News: Rotherham United stadium land deal moves closer

Plans for Rotherham United to create a new community stadium took a major step forward this week, after the Borough Council's Cabinet agreed officers' recommendation that the council buy the land needed, at the Guest & Chrimes site in the town centre.

The plans would see the council buying the 10.85 acres (4.39 hectares) from Evans of Leeds, which has cleared and prepared the site for development. The council and Evans hope to conclude the deal around early May, when the official scrutiny period expires. The acquisition is being funded by the Local Authority Reward Grant.

The club has said it will create an iconic stadium, with new design and new lighting technology, which will enhance the borough's status. The officers' report to Cabinet said the proposals would not just create a community stadium but provide high-quality buildings, public spaces and the opportunity for further facilities to be provided within the site , an enhanced vibrancy to the town centre, opportunities for learning and local employment during the construction period, community-based sports-learning and improved pedestrian links.

Karl Battersby, the council's strategic director of Environment & Development Services said: "It's a good deal all round. Good for the people of Rotherham, good for the club, and good for the future prosperity of the borough. Among other things, it could mean a lot more business for town-centre businesses.

"But most immediately it's good for Millers' fans – realising their dreams of bringing the club home. Having your home club on home ground – that's important to a community."

Plans for the 12,000 seater stadium were unveiled earlier this month and an outline planning application is to be submitted shortly.

The stadium will stand next to the council's own "New Civic" offices, now under construction at Guest & Chrimes, on Main Street.

Those, together with the recently announced deal with Anglo-Dutch developer TCN UK for the "old Civic", other council properties and Forge Island, represent massive progress for Rotherham Renaissance, which is regenerating the town centre.

Rotherham United website
Rotherham Renaissance website

Images: Signet Planning / themillers.co.uk

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News: Minerva Gallery opens in Rotherham town centre

Minerva Gallery, the recently opened latest addition to the "arts hub" in the Imperial Buildings in Rotherham town centre, is celebrating with a launch event on May 1.

Locally based artist and fine art graduate, Eve Flanagan opened The Minerva Gallery on April 3 and has been delighted by the positive responses to the gallery and to the concept of an "arts hub" in Imperial Buildings.


Local artists have taken up residence in units in and surrounding the internal central kiosk to offer a range of contemporary fine art and fine craft including textiles, jewellery, hand made books, painting and photography.

Eve said: "As a fine art graduate, there are relatively few jobs within the arts industry and all are highly competitive. After meeting with Karen Sherwood, Chief Executive of ROAR who opened her own gallery at the height of a recession in the face of enormous negativity and survived, I decided I might as well follow my passion and open an art gallery myself.

"The decision to open in Rotherham town centre was brought about due to the opportunity that presented itself at Imperial Buildings and the fact that there is nothing like it here.

"I dont want to be or stay in a place lacking in cultural presence and activity. I wished there was something like this when I was growing up here, so have decided to create something for others who may feel the same way."

Minerva Gallery is a relatively small space that is split over two rooms. Minerva shows high quality Fine Arts and Crafts sourced from across Yorkshire at a varied price range.

The Gallery has a high turnover of pieces in order to ensure it always has new, exciting, provocative and pretty objects of art on sale. Showing this week and at the launch event will be a number of artists including Lyn Hodnett, John Flanagan, Elenya Biney, James Kowacz, Matt Thomas and Jennifer Hunter.

Minerva Gallery opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm and the launch event will include music by Sheffield talent Bex Marshall and others and a workshop run by Gemma Nemer in The Button Tin.

Karen Sherwood, Chief Executive of ROAR added: "For anyone who enjoys art and creativity I would encourage you to come to the launch and support Minerva and the Arts Hub. A beautiful space filled with creative people doing something different. A wonderful new offer for Rotherham town centre."

ROAR website
Imperial Buildings website

Images: rotherhamroar.org

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News: Assured secure national fashion chain contract

Rotherham's Assured Fire and Security is continuing to meet all targets for growth and strengthen its national position with a new contract with one of the country's top fashion retailers.

High street chain River Island has extended its contract with the Dinnington-based fire and security specialist.

The company will now provide fire alarms, emergency lighting and sprinkler maintenance as well as upgrading existing fire safety across the whole of River Island's chain of stores in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The company will also be working on maintenance and sprinkler systems for River Island stores throughout the UK.

Simon Stokes, managing director at Assured said: "The extension of our relationship with River Island further strengthens our strategic plan to become the number one independent fire and security company in the UK.

"We have just had our most successful month on record and continue to exceed
all expectations.

"We are well on course to meet our growth target of 37 per cent for 2010 even though we are only half way through the year."

The company operates on a national and international level, has seen its customer base increase from 300 beyond 1,000 and its staff numbers grow from two to 30 since 2004.

Assured website

Images: assured-ltd.co.uk

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News: Exploratory work begins on another Rotherham Renaissance project

Investigation works start next week on new public open space on the banks of the River Don in Rotherham town centre.

On May 4 exploratory work begins on the next phase of the Westgate Demonstrator Project - part of the town's Renaissance programme - which will ultimately see the creation of a public open space complete with underground car parking between the river and the shops on Corporation Street.

Over four weeks the investigation works will be carried out in sequence on the former abattoir site, working from the southern-most part of the site - by the road access to Tesco - towards the Riverside Shopping Precinct.

The works will have an impact on the availability of the temporary car park, which was opened before Christmas last year.

During the first phase of the works the first section of the temporary car park - approximately ten spaces situated next to the retaining wall of the Nat West Bank - will remain open for use by the public. All car parking on the site will be unavailable to the public for a short period later in the programme.

Local businesses adjoining the site have been informed of the investigation works and the Council will be erecting improved signage to the car park to keep shoppers and motorists aware of the on-going parking situation on the site, which benefits from being part of Rotherham's free parking incentives, including both "Free after 3" and the recently-announced Free Saturdays.


