Durham-based Artech Lighting has acquired North Yorkshire lighting manufacturer Powerlite Fitzgerald in a strategic move to strengthen both companies’ positions in the lighting industry. The deal, completed this week for an undisclosed sum, allows both firms to expand their market reach while continuing to operate as separate entities.

Artech, which designs and manufactures lighting solutions in the UK for global clients, will now oversee operations at Powerlite Fitzgerald’s Keighley base. The North Yorkshire firm, with over 40 years in the domestic lighting market, will maintain its brand identity and day-to-day operations, but under new leadership from Artech managing director Stuart Hylton.

The acquisition is expected to drive growth through shared expertise and increased investment. Both companies are set to benefit from operational independence while adopting mutual best practices. No centralisation of services is planned, allowing each business to retain its distinct market focus and in-house capabilities.

The move also signals Artech’s intent to broaden its footprint in the UK lighting sector, leveraging Powerlite Fitzgerald’s established reputation in domestic markets alongside its own international client base.

Clearpoint Recycling, a Harrogate-based waste management and recycling firm, has secured a significant nine-figure contract with Enviroo, a specialist polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycler based in Cheshire.

Under the five-year agreement, Clearpoint will supply 35,000 tonnes of PET material annually to Enviroo’s upcoming recycling plant at Ellesmere Port, set to open in 2027. The facility will process PET waste into certified food-grade recycled PET (rPET), aimed at meeting increasing global demand for sustainable packaging materials.

The deal strengthens the UK’s domestic recycling infrastructure and supports the future implementation of the Government’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) by helping to secure a stable supply of recovered PET bottles. It is also expected to generate skilled roles across commercial and operational functions within the sector.

Clearpoint Recycling, founded in 2012, partners with regional waste firms including Yorwaste and H W Martin Waste Ltd to manage recovered materials. The company recently expanded into Lithuania, reflecting broader ambitions to scale its operations globally while maintaining local sourcing strategies.

Rural broadband provider Quickline has partnered with the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) to support digital transformation among small businesses and entrepreneurs across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

The three-year initiative is designed to help 60 rural enterprises adopt digital tools and technologies. It forms part of Quickline’s social value contribution to the UK government’s Project Gigabit programme.

The partnership will deliver a series of innovation days, training sessions, mentoring, and workshops tailored to the specific needs of rural businesses. The goal is to enhance digital capability, drive innovation, and create new growth opportunities outside urban centres.

C4DI will lead programme delivery, offering access to its network of experts and support infrastructure, while Quickline provides the digital connectivity and strategic backing necessary to enable long-term adoption.

New workforce data reveals that Yorkshire and the Humber has the lowest proportion of employees regularly working beyond contracted hours, positioning the region as a leader in sustainable employment practices.

Only 36% of workers in the region report working additional hours, well below the UK average of 42%. This contrasts with Northern Ireland, where 48% of employees regularly work overtime, indicating a heavier workload culture.

The findings, based on research by recruitment firm Reed, highlight a broader issue: across the UK, many workers are clocking extra hours due to job demands and unmanageable workloads. However, compensation remains inconsistent. In Yorkshire and the Humber, less than a third of those working overtime are paid for it, and 40% receive no compensation at all.

The region also faces a mixed picture on wage satisfaction. Half of workers are happy with their current pay, while the other half cite stagnant wages and low-paying sectors as reasons for dissatisfaction.

The research, drawn from over 21 million job ads and a survey of 5,000 workers, offers a window into current pressures on workforce wellbeing, job design, and compensation.

UK tourism spending by international visitors remained £2.2 billion below pre-pandemic levels in 2024, according to new data from the World Travel and Tourism Council and Oxford Economics. The total spend reached £40.3 billion—5.3% less than in 2019—despite the sector contributing £286 billion to the wider economy and supporting over 4 million jobs.

Industry analysis links the lag to recent government policy choices, including the introduction of digital travel permits, the removal of VAT-free shopping for tourists, and higher air passenger duty. These measures are seen as reducing the UK’s competitiveness compared to other European destinations, where recovery to pre-COVID levels has largely been achieved.

There is also concern over reduced investment in tourism promotion, particularly a cut of over 40% to VisitBritain’s budget. With tourism representing around 10% of GDP, stakeholders argue that the sector is being deprioritised despite its potential to drive regional economic growth and private-sector employment.

The government has announced a new visitor economy strategy for later this year, targeting 50 million international visitors annually by 2030. The sector awaits further details on how fiscal and regulatory changes will align with that ambition.