AUGUST 2024 £3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 39 ISSUE 8 Embracing industrial decarbonisation Sourcing expertiseSupply hubsPrinting|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.uk 45 YEARS IN BUSINESSFrom the Editor The UK has experienced positive growth for what may feel like the first time in forever but actually isn’t. While the previous Government were keen to boast of growth “defying the odds” it was often in the low decimals, 0.1% - 0.5% growth – better than negative, but not good. Now, news comes that the UK is bouncing back stronger than our European partners, and they are partners despite the inflammatory language used by certain newspapers. Our allies and trading partners have long worked with us, and it would be foolish to let identity politics suggest otherwise. Here in our region, the effects may not be as noticeable. Ill news about HS2 and civil unrest in the form of riots dominate headlines, and more companies continue to go out of business. That said, businesses are also reporting an easier time recruiting – be that because more people are being left unemployed or not – and that is helping ease issues and foster growth. I won’t be so reckless as to suggest we’re entering a golden age of commerce, because that would be foolish, but this may be the beginning of a recovery, and plans to bolster the UK’s ability to create its own energy could see the economy less impacted by the decisions of suppliers on the mainland. Good reading, as always. Michael Fisher Editor Smarter, cleaner, greener. We keep world trade moving Clarksons is at the heart of global shipping Integrated service offering, powered by intelligence Tel: +44 1469 574649 enquiries.customs@clarksons.com www.clarksons.com Watch this space for exciting updatesAUGUST 2024 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 10 Commercial property Novel developments are bringing new life to derelict and dormant sites across Yorkshire. 14 Print and packaging spotlight Print and packaging are integral in many manufacturing processes, and every business will use print media in one way or another. Streamlining the process can help save over the year. 17 Business services After lockdown, and now with an uncertain stock market due to the war in Ukraine, securing finance has become difficult. We look at some of the measures and methods involved. 20 Environmental & waste management Reducing environmental waste and greener business has been a buzzword for years but a warmer climate and a Labour government push back towards Net Zero emissions is finally making it a reality. 24 Humber Bank The most carbon intensive region in the country, the Humber has its sights set on becoming the UK’s first low carbon industrial cluster. 28 Supply chain management Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are in prime position to take advantage of the growing demand for supply chain and logistics management. 32 Accountants review Picking the right accountant or accountancy firm for your business can be a tricky challenge. It may feel like everyone is a financial expert online nowadays, and there are plenty of dodgy actors on the market just looking to take advantage of people. 36 Corporate hospitality The summer months make for an ideal time to host seminars and events, but after years of working remotely or from home many people are out of practice when it comes to public speaking. We run over some of the basics. 38 AutoLink Some vehicles are made to fit the everyman, while other are designed for a specific demographic – and both philosophies have their merits. 42 Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 46 And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net CONNECT WITH US 14 24 28Group 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 Angela Cooper (a.cooper@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: STOCK.ADOBE.COM - DIGITAL DREAMSCAPE • ZZZDIM • STEVARNOL • SIRISAKBOAKAEW • PHOTOGRANARY 20Wakefield warehouse changes hands in major investment deal A 296,500 sq ft distribution warehouse at South Elmsall, that is let to high street giant Superdrug, has changed hands for more than £17m. The building has been sold by a client of global asset management group, Columbia Threadneedle Investments. It has been bought by Arrow Capital Partners, the specialist investor, developer and manager of real estate in Europe and Asia-Pacific, for its Strategic Industrial Real Estate joint venture with Cerberus. Columbia Threadneedle Investments was advised by Leeds property consultancy, GV&Co’s investment division and M1 Agency advised Arrow Capital Partners. The warehouse sits in an 18-acre site and is let to Superdrug Stores Plc, which has occupied the facility for almost 34 years since it was built. Daniel Walker, from GV&Co, said: “This is a high quality, mission-critical asset located close to the A1M, as well as offering easy access to the M62 and M1, making it an integral part of Superdrug’s distribution network. We are delighted to have secured the off-market sale to Arrow and complete the final part of our client’s asset management strategy for the property.” 