News: Rotherham's Retail Matters

The latest in a series of retail conferences and networking events at The Source heard from a number of Rotherham retailers, large and small, on why retail matters.

Based at Meadowhall, The Source Skills Academy is a flagship centre providing state of the art training and development facilities with a focus on the retail and service sector.

A Rotherham base opened on the High Street in 2011 with support from Rotherham Council and the Skills Funding Agency.

James Wilson, the Rotherham-born founder of retail business, We Love Sleep, shared his experience of online retail at his company that revolves around solving sleep problems rather than just selling beds and other products.

After a fire at its Sheffield showroom earlier this year, We Love Sleep is currently trading from RiDO's Fusion @ Magna business centre in Templeborough. James discussed how being online had saved the business, enabling it to continue to trade at home and internationally and gave useful tips to fellow retailers about trading online. He said: "If you are good at retail, you will be good online."

David Hanney, chief executive of Planet X bikes in Rotherham discussed the rapid growth of the company that was established by keen triathlete, Dave Loughran in the 1990s to produce dirt, jump and trials bikes. It specialises in internet sales and making bikes to order.

Previously of Sheffield retailer, Go Outdoors, Hanney joined Planet X last year. He said: "I saw a business with huge potential asking itself some serious questions about its future."

In the past year, Planet X secured a finance package from Barclays Bank, increased the number of employees from 50 to 100, brought back assembly from Taiwan to Rotherham and established NVQ training programmes with the help of The Source for its staff. It has also recently opened a new store in Barnsley to complement its showroom at its Templeborough HQ.

Kara Chapman described the journey her business, The Whistle Stop Sweet Shop, has gone on since it was opened in the Rotherham's Imperial Buildings in 2010. She told the audience: "The first year was our hardest ever where we were learning at our own cost. We moved forward in our second year whilst our third year saw the biggest move forward with new premises and expansion. I expect our fourth year to be a year of consolidation."

Doubling in size, the sweet shop opened the very first 21st Century temperance bar offering sarsparilla and cordials along with other fruit and sweet based drinks. Earlier this year it began offering sweet-making workshops and parties.

Tim O'Connell of Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO), the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council, gave an update on the measures to improve the retail offer in Rotherham town centre. This includes the involvement in the government's Portas pilot scheme and the support to new independent retailers and the pop-up shop concept which is expected to expand down the High Street.

Tim said: "It is happening and it is delivering change. Footfall continues to increase, vacancies are down and we have seen a net increase of 44 businesses since 2010."

We Love Sleep website
Planet X website
The Whistle Stop Sweet Shop website
Rotherham town centre website
The Source website

Images: The Source

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News: Hargreaves' plan for Maltby unit

Hargreaves Services plc, the owner of Maltby Colliery in Rotherham, is hoping to move the operations of one of its subsidiaries on to the site now that underground operations have ceased.

Maltby occupies a site of 500 acres and employed over 500 staff and contractors. It is the last coking coal mine left in the UK and produced both high quality coking coal and power station coal.

The owners confirmed mothballing in December last year following no viable alternative solution being found to geological reports that indicated that the risks associated with mining a new panel, called T125, had not significantly reduced and that the panel is not viable on health & safety, geological, and financial grounds.

Hargreaves has now submitted a planning application that would enable a storage building on the site to be used for general industry and become a new operation for manufacturing firm, AJS Contracts Ltd. The Hargreaves subsidiary provides structural and mechanical engineering services to the power generation industry. It undertakes design, fabrication and refurbishment works at its current Creswell facility as well as structural and mechanical services on various UK power stations.

If approved, the 18,000 sq ft building would be home to 20 staff on the site which AJS would use to provide support functions to the main engineering business, including parts storage, a servicing facility and a general workshop.

Despite being within a 500 acre colliery, the site is still designated as Green Belt. The plans, put together by Turley Associates, state that: "The change of use application will not result in harm to the Green Belt or its openness and it constitutes sustainable economic development.

"The reuse of the building for a new use is not considered to be inappropriate development as the existing building is of permanent and substantial construction and which forms part of a wider complex of buildings.

"The development will generate indirect and induced positive economic multiplier effects to the wider Maltby area."

Without capital intensive underground workings, Maltby continues to trade with approximately one million tonnes of tiny coal particles called "fines" being harvested and processed. It also provides management services and support to Hatfield Colliery in Doncaster.

A restoration programme, including the filling and capping of mine shafts, is set to be completed in 2014.

Beyond that, the council and Hargreaves have been in discussions regarding how the site fits into the council's Local Plan which sets out policies and proposals for new housing, shopping and employment.

Hargreaves website

Images: Hargreaves Services

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News: Reach for the lasers at TWI

Industry experts are to gather at The Welding Institute's (TWI's) Technology Centre in Rotherham next week to discuss the impact of additive manufacturing.

TWI is one of the world's foremost independent research and technology organisations, with expertise in solving problems in all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication and whole-life integrity management technologies.

The Cambridge organisation has a Technology Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) where experts provide technical support in joining and technologies such as material science, structural integrity, NDT, surfacing, electronic packaging and cutting.

TWI is pioneering the manufacturing freedoms offered by metal based additive manufacturing technologies in the aerospace, military and medical industries. The event on October 3 will highlight the use of Laser Metal Deposition (LMD), an additive process where a laser is used to melt metal powder onto a base material.

The process can be used to repair aero engine components or to build an object up layer by layer from 3D CAD data and is also being used in the consumer market.

When compared to subtractive manufacturing - approaches that remove material to form the shape of a work piece such as milling or turning - additive manufacturing reduces waste material, tooling costs and lead times.

Rotherham firm Hydraulic Pumps (UK) Ltd, worked with TWI to repair hydraulic pump shafts made from highly alloyed carbon steel that were previously being scrapped as they could not be repaired by conventional welding techniques.

Experts estimate that the additive manufacturing industry is expected to continue strong growth over the next few years, reaching a net worth of $3.7 billion worldwide by 2015.

The free seminar will discuss what is possible for the industrial use of the process and will include case studies from TWI members including Rolls-Royce and Smith and Nephew plus TWI development partners, LPW Ltd and Fripp Design and Research Ltd.

TWI website

Images: TWI

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News: Rotherham enterprise angling for business

A pair of Rotherham anglers plan to land themselves a net full of new customers with the launch of their own specialist fishing bait business.

Greg Nyles and Ryan Heaton gave up their secure jobs to follow their dream of running their own business, and with help from UK Steel Enterprise, Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RIDO) and Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE), the pair have set up RG Baits in Wath upon Dearne.

The company supplies roll baits for anglers up and down the country and also specialises in customised carp baits rolled themselves.

Greg, who worked as a banking advisor for Yorkshire Bank for seven years before starting RG Baits, said: "Carp fishing is big business with only a small number of bait providers. We work with three of the biggest names in the market, Nutra Baits, Nash and Premier Baits. We take their raw materials and make boilies, a rolled round bait ball. We will even take a base mix and add any combination of flavours the angler wants; it's that level of personal service that anglers like and what sets us apart from the rest."

The pair received £500 from UK Steel Enterprise's Kickstart Fund which is designed to pay for essential equipment or services that applicants need to start trading. The grant will be used to pay for a year-long advertising campaign that will expose the couple to a market of tens of thousands of anglers.

Greg added: "We are doing well at the moment with our core customer base but the new advertising campaign could really transform the business and win us lots of new customers. Our focus is on making sure anglers get precisely what they want in their baits, at a good price and with no adulteration. We are happy to make up small orders to suit a customer and that's what sets us apart, as other bait rollers will only deal in bulk orders."

