the category, and the way the cook in the bag option – more fish without fuss – has not hindered this, with it packed beneath the product, with instructions written on. “Consumers judge quality by what they see of the fish,” he said. “They want to see the fish, to judge that quality. With Saucy it has always been highly visible, you can almost touch it. This is the chilled quality we are famous for, but in the freezer. “There has been a lot of work around the cooking times, and finding the right bag (a parchment product to oven-cook within). That
was the big challenge we came up against, and how we got that visibility of product that consumers desperately want. Most of the hard work was around that solution, once we had that it became easier. The production isn’t different, it is the intelligence, the ideas. Once that was locked down it was easy. “We feel with the work, we have really understood consumers’ needs. The average cooking time for a fish dinner has been 31 minutes. We have specifically designed this to cook in less, averaging 28 minutes.” While entering a competitive sector, there is a firm belief that this work behind the brand will bring more in, as the online video plays out. “We are very excited about it, it has had a tremendous reaction from the retailers, and the support we are getting from Sainsbury’s is huge,” Mr Smith said. So is it going toe-to-toe with Grimsby’s own Young’s Seafood, the recognised powerhouse in the freezer? “When we began to talk to retailers they were really excited, there are welcoming arms for innovation in the category. “There are the two big players (Young’s and Birds Eye) and this brings something new to the freezers. “Our reason for being is to bring new consumers to fish. Inevitably there is going to be some trade-off, and we would be disappointed if not, but we will be attracting new people into the freezer aisles,” said Mr Smith. While Sainsbury’s gets the roll out, across the large estate stores, it isn’t exclusive to them. “Someone has to be first and Sainsbury’s got there first,” he said. Trolley handle posters and digital entrance boards will support the roll-out, and the team are delighted to have secured a five-strong line-up at the starting line. “We have a larger portfolio of products developed but there is only a finite amount of space in a freezer,” Mr Smith said. “We are extremely pleased to see five products in there, that’s a big launch. Quite often a retailer would take one, two or three lines, so to go out with five is a very big signal of intent. We are putting a lot of support behind it, and recognise that all retailers are desperate for something new like this.” And so too, have the staff. “It has been a real pick-up here for people, seeing quite a change in the business,” Mr Smith said. “Morale is incredible, there is recognition that new business is coming in, and coming in lots of shapes and forms.”
ENGINEERING: Grimsby’s Blackrow Group has a new managing director. Barry Taylor has taken over at the helm of the £18 million turnover business, as predecessor Darren Broughton becomes chairman. The move has been made as it looks to facilitate further strategic growth at the South Humberside Industrial Estate business, where supporting large scale food producers is a speciality. Mr Broughton, who had been managing director since 2003, and worked in the company for 32 years, said: “This is about the progress of the business. We feel we are at a new threshold in the business’s development, we are restructuring and introducing new processes and controls.” Mr Taylor joined Blackrow 11 years ago as a project manager from LES, heading up an electrical division. It now employs more than 30 people, with the business as a whole supporting a workforce of 180. It regularly bolsters that figure with contracting staff.
Drax and port rail boost
TRANSPORT: Rail links between Immingham’s world-leading biomass handling facility and power giant Drax have been radically improved in a year that saw it tip the balance from coal to renewables. Improving the pellet supply chain, from increases in profitability at US plants to streamlining the UK reception, have been major strides that have helped mitigate a 17 per cent reduction in earnings for 2016. The energy giant, with half of its throughput now coming through the North East Lincolnshire port, went from 43 per cent renewable feedstock in 2015 to 65 per cent last year, as the £700 million transformation plan completed. Drax’s investment to switch three of the six huge units from coal to biomass has been hit on budget, it reported. Now bosses are looking to push the huge Immingham investment to the limit as they look to secure a total plant conversion in the coming years, as an end to coal generation is expected in 2025.
Be Your Own Boss help SUPPORT: Budding entrepreneurs in North East Lincolnshire can access free expert business advice thanks to a brand new initiative. Grimsby and Cleethorpes Enterprise Agency, with support from the area’s business support organisation E-Factor, is organising a number of day-long workshops for start-up companies and anyone thinking of becoming self-employed. Be Your Own Boss, which takes place once a month, covers all the basics of being in business, from finance, sales and marketing to human resources and legislation.
£1.2m village store open RETAIL: The Co-op’s Goxhill Food Store on Howe Lane has opened. The £1.2 million outlet has a 15-space car park and offers a wide variety of groceries, locally sourced goods including meat, an in-store bakery and a Costa Coffee machine, plus a selection of hot food to go.
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Process/Chemicals Chemicals
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WELCOME: Phillips 66’s new trainee process operators. Front row, from left, Dan Jones, Craig Reeder, Josh Bratley, Stuart Sibley, Andy Benefer, Joe Beedham. Back row, from left, Ryan Dolby, Carl Mason, Adam Bunce, Oli Newton, Douglas Brighton, Nathan Usher, Luke Martin, Dominic Webber.
P66 recruits arrive on site as safe work aids charities P
HILLIPS 66 and Grayton Engineering have teamed up to present £6,000, split between two charities, after completing 80 days safe working at Humber Refinery.
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It served as an excellent example to the 14 trainee process operators who arrived at the South Killingholme base, having been selected from a staggering 11,000 applications. It followed a recruitment campaign across the Grimsby Telegraph, Scunthorpe Telegraph and Hull Daily Mail publications. To mark the successful contractor works, Phillips 66 selected Headway, the brain injury association. It was chosen after friend and colleague Geoff Triffitt was lost recently to a brain haemorrhage. “We wanted the money to go towards helping a related brain charity and Geoff ’s wife suggested Headway. It is an honour to be able to donate this on her behalf and in his memory,” general manager Darren Cunningham said of the tribute to the On Line Design and Engineering employee. He passed away late last year. Mr Cunningham added: “Safety is at the core of everything we do and to be able to reach another milestone that means everyone is working safely, and we get the opportunity to make another donation to local charities who are making a real difference and positive impact in our communities is one of the highlights of my job.” Contractor Grayton Engineering chose Lindsey Lodge Hospice in Scunthorpe.
Site manager, Simon Hollingsworth, said: “We hope this money will help them to continue to deliver the outstanding work they do caring both for people in their last days and months and their families. We are all positively touched in some way by the work they do.” A further presentation of £250 was made to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, chosen by Phillips 66 Humber Refinery Contractor Safety Advisory Team, with the money raised after a campaign to stop people dropping ear plugs on site.
GRATEFUL: Andrew Hirst of Lindsey Lodge Hospice receives the cheque from Grayton, watched by Darren Cunningham, Humber Refinery general manager; Paul Lockwood, Phillips 66 turnaround co-ordinator and Grayton Engineering’s Peter O’Sullivan and Simon Hollingsworth.
TAILS WAGGING: Christine Barnett, with Saxon, collects a cheque for £250 on behalf of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
EMOTIVE CAUSE: Darren Cunningham presents the cheque to Mark Griffin of Headway, watched by, from left, John Allott, Phillips 66 fabric maintenance superintendent; Wayne Collins, Phillips 66 fabric maintenance supervisor; Paul Wigfield and John Bensley of On Line Design and Engineering and Kathryn Hudson of Headway.
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2016’s seismic shift in electricity generation C
ARBON emissions from Britain’s power sector fell to their lowest level for 60 years as more coal came off the system making way for renewables in the final quarter of 2016. The latest figures were revealed in the Electric Insights quarterly report produced by researchers at Imperial College London in collaboration with Drax. It means 2016 saw the most dramatic shift in the make-up of electricity generation since the 1984 miners’ strike, with much of it played out on the Humber. Coal generation fell 61 per cent from the previous year as a mixture of low gas prices and the Carbon Price Floor continued to force it off the system. Gas generation was up by more than 50 per cent. The September to December period saw low carbon sources provide an average of 40 per cent of Britain’s electricity needs over the quarter, peaking at a record 81 per cent high over the Christmas period. Wind output was low – over the quarter it was 7 per cent down on the same period in 2015. This winter has seen fewer large storms, resulting in lower average wind speeds compared to previous years. Wind speeds in Q4 2016 were down 15 per cent on 2015, the lowest since 2012. Despite this, when Storm Barbara passed through just before Christmas, it enabled wind power to pass the 10GW barrier for the first time in Britain, beating the previous record of 9.4GW set in 2014. However, wind farms also spent a whole day producing on average, less than 0.7GW – an output of just 5 per cent of their
EYE ON ENERGY: Andy Koss, chief executive of Drax Power, and below, solar gas and wind all played out on the South Humber Bank.
Month in Review Education boost from wind farm giant Dong OFFSHORE WIND: Energy giant Dong has joined forces with an education charity to launch a partnership dedicated to attracting teachers “of the highest quality” to work in Grimsby. With the aim of addressing educational inequalities and raising the aspirations of students, the Teach First charity will be supported by the renewables company, as it works to encourage top teachers from across the country to plug a raft of vacancies at local schools. The three-year deal, which is also being rolled out in Hull and Merseyside, is supported by Grimsby MP Melanie Onn, and will see Teach First look to meet targets to improve teacher attraction and retention, and student progression. Dong, which has committed to the town for an East Coast hub for operations and maintenance, while also co-ordinating the build of two offshore wind farms from the town, will coach teachers signed up to work in the area to help them develop business skills and provide financial support to facilitate employing more teachers capable of focusing on STEM-related subjects. The scheme was officially launched this week at Grimsby's Ormiston South Parade Academy, which already has three Teach First staff working for them.
Iceland fish strike ends
installed capacity. Andy Koss, Drax Power chief executive, said: “These figures highlight a truly seismic shift in the balance of power. Coal continues to disappear at a dramatic rate and we can see the impact of intermittent renewables which have been affected by dramatic weather events. “Low gas prices and the Carbon Price Floor are forcing coal off the system and helping to ensure the UK is on track to meet its carbon targets for the power generation industry. “It’s essential the UK’s energy system is supported by the right mix of power generation.
Coal-to-biomass conversions and gas peaking plants are the best way to get coal off the system quickly and cost effectively while ensuring security of supply.” The report also found that Britain became a net exporter to France for the first time in six years due to a crisis with French nuclear stations, but exports were limited due to the interconnector being damaged. A loss of imports from France left the power market tight with National Grid issuing notices of thin margins. Power price volatility grew, with peak prices over £1,500/MWh. Dr Iain Staffell, of Imperial
College London, said: “These figures clearly show that the Carbon Price Floor (CPF) has played an important part in relegating coal to a more ‘climate-friendly’ role providing infrequent peaking power at times of greatest need, allowing lower carbon gas to take over as the baseload generator. “Over the last two years the CPF has added 0.5p/kWh to the cost of generation, or about 3 per cent of a household electricity bill. In return it has played a major part in reducing carbon emissions by a third, making it excellent value for money.”
