News: Interest soars in Rotherham's AMP

The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham is enjoying a record level of interest from companies looking for new accommodation.

UK Strategic Partnership, the joint venture company created by landowner UK Coal and property developer Strategic Sites, reports that virtually all the 12 available buildings at their Evolution development are under offer.

This follows the creation of a new AMP support team, headed by Joe Anwyl working with specialists from Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO), and the decision by UK Strategic Partnership and Yorkshire Forward to provide tangible help to companies in the advanced manufacturing sector.

Financial incentives include up to 18 months rent free, plus technical help towards fit-out works and assistance towards securing grants and other help.

Strategic Sites chief executive Paul Barber said: "We have always had faith that the AMP offered an unique proposition to advanced manufacturing companies and we have gone to great lengths to devise a financial package that works for them."

As well as leasing or buying existing units, qualifying companies can have "made to measure" buildings constructed.

This initiative is time limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The AMP already provides world-class facilities for Boeing, Rolls-Royce, the University of Sheffield and Dormer Tools.

Stetegic Sites website
AMP website
Rotherham

Images: strategic-sites.com

Read more...

News: South Yorkshire steel industry campaign

Sheffield City Council is calling on the Government to step up support for South Yorkshire steel in a bid to save what is ultimately the heart of the UK's manufacturing industry.

The Council want to work with the South Yorkshire steel industry and neighbouring authorities to launch a campaign in the coming weeks, in a bid to lobby Government for more support.

Councillor Colin Ross, Cabinet Member for Employment, Enterprise and Development at Sheffield City Council said: "This is a local issue on a national scale. South Yorkshire steel is at the heart of our manufacturing industry not only within the city or the region, but across the UK."

The main areas of concern are:

- Simplifying and refocusing the national Large Company Research and Development tax credit regime to better support companies looking to grow and become more competitive. The current scheme only allows cash payments from Government if companies are operating at a loss.

- Continued investment in skills and apprenticeships beyond the currently funded Train to Gain programme to maintain and build the specialist skills that will be required to retain the UK's advanced manufacturing edge.

- Investments in plant and machinery to allow companies to prepare for the economic up turn and emerge from the recession as more efficient businesses.

- More investment to make sure high value mobile investments are retained and secured for the UK and not located abroad where other Governments are prepared to investment more in their industrial future.

Last month Rotherham MP's delivered a "Save our Steel" petition to parliament which included over 6,000 signatures.

Sheffield City Council website
Rotherham

Read more...

News: Rotherham town centre on show thanks to Qurotech

Local web and software development company, Qurotech are set to showcase Rotherham town centre and their own cutting-edge Multi-Touch technology at the Rotherham Show.

One of the greatest uses for Multi-Touch technology is providing an interactive photo and image gallery, making displaying and interacting with media as simple as possible.

Qurotech are calling on Rotherham residents to help build up a collection of photos, artwork and videos of the town centre and the surrounding areas for the display. The technology will allow for the images to be rated on screen and the winner, with most accumulated votes, will get their own photo gallery website for all their hard work.

Other features being offered will allow media downloads to be stored onto USB and sent via email.

Rotherham Show takes place on the September 12 and 13 and photos should be sent to rotherhamshow@qurotech.co.uk

Qurotech is based at RiDO's Fusion @ Magna Business Centre and provides personal and innovative web and software development solutions to facilitate business and community needs.

Qurotech website
Rotherham Town Centre website
Rotherham

Images: qurotech.co.uk

Read more...

News: Work experience makes all the difference to Rotherham students

With the new academic year fast approaching, Business & Education South Yorkshire (B&E-SY), the lead organisation in the area for co-ordinating work experience with schools and businesses, is looking for local businesses in all sectors to offer work placements to young people.

Fran Bevan-Eyles, work placement manager at B&E-SY, explains: "Work experience is a vital part of the National Curriculum for students in academic years 10-12. The impact that placements have on thousands of young people's lives is incredible, providing a valuable insight into so many different industry sectors and shaping their future career choices.

"Without the support of local businesses, we couldn't make this happen and so many young people would miss out on this valuable opportunity."

