Sheffield and Wakefield-based innovative independent logistics operator Europa Worldwide Group is on track to achieve record turnover and profits in 2021, with 2022 forecast to be even more successful. Europa’s local sites are at Unit 7, 1 Broadfield Close in Sheffield, and Unit 2, Navigation Court, Calder Park in Wakefield, Leeds, are home to almost 30 staff. All are part of Europa Road which provides road freight distribution to and from Europe and both sites opened over the past few years. Two members of Europa’s Board are Chief Operating Officer Dionne Redpath, and Branch Network and Sales Director Adrian Redmile, both work in Sheffield and live locally. Europa’s growth predications follow a hugely productive year, despite the ongoing and unprecedented challenges arising from the global pandemic and Brexit. Its Board is expecting to achieve a record turnover of £260 million this year, against £210m in 2020, increasing to £300 million next year. Profits are expected to be £10m in 2021, an increase of £6.4m over 2020 levels which were depressed by the global pandemic and related lockdowns. Rob Jones, Finance Director at Europa Worldwide Group, said: “Whilst our results for 2020 were below our expectations set at the start of the year, we are extremely proud of the way our teams tackled the severe double scenarios of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. Our staff were kept safe, we kept our customers freight moving and given the market conditions we can be proud of our financial results” “As a result of the work we put in during 2020, notably our preparations for Brexit and the return to more normal “post-Covid” conditions, we are delighted with the performance in 2021 and the record levels of both turnover and profit that will be achieved.” “This all demonstrates that Europa is a commercially resilient and forward-thinking logistics firm that can adapt quickly to unforeseen situations and changing market needs.” Europa Worldwide Group has six divisions – Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea, Europa Showfreight, Europa Warehouse, Europa Contact Centre and Continental Cargo Carriers and has featured in The Sunday Times Top Track 250 for three years running and in The Sunday Times Profit Track 100 Covid-19 edition.  It employs more than 1,100 staff in the UK, as well as in Hong Kong, France, and Belgium.   Brexit has been a major consideration for Europa and it has remained dedicated to finding solutions for its customers. This was why the company successfully planned the unique customs product, Europa Flow, to address short-term road freight disruption arising after the transition period. Europa Flow launched at the start of 2021, following a £5m investment into the product. It is now delivering a frictionless delivery duty paid (DDP) service with 2,000 consignments per week, easing the flow of goods between the UK and Europe and ensuring UK firms remain competitive overseas. It is one of the best import and export solutions within the market because it empowers customers and removes the hassle of customs clearance and duty payments. Andrew Baxter, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Europa Worldwide Group, said: “Despite various worldwide restrictions being imposed on the movement of goods Europa continues to trade profitably in the face of economic uncertainty and is on track. “Our approach has always been to focus on offering the best solutions to meet our customers’ needs, fortitude and dedication in adversity, maintaining the highest levels of service. I am incredibly proud of our staff and look forward to collaborating with them as we get our growth plans on track and strive to hit our ambitious £400m turnover target.” “The past 18 months has certainly been challenging for the company, particularly due to the pandemic, with all exhibitions and events cancelled and fewer planes in the air for much of 2020, but our teams have already bounced back strongly” In addition, Europa pressed ahead with the construction of its new £60m state-of-the-art third-party logistics (3pl) warehouse in Northamptonshire to double its logistics capacity. Not only was the build of this fully automated, super-sized facility completed during lockdown, it was also operationalised in June 2020 at the height of the e-commerce boom. www.europa-worldwide.com @europaworldwide

Siemens Digital Industries is teaming up with waste incinerator maker Xetrov Group to boost the production of its ground-breaking Clean6 Vortex, which is turning heads in the recycling and waste processing world because of its ability to process previously unrecyclable materials and its efficiency in using the exhaust heat generated by the Vortex to produce electricity, district heating and food production. Importantly the incinerator can recycle material that were deemed unrecyclable. The outstanding feature of the incinerator that sets it apart from competitors is that the gasification or pyrolysis technologies used in the Clean6 Vortex volatilises material at temperatures significantly higher (1,400 – 1,700°C vs. 850-1,100°C) than those found in standard incineration plants. This results in an increased efficiency, lower emissions and very low residue outputs. Siemens will supply the end-to-end solutions for producing the incinerators, including the G120 Inverter, the S7-1500 controller, the ET200 I/O for control cabinets, process instrumentation (flow and level sensors), control products, power supplies, HMI, IOT box, Scalence managed switches and some more products that are still under discussion.  This integrated approach provides diagnostic benefits, such as secure remote access and opens the door for IOT connection. Siemens’ products will be used in all four components of the Clean6 Vortex machine, including the incinerator, crusher, boiler and potentially steam turbine. Xetrov, headquartered in Yorkshire, has built and operates a waste-to-energy plant in Pollington in the county. Xetrov has created a bespoke modular solution suitable for the UK to the roll-out of decentralised waste-to-energy plants. Each module consists of three core Clean6 Vortex advanced thermal treatment units and has a maximum waste processing capacity of 3 tonnes per hour (24,000 tonnes per annum). “Siemens is delighted to have been selected by Xetrov for supplying end-to-end solutions for the ground-breaking incinerator, Clean6 Vortex,” said Brian Holliday, Managing Director, Siemens Digital Industries GB&I. “The benefits of this conversion technology to the community and its potential contribution to the UK’s net zero emissions targets are going to be huge. This technology is in sync with Siemens’ own goals of achieving a net zero carbon footprint by 2030 across all our production facilities and buildings globally.  We are fully geared and equipped to meet the specific requirements of Xetrov as it continues its mission of revolutionising waste processing and recycling.” “We have been scouting for a partner that understands and shares our goals,” said Ashleigh Ruxton, Founder and CEO of Xetrov. “Siemens brought to the table a slew of products that will go a long way in making our solution stronger and smarter. Our advanced thermal conversion technology (Clean6 Vortex or Vortex) is not only 98% efficient on waste destruction but also requires less than half the waste, compared to competing technologies, to produce power. In all this the role of the technology supplier is very critical. The digital technologies used are the future of machine development and deployment and are important for remote secure connectivity, future proofing our innovative product. We have a strong environmental and social remit and want to contribute to the UK’s zero-landfill target and a reduction of CO2,” Ruxton added. Xetrov Group’s mission embraces the circular economy, carbon reduction, low-to-no emissions, decentralised power generation, and zero landfill. The Clean6 Vortex will have a very high 98% conversion rate with only 2% residue, against the 80-90% efficiency rate of incinerators used in the industry. The Clean6 Vortex has exhaust emissions, which are significantly lower than required by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). In addition, the technology does not produce any fly ash, as other incinerators normally do. Inert residues are typically 2% and are certainly below many of the alternative technologies. The product is in sync with the UK Government’s target of having no more than 10% of waste going to landfill by 2035 against the current rate of 24%.