SEAFOOD: Icelandic fishermen have set sail again after a prolonged dispute was resolved in through-the-night talks on Friday. The end of the strike, which will be roundly welcomed in Grimsby, comes more than two months after vessels were tied up. In that time the town’s fish market has been starved of supply, with 75 per cent of the usual seafood from the North Atlantic nation. It has forced a number of redundancies, making national headlines with fears of price rises for Britain’s favourite take-away.
PROUD TO BE
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Pillars of opportunity for UK THE chemical industry hopes the Gover nment’s commitment to industry will build on UK strengths. Following the publication of the Green Paper on Industrial Strategy, the trade body of one of the UK’s top manufacturing export earners has spoken about the “golden opportunity” to build on the good work already progressed through the existing Chemistry Growth Partnership (CGP) – a strategic collaboration bringing together industry, the trade unions and gover nment. Chemical Industry Association chief executive, Steve Elliott, said: “The gover nment’s commitment to smart intervention, with a keen focus on science, research and innovation; affordable energy and infrastructure; skills, exports and inward investment – driven where appropriate at sectoral level and across the whole country – is a golden opportunity for the UK’s chemical industry to cement and
accelerate its long term growth plans, as established two or three years ago through the CGP. “With our country’s departure from the European Union there has never been a more critical time to commit to a UK-wide industrial strategy, with advanced manufacturing at the heart of long term growth. All successful economies need a thriving chemical industry and, with many of our factories and skilled jobs located in the north of England and Scotland we stand ready to play our part in delivering a sector deal for the nation based around world class performance on innovation, productivity, exports and investment.” As previously reported the CIA has compiled a detailed Brexit manifesto, with a dedicated team with strong regional representation. The Humber is a key cluster for the sector.
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Ports & Logistics
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Marine Contracting, Dredging and Boat Building www.humberworkboats.co.uk Tel: 01469 540156
To further raise the profile of your company call Angie Atkinson on 01472 806963 angie.atkinson@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
We have built our business on apprenticeships Jade Chalk
Apprentices really motor with investor PME Group M
ARINE engine specialist PME Group has been recognised as one of the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK.
involved a tough selection process. Jade Chalk, commercial director at PME, said: “We are thrilled that our commitment to the apprenticeship programme has been recognised by the National The business, which opened its Apprenticeship Service. Almost 50 first branch away from the south per cent of our total workforce have coast in Stallingborough last year, either completed or are currently was named at the National completing their apprenticeship Apprenticeship Awards, which took with us. place this past month at Grosvenor “To gain the expertise in our House Hotel, London. engineering field and have the PME, an official dealer for Man, confidence to deliver to our specialises in sales, service and company standards takes time. The repair in both the leisure and apprenticeship scheme offers us the commercial markets – and most perfect vehicle to allow us to notably the wind farm sector. The nurture through education, Beel’s Road branch joined training and ‘hands on’ experience Plymouth and Poole in the PME our fledgling leading edge staff. portfolio last October, with a total of “We have built our business on 18 people now employed across the apprenticeships, our managing business. director started as an apprentice The Centrica-sponsored list back at the dawn of time!”
LAUNCH: Ed Tucker of MAN Engines, cuts the ribbon to officially open the new PME Group offices and workshop, on the North Moss Lane Industrial Estate, Stallingborough, with Jade Chalk, holding the ribbon, back in October. Right, the honour. Turning her attention to Grimsby, where she hopes to establish apprentices soon, she said: “It is going really well, we are getting used to being there, establishing ourselves, and working well with local businesses and getting involved with the community, and the likes of Grimsby Renewables Partnership. “With 10 wind farm projects coming online we are anticipating operations to grow.”
Advertising Feature
Successful first year celebrated at the wheel of Driver Hire DRIVER Hire Grimsby and Scunthorpe is motoring into the second year under the ownership of Jayne and Michael O’Flynn. A franchise of the UK’s largest specialist transport and logistics recruitment company, Driver Hire Grimsby and Scunthorpe was taken on last February by the couple, who had recently relocated to Northern Lincolnshire. Jayne and Michael recognised that this was a business with a great market presence and a strong brand, renowned for delivering a really high level of service to their clients. From a base within Grimsby’s Europarc, the team offers temporary and permanent driving jobs, non-driving work and Driver CPC training, supplying staff to companies across the South Bank. The business was established in 1998, and the couple are pleased with the progress made in their first 12 months. “It has been challenging, a big learning curve, but a very enjoyable experience,” Michael said. Jayne added: “We see a good business in this. We are in a good area, we have the ports, the food processing, engineering and a lot of fleet operators. “Grimsby has a lot to offer, with so much expertise in business support.” Jayne and Michael have found the Business Hive from E-Factor a real boon to their start in the sector, with Jayne having come from facilities and property management and Michael from an operations background at director level. As well as training and recruitment, Driver Hire provides their clients with the confidence of being serious about compliance checks on all of
TEAMWORK: Jayne Anne O’Flynn and Michael O’Flynn, directors of Driver Hire Grimsby and Scunthorpe. their fully vetted staff. “We carry out regular checks on drivers to ensure that their driving entitlements remain valid,” Michael said. “This means that if a driver acquires any convictions, we will get to know about it, even if they do not declare it.
“This is a service that we can also provide to any fleet operators for their permanent staff as well. A lot of businesses can benefit from this aid in meeting their obligations to monitor employees who are carrying out any type of driving in the course of their jobs. Even people in the
“grey” fleet, that is people using their own vehicles for work, should be monitored. Driver Hire Grimsby and Scunthorpe would be very happy to discuss this with any local businesses.” The team also has opportunities available for funded HGV training for
suitable candidates. “This means that someone wishing to enter the industry will be able to do so even if funds are an issue,” Jayne said. “We also offer a genuine 24/7 on call service. “This is not operated by some anonymous call centre where you are answered by someone who does not know the clients, drivers or the area. It is answered by our staff and us, who you know and indeed we will know you. This service is offered seamlessly throughout the year, even on Christmas Day.” Looking ahead to year two, Driver Hire Grimsby and Scunthorpe is moving up a gear to include permanent positions for clients and a serious focus on driver education and training. Driver Hire Grimsby and Scunthorpe is also engaging with the community, sponsoring high visibility vest provision and promoting cycling safety for schoolchildren at a local academy. It is also organising a golf day, and evening event at Laceby Manor, on April 28 to raise funds for When You Wish Upon A Star, a charity making dreams come true for terminally ill children. “This promises to be a great day, and all clients, drivers and the public at large are most welcome to take part,” Jayne said, adding that there are great prizes to be won, a buffet and music to add to the evening. To find out more call Driver Hire Grimsby and Scunthorpe on 01472 357171 or email grimsby@driverhire.co.uk
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Energy
On Loan Recruitment’s latest developments... I
NTERESTING times are ahead as Humber based On Loan Recruitment Limited has strengthened the team further with two new appointments. The successful recruitment business has broadened its services in to manufacturing more recently, to supplement its core areas of engineering and the industrial markets. David Riggall, On Loan Recruitment’s managing director, said: “We have gone out in to the market place with the intention of employing new people with both recruitment and engineering/industrial experience and we are fortunate to have found two. “One has over 40 years in engineering business development and with him comes a wide range of contacts. Many of these are UK wide. “The second new person comes from a national recruitment background and his particular field of expertise is in the agricultural sector with the placement of high profile candidates. Both are excellent communicators and should fit in very well with the culture of our business and with the existing team.” Looking at the current
market place, he said: “It is a mixed bag at the moment with ‘niche’ companies doing particularly well, but, many others are just ticking over. Therefore, we are working hard to maintain our momentum as we are now entering our 20th year of successful trading. “We are proud of how many companies have used our services and how many people we have successfully placed over the years. “These come down to simple old fashioned values of hard work, honesty and delivery and we are committed to continuing in the same way for many years to come.” On Loan Recruitment, forms part of the On Line Group, also based in the Humber region. Anyone requiring any help in recruiting personnel, whether temporary or permanent, can contact On Loan Recruitment on 01469 577698 or e-mail enquires@onloanrecruit ment.co.uk Alternatively visit www.onloanrecruitment .co.uk.
Tel: 01469 577698 www.onloanrecruitment.co.uk
www.andrewjackson.co.uk
BIRCHIN WAY - GRIMSBY
01472 357553
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HERE TO HELP: Tracey Clark, senior client/candidate co-ordinator at On Loan Recruitment.
Double digits and bright lights for LEW
L
INCS Electrical Wholesalers is off to a flying start in 2017, carrying the momentum from back to back strong years in 2016 and 2015. The company is in advanced stages of opening what will be the 10th and 11th branches in Wakefield and Mansfield respectively. This follows on from the launch of a new lighting showroom at Doncaster in February. Established in Gainsborough in 1993, LEW is undergoing an impressive period of growth and reaping the rewards of its endeavours. Taking the helm at the upcoming Wakefield branch will be John Potter who brings with him 11 years of industry experience in the Wakefield area. Joining him as part of the LEW family will be Danny Wilson who takes charge at the new Mansfield branch with 14 years of industry experience behind him. The new lighting showroom in Doncaster comes as part of an expansion to the existing Doncaster branch on Merchant Way. Open to the public the showroom offers a unique range of traditional and contemporary light fittings for all the home and garden, specialising in energy saving LED lighting products. Managing the new lighting showroom is Chris Chambers who has been with LEW for several
in association with
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Craning to get a look at useful offshore innovation years. Talking about the launch of the showroom, Chris said: “Since opening at the start of February the response has been great from the public. We’ve got a great range of products on display in the showroom as well as many more products we can offer from our
catalogue and shortly we’ll be offering these products online.” Based out of the national head office which sits adjacent to the Gainsborough branch, marketing manager Matthew Sylvester said growth wold continue. “With a clear plan for future growth and success it is a very
exciting time to be a part of the LEW team right now. As we continue to open new branch locations around the country, we offer the same high level of service that has earned LEW the high quality reputation it has now in the areas it trades in.”
MEMBERS of Grimsby Renewables Partnership were given a demonstration of one of the latest innovations for industry at the recent meeting. Charlie Watt, pictured above, business development manager for Sparrows Group, introduced JibFlex, a highly manoeuvrable, lightweight manual handling aid, that can ease horizontal lifting on vessels and turbines. With a flexible jib made up of interlocking panels, it is specifically designed for confined spaces, and can even carry loads into a turbine tower via a doorframe fixing.
