< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Towns, cities, and developers throughout Yorkshire are embracing opportunities for transformation, regenerating and redeveloping sites across the region, to create a brighter future for residents, local economies and to stimulate investment. Business Link shares recent progress on some of these projects. In Leeds, a major, new mixed-use neighbourhood has been approved within one of the UK’s largest brownfield regeneration sites – South Bank, Leeds. Caddick Developments has received a unanimous resolution to approve the 2m Revving up regeneration plans With myriad redevelopment and regeneration projects underway across Yorkshire, the region is set for significant transformation. accessible new neighbourhood. Our proposals are incredibly exciting, having been designed to provide bold, modern architecture, significant public space and enhanced connectivity between Holbeck and the city centre. As we work towards submission of a detailed planning application, we will continue to collaborate closely with key partners and the community to bring forward a vibrant new chapter for this part of the South Bank.” Meanwhile, in Sheffield, plans to transform the former Cole Brothers building in Barker’s Pool are now one step sq ft scheme, branded as South Village, which could provide up to 1,925 homes, 650,000 sq ft of commercial space and significant landscaped areas, all centred around a curated ‘village green’ the size of a professional sports field. Positively received by Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel, the scheme has been praised for its potential, which would “change this part of the city altogether.” Lee Savage, Director at Caddick Developments, said: “South Village will offer a revolution in city-centre living, transforming this strategically located brownfield site into an ambitious and Revving up regeneration plans www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Sheffield City Council to regenerate this iconic building. Almost everyone I meet from Sheffield has a story to tell and we’re thrilled to be playing a part in its next chapter. We are still in the early stages and we are looking forward to consulting with the local community and stakeholders as we start to work up our plans.” Additionally in Sheffield, the former Sheffield Transport Sports Club site at Meadowhead is set to gain a new lease of life, with Sheffield FC and Sheffield Eagles submitting a full planning application to the City Council outlining proposals for a 5,000-capacity inclusive community stadium. The stadium will encompass professional football and rugby league facilities as well as a cricket pavilion, multi-use artificial sports pitches, a football museum and an indoor community sports hall. The destination will allow Sheffield Eagles and Sheffield FC to consolidate their full range of sporting, educational, community and cultural activities on the purpose-built site. Chairman of Sheffield FC Richard Tims said: “This development will not be just another shared rugby and football South Village, Leeds CGI 13 Á closer, with Urban Splash signing a lease for the building with the Council. The proposals would see the landmark building become a mixed-use scheme comprising flexible workspace and cafes/retail/leisure/cultural uses/event space which are all considered to be complementary uses to the rest of the Heart of the City project. Bringing this listed building back into active use will be hugely beneficial both for the wider city centre and the surrounding Heart of the City scheme. Nathan Cornish, Group Board Director at Urban Splash, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Armstrong house Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Superb Location - - Close to the ports of Grimsby & Immingham - Great motorway links - Close to the town centre Secure off street parking High speed internet availability A range of affordable office sizes 3 3 3 3 Last remaining office suites Prime location in Grimsby Offering a prime position in Grimsby, Armstrong House on Armstrong Street is ideally located. Close to the ports of Grimsby and Immingham, motorway links and the town centre, off-street parking is also available for all staff and visitors, meaning it’s convenient too. Our spacious, welcoming offices are located on the ground floor and are both secure and CCTV-monitored, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. At Armstrong House, when it comes to affordability and with a range of office sizes there are opportunities for all types of business. If you require virtual office services, prices start from just £15 per month. For more information, or to discuss your office requirements call 01472 310301.www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ground. It will be a new destination for Sheffield Eagles and ‘The World’s First Football Club’ Sheffield FC. Whilst the site will be grounded firmly in the unique history and heritage of both clubs, including Sheffield’s status as the ‘Home of Football’, it will also be an exciting destination for sport, physical activity, business, educational, cultural, and other events that will attract local, regional, national, and international audiences. We plan on creating a vibrant destination on both the days when Sheffield Eagles and Sheffield FC teams are playing in the stadium, as well as on non-match days through a busy diary of community, social and other activities such as conferences and meetings, functions and cultural activities.” Furthermore, in Wakefield, fresh funding from Historic England is facilitating the repair of an historic mill as part of the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Rutland Mills. £625,000 has been awarded for Phoenix Mill, a former textile mill which forms part of phase two of the redevelopment of the Rutland Mills complex. The