BUSINESS NETWORX
W W W. T E A M V A L L E Y P U B L I C A T I O N S . C O . U K I S S U E # 3 5 • O C TO B E R / N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 8
FLAME HEATING GROUP EXPANSION TEAM VALLEY FIRM RECEIVES HSBC BACKING
LEARNER SATISFACTION FOR GATESHEAD TRAINING PROVIDER ACCESS TRAINING LEADS THE WAY IN THE REGION
BOOK YOUR FESTIVE food & DRINK AT THE BANK OR ROSA 12 SEE P11 AND 25
glass processing BUSINESS REVEALS SKILLS DRIVE GATESHEAD FIRM STRENGTHENS POSITION
TECH GUIDE iPHONE xs and iphone xs max
Notice Periods EXPLAINED
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BUSINESS NETWORX
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ISSUE 36 December / January
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7th Dec
Press Releases
Distribution As well as delivering the publication into every business, approx 800, on the Team Valley the magazine is now delivered / distributed in the following places making the total print run 1500 copies.
UK Land Estates
Owner’s Business Centre Newburn
Westray Recruitment
Blaydon Business Centre
Biz Space Business Centre, Earlsway Team Valley
Metropolitan House
The Bank Bar Bistro Low Fell
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Business Networks (Metro Centre) Northern Design Gateshead Greenfield Business Centre Gateshead International Business Centre
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News
Gateshead’s Petards Group secures new contract win with Siemens Petards, an AIM-quoted software developer of advanced security and surveillance systems in Gateshead, has been awarded another contract to supply Siemens Mobility GmbH with Petards’ eyeTrain systems. The contract, under the Siemens Framework agreement, is for an additional order that Siemens has won to manufacture and deliver 10 Velaro high-speed train vehicles to the Turkish State Railway.
Understanding Notice Periods Notice periods to be given to terminate employment (e.g. in the event of dismissal, redundancy, resignation etc.) need to be specified within the contract of employment.
Commenting on the new contract win, Petards’ chairman, Raschid Abdullah, said: “We are delighted that Petards has again been selected by Siemens to work on [its] second contract with the Turkish State Railway. “This new order came only a week ahead of Petards exhibiting at InnoTrans 2018 in Berlin, the world’s leading rail exhibition. “It will add to our significant installed base and strengthens our position as a leader of on train video and data solutions. Additionally, it further bolsters the group’s order book for delivery in 2019 and 2020.” The Petards equipment to be supplied will provide CCTV coverage of the internal saloon areas, the drivers cab as well as ‘day/night’ track monitoring and provide the trains with a Driver Control Operation capability. This new contract, which is worth over £1.1m is split in the non-optional part (£0.77m), optional part (£0.34m) will see equipment deliveries starting in January 2019, and it is expected that the project will be completed in 2020. Source: bdaily.co.uk
Statutory minimum notice periods must always be applied, but it is possible to have more generous contractual notice periods. The only exception to notice being served by an employer is in the case of summary dismissal for gross misconduct.
For example, if an employee has five years’ continuous service they are entitled to five weeks’ statutory notice if their employment is terminated by the employer.
Statutory Notice
An employer can specify longer notice periods in the contract of employment. This is typical for more senior staff who may be difficult to replace, or a longer handover period is necessary.
Statutory notice is based on the length of continuous service of the employee: • Under one month’s service - no minimum notice period applicable. • Between one month and two years’ service - a minimum of one week’s notice applicable. • More than two years’ continuous service - a minimum of two weeks’ notice, and one additional week thereafter for each completed year of service up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
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Contractual Notice
Where the employer specifies that they will also provide a longer notice period in the event of the termination of employment, then this will be beneficial to the employee as it supersedes the statutory minimum notice required to be given and paid by the employer.
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Property
HTA Real Estate completes major £2.5m trio of property deals in Team Valley HTA Real Estate has completed various deals in Gateshead amounting to over £2.5m.
Vickie Grierson of Upnorth Group and Nick Atkinson of HTA Real Estate, both at the new Upnorth Group facility at Kings Court, Team Valley.
