rotherham business news: February 2008

Friday, February 29, 2008

News: Brinsworth Training set to expand

Brinsworth Training has undertaken a £500,000 renovation and expansion programme at its Sheffield Road headquarters in Rotherham. South Yorkshire’s leading engineering and manufacturing training provider has seen an increased demand for its workforce training and apprenticeship programmes. Along with recently signing a new 3 year agreement with Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT), the new Education Division will be offering year 10 & 11’s pupils from Rotherham and Sheffield’s Secondary schools the experience of working within the engineering and manufacturing sector.
Brinsworth Training website

The Star article

Thursday, February 28, 2008

News: Rotherham stair maker boost productivity with investment in technology

ASD Joinery, based in Rotherham, has invested in a new Masterwood Project CNC machining centre which has reduced production time dramatically and boosted production by more than 50 per cent. The family run business employs 15 highly skilled joiners and make all types of standard and bespoke timber staircases. Customers include national house builders as well as smaller local builders in the South Yorkshire area and members of the public. As well as serving the UK market, its staircases have been installed in properties in France and the Channel Islands.

ASD Joinery website

Building Talk article

News: Top UK economist looks to strong growth for South Yorkshire's property market

Neil Parker, top economist from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has told Yorkshire’s property community that South Yorkshire's property market is in a stronger position than is being reported. Speaking at Pro-Sheffield's SPY Property Forum, the strategist explained that the current situation is difficult but far from disastrous and that we are in a good position to recover and can expect stronger growth in 2009.

Pro-Sheffield website

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

News: First look inside the Factory of the Future

The Star have taken a first look inside the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre's Factory of the Future at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham. The £15 million 49,125 sq ft development by the University of Sheffield with Boeing will be home to researchers utilising the most technologically advanced equipment in the world. Although the official opening is months away, the building is already filling up with a combination of hi-tech machine tools and manufacturing cells. The AMRC are hosting a seminar entitled “Composites and Advanced Materials for Manufacturers” in Rotherham on March 13.

The Star article

News: Dormer's Rotherham choice shows strength of region, say business leaders

The return of one of South Yorkshire’s best-known engineering names to the region has sparked delight from local business organisations. Dormer Tools - part of the Swedish-based Sandvik Group - is to build a new facility at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham. Nigel Tomlinson of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, David Fletcher of Creative Sheffield and Andrew Denniff of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce all welcomed the news. Mr Denniff said that investors and start up companies "are realising South Yorkshire now has a lot more to offer and are seeing the region in a new light, which is testament to the work being done to improve business development across the region." Dormer will take up space within the AMP at the 94,000 sq ft industrial development by the UK Strategic Partnership, a new joint venture between regeneration specialist Strategic Sites and UK Coal.
Dormer Tools website
AMP website
Rothbiz article
Rotherham

News: Successor fund to continue business investment

South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF), which provides investments to help small and medium sized businesses meet the gaps in funding for growth and development, is currently in talks about establishing a Yorkshire-wide Successor Fund. Tony Goulbourn, Chief Executive of SYIF said: "We are talking to the Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward, the European Commission and the Government about having a new fund. They have been very positive about it." SYIF are currently undertaking a number of roadshows in the region with the next taking place in Rotherham at Hellaby Hall Hotel tomorrow.

News: New factory for local tool manufacturer

Ernest Bennett (Sheffield) Ltd has gained approval for plans to build a new factory in Dinnington, Rotherham. The company is the largest industrial saw blade manufacturer in the UK, manufacturing and servicing of all types of industrial tungsten carbide tipped circular saw blades and wide bandsaw blades. Plans have been approved for a 2,786 sq m factory on Caxton Way near to the £60m Johnston Press facility on the growing business park. 52 employees are expected to move from their current base in North Anston.

Ernest Bennett website

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

News: Double deal for Horbury Group

The Horbury Group, based in Rotherham, has secured two contracts jointly worth more than £1.5m to help construct a major development in one of Sheffield’s most historic locations. Main developers, Mansell Construction Services, has awarded Horbury Building Systems a £900,000 contract for drywall and partitions and Horbury's MWS Joinery a £700,000 deal to provide doors, frames and skirting boards for the £16m first phase of mixed-use development, Kelham Riverside.
The Horbury Group website

News: Jobs hope at Rotherham windows factory

Solaglas Windowcare, the Hellaby-based glazing specialist, has unveiled plans to invest millions of pounds into its nationwide operations. Managing director Ian Davy told The Star: "We would expect staff numbers to increase over the next three years. Now the company has merged to create Solaglas Windowcare we are going into growth mode." The French-owned subsidiary was acquired in 2002 and has seen year on year growth since then. The £21m turnover company employs 400 staff at their head office and factory in Hellaby.
Solaglas website
The Star article
Rotherham