Rotherham Renaissance website

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News: Building Blocks for the Future with Rotherham Ready

Rotherham Ready is offering a free new training opportunity for local companies and staff to bring their business into the classroom and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Building Blocks for the Future is an innovative one-day training session developed by Rotherham Ready, the UK's leading enterprise project, which explores the skills and techniques needed to bring local businesses and the expertise of staff into classrooms across Rotherham.

From early years to Further Education students, this training model will help entrepreneurs and businesses unpick the keys to success in working with young people and developing their enterprise skills.

Rotherham schools and students are eager to learn the inside story on how to work in industry, exploring the ever-changing world of work and the job roles available and so with this training, Rotherham businesses can learn how to effectively share their backgrounds and expertise, which are priceless to our future generations, and leave the day equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to deliver innovative and effective sessions with students.

The event is the first of its kind and will look at how to deliver effective presentations in the classroom and what makes a positive workshop experience.

Tailored to individual needs, every delegate will complete the day with a template of a workshop they would feel comfortable to deliver as well as key notes on how to deliver an exciting and interactive presentation.

The event takes place on May 14 from 9am to 3.30pm at RiDO's Fusion @ Magna business centre. To book your place, please email: Rebecca.mollart@rotherham.gov.uk

Since April the European Regional Development Fund has supported Rotherham Ready to develop training models and resources that embed enterprise in education.

Rotherham Ready website

Images: rotherhamready.org.uk

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News: Businesses pledge to take off from Robin Hood Airport

More than 70 business and tourism leaders from across the region gathered together this week to sign a pledge to support Robin Hood Airport.

The pledge will see businesses that frequently travel as part of their everyday operations look into their current requirements to see if there are opportunities for them to "Fly Local."

This spring, Doncaster Sheffield Airport launched a number of new city routes which will be attractive to business users, with easyJet to Amsterdam, Barcelona and Prague and with Aer Lingus to Dublin, in addition to existing city services from Flybe to Belfast City and Wizz Air to Poland.

At the event Nick Smillie, Aviation Sales Director said: "Support from the local business community will be essential in ensuring that these new services are a success. Successful routes will enable the airport to make the case for additional business-friendly services.

"A key component of the "Fly Local" campaign is the Business Travel Pledge, through which local companies will pledge their support for the airport's services, in return for a range of incentives, and the promise of additional services in future.

"We are delighted to be able to celebrate the airports fifth birthday by launching this pledge and signing up the first five companies, Sheffield United, Doncaster Rovers, Pegler Yorkshire, Polypipe and Sheffield Forgemasters.

"We will be working closely with businesses to find out their needs and the routes they currently use in a bid to prove demand. This information is invaluable when speaking to the airlines about new services."

Recommended reading: Why Cambodia's Siem Reap is the Hottest Travel Destination Right Now

Ali Gayward, UK Commercial Manager for easyJet, added: "We are very excited to be working with Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Our first flights took off last week to five destinations. We are serving Amsterdam, Prague, Barcelona, Faro and Majorca.

"In the past easyJet have been thought of as a holidaymakers airline but these routes show that we can meet business needs. We have just appointed a corporate sales manager which is quite revolutionary for a budget airline.

"We work very closely with Peel Airports and have seen Liverpool grow to a base of nine aircraft serving 21 destinations. We hope that the five routes we are offering from Doncaster Sheffield Airport is just the start of what we can do."

easyJet will operate some 21 departures per week from the airport and expects to carry around 300,000 passengers to the new destinations in their first year of operation.

Robin Hood Airport website

Images: robinhoodairport.com

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News: SYIF leaves legacy for South Yorkshire

More than 9,100 jobs have been created and safeguarded in this region over the last decade due to the support provided by South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF) in Rotherham.

The venture capital and loan fund is coming to an end after nine years of investments in South Yorkshire businesses, with the new region-wide Finance Yorkshire now taking on responsibility for making money available to companies.

Since being launched in 2001, SYIF has made a real impact on the economy in South Yorkshire, supporting a wide range of sectors, from manufacturing to creative and digital, environmental to health.

£60million including money with management has been invested into businesses to help them meet the funding gap for growth and development.

More than 2,500 businesses have received assistance from SYIF – a thousand more than the target set at the outset – helping to create and safeguard 9,132 jobs.

Tony Goulbourn, chief executive of South Yorkshire Investment Fund, said: "Even though the first Fund has come to an end, we will continue to manage a number of investments made during the last few years which require on-going support to ensure maximum returns are provided.

"Due to the sustainable nature of the Fund we are expecting to see a legacy of approximately £20m by 2013 for this region."

Other key partnerships have enabled SYIF to maintain a wide spectrum of financial packages for businesses. However, the most important is SYIF’s relationship with Government Office for the Region (Objective 1 Executive), Yorkshire Forward and Business Link Yorkshire.

Tony added: "All our partners have been incredibly supportive and became the catalyst for economic development, business support and investment readiness, making the region more attractive to small business clients, other investors as well as businesses looking to move to the region.

"Following the recent launch of Finance Yorkshire, it is important that our existing clients and the small and medium businesses in South Yorkshire are provided with a seamless and continuous flow of finance from the Fund."

SYIF has supported many Rotherham comapnies including Hydra Mining, PMS Diecasting Limited, Develop-U, Rocksure Systems, Inertius Ltd, AtraNova, Connect-IP, Biovision Medical and Wright Printing Services Ltd.


Finance Yorkshire website

Images: SYIF

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News: DRBSY moves to Manvers as it enters the Digital Region

Digital Region Broadband Ltd (DRBSY Ltd), a newly-established Managed Service Provider (MSP), has secured 46,000 sq ft of colocation at the South Yorkshire data centre in Rotherham as it signs up to be a provider for the £90m Digital Region.

DRBSY Ltd's managed services range from super-fast internet access to voice and video, through to managed application hosting. The move to Manvers gives them the largest colocation and managed hosting footprint in South Yorkshire.