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Major office letting made at historic Leeds building Property company J Pullan & Sons have agreed a letting of 43,731 square feet of office space at Joseph’s Well, its Leeds city centre site, to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The eight-year letting plays an integral part of the Trust’s plans to build a new state-of-the-art hospital at the historic Leeds General Infirmary site. Pullan’s have agreed to letting of the office accommodation over three floors which includes contemporary workspace areas, meeting rooms, communal kitchens and breakout areas all fully-fitted within the 150,000 square feet heritage building. The letting facilitates the relocation of clinical and non-clinical staff in preparation for the build of a new state-of-the-art hospital which will include a new home for Leeds Children’s Hospitals, new adults’ hospital and maternity centre. The lease is understood to represent the largest office letting to be completed in Leeds this year. Employee buys one of Ilkley’s oldest retailers A longstanding Ilkley retailer that is renowned for its huge product range, which includes tens of thousands of hardware, home, ironmongery, kitchen and gardening products, has been bought by a loyal staff member, who has worked there for 44 years, and his wife. David and Sharron Jowett are the new owners of Mortens, which opened in 1937. Mortens currently employs a team of nine, and David joined the business when he was just 16. A familiar face at Mortens, he will remain in the shop leading the team, advising and serving customers, as well as dealing with orders from commercial clients which include local tradespeople, schools, nursing homes, hotels and all other types of business. Sharron, who brings more than 25 years’ worth of retail experience to her new position, will deal with the accounts and administration. The pair have bought the business from previous owners, Stephen and Anna Senior, following Stephen’s retirement, and they were advised on the acquisition by the corporate team at LCF Law. Outside the shop is (left to right) Stephen Senior, Patricia Obawole, David and Sharron Jowettwww.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS Leeds firm reducing the world’s carbon footprint secures £500,000 funding deal to power growth A business dedicated to locating subsurface energy and mineral resources to reduce the globe’s carbon footprint, is powering its strategic growth plans after securing a £500,000 funding deal. AIM-listed Getech, based in Leeds, which specialises in data-mapping natural resources such as metals, minerals and geothermal energy, agreed the working capital facility with Reward Finance Group. Getech was formed in 1986 and uses its geoscience data and unique geospatial software to accelerate energy transition away from fossil fuels by developing and leading geo-energy and natural hydrogen projects. With low carbon technologies requiring significantly more metals than fossil fuels and metal production needing to increase four-fold in the next 20 years, Getech is at the forefront of meeting this global demand. It is partly utilising the funding from Reward to further invest in its data capabilities and adopting a radical new approach to locating metals in previously unexplored territories. Sheffield Forgemasters seeks planning for new facility in Sheffield’s Meadowhall district Engineering specialist, Sheffield Forgemasters, has submitted a pre-planning application for a landmark 30,000 sq m machining facility on brownfield land in Sheffield’s Meadowhall district. Located on a 16-acre plot at Weedon Street, the new facility will form one of the world’s most advanced large machining facilities, to support the Ministry of Defence-owned company’s manufacture for the UK defence programme. With work on the site planned to start in Q4 2024, the building will cover a space equal to 12 olympic-sized swimming pools and will contain 17 new machines, including some of the largest and most advanced five-axis Vertical Turning Lathes ever produced. Gareth Barker, Chief Operating Officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “The pre-planning application covers an ambitious new project, to create a facility which will deliver some of the world’s most advanced, large-scale machining capabilities. “Creating this new facility on derelict ground, which was once part of Sheffield’s engineering past, is an amazing investment for the city and for the wider UK, which will create highly-skilled engineering jobs for decades to come.” Sheffield