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Sim City of the high seas: How banks of screens will help maritime employees S
HIP-SHAPE and ready to play a key role! The first phase of the £7 million Modal Training complex has been unveiled as it looks to sail into the skills shortage for the area’s biggest economic opportunities.
million of public money through Humber Local Enterprise Partnership. “We had to look long and hard to make sure the business case was the right investment for us,” he said. “It is the largest skills capital project (to come out of the recent funding A world-class marine simulator rounds) and plenty of people are training facility, equipped with watching what we are doing, and we state-of-the-art marine simulators from Kongsberg Maritime – the global are making sure we progress. leader in marine training technology “This is genuinely industry-led, we – is about to open at the Immingham won’t be running courses unless complex. industry is demanding them.” It is the first independent training Similarly impressive crane organisation in the UK to offer such a simulators, suspended within a large comprehensive a range of integrated warehouse also featuring actual simulators – allowing individual training or scenarios involving up to cranes, will be the next addition, with 40 people. road simulators looming on the Covering bridge, engine and control horizon too. A car facility is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: Modal Training, Middleplatt Lane, Immingham. room, high voltage, dynamic scheduled for the end of the month, positioning, radar and vessel traffic with a truck simulator in the summer. ports complex, the Humber is home to excellence for ports, energy and service simulators, using K-Sim full The final phase has seen a slight the UK’s rapidly developing wind logistics. It was a bold statement to picture technology, they will allow energy sector. make two-and-a-half years ago. It was re-routing from the original plan as training to be provided on all vessel driven out of the Institute looking “Our aim therefore is to meet the HS2 upskilling emerges with types from offshore crew transfer forward and seeing what the growth dedicated colleges in Birmingham catamarans to tugs and tankers, deep training needs of the many global areas are going to be, and where we businesses which are establishing sea vessels and cruise liners. and Doncaster. “We are in need to align ourselves. themselves around the Humber, as In pride of place is a Class A full conversations about being a delivery well as providing a new and valuable “We are looking at £4 billion of bridge K-Sim offshore vessel spoke,” Mr Whitaker said. opportunity for individuals and investment in the Humber in the next simulator, with a fore and aft bridge, As well as warehouse operations, existing businesses to train locally . few years. A lot led by operators in DP2 dynamic positioning with K-Pos marine engineering “with a nod “We are also keen to play our part in offshore wind. interface, and anchor handling. It is towards decommissioning “ is now addressing the anticipated shortfall in “This is economic investment one of just three in the world to be qualified British seafarers which is happening now, not a pipe dream. It is being examined for Modal. configured in this way, with others expected to grow to more than 4,000 in real and we have to be ready for it. It And he is delighted with the located in Norway and Singapore. the next seven years – as recently has created a series of skills issues, location. “We have 30,000 logistics Such is the level of investment and predicted by the The UK Seafarer supply doesn’t meet demand.” capability it is expected to meet movements out front and we can see Projections Report.” The equipment will allow Modal training needs of those working, and the cranes operating on the Port of The former Fabricom base has been Training to offer training for a wide hoping to work in the Humber, as well Immingham. We are right in the transformed in a project that only range of maritime roles, including as elsewhere in the UK and globally. middle of the industry we are trying began with business case approval in deck and engineering officers and Sam Whitaker, director of strategic to serve.” February 2015. It won Government crew, marine pilots and VTS projects at Grimsby Institute, the Fully operational in days, 2,000 users operators. organisation behind Modal Training, funding in the May, with the site a year are anticipated to pass Mr Whitaker said of the £7 million, said: “As well as being Europe’s fourth acquired that November. through, the majority on short Mr Whitaker said: “Our ambition largest trading estuary and the UK’s Grimsby Institute had committed £5 largest and busiest multi-purpose from the start was a centre of million from its reserves, with £2 courses and already in work.
Virtual reality THE team at Modal say simulator training can accelerate learning because key environmental factors can be changed, quite literally, at the flick of a switch. Wind direction, sea state, weather conditions and light levels can all be adjusted to make the exercise more challenging. Obstacles and difficulties can be introduced to test individual responses and team work. Dangerous scenarios can be created for emergency response training, for what in a ‘real life setting’ could take a lifetime to experience The full Kongsberg simulator line up at Modal Training: ● K-Sim – class A offshore vessel simulator, with a fore and aft bridge ● K-Sim class B tug simulator ● K-Sim class B offshore support vessel simulator ● K-Sim class C dynamic positioning simulator ● K-Sim engine and control room simulator ● K-Sim navigation simulator ● K-Sim VTS simulator ENGINE AID: A walkthrough simulation of a vessel’s engine room, with X-Box style controls allowing for button pressing, valve opening and a whole host of other activities in the 3D setting. Below, the engine control room.
BRIDGE: At the helm of the Class A vessel simulator.
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PRIDE OF PLACE: Modal Training’s new Kongsberg K-Sim – Class A offshore vessel simulator, with a fore and aft bridge. It features a total of 53 screens, and is one of just three in the world. Left, the aft element. Below, egine room and the Class B vessel simulator room.
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Ashbourne’s role at the area’s industrial heart W
ITH one of the most enviable postcodes on the Humber Bank, The Ashbourne Hotel really is in a prime location for business travellers in the area.
01472 311711 bmcf.co.uk
T: 01652 680888 www.hibl.co.uk
t: 01472 350601 Scunthorpe t: 01724 863105 Grimsby
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Chartered Accountants in Grimsby - T: 01472 355215 Scunthorpe - T: 01724 844876 www.hwca.com
Close enough to the key players located on the river Humber, yet set in a picturesque village location, it provides a haven of tranquillity for short or long term residential stays, with all the home comforts one expects to miss out on whilst working away. All this and no long commute in the morning makes for an enjoyable experience away from home. This is why at most times at The Ashbourne, with a large contingent from the wind energy and petrochemical sectors, there will always be someone to chat with at the bar. Running of lot of Able’s conferences as well as hosting various business events and planning hearings, the hotel is well attuned to the business needs of large corporate firms. However, scratch the surface, and you quickly realise the hotel is anything but a large, faceless hotel. The hotel has a close-knit team on hand to cater to your every whim. From flexibility on check in and check out times, as well as breakfast arrangements for those on an early schedule who can’t be tempted to stay for the hearty, freshly cooked options. The hotel provide packed lunches for their busy guests and even remember your favourite dish on the menu. The team will go above and beyond to make their guests feel welcome; the high level of repeat business is testament to this. For food lovers, too, you’re in for a treat, with the Ashbourne’s kitchen team constantly striving to provide fresh, locally produced dishes to suit all tastes, in their award winning restaurant, The Fork and hotel prides itself on always having Spoon. Refurbished a year ago, the venue a great atmosphere in there. The Ashbourne is no stranger to has gone from strength to strength, with a large local following too. The the European travellers either; with
all rooms containing at least one and free car parking . European electrical socket due to You will have access to all the the large Danish contingent, as well modern conveniences required as free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel during your stay.
Henderson launches sports division with racing W:100.252mm H:68mm
HENDERSON Insurance Brokers Limited has confirmed its title sponsorship of the new UK LMP 3 Championship, coinciding with the launch of a sports division. This is a continuation of the northern Lincolnshire company’s long term sponsorship in motorsport, which includes supporting United Autosports since the team began racing in 2010. In 2017 a new championship named The UK LMP3 Championship, will be launched and this is the first ACO Sanction Championship developed in the UK. The Automobile Club de’l’Ouest (ACO) promoters of the Le Mans 24-hour endurance spectacle, introduced the LMP class in 2015. The category has grown rapidly and is now accepted worldwide, including the European Le Mans series and the Asian Le Mans Sprint Cup, Michelin Le Mans Cup and the IMSA Prototype Challenge. With the support of HIBL United Autosports will be entering the European Le Mans Series in both LMP2 and LMP3 in 2017 and will be racing the 24 Hour Le Mans in their Ligier JS P217. Joe Henderson, chief executive of Henderson Insurance Group, said: “I’m thrilled to be teaming up with the guys at United Autosports once again and also expanding our motorsport activities by
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Business Support
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Architecture Project Management Structural Engineering HANDING OVER: Rob Bradley, the new chairman of the North Lincolnshire area council of the Hull and Humber Chamber of commercef Commerce, is presented with the chain of office by outgoing chair Kathy Fillingham. Above, Anne Tate.
T. 01724 278155 • 01472 268485 www.crparrott.co.uk
Rob brokers top role as area’s Chamber chair R
OB Bradley has taken over as chairman of the North Lincolnshire Area Council of the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce.
He said: “I want to ensure exposure for the Chamber. It is there to serve the local community and inspire business growth, and that’s what I want to achieve. “We have certainly got some challenges, and excellent The Johnstone Insurance account opportunity with the Humber executive takes over from CR Estuary, and what we want to see is Parrott’s finance director Kathy more of the work staying local. We Fillingham. need the smaller contractors getting on board at second and Having worked in his sector in Scunthorpe for more than 20 years, third tier supply chain level.” Mr Bradley has been on the area With Hull and Humber Chamber council for the past two years. of Commerce’s Northern
Lincolnshire Business Awards this year hosted in Scunthorpe, that will provide a significant opportunity to shine a light. Outgoing chair, Mrs Fillingham, said she had thoroughly enjoyed her near two year tenure, and the profile it helped bring to the construction management business. She said: “It has been absolutely brilliant, I have gained so much from it in terms of meeting other business people, seeing how they operate and not only getting to
know more about what is going on, but being involved in a strategic role too.” She joined the main Chamber board last April. “To represent the South Humber area and females in business is a massive privilege, and I was delighted to be asked to do it,” she added. “The Chamber is a fantastic team, and Anne Tate (northern Lincolnshire manager) was an absolutely fantastic support every step of the way. I wish Rob all the success in the role.”
info@gskelsey.co.uk www.gskelsey.co.uk
01724 854362 G.S. Kelsey Construction Ltd
title sponsorship supporting the brand new British LMP3 Championship. The LMP3 class has grown rapidly over the last few years and to be involved with the first ACO sanctioned LMP3 championship in Britain is great. This follows a very successful 2016 when United Autosports ran 2 teams in prototype cup, the championship was won in one of the cars, the lead driver being Alex Blundell, son of Formula One driver and sports commentator Martin Blundell, he won the championship outright.” HIBL’s sports division will trade under the name of SportsInsure. A dedicated office has already been set up, which will cater for all the sports business that they presently hold, and will be supported by a number of sports ambassadors from cricket, golf, football and boxing. Richard Dean, head of Ligier UK, added: “I’m delighted Henderson’s insurance is on board as title sponsors in the inaugural year for the new UK-based LMP3 Championship. This comes as the ACO have granted approval of the series here in the UK. This is going to be a great new championship and a fantastic stepping stone for any driver wanting to race in the ELMS, or eventually the Le Mans 24 Hours.”