Allan Wood, Regional Executive for UK Steel Enterprise says Greg and Ryan have approached their market in the right way: "Understanding what drives your customers to buy is an essential part of marketing a business. Greg and Ryan understand their market through years of fishing themselves but they also know how to focus on a niche market that responds to good customer service. They have spotted openings in the market and are positioning themselves to take full advantage of the gap and reap the rewards."

RG Baits is based at the Bolton Road Workshops, where a number of small machines process and roll the baits. The plan is to invest in an automated rolling system that will allow the business to satisfy far more customers after it has secured sufficient market share and obtained further funding.

Jackie Frost, chief executive of RYE, said: "Greg and Ryan have made a promising start to their new business and we are pleased to have helped them in securing a grant to give it a real Kickstart. We hope that they will take advantage of the continued support we offer to help take their business to the next level."

Greg concluded: "Being in business is a new challenge and you only live once so why not go for it? There is help out there if you look for it and we are both very grateful for the support we have had from UK Steel Enterprise."

RG Baits website
UK Steel Enterprise website
RiDO website

Images: UK Steel Enterprise

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News: Good year for Burgess Commercial

Rotherham's only firm of chartered surveyors, Burgess Commercial, has reported an increase in enquiries that could signal that the local commercial property market has turned a corner.

Paul Burgess and Neil Keally set up the Tembleborough office to offer their expertise in sales, lettings, valuations and professional work in respect of all types of commercial property including property management.


Recent deals include the sale of a hybrid unit at Genesis Business Park at Templeborough, Rotherham, and increasing the occupancy level of an industrial estate from 16% to 73% at Oakleaf Court in Rossington, Doncaster. In Sheffield, Burgess Commercial has handled a number of instructions including most recently agreeing a sale of The Orchard Centre off Westbar Green, adjacent to the new Hilton Hotel.

Paul Burgess, director of Burgess Commercial, said: "It's been a good year for us so far. The commercial property sector does seem to have started to turn a corner. There are still challenges ahead of us, but we are very encouraged by the significant increase in enquiries and the number of lettings and sales we have completed this year. We are optimistic for the future."

Fellow director Neil Keally added: "Many client's come to us because they know we're very familiar with the local commercial property market and can give them the most accurate and relevant information and advice. As a firm, we're small enough to give our clients individual attention, but large enough to be able to handle region-wide or nationwide projects."

The company has seen an expansion of its commercial property management department over the past 12 months, which has seen them working with an even wider range of property owners and managers than ever before. The client base has expanded geographically too, with clients as far afield as North Yorkshire, down to Gloucestershire.

Paul added: "We give our customers peace of mind, by ensuring their properties are compliant with the terms of the lease, as well as carrying out rent reviews and lease renewals. It's a really important area of our business and one where we see major opportunities for growth."

Burgess Commercial website

Images: Signs Express

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News: KP Nuts have got Rotherham United's back

Rotherham United has signed a sponsorship deal with KP Nuts which will see the snack firm's logo emblazoned on the back of the new grey away shirt.

The Millers have made an unbeaten start to the League One campaign following their promotion last season and the firm was introduced to the supporters with thousands of packets of free nuts being given away at the home defeat of Sheffield United.

KP Nuts is celebrating its 60th year in Rotherham where its Eastwood factory produces around 140 million packs of nuts each year. In 1968 it became part of United Biscuits before it was sold to German-headquarted multinational group, Intersnack, last year.

Matt Brophy, managing director of KP Nuts, said: "We are looking to do something long term with the Millers as we see it as being important to stay prominent in the local community. The club have been a big part of Rotherham for many years and as have KP. A lot of our employees in the factory go to the football, and we wanted to do some sponsorship that was relevant to as many local people as possible and our employees get something from it as it means something to them.

"It's a fantastic time to be involved with the club, it's a real phoenix from the ashes and to see that stadium go up in the heart of Rotherham is great. With some of the match tickets we get from this deal we'll be setting up a raffle amongst the people who work here so they're benefiting there as well.

"With media and advertising being quite expensive, we've not done a lot on television recently, but this is a great way for us to get the brand out there with the shirts being worn at the games, and the boarding round the pitch being seen on television. The fact that the away shirt gets all around the country which will export the brand further and it's our 60th anniversary of being in Rotherham so that was something we wanted to drive attention to."

Mark Hitchens, head of commercial at Rotherham United, added: "We're proud to have a brand like KP on board for this season in League One. They are a big part of industry in Rotherham and like ourselves are proud to be a significant part of this town's history. By sponsoring our away shirts for the season, their brand will spread across the country and be seen by thousands of fans game-on-game which our increase in stature to League One ensures."

Rotherham United website
KP Nuts website

Images: Rotherham United

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News: Region's businesses rise to charity challenges

The Mistress Cutler's Challenge came to an end earlier this month and with more still to come in, the total raised so far is over an outstanding £167,000.

The new twist on the annual Master Cutler's Challenge; one of the biggest, most well-known and exciting fundraising events in the Sheffield City Region saw more than 70 businesses and community groups from across the region accept the challenge. Using a £50 loan and their talents, skills and entrepreneurial flair to grow this amount they raised as much money as possible in just a few months.

This year, the challenge is supporting the Make it Better appeal that aims to raise £20m in the next three years to support the £40m transformation of The Children's Hospital, Sheffield.

The top fundraising team was from global law firm DLA Piper who raised £8739.64 through their Monopoly Challenge and cookbook. Former Master Cutler Gordon Bridge, a director of AESSEAL, and wife Janet were runners up to the challenge.

Julie MacDonald, the Mistress Cutler, said: "I am absolutely overwhelmed by the fantastic total we have managed to raise to support such a wonderful cause."

Also taking place recently, Junior Chamber International (JCI) members took part in a national campaign to collect sub-standard bras that can be recycled to raise cash for Flamingo Foundation projects. Members of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber's Women in Business Group have handed over more than 80 bras to JCI Barnsley and a bra bank est up by Fiona Silvester, membership director at JCI and owner of Alexandra's Café in Rotherham, collected 1,050 bras in total.

Rotherham cycle importer and retailer, Planet X, sponsored the 65 Roses Holme Moss Classic last weekend that saw 300 cyclists embark on a sportive starting next to its premises at Magna (pictured, right). The 65 mile ride followed part of the route for the Tour de France's Grand Depart that takes place in Yorkshire next year to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Also getting on their bikes recently were 14 staff from JCT600 (pictured, below)who raised £2,342 for York & District Against Motor Neurone Disease (YAMND) in support of a colleague who was recently diagnosed with this debilitating condition.

The mammoth charity challenge entailed cycling past JCT600's 14 Volkswagen dealerships across Yorkshire, the Humber, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, covering 247 miles in just two days.

James Warne, head of business for JCT600 Volkswagen York, said: "It was a fantastic effort from the team which was made up of staff from our Volkswagen dealerships in York, Hull and Rotherham, as well as a director from our head office in Bradford.

"Our original aim was to raise £1,000 for the charity, but the generosity of our colleagues, customers and friends has meant that we've far exceeded this target."

Mistress Cutler's Challenge website
Planet X website
JCT600 website

Images: The Children’s Hospital Charity / Planet X / JCT600

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News: Martek continues to have success overseas

Rotherham company, Martek Marine, one of the world leaders in the supply of safety and environmental monitoring systems for the shipping industry, has supplied 125 Navgard Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems (BNWAS) to Tidewater's fleet on the coast of Africa, in a significant six figure contract.