DRBSY Ltd will be the first UK ISP to offer IPv6-enabled next generation services to the South Yorkshire Digital Region and organisations that locate themselves in the South Yorkshire data centre.

The Digital Region project will bring continuous 25mb+ broadband to over 97% of South Yorkshire, including 550,000 homes and 1.3 million people. The project is financed by European, regional, local and private investment of over £90 million, including £30 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

George Taylor, the founder of DRBSY Ltd, said "We're great advocates of DRL's mission to provide a vehicle for South Yorkshire's economic regeneration and are aligning our new organisation entirely with their objectives.

"With 46,000 square feet of hosting space at Yorkshire's largest data centre, we're looking to host as well as deliver next generation services, and aim to provide vital backup and disaster recovery facilities for the rest of the country via the Digital Region network."

Thales UK, in partnership with DRL, commenced the construction works in 2009 and is scheduled to complete the building of the "fibre-to-the-street cabinet" network to over 1600 locations across the entire region by 2012.

David Holt, CEO, Digital Region Ltd added: "There has been tremendous interest in providing services over the network from South Yorkshire's private sector.

"Businesses like DRBSY are setting up from scratch specifically to capitalise on the opportunities the network offers.

"As the network build continues we will see more and more service providers sign up to develop, trial and roll out services across a range of vertical markets.

"The next few months will be very exciting for us, and for South Yorkshire in general."


Digital Region Broadband Ltd website
Digital Region website

Images: digitalregion.co.uk

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News: Rotherham contract for Newport Paper

Newport Paper, a specialist purchaser and recycler of recovered materials based in Shropshire, has announced that it has signed a four year contract with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for the acquisition of their recycled newspapers and magazines.

Rotherham Council's kerbside scheme collects paper from 111,000 households through their "Blue Bags" to recycle newspapers, magazines, leaflets, telephone directories, catalogues, white paper, junk mail and shredded paper.

In total the scheme generates 6,000 tonnes of recyclable paper per year.

Newport Paper won the contract through a combination of competitive pricing and partnering with a local Rotherham company, KCM Skips, for the bulking facilities. It is reported that the contract is worth over £500,000 per annum.

The paper will be supplied directly to the second largest recycled paper producer in the world, StoraEnso. Their mill produces paper based on 100% recycled fibre which is then sold to publishers and printers of newspapers and magazines.

Rotherham's Recycling Manager, Dale Otter, said: "The nature of waste management is changing and we need to restrict the amount of waste that is sent to landfill. Newport Paper are helping us by ensuring that our paper is recycled in the most effective manner possible."

Newport Paper website

Images: newportpaper.com

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News: Rotherham company is the first to enter the Digital Region

Rotherham communications specialist RiPWIRE, has become the first internet service provider (ISP) to sign up to the ground-breaking Digital Region project in South Yorkshire.

The contractual agreement represents an important milestone as it makes end user fast broadband services available to South Yorkshire's business community.

From their base in RiDO's Fusion @ Magna business centre in Templeborough, RiPWIRE can now offer business telephony and video conferencing services with consumer and public sector services expected to be introduced in the coming weeks.

Liam Winder, managing director at RiPWiRE said: "We are delighted to be able to provide access to the Digital Region network for our existing and prospective new customers in South Yorkshire.

"Improving the quality and speed of their connectivity will enable them to take advantage of more of our cloud computing services and improve their business performance.

"The Digital Region network will also enable more customers to take advantage of our applications that require high-quality bandwidth. We are particularly excited about the opportunities that this creates for both public and private customers in the healthcare sector."

Thales UK, in partnership with Digital Region Ltd, commenced the construction works in 2009 and is scheduled to complete the building of the "fibre-to-the-street cabinet" network to over 1,600 locations across the entire region by 2012.

RiPWiRE has combined this technology with their core network to offer fast, reliable and speed assured broadband services of up to 40Mb.

Digital Region is wholly owned by Yorkshire Forward and the four local authorities of South Yorkshire. Together they attracted European, regional, local and private investment of over £90 million, including £30 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

David Holt, CEO, Digital Region Ltd said: "This is great news, and a significant step forward for the region's digital presence.

"Despite being less than five months from when the core fibre optic ring went operational, the project is already creating jobs and opportunities for the region."

RiPWIRE website
Digital Region website
Rotherham

Images: digitalregion.co.uk

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News: Nuclear AMRC plans on show

A consultation event is taking place this week to highlight the plans for the £25m Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) in Rotherham.

The Nuclear AMRC will provide a focal point for the bulk of the UK civil nuclear manufacturing industry supply chain, ensuring that manufacturers in the UK have the capability and capacity required to compete for nuclear new build in the UK and globally, from skills training to research and development.

It is a joint initiative between industry, the University of Sheffield, and the University of Manchester. It will be based in a new purpose-built facility with state of the art equipment at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

Building on the model developed by the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing, the centre will employ around 75 researchers who will focus on the machining, fabrication and the assembly of components for new nuclear power stations.

Planning is well under way and the 8,000 sq m iconic building is being designed by Bond Bryan Architects, who also designed the Factory of the Future. Turner & Townsed are the project managers.

The building is set to cost around £10m and it is anticipated that a planning application will be submitted in early May 2010 with work starting on site in November 2010.

The AMRC team, architects and civil engineers will present and discuss the plans from 10:30 on April 29 at the AMRC the Factory of the Future.

Nuclear AMRC website
Rotherham

Images: namrc.co.uk / Bond Bryan

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News: Crawshaws has confidence to expand

Crawshaw Group PLC, the meat focused retailer based in Rotherham, has reported its audited results for the year ended 31 January, 2010.

Sales for the year increased by more than 18% to £19m from the previous year thanks to a number of store openings.