Backing winners FLASHBACK 15 years, and Henderson was a sponsor of HM Plant Ducati in the World Superbike Championship. Here our photogapher caught up with former champ Neil Hodgson, a long term recipient of Henderson backing, and emerging star James Toseland on a visit to the Schipol Way base at Humberside Airport, with Joe Henderson hosting. Coverage back in 2002 reported how, then aged 21, he was being touted as a future world champion. The Doncaster rider went on to win it twice, in 2004 and 2007, before retiring and marrying international pop artist Katie Melua.
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Training
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Developing Individuals and Organisations Waters Edge Business Centre, Maltkiln Rd, Barton upon Humber, North Lincolnshire www.cert-ltd.co.uk Tel: 01652 240554
TRAINING FOR BUSINESS info@gss.gb.com 01472 889229
Providers of health and safety training, and engineering apprentices www.heta.co.uk Tel: 01469 552880
Redwood Park Estate, Stallingborough, North East Lincolnshire, DN41 8TH www.hcfcatch.com Tel: 01469 552843
To further profile your company contact Angie Atkinson 01472 806963 angie.atkinson@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
Iain and team keen to hear about Heta history A
COMPANY that has helped launch the engineering careers of thousands of young people is using its golden anniversary year to highlight the need to improve and increase training opportunities in British industry.
Humberside Engineering Training Association is targeting potential apprentices, families and schools to try and encourage more students into engineering. It is also urging more employers to invest in filling the skills gap. At the heart of HETA’s campaign is its history and track record. The company wants to find as many people as possible who have worked or trained at its sites in Grimsby, Stallingborough, Scunthorpe and Hull during the last 50 years. It is also appealing to employers who have played a part in the history of HETA to showcase the skills of former apprentices and demonstrate the impact they have made on the region’s industrial landscape. Iain Elliott, chief executive, said the celebrations will peak on the date of the anniversary in September, but he added that the programme of activities which is being drawn up is designed to deliver an important message. He said: “There is a serious shortage of engineers and everyone at HETA spends all their working hours doing everything they can to address that. We already organise events and run initiatives to get more young people into engineering and to secure more paid apprenticeship places from employers, and this anniversary is literally a golden opportunity to do more. “HETA’s strength is its people, from the apprentices to every member of staff, and that has been the case throughout our history. We therefore want to contact as many people as we can who have trained at HETA, worked at HETA and done business with HETA. “We want them to help us show how HETA has changed over the last 50 years, which companies have benefited from the skills taught and
HELP CELEBRATE: Iain Elliott of Heta. Right, the Heta logo. what sort of projects have been completed with the help of people who began their careers at HETA. “We know there are former apprentices on the staff of most of the businesses that we work with. But our first apprentices will be retired by now. Some might be on the other side of the world, and they will all have stories to share.” HETA’s first premises were at the engineering company of Charles D Holmes & Co Ltd in Alfred Street, Hull. Four of the 10 founding companies from 1967 still exist today although some identities have changed slightly – William Broady & Son Ltd, Bankside Patterson Ltd, Alex E Carr Ltd and AFOS Ltd. As HETA grew so did the support of employers, and the increasing interest of businesses south of the
New Young Enterprise manager FIFTEEN years of experience in Britain’s biggest job centre has given new Young Enterprise manager for the Humber region a strong knowledge base for the role. Lucy O’Donnell is settling into the position, working with schools, colleges and a team of voluntary mentors to help raise the aspirations and awareness of business with students. And with two children approaching secondary education, and the benefit of seeing what employers need, she feels she is ideally placed. “It I really nice for me as I can relate to a lot of the students a lot easier, and feel I have hands-on experience,” Miss O’Donnell said. “The role is a breath of fresh air, I am helping people who really want to learn and who can hopefully be inspired. “I have seen first hand the
gaps in the skills market, the employability skills, and that allows me to emphasise what is required to the students, as they are so important. They are
The role is a breath of fresh air, I am helping people who really want to learn and who can hopefully be inspired Lucy O’Donnell not really employment skills, but life skills.” From time-keeping and turn-out to face-to-face
communication, she has seen the vitality of it all in 15 years with the Department for Work and Pensions at Britannia House in Hull. She worked in benefit processing, as an aid to a senior manager and as first point of contact in the main centre. Now she is covering an area from Bridlington to Mablethorpe, from Cleethorpes to Epworth. Teams from various schools are currently working towards the area finals in Scunthorpe on March 14, at John Leggott College, and Oasis Wintringham Academy Grimsby two days later. The county final is at The Baths Hall on May 3. Any businesses interested in sponsoring the programme, or providing mentors, can contact her via email at lucy.odonnell@y-e.org.uk or by calling 07917 185582.
Humber led to the opening of a second training centre at Huntsman Tioxide in Grimsby. The centre moved to Acordis and is now based at HCF Catch, Stallingborough. A third site at Corus in Scunthorpe was moved to Foxhills in 2014. From a team of five, the company now employs 70 people. From 30 apprentices in the first year and 60 in year two the company increased to average 100 a year during the Seventies. It now welcomes around 200 new apprentices every year. Mr Elliott added: “We’ve trained thousands of young men and women and helped them to embark on careers in engineering. Hopefully we will be able to find some of those people and get their help in finding and inspiring the
engineers of the future.” Anyone who has anecdotes and other information about is asked to contact Charlotte Hogben on 01482 372677 or email charotte.hogben@heta.co.uk
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NEW VISIT: Andy Dickson is welcomed to All NRG’s Grimsby office by Kathryn Anne Kennedy Nørremark.
All NRG welcomes Andy as operations manager A
NDY Dickson has been appointed as operations manager for Danish inward investor All NRG.
them to the level of the Danish staff. It is my task to build a team to offer the full package for operations and maintenance. We are going to be looking for high The experienced offshore wind voltage trained staff, service figure has moved across the car technicians and rope access park on Port of Grimsby East from technicians. We need to be able to RES, where he was project offer a full service to the wind manager, to Old Lock Keepers farm owners. A comprehensive Cottage. service from the transition piece Mr Dickson, who first started up to the top of the blades.” work in the industry with Siemens All NRG arrived in Grimsby in nine years ago, having worked the summer of 2015, having with electrical installations since brought together three Danish starting his career with Ross Foods specialists, VB Enterprise, Apro in the Eighties, is delighted with Wind and Q-Star. the new role. The base followed initial contract He said: “It is an exciting time for wins, and the company now has us all and goes to show Grimsby, people working offshore on the and the industry, can still drive build of Dudgeon offshore wind more investment from abroad, farm and the pre-assembly point at despite Brexit. Siemens Green Port Hull. It is now “My biggest challenge now is looking to secure work on Dong Energy’s Race Bank. recruiting the staff and getting
“VBE and Apro have both got very good reputations in the wind industry, they have worked on quite a number of wind farms, not just in the UK but throughout Europe,” Mr Dickson said. “That experience and reputation will stand us in good stead to be able to expand in the UK.” A former HETA trainee and mechanic by trade, he joined Kimberly-Clark after Ross, then moved into waste incineration before becoming an early convert to the wind industry, having seen what it was bringing to the Humber. “The offshore wind cluster around Grimsby is the reason All NRG came here to set up the UK business,” Mr Dickson said. “Although we will be sending people west and south, it is a great place to be located because of this cluster.
“I have seen the impact it has had on Grimsby. It is one of the most exciting industries I have ever worked in. It is a great time to be in the industry, it is still expanding and for any youngsters looking for a career I can definitely recommend it. It is exciting and there are so many different opportunities.” Husband and wife team Kathryn and Frank Nørremark had set up the base, with the intention of recruiting a local manager once established. Mr Dickson met Mrs Nørremark at a Grimsby Renewables Partnership event. She said: “We have been searching for a new operations manager. We needed someone we could trust, someone local, and someone already in the wind industry, that was our main concer n.”
Dan the man for HSBC HSBC has appointed a new corporate banking relationship director for the Humber. Dan Wilson brings 20 years of experience and knowledge from the sector to the new role, arriving from a competitor. Adam Kelly, HSBC’s deputy head of corporate banking for North Yorkshire and Humber, said: “This appointment is a further demonstration of our continued desire to invest and develop our full corporate banking proposition in the area – providing a local presence, to service the needs of corporate businesses across the whole of the wider Humber region.” Mr Wilson will work with colleagues Simon Cook, Scott Christian and Caroline Atkinson in the team led by Phil Look. He said: “I am delighted to be joining the HSBC team in the Humber region. There are exciting times ahead for sure. “I am very much looking forward to working with my new colleagues to support businesses in the area achieve their aspirations.”
Chief operating officer A COMPANY with a huge interest in the South Humber Bank has strengthened its senior management team as it expands activities in renewable energy and logistics. Able Group has appointed Chris McManus as chief operating officer. Mr McManus joined the company early last year as group finance director, having held key posts with major companies including A&P and Hertel.
Five recruits at HBP Systems FIVE new appointments at a Scunthorpe-based IT software and service provider have seen the company grow in strength and size as it continues to meet demand. HBP Systems, based on Woodhouse Road, has brought in two new support staff in Dave Boyd and Carl Whetzel, who both specialise in finance and accounting software. They will work in supporting the varied range of clients that HBP has taken on in recent years. Both new members have numerous years’ experience in their specialist areas and are experts in Sage and Pegasus software. HBP has also expanded its marketing department with the introduction of Alex
Rusted as communications co-ordinator, Joshua Anderson as internal business development manager and John Anderton as new sales and marketing manager. Managing director of HBP, Joanne Dixon, said: “Investing in the number of people we employ is key to our growth as a business and the quality of service we provide as we work with more clients. We have continued to invest in local talents who have the knowledge and experience to help drive our business forward and support local organisations. “HBP Systems has always been customer focussed, and it’s vital for us to support our clients.” The appointments follow
the launch of a new vision of ‘Best Today, Better Tomorrow’. Operations director Tony Pearson said Dave and Carl would add strength to his technical team. “We’re developing a broader client base and we needed to expand our technical team to make sure we can sustain our customer satisfaction levels,” he said. “We’re proud of the fact that 99.3 per cent of clients say they’re ‘very satisfied’ with our work, and the remaining 0.7 per cent are ‘satisfied’. “A larger and stronger technical team will make sure we can sustain those figures during times of growth.”
ADDITIONS: The HBP marketing team and new software support members, are welcomed by existing team members Tim Pritchard, back right, and Daniel McShannon, from right. They are, from back left, Dave Boyd, Carl Whetzel, John Anderton, Joshua Anderson and Alex Rusted.