HTA Real Estate has completed various deals at Team Valley amounting to over £2.5m. The industrial property specialist has concluded the sale of three industrial premises on Kingsway, the main thoroughfare through the popular Gateshead business park. Acting on behalf of Express Group, HTA has completed the sale of Unit 2 Kings Court to Upnorth Group for £915k. The specialist building services organisation - which has a head office on Princesway, Team Valley - employs around 200 staff in the region. The firm’s new facility at Kings Court forms part of a strategic growth programme, which is expected to take its staff headcount to 350. Vickie Grierson, finance director of Upnorth Group, said: “Since the purchase of our new facility at Kings Court, we have invested over £500k in
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a bespoke refurbishment to customise the premises for our use. “The new depot is home to our project management and after sales teams but primarily provides warehousing and assembly lines for alternative and off-grid energy systems which we provide to our clients. “The site will also house our secure Network Operational Control Centre and will be the foundation of our innovation and pioneering work in the coming years.” Also acting on behalf of Express Group, HTA Real Estate has completed the sale of a 19,000 sq ft industrial facility on Kingsway South to Precision 2000.
of Lanchester Wines, relocated Allied Bakeries’ distribution hub from the site on Kingsway to a new 40,000 sq ft warehouse on Abbotsford Road in Gateshead. Nick Atkinson, director at HTA Real Estate, concluded: “These transactions perfectly illustrate the high level of demand for premises on Team Valley for owner occupation. “We are finding that many Team Valley based occupiers such as Upnorth Group and Precision 2000 will not consider any other locations, as they have established suppliers and customers also on the estate.”
The new unit will provide additional space for the precision engineering specialist, which is currently undergoing expansion. HTA has also sold a seven-acre facility at Kingsway North, which was formerly home to Allied Bakeries. The sale was concluded after HTA, acting on behalf
Sourced from www.bdaily.co.uk. Receive the Bdaily business news bulletin by registering at www.bdaily.co.uk/register
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Te c h G u i d e
iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max bring iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max bring the the biggest displays to iPhone bestbest andand biggest displays to iPhone
Most Advanced iPhone Ever Features a 5.8-Inch and 6.5-Inch All-Screen Design, with Powerful A12 Bionic Chip and a Breakthrough Dual Camera System. Apple’s iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max, the most advanced iPhones ever, have taken the vision for the future of the smartphone to a new level. The 5.8-inch iPhone Xs and 6.5-inch iPhone Xs Max feature stunning Super Retina displays, a faster and improved dual camera system that offers breakthrough photo and video features, the first 7-nanometer chip in a smartphone - the A12 Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine - faster Face ID, wider stereo sound, a beautiful new gold finish and introduce Dual SIM to iPhone. The iPhone Xs boosts a 12-megapixel dual camera system featuring dual optical image stabilisation with 2x optical zoom, while a new sensor is twice as fast. “iPhone Xs is packed with next-generation technologies and is a huge step forward for the future of the smartphone. Everything is state of the art including the industry-first 7-nanometer A12 Bionic chip with 8-core Neural Engine, faster Face ID and an advanced dual camera system that shoots Portrait mode photos with Smart HDR and dynamic depth of field,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone Xs is not one, but two new iPhone models, and iPhone Xs Max offers the biggest display ever in an iPhone with the biggest battery ever in an iPhone, delivering up to an hour and a half more battery life in your day.”
Apple Watch Series 4 Beautifully redesigned with breakthrough communication, fitness and health capabilities. Apple have launched the Apple Watch Series 4, which is redesigned and re-engineered to help users stay connected, be more active and manage their health in powerful new ways. While retaining the original iconic design, the fourth-generation Apple Watch has been refined, combining new hardware and software enhancements into a genuinely singular, unified form. Apple Watch Series 4 boasts revolutionary health capabilities, including a new accelerometer and gyroscope, which are able to detect hard falls, and an electrical heart rate sensor that can take an electrocardiogram (ECG) using the new ECG app,1 which has been granted a De Novo classification by the FDA. Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS) starts at £399 and Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular) starts at £499, both featuring the updated design and new health capabilities. Series 3 is available at the new starting price of £279, making it even more accessible to customers.