Gross profit increased by 20% to £8.2m but operating profit fell from £854,000 to £318,000, excluding exceptional items, as operating costs increased.

The 20 store group reported that it had been a difficult year for established stores with an 8% reduction in like for like sales, driven by the impact of the recession causing customers to switch into lower priced products.

Seven new stores of different types have opened since June 2008 with the new larger format stores showing an outstanding performance. As a result, the group has the confidence to start planning for further sites.

Richard Rose, chairman of Crawshaw Group PLC said: "The search has commenced and we are confident that the lessons learned over the last 18 months of new store openings will provide an excellent foundation for our future expansion plans."

The Bradmarsh Business Park company was acquired by the Felix Group in March 2008 for around £12m.

Crawshaw website
Rotherham

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News: Documetric chief named as a finalist in prestigious entrepreneur awards

Rami Cassis, the chief executive of Rotherham business process outsourcing (BPO) provider, Documetric, has been named as a as regional finalist in Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards 2010.

One of eight finalists in Yorkshire, and 113 in the country, he will compete at the regional award event in June. Regional winners will go on to vie for the title Ernst & Young "UK Overall Entrepreneur Of The Year" 2010 – currently held by Michael Spencer, Chief Executive of ICAP plc – at a ceremony held in London in October.

Sponsored by Credit Suisse, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates people who build and lead successful, growing and dynamic businesses; recognising them through regional, national and global awards programmes in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

Rami Cassis founded Documetric in 2007 through a management buy-out of the data services division of Atos Origin, a leading European IT outsourcer. Before heading Atos Origin's UK division, Rami worked for consulting group KPMG and Schlumberger Oilfield Services.

Hellaby-based Documetric, specialises in payment processing and transactional services. The firm's revenues have increased from £2m to £11m since it was established, and last year they secured a £2m investment from the Capital for Enterprise (CfE) fund to enable further growth.

Documetric processes up to 30,000 envelopes every day and utilising a range of cheque processing and scanning machines to process the payments, they process over 40 million payments a year.

Richard Hall, partner and UK Entrepreneur Of The Year leader at Ernst & Young, said: "Entrepreneur Of The Year recognises and rewards the people behind many of the world's most innovative businesses.

"More than ever, this year's finalists have shown their ability to adapt to market conditions, to forge ahead by seizing opportunities and taking market share in the toughest of times.

"They have maintained their vision for growth and pursued it, increased their focus on customer satisfaction and loyalty, expanded into new segments and geographical markets and engaged their employees using greater communication and transparency.

"Such trailblazers will drive the recovery and provide confidence throughout the world's markets. Governments around the world, not just in Britain, need to promote an open economy to stimulate innovation. Today's entrepreneurs depend on global capital, production, talent, and customers. If we put up borders, we go backwards."

Documetric website
Rotherham

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News: Sizer builds international links

Sizer, the pelleting company launched by Newburgh Engineering in Rotherham, is building international links in the Far East with the help of students on the Masters in International Business Management course at Sheffield Hallam University.

Four students were given the task of sourcing information on agents within Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, as part of its ambitious global expansion plans supplying pelleting equipment and spare parts.

Roger Pearson, managing director of Sizer, said: "We are delighted with the results of the research carried out by the students, who are all native speakers of the local languages.

"There are many opportunities for us to expand our business in the Far East and it is very important that we can find suitable agents here. The project has given us some excellent information and contacts and we are confident that this will help us to develop new business opportunities in these countries."

The company already has a customer base in many countries outside Europe, including Canada, Australia and Japan and the project was part of its plan to expand its distribution network of component parts for pelleting machines.

Dr Andrew Johnston, project supervisor for Sheffield Hallam University, said: "As part of their Masters Degree, all students have to carry out a research project with a business and this one was particularly relevant and valuable. This was a great opportunity for our students to be able to assist a local company, whilst giving them direct experience of the world of international business."

Sizer website
Rotherham

Images: Sizer

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News: Morphy Richards to launch new range in 2010

Rotherham-based household domestic appliance giant Morphy Richards is using social media to launch a brand new range of electrical products.

With headquarters in Manvers and factory at Swinton, the Irish-owned company has appointed Finn Communications to shake up their brand strategy. This involves investing in social media in order to drive word of mouth for a new range of products to be launched through 2010.

The agency will deliver a series of integrated campaigns that will use social and digital media to create consumer advocacy and engagement for the market leading consumer household appliance brand.

It is the first time the 75-year-old brand will use social media as the key focus for new product launches and supports the company's vision to invest in consumer engagement.

Pete Morton, category marketing manager at Morphy Richards, said: "Daily, our consumers are already sharing hints, tips, and recipe ideas for our range of products online.

"It is clear there is a genuine commercial opportunity to facilitate this word of mouth recommendation and consumer advocacy to launch our products.

"In order to do so we need to drive a real sense of engagement with our consumers, which is just not possible through traditional mass marketing.

"A shift in marketing focus to social media and PR is a natural choice to do this and we're excited about its possibilities."

Morphy Richards website
Rotherham

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News: Corus senses improvement in cooling methods

Expert metallurgists at Corus' Swinden Technology Centre in Rotherham are developing a scale model rolling mill to enable them to make more informed decisions with respect to cooling methods for different steel strip products.

The rolling mill, which is approximately one-eighth the size of a conventional full size rolling mill, will incorporate four infrared temperature sensors from Micro-Epsilon to measure process temperatures at various positions along the process line.

This will enable the simulation of different cooling techniques for various types and grades of steel.

Two of these sensors are already in position and have been used to measure temperatures on the high temperature rolling side. The other two sensors will be located on the cooling conveyor.

The process temperatures on the rolling side vary from 850 deg C up to 1,100 deg C, whilst temperatures on the cooling side are down to 600 deg C.

Temperature measurement data collected by the four temperature sensors is fed into the rolling mill's software program where it is used to model and simulate the different cooling methods for the steel strip.