Based in Manvers, Martek designed its Navguard BNWAS to monitor bridge activity and detect any operator disability that could lead to shipping accidents. The system monitors the awareness of the Officer of the Watch (OOW) and automatically alerts other staff if for any reason, the OOW becomes incapable of performing duties through an accident, sickness or even a security breach such as piracy or hijacking.

Tidewater has the largest fleet of offshore vessels providing marine support services to the oil and gas industry, transporting crews and supplies to rigs around the world.

Navguard is the only system available which has type-approval from all major classification societies and will be retrofitted to Tidewater's African fleet.

Martek started the installation project by training the fleet's engineers while the first few vessels were in dry dock in Las Palmas. The Tidewater engineers were quickly happy with the simplicity of the installation, at which point Martek simply supplied the equipment for the engineers to continue the installation – saving them thousands of dollars and not interrupting the vessels' operations.

Lyall Smith, regional technical manager at Tidewater, said: "After some consideration, I chose Navgard for our African fleet of offshore support vessels because the system had no hidden costs – our own engineers fitted them, the installation did not disrupt our operations at all, it already had type approval under ABS and all our flag states, including USCG and Martek were able to obtain blanket plan approval quickly and at very little cost."

Exporting to over 80 countries, Martek has a turnover of around £10m and recently sailed through the £1m profit barrier. Other innovative products include defibrillators, monitoring systems, electronic chart displays and a gas callibration system. The latest product to launch is the portable water testing kit, Drinksafe.

Martek Marine website

Images: Tidewater

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News: Crawshaw considers expansion

Crawshaw, the Rotherham-based meat-focused retailer, is considering re-starting its expansion programme after reporting further improvements in its trading performance.


In its financial results for the six months to the end of July, the Bradmarsh Business Park company, reported an increase in sales and profit indicating that it has established its recovery in difficult High Street trading conditions and is overcoming government changes to the rules on VAT.

Established in 1954, the firm has been trading on the stock market since 2004. It was acquired by Felix Group plc in 2008. It has 20 retail outlets throughout Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Humberside and two distribution centres, in Rotherham and Grimsby.

Like for like sales were up 5% in the first half of the year compared to the same period the previous year, helped by good BBQ weather in July. Overall sales also increased, to £9.8m from £9.3m in 2012.

The group reported that overhead expenditure had been controlled well that meant that gross profit increased 6% to £4.3m from £4.1m in 2012 and profit before tax rose three fold to £0.3m. Gross margin was up at 43.9% (43.6% in 2012) and EBITDA (earnings before tax) significantly improved at £0.5m (£0.3m in 2012).

Richard Rose, chairman of Crawshaw, said: "Now our recovery in trading performance has become established we are giving consideration to re-starting our expansion program, albeit on a cautious basis, and will report further in due course.

"We are encouraged with current trading, like for like sales for the first eight weeks of the second half are up 10% with gross margin in line with first half performance."

In April, Crawshaw announced its first ever dividend for shareholders and the latest results meant that the board proposed an interim dividend of 0.09p per share, as a measure of their confidence in the business going forward.

Crawshaw website

Images: Crawshaw

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News: Improved performance for Inditherm

A period of improved performance for Inditherm has seen the AIM-listed Rotherham company return to revenue growth.

The Manvers firm is a provider of low voltage, cost-effective heating technology that uses a carbon-based, electrically conductive polymer to deliver heat. It is used in industrial applications such as keeping pipes at a set temperature and also in various medical applications.

In its latest financial result for the six months ended June 30 2013, Inditherm reported that revenue increased 23% to just over a £1m compared to £812,000 in 2012. This was on the back of a 22% increase in orders.

The performance led to a small profit before tax for the first half of the year compared to a loss of £73,000 in the same period last year.

Inditherm has shifted its focus to the medical market where its systems are used for patients undergoing operations which carry risk of inadvertent hypothermia and in neonatal wards. The first half of 2013 showed a good growth in the medical division of 32% over the same period in 2012, boosted by orders the company had expected to receive last year.

A healthy increase in orders have been secured from the NHS during difficult market conditions leading to UK Medical order growth year-on-year of over 90% in the period to the end of August 2013. In addition, Inditherm announced that it has over £270,000 of confirmed future service contracts representing a build up of repeat business that will be realised as sales revenue over the next five years.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the UK government's regulatory authority, issued guidance in 2011 that supports the use of Inditherm patient warming systems for patients undergoing operations which carry risk of inadvertent hypothermia.

Order growth in export markets was more modest, but still showed a 20% improvement year-on-year to the end of August 2013, helped by good orders from China and South Africa. Inditherm said that it would invest further in distributor support after receiving a positive overall outlook from overseas partners.

Mark Abrahams, chairman of Inditherm, said: "Against the backdrop of a break-even result and with underlying order growth restored to 22%, we have established a platform from which the next phase of business development can be achieved.

"The impact of NICE guidance has been a major driver of our UK growth, but there remain significant challenges dealing with the NHS, which results in an uneven order pattern.

"We believe that the business has made considerable progress following the difficult market conditions over the last four years and our strategic shift to being fully focussed as a Medical business. We do not expect the uncertainties associated with the markets in which our Medical business operates to disappear, so we anticipate ongoing uneven order flow. Against this challenging backdrop we expect to continue our revenue growth but, to fuel this, we will be investing in additional targeted resource which will slow the rate of translation into profit."

Inditherm website

Images: Inditherm

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News: AMRC Training Centre opens doors

167 newly recruited engineering apprentices, their parents and employers, got together at the AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham recently to find out what the future has in store for them when the £20.5m centre opens later this year.

The AMRC Training Centre is nearing completion on the Advanced Manufacturing Park where the focus will be on 250 students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships with opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses.

The centre will focus on high-level training, concentrating on sectors such as aerospace, energy and Formula One. The Government awarded £9.2m from the Regional Growth Fund to establish the centre with the remainder coming from participating companies and other funding streams.

The training is employer-led which ensures that the apprentices gain a tailored set of skills and hands on experience that employers require.

The meet and greet event provided the opportunity to meet the director of the Training Centre, Alison Bettac and hear from chairman of the AMRC Training Centre, Vincent Middleton; Wayne Miller from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS); Val Mills, vice principal of Barnsley College; and Kerry Featherstone, head of training at the AMRC Training Centre.

Vincent Middleton, who is also chair of successful local company, Newburgh Engineering (pictured meeting apprentices), said: "This centre is a result of many years of industry experts defining their needs and provides a very exciting opportunity for the sector and those going into it."

Newburgh Engineering has six of the new apprentices and employs 28 in total, which is 20% of its workforce. The new team were carefully selected from a record-breaking 400 who applied this year, with minimum eligibility criteria including a minimum grade C GCSE in Maths & English, an engineering-related hobby, some formal study of engineering and a positive, enthusiastic attitude to learning.

One of the six, Callum aged 17, said: "I feel very lucky and proud to be starting at this outstanding advanced training centre and look forward to my future in engineering."

And Torston, aged 16, added: "Being part of such an advanced and prestigious learning facility is exciting and my training here will give me the very best understanding of the many aspects within advanced manufacturing that will form the foundation of my career."

During their apprenticeship they will each obtain skills and qualifications including an NVQ, HNC and BTEC Diploma in engineering, before eventually specialising in either machining or welding and fabrication. After their initial year at the AMRC Training Centre, the group will come in-house to Newburgh for a further three years of training under close supervision by their dedicated apprentice training manager.