One Rotherham student who benefitted from a work placement was Liam Smith from Winterhill School who spent two weeks with JKP Engineering in Sheffield earlier this year.

Andy Holt, JKP Engineering Director, said: "We have offered a number of work placements over the years, but Liam really stood out to us as he was so enthusiastic about learning new skills.

"When he finished at school, he kept in touch and we were pleased to be able to offer him a full time position, which is working out well both for Liam and the company."

"We would encourage other businesses to do the same as work experience gives you the chance to get to know a potential employee first and to see if they have the right attitude and interest in that type of industry."

B&E-SY is responsible for co-ordinating work placements for over 17,500 students every year and the organisation's aim is to link employers across South Yorkshire with young people to develop tomorrow's talent.

B&E-SY website
JKP Engineering website
Rotherham

Images: B&E-SY

Read more...

News: Business figures discuss investment to get region out of recession

Business investment during the recession was the hot topic at a gathering of the region's leading finance providers in Sheffield.


The Pro-Sheffield event, organised and sponsored by South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF), brought together a wide range of companies tasked with providing business support.

This included representatives from Yorkshire Forward, HSBC, Barclays, PKF, Hart Shaw, RBS, Lloyds, Barber Harrison and Platt, Strategic Corporate Finance and SYIF.

The meeting, which was held at the offices of Sheffield-based commercial law firm Nabarro, provided an opportunity for SYIF to meet with intermediaries and fellow finance providers to discuss how businesses are coping with the recession and how they are finding access to funding.

Tony Parsons, director at the Rotherham-based fund, said: "Those who attended the meeting are very close to what is happening in businesses, whether that's a business which is struggling or businesses which are struggling to access finance.

"It is important that SYIF understands what those concerns are and how it can play a role in it. There is no doubt that with all these events, it is about communication and one of the key issues out of the meeting is that we can always improve communication."

SYIF also gained feedback from intermediaries on their thoughts of the pending Successor Fund, which will begin later this year.

SYIF are working with Partnership Investment Finance (PIF) and Yorkshire Forward amd it is hoped that the new fund will be worth up to £120 million and come online in autumn 2009.

SYIF website
Pro-Sheffield website
Rotherham

Images: syif.com

Read more...

News: Joy for Martek as design student returns

Joy Brahma is to return to Rotherham's Martek Marine following a successful internship which resulted in a groundbreaking addition to the Martek product range.

Last summer Martek welcomed Jyotirmay Brahma on an eight week internship from the University of Sheffield where he was studying Electrical Engineering (MEng). During his time Joy worked on product development projects and was responsible for the design of one system in particular that Martek will launch later this year.

In light of this, the organisers of his placement, Shell Step, nominated Joy for a place in the regional final for the North at the Shell Step Awards 2008.

At the time Martek's Managing Director Paul Luen said: "Joy has been an outstanding addition to the Martek Team. He's worked fantastically well on his own initiative with minimal supervision and has developed some exciting new technology for us. I'm absolutely delighted with his performance on the project and look forward to working with him on future projects."

Now, a year later, Paul has his wish and Joy has returned to the Manvers company, this time for a nine month placement designing digital and software systems.

Joy is extremely excited about his new position which involves substantial engineering expertise in the field of embedded systems.

Martek Marine website
Rotherham

Images: martek-marine.com

Read more...

News: Solaglas Windowcare achieves highest health & safety standard

Rotherham glazing specialist Solaglas Windowcare has joined a select group of some 400 UK public and private sector organisations by qualifying for accreditation to the Contractors' Health & Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS).

CHAS recognises the highest levels of practice and aims to improve standards and reduce duplicated as suppliers' compliance with health and safety practice is accepted by all CHAS buyers.

Accreditation means that the Hellaby based business operates to the highest standards of health and safety practice. Achieving the standard will streamline the process when pre-qualifying for private and public tenders.

The CHAS auditors examined health and safety policies including the provisions that Solaglas Windowcare takes when working at height. A recent project involved replacing large glazing units at a height of 30 metres on the exterior of the Urbis, one of Manchester's most distinctive glass structures.