The Research, Development & Technology department of Corus combines top class innovation with cutting edge technology to deliver "metals solutions" to Corus sites around the world.

Corus website
Rotherham

Images: micro-epsilon.co.uk

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News: Bramall Construction lays foundations for growth

Rotherham social housing and regeneration specialists, Bramall Construction, has appointed Neil Robertson as business development manager to support the company's delivery of millions of pounds worth of community improvements in Yorkshire and Humberside.

He will help the company develop new partnerships in Yorkshire and East Yorkshire with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Registered Social Landlords, local authorities and other agencies as well as looking after existing clients.

Neil, a Chartered Marketer, with an MSc in Marketing Management, has more than 20 years' experience in the sector. He previously worked for Scott Wilson, an integrated design and engineering consultancy, and was Project Manager on the Cortonwood reclamation scheme, a large-scale regeneration project in the Dearne Valley amongst other regeneration schemes.

He progressed to Head of Marketing and Business Development for Scott Wilson's Central Division.

Neil, who is also a Chartered Civil Engineer, recently spent a short time at consulting engineers Morgan Tucker as Director of Sales and Marketing before joining Bramall Construction.

Neil said: "My experience in the industry enables me to visualise how difficult sites maybe "engineered" to create vibrant developments which will benefit the whole community. I have a passionate interest in the placemaking agenda which means I look forward to seeing the schemes I instigate turn into communities."

Bramall Managing Director, Neil Baxter, said: "We have some bold plans for the Yorkshire and Humberside region and needed a top operator to see them turned into reality.

"We got that in Neil, who is a great communicator, a knowledgeable professional and - above all else - is committed to working in partnership at every level of our organisation and on each project."

Bramall website

Rotherham

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News: Macalloy earns Queen's Awards for Enterprise

Rotherham construction experts, Macalloy, has earned the Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2010 for international trade.


Based in Dinnington, Macalloy are world leaders in design, manufacture and supply of threaded bar and cable systems to engineering and construction projects across the globe.

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are the UK's most prestigious Awards for business success and Macalloy are one of 95 companies to win the award for international trade this year.

Macalloy systems are used in tension structures, façade engineering, ground engineering and post-tensioning/concrete engineering projects worldwide.

They support impressive projects including the Viaduc du Millau in Southern France, the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai and close to home, Clifton Park in Rotherham.

Stadium projects that have utilised Macalloy systems include the main venue for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the City of Manchester Stadium; the Olympia Stadion in Berlin, that hosted six games at the 2006 World Cup; the Khalifa Stadium in Doha and the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, currently under construction in Australia.

Over six years the company's export earnings have increased by 124% from its markets in 58 countries worldwide. In 2008, its top 5 markets were in UAE, Qatar, Spain, India and Germany. New markets included the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In 2009, the company's largest projects included the Dubai Metro and Concourse 3 at Dubai International Airport - both awarded as a result of its other successes in the Middle East.

Macalloy moved to Dinington from Sheffield in November 2006 as part of their continued expansion.

Macalloy's Managing Director Peter Hoy said: "The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious corporate awards that any UK business can win and we are all very proud to receive the award for International trade.

"This is the second time we have received this award and it is a testament to the hard work, commitment and professionalism of all our staff, distributors and agents.

"The award reflects the companies commitment to exporting excellence and the importance that we as company give to exporting throughout the world."

They join other successful Rotherham companies including AESSEAL and Huthwaite International as recipients of the prestigious award. Jackie Frost, Enterprise Projects Manager at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and RiDO's Business Centre Manager, Amanda Parris have both previously earned the individual Queen's Award for Enterprise promotion.

Macalloy website
Rotherham

Images: macalloy.com

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News: DBC Foodservice wins major contract

DBC Foodservice has won a contract worth approximately £8m per year to supply a multi-temperature range of food to the Barracuda Group's nationwide pub and bar estate.



Formed in 2000, Barracuda Group is now one of the UK's top 10 largest managed pub companies, operating 223 pubs and bars under names such as Varsity, Barracuda Bar and Juniper.

DBC will supply Barracuda's estate with dry, frozen and chilled products as well as fresh fruit and vegetables.

Chris Horne, managing director of DBC Foodservice, said: "We are delighted to have won this major account following such a rigorous tendering process and are pleased that we could offer the flexible approach that Barracuda was looking for.

"The contract will be mobilised through our Petersfield and Rotherham branches, with our other national branches enhancing the delivery process where appropriate.

"Rather than the usual dedicated telesales and customer service team, Barracuda specifically requested a centralised facility. We offer a bespoke service for this reason – to be able to offer whatever works for the customer."

DBC is a privately owned delivered food wholesale business which sells to all sectors of the catering industry such as independent restaurants, hotels, private schools, local authorities, healthcare, the MoD worldwide food supply and high street restaurant chains. The company serves caterers with over 8,000 multi-temperature products, turning over in excess of £270m.

The Rotherham distribution facility at Brookfield's Park in Manvers is one of 12 strategic locations in the UK that together operate 213 vehicles and employ over 1,000 people nationwide.

DBC website
Rotherham

Images: dbcfoodservice.co.uk

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News: Rotherham Nanotechnology event

An event is taking place on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham this month to look at research funding and regional support for innovation in nanotechnology, materials and new production technologies.

Put simply, nanotechnology is "small-scale science" that enables the unique properties and behaviours of particles and materials at this nanoscale to be applied in a diverse range of sectors – from medical device companies and chemicals firms through to engineering, food technology and construction businesses.

The event will outline the benefits of new nanotechnology advances and provide a forum for companies, those in the supply chain and technology experts to brainstorm ideas for future R&D possibilities. Ideas that are generated may form the basis of grant applications to appropriate funding bodies.

The workshop is organised by Nanofactory and Enterprise Europe Yorkshire and is delivered in association with the National Contact Point for FP7.