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Grimsby: 01472 355801 Lincoln: 01522 544700 Scunthorpe: 01724 271800 Hull: 01482 330660
Without the support of these companies this page would not be possible ©LW
To further raise the profile of your company call Andy Bannister on 01472 806962 andrew.bannister@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
The charity provides a fantastic platform for all drivers, as acting quickly at the site of an accident can be the difference between life and death David Heath
Clugston on board with driver first-aid training C
LUGSTON Distribution, one of the UK’s top 10 fuel logistics companies, is helping to reduce deaths and life-limiting injuries at road traffic collisions by continuing to support the Driver First Assist charity. The charity provides training for professional drivers in order to manage incidents in the vital few minutes before the arrival of the emergency services. In a clear show of the commitment to the cause, the Scunthorpe company has liveried one of its growing fleet of fuel trailers with Driver First Assist imagery and messages. It follows the use of a curtain-sided trailer With the Clugston Distribution
SURFACE NEEDS: Port of Grimsby’s Westside Road.
vehicle now on the road, the objective is to continue raising the profile of the charity and the scheme to professional drivers. Alongside committing a trailer to support the charity, the Brigg Road team has also been proactive in training drivers through the Driver First Assist programme. So far, more than 50 of Clugston Distribution’s drivers have received full life-saving first aid training. In a celebration of the company’s support, distribution director David Heath attended an official reception for the charity, held at the House of Commons last month. It featured an address from John Hayes CBE MP, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, and was hosted by Rob Flello MP,
chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Freight Transport. Mr Heath, who addressed a similar event in 2015, said: “We are proud to offer our continued support to Driver First Assist. The charity provides a fantastic platform for all drivers, as acting quickly at the site of an accident can be the difference between life and death. “Our aim is to ensure all our drivers are trained in first aid procedures through the Driver First Assist programme and with the wide network of professional drivers on the country’s road 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, we encourage other logistics and road freight companies to do the same.”
SAFETY MESSAGE: David Heath.
Major port roads contract win A SCUNTHORPE firm has won a major contract to keep the four Humber ports moving. Specialist Surfacing, part of Britcon-owning Hunt Group, has been appointed sole contractor for road maintenance at Associated British Ports. The multi-million pound contract covers Grimsby, Immingham, Hull and Goole, where more than 65 million tonnes of cargo are handled, arriving and leaving by road and rail. Specialist Surfacing has maintained a long-standing working relationship with ABP, with a 25-year history in managing its surfacing requirements. Indeed, ABP was the first client for managing director Scott Morse when he joined the business as an apprentice. He said: “ABP remains one of our largest clients for which we have become a reliable partner in maintaining its busy network of roads and
FIRST JOB: Specialist Surfacing managing director Scott Morse. surfaces. We are delighted to secure this exclusive contract and it is especially pleasing to know that our continued investment in the best possible fleet, and people, continues to drive contracts of this calibre and complexity.” The Humber holds expertise in a broad range of cargoes, including energy, vehicles, roll-on roll-off, containers, bulks, liquid bulks and forest products. The contract awarded to Specialist Surfacing includes ‘responsive maintenance’ for
all public and private highways in all four ports. It also includes repairs to all pedestrian zones including footpaths and car parks as well as operational areas such as fertilizer sheds, storage facilities and ‘high stress’ areas where the surface must withstand excessive weight. In addition, Specialist Surfacing provides critical communications support to ABP where the team is required to put in place traffic management and reporting plans to ensure continuity during works. An emergency response service also ensures that damage, such as potholes, are repaired within 24 hours. The company, which employs 65 people from the Midland Road base, turned over £17 million last year, and has extensive experience in the ports industry with other key clients including DFDS Seaways, CRO Ports and VAG Ports.
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Wowing in Westminster Straight eight will help underlined area’s role keep Clugston moving
B T
IG business gave broad backing to the Humber as HRIVING Clugston it showcased its credenDistribution adtials in thehas corridors of ded eight apprenpower. tices to Terrace the House of Commons Dining Room A became a home 40-strong team as the from home for thebuilds Energyto Estuary growing division as Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers, support 450 vehicles.
HUMBER HOSTS: The welcome party.
together with Humber Local Servicing and Enterprise Partnership, hosted a maintaining both the Westminster Clugston fleetreception. and third It underlined the area’s unique party vehicles on Brigg selling points, and Road, four will potential, take part in placement put the power into the the Renaultto Training Northern Powerhouse. Scheme while another four Simon Brett, head of projects for will remain in the business. the Humber at Associated Those linking up with theBritish Ports, said: “Itwill wasspend great 60 to see manufacturer members allthree sectors of the days a yearoffor years largest Energy Estuary; ports, at the French giant’s refineries, wind, biomass, all national training represented. in Coalville, establishment “From ABP’s point of view it is Leicestershire. heartening that we have The apprenticeship associations with sectors, and scheme is seen as aall way of we are pleased solving a major to be able to provide new facilities for all of these recruitment issue. sectors over the fleet last 10 to 15 years, businesses and promote the region The expertise in the room, if it can success story with investment from Nigel Graham, and look himself forwardan to continuing our meaningfully.” be harnessed, is very powerful.” companies and plans for the future manager, association26with theago, energy Chief executive of HCF Catch, apprentice years Leading for the private sector was we think we can go from strength industry and making sure we David Talbot was also present. said: “Currently in the UK, Grimsby solicitor Stephen Savage, to strength. It really is the UK’s invest more over the next now vice-chairman of the Humber Energy Estuary. Sing from the and certainly around here,decade.” He said: “It is essential to Mr Brett was clear on what was Local Enterprise Partnership. there is an acute shortage rooftops about the excellence of the showcase the area. The Humber required from those in power at the Estuary is absolutely critical to the of qualified technical staff. region!” He said: “The Humber is an hostonly venue too. The way is to make country and it is really important incredibly valuable region in ● Photographs courtesy of “The biggest thing the area needs your own. we tell people what happens relation UK industrial TEAM that LINE-UP: Dan Smallwood, former apprentice nowtointhe a junior management role, left, www.neilholmesphotography.co.uk. is“We continued within the region. strategy . We feel it has been really rely on investment in and Nigel Graham, fleet manager, right, with apprentices, from second left, Shane Kophazy, More coverage at transport infrastructure, necessary to bring the Humber school-leavers, those up to “What was important is that we Kieran Smith, Jack Hobbs, James Margetson, Jordan Cutler, Lewis Snowden and Perryw Irwin. ww.humberbusiness.com particularly on the together as a region. We have the 20 years old, and we North try to Bank. We had a really good representation alsothem need a tochance. continue pressuring strains of devolution, we have the give With from industry, from local the Government strains and I think vehicles becomingon (rail) authorities and from industrial Jason, crowned apprentice turned by car maintenance, work, technology is theof Brexit and it is understandable electrificatiotechnical, n.” professionals and leaders increasingly with despite positive organisations, to champion why.industry Within Mr Graham’s same, the they are just bigger. of the year in his time, is role models in the Humber region feels it is a ForofDarren Cunningham, wasGuy a Energy a lot electronics on them, itlike Estuary .” team, former apprentice now a fully fledged HGV Martin working in “We have started to look decisive time for the Humber. first major for we also needpublic those appointment with a UKside Northern Gareth Kirk, is now a diagnostic technician. the “heavy” of the Powerhouse for car mechanics and put him degree having of recently returned to high schooling, “The Humber has had the benefit director Martin Venning was master technician and shift on the South them into our in-house Former North Lindsey Phillips 66’smaths Humber Refineryindustry at particularly and of real, substantial investment in been supervisor, and has Bank. impressed with what the training, converting them College pupil Shane English. Many do hitas the South Killingholme general the last three to four years, ambassadors, from both the public with the company for 13 light into heavy Kophazy, 17, changed from a Mr Graham said: “People ground running, which manager. He said: “I amisdelighted particularly inyears, the renewable and private sector hadfrom to say . while Daniel and that is what plumbing course to join thinkattheyHe are just“It bighas and impressive.” to be back in the Humber region, energy sector. Smallwood and Jason Bell said: beenvehicles, very we things have done Clugston Distribution. these vehicles the Humber Refinery, as lead smelly, but A theme that has been both been through the “Wethis have hadhad tremendous encouraging. One of the we again are morehave advanced vehicles “I hope to work my way executive for the UK.local noted, working with Renault Dongscheme. EnergyDaniel is to be really clearyear.” about is that involvement from than vehicle, there More than 300and Siemens, and up, and I feel like I am in education providers partwhile of theimpossible junior “An important partisofa my role is a light the message is good, and it needs tendency forthe heads to bewe areare no surprises howgood theysalesapplications received,everyone, management good hands,” he said. to promote region, some really now. When were to mention we areteam, while proud to be in the region and it is you have a good product you need a grateful too to ABP for the good sales team to get it out there. enhancements of port facilities. good to collaborate with other “If we can properly sell the FLAG FLYING: Humberside Airport Humber we can be one of the managing director Deborah Zost with strongest economic regions in the Martin Venning of UK Northern UK. We feel we haven’t done that as CLUGSTON Distribution has Powerhouse. Below, Simon Brett. well as we should have done in the Top 10 UK fuel carriers announced a 5 per cent increase in past. Now we have come together, turnover to £16.1 million, with the four local authorities, the profits totalling £400,000 for the ON MESSAGE: Bondholders, the Chamber of 2015-16 financial year. Company Tankers Kishor Tailor, Commerce, Team Humber Marine The company’s success can be Martin Vickers and Alliance, we have come together to attributed to a clear strategy on Stephen Savage. promote the Humber.” being a high quality tanker Below, Nina 293 Hoyer Petrolog Mr Savage said an important operator, while specialising in the Stobart, left, and strand was that unemployment, a Darren five key areas of fuels, bulk 200 historically challenging statistic, Wincanton Cunningham, right, was now “challenging the national powders, bulk food, steel and its from Phillips 66, commercial vehicle workshop average”. 194 Turners (Soham) with Baroness activities in partnership with He added: “The Humber is very 191 Redfer n. Renault trucks. much a private/public sector DHL Since launching a new strategy 182 MEETING: in 2012, Clugston Distribution’s XPO Logistics Grimsby MP revenue has increased by 63 per 140Onn Melanie cent. Earlier this year the company Reynolds Logistics greets Mark invested £1.2m in further O’Reilly 104of developing its tanker fleet Greenergy Flexigrid Team Humber Marine capabilities and now has 20 fuel 90 Alliance,with tankers on the road alongside its Suckling Transport David Talbot cement and bulk food tankers. 40 Catch, of HCF It is a move which has seen it Montgomery TS left. To the enter the top 10 fuel logistics 19 rear, South companies in the UK. Clugston DistributionBank refinery David Heath, director at Clugston 19 managers operations in markets that the markets, including a commitment Distribution, said: “The 2015-16 Darren Eddie Stobart company understands well. to invest within the fuels sector, financial year has been one of the Cunningham “We have made an exit from where we have recently expanded company’s most successful. and Jacques Source: Fuel Oil News, (August 2016 loss-making markets while our geographical reach by opening Overall, profit grew steadily Beuckelears strategically focussing on a Midlands depot near Melton throughout 2015, primarily due to talk. maintaining simple but effective expanding business in key growth Mowbray.”