Newburgh is a precision engineering specialist that has it's head office and manufacturing facility in Templeborough, Rotherham and a site in Derbyshire. It is a specialist contract manufacturer of component parts and assemblies for the nuclear, defence, oil and gas, petrochemical, aerospace and power generation industries.

AMRC Training Centre website
Newburgh Engineering website

Images: AMRC Training Centre

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News: Pyronix prepares for new products

Rotherham-based security experts, Pyronix, has added David Ward to their growing marketing team, as it prepares to launch even more innovative products.

Based in Hellaby, Pyronix manufactures an extensive range of electronic security equipment for intruder alarms. Right from the start, there was keen focus on innovation and quality that enabled the company to obtain an initial toehold in the market place. The company has an annual turnover of £17m and exports to over 65 countries worldwide.

Joining as product manager, David brings with him over 20 years of experience from within the intruder market, working with both manufacturers and installers, which should help him to tailor Pyronix product specifications to the needs of installers and end users alike.

David Ward, product manager at Pyronix (pictured), said: "The record number of product launches that Pyronix have already made this year is proof that these are exciting times. With a comprehensive product road map in place I am confident that Pyronix are the best placed manufacturer for providing the next generation of security solutions that the market requires."

Innovative products include the award-winning Enforcer system that was a world-first fully two way wireless alarm system incorporating a transmitter and a receiver in each wireless device.

The company believe that its commitment to reinvestment in R&D leave a pipeline of exciting product templates awaiting David's input. His expertise and "fresh pair of eyes" are expected to help finalise the detailed designs in preparation for their showcasing at next year's IFSEC International, the largest event for the security industry that brings together the entire security buying chain in one place.

Pyronix website

Images: Pyronix

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News: Rotherham schools ready to work with local business to support hospice

Staff and students have been tasked with finding innovative ways to raise money for charity as part of The Rotherham Hospice Enterprise Challenge.

A record 48 teams are taking part in the challenge that was launched last week at the Carlton Park Hotel by Ready Unlimited, the Rotherham-based service that supports educators to embed enterprise and entrepreneurship across the curriculum.

Sheffield-based solicitors, Irwin Mitchell, are providing £50 loans for each team and business mentoring, but it will be up to the students to come up with enterprising ways of turning the initial investment in to much, much more for the Rotherham Hospice.

The only adult hospice in Rotherham for the people of Rotherham, Rotherham Hospice is an independent charity and must raise significant sums of money each year in order to pay for the quality care provided free of charge to patients, their families and carers.

Anne Giblin, fundraiser at Rotherham Hospice, said: "This is a really exciting challenge. We've worked hard to build on previous fund raising activities with Ready Unlimited and Rotherham schools, and with our sponsor Irwin Mitchell on board this year, we're hoping to take the challenge to the next level."

The challenge will conclude in January 2014 when the students' fundraising activities will come to an end and the groups who have best met the enterprise skill-related judging criteria will win prizes. All groups have been tasked to share their fundraising experiences and enterprising learning at a closing ceremony with a panel of judges made up of Rotherham business representatives.

Claire Bracewell, legal executive at Irwin Mitchell said: "We're really looking forward to seeing how the students approach their fundraising and how they draw on their enterprise skills to develop their ideas."

Catherine Brentnall, managing director of Ready Unlimited, added: "We're very proud of the partnership that has been developed – it's great that young people are raising money for a great cause, whilst developing important enterprise skills and linking with business mentors from Irwin Mitchell."

Evolving from Rotherham Ready and originally established as a council-run project by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in 2006, Ready Unlimited became an independent not-for-profit social enterprise in June.

Ready Unlimited website

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News: Hargreaves reports on Maltby Colliery mothballing

Hargreaves Services plc, the UK's leading supplier of solid fuels, has reported its latest financial results for a "challenging and rewarding year" that included the mothballing of Maltby Colliery in Rotherham.

Setbacks during the year ending May 31 2013 included the mothballing of Maltby and a case of fraud at its Belgium division which meant that net loss after this exceptional impact was £49.6m. However pre-tax profits still increased to £52.2m, up from £49.2m in 2012.

Following the acquisition of the assets of ATH Resources and a switch from deep mining to surface mining, revenues from continuing operations were £843.3m, an increase of £225.4m over the prior year.

The board is recommending a final dividend of 13.6p for shareholders, an increase of 15.3% year on year.

Maltby occupies a site of 500 acres and employed over 500 staff and contractors. It is the last coking coal mine left in the UK and produced both high quality coking coal and power station coal.

The owners confirmed the mothballing in December last year following no viable alternative solution being found to geological reports that indicated that the risks associated with mining a new panel, called T125, had not significantly reduced and that the panel is not viable on health & safety, geological, and financial grounds.

In the latest financial statement, Hargreaves said that "The closure of Maltby was a difficult decision that we recognised would affect a large number of people both within and outside the group.

"The loss of jobs at Maltby is very regrettable. The group, management and unions worked together closely to minimise the inevitable socio-economic impacts. In this regard, great efforts continue to be made to find alternative jobs for as many of the workforce as possible."

A number of Maltby miners have successfully transferred across to Hatfield Colliery near Doncaster, which Hargreaves has managed on behalf of its owners for the last two years. A large number of skilled workers have also been recruited to the group's contracting arm, Hargreaves Technical Resources.

Without capital intensive underground workings, Maltby continues to trade with approximately one million tonnes of tiny coal particles called "fines" harvested and processed. Hargreaves also sold Maltby's methane assets to Alkane Energy in a £7.5m deal.

Overall, the mothballing process led to a reported loss (including closure costs) of £59.8m net of tax incurred in the year which is in line with Hargreaves' plan. These costs included the operating loss to the point of decision to mothball the mine, redundancy costs, closure and settlement costs to the end of the year, and non cash write offs relating to plant and equipment, development costs and other related assets.

The process to sell the remainder of the plant and equipment is ongoing and the closure and restoration programme, including the filling and capping of mine shafts, remains on track to be completed during the current financial year.

Hargreaves, which provides management services and support to Hatfield Colliery Limited from Maltby Colliery Limited, is also expected to "vigorously defend" any claim from Network Rail following the land slip that closed rail lines for five months at Hatfield earlier this year.

Tim Ross, chairman of Hargreaves Services, said: "It has been both a challenging and rewarding year. Whilst the group suffered setbacks at both Maltby and in Belgium, we have made significant strategic progress. Following a successful equity raise in April, the Group has accelerated the development of its surface mining business to become the key coal producer and distributor in the UK market."

Hargreaves Services website

Images: Hargreaves Services

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News: Underwood Meat Company complete acquisition

The Underwood Group, the Rotherham-based supplier of high quality fresh meat products to the catering industry, has further diversified its core business with the recent acquisition and investment in a dedicated factory unit producing high quality chilled and frozen sausage and burgers for the catering, food service, retail and wholesale markets.

Underwood Meat Company operates from two sites – in Rotherham, and Godalming in Surrey – and employs 150 people. From these premises, the company provides a wide variety of raw meat products to a range of blue-chip groups and independent catering customers throughout the UK.

The agreement with Country Park Foods has seen the Rawmarsh Road firm acquire the latter's Bramley Foods subsidiary in a deal that includes an 11,000 sq ft factory at Holmewood, Chesterfield.