The Framework Programme 7 offers the facility to engage in collaborative research and receive up to 75% funding from the European Commission. It is the EU's main source of support and funding for research. The current programme (FP7) will run from 2007 to 2013 with a total budget of over €50 million.

Nanofactory brings together nanotechnology experts from the universities of Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam and York and provides tailored support from the region's universities to encourage collaborative research in nanotechnology.

Nanofactory's director, Professor Richard Williams said: "Nanofactory connects the knowledge and expertise of academic researchers with the needs and challenges of companies in the region. This offers a powerful combination and driver for innovation. As a result new fundamental and applied research programmes will be stimulated and leading university researchers will seek out funding and partnerships to deliver these."

"This type of research based activity goes way beyond the usual consultancy support that SMEs can access at universities and it aims to provide much more than short term problem solving. Nanotechnology doesn't have to be the domain of large companies and multinationals – there are opportunities for all sizes of company."

The event takes place at the AMP Technology Centre, Rotherham on April 27 at 12 noon.

Nanofactory website
Enterprise Europe Yorkshire website
Rotherham

Images: nanofactory.org.uk

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News: Rotherham titanium event attracts global interest

Delegates from as far afield as France, Sweden and India attended an event organized by the Titanium Information Group, based at the National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC) in Rotherham recently.

The seminar explored the opportunities for the use of Titanium in biomedical applications and keynote speakers included Anita Clarke from JRI in Sheffield and Dr Van Noort from the University of Sheffield.

JRI is a company that manufactures orthopaedic implants, including hip and joint replacements and Dr Van Noort described the University's work in developing dental implants for cleft palates and broken jaw joints. Other speakers covered aspects of measurement and production of Titanium parts from metal powder.

Programme Manager, Alastair Lang from NAMTEC, said: "This conference was very well attended and the number of visitors who travelled from overseas to attend is testament to the opportunities that lie in this area. It gave an in-depth insight into the use of Titanium in the healthcare industry and the way that manufacturers can make use of the material to supply high quality products to this sector."

The Titanium Information Group is an international organisation that promotes the use of Titanium. The TiG is an association of design engineers, manufacturers and fabricators of Titanium, which is designed to promote the benefits of the material's use in a wide variety of applications.

NAMTEC leads on delivering research and technology development, knowledge transfer, and training to companies in the engineering and manufacturing industries.

TiG website
Rotherham

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News: U-Explore appoints new chairman as growth looks set to continue

Rotherham education specialists, U-Explore has appointed Jerry Jarvis as their new chairman, signaling an exciting new phase for the company.

The innovative enterprise specialises in enabling schools to deliver reality based careers information, advice and guidance. Their U-Explore national school product is an innovative software solution which engages with young people through cutting edge media.

Andy Pickles, CEO of U-Explore said: "As a young growing business it is essential to get the right support at the right time from the right people, to enable us to achieve our vision and manage our growth through these exciting but challenging early years.

"It is also important to the company that whomever we work with understands our vision, our culture, our creativity and can bring a positive challenge and contribution to the team and the development of U-Explore.

"In appointing Jerry Jarvis as Chairman of U-Explore we have an incredibly experienced business leader who has driven transformational change in education and someone who has had an appreciation of U-Explore since the early days of our development over five years ago.

"These are very exciting times for U-Explore and we are all looking forward to taking our business on to the next level with the experience and passion of Jerry Jarvis as our Chairman."

Jerry was the Managing Director of Edexcel, the UK's largest awarding body, from 2005 to 2009 after originally joining the company as Operations Director in 2000. Throughout his time at Edexcel, he helped to dramatically change the culture and performance of the charity, taking its value from £20m to an estimated £900m.

Prior to his time at Edexcel, Jerry worked in operational management in the IT, quality and service sectors for organisations such as Thorn-EMI and BAe systems.

Jerry said: "What excites me about joining U-Explore and what really grabbed me initially is the context that it is bringing to education. I met Andy many years ago and was struck then by his passion to transform careers education so that students had better access to reality based information about the world of work.

"U-Explore is bringing a context to learning and is therefore providing a purpose to it. It introduces a young person for the first time to the importance and relevance that learning really has and when this motivation is given to a student, this is when the real learning takes place. Providing a context to education is important to the future success of our next generation of workers and therefore critical to our country.

"I'm delighted to be joining the team at U-Explore and am looking forward to helping the company grow and develop so that it gains recognition across the country for the excellent and unique work it does in providing inspirational careers information, advice and guidance for young people."

Last year, U-Explore moved into new offices at Templeborough, doubled their workforce, grew their network three fold, and opened Maltby Academy as lead sponsor.

U-Explore website
Rotherham

Images: U-Explore

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News: Lightmain Leisure in management buy-out

Lightmain Leisure, the Rotherham-based designer and manufacturer of playground and outdoor leisure equipment, has been bought out by the division's managers.

Advised by BHP Ingram Forrest Corporate Finance and backed by Yorkshire Fund Managers and Yorkshire Bank, the management team bought the division from the Lightmain Company. The buy-out sees sales director Trevor Lafferty and his team acquire a majority shareholding in the business.

Based in Wath-upon-Dearne, Lightmain Leisure is one of the UK's leading providers of all weather multi-use games areas (MUGAS), skate parks, playground equipment, shelters and street furniture.

Lightmain was founded by Yorkshire entrepreneur Gary Beresforde in 1991 and initially focused on the manufacture and design of highly durable steel structures for the engineering and construction sectors. Recognising the growing importance of the leisure sector, the company subsequently expanded its operations to supply the outdoor sports and recreation markets.

Gary said: "I am very proud of what we have achieved in establishing Lightmain Leisure as one of the leading UK suppliers in its niche and I wish Trevor and his team the very best of luck as they take the business onto the next stage."

BHP Ingram Forrest Corporate Finance acted as lead advisor to the vendor. Partner, David Forrest said: "We have worked with Gary and his team on a number of projects over recent years and are delighted to have advised on the disposal of Lightmain Leisure.