Growth sees team enter top 10 for fuel logistics
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The Humber: A region of opportunity now right at your fingertips Anita Pace, chair of the Bondholders marketing organisation writes a new column for Business Telegraph OVER the past few decades, there has been a sharp increase in the competitive drive of cities, regions and nations around the world – particularly in terms of attracting tourism, business and investment. Place marketing is being used to offer up the most realistic, competitive and compelling strategic vision for a city, region, or country. Getting the collective story straight is particularly important in overcoming potential negative connotations about an area instead nurturing the assets it holds such as culture and heritage, architecture, local skills, prosperous communities and investments for future growth. We want to ensure that the Humber gets deserved applause for its real strengths and positive attributes, by demonstrating the vibrancy and ‘energy’ that’s all around us. We need to build upon the momentum being seen across the region and capitalise on Hull’s year as City of Culture by shouting about our assets from the rooftops. We recognise the need to seize these opportunities to cement our message – working collaboratively to ensure that one united message gets through. Behind the scenes of the region’s productivity, Bondholders has been working hard to deliver a narrative for the Humber – ‘The UK’s Energy Estuary’. In partnership with the Humber LEP, Bondholders has created a host of new materials including a promotional Humber film and pocket guide for the region that both clearly articulate our USPs. And in order to spread our message even further, we’ve jointly invested in a brand new online portal to target inward investment – Thehumber.com. It is a new web platform that allows investors, businesses and the media to explore all that the region has to offer. Whether that’s looking for a prime location in which to invest, the space to enable a business to grow, or a researching place that offers a unique live-work balance, they need look no further. As a central hub, thehumber.com is also the place to keep you informed about the latest developments and opportunities available across the region. A wealth of information is available including a showcase of regional growth sectors, an interactive Enterprise Zone map, business case studies and a timeline that charts key investments and developments. The website and key materials are now available at what we believe is a key time for the region; with major investments already being seen and a significant rise in enquiries for future projects being received. We know our Bondholder members are keen to have such materials in their role as regional ambassadors. We’d like to invite all members of the Humber’s business community to use them, to ensure we’re all on message, as we collectively spread the word.
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Have you entered yet? Deadline looms for 2017 business awards N
EXT month’s cut-off point for entries tot he Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards 2017 is drawing closer. Taking place at The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe, here we look at the criteria behind the awards, where we’re sure there is something for every successful business. Deadline for entries is March 3. To apply, visit www.nlincsba.co.uk.
WINNERS: 2016 successes, left, Road Traffic Solutions, and right, Mariner Packaging. ● The Grimsby Carpet Warehouse Small Business of the Year Award Award overview: This award recognises the progress in terms of business growth and development made by a small business over three years old in the Northern Lincolnshire area which has less than 25 employees and a turnover of less than £5m. Applicants need to demonstrate through their application how they have made significant progress as a small business. Judges want: Businesses which are able, committed and enthusiastic and which have set themselves on the road to achieving clearly laid out goals for future growth and success. ● The ABP Business Growth Award Award overview: This award recognises the Northern Lincolnshire based business which has significantly grown its workforce, turnover or profit since last year. Applicants need to demonstrate through their application how their business has experienced positive business growth. Judges want: A business of any age that can demonstrate proactivity in their planning. A company that moves forward with enthusiasm, imagination and energy, with an eye on a sustainable future for itself. ● The Wilkin Chapman Business Person of the Year Award overview: This award recognises the Northern Lincolnshire Business Person of the Year. Nominees can nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party. Judges want: A business person who stands out from the rest as a leader with excellent communicative skills and that ‘X’ factor that brings success at every level. ● The Barclays International Trade Award Award overview: This award recognises a Northern Lincolnshire based business which has significantly grown its international trade in the past year. Applicants need to demonstrate through their application how they have experienced significant growth in international trade either through imports or exports. Judges want: Businesses of any age that can demonstrate growth in international trading and are pro active in their planning. A company that moves forward with enthusiasm, imagination and energy, with an eye on a sustainable future for itself. ● The Bridge McFarland New Business Award Award overview: This award recognises the development made by a Northern Lincolnshire based new business which is less than three years old at the time of application. Applicants need to demonstrate through their application how they have made significant progress as a new business. Judges want: New businesses that
deliver vibrancy, moving forward in a structured way that balances occupational and business skills successfully in order to overcome challenges and facilitating continued success. ● The Franklin College Young Entrepreneur of the year Award Award overview: This award recognises that entrepreneurs find new and innovative solutions, invent new products and services, or find fresh ways of looking at age-old problems. Great entrepreneurs find ways to re-invent markets, usually by understanding what customers actually want, rather than what they may have been putting up with for years. Judges want: Applicants, aged 30 or under, need to demonstrate through their application how they have shown an entrepreneurial spirit and how they aspire to be the next generation of business leaders, transform the face of industry, create jobs and contribute to the vibrancy of the local area. ● The North East Lincolnshire Business Development Award Award overview: This award recognises the contribution a business has made to the local economy. Applicants need to demonstrate how they have contributed to the economic success of the area. Judges want: A business which chose North East Lincolnshire to develop its business over the last five years. The award is aimed at both inward investment companies and businesses already situated here. The judges are looking for a company that has applied a policy of employing local people, contractors and suppliers and can demonstrate positive sustainability and impact for the future. ● North Lincolnshire Business Investment Award Award overview: This award recognises the contribution a business has made to the local economy. Applicants need to demonstrate how they have contributed to the economic success of the area. Judges want: A company which chose North Lincolnshire to develop its business. The award is aimed at both inward investment companies and businesses already situated here. The judges are looking for a company that has made a financial investment to grow their business and applied a policy of employing local people, contractors and suppliers and can demonstrate positive sustainability and impact for the future. ● The Grimsby Institute Training Excellence Award Award overview: This award recognises organisations within the private or public sector. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate, through their entry, how implementing training and staff development brings measurable
benefits which creates real business impact for the organisation. Judges want: To see evidence of how training has supported their organisation’s business objectives and how it has made a real impact to their organisation. The entry should be supported by staff case studies, showing how the individual has benefited both professionally and personally from the training. ● DFDS Excellence in the Community Award Award overview: This award recognises a successful Northern Lincolnshire company whose approach to corporate and social responsibilities demonstrate a positive impact on the community. Judges want: A business of any age or size that demonstrates its commitment to its local community and demonstrates evidence of being a good neighbour. Successful applicants will show that they have a proactive plan to engage with and develop a sustainable local community and that they fully support their employees to engage in community activity. ● The HBP Systems Innovation Award Award overview: This award provides recognition to those businesses that have found and developed new solutions to business growth or competitiveness, be it inventions or fresh thinking. That thinking is normally based on great vision, good consumer or customer understanding, and new processes or systems. The innovation can be both internal and external to the business as long as it has driven real financial benefit. Judges want: Businesses that are forward looking, having explored, exploited and implemented innovative ideas. Businesses will have driven real financial gain to their businesses from these ideas through internal or external changes to any of their processes, products or systems. Their examples can be built on sharing best practice, working collaboratively with others, or new and unique solutions. ● The Forrester Boyd Business Excellence Award Award overview: Not open to applications, this award is chosen by the judges and given to a company that has stood out among all the nominations for all categories and deserves a special mention. ● The Grimsby and Scunthorpe Telegraphs Lifetime Achievement Award Award overview: This prestigious award will go to someone who has had a significant and positive impact on the local business community over a number of years. There will be no nomination process or shortlist published.
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Commercial addition Jayd welcomed at long-standing estate agency C HARTERED surveyor Jayd Cowdroy has joined long-established Grimsby estate agent Jackson, Green & Preston as it scales up to deal with the ever-growing commercial valuation department. She has joined from Engie, where she worked in the delivery partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council. Jayd brings a wealth of knowledge to the practice, including negotiations on lease renewals, lettings, valuations of all types of commercial property and general commercial property management. Senior partner Andy Ottley said: “With the growth of our commercial department, through the acquisition of Bacons Property Management, we felt the need to expand our commercial arm, in order to firstly deal with our existing clients but also to expand this side of our business. “We have always had faith in the local market and know that people in this area like to deal with good honest local professionals and we are sure that Jayd will fit into this
mould and become an integral part of JG&P.” Bacons was added in July, immediately swelling the books by a further 250 properties. Partner Rachel Hobson, surveyor to the Freemen of Grimsby, said: “All our partners are chartered surveyors and we always feel it is important that clients get first class and truly professional service. We know the addition of Jayd will enhance our service to clients both old and new.” Her experience will also aid with the large number of freehold enfranchisements JG&P carries out, acting for both landlords and tenants in negotiations to purchase, as well as lease extensions. An expert in the field, partner Kevin Broadhurst, said it was a growing market. “There are still a good number of properties within the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and surrounding village areas that are leasehold,” he said. “Our strong advice would be to anyone to look into purchasing the freehold interest if at all possible. As you reach the end of the lease, the cost of purchasing the freehold rises dramatically year on year. It is also
WELCOME: Jackson Green and Preston senior partner Andy Ottley, second left, welcomes Jayd Cowdroy to the firm, flanked by partners Rachel Hobson and Kevin Broadhurst. Below, the refurbished office frontage. extremely difficult to sell properties with less than 70 years left on the lease as mortgage finance is virtually impossible to obtain. “This is a growth area and we now have clients throughout England and Jayd will be an enormous help in dealing with the ever growing number of clients that we see year on year.” Jayd said: “Having lived in Grimsby all of my life, I am delighted to join Jackson, Green & Preston who, I am sure everyone is aware, is the leading firm of chartered surveyors within the area. I feel this is a great opportunity and look forward to being of service to the commercial market not only in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes market but further afield as necessary.”
Overhaul of own offices sees ‘open all hours’ technology added THE addition comes after a major refurbishment of JG&P’s Grimsby town centre office. Internal and external changes have seen touch screen technology introduced, as well as new signage and light pocket window displays. The screens will allow passsers-by to view all properties for sale and to let, as well as providing full access to all photographs and floor plans. Andy Ottley, senior partner said “The response to the touch screens has been fantastic, both from existing vendors and the public. It is interesting to see how many people are using the new service and we are certainly getting excellent
results in terms of new business from property sales and viewings on existing properties.” Users can also email enquiries to the office out of hours. Internally, the office has been totally revamped with new desks, and full redecoration. Partner Rachel Hobson said: “We just felt the time was right to revamp the whole office. It’s hard to believe that we have now been here for more than 20 years and with our ever growing number of staff it was necessary to redesign the internal layout to give the best service to customers within a bright new environment which hopefully will give clients a better in office experience.”
