JULY 2023 £3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 38 ISSUE 07 Products on iceThe key to success The apprentice questionCHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS To find out how to get your business on the up visit www.dextersharpe.co.uk Offices in Boston, Bourne, Horncastle, Lincoln, Louth & Skegness We pride ourselves on providing a pro-active, friendly and accessible service. Experts in Accounts and Tax Returns Tax Planning and Book-Keeping Audits and Business Advice We’re here to get you in the right direction Keeping business on the up… Printing|Copying|Graphic Design LOGOS | BRANDING | BUSINESS STATIONERY FLYERS & POSTERS | BROCHURES | NEWSLETTERS A0 COPYING & SCANNING | OS MAPPING CAD & PLAN PRINTING | PRINT FINISHING High Quality Print & Design in Lincolnshire N 01522 546118 E sales@lincolncopycentre.co.uk www.lincolncopycentre.co.ukThe magazine that cares We care because we want to leave our world a better place than we found it Business Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of. Community - From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We also extend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causes and charities. Environment - Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources, minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise. From the Editor It’s a tense moment for the region and the country as a whole after the Bank of England raised interest rates, prompting fears that the country would slide into a recession. GDP at the end of June was at 0.1%, avoiding a recession barely, but many still fear that the country might slip anyway before the end of the year, as it’s predicted there could be another interest rate hike before the end of 2023. There are some who have even suggested that the Conservatives might be intentionally leading the country into a recession (though, obviously, no one would ever admit to that) in order to “reset” the economy and drive inflation down. Inflation has already begun to dip within the eurozone without recessions, but the UK’s inflation has remained high, and there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of action by the Government to counter it, which is what is leading some to suggest they’re banking on a recession to do that for them. Whether or not it happens, it’s worth keeping in mind that there are still opportunities to be had in a recession. We would never advocate that a recession is a “good thing” but difficult trading conditions do breed opportunities, and with the country’s recruitment markets already failing to provide enough skilled labour for all roles, some might argue that businesses going under might ease the pressure. Of course, that will only benefit businesses that are already doing well and have enough of a healthy cash flow to weather the storm. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher EditorJULY 2023 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 10 Commercial property Numerous developments reviving, regenerating and securing a future for sites across our region have made headway in the last month. 14 Apprenticeships Apprenticeships seem like the solution to the recruitment problem, and yet the numbers are down on last year, and half of apprentices in late 2022 failed to complete their apprenticeships due to poor management from their new employers. 18 IT and telecommunications The seamless integration of IT and telecom services can revolutionise communication, enhance productivity, and provide a vibrant work environment. 22 Design and marketing Harmony between design and marketing teams can help drive sales and bolster brand recognition. Businesses ignore them at their peril. 26 Cold storage From temperature monitoring systems to optimal storage solutions, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to cold storage. 30 Engineering One of the prominent trends driving the engineering and manufacturing industries is the integration of advanced automation and digital technologies. 35 Corporate hospitality Business event expenditures are increasing, requiring organisers to mitigate the costs. 38 AutoLink We take a look at some of the new motors that will be coming to our roads. 42 Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 56 And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net CONNECT WITH US 14 30 38Group Editor Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial contact newsdesk@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317 Sales Director Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Vicky Hunt (v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk) Kerry Randerson (k.randerson@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Tel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314 Haychart Ltd, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE. reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of COVER PHOTOS: MAZDA • STOCK.ADOBE.COM - NATALIYA HORA • AMORN • REDPIXEL • AR_TH 18Packaging company expands into Sheffield business park A growing packaging production company has expanded into 27,500 sq ft at a Sheffield business park for its new regional base and created 30 new jobs. ePac Flexible Packaging, which opened its first manufacturing facility in the UK in 2019 and is based in Silverstone, has taken the additional industrial, office space and meeting rooms at Thorncliffe Business Park to help service its increasing requirements for making innovative flexible packaging for its customers. Refurbishment of the building, which becomes ePac’s new production site for the Midlands, the North and Ireland, has been completed by local contractors. ePac Holdings Europe Managing Director Johnny Hobeika said: “We have outgrown our current production site so needed another base further up the country from our current one in Silverstone. The central location of Thorncliffe attracted us to the site, as well as the extended height of the unit which is perfect for our large machines. “It was important for us to use local contractors to complete the fit out and also attract a new 30-strong workforce from nearby to satisfy our growing business. We are excited about taking the space.” 