"It is also particularly pleasing to have been involved in a transaction which has a truly regional flavour to it with the business, the funders and the advisors all being based in Yorkshire."

Lightmain website
BHP Ingram Forrest Corporate Finance website
Rotherham

Images: lightmain.co.uk / BHP Ingram Forrest Corporate Finance

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News: Macalloy supports $5.5bn Marina Bay Sands development

Integral engineering systems from Rotherham are being used in the Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore, described as the world's most challenging construction projects and certainly the most expensive stand-alone integrated resort property ever built.

Based in Dinnington, Macalloy are world leaders in design, manufacture and supply of threaded bar and cable systems to engineering and construction projects across the globe.

Macalloy 460 galvanised tie rods were supplied in a range of diameters to support the roof canopies along the bayfront constructed on land reclaimed from the sea.

Developed by the Las Vegas Sands corporation, the resort is close to Singapore's financial district and includes a casino with 1,000 gaming tables and 1,400 slot machines, a 2,500 room hotel, museum, restaurants, nightclubs, shops and a convention centre.

The three hotel towers, which rise to 55 floors, are connected by the one-hectare Sands SkyPark, a spectacular rooftop garden, 200 metres from the ground on the world's largest building cantilever.

Construction is nearing completion and the first phase of the resort is due to open later this month.

Macalloy website
Marina Bay Sands website
Rotherham

Images: macalloy.com / marinabaysands.com

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News: Maplin amongst Britain's fastest growing profit companies

Rotherham-based electronics retailer, Maplin, has been named in the latest Sunday Times Pricewaterhouse Coopers Profit Track 100.

The annual league table, now in its eleventh year, ranks Britain's 100 private companies with the fastest-growing profits and uses the growth in profits over the last three years of latest available audited accounts.

The 100 companies have grown their profits over the last three years by an average of 68% a year to a combined total of £1.4bn. Together they employed 96,853 staff, and added 33,817 jobs during this time.

Maplin Electronics is ranked 46th in the UK and second in Yorkshire. Profits have risen 61% a year from £5.4m in 2005 to £22.2m in 2008.

Maplin sells a range of 15,000 products to tech-savvy hobbyists as well as general consumers.

The company's website attracts over 170,000 visitors every day and a network of over 170 retail outlets throughout the UK and Ireland. Maplin has plans to open 12 new stores this year.

Launched by two technology enthusiasts in 1972 who were frustrated by the lack of good quality electronics components, Maplin Electronics became the experts' choice, with a reputation for the best product range and expertise.

The recent profits are a far cry from the early days in Essex when founders, Roger Allen and Doug Simmons, remained in their full-time jobs for two years, and the company didn't make a profit.

In 2008 they moved to a 220,000 sq ft state of the art distribution centre and head office at Manvers in Rotherham.

Maplin website
Fast Track website
Rotherham

Images: maplin.co.uk

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News: AEM students set to learn, earn and advance

A programme run by NAMTEC in Rotherham has placed 12 of the best undergraduates into advanced engineering and metals companies in Yorkshire and the Humber.

The innovative, Learn, Earn & Advance programme provides high calibre engineering and materials science undergraduates for summer placements in 2010 and 2011 for companies in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

It is funded by Yorkshire Forward and forms part of the Higher Level Skills Programme, working to increase the number of, and develop the capabilities of graduates entering the sector.

Using a strict assessment process and structured induction, the programme assesses all the students so that businesses only have to decide the discipline and characteristics of the students they would like to place and NAMTEC will select a student or students who are most likely to meet that business's requirements.

Assessment centres took place in March and Rotherham company, Eldon Electric were joined by Siemens VAI, Corus, MSI Quality-Forgings, Doosan Babcock Energy, Cummins Turbo Technologies, Chesterfield Special Cylinders and Bridon who all attended. 12 undergraduates were selected and the first of two summer placements will start in June.

As well as at least nine weeks placed in a top engineering company, the students benefit from a summer school programme to develop business, commercial and personal skills which can be applied in the workplace.

AEMStudents website
Rotherham

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News: Strong activity but prime rental falls in Rotherham

The commercial property market of the industrial and distribution sector in Rotherham saw strong activity in 2009 but a fall in prime rental values, according to a recent report by national commercial property consultancy, Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).

LSH's National Industrial and Distribution Report 2010 showed that South Yorkshire recorded an increase in take-up levels during 2009 and that market activity increased in Yorkshire & The Humber, with 8.1m sq ft of transactions, an increase of 7.0%

The report highlights that the well-located estates in Rotherham performed well throughout 2009, with the sub 50,000 sq ft units driving the market forward. Occupiers have been drawn to the primary locations and, in particular, motorway junctions, with similar headline rental figures to the previous year being achieved.

Despite strong activity and rents being paid, prime rental values in the sector fell by 13.6% in Rotherham in 2009.

The report also states that South Yorkshire has a significant oversupply of larger distribution units due to the scale of speculative development which has taken place in previous years. Conversely, in other areas of the UK there are acute shortages in prime industrial stock.

Michael Alderton, Head of LSH's Industrial and Logistics Division, said: "Our findings are certainly encouraging and we are starting to see real improvements in the industrial sector, however, there is still a huge oversupply of second-hand space in the market as inefficient businesses continue to suffer."

LSH worked on the largest pre-let to be completed in South Yorkshire in 2009 when Pegler agreed terms for a total of 102,000 sq ft of prime industrial space at Brookfield's Park in Manvers, Rotherham.

The £7m distribution facility for the leading manufacturer of fittings, taps and valves is nearing completion.

LSH website
Rotherham

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News: Sequence boosts housing land division in South Yorkshire

Estate agency network, Sequence has recruited a new land manager in Rotherham as part of a wider investment drive in the company's residential land practice.

