OCTOBER 2024 £3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 39 ISSUE 10 Getting the most out of a facility Preventing disasterThe online menaceFrom the Editor At the time of writing, gloom over the upcoming budget suffocates the business newsroom. You know it’s going to be rough when the party has been warning of it for weeks now, and yet certain newspapers continue to argue that “billions can be released if the chancellor just does this…” You always know those articles are using awkward math and biased editorial from their backers who would so gladly like to see taxes dropped in their areas. Whenever that happens, the promised billions seem to materialise as frequently as the ones we were promised for the NHS in the wake of Brexit – which is to say never. The truth of the matter is that our budgets continue to be impacted by the financial crisis of 2008, which successive governments have been held hostage to. It’s not a matter of culture, or lazy young people, or even bitter old people and their pensions. It’s down to the largest financial crash since the Great Recession, which washed over the world and continues to harm us here in the UK. But I suppose it makes for more exciting reading to blame certain groups of people for it, cause a stir, and bask in the increased readers angrily shouting at one another. News is sensationalist nowadays, and that’s what sells. We’ll do our best to keep our editorial independent and focused on business advice and direction, as we have for 35 years. 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 updatesOCTOBER 2024 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 12 Commercial property Transformative schemes are bringing new life to sites across Lincolnshire, especially on its coast. Business Link reflects on recent progress. 16 IT and communications spotlight A weakening economy and strife across the world has opened the doors for hackers of all kinds to target businesses, and small and medium-sized businesses in regions such as Yorkshire make for tempting targets. 20 Warehousing and distribution In the current economic climate, purchasing new warehouses is an unhappy proposition. Is it possible to get more out of what already exists instead? 24 Supporting business growth When the economy suffers, so too do companies looking to borrow money to grow. 28 Legal services Social media and a cultural shift have led to employees seeing their bosses as the enemy. It might be worth future-proofing employment material to be clearer on their rights. 31 Corporate hospitality With a reduction in business travel seeing cost and sustainability savings ever since the pandemic, many are asking whether it’s at all necessary. 34 Facilities management Facilities management used to be about ensuring the doors opened and the lights worked, but it has evolved over the years. Now, it’s as much about improving the efficacy of any facility as it is maintaining the bottom line. 38 AutoLink The focus of this month’s motors is exciting new developments in EVs, which are fast becoming popular – and affordable – on our roads. 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 16 20 31Group 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) Tel: (01472) 310310 Accounts & Subscriptions Angela Sharman, John Downes Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Design & Production Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson Tel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314 (studio@blmgroup.co.uk) E-Mail: yorks-lincs@blmgroup.co.uk Website www.blmforum.net Address Haychart Ltd, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE. ISSN No: 1462-2092 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be 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 participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to 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 those held by the publisher. COVER PHOTOS: STOCK.ADOBE.COM - IRINA SHARNINA • HYUNDAI • WEEDEZIGN • JUMLONGCH • PHILIP STEURY 24Schneider Electric to invest £42m in new North Yorkshire manufacturing site Schneider Electric is investing £42 million in a new manufacturing facility in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. More than 200 jobs will be created to meet the increased demand for electrical equipment to drive the UK’s move to cleaner energy including renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, and intelligent, energy-efficient buildings. The site, which is almost triple the size of Schneider Electric’s existing Scarborough facility, is a blueprint for sustainable design and operations in the manufacturing industry. It is poised to become a net-zero plant and will use modern technology to reduce energy waste and maximise the use of renewable energy. It is expected to be net-zero in Scope 1 and 2 emissions when it opens in early 2025. Scarborough is a long-established manufacturing base for Schneider Electric, currently employing 450 people. It specialises in the manufacture of low-voltage switchgears which protect and distribute electricity and are crucial to the rollout of sustainable and energy-efficient operations such as EV charging infrastructure and net-zero buildings. 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS BGF exits Yorkshire-based care village group following 12-year partnership Following a 12-year partnership, BGF has secured a strong return on its investment in Springfield Healthcare Group, as it exits the partnership with a sale of six care villages. Springfield Healthcare operates six care villages across the Yorkshire region, providing more than 500 registered care beds and employing 700 people. Starting out as a single care home, Springfield first secured investment from BGF in 2012 to expand its care village model into more locations across the North of England. During the investment period, BGF has provided a total of £31m of growth capital across multiple funding rounds to support the creation of new care homes, including a multimillion-pound renovation of the former Terry’s Chocolate headquarters in York. Springfield’s expansion has supported the creation of 700 new jobs in the region. Graeme Lee, the founder of the Springfield Group, will continue to own and operate Springfield Home Care Services, a domiciliary care business, and Springfield Garforth Care Home in Leeds as well as continuing to develop new Springfield Care Village projects in the region. Dinnington’s Direct Track Solutions sold to Swiss company Dinnington-based Direct Track Solutions Ltd (DTS) has been acquired by Swiss company Schwihag AG. Direct Track Solutions Limited was founded in 2002 by Martin and Melanie Southwell to focus on competitive supply chain solutions for the railway industry. Having significantly grown the business, Martin and Melanie were looking for a partner who could continue this success. Melanie and Martin Southwell, of Direct Track Solutions Limited, said: “Having worked for 22 years building a successful business, we agreed that the time was now right to look for a buyer that could