waterside area is being transformed into Tileyard North, a creative industries hub housing state-of-the-art recording studios, creative workspaces and events venues. Cllr Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth at Wakefield Council, said: “We’re investing alongside Historic England and City and Provincial Properties so that the former mill buildings can be transformed into vibrant spaces for creativity. They will provide world class facilities to artists and creatives based right across the north of England. This is part of our wider regeneration plans for Wakefield. Our programme is attracting external investment from across the public and private sector, making a positive impact as we position our district as a great place to do business.” The project is seeing the refurbishment of Phoenix Mill along with the demolition of a second mill and construction of a new building called Gradient Mill. Further office space along with bars and a restaurant will be created. Historic England’s grant will fund work to the outside of the building including roof, drainage and wall repairs, as well as new windows, securing its structure. Phase one of the scheme involved the restoration of five mill buildings and has created space for creative industries, music studios, outdoor events, indoor events, festivals and concerts, a hotel, gin distillery, restaurant and bar. Sheffield’s Cole Brothers building Image courtesy of Sheffield City Council Image courtesy of Sheffield FC The new stadium planned for Sheffield14 Business Link www.blmforum.net FACTORY AUTOMATION From single machines to fully integrated robotic systems, factory automation is revolutionising manufacturing processes and reshaping industry standards for efficiency and quality. future now Thewww.blmforum.net Business Link 15 FACTORY AUTOMATION © stock.adobe.com/Nataliya Hora Covering a multitude of technological advancements in streamlining manufacturing processes, factory automation is merely an umbrella term for a vast variety of possibilities. It can include the adoption of a whole spectrum of enhancements and replacements for human labour, ranging from partially manual operations to fully automated factories. It can also mean the integration of various technologies, including pneumatic and hydraulic systems alongside robotic arms, for an interconnected and self- sustaining system in any areas needed. By transitioning from partially manual processes to fully automated factories, businesses can unlock benefits that will revolutionise their operational efficiency and competitive edge within the market. Automated single machines, as a step along the way between manual operations and full automation, are equipped with advanced control systems that enable autonomous operation, reducing reliance on manual intervention. By automating discrete tasks within the production process, and decreasing the risk of human error, higher levels of precision and consistency are easier to achieve, which means more reliable product quality and reduced wastage. As businesses progress towards automated production lines, they’ll witness a transformation in their manufacturing capabilities. Integrated systems enhanced by individual machines will increasingly ease the flow of materials and components, synchronised for the quickest possible throughput and minimal downtime. By eliminating bottlenecks and inefficiencies inherent in manual processes, automated production lines allow for scaling of operations while maintaining quality standards. Additionally, the centralised control afforded by automation facilitates real-time monitoring and adjustment, enhancing the speed at which the line responds to market demands. For some, end-to-end automated factories will represent the upper echelons of manufacturing excellence. From raw material handling to finished product packaging, full automation ensures machine accuracy, efficiency and quality, with no human intervention whatsoever. The common reference to these kinds of factories as ‘lights out’ or ‘dark’ facilities illustrates their capabilities. They can run constantly, day and night for 365 days a year, only needing maintenance and some cleaning efforts to carry out their work. The truth remains that most factories will need some level of human oversight. Partially manual processes are still common in the running of many factories for this reason. This balance allows the machine qualities of speed and data-informed consistency to be matched by human insight and adaptability, whether to adjust processes, or for the intuition certain quality checks require. Some kinds of automation exist to work with and alongside humans for the best possible results. One branch of robotics includes collaborative robots, or cobots, which might be one of the most 16 Á © stock.adobe.com/ 安琦 王16 Business Link www.blmforum.net FACTORY AUTOMATION exciting ways to illustrate the best of automation and humans working together. Cobots can be assigned any potentially risky jobs, while also handling a wide range of repetitive tasks that could weigh heavy on the energy or focus of human workers. Protecting employee health and happiness is in any business’s interests here, as many slower and more tiresome objectives get a speed boost with robotic help, taking efficiency that much further. The inherent safety features of automated systems such as these, made with close work alongside humans in mind, lower the risk of workplace accidents and create a safer environment where tasks better suited to robots can be handed off easily. Robotics cover by far the most cutting edge and exciting areas of factory automation, and have the added bonus of being widely versatile in the tasks they can accomplish. Robots can be used to move essentials around the factory, transport raw materials to the production line, or bring finished products to the packaging