News: Get involved with Rotherham Business News

November 2011 marks the fourth anniversary of Rotherham Business News.

With 3,000 positive articles covering business, enterprise, developments, commercial property and the economy in Rotherham, Rothbiz has been there first with the major stories.

As a continued effort to keep bringing readers the latest Rotherham business news first, and to grow as an operation, Rothbiz is offering exciting potential sponsorship and advertising opportunities.

If you are an interested business or organisation that wants to build the awareness of your brand, promote your services and target the Rotherham business community, please download the draft version of the Rothbiz media pack and we'll go from there.

Rothbiz will be back in December to bring you the name of Rotherham United's stadium, news of new inward investment deals, new lettings, new retailers, new start up companies, award wins, contract wins and all the Rotherham businesses making the news.

In the meantime, keep doing what you are doing or I won't have anything to write about. You are what makes Rothbiz possible.

Many thanks for your continued support,
Tom Austen

Rothbiz media pack

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News: New Tesco plans go on show in Rotherham

Plans for a new Tesco Extra in Rotherham town centre have been on display as part of a public consultation.

The display in the Central Library, one of the buildings that the store will replace, was carried out before a detailed planning application is drawn up and submitted later this year.

Drawn up by architects, Smith Smalley, the initial plans show a store with around 65,000 sq ft of floorspace and over 500 car parking spaces that extend underneath the building. Representatives of the developers, TCN Property Projects stated that the spaces are likely to be available for free for a period of time, similar to arrangements at the current Tesco store on Forge Island.

Anglo-Dutch developer, TCN are purchasing the council's 236,000 sq ft Civic Site with Rotherham Council staff relocating to new offices, Riverside House on Main Street, in 2012.

The proposed store will replace the Civic Building, Norfolk House and the Central Library and Arts Centre and plans also showed a petrol filling station on the site of Crinoline House.

As part of the development, a multi-million pound investment would be made in the road network, including removing the Centenary Way flyover.

Plans showed a brand new junction between Drummond Street and Centenary Way, replacing the flyover with a signalised junction and a pedestrian crossing, enabling motorists to turn left or right onto the ring road.

Access to the Tesco store would be from both Drummond Street and Nottingham Street with the Grade II listed clock, which sits at the current civic centre complex, would be moved to Effingham Square.

Upgrades would be made to pedestrian crossings and improving access to the bus terminal and the rest of the town centre. Additional tree planting and new street furniture would also be introduced.

The development would create up to 200 new full and part-time jobs, on top of the existing jobs at the current store. All staff at the current store would be guaranteed a job at the new site.

TCN website

Images: TCN Property Projects

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News: Beatson Clark dressing for success

Owen Potts has chosen white flint bottles from Rotherham glass manufacturer Beatson Clark for its new range of high-end sauces and dressings.

The Wiltshire company has launched a range of three cooking sauces and three dressings which are being sold exclusively through Sainsburys for 12 months.

Beatson Clark is supplying its standard 250ml white flint dressing bottle with a standard twist off 43mm neck finish for the prestigious range.

Michelle Potts, wife of Owen Potts who set up the family business in 2007, said: “We love the bottle: it has a tall, slim silhouette that suits the simple label and it really makes the products stand out from the crowd.

"We insisted on having glass bottles for the sauces and dressings as it's a high-quality material that fits the premium nature of the product.

"The wide neck of the bottle is perfect as it makes pouring the thicker sauces and dressings easier."

Lynn Sidebottom, sales and marketing director at Beatson Clark, said: "These bottles are part of our extensive general sale range, which is very popular with our customers. The range features some great designs which offer fantastic stand-out on shelf, and they're a good way to test the market without investing a lot of time and money in a completely new design."

Beatson Clark has a turnover of £44m and a production capacity of around 496 million units or 88,000 tonnes at their Greasborough Road facility.

Beatson Clark website

Images: Beatson Clark

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News: Martek secures MOL deal

Rotherham's Martek Marine has secured a deal with multi-modal transport group, Mitsui OSK Line (MOL).

The Japanese company has taken the opportunity of the drydocking of 17 of its shipping vessels so far this year to install the Martek Marine Navgard BNWAS.

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

Paul Luen, chief executive at Martek, said: "There have been a number of incidents recently which show a lot can happen in three minutes, let alone 12 minutes, and so it is vital these systems are installed on vessels as soon as possible."