Alan Swain has become land manager for South Yorkshire in Sequence's Land and New Homes division and will be based in Sequence's Rotherham office.

The appointment comes at a time when Sequence's land operators are seeing increasing activity in the land market, especially since the start of 2010.

Graham Freeman, divisional managing director, Sequence Land said: "Although there is some way to go before we see a full recovery, steadily increasing house sales and greater mortgage availability are prompting developers to start building again."

Alain is a town planner and previously worked for developer Gleeson Homes. He added: "In South Yorkshire, we are starting to see positive signs of growth with land buyers returning to the market. Residential developers are still keeping a keen eye on the mortgage market which, I believe, will have a marked impact on how readily house builders resume "business as usual" this year."

Sequence is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Connells Group. Together, Connells and Sequence make up the second largest estate agency network in the country with almost 500 branches. In Yorkshire they trade under the William H Brown.

Sequence website
Rotherham

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News: Rotherham Enterprise Board launch events programme

Rotherham Enterprise Board hosted the first event in its new innovative and exciting programme recently.

The first Tablecloth Enterprise Event, which took place at RiDO's Fusion @ Magna Business Centre, saw six fledgling businesses take part in a "speed coaching" session with successful entrepreneurs.

The events are funded by Corus subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise and offer businesses the opportunity to explore their concepts and discuss running a business with experienced entrepreneurs in a relaxed and informal setting.

Discussions and thoughts are captured on a paper tablecloth and by the end of the session businesses will have refined their business ideas and will have a tablecloth full of inspiring notes and ideas to follow up and explore.

John Clarkson, who recently set up JEC Vac Solutions Ltd at Fusion, took advantage of the free advice and expertise that was on offer at the opener. He said: "The opportunity to discuss our ideas for the future with some of the leading local business entrepreneurs and obtain their advice is a great help.

"Advice on company growth, recruitment and consolidating the business has helped us further develop the Business Plan and move forward with more confidence in what we aim to achieve."

Sonia Cox, founder of Rotherham-based AIM (Accountancy in Motion) Financial Recruitment Ltd, also attended. She said: "To have this opportunity to meet and engage with successful businessmen and to gain both their positive and negative feedback at this early stage in AIM's development was fantastic and I took full advantage.

"I have already implemented three significant changes that have added value in the development of AIM."

Future Tablecloth Enterprise events will be held across the borough, with the next on May 20 at RiDO's Matrix @ Dinnington Business Centre.

The Enterprise Board and UK Steel Enterprise will also be hosting two Dragons' Den events, inspired by the BBC show, as part of their innovative programme.

The Dragons' Den events will give early-stage Rotherham companies the opportunity to pitch their existing business and its growth potential to a panel of Dragons made up of successful local entrepreneurs. And with a prize of £1,500 up for grabs for the best pitch, the winning idea could be turned into reality.

Board Chairman John Wainwright, of Executek, said: "The Enterprise Board events programme is designed to offer help, support and advice to Rotherham's pre-start and early stage businesses. The events will also provide an excellent networking opportunity; we do hope you’ll join us at one!"

Keith Williams, Regional Manager of UK Steel Enterprise, added: "We are delighted to support Rotherham Enterprise. This is one of a number of initiatives we are funding in Rotherham as part of our response to recent restructuring in the steel industry and we are also supporting more established businesses through our investment fund, which invests up to £750,000 in growing companies."

Rotherham Enterprise Board website
Rotherham Investment & Development Office
Rotherham

Images: RiDO

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News: Rotherham industrial estate up for sale

Aven Industrial Estate in Maltby, Rotherham, is up for sale following the owners entering administration.

Joint administrators, Rob Caven and Martin Ellis of Grant Thornton UK LLP, have confirmed the appointment of Savills as agent for sale of 32 of Kenmore's UK properties.

Close to Maltby Colliery, Aven Industrial Estate comprises approximately 273,682 sq ft (25,426sq m) of industrial accommodation situated within a total site area of approximately 26 acres (10.50 hectares).

Aven Enterprise Park provides three different sized office units, ranging from 624 sq ft to 2,228 sq ft. The majority of the remainder of the site comprises a variety of 1960's to 1980's detached, semi detached and terraced industrial units.

Current occupiers range from steelmaker, Corus and IT company, Cynetix to bathroom fittings supplier, Peak 2000.

Rob Caven, Joint Administrator said: "There has been, and continues to be, considerable market interest in the Kenmore properties. The numerous enquiries we have received range from those expressing interest in the whole portfolio to those expressing interest in individual properties.

"In exploring all options to recover sums for creditors, we intend to market test such demand."

Kenmore portfoilio website
Rotherham

Images: Savills

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News: Rotherham United stadium plans on show

Images and plans for Rotherham United's proposed new community stadium in the town centre have been unveiled.

Consultants, Signet Planning have drawn up initial drawings and layouts of the 12,000 seater stadium on the site of the former Guest & Chrimes foundry in Rotherham town centre.

With a main stand at the side of Don Street and the river, the plans indicate that as well as a state of the art football stadium, features such as a concourse looking out on to the pitch, function rooms and lettable commercial space underneath the stands could make it into future plans.

Location plans show that the stadium would be sited on land at the Guest & Chrimes site next to the new civic buildings currently under construction, and the adjacent land that currently houses an empty warehouse, previously home to logistics company, Gloystarne.

The stadium is surrounded by car parking and landscaping and plans show that this would require the demolition of the warehouses and the former Guest & Chrimes buildings, some of which have listed building status.

The club has appointed a project manager, engineering consultants, planning consultant, architects and solicitors and all of their background works and investigations are progressing well.

Signet Planning are taking the opportunity to hear from people of the town on the plans before an outline planning application is submitted to the council in the next few months.

Plans will be exhibited this week at Rotherham Central Library and on the Rotherham United website.


Rotherham United website
Rotherham

Images: themillers.co.uk

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