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Ultimate MBO for Yorkshire-based commercial interiors specialist A Yorkshire-based commercial interiors specialist, with a strong market presence in the North of England, has been acquired in a management buyout by six members of its senior team. Ultimate (Commercial Interiors) Ltd specialises in fit-out, furniture, design and consultancy, with a particular focus on office spaces and hotels. The company is headquartered in Cross Hills near Skipton, where it has a vast 16,000 sq ft workplace experience showroom, known as ‘The Hive’. The MBO team comprises of long-standing co-owner Dan Platt who now takes up the role of CEO, along with Vici Plunkett as finance director, Steve Broadbent as pre-construction director, Steve Cowley as director, Bobby Murriero as contracts director and Paul Alexander as sales and brand director. The team have taken over the running of the company from Mark Hickey and Mark Naisbitt who founded Ultimate in 2002 and who are now stepping down. However, the pair will maintain a minority shareholding in the business. New for 2023 Lincoln Print & Copy Centre has continued investing in new equipment and recently bought new booklet making equipment to be able to offer folded and stapled booklets and brochures with many more pages. This has been useful straight away as a customer needed scripts with many pages, as low a cost each as possible and a quick turn around, they were able to offer exactly what the customer needed. Other new equipment meant a supplier to the NHS could have wire bound books to suit their needs. They are also able to produce small A6 booklets, landscape and square brochures. Particularly popular at this time of year are leaflets and posters advertising upcoming events and brochures for commercial companies going to trade shows and end of season performance programmes. Plan and CAD printing for the construction industry remains popular, included waterproof paper and laminated to protect the drawings on site. Some commercial organisations still find NCR (no carbon required) pads useful to ensure there are exact copies of forms and information, variations in size, number of sheets and finishing can be accommodated. Lincoln Print & Copy Centre work with customers to ensure the printing fits their needs and budget, helping their customers stand out from the crowd. Back row (left to right): director Steve Cowley, sales and brand director Paul Alexander and contracts director Bobby Murriero. Front row (left to right): finance director Vici Plunkett, CEO Dan Platt and pre-construction director Steve Broadbent. www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS Specialist housing provider raises £400k to launch new homes for people with disabilities A Sheffield company that provides bespoke supported living accommodation has secured £400,000 from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, to open a new facility. The funding will enable SLE Housing to complete the conversion of a Victorian schoolhouse in Greenhill Village to create homes for nine adults with learning difficulties or disabilities. The property, which was built in 1845 as a school and most recently used as a doctors’ surgery, is due to open in August this year. It will offer a mix of purpose-built one and two- bedroom houses and create over 40 jobs for care staff to support the new residents in their daily lives. The Old Schoolhouse is the fourth development for SLE Housing, which was founded in 2017 by Diane Simpson-Lyons, who had a background in the care sector, and her son Brett. They currently offer supported living accommodation for over 30 adults across Sheffield. The business is also expanding into assisted living accommodation for the over-55s and is planning to build homes for over 160 people. Marketing agency strengthens crew with acquisition of B2B communication specialist Integrated marketing agency The Bigger Boat has acquired B2B communication specialist Scriba PR, for an undisclosed sum. The move — which follows almost eight years of the two Yorkshire firms working in close collaboration on a number of client projects — marks The Bigger Boat’s ambitions to expand its service portfolio for clients in the UK and beyond. While the brands will continue to exist as individual entities in their own right, the deal means that the business duo now employs a total of 40 marketing professionals — looking after in excess of 70 retained clients — with a combined turnover of more than £2m. Founder and former Managing Director Katie Mallinson will remain with Scriba in the position of director of communications — concentrating on the delivery of more complex client projects — while The Bigger Boat’s founders Andy McCaul, Doug Main, and Lee Boothroyd, will become owner directors of the company, supported by a leadership team which spans both firms. Three major occupiers secured for Grade A Leeds office building Three major occupiers have taken up two floors at Fiera Real Estate UK (FRE UK) and Opus North’s completed building, 12 King Street, in the heart of the Leeds Business District. Global consultancy, Arcadis, is set to shift their local team to 12 King Street. Michael Page, a leading UK recruitment company is also set to occupy a floor in the building, relocating staff from their current location in Leeds. Reward Finance Group, a market leading funding provider, are the third party to sign up to the landmark building, which comprises 54,000 sq ft of Grade A space. These three occupiers join Endless and Rothschild who recently relocated their Leeds offices to 12 King Street. A significant £11m transformation of the building, which was completed in June 2022, includes a striking new facade, a complete replacement of the fifth and sixth floors, a state- of-the-art cycle spa, extensive roof terraces and the addition of a sky lounge which offers a unique communal space for occupants. L-R: Andy McKenna of Sheffield City Region Growth Hub and Andy Tyas of Mercia, with Diane and Brett Simpson-Lyons of SLE Housing TOWER FIELD SERVICES Cat Tech Tower Field Services offers bespoke mechanical services to oil refinery and petrochemical plants all around the world. Our team has vast experience in