Lincoln-based potato growing Branston was searching for a quicker-cooking potato variety to make crispy, golden roasties that taste deliciously buttery, and this is what they found. Nemo is a phureja hybrid variety, which means that it combines the vigorous fast-growing nature of original Peruvian potatoes with the agronomical hardiness of modern European varieties from the Solanum tuberosum Solanaceae family. It has the golden yellow flesh typical of an Andean phureja, with a more uniform cell structure which enables it to cook much more quickly. Its distinctive pink skin has creamy yellow patches around its large eyes, giving it a parti-coloured appearance. This new variety has been developed through careful crossing between Inca Bella (itself a very fast-cooking golden phureja hybrid) and the popular, red-skinned Salad variety Franceline. David Nelson, Branston agronomy director said: “It has been a real labour of love workimg on this project for the past six years as we were looking for a variety that would not only taste superb but would also save on roasting time.  “Nemo is a natural hybrid that has been developed through carefully crossing an exceptionally wonderful tasting fast-cooking Peruvian variety called Inca Bella and a popular red-skinned Salad variety called Franceline, which grows well in the UK climate. As this is a new variety we only have a limited amount this year, but enough to cover the all-important Christmas period, when roasting potatoes are at their most popular.” Branston has been growing and trialling Nemo since 2015. It has performed consistently well in cook tests and taste panels. It cooks much more quickly than a typical European variety. To make roast potatoes it can be peeled and par-boiled for just five minutes before roasting or it can be roasted from raw without the need to peel. Just cut into chunks and put them straight in to the roasting tray, making perfect roasties in just 35-40 minutes. Nemo is also ideal for wedges or mash, making it a brilliant all-rounder.

The Prime Minister has confirmed that England will move to Plan B following the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in the UK. The plan sees the Government, from Monday 13 December, advise those who can to work from home. Meanwhile from Friday 10 December, face coverings will become compulsory in most public indoor venues, such as cinemas, theatres and places of worship. In addition, from Wednesday 15 December, the NHS Covid Pass on the NHS App will become mandatory for entry into nightclubs and settings where large crowds gather – including unseated indoor events with 500 or more attendees, unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees and any event with 10,000 or more attendees. Matthew Fell, CBI Chief Policy Director, said: “Fresh restrictions are a big setback for businesses, particularly for those in hospitality and retail who are in a critical trading period, as well as others such as transport. “While Covid certification can support public health, careful implementation and enforcement will be required to assist businesses affected. It will be vital that the impact of these restrictions is closely monitored, and that the government is ready with targeted support as required. “Omicron will quite likely not be the last variant. We need to create consistency in our approach and build confidence by reducing the oscillation between normal life and restrictions. Prioritising daily testing, rather than self-isolation, is a good step. Firms need continued forward guidance and a commitment from government to prioritise ongoing free, mass rapid testing as we learn to live with the virus. “Meanwhile, firms will continue to do all they can to protect their staff and customers, including being as flexible as possible to enable employees to get their boosters.”

Almost 2,000 jobs will be created at a new Advanced Manufacturing Park being developed by North Lincolnshire Council using the Government’s Towns Fund cash. The council has completed the acquisition of a 65-acre site at the edge of Scunthorpe. The project – set to create more than 4m sq ft of advanced manufacturing space – will now be taken through planning. The required infrastructure will also be built to link onto the motorway network. Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is a massively exciting project which will have profound effects on the area for generations. It will create hundreds of well-paid, high-skilled jobs in advanced sectors and will be a globally significant hub for research, development and innovation. “We are already leaders in advanced steel making and this development will create the right environment for more world-leading businesses to join the North Lincolnshire stable, creating and developing innovative, leading-edge products. “With the fantastic motorway links and clear ties to the ports complex, access to national and international markets will be immediately available – helped of course further through the Government’s flagship freeports project which will help make these companies even more competitive.” The scheme is one of several being developed under the Towns Fund programme, which is overseen by the Scunthorpe Towns Fund Board and is linked to the two projects paid for using the Future High Street Fund. The cash is part of the Government’s levelling up agenda. It is additional to the Community Renewal Fund and Community Ownership Fund which were announced by the Chancellor at Budget on 27 October. So far, some £35m has been committed by Government for Scunthorpe through the Town Deal and Future High Streets Fund, plus £12m for the Burringham Bypass connectivity improvements on the M181 (A1077), £14m for flood defence work on the River Trent and £35m for the new pumping station at Keadby.