TECHNO TOUCH: The new external screen, and inside the office. Far left, a highly visual display.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2017
GTE-E01-S3
Commercial Property
Diversity key as Cube3 squares up to big year A
SIGNIFICANT project on the doorstep, combined with major contracts around the country, have seen Cube3 Construction start 2017 in buoyant fashion.
PILING: Work begins at Knauf.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY EXPERTISE ACROSS THE HUMBER REGION
Unit 2 Orwell Street, GRIMSBY • Light industrial / storage TO LET unit
• Extending to 103.7 sq m (1,116 sq ft) • Good access to A180, docks and town centre • Car parking on site
£6,500 pa
10 St. Peters Avenue, CLEETHORPES • Ground floor retail shop TO LET • Prominent location in Cleethorpes' main shopping area • 48.9 sq m (526 sq ft) retail space with ancillaries • Security shutter
£12,000 pa
19 Chantry Lane, GRIMSBY • 110.3 sq m (1,187 sq ft) TO LET of two storey offices • Town centre location • Close to new Cartergate development • 4 car parking spaces
£10,000 pa To find out more and search for available property please visit
www.clarkweightman.co.uk or call 01482 645522
The award of the project management and civils work for a calcination plant at Knauf ’s Drywall site in Immingham is a major win for the North Killingholme business, with works now underway, as reported on page one. Graham Marshall, director, said: “We have worked extensively for them since we set up six years ago, building on a previous relationship. We have done lots of small and medium-sized contracts and we have been helping them with this major expansion since the early part of last year.” The investment on Queens Road focuses on the recycling of gypsum products to increase production. From the banks of the Humber to the Mersey, and in Liverpool a £2.5 million contract is on site, providing two transit sheds, massive silo foundations, roads and weighbridges at Canada Dock, Liverpool. The client is Bulk Powder Terminals, and was impressed by work completed in New Holland. “It is a big job with a short duration,” director Tony Quirke said. “The client had been in the area to explore options, to import into local facilities, and had seen what we had done before with bulk storage. “It was a new client, they saw it, liked it and asked for details.” Now 5,000 sq m of transit sheds and bases for 15,000 tonnes of silo are emerging. While two industrial contracts span the north, Cube3 has just completed an extension to Gusbourne Winery in Appledore, Kent, providing a large distribution store. It has also led to an intriguing domestic commission it is in discussions with, for Tom Dixon OBE, a highly respected lighting designer. “The client there, the architect at Gusbourne, and the firm of quantity surveyors, liked what we did and said they have another job that was out of the ordinary – a water tower conversion. We have been down, and had a look, but it was on hold for a little while for planning, but now back up and running.” A steel structure is being added to bring three lower floors in what is described as a “challenging space.” “It is interesting to us as it is a high profile client and location,” Mr Marshall said. Back on home turf and local
CANADA CALL: A £2.5 million contract being delivered by Cube3 Construction, providing two transit sheds, massive silo foundations, roads and weighbridges at Canada Dock, Liverpool. development company Belgrave Land was a recent client for a 4,000 sq ft retail scheme off Sheffield Parkway, the major route into the South Yorkshire city. It is set to feature Subway, Greggs, Burger King and Card Factory. Last year, after six years of trading, Cube3 turned over more
than £8 million, and this year the order book at the end of January was in excess of £7 million. It carries a team of 15 permanent staff, with a pool of local sub-contractors. “Diversity is massive thing for us,” Mr Quirke said. “You can get a lot of customers in one sector, but if
that goes quiet it causes all manner of problems.” “We feel there is still a lot of confidence out there, but there might be the Brexit fall-out to come,” Mr Marshall added. “Time will tell, but the period since the Brexit vote has surprised a lot of people.”
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Tuesday, February 21, 2017
25
Commercial Property
Cartergate House is a ‘regeneration catalyst’ L
ANDLORD and tenant at Grimsby town centre’s huge new office build believe the bold step to build and finance a £6-million development will pave the way for more investment. North East Lincolnshire Council, together with delivery partner Engie, brought forward the impressive four-storey suite for town headquartered Wilkin Chapman LLP Solicitors. Cartergate House was officially opened earlier this month, and dignitaries were invited for a tour of the Chantry Lane premises. A total of 220 people work in the building, with New Oxford House and St Mary’s Chambers united in the new build, constructed by Lincolnshire’s Gelder Group. Ruth Brewin, a partner in the law firm and a commercial property specialist, said: “Hopefully we are going to be the trigger for a hotel development next door. Hopefully St James’ House will be regenerated so the whole area around Grimsby Minster will benefit. It could be an area of the town we could take up a level, somewhere the town could be really proud of, and we will be part of that.” The law firm enjoys an enviable location looking out over Brayford Pool in Lincoln, and a tree-lined leafy location in Beverley, so standards were clearly set for the head office. Mark Carlton, senior partner, said: “This is a big part of a much bigger picture. We have taken the step, with our headquarters, committing to Grimsby. It is a quality office,
when it comes to th developer – being the council – someone had to do it, and it was the right time and the right place for us.” Mrs Brewin added: “The council is massively committed to regenerating the centre of Grimsby and It had been a real pleasure to work with them, it was a real team effort. The building speaks for itself. We have had a lot of feedback from outside the firm on what a magnificent structure it is.” It came as a further £3.6-million in Local Growth Fund money was secured for projects in the town centre by North East Lincolnshire Council. Councillor Peter Wheatley, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “It is an eye-catching building, something very modern in comparison to some of the buildings we have got. It could be anywhere in the UK, and that is great. “We are now showing that Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire is part of the 21st century. “I am really pleased the company showed the commitment and employment is secured in the town centre. And it is good to show that we have got a lot of faith in this particular area to take us forward. “We have got the Local Growth Fund funding and we are really looking forward to progressing quite a number of plans.”
OFFICIAL OPENING: Senior partner, Mark Carlton, right, with Grimsby MP Melanie Onn chatting with partner Chris Grocock. Far right, NELC’s director of economy, Angela Blake and Cllr Dave Watson in discussion with a guest.
Commercial property expertise across the Humber Region
SALES & LETTINGS | LEASE ADVISORY | VALUATIONS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT | BUSINESS RATES
01482 645522 Chartered Surveyors and Commercial Property Consultants
www.clarkweightman.co.uk CIVIC PRIDE: Ward councillor Jane Hyldon-King and North East Lincolnshire Council leader Ray Oxby at the official opening.
A full property search is available on our website
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Tuesday, February 21, 2017
GTE-E01-S3
Commercial Property
‘Reasonable’ chances of litigation as rates face a high profile restructure “
HOW WILL THIS AREA FARE? Duncan Young’s aerial shot of Grimsby town centre.
IF I was a litigation lawyer I would be see businesses effectively blocked from appealing against big rises in rates – a move rubbing my hands at this.”
nurseries, schools and hospitals across the country will pay up to 300 per cent more from April, following the first revaluation of business which leading bodies claim could be illegal. That was the take on the business rates rates for seven years. A total of 13 business groups have signed a shake-up proposed by Government from a And under the reforms, business owners could prominent Humber-based chartered surveyor. letter warning of the dangers to small firms should the Government shake-up go ahead, with be prevented from appealing against the bills if Lawrence Brown is managing partner of they are within a “margin of error” which the issue making national headlines last week. Scotts, with offices in Grimsby and Hull. experts have claimed may be as high as 15 per He was casting his eye over changes that could More than 500,000 cafes, shops, hotels, cent. Mr Brown said much of the consternation was LOUTH 01507 602264 around the method of redress if rate levels were GRIMSBY 01472 362020 seen as wrong. “We are moving to check, challenge, appeal, LINCOLN 01522 511665 MABLETHORPE 01507 473476 and it is a lot more onerous on the rate-payer. “There is also a bit on an anomaly if the SKEGNESS 01754 766061 SPILSBY 01790 752151 Valuation Office Agency over assess a property. SUTTON ON SEA 01507 441166 You may be successful in an appeal, it may be WOODHALL SPA 01526 354111 that you are paying £25,000 instead of £23,000, but would this be a reasonable margin of error? www.tes-property.co.uk “What is reasonable? It is going to be subject www.rightmove.co.uk to so much litigation. If I was a litigation lawyer I would be rubbing my hands at this.” Business groups including the British Retail Consortium, the Confederation of British Industry and the Federation of Small Businesses, say this could be illegal under local GRIMSBY GRIMSBY government finance laws. 44a Cleethorpe Road The Government is still dealing with 280,000 FOR SALE * Former fish processing and 8 smoke houses appeals against business rate hikes from the * Approx. 488 sqm/5370 sqft of processing, filleting, chilled last change in 2010 – a total which is likely to and ancillary space on the ground floor soar in the coming weeks. * Approx. 80 sqm/860 sqft of first floor offices, canteen, Under current law, all appeals must be ancillaries considered. But new rules due to be passed * Former outside cold store with loading 2, Town Hall Street before April would mean only businesses that dock approx. 116 sqm/1248 sqft
tes turner evans stevens
ENERGY SURVEYS COMMERCIAL
CHARTERED SURVEYORS & COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS
* Site approx. 2754 sqm/0.68 acres (STSS) * Freehold
PRICE OIRO £150000
GRIMSBY
GRIMSBY
FOR SALE/MAY LET
* Suit office/retail/take-away use (STPC) * Approx. 1222sqft/114 sqm * EPC Rating E
GRIMSBY
PRICE £90,000
100-102, Freeman Street
116 Cromwell Road
7a, East St. Mary's Gate
* Lock-up shop premises, Approx. 1,236s q ft/115 sqm, plus first floor sales approx. 76 sqm/819 sqft * 2nd Floor ancillaries, WCs, approx. 51 sqm/548 sqft, EPC Rating E * Potential to use upper floors for residential flats, subject to consents
* Corner shop with separated potential living accommodation over * Sales area approx. 348 sqft/32.3 sqm with return frontage * Enclosed yard and brick garage * Available on a new lease, or freehold, EPC Rating C
* * * *
CLEETHORPES
GRIMSBY
GRIMSBY
FOR SALE
FOR SALE/TO LET
PRICE £80,000 Rent £6,000 p.a. O/O £75,000
TO LET
First floor office suite/business space EPC D Approx 712 sq ft/66 sq m net useable floor space Self contained accommodation with 3/4 offices Gas central heating/entry intercom system, Town centre location
RENT 5,000 p.a.x.