A spokesperson for Underwood's said that the facility: "will provide a modern processing environment along with state of the art manufacturing equipment to enable the business to continue to support the growth in demand for quality sausages and burgers that we have experienced over the last two years, and importantly allow us to further develop these quality product ranges and extend our sales penetration into new markets."

The growing firm has also taken on Richard Mather as commercial manager who has overall responsibility for the Holmewood site.

Corporate and real estate lawyers at the Sheffield office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell advised Underwood Meat Company on the deal. Thomas Hall, a partner in Irwin Mitchell's Real Estate team, advised Underwood on the transfer of the Bramley Foods factory, while Matt Ainsworth, a partner in the law firm's Corporate team, advised on the acquisition aspects of the deal.

Thomas Hall, partner at Irwin Mitchell said: "This deal is major boost to Underwood Meat Company as it looks to expand and develop its operations in South Yorkshire.

"The acquisition of the company and property is a good news story for the region and highlights that even though times remain tough for many businesses, firms in good health are able to take advantage of growth opportunities. We're delighted to have been part of it."

Handlesbanken in Rotherham, led by Michael Harrison, supported Underwood Meat on the deal.

Underwood Meat Company website

Images: Underwood Meat Company

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News: Second chance to share in growth of global nuclear

The Nuclear AMRC's £76m "Sharing in Growth" programme has opened a second round of funding for manufacturers who want to win work in the global nuclear sector.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative between the University of Sheffield, The University of Manchester, and a consortium of industry partners.

The new programme is backed by the government through a £38m grant from the Regional Growth Fund, and by industry leaders including Rolls-Royce.

Participating companies will receive a four-year programme of business development and training, tailored to the specific needs of their business.

The support will be worth around £1m per project and five companies successfully applied in the first phase at the start of the summer, and are now beginning their development projects.

Mike Tynan, chief executive of the Nuclear AMRC, said: "Sharing in Growth is an innovative programme that will prepare the UK supply chain to win contracts in the national and international civil nuclear marketplace. It is a programme that will help create and sustain long-term capability in UK advanced manufacturing, and help build a new era of civil nuclear generating capacity in the UK."

Support provided under the programme includes shopfloor manufacturing improvement, process improvement, leadership development and specific nuclear sector knowledge. Support will continue for four years, ensuring that it delivers sustainable benefits.

The programme is also supporting the Nuclear AMRC's ongoing research, helping UK manufacturers develop the technical capabilities to compete worldwide and bring new technologies and processes into production.

The multi-billion pound global nuclear sector includes 65 reactor units currently under construction around the world and current proposals indicate a total of 317 new reactors coming on line by 2030.

The Nuclear AMRC and Rolls-Royce will be hosting two free teleconferences, at 10am and 4pm today to discuss the programme with interested companies and the round closes on October 20.

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Nuclear AMRC

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News: Sound advice for Vonhatski Amplification

A new British amp brand is ready to rock the music industry with guitar amps designed and manufactured here in Rotherham.

Vonhatski Amplification is owned by Stefan Suchacki, an enterprising electronics engineer and keen guitarist, who has spent the last two years developing his own unique guitar amplification range. It has set up in Rotherham with support from by RiDO's Soft Landing Zone.

Stefan, who lives in Goldthorpe near Barnsley, studied Aerospace Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University before working as an electronics engineer for some of Norway's leading oil production companies. He needed a new amplification system for his guitar and wasn't impressed with what was available on the market, so took the matter into his own hands.

Stefan (pictured, above), said: "I couldn't find an amplifier suitable, so spent almost two years developing a dual rectifier amp brand of my own. It's really exciting now I have a product range with different sizes of amplifier, with heads and speaker cabinets. We are the only British company that designs and manufactures its products here, using British components – it's something I'm really proud of."

After a long period of in depth testing, which included gruelling tours with major artists to get their input, Vonhatski launched the hand-built Purelight 1206 range of amplifiers and speaker cabinets in 2013 and has already picked up rave reviews and recommendations from industry publications.

Vonhatski Amplification has taken space in RiDO's Century Business Centre in Manvers which means that it can take advantage of the business support on offer from the Growth and Prosperity in Rotherham (Soft Landing Zone) project that aims to assist Rotherham companies in accessing international markets and also helps foreign inward investors who choose to locate to RiDO's business centres.

RiDO's Julia Millea was able to support Stefan with translations for his product catalogue into Japanese, to comply with current legislation for international published material of this type. Julia, business development co-ordinator at RiDO, said: "It has been fantastic to work with Stefan and to see his business taking off so quickly. We hope to be able to support his continued expansion across Europe and the USA, it's a great South Yorkshire success story."

Stefan added: "Julia from RiDO's Soft Landing Zone has given me both practical support, as well as some really good contacts to help with the international side of the business. She put me in touch with Enterprise Europe, which means my products will be advertised internationally. She also helped me to secure a grant through UK Steel Enterprise, which has enabled me to buy new IT equipment." 

Stefan is currently working on setting up distributors across the Scandinavian countries and then for every European country, before tackling his major targets North and South America early next year.

Stefan adds: "As my business grows, I'll be looking for distributors across the world and will be working closely with RiDO to help me do this."

RiDO is hosting an International Trade Workshop at the Fusion Business Centre in Templeborough on October 8 from 10-1pm.

Vonhatski Amplification website
RiDO website

Images: RiDO

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News: Rolls-Royce announce $1.5bn Lufthansa contract

World-renowned engineers, Rolls-Royce, is to supply Trent XWB engines worth $1.5bn to Germany's Lufthansa, the largest airline in Europe.

The contract, including TotalCare service support, will see 25 Airbus A350-900 aircraft powered by the iconic engine. The airline also has options for a further 30 of the aircraft.

Lufthansa already has 60 Trent-powered Airbus A380s, A330s and A340s either in service or on order. Rolls-Royce is also a joint-venture partner with Lufthansa Technik AG in the N3 Engine Overhaul Services maintenance business.

Nico Buchholz, executive vice president, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management, said: "Having followed the development of the Trent XWB, we have been impressed with the performance of the engine and are pleased it will be powering our new fleet. The Trent XWB and Airbus A350 make a powerful combination, enabling us to continue to deliver the highest levels of customer service."

Eric Schulz, president - Civil Large Engines at Rolls-Royce, said: "This is a significant order for the Trent XWB from a valued customer that has continued to use new Trent technology to develop its fleet. We look forward to continuing our close relationship with Lufthansa."

The Trent XWB, the world's most efficient engine flying today, is the fastest-selling member of the Rolls-Royce Trent engine family, with more than 1,400 ordered prior to its entry into service next year.

Rolls-Royce's new Rotherham facility is currently under construction on the Advanced Manufacturing Park. The Advanced Blade Casting Facility will produce single crystal turbine blades, which play a critical role in jet engines and are required to withstand centrifugal loads of up to ten tonnes while operating at up to 200 degrees above the melting point of their alloy.

There are over 65 turbine blades in every iconic Trent engine and the 14,900 sq m facility will be capable of manufacturing 100,000 blades per year when it becomes fully operational in 2014.

Earlier this year, Rolls-Royce engines powered the successful maiden flight of the Airbus A350 XWB. This was followed last week by the first flight of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (pictured). The second member of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner family took to the skies from Seattle powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.

Rolls-Royce website

Images: Boeing / Rolls-Royce

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News: Paula rises to stardom at national awards

Paula Windle, a retail trainer who has been working with retailers in Rotherham town centre, has been named as the National Skills Academy Retail Trainer of the Year at the annual Retail Week Retail Rising Star Awards.