Navgard is the world's first BNWAS system fully type approved by all major classification societies and MOL said it was likely that all of its existing vessels would be fitted with BNWAS before the end of 2011.

As well as BNWAS, Manvers-based Martek provides systems for engine emissions monitoring, gas detection, water level detection and cargo tank monitoring that are found in vessels across the world.

Martek Marine website

Images: martek-marine.com

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News: Free parking starts in Rotherham town centre

Free parking on Saturdays began in Rotherham town centre this weekend and will continue up to Christmas in a boost for local shoppers and businesses.

Car parking will be free in all Council-run off-street car parks and on-street parking bays on Saturdays from November 19, right up to and including Christmas Eve.

Councillor Gerald Smith, Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity, said: "The free parking scheme is one of a number of initiatives that have been introduced to increase the numbers of shoppers in the town centre and keep the tills ringing in our local stores.

"We've seen some great results following projects such as the Business Vitality Grants Scheme and hope to see visitor numbers continue to rise. We have fantastic businesses operating here in our town centre, offering something different and unique to what's available at our nearest competitors.

"Free parking provides another incentive for shoppers to visit the town centre and Shop Local this Christmas."

Motorists are reminded that although parking is free on Saturdays, maximum stay restrictions will remain in force to help ensure parking is available to those shopping in the town. The disabled bays will also remain strictly for the use of blue badge holders only.

The loss of revenue is to be covered by £28,000 from the council's Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund which will also fund the promotion of the scheme.

Rotherham town centre website

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News: Shoppers to find Home Bargains in Rotherham town centre

Fast-growing discount retailer, Home Bargains is to open an outlet in Rotherham town centre.

Norseman Estates Ltd, the owners of Rotherham Interchange, were represented by Savills in the deal that will see Home Bargains take the 150,000 sq ft unit that is currently occupied by fashion retailer, Internacionale.

TJ Morris, the Merseyside company that operates Home Bargains, was represented by Bennett and they have taken a 15-year lease, paying £130,000 per annum.

With more than 250 stores across the UK and over two and a half million customers per week, Home Bargains is one of the country's best-loved discount retailers. They are bucking the trend with plans to open 50 new stores across the UK in the next twelve months.

With Ladbrokes taking a new 10-year lease on a unit totalling 1,154 sq ft, the retail units in the bus station are now 100% let.

Steve Henderson, associate director at Savills, said: "Following these lettings College Walk is now 100% let and this is the story for much of Rotherham with only three units currently available on the retail core of Effingham Street, Howard Street, College Street, Fredrick Street and Bridgegate. This time last year there were over 11 shops available on these streets.

"The success of Rotherham is largely due to the flexibility of landlords who have taken a pragmatic approach to rents and a dedicated local catchment whose commitment to shopping in the town continues to drive footfall up."

The deal has lead to Internacionale moving across town, taking the former Burtons and Dorothy Perkins unit on College Street.

Other recent lettings in the town include the Sandwich & Coffee Company opening on Main Street to cater for council workers moving into their new offices and a new beauty treatment centre underneath Peter Bird hairdressers.

Home Bargains website

Images: Home Bargains

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News: EMS establishes dedicated new build team

Rotherham based manufacturing company EMS UK Ltd has established a new team to target new build property developments.

The award-winning Templeborough company has seen a sustained upsurge in enquiries, workload and the resulting success with new build projects.

Headed up by market development coordinator, Nathan Stewart, the focus is on highlighting the contribution voltage optimisation can make to cutting energy costs within new builds.

EMS manufactures Powerstar, a voltage optimisation system with a patented design, which can actively reduce electrical energy consumption by an average of 12-15% of consumed electricity.

The Powerstar system is the only voltage optimisation system wholly designed and manufactured in the UK and works by reducing the the voltage supplied by the National Grid.

Nathan said: "While significant work is being done to reduce emissions from new build projects, some improvements, such as installing a voltage optimisation systems, are simple and inexpensive to make, and will enable you to start realising savings immediately.

"Not only is it commonly recognised as a proven and reliable way to reduce energy consumption, but is also very simple to integrate at the planning stage. Voltage optimisation provides a vital solution for new builds, enabling high accreditation ratings in the ever important LEED and BREEAM sustainable measurement systems."

EMS website

Images: EMS UK Ltd

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News: Rotherham companies learn more about support for R&D activity

Local companies got the opportunity to find out more about the