Ian Davy, managing director said: "It is very gratifying to attain this most stringent accreditation because our entire systems and policies were exposed to extreme scrutiny and audit - and passed the test.

"We work on behalf of some of the largest insurers in the UK and have high-profile commercial clients in the defence, public, retailing, hospitality and transport sectors and we recognised that accreditation was becoming a frequent requirement of these clients."

The process and management of Solaglas Windowcare's route to accreditation was led by Jon Cornforth, Health, Safety and Environment Manager and in addition, the business has also met the requirements for membership of Constructionline, the Government's national register for suppliers.

Solaglas Windowcare website
Rotherham

Images: solaglaswindowcare.co.uk

Read more...

News: £2m university deals for Rotherham's Horbury

Rotherham construction specialist The Horbury Group has clinched major contracts at two leading UK universities worth almost £2 million.

Horbury Building Systems (HBS) and MWS Joinery, part of the Horbury Group, have been appointed to work on campus accommodation expansions at the University of Leeds and the University of Sheffield.

The group has now worked on projects totalling more than 8,000 student bedrooms since 2005, making it one of the biggest university accommodation subcontractors in the country.

Trevor Wragg, managing director of the Horbury Group, said: "Both of these projects are key regeneration schemes for the universities in question, which will no doubt attract more students to the areas.

"We have strengthened our educational portfolio on both a local and national scale and the fact that we have provided such a high number of student bedrooms in the last few years is testament to Horbury Group's strong relationships with main contractors and consistent delivery on such projects."

In a project worth £1.8 million, HBS has been appointed by local construction company Morgan Ashurst to carry out steel frame solution (SFS) installations and install partitions and ceilings at the Charles Morris Halls student accommodation complex in Mount Preston Street, Leeds.

The £190,000 project in Sheffield sees MWS Joinery undertake work on general joinery and ironmongery on the £165 million Private Finance Initiative (PFI) with Bovis Lend Lease at the University of Sheffield Ranmoor Village.

The Horbury Group website
Rotherham

Images: leeds.ac.uk / sheffield.ac.uk

Read more...

News: Magna shortlisted for visitor attraction of the year

Top Rotherham tourist destination, the Magna Science Adventure Centre is in line for another tourism award.

Following a record number of entries received in this year's White Rose Awards, organiser Welcome to Yorkshire has revealed that Magna is again shortisted in the prestigious category of Visitor Attraction of the Year – over 50,000 visitors - the same category in which the centre narrowly missed out last year.

Magna is up against Dalby The Great Yorkshire Forest, Fountains Abbey in Ripon, The National Railway Museum in York, The Deep in Hull and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield.

Chair of judges, Barbara Woroncow OBE said: "The shortlisting for this year's White Rose Awards has been very hard as we are dealing with an incredibly high calibre. The finalist list is a fabulous representation of Yorkshire's finest and represents the multifaceted tourism industry which can now be found in Yorkshire."

Gary Verity, chief executive of the Welcome to Yorkshire said: "We've been celebrating the best of Yorkshire tourism for 20 years. With a new category, Tourism Event of the Year, and a record number of entries the 21st White Rose Awards is looking like the best year yet. The awards are also a powerful opportunity to highlight the major part these individuals and organisations play in our economy."

Magna has picked up an award at the last four ceremonies including twice winning the Business Tourism Award. Last year, employee John Heaps won the Outstanding Customer Service Award.

Magna website
White Rose Awards website
Rotherham

Images: visitmagna.co.uk

Read more...

News: Rotherham students in business

Art & Design students at Rotherham College of Arts & Technology (RCAT) have successfully completed a coursework project which required them to produce art work for Stafforce - a Rotherham based recruitment company.

All four students were asked by Managing Director Nick Cragg to create a number of window displays which would effectively attract members of the public whilst also keeping within the brand image guidelines of the business.

The project was a beneficial experience for the students, enabling them to practice using their creative skills as well as observing how their talents can be used to promote a local organisation.

RCAT website
Stafforce website
Rotherham

Images: RCAT

Read more...