Paula, who works at The Source, beat off stiff competition to scoop the national award which was announced at a ceremony held in London's Mayfair at the famous Grosvenor House and which brought together the biggest names in retail. 

Paula works with retail mangers and top brands across Yorkshire and was recognised for her knowledge and excellence in training delivery. Judges commented that Paula's passion and enthusiasm for retail was clear to see. In addition the judges were particularly impressed with her impact on the local retail community, work on various projects to support her local authority.

Paula Windle, retail trainer at The Source, said: "To be recognised as retail trainer of the year at such a prestigious awards ceremony is amazing. I have worked in retail all of my working life and I'm so fortunate to be able to pass on my knowledge to others. I love working with retailers from the big brands to the smallest of independents and seeing them develop and grow their business."

Dale Robinson, head of communications at The Source Skills Academy said: "Paula is a great asset to the retail industry and of course our business. Her recent work helping the retailers of Rotherham Town Centre has been inspirational and already seen some great results. All the team are so proud of Paula's fantastic achievement."

Based at Meadowhall, The Source Skills Academy is a flagship centre providing state of the art training and development facilities with a focus on the retail and service sector.

A Rotherham base opened on the High Street in 2011 with support from Rotherham Council and the Skills Funding Agency.

The latest in a series of retail conferences and networking events is being held at The Source on Friday, featuring a number of speakers including David Hanney from Planet X, the Rotherham-based cycle importer and retailer.

The Source website

Images: The Source

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News: LEP aims to unlock more business investment

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has launched the next phase of its flagship programme aiming to unlock more business investment in the Sheffield City Region (SCR).

In July the LEP was conditionally awarded £7m from the Government's Regional Growth Fund (RGF) to support modern manufacturing and technology companies to create jobs as a follow up to the successful £25m bid secured in round three of the fund.

The "Unlocking Business Investment" programme provides grants of between £25,000 and £2m to support companies using their own funding to make direct business investments that ultimately lead to creating sustainable, private sector jobs. Business investments include capital projects which involve investment in equipment, machinery and tools; alterations to land and/or premises to meet the needs of the business. Grants can also be used to support new research and development.

The latest round of the programme now includes a new sub-programme with £2.5m set aside to support smaller businesses.

The initial scheme was over-subscribed and is already on track to create approximately 2,000 sustainable, private sector jobs.

So far, ten local businesses have had their projects formally approved to receive over £4m from the LEP's RGF programme. These ten businesses will create 279 new jobs in the Sheffield City Region.

50 local projects are hoping to secure funding and the LEP hopes that the extra funding can be used to create over 500 additional new jobs.

David Grey, member of the LEP Steering Group, said: "The SCR LEP bid for, and secured this funding on a competitive basis. Since then we have set about securing the maximum value for public money, and in doing so, supporting in as many companies as possible to invest and grow. Given the profile of companies in our region – I am delighted that smaller companies are now able to access funding through this programme. I would encourage any business with suitable project to apply."

Eligible projects will be selected on a competitive basis by the LEP Steering Group. An online application from will be available from the 27th September 2013 until 31st October 2013. Rotherham companies wishing to submit an application for funding to support their investment should contact Tim O'Connell at RiDO.

Lord Heseltine, whose independent report is shaping the way the private sector and local and central government work together on economic development, was in Rotherham this week to discuss his vision for LEPs with Chairman James Newman and Board Members Julie Kenny CBE, Cllr Julie Dore, Professor Philip Jones, Nigel Brewster and Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton CBE.

Sheffield City Region LEP website

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News: Young web designer given a taste of industry

Jack Biggs, a 12 year old pupil at Netherwood ALC in Barnsley has proven what a difference young people on work experience can make to a business, with the creation of a brand new website for a Manvers-based company.

Jack approached marquee and gazebo manufacturer Gala Tent, as he was interested in IT and website design and wanted some commercial experience during the summer holidays. Jason Mace, managing director, had just bought the Double Barrel Steakhouse in Thurcroft, Rotherham, so set Jack on with the job of creating a new website for the new venture.

Jason gave Jack a brief on what he wanted for the website design and single-handedly came up with the concept for the Texan-themed website, which was perfect for the steakhouse.

Jason Mace was very impressed with Jack's work, he said: "Jack took the challenge of designing the website head-on and built it completely from scratch himself. I'm a big believer in giving young people a chance as when they are given an opportunity to work on a real life project, they can really shine. Jack has done a fantastic job creating our new website for the steak-house and this should give him a great start to his portfolio and is something he can be proud of."

The former Double Barrel public house is currently going through an £80,000 renovation with plans for the steakhouse to open towards the end of October.

Craig Savage, formerly of the Cross Keys pub and steakhouse at Hoyland in Barnsley, will run the new venture after recently signing a ten year lease.

Jason Mace said: "Craig has over ten years' experience in running steakhouses and pubs and it made sense to bring in a manager like him who really knows this business inside out. We are really excited about the steakhouse opening at the end of October, there will be nowhere like this in South Yorkshire."

Craig Savage, director of the Double Barrel Steakhouse & Grill, added: "We are really pulling out all the stops with the Double Barrel Steakhouse. This will be the only restaurant in South Yorkshire where you can eat a 72 oz steak! We're also giving diners the chance to cook their own steak at their table exactly how they like it, which people are really looking forward to!"

Double Barrel Steakhouse & Grill website

Images: Gala Tent

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News: AMRC offer free design, prototyping and testing for SMEs

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, is offering Yorkshire SMEs two days of cost-free business support from its new Design Prototype and Test Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.


Set to open soon, the 2,700 sq m extension to an existing building will bring together design and prototyping with structural testing, key areas in the research of high-value manufacturing sectors such as aerospace, energy, motorsport and medical technology. The AMRC works with companies along the supply chain to identify and resolve advanced manufacturing problems.

More than doubling the size of the original building that opened in 2004, the centre has secured funding from the European Regional Development Fund and High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

To launch the new centre and demonstrate support for local business, the AMRC is offering small and medium-sized manufacturers in the Yorkshire & Humber region two days of free business assistance.

The programme gives qualifying companies free access to the AMRC's multi-disciplinary team of design and testing engineers, to help companies develop new products or improve current capabilities.

Derek Boaler, head of design at The AMRC, said: "The new AMRC Design Prototype & Test Centre will be a national hub for design engineering, and we're delighted to give Yorkshire businesses the opportunity to take advantage of our expertise.

"We can help manufacturers move innovative new designs from first concept through to fully tested pre-production prototype, and create high-value products that are designed, tested and made in Britain. If we can help your business, we want to hear from you."

AMRC website

Images: AMRC / SCR LEP / Twitter

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News: Recruitment underway for Rolls-Royce apprentices in Rotherham

World-renowned engineers, Rolls-Royce is again recruiting for its apprenticeship programmes at the new Advanced Blade Casting Facility currently being constructed at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

The 14,900 sq m Advanced Blade Casting Facility will use cutting edge manufacturing techniques to produce single crystal turbine blades, which play a critical role in jet engines and are required to withstand centrifugal loads of up to ten tonnes while operating at up to 200 degrees above the melting point of their alloy.

The facility will be capable of manufacturing 100,000 blades per year when fully operational in 2014.

Rolls-Royce's Advanced Apprenticeships for engineering are offered in two disciplines - technical and practical and are described as a "genuine alternative to university that will take you on an incredible three and a half year journey."

Practical apprentices will train using state-of-the-art components, machinery and technology, getting ready to build, test and fix incredible, world-changing products.