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Brexit
Just 14.1% of North East firms think Brexit will be good for them, survey finds
(Left to right): Lesley Moody (AES Digital Solutions) James Ramsbotham (Chamber) and Ramy Zack (Tyne Moulds & Machinery)
A new survey gauging North East views on Brexit has revealed that over half of the region’s businesspeople (52.4%) believe it will negatively impact their company. The study, organised by the North East England Chamber of Commerce, found that just 14.1% of firms in the region expect it to benefit them. ‘The cost of trade’ was the top concern highlighted in the survey, followed by ‘changes to standards and regulations’ and ‘changes in access to EU funding’. It was also found that two in five businesspeople (40.1%) feel their company is underprepared. 7.2% reported feeling completely unprepared. Lesley Moody MBE, from Chamber member AES Digital Solutions, a software business based in Stockton, wanted the UK to remain part of the EU. Lesley said: “When the referendum results were announced, two years seemed a long way away but there are still way too many grey areas with Brexit. “I’m not surprised by these Chamber survey results. As a business community we now all need party-wide agreement on the way forward. We need more information on the Chequers deal so we can fully understand what is being proposed.” Respondents were also asked where they would seek business advice on leaving the EU. Most cited the Chamber (30.2%)
and professional consultants such as accountants (14.3%) or solicitors (12.0%). The Government ranked just fifth in this regard, trailing behind business and industry. North East England Chamber of Commerce chief exec James Ramsbotham commented: “Since 2016, there has been a total lack of leadership and clarity in the negotiation process. “At the Chamber, we’ve been helping our members start making preparations but now, with only seven months to go, businesses are still in the dark on the realities of Brexit and are still waiting for Government to give clear answers to fundamental questions.” Elsewhere, the survey offered businesses the chance to include a message for the Government. The results were wide-ranging but a predominant theme was frustration at the lack of progress and engagement. Some expressed the view that as the decision had been made, negotiations should proceed swiftly. Ramy Zack, owner of Chamber member Tyne Moulds & Machinery Ltd in Newcastle, backed the leave vote.
He said: “My views haven’t changed. I think the EU should be a loose federation of trading nations. With regard to the overall survey results I agree, yes we need clarity. “The Government has messed it up by doing Brexit half-heartedly so the EU has us on the back foot. We should have gone in guns blazing. However, I believe business will prevail as we buy substantially more goods from the EU than they sell to us.” He continued: “As regards frictionless customs, necessity is the mother of all inventions, Spain doesn’t want to have lorry loads of rotting vegetables on Calais docks, the EU needs to compromise. “There needs to be common sense where we have mutual interests such as security, pharmacology, IP, safety standards and many more. The EU has to ditch this vindictive idea, that once we leave we will be cut off completely.”
Sourced from www.bdaily.co.uk. Receive the Bdaily business news bulletin by registering at www.bdaily.co.uk/register
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Education
Gateshead training provider among best in UK and number one in North East Access Training has been revealed as number one in the North East region - and in the top 6 percent nationally - for quality training, according to the learners they work with.
A national, independent survey of learners attending all further education (FE) providers in the country has given Access Training a 97.4 percent satisfaction rating. Gateshead-based Access Training’s score is more than 10 percent above the national average and at least 5 percent above every college in the North East.
“Making sure that the training and support we offer learners meets and even exceeds their expectations is vitally important to us” 18 | www.teamvalleypublications.co.uk
341,000 learners took part in the annual FE Choices Learner Satisfaction Survey and gave their views on the training they received from colleges and independent learning providers. Managing Director, Malcolm Armstrong, explained: “Making sure that the training and support we offer learners meets and even exceeds their expectations is vitally important to us. “We are delighted that the survey results show we are leading the way in the region and are in the top six percent of training providers nationally for learner satisfaction.” Access Training, which has operated in the region for over 30 years, delivers apprenticeships in a range of areas including business, accounting, management, warehousing and manufacturing, and is the only provider in
Malcolm Armstrong, MD at Access Training
the region offering apprenticeships in fire, emergency and security systems. Malcolm believes it is the consistency of their provision that is the key to their success: “We have delivered quality training for decades, helping over 6000 young people to start and develop careers over that time. Earlier this year we were inspected by Ofsted and gained good grades for the fourth inspection in a row. “Our learner satisfaction score of 97.4 percent this year was high, but this just continues on from the two previous years when we also had excellent scores of 91.6 percent and 94 percent. We are determined to not let our standards and our commitment to learners and employers drop.”
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Investment
HSBC sparks new expansion plans for Gateshead heating and plumbing firm Gordon Foster with John Savage.
Flame Heating Group is setting its sights on expansion after receiving significant financial backing from HSBC UK. The heating and plumbing merchant is expecting to more than double its workforce with the creation of at least 60 new jobs after securing a £4m funding package from HSBC UK. The deal will also see the Gatesheadheadquartered company, which currently employs 59 staff, launch several branches in the region, as well as entering new areas over the next three years. Flame Heating Group was established in 2011 with a single branch in Gateshead, and now operates 11 trade counters across the region and in Scotland. John Savage, Flame Heating Group’s managing director, said: “We have enjoyed seven consecutive years of growth and are now in a position to drive forward our expansion plans.