Monday, February 25, 2008

News: Rotherham firm at the forefront of data analysis

Software developed by Rotherham firm, Applied Cytometry, could unlock the hidden potential of the latest generation of computers. The Dinnington firm develops software to analyse masses of data produced by cytometry machines, used in the diagnosis of cancer, and the latest version uploads a 780 MB data file in ten seconds – a job which would have taken minutes before. Applied Cytometry expect that their VenturiOne software could be incorporated into other processor-hungry software that requires the analysis of data to be done quickly.
Appled Cytometry website
The Star article
The Engineer article
Rotherham

News: Rotherham makes international news headlines

Rotherham’s ability to attract investment from India is one of the key articles in the recent Indo-UK supplement of The Economic Times, part of The Times of India group – the world’s biggest selling broadsheet. The article focuses on the Tata Group’s arrival in Rotherham and its success in the race to buy steel-maker Corus. It also mentions Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd, which snapped up soft-furnishings company Rosebys, and HeroITES, which bought service-centre operator TCS and now employs about 100 people at its Rotherham centre, at Manvers.

The Star article

The Economic Times

Friday, February 22, 2008

News: Rotherham firm warms to veterinary market

Rotherham based Inditherm plc have launched a new use for their flexible polymer technology by launching PetTherm. Based on the human patient warming system that is already well established for use in the perioperative and neonatal areas, PetTherm makes it possible and convenient to warm all animals effectively before, during and after surgery. Inditherm's energy efficient technology is also used in heating mattresses, pipework, sports pitches, storage vessels and medical treatments.
Inditherm website
Rotherham

News: Manager of Rotherham hotel to become group director

The Tomahawk Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Craig Squelch as a director of Tomahawk hotels. Craig is the General Manager of Aston Hall Hotel in Rotherham and will also continue in this role. He will over see the expansion of Aston Hall with the newly renovated Darcy House, a self contained house in the hotel grounds with six luxury suites, opening on March 23rd and the 29 bedroom extension block opening in July.

Aston Hall website

News: Rotherham's YES! Project moves to final stage

Property developer Oak Holdings have announced that the cabinet of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has approved heads of terms for the £350m YES! scheme and terms for a 250-year lease. The futuristic scheme will transform 327 acres of former coalfield land adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park to create Europe's largest covered leisure based development and the approval is set to boost Oak's drive to attract further tenants. Leading extreme-sport company Venture Xtreme and high-tech golf driving-range specialist Baydrive Group are already signed up, while others have expressed strong interest. Planning consent was granted in January 2007. As well as golf and sports attractions, it will include a unique combination of major indoor entertainment facilities, four-star resort spa and conference hotel, exhibition centre, restaurants, bars, cafés and shops related to activities there. Oak has also formed two strategic partnerships – with BT and power giant E.ON. In addition to creating 3,000 permanent jobs and 2,000 construction jobs, the council’s strategic director of Environment & Development Services, Karl Battersby, said: “YES! will also broaden the tourist appeal of the whole region to visitors from home and abroad, bringing in new income for the area’s businesses.”
YES! website
Oak Holdings website
The Business Desk article
Yorkshire Post article
Rotherham

Thursday, February 21, 2008

News: Rotherham facility boosts bakery firm's finances

The growth in the UK bagel market has led to good financial results for the Canadian owned company, Maple Leaf Bakery. The demand has been met by the company increasing capacity at its Rotherham bagel facility. The UK subsidiary has an annual turnover of £80 million with the Rotherham facility producing 70,000 bagels every hour under the "New York Bagel Co." brand. The bakery employs 1000 people in Swinton and has plans for a further £4 million investment to expand its frozen bagel capacity. Maple Leaf UK was named as Bakery Food Manufacturer of The Year at last year's Bakery Awards.

Maple Leaf website

News: Widening of M1 in Rotherham complete

The £20m scheme to widen the M1 between junctions 31 and 32 in Rotherham has been completed. As well as widening the road from three lanes to four, electronic signs, mounted on overhead gantries, have been installed to give drivers up-to-the-minute travel information. The Highways Agency stated that the new lanes will improve safety, reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability for drivers using the 1.5-mile stretch.
Highways Agency website
BBC South Yorkshire article

News: Region's business tourism offer highlighted on international stage

Yorkshire South Tourism has won the top award for its stand at the International Confex exhibition at Earls Court, London. The stand incorporated a futuristic theme, showcasing Yorkshire South as an innovative and developing destination for business tourism. The partnership, which promotes the region as a conference and visitor location and represents over 200 venues across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster, was also highly commended in the overall award for Business Excellence. The second appearance at the show was also a good opportunity to launch the region's new conference guide.
Yorkshire South website
The Star article