News: New investment and jobs for Rotherham despite recession

During the toughest recession for more than half a century, Rotherham has seen a steady flow of development and companies choosing to invest in the borough. Between April and July, nearly 2,000 jobs have been either created or safeguarded and tens of millions of pounds have been invested.

Partners in Rotherham's regeneration agree that people took a jobs hammering this year, particularly through cuts at Burberry and Corus. But they also agree the latest figures counter the generally gloomy perception of the UK and local economies.

The figures, compiled by Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO), the borough council's regeneration arm, show that since April, 149 companies have either move into the area or relocated, expanded or started up in the borough. This has created 908 jobs and safeguarded 978.

RiDO has worked with 27 of the companies and helped in roughly a third of the jobs.

The council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Cllr Gerald Smith, said commercial confidentiality made it difficult to put a precise figure on the level of investment, but it was significant. "What's also significant is that a lot of it is coming from national and international companies."

As featured on Rothbiz, companies investing in Rotherham and creating jobs include Sandvik, Pegler, Sterecycle, Dormer Tools and Manor Motorsport.

At the other end of the scale, Rotherham's four purpose-built business centres, aimed mainly at start-up and small and growing companies, are playing an important role in helping the borough's entrepreneurs.

Rotherham's one-year and three-year survival rates for start-ups in its centres stand at 95 per cent and 85 per cent, the latter well ahead of the national figure.

Rotherham Investment and Development Office
Rotherham

Images: RiDO

Read more...

News: Leger have designs on the future of coach travel

Leading coach holiday operator, Leger Holidays, is hoping to be at the forefront of coach travel by running a national design competition.



Rotherham's Leger Holidays and coach manufacturer SETRA, launched the competition that was open to all university level design students in the UK.

With the first stage of judging now complete, the final 12 shortlisted entries are now competing to win a visit to SETRA's global HQ and research and design centre in Neu Ulm, Germany.

A judging panel of industry experts including representatives from Setra, Leger, Coach Tourism Travel, Travelmail.co.uk and Bus and Coach Buyer magazine will make the final decision on the winning design with the winner expected to be announced in September.

Richard Oxspring, Customer Operations Manager from Leger Holidays, said: "We have over 25 years experience in the coach holiday industry and pride ourselves in remaining at the forefront of coach design. We are continuously searching out new innovations for our vehicles that will benefit our customers which is why we launched this competition.

"We asked the UK's most up and coming design talent to predict how coach travel will evolve in the next 25 years and the results have been extremely impressive. I have been in the industry a long time but the ideas and solutions that the students have presented to us have really made me think again about how the industry will develop in the future. I can see many of these designs being incorporated into our vehicles in years to come and look forward to seeing that happen."

Visit http://design.europeancoach.co.uk/ to view all 12 shortlisted designs and to vote for your favourite.

Leger website

Rotherham

Images: design.europeancoach.co.uk

Read more...

News: Rotherham print firm sold in management buy-in

Print Week reports that Rotherham print firm, Pega Print has undergone a management buy-in, with funding provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland.

John Savage has acquired the entire share capital from the company's founders, Gary Wood and Stephen Niemas. Both Gary and Stephen will remain with the business for a short period of time to ensure a smooth transition.

Pega Print was established in 1985 and is based in Treeton. The business specialises in trade print services for large blue-chip clients and public sector organisations including Green Flag, Scottish Water, RAC and South Yorkshire Police.

John is an experienced businessman who has previously held senior management positions in the motor industry and also ran his own business. Funding for the purchase was provided by RBS Invoice Finance and Lombard, the asset finance division of RBS. Sheffield-based accountants Hawsons advised on the transaction.

John Savage told Print Week: "Pega Print is a strong business that benefits from a skilled workforce and has an excellent reputation in the market based on the quality of the products they deliver. I am confident that I can use my experience to develop some new ideas which will help the business to grow and develop further."

Pega Print website
Rotherham

Read more...

News: Barbot Hall industrial units sold

Acting on behalf of CBRE Investors, the capital markets team at CB Richard Ellis in Leeds has sold six industrial units totaling 27,000sq ft at Barbot Hall Industrial Estate in Rotherham for £700,000.