Technical apprentices will use state-of-the-art computers to build powerful investigative and problem-solving skills in preparation for taking on some of the world's toughest technical challenges.

Apprentices will gain generic skills in the first year before moving on to mentored placements that help determine the most suitable skill for the trainee that also meets the needs of the business. In the second year, apprentices will broaden and deepen their knowledge before being aligned to a specific Rolls Royce business in year three.

Rolls-Royce has been training apprentices for over 100 years, and 260 were taken on in 2012. The group's apprenticeship programme is an industry leader; awarded Beacon Status by the Learning & Skills Improvement Service and OFSTED graded the programme as outstanding in all areas.

98% of apprentices successfully complete their training compared with a 74% national average and many go on to senior roles within the organisation - 20% of current senior managers in the UK started their careers as Rolls-Royce apprentices.

The deadline for applications for this year is October 4 and more information can be found on the Rolls-Royce careers website.

Rolls-Royce website

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News: Sarclad's contract success continues

Sarclad, a provider of advanced technology products for the metals industry, continues to secure major contracts from across the world.

The firm employs 65 staff and specialises in world-leading products and applications for measurement, monitoring and quality improvement in the production and rolling of steel. Investing £1.6m and doubling capacity, Sarclad opened a new facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) last year after moving from Chesterfield.

The move continues to pay off, with a number of export orders recently announced for the Rollscan inspection system that uses the latest digital electronics technology and custom application software to detect surface and sub-surface flaws of hot and cold mill rolls during the steel-making process.

One contract is an order of three units for Ternium in Mexico with another two orders for Rollscan units at both North American Stainless and Indian company, Tata Tarapur. Argentinian company, Siderar have also ordered a unit.

Sarclad is also continuing its success with its Strand Condition Monitor (SCM) despite the current difficult marketplace. The system provides accurate measurement and assessment that is essential for the production of high quality steel.

New orders have been secured from the US and India whilst upgrades have been commissioned for existing SCM systems in the UK, Holland, Belgium, Czech Republic, the USA and South Africa.

Steve Shillito, SCM project manager at Sarclad, said: "While capital expenditure for new equipment is still considered a luxury for many steel producers around the world, Sarclad continues to support its existing customer base by keeping ahead of electronic hardware obsolescence with new developments."

Sarclad's other major product is Rolltex, its Electro Discharge Texturing (EDT) equipment that is used to provide surface textures on cold mill rolls in steel-making facilities. New orders have been placed for installations in America, China, Mexico, India, Italy, Russia and Japan.

A spokesperson for Sarclad said that the contract wins were "fantastic news for the business that emphasise our wide global presence within the steel industry.

"Looking ahead at the near future, Sarclad are pleased to be able to announce that we already have EDT machines due to be built, tested and delivered before the end of this year. This includes a 72 electrode for both Pangang and VAMA in China. In addition, Novelis who are a new customer in South Korea have ordered a 12 electrode EDT machine.

"Our order book for 2014 is already filling up with projects for Alcoa in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a 12 electrode machine and Chinese company Tangshan have ordered a 72 electrode machine."

Sarclad website

Images: Sarclad

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News: Feeding Rotherham's Future

Greencore Group and KP Snacks have been offering skills training to help tackle UK youth unemployment in Rotherham as part of a nationwide initiative by the entire food and grocery industry.

The Institute of Grocer Distribution's (IGD's) "Feeding Britain's Future" initiative pledged 12,000 training places for young unemployed people that would see them given the opportunity to go into farms, factories and stores for free skills training.

During September over 180 employers across the industry's supply chain are taking part and this week KP Snacks are opening the doors of its Eastwood factory where it employs around 300 people and produces around 140 million packs of nuts each year.

Keren McCarron, corporate affairs manager at KP Snacks said: "We are delighted to open our doors to give youngsters some direct experience of our business. We have around 14 Feeding Britain's Future events planned across our sites and they are a welcome opportunity for us to improve young people's understanding about the many opportunities afforded by the food industry, which is one of the most exciting and dynamic sectors of UK manufacturing."

Greencore offered up CV and interview sessions with HR managers to help young people develop their employability skills and improve their chances of getting a job.

The Irish-based firm employ around 3,000 people in Yorkshire and Greencore Prepared Meals at Waleswood in Rotherham prepares quiches, tarts and Weight Watchers Foods.

As well as workshops to improve their soft skills, all participants will have the chance to try a number of activities across Greencore's sites, including making sushi, designing sandwiches and sampling products. They will also have the opportunity to see how the business is run and the wide range of careers available.

Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of the IGD, said: "The UK food and grocery industry employs 3.7 million people - making us Britain's biggest private sector employer. With that scale comes responsibility - we have a vital role to play in tackling youth unemployment by sharing our advice and experience.

"Feeding Britain's Future is bringing the industry together to share the rules of the game with young people. We hope young people will make the most of this opportunity to develop their skills and grow their confidence."

Patrick Coveney, CEO of Greencore (pictured, top) visited the Kiveton site during the initiative. He said: "Greencore is delighted to be working alongside the IGD and its peers within the industry on the Feeding Britain's Future initiative. It is important that we all play our part in addressing the challenge that faces young people in the UK today."

Greencore website
Feeding Britain's Future website

Images: Greencore

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News: AMRC testing tools that see all

Experts at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham are being called upon to test a world-leading new generation of "Smart Tools."

Sandvik Teeness AS is adding sensor technology to its tools that are used to produce complex metal components.

The Norwegian firm is already causing a stir with its Silent Tools which use special damping technology to reduce bending and vibrations in the metre long tools that are needed to machine deep holes in components for the aerospace and oil & gas industries.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the AMRC is a world-class centre for innovative research and focuses on advanced machining and materials research. Work is nearly complete on expanding its Design Prototype & Test Centre.

The AMRC's expertise is being called upon by Norway's SINTEF, the largest independent research organisation in Scandinavia, whose researchers are now producing a compact and robust sensor package to be fitted to the tip of the Sandvik Teeness tool. When the tool is machining material, the sensors will be capable of measuring temperature, vibration, position and flexing during boring.

The tools are fitted inside multitask machining units which can turn blanks into part of the landing gear for an Airbus 380, an oil valve from a "Christmas tree" or a part used in the mechanical industry.

An industry first, the collaborative project aims to improve accuracy, prevent faults arising and avoid wasted material.

Terje Mugaas, a researcher at SINTEF (pictured above, left), said: "We want to ensure that continuous feedback is provided throughout the machining process. This enables us to avoid throwing away blanks with minor flaws in material or machining. This is important because creating the blanks involves a lot of work and often expensive materials.

"When imperfections are discovered in a component today, the process is stopped and the component is normally discarded. However, with the new information the operator can interrupt the process at an early stage and correct the data to obtain the right result."

The new tool will be tested at The AMRC, which counts project partners, Sandvik and Mori Seki as members. Tormod Jensen of Sandvik Teeness (pictured above, right), explained: "This will ensure that our tool is tested in the correct processes and in materials used in this industry. It will also ensure that the tool has the required characteristics."

SINTEF website
AMRC website

Images: SINTEF

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News: Crosby Kitchens goes into liquidation

Rotherham-based Crosby Kitchens, a major UK kitchen designer and supplier, has confirmed that it is has gone into liquidation, whilst its sister company, Aberdeen-based NTP Kitchens, has has been placed into receivership.