area. But they can also be deft enough to manage the actual assembly and packaging of products, some having the fine motor skills to perform tasks such as welding, labelling, painting or screwing, and all with a level of precision and consistency that is difficult for humans to sustain. The beauty of automation extends beyond the simple actions robotic features can manage, bringing in sensors and software that fortify quality control measures. Embedded within the machinery itself, sensors can be vigilant for variables like temperature, swiftly adjusting parameters to maintain optimal conditions. Meanwhile, vision systems inspect products and instantly identify imperfections that might elude human detection. In maintenance, machinery wear and tear can also be managed through sensor technology. Scheduled maintenance, guided by data-driven insights, ensures uninterrupted production flow, reducing the costs of downtime. Additionally, robots www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 FACTORY AUTOMATION lend their prowess to routine upkeep tasks, such as cleaning or oiling machinery, so the focus of human staff can go towards being the custodians of quality output. Perhaps the most alluring asset of automation is its ability to accelerate processes, driving productivity to new heights. However, automation’s impact transcends the factory floor and products themselves, exerting a profound influence on product quality and traceability. Sensors can track materials as they move through the production line, allowing for a detailed record of each step of the process and reducing the risk of recalls. Even when an error or flaw slips past detection, the trace established by data during production can remain linked so that faulty batches may be easily identified and pulled back from sale if necessary. Robots and other automations can complete all these tasks, and many others, much more quickly and efficiently than humans. Any level of automation will likely result in improved efficiency, because throughput will increase as production times decrease, leading to cost savings and growth in profitability. While robots can perform repetitive tasks at a constant speed without needing breaks, automation as a whole can manage and monitor production in up-to-the-moment real time, allowing for adjustments to be made quickly and efficiently. From solitary machines that stand in as masters of a specific task, to robotic- human collaboration and fully automated procedures, embracing automation heralds the future of thriving business operations. Selecting the best combination for a business’s unique needs can then unlock even further insights for future improvements, while safeguarding both quality and the wellbeing of workers. As businesses navigate this playground of innovation, one thing remains clear: the synergy of human ingenuity and technological prowess will be what continues to pave the way to success. © stock.adobe.com/STUDIO.no.318 Business Link www.blmforum.net FAMILY BUSINESS Taking family businesses to the next level Family businesses stand as pillars of resilience and innovation, seen as the embodiments of a unique blend of tradition and adaptability. www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 FAMILY BUSINESS © stock.adobe.com/potstock A ccording to end of 2023 insights, an impressive 71% of family businesses reported expansion in their most recent fiscal year, with 43% of these even achieving double-digit growth. Moreover, 77% express optimism, projecting further advancement over the next two years. These figures not only reflect the robustness of family enterprises but also hint at their potential to serve as engines of sustainable economic development. However, tradition must not stand in the way of evolution. Research indicates that family businesses equipped with a communicated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy enjoy heightened trust from consumers, outstripping their counterparts by 13 percentage points. Yet, a concerning 67% of family businesses allocate insufficient attention to ESG considerations, perhaps overlooking a key avenue for bolstering stakeholder confidence and market competitiveness. To state the obvious, maintaining good customer service is paramount for the success of any business. This begins with understanding your customers and their needs intimately. Companies should always remember that going the extra mile for customers is the draw of a family business. Versatility and proactivity should be a focus, to create tailored solutions that not only meet but exceed customer expectations, fostering long-term loyalty and growth. Keeping one eye on market trends will help stay ahead of the curve, by identifying opportunities and potential risks, ensuring responsiveness to shifting customer preferences. Working with the best talent is not just a matter of pride but a strategic imperative for family businesses aiming for long-term success. Recognising that no individual can excel in every aspect of the business, it’s crucial to surround oneself with capable professionals who bring diverse expertise to the table. Importantly, this entails relinquishing the notion that familial ties inherently equate to superior decision-making. Embracing this approach not only fosters a culture of collaboration but also ensures that the business remains agile and resilient in the face of adversity. Leadership dynamics within family businesses require more nuance and delicacy than corporate environments. Whilst traditional hierarchical structures may succeed for some, familial relationships generally demand a more patient and consensual leadership style. Adopting a ‘command and control’ mentality risks stifling innovation. Instead, experts advise leaders to cultivate an environment of mutual respect and open communication, wherein ideas are freely exchanged, 20 ÁNext >