An unnamed local investor has purchased the units, two of which are occupied by a chemical manufacturing firm, one occupied by Sky and three vacant units with the intention of undertaking a refurbishment programme to give the accommodation a new lease of life.

Robin Bullas, Associate Director for capital markets at CB Richard Ellis in Leeds, said: "This sale presented a good investment opportunity for the local investor given that 55% of the income is secured until 2015. We are witnessing renewed confidence in the investment market throughout the region and this latest deal is testament to the opportunities that are currently available within the marketplace."

Last month, 20 units on the Thornhill Industrial Estate in Rotherham sold at auction for £1.53m.

CBRE website
Rotherham

Images: CBRE

Read more...

News: Rotherham town centre to benefit from revival fund

Rotherham is to receive over £50,000 to help find creative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops are having on the high street.

Communities Secretary John Denham launched the £3m fund designed to help ensure town centres remain vibrant places for people to meet and shop.

Rotherham Council will receive a grant of more than £50,000 to use as they see fit on ideas to boost the town centre and transform empty shops into something useful such as a meeting place, a learning centre or a even a showroom for local artists.

John Denham said: "We know that the downturn has really hurt high streets in areas of high deprivation across Yorkshire and the Humber. These grants will help to transform and re-open empty shops as part of our real help to keep town centres vibrant and combat the recession.

"There is no need to see unused shops on our high streets going to waste, especially when we know that it doesn't take a lot to turn a vacant shop into something beneficial for the community."

Last month the British Retail Consortium (BRC) featured Rotherham in a national report on how to maintain and strengthen the vitality and viability of our high streets.

The first successful applicants in the council-run Business Vitality Grants Scheme are set to be announced soon.

Rotherham town centre website
Rotherham

Images: rotherhamrenaissance.co.uk

Read more...

News: Macalloy supply tie rods to Clifton Park in Rotherham

As the £4.9m restoration of Clifton Park in Rotherham nears completion, distinctive buildings are taking shape thanks to a local company.


Macalloy, the world leader in design, manufacture and supply of threaded bar and cable systems, based at Dinnington in Rotherham, has recently seen their 460 tie rods used in the roof canopies of the cafe and changing room facilities.

The restoration was made possible by a £4.5m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and contractors, UCS Civils are working to complete the works by the end of the year.

The new water play area, kiosk and toilets that have replaced the 70 year-old paddling pool complex have recently opened to the public.

A new complex, comprising a multi-purpose educational room, bowling pavilion and toilets, is also being built at the top end of the park adjacent to the existing bowling greens.

Macalloy 460 tie rods in diameter M30 and 36 were recently supplied as roof bracing to the extension of Dong Energy headquarters in Gentofte, Denmark.

Macalloy website
Clifton Park website
Rotherham

Images: macalloy.com

Read more...

News: Leading company lawyer joins Metalysis

Leading UK company lawyer Jonathan Coppin has joined Rotherham company, Metalysis as non executive director as they scale up their unique technology ahead of entering commercial markets for its speciality metals and alloys from 2010.

The appointment further strengthens the board. In June, Dr. Pelham Hawker joined as non executive chairman. Together, they add significant experience to enable Metalysis to realise its longer-term commercialisation strategy.

Metalysis owns the global intellectual property and commercial exploitation rights to the FFC Process. When compared to conventional technologies, this technology opens up a cheaper, less capital intensive and more environmentally favorable route to produce titanium, tantalum, and related high value alloys.

Jonathan Coppin is one of the UK's leading company lawyers. He has spent more than 20 years advising some of the largest companies in the world on their most important transactions. He has been a partner at Norton Rose, Shearman & Sterling LLP and latterly, Hogan & Hartson LLP, where he was Head of UK Corporate.

Mark Bertolini, chief executive of Metalysis said: "Jonathan's decision to join Metalysis represents a major coup for us. The combination of his top level strategic and legal expertise adds a crucial dimension to our board. He brings first-hand knowledge of the major challenges we are likely to face, from intellectual property protection to competitive threats to key partnerships and investment relationships.