23, Alexandra Road
6/7, Aspen Court
The Cooperage, East St
* Equipped Fish & Chip shop, Sea front location with 24 outside/inside covers * Modern equipment, Investment income from 2 flats approx. £11,180 p.a. * Conservation Area location, On street Parking, EPC Rating E
* Refurbished office premises * Approx 67.6 sqm/727 sqft NUFA basis * New lease available, suit alternative uses * EPC Rating D
* Landmark building, Suitable for industrial or leisure use (STPC) * Ripe for redevelopment * Approx. 12,700 sqft/1180 sqm on 3 levels, Yard/car park approx. 7334 sqft/682 sqm, EPC Rating G
FOR SALE
£200,000
TO LET
claim their rate is wildly inaccurate would have it rectified. If the disputed amount is within a 'margin of error' the appeal could be rejected. Experts understand this will be around 15 per cent but the Government denies there is a specific limit and insists officials will use their professional judgment. The move was seen as a bid to reduce the seven-year backlog of appeals, which is expected to balloon from April when businesses can appeal against the new rates. “Business rates are a tax, and taxes are meant to be fair,” Mr Brown added. “There will be a great number of occupiers who will have multiple premises. They maybe premises that aren’t that big, but they have lots of them. What if each is out by 10 per cent at every single location? It is just wrong.” Mr Brown also voiced concern about businesses receiving the backing of their local authority when it came to fighting perceived wrongs. “With Government changes local authorities will soon keep the business rate take to fund core services. Before, a local authority may have been supportive if rates were over-assessed, to support them to grow, to keep the cost of occupation low. Now it will be them receiving the business rate will the local authority have that will?
TO LET/FOR SALE
RENT £6,000 p.a. Short term letting considered
LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING ESTATE AGENCY GROUP
HIGH HOPES FOR HIGH STREET: Lawrence Brown, left, in his role as chair of the North East Lincolnshire Visitor Economy, Services and Retail Group, at Cleethorpes’ Ministerial visit from Andrew Percy MP, centre, following success in Great British High Street. Also pictured, Anna Darnell owner of Abode, Cllr Peter Wheatley; Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers and Conservative leader on North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson.
GTE-E01-S3
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
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27
Commercial Property
Refreshing the pubs other beers cannot reach with £50,000 slate A
NORTH Lincolnshire pub became the focus of a national diversification project with Royal backing.
WE’LL JUST PUT THIS BEHIND THE BAR... Andrew Percy MP visits The Red Lion Pub, Epworth, flanked by John Longden and David Paterson.
and offer a range of community services and benefits. “That is why I was delighted the Heineken will be matching the Government’s Brewer Heineken has £50,000 of funding, on top of pledged £50,000 to a previous support, for this community services plan, excellent community matching Government organisation, so that more support for it. communities can benefit from And it was unveiled by their work. This will make Brigg and Goole MP Andrew such a difference to many Percy, who champions the more communities Northern Powerhouse, the nationally.” high street and licensed Initiated by HRH The Prince premises in a broad of Wales in 2011, Pub is The ministerial portfolio, at The Hub is a not-for-profit Red Lion in Epworth. organisation of specialist The Community Services voluntary advisors for Fund was set up by Pub is community pubs and The Hub in 2013 to kick-start licensees who are thinking of pub diversification schemes broadening their range of run by licensees in the form services in the UK. The of grants of up to £3,000. organisation encourages good Support for the regional hubs licensees, communities, pub will help with running costs, owners, breweries, local marketing and its small team authorities and the private of advisors around the UK. sector to work together to match community priority Mr Percy, who is the constituency MP for The Red needs with additional Lion, said: “Our nation’s pubs services that can be provided by the pub. These include sit at the heart of so many of allotments, butchers, cafés, our local communities and cinema, community are greatly valued by local playgrounds, digital training, people. The work that Pub is libraries, live theatre, meeting The Hub undertakes helps spaces, shops, post offices and make our pubs more many more. sustainable for the future, David Paterson, corporate enabling them to diversify
affairs director at Heineken, said: “We are delighted to build on our support of Pub is The Hub in 2017. We warmly welcome the Government’s announcement last month that it will fund the organisation and we are pleased to join the Government in its support and match their donation of £50,000. “Heineken has partnered with Pub is The Hub for some years and with 1,050 pubs in our Star Pubs & Bars estate, we share Pub is The Hub’s belief that the pub should be the centre of vibrant community life.” John Longden, chief executive of Pub is The Hub, added: “We are thrilled that Heineken has chosen to support Pub is The Hub with such a generous donation. They recognise that great licensees and their pubs play an enormously important role in communities across the UK today. With their help we can continue to support these small businesses with both advice and small grants. In turn these schemes will continue to change peoples’ perceptions of pubs, drive local economies, support local employment and provide important community hubs.”
Looking for new business premises? Search commercial properties for sale or to rent in the Humber Visit www.humberbusiness.com/commercialproperty
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Tuesday, February 21, 2017
GTE-E01-S3
LAISTER’S Last Word
News
BY DAVE LAISTER
Sim City of the sea is fine by me!
Norfolk landing for Dong’s Hornsea III E
ARLY public consultation work is underway on Dong Energy’s Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm.
meeting that attracted more than 170 people, two more events are being held to discuss the refinement of the onshore cable route. They will be held next month. The proposal is for electricity to be Stuart Livesey, Hornsea Project Three brought ashore in Norfolk, connecting project development manager, said: to Norwich Main National Grid “We’ve taken on board the feedback we Substation. received from the first round of events Projects One and Two within the zone and have since updated the project are connecting to a £25 million new plans. substation, currently being built at “We recognise that a key concern for North Killingholme, with the cable people is to ensure they are kept route currently being snaked around informed about the project, and are North East Lincolnshire, from the able to have a say on the plans as they landing site of Horseshoe Point. develop. The project proposal continues Operations and maintenance facilities to mature and the area of consultation in Grimsby are also being expanded to has been refined, so we’ve organised cope with the further additions to these extra events to share the updated Westermost Rough, Race Bank and plans and give people a further chance potentially Lincs offshore wind farms, to comment.” the latter which represents a new step Hornsea Project Three will be located for Dong as it takes on O&M of a approximately 120km from the North project it didn’t develop, following Norfolk Coast and if built out to full Centrica’s sale to Green Investment capacity – 2.4 gigawatts – will be Bank. capable of generating enough In Norwich, following an initial renewable energy for well over two
million homes, five times the number of homes in Norfolk. Mr Livesey added: “We have been working closely with stakeholders such as local landowners to understand their views on the project, and want to emphasise that at this stage the consultation is still very much ongoing, and no final decisions have been made. Understanding which areas are most important for the local community is key, and the feedback gathered at these consultation events will help us to shape our proposal going forward. There are still plenty of opportunities for people to engage and have their say, and we really encourage them to do so.” Feedback from the initial consultation, available in a consultation summary report, showed that 75 per cent supported the project. Triton Knoll’s development was slightly stalled by onshore electrical installation planning issues, with objections over sightings.
“A £7.8-million logistics institute has set its sat-nav for Immingham.” I remember it like it was yesterday. It was actually the introduction from a piece I had the pleasure of writing in September 2014, the proposal having been dropped into a Humber Local Enterprise Partnership event I was covering by then vice-chairman Mike Parker. It immediately caught the imagination. Now, as you can read in this edition, Modal Training is ready to play a key role in upskilling workforces and attracting recruits for careers like those illustrated across this very page. Just as set out in the vision, this hasn’t been done half-heartedly. It is looking like a phenomenal set-up, an absolute credit to Grimsby Institute and the LEP for pushing it, and I trust industry will recognise this too. A generation where gaming has become the norm, here the software millennials are so familiar with is brought into the workplace in spectacular fashion. From engine rooms, with darkened conditions, metal floor and loud background noise, to the sea-leg inducing 53-screen Class A vessel bridge, you can see just how valuable this will be in a world where safety comes first, second and third. And to have it on the doorstep of the industry too, allowing for weather days to become training days, to cut out expansive travel and accommodation costs, it looks like one big win, win, win.
In the two-and-a-half-years since this was first brought into the public sphere, several familiar faces involved at the outset have departed, as this flashback to the coverage shows, but Mr Whitaker has stayed the course and plotted something rather special. His enthusiasm and that of the team is refreshing, and if this virtual world can work in synergy with the physical hands-on opportunities at HCF Catch, then we are surely on to a winner when it comes to the big skills challenge. Dong Energy’s recent announcement about involvement in supporting primary school level education, looking to ensure teacher quality and commitment in areas it operates, should also play a key part from an early stage. Harnessing an interest in technology and providing knowledge of opportunity, and a path towards it, has got to be the way forward.
A160 improvements merit nomination THE Institution of Civil Engineers has announced that the A160 Port of Immingham Improvements Project has been shortlisted for a regional award. The scheme to upgrade the link between the A180 and the UK’s biggest port is nominated fo the Centenary Award. Last year it was won by Leeds Station Southern Entrance. While principally a road project, the A160 involved a major feat of engineering to slide a 4,000 tonne bridge beneath one of the busiest freight rail lines in Britain, a focal point of the
long-running scheme that was conducted over Christmas 2015. A 100-strong team worked around the clock to install the bridge at Rosper Road, the port’s western entrance. Highways England and contractor Costain delivered the £88.4 million scheme. The ten-hour push – a first for a Highways England scheme, and preferred option to crane works due to the time frame involved and it being less susceptible to weather – saw the bridge moved at about 3m per hour. Costain and civil engineering specialist Freyssinet launching a plan
that was two years in the making. Grease and visqueen was added to bentonite, pumped in below a guide raft that became the base slab, aiding the hydraulics to move the huge bridge, designed with abnormal loads in mind. It was a vital part of dualling the port entrance, making it two lanes in and out of the jewel in ABP’s crown. At the time, Costain’s contract lead, Craig Snow, said: “This operation is the most complex part of the scheme. It is unique as a civil engineering challenge.” The awards highlight the outstanding work done by
civil engineers from across the region. Professor Tim Broyd, the Institution’s president, will present the awards at York’s National Railway Museum on March 3. Mark Duquemin, ICE awards secretary for Yorkshire and Humber, said: “The standard of the nominations was high and we were really impressed by some of the great work that is happening in the region. I would like to thank all the nominees for taking the time to put forward an entry and helping to raise the profile of the profession.”
OOPS: AN apology, mostly to my daughter. In January’s edition I mistakenly spelt Princess Sofia’s name wrong, going for a ‘ph’ rather than a ‘f’! In a time of weekly spellings for six year olds, I need to lead by example at home (from work), while also begging for King Roland II’s forgiveness. I really don’t wish to end up in the Disney castle’s dungeon...
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