Part of Aberdeen-based CHAP Holdings, Crosby Kitchens only recently signed a lease on new premises at Houndhill Park, Manvers, having previously operated out of The Wesley Centre in Maltby and housing its stock in Edinburgh.

Johnston Carmichael's Gordon MacLure and Ewen Alexander have been appointed receivers and have already commenced talks with staff, key suppliers and customers.

Three of Crosby Kitchens's six staff members have been made redundant with immediate effect, whilst the remaining employees have been retained to assist with a closing down sale and other administrative matters.

A spokesperson for Crosby Kitchens and NTP Kitchens said: "It is with deep regret that we confirm today that NTP Kitchens has been placed into receivership, whilst Crosby Kitchens has entered liquidation.

"These developments stem from the recent recession, which had a hugely negative impact on retail sales, with customers proving to be extremely cautious when it came to discretionary purchases such as kitchens.

"It was hoped that the market would have picked up significantly by this point - and demand for kitchens would have returned to pre-credit crunch levels - but unfortunately this has not materialised, leading us to today's decisions."

Crosby Kitchens began as K Brody Ltd in 1936, a small company specialising in the manufacture of bedroom and dining furniture for supply to local builders. It moved into manufacturing kitchen units and, despite the parent company going into receivership in the early 1970's, the profitable business joined the The Crosby Group where the development of the flatpack concept meant that the arm quickly became accountable for 50% of the turnover for Crosby's Consumer Products division.

CHAP (Holdings) Ltd, one of Scotland's leading privately owned construction groups, acquired a 60% stake in the firm in 2000 and are now sole owners.

Crosby Kitchens website

Images: Crosby Kitchens

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News: Rotherham firms urged to get export help

Rotherham companies make stuff and sell it abroad, but it is not just the likes of Macalloy, Martek Marine and MTL than can increase profits through international trade.

An exporting workshop is being organised by RiDO (Rotherham Investment & Development Office) in conjunction with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) that will give local businesses the chance to learn all about overseas trade.


The International Trade Workshop will be held at RiDO's Fusion Business Centre in Templeborough on October 8 from 10-1pm. It will be led by Simon Bedford, an expert advisor from UKTI, who will provide information on how Rotherham businesses can start selling their products and services to new overseas markets, or increase sales to existing international markets. He will also speak about what advice and support is available in Rotherham to help businesses to increase their export sales.

Julia Millea will also explain how the Growth and Prosperity in Rotherham – Soft Landing Zone – works, offering support to Rotherham companies with accessing international markets and helping foreign inward investors who choose to locate to RiDO's business centres. RiDO is the only Soft Landing Zone in the UK, alongside 23 others across the world.

Julia Millea, business development co-ordinator for RiDO, said: "This is a great opportunity for local businesses who are thinking of exporting, or who have already started to trade internationally, to learn from experts at UKTI and network with other businesses who are doing so.  There is lots of support available through RiDO's Soft Landing Zone and UKTI to help businesses to grow their export sales and stimulate new overseas markets."

The ERDF Growth and Prosperity in Rotherham (Soft Landing Zone) project is supported financially by the European Union. It has attracted £842k investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe's support for the region's economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme 2007-13.

To book a place, contact Julia Millea by email at Julia.millea@rido.org.uk or call 07810 151953.

RiDO Business Centres website

Images: RiDO

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News: New starters at Tata Steel

30 apprentices have begun their training at Tata Steel Speciality Steels in South Yorkshire, the largest intake in three years.

Last week saw the first time the apprentices got together on site when they welcomed a royal visit to Stocksbridge by HRH The Earl of Wessex, alongside their trainers, company officials and local dignitaries. The event was slightly more formal than the apprentice team building day recently held at Rotherham Titans' Clifton Lane ground.

Apprentice and graduate recruitment restarted for Tata Steel in South Yorkshire in 2010 following large scale restructuring in 2009. Over 2,000 people are employed by the Indian-owned company in South Yorkshire where sites like Stocksbridge and Aldwarke in Rotherham, focus on exceptional high-value products and sectors.

Over 60 apprentices are receiving their training in the engineering side - mechanical, electrical and technical - or in the administration or commercial side of the business. The scheme also takes on apprentices from other local firms in the Tata supply chain who work in markets ranging from automotive to aerospace, civil engineering to component manufacturing, energy industries to consumer goods.

This year's recruitment of the apprentices was again over subscribed with around 500 applying to get in. It is not surprising given the commitment and willingness to apprentices shown by Tata Steel that saw the apprentice training scheme in South Yorkshire highly commended in the National Apprenticeship Awards for the second year running and ensures that Speciality Steels is set to remain in the UK top 100 apprentice employers list to be published in November.

The commitment and willingness to apprentices stems from the same realisation that many engineering firms face when they discover that 70% of the production workforce is over the age of 45.

A state-of-the-art engineering training centre at its Stocksbridge site was extended in 2012. Converted from a disused workshop, the centre enables the company to train in-house and equip the apprentices with the specialist skills essential to meet the current and future needs of this industry.

The Earl met a range of apprentices including Callum Strutt, a new starter who despite admitting that he would "never follow in their footsteps" is at the start of a journey at the company taken by both his father and grandfather.

Before touring the remelting area, Prince Edward also received a company presentation from Rejoice Chikosi, Thomas Matthews and Rush Garfitt, who are going through, or have recently completed, their three year apprenticeship and appear to be on their way to being fast-tracked to top positions at Tata Steel.

Mick Hood, HR director Specialty Steels at Tata Steel, said: "We were delighted to welcome the Earl of Wessex to our Stocksbridge site.

"He was very interested to meet our apprentices and to hear from them about the important role they play in creating a world-beating steel company.

"We are very proud of our apprentices, the contribution they make to our future and the commitment they show to Tata Steel."

Tata Steel website

Images: Tata Steel

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News: Commercial director returns to Rotherham United

Steve Coakley has returned from Sheffield United to Rotherham United as commercial director, a position he held for two year until 2011.

Coakley joined The Millers in May 2009 and was an important figure in turning around the club's commercial department and helped to guarantee year on year rises in commercial earnings.

After playing an important role in Derby County's move to their new stadium, Pride Park, Coakley took up the position as commercial manger at Sheffield Wednesday. He made the step up to the director position at Rotherham a year after local businessman, Tony Stewart took over as chairman.

During his time, the club has signed significant sponsorship deals with Puma and Sports Identity plus the continuing deals with Parkgate Shopping.

With less than a year before Rotherham United opened the £20m New York Stadium, Coakley took up the role of commercial director at Sheffield United.

Steve Coakley, commercial director at Rotherham United, said: "It gives me immense satisfaction to return to the club and see how much we have progressed in a short space of time.

"I am delighted to be reacquainted with everybody connected with the club, fellow directors, work colleagues, fans and sponsors alike.

"Needless to say our plan is clear - to continue to grow and build on what has been started and I (for one) am delighted to be back on board and looking forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for all of us."

The team has made a promising start to life in League One after securing promotion last season and the record attendance at the new stadium was achieved at the recent defeat of Sheffield United.

The club has also added Paul Douglas, the current chief operating officer to the board of directors. Paul said: "Firstly, I am delighted to welcome Steve back to the club and we are all looking forward to working with him again.

"I am also very honoured to have been formally appointed to the board of directors, alongside my role as chief operating officer.

"The club has changed dramatically during my seven years here, and we are currently experiencing a new era of success both on and off the pitch and I am looking forward to an ambitious future with Rotherham United."

Rotherham United website

Images: Rotherham United

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