Forgemasters submits pre-planning on a brownfield site in the Don Valley for a 30,000 sq m machining facility (artist’s impression) Harriet Gibbs (Reward Finance Group) and Andrew Darbyshire (Getech) Acquisitive York renewables company snaps up Dorset-based firm Green Building Renewables (GBR) has expanded further along England’s Southern Coast by acquiring Poole-based company H2ecO Limited. The Dorset-based renewables installation company is the twelfth acquisition in GBR’s buy-and-build strategy and the fourteenth acquisition in total by the group, which also includes energy-efficiency experts 21°. The York business remains on track to reach its target of nationwide coverage of England by the end of 2024. Since its formation in 2021, the company has proliferated across England, growing from one office in York to sixteen across England. Managing Director of Green Building Renewables, Chris Delaney, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mike and Julie’s team in Poole to the broader Green Building Renewables family. The quality of their work and their expertise in renewable technology speak for themselves and enable our company to expand our operations into a new region of England.” H2ecO was founded by husband-and-wife duo Mike and Julie Stephenson in Poole 14 years ago. Green Building Renewables’ recent solar installation on Barnetby Central Bowls Club 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 Yorkshire food group gobbles up cheesecake maker Yorkshire-based food group, Regal Food Products Group Plc is set to boost its chilled desserts offer with the acquisition of artisan cheesecake makers, Love Cheesecakes. Based in Lancaster, Love Cheesecakes specialises in handcrafting over 100 premium cheesecakes for wholesale, food services and the hospitality sector. Focusing on single serve and canapé style cheesecakes, the bakery also sells directly to consumers through event catering, attending festivals and other large outdoor events. In 2020 Love Cheesecakes appeared on the popular television show, Dragons’ Den, giving the artisan bakery a step on the online ladder. The bakery now also holds a strong online presence through several ecommerce platforms in which it operates. With a strong focus on gifting, the service allows customers to indulge in doorstep desserts at home. Since the acquisition of Just Desserts Yorkshire in 2022 and more recently Love Handmade Cakes, the Regal Group have strategically focused on growing and developing their desserts range in the food service and wholesale market. Leeds aerospace distributor buys six acres of land A Leeds-based distributor to the international aerospace industry is scaling up its operation and pioneering innovation, with the purchase of approximately six acres of land to bring its office and warehouse space onto one site, laying the foundation for its new Innovation Hub. Aeroservices recently purchased land in West Yorkshire to build its new Aviation Business Park and bring its UK warehousing, in-house maintenance operations and research and development (R&D) offering under one roof. The acquisition was supported by a funding package from Lloyds Bank. The business is investing in a new ‘Product Innovation Lab’ where it will work on market-leading projects with the University of Leeds and other leading academia in the UK. More widely, its R&D work will focus on automation and robotics as the company looks to maximise productivity and efficiency in aviation sector. Mashood Akmal, CEO at Aeroservices Limited, said: “Innovation is at the heart of Aeroservices, so this expansion will help accelerate our research and development and place West Yorkshire at the centre of the aerospace sector map.” Sheffield LegalTech company raises £2m The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) has completed its first deal in South Yorkshire since the launch of the £660m fund. FinLegal – a Sheffield-based LegalTech company whose platform is used by the leading claims firms in the UK and Australia – has raised £2m to accelerate the growth of its client base internationally. The funding has come from NPIF II – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia Ventures and part of the NPIF II, and Mercia’s own funds. FinLegal’s platform is designed for managing class actions or large numbers of similar claims, where a law firm may be acting on behalf of thousands or even millions of claimants. FinLegal, which currently employs 25 staff including three at its US office, more than doubled its annual recurring revenue (ARR) to £1.8m in the year to April 2024, and increased total revenue to almost £3m. The latest funding, which brings the total raised by the company to date to £5m, will also enable it to further develop its product to meet the needs of a wider audience and create 26 new jobs. © stock.adobe.com/Mongta Studio Mashood AkmalNext >