"In recruiting Jonathan and Pelham, we have added tailored experience to the board, enabling us to move confidently out of development and into commercialisation. Their appointments will be essential factors in our future success."

Metalysis website
Rotherham

Images: metalysis.com

Read more...

News: MET-UK in commercial link with Steelers

The Sheffield Steelers ice hockey club has confirmed Rotherham training specialists MET-UK as their latest sponsor.



MET-UK are the UK's leading provider of gas, plumbing, renewable energy and electrician training courses, based at Hellaby. Steelers GM Mike O'Connor said: "We are of course delighted to be adding another first class company to our ever growing list of partners with the Steelers

"Our courtship has been enjoyable with all the MET-UK people and they have certainly become strong hockey fans and were at the NIC in Nottingham in April cheering us on to our play off victory. As with all of our commercial partners we hope that this deal will be mutually beneficial to all concerned, we will do what ever we can to help promote MET-UK and their services throughout our extensive contacts, commercial partners and our large fan base

"We have a company here who are a market leader in their trade and we certainly look forward to working alongside them this coming year."

As part of the Spice plc group, MET-UK operate a training centre of excellence in Rotherham. With onsite classrooms and practical training areas, the centre provides a full range of facilities all under one roof.

The practical area consists of a number of bays where students are able to practice both installations and repairs in a controlled, safe environment. Mock kitchens and bathrooms allow students to carry out practical work in realistic surroundings.

The Steelers are set to move into a purpose built arena in the first phase of the YES! Project development in Rotherham.

MET-UK website
Steelers website
Rotherham

Images: met-uk.com / sheffieldsteelers.co.uk

Read more...

News: Fripp Design supporting innovation in the region

Rotherham company, Fripp Design and Research is the first private sector organisation to be awarded Knowledge Provider Status by Business Link Yorkshire for the delivery of Innovation Vouchers.


Based in the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre in Rotherham, Fripp Design and Research is highly focused on innovation, knowledge and how to commercialise opportunities to give clients a competitive edge.

The company has launched a website dedicated to the supply of Innovation Vouchers, which are part of the government's Solutions for Business Portfolio.

The vouchers can be used to purchase an academic or private sector supplier's expertise to help deliver a knowledge solution to an innovation project. This expertise will come from approved suppliers in the knowledge base institutions within the region, including universities, further education colleges and research and technology organisations such as Fripp Design and Research.

Innovation Vouchers website
Fripp Design and Research website
Rotherham

Images: businesslink.gov.uk

Read more...

News: Site for a community stadium in Rotherham to be identified

A suitable site for a community stadium in Rotherham will be identified in the year ahead and the aim is for the development of a stadium to start on site during 2010/11.

The issue of a community stadium for the town has been made a key priority for Rotherham Council over the next financial year as set out in their "Shaping the Future" document.

The year ahead statement outlines the key priorities for service areas across the council, from Neighbourhood and Adult Services to Environment & Development Services and is drawn from existing plans as a means of providing focus and tracking progress.

The document states that: "The Council is committed to working with Rotherham United FC and the Rotherham Titans to develop stadia to meet their needs. During the year ahead the Council will finalise the identification of a suitable site for a Community Stadium and progress the planning issues associated with this. The aim is to see the development of a stadium start on site during 2010/11."

There are several major regeneration initiatives that feature as key priorities including the Digital Region, the new civic building and the development of Rotherham High Street, the site of the All Saints' Building, and Rotherham Railway Station in the town centre.

The Year Ahead statement for 2009/10 was approved by the Council's cabinet last month.

Year Ahead statement
Rotherham

Read more...

News: The business of winning

Rotherham businesses are being given the opportunity to learn how to get involved in the major projects connected to the London Olympics in 2012.

The Yorkshire Gold Business Club is hosting a conference and exhibition with the keynote speaker being Paul Deighton, the chief executive of LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games).

Speakers will include representatives from YGBC and Yorkshire Forward explaining how they will support businesses to identify what opportunities are available and take an active role in giving Yorkshire organisations the very best chance to win the work, either alone or as part of a collaboration.