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“Our branch network has continued to thrive as a result of investments in our workforce, new services as well as emerging technologies. “Stuart and the wider HSBC UK Corporate Banking team understood our aims from the very beginning, and the collaborative expertise of all parties involved ensured a smooth process that will allow us to continue on our growth trajectory. Mark and his associates at Irving Ramsay were equally instrumental with their ongoing advice and guidance.” The company specialises in heating spares for commercial and domestic applications, renewable energy solutions and bathrooms, working with a number of leading, global manufacturers. The deal was supported by Stuart Henry, relationship director at HSBC UK, and Mark Irving, director of Newcastle-based corporate advisory firm Irving Ramsay. Legal support and due diligence was provided by Muckle LLP, Ward Hadaway and Clive Owen LLP.
Gordon Forster, area director at HSBC UK, concluded with his thoughts: “John has a clear vision for his business and their exceptional service and focus on renewable energy solutions sets them apart. “We place great importance on supporting local businesses, communities and economies. Flame has clear plans for expansion…”
“John has a clear vision for his business and their exceptional service and focus on renewable energy solutions sets them apart.” Sourced from www.bdaily.co.uk. Receive the Bdaily business news bulletin by registering at www.bdaily.co.uk/register
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Team Valley glass processing firm reveals skills drive as turnover hits £14m Gateshead glass processing business has grown its turnover to £14m on the back of contract wins and a seven-figure investment.
T
yneside Safety Glass spent £2m on new equipment to strengthen its position in the niche high-value glass products market.
To meet the skills requirement created with the investment, the company is partnering with Gateshead College to develop new talent. The two organisations have created a Performing Manufacturing Operations (PMO) skills programme allowing apprentices to learn about manufacturing preparation, processes, techniques, quality control and workplace health and safety, as well as transferable skills in communication, teamwork and industrial environmental practices.
Tyneside Safety Glass MD Chris Hannant said: “The skills drive is part of our wider aim to introduce new young employees into our business who will help to support our ongoing growth plans in key market sectors. “After investing in various training programmes during the last eight years,
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this is the first time we’ve worked with Gateshead College and we’re impressed with both their keenness to understand our business and their overall approach to workforce development.” Chris continued: “They’ve acknowledged our need to find staff with the right attitude who are capable of acquiring skills that will help strengthen our position in specialist markets. This strategy has been driven by the increased competition faced from larger, high-volume glass manufacturers in China.” Tyneside Safety Glass, which employs around 200 staff, is also working with Gateshead College to put around 10 of its employees through forklift truck training. The European Social Fund-backed programme is being delivered by Tyneside Training Services, a subsidiary of the college. Gateshead College business development director Ivan Jepson commented: “It’s great to see Tyneside Safety Glass invest in its staff.
“It’s true that people are an employer’s best asset and by having the right skills within the business, a company can pursue and achieve ambitious growth plans.” He added: “We’re proud to be playing a key role in the ongoing expansion of Tyneside Safety Glass.”
“The skills drive is part of our wider aim to introduce new young employees into our business”
Sourced from www.bdaily.co.uk. Receive the Bdaily business news bulletin by registering at www.bdaily.co.uk/register
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Puzzles
Timeout
Take a coffee break and attempt our latest puzzles
sUDOKU
CRISSCROSS Use the clues to help fill the boxes with the correct words.
Write numbers into the blank spaces so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
EASY
MEDIUM
CLUES Across
Down
3. Something remarkable
1. Temporary measure
5. Uncontrolled emotion
2. Sixty seconds
7. Great strength
4. Form into a distorted shape
8. Showing or involving great activity
6. Been deserted or left
10. Linking one thing with another
9. Worthy of an award
12. High-pitched sound
11. Having the ability
NUMBER BLOCKS The missing numbers are between 0 and 9. The numbers in each row add up to totals to the right. The numbers in each column add up to the totals along the bottom. The diagonal lines also add up the totals to the right. 38 7
1
0 6 9
7 4
8 0
7
5
8
2
7
1
38
22
26
8 1
7
31
22
19
24
6
7
5
28
5
0
17
3
4
8
6
42
3
3
0
0
34
0
21 27
28
HARD
1
2
3
5 20
29
25
0
2
24
1
0
22
6
22
0
21
9 4
12
8
0
1
20
21
14
12
23
CRISSCROSS: Wonder, hysterical, powerful, energetic, connection, whistle, makeshift, minute, twist, abandoned, deserve, capable.
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