take the business to the next level. Schwihag AG a global supplier of quality railway track products ticked all the boxes. “Schwihag AG is the perfect fit, enhancing the DTS brand and creating greater opportunities for all the staff. We are both delighted that the future of DTS is in good hands and we are confident that the business will go from strength to strength.” Corporate Finance advice was provided to DTS by Andy Ryder and Adam Ames of Shorts, together with legal advice from Matt Ainsworth of Shakespeare Martineau. © BGF © Schneider Electric www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS New operator sought as NEC Group steps away from Bradford Live A process is underway to appoint a new operator for Bradford Live, the newly renovated entertainment centre on the site of the former Bradford Odeon. Following a strategic review of its business, the NEC Group will focus on its existing operations in the Birmingham area. Bradford Council and the NEC Group have agreed settlement terms to release NEC from the contract that was in place for them to operate the venue. NEC will step away from Bradford Live with immediate effect. Bradford Live and the Council will now move at pace to identify a new operator and ensure the restored landmark venue will take its place as a major entertainment hub that Bradford can be proud of. The Council and NEC have been unable to provide any significant detail on the situation relating to Bradford Live until now, whilst negotiations were taking place. Further updates, and a new date for opening, will be provided when a new operator is confirmed. Hull City and East Riding of Yorkshire Council leaders welcome devolution deal sign off Cllr Mike Ross and Cllr Anne Handley, leaders of Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, have welcomed the news that creation of Hull and East Yorkshire’s Mayoral Combined Authority has been signed off by the government. The agreement means that Hull and East Yorkshire’s devolution deal will progress through the next steps towards a mayoral election in May 2025. The deal will give local leaders the power to make decisions in areas such as transport, adult education, and housing, boosting economic growth and opportunity. The announcement was made by Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, who, in his letter confirming agreement to the deal, recognised the work that is being done to grow relationships between Hull and the East Riding and Greater Lincolnshire, which has also had its devolution deal accepted. Cllr Ross said: “After years of being left out in the cold on devolution, the people of Hull and East Riding can now get the fair deal they deserve.” Energy consultancy lets Wakefield office suite for headquarters Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has completed the letting of a refurbished 5,160 sq ft office suite at 3 Paragon in Wakefield to Compliance 365, a specialist independent energy consultancy. Acting on behalf of Nationwide, who retain offices on other floors within the building, LSH secured the lease on a 5-year term. This modern ground-floor space features an open-plan layout with abundant natural light and glazed meeting rooms. The upgrade, overseen by owner-occupier Nationwide, has elevated the building to a high standard, incorporating air conditioning, raised access floors, and secure 24-hour access. Matt Procter, Senior Surveyor at Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “This letting not only underscores the high quality of its refurbished office space, but also reflects the growing confidence in the Wakefield market. “With its modern amenities and prime location, 3 Paragon is well suited to meet the needs of forward-thinking businesses like Compliance 365.” © Bradford Council © stock.adobe.com/AbrahamTOWER 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 Leeds Galvanising and Powder Coating hands ownership to employees Leeds Galvanising and Powder Coating Ltd (LGPC), the wholly owned trading subsidiary of Leeds Galvanising Holdings Ltd, has handed over ownership to its employees. The Leeds-based business’s 80-member workforce has been transferred the entire shareholding through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Founded over 15 years ago, LGPC has grown from one of the smallest galvanisers in the country to what it says is the largest galvanising and powder coating plant in the North of England. Simon Kelly, Managing Director and owner, will remain Managing Director following the change. Simon said: “LGPC has always been passionate about its people and they have been unswerving their loyalty and commitment to the business. This EOT is just reward for their hard work and talent and the key role that they have played in making LGPC the success it is today as the largest business of its kind in the north of England.” Flint Bishop strengthens national presence with strategic acquisition of Walker Morris’ Banking & Finance Recoveries division Law firm Flint Bishop has made a significant move in the legal sector by acquiring the entire Volume Banking & Finance Recoveries division from the wider Banking & Finance team of Walker Morris LLP, welcoming 34 new staff to the business. The strategic acquisition also marks Flint Bishop’s entry into the Leeds market and substantially enhances the firm’s capabilities in broader litigation and recoveries work, along with establishing a firm footprint to develop its full legal services offering across the UK. The Walker Morris team, known for its national reputation and inclusion on several bank panels, was carefully selected by Flint Bishop for this strategic move into the financial services sector. The acquisition propels Flint Bishop into the bank recovery and litigation arena, positioning the firm as one of the top legal providers to major banks and financial institutions. Flint Bishop has revealed plans for significant investments in staff, systems, and technology to further expand its national presence in this sector. Global manufacturer expands into new Wakefield headquarters A Yorkshire company that has become a world leader in manufacturing and supplying technology to control flying insects has expanded into a modern new headquarters and warehouse building at Symphony House, located on Wakefield 41 Industrial Estate. PestWest has agreed a 10-year lease on a modern 20,440 sq ft detached building, within a mile of Junction 41 of the M1 motorway. The landlord, The District Estates Limited was represented by Daniel Walker at Leeds property consultancy, GV&Co. The tenant, PestWest was advised by Rob Oliver at Avison Young. Rupert Broome, Managing Director of PestWest, said: “This expansion will enable us to increase production of several of our most popular products including our world-leading LED range of fly traps based on our exclusive Quantum X technology and it provides our team with the perfect base as we embark on our next phase of growth. This makes it a very exciting time for PestWest.” Flint Bishop Chief Executive, Qamer Ghafoor © stock.adobe.com/AnnaNext >