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

News: Rotherham company celebrate 50 years in print

B&B Press of Rotherham is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year, a great achievement in a sector as competitive and rapidly-evolving as the print industry. B&B Press has grown into one of the most widely known and securely established printers in the north of England with a technologically advanced digital suite in the print room, a full design studio, state-of-the-art pre-press facilities and a thriving stationery shop. Clients are encouraged to visit the Aldwarke premises to see for themselves how the company operates; impressed as much by the friendly efficiency of the staff as by the clean, quiet, ultra-modern working environment.
B&B Press website
Rotherham

News: Rotherham United need investment

Rotherham United Football Club today revealed administration would be "the only option" unless new investors were found urgently. A life-saving deal fell through in London last week and the club have filed a 'notice of intention to appoint an administrator'. Investment is needed quickly to avoid administration and a possible points deduction. A spokesperson told The Star "The club retains hope that there is a consortium or forum of investors or fans with the capability and necessary financial clout to enable the club to go forward." The club were saved in an 11th hour takeover two years ago by local businessmen and have recently been investigating relocating to a new community stadium.
The Star article
BBC Sport article
Rotherham

Monday, February 18, 2008

News: Rotherham Renaissance plans in national spotlight

The £192m plans for regenerating the town centre of Rotherham by TCN UK are highlighted in Property Week. Utilising vacant land across 12 sites following the relocation of scattered council buildings, the plans include space for retail, office and leisure facilities including a Cultural Quarter on Forge Island. Stephen Holme of TCN discusses the use of the riverside, attracting new restaurants and leisure facilities and the new buildings and new economies that will change the face of Rotherham. Clark Herron and Tim O'Connell of RiDO discuss the wider Rotherham Renaissance scheme and that the regeneration is a chance to show businesses that Rotherham is a worthwhile place to invest for the future.
TCN website
RiDO website
Property Week article (requires subscription)

News: Rotherham brewery sells out pale ale

Wentworth Brewery of Rotherham have found real success with their Brimstone seasonal pale ale. The golden pale ale was so popular with drinkers as far away as Newcastle that the brewery's supplies ran dry in less than a week. Wentworth's Chris Tinker told The Star that they've never had a beer sell out so quickly. "We simply can't produce it quick enough which is a nice problem to have."

Wentworth Brewery website

The Star website

Friday, February 15, 2008

News: Wren Turbines take off in America

Rotherham based Wren Turbines are expanding across the Atlantic with the formation of Wren Turbines USA. Specialising in manufacturing small gas turbines and turbo shaft engines for use in model aircraft, Wren have teamed up with expert Ron Ballard who has been flying Wren engines for several years. He has spent the last week at the Wren factory in Manvers, learning how to service their engines, and will now be offering sales and service on Wren engines in the USA. The company grew from just a hobby at RiDO's Century Business Centre and now employs 8 people.
Wren Turbines website
RiDO website
Rotherham

News: European Commissioner visits Rotherham

Danuta Hübner, the European Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy, and John Healey MP, Minister for Local Government have launched the £394 million European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) at Sheffield’s City Hall. Before speaking at the event, the Commissioner and Minister visited the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham. Supported by European funds, the park is located on the site of former opencast coal workings and the latest development nearing completion is the Factory of the Future. Undertaken by the University of Sheffield in collaboration with Boeing, with funding from Europe and Yorkshire Forward, the facility will house researchers at the cutting edge of manufacturing techniques and technologies.
AMP website
Yorkshire Forward website
Rotherham

News: Name chosen for new Rotherham business centre

The new £5m business centre for start-up companies in Rotherham will open its doors in April as Fusion @ Magna. Another development taking place in Templeborough in Rotherham, the 26,900 sq ft centre has 29 offices and 18 workshops that are suitable for everything from creative and financial services companies to small-scale manufacturing operations. Building on the success of other RiDO business centres, Fusion @ Magna will offer a range services that include on-site business advisers, access to training, marketing expertise and links to partner organisations and networking opportunities. The building itself is at the cutting edge of eco-friendly design, with its “living walls”, created by steel trelliswork with climbing plants, and a green roof. It is being built by Rotherham Construction Partnership.
RiDO website
Rotherham

Thursday, February 14, 2008

News: Rotherham's Martek Marine expand operations

MNP Onshore & Offshore Group, one of Russia’s major ship builders, has placed an order for safety and environmental monitoring equipment from Rotherham company Martek Marine for a number of new build vessels on behalf of Krasnoe Sormovo Shipyard. This is the first order received from this shipyard and it is anticipated that many will follow. In a busy start to the year, Martek has increased the number of sales staff and secured their first order from Brazil. The award winning company have also launched a new website and promoted their products on Youtube.
Martek Marine website
Rotherham

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