overseeing and undertaking the installation of all types of Tower internals. Our Tower tray, packing and other internals installation services has deep roots, with several of the senior team at Cat Tech being involved in the founding of the Cana-Tex organisation. Since 1971, Cana-Tex had been the premier global Tower speciality contractor; performing Tower maintenance and plant turnaround projects around the world. These origins, with the addition of new team members, make Cat Tech Tower Field services a global operation which is both cost effective and technically experienced. We strive to create new ways to make your Tower work safer, faster and more productive and that can make very good things happen for your business. We thrive on exceeding our clients expectations and understand the need for upfront communication in relation to timescales and costs. No-one likes surprises in this industry and we ensure that everything is done, from pre-job planning, on site activities to post job reporting in a manner which allows our customers to concentrate on their core business. Let us show you what we can do. We work hard to maintain an industry reputation for safety, speed and dependability. Ours crews have been trained by us, this allows us to staff a project with the proven skills necessary to produce customer satisfaction. It is our intention to demonstrate the benefit of utilising Cat Tech for all of your Tower work. The benefits of engaging Cat Tech are: l Experienced Tower specialists. l Proven track record. l Ability to supply spares and replacements. l Spade to Spade service. l Revamps or modifications to Towers / Internals. l Inspection of Tower internals. l Supervision of external/client labour force. l Detailed inspection reports. l Cleaning of tower internals. l Reactor tray field services. l Turnkey reactor tray field services. At Cat Tech, we continue to create new ways to make Tower work safer, faster and more productive. And that can make very good things happen for your business. Contact us for further information. Our well established sales team have a wealth of experience. We take pride on ensuring all enquires are dealt with quickly and efficiently. China: Cat Tech Services (Shanghai) Ltd., Room 1230 No.1, 58 Nong Huachi Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 20061 CN Phone: +(86) 2152 9175 08 Fax: +(86) 2152 9175 05 Singapore: Cat Tech Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., 17 Fan Yoong Road, Singapore 629794 Phone: +(65) 6264 6261 Fax: +(65) 6264 6401 South America: Please contact the UK office on +44 1724 871 747 Thailand: Cat Tech Services (Thailand) Ltd., 2/1 Soi Banbon Nuenpayom Road, Maptaphut Sub District, Muang Rayong District, Rayong Province 21150 TH Phone: +(66) 894 064 100 Fax: +(66) 638 692 382 MAKING YOUR PLANT WORK… SMARTER www.cat-tech.com PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/KAWINNINGSwww.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS VFC rescues Meatless Farm from administration Vegan food company VFC has acquired Meatless Farm in a deal worth £12m in sales – rescuing the fellow Yorkshire plant-based brand from administration. The Meatless Farm brand will be retained, with the product range diversifying VFC Foods’ existing plant-based chick*n portfolio. The acquisition of Meatless Farm marks a crucial milestone in VFC’s growth strategy and its mission to provide more vegan products across retail and foodservice, with the aim to remove animals from the food chain. Speaking on the acquisition, which was financed from the company’s cash reserves, David Sparrow, CEO of VFC Foods, said: “We are delighted to announce this strategic acquisition, whilst being extremely mindful of the business’s challenges and the impact on the people involved. “Meatless Farm has built strong consumer awareness, which aligns with our core values, and their exciting product portfolio enhances our existing range. By integrating both brands, we can utilise numerous synergies with valued customers and suppliers, thus driving innovation and extending customer choice.” Chemical specialist receives £1.3m investment to facilitate management buy-in A Yorkshire business which produces chemicals for the foundry industry for customers worldwide has undergone a management buy-in backed by a £1.3m debt funding package from Frontier Development Capital (FDC). Eurotek Foundry Products specialises in resin binders, which are manufactured and blended to specific customer needs, and exports 70% of its production. Established in 1993, the company employs 18 staff at its headquarters in Elland and has a European subsidiary in Poland. As part of the buy-in Richard Catchpole, who has over 35 years’ experience in the chemicals industry and is the former CEO of Akcros Chemicals, will become chair. The deal also gives GIL Investments, a specialist industrial investor, a majority shareholding and provides an exit for the founders. However Dale Crystal, the current Managing Director, and Raymond Higgins, sales director, will remain with the business for the foreseeable future to help deliver its growth strategy. Bifold manufacturer opens the door to new Leeds premises Mazuli, a manufacturer and trade supplier of aluminium bifold doors, sliding doors and windows, is expanding into a new state of the art manufacturing facility on the edge of Leeds city centre. The expansion will create approximately 30 new jobs in the near future. Westgate Link offers more than 19,000 sq ft of warehouse and office space on Wellington Road and was marketed jointly by Leeds property consultancy GV&Co and Savills, on behalf of Evans Property Group. Founded in 2020, Mazuli has quickly grown into a leading manufacturer and supplier of aluminium bifold doors and sliding doors, as well as aluminium windows, which it supplies exclusively to tradespeople and construction firms throughout the UK. The company also makes aluminium single residential doors and French doors, along with a range of aluminium gable ends. The company currently employs 31 people and operates from a 9,000 sq ft unit on Gelderd Road, which it will continue to operate alongside the new site. © stock.adobe.com/RZ © stock.adobe.com/Kristina BlokhinNext >