Practical advice will be offered about how to gain a real advantage and on winning work on major projects such as the £16bn Cross Rail, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, The Commonwealth Games, Leeds Bradford Airport, Heathrow Terminal 6 & 3rd runway expansion and Transport for London upgrades.

The event takes place at the Mercure St Pauls Hotel in Sheffield on August 20 at 11:00am-2.00 pm.

The Yorkshire Gold Business Club is delivered by VEN Management Ltd.

YGBC website
Rotherham

Images: ygbc.co.uk

Read more...

News: Rotherham college wins enterprise award

Rotherham College of Arts & Technology (RCAT) has been awarded the Warwick Platinum Award for Excellence in Enterprise Education.

A special event was hosted within the College's Wharncliffe Restaurant to mark the success of the work carried out through Rotherham Ready - the Rotherham Children and Young People's Enterprise Project.

The project was designed to inspire schools and further education establishments to create an enterprising culture which helps young people to develop the skills they will need to succeed in the future.

In 2008 the College was awarded the Warwick Award for the quality of achievement in enterprise education following an audit of their enterprise activity and evaluation processes.

Now it has achieved even greater success in receiving the Platinum Award – demonstrating that the enterprise education curriculum and management can be deemed as exemplary both on a local and national basis.

Rachael Booth champion for enterprise education said: "This is a wonderful achievement for the college and a culmination of a lot of hard-work from tutors, Enrichment Officers, students and all those involved in delivering and supporting enterprise education.

"The college has an enterprise ethos that permeates across the curriculum and makes good use of local business and the community in Rotherham to engage in real issues that develop enterprising skills and prepares students for the world of work.

"Rotherham is an exciting place to be right now in terms of Enterprise Education and the work of organisations like Rotherham Ready in pulling a lot of this together, will mean that people studying in Rotherham from early years through to adulthood can develop their enterprise skills."

RCAT website
Rotherham Ready website
Rotherham

Images: rotherham.ac.uk

Read more...

News: Change of direction for Dawmed following sale

Rotherham healthcare decontamination specialist Dawmed has changed its name and investing policy following the sale of its trading arm to Dutch firm, Wassenberg.

DawMed supplied medical disinfection machines across Europe and to a number of NHS Trusts in the UK. They also held the contract to distribute Wassenberg's products in the UK.

The directors stated that their business model couldn't work due to cut-backs in the NHS, unpredictable exchange rates and the credit crisis.

It is not clear what effect this will have on their facility at Hellaby and the 50 employees.

Since the sale, the company has changed the name to Adalta Real PLC and put forward proposals to stay listed on the AIM operating as a property investment vehicle.

Dawmed website
Rotherham

Read more...

News: AESSEAL included in £370m defence contract

AESSEAL, the world leading designers and manufacturers of mechanical seals based in Rotherham, has been named as a sub-contracter in a £370m, 10 year contract between the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems.


The Torpedoes Capability Contract (TCC) covers all aspects of support and maintenance for the heavyweight Spearfish torpedoes that arm Britain's submarine fleet and lightweight Sting Ray torpedoes which are carried on Royal Navy ships and helicopters and Royal Air Force Nimrod Maritime Patrol aircraft.

The contract will support about 120 skilled jobs at BAE Systems in Portsmouth, while about a third of the total contract value, will go to sub-contractors, like AESSEAL, sustaining further industry jobs around the UK.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said: "The contract will provide a more cohesive and efficient approach to our torpedo support programme and ensures that the UK sustains this important capability into the future.

"These potent British-designed and built weapons arm the Royal Navy's submarine fleet, surface fleet and helicopters and Royal Air Force Nimrod patrol aircraft. The contract further demonstrates our continued investment in high-technology defence equipment for our Armed Forces."

With their headquarters at Templeborough, AESSEAL is a global company, employing over 1,000 people. Their mechanical seals are used in pumps and rotating equipment to prevent liquids and gases from escaping into the environment.

AESSEAL website
BAE Systems website
Rotherham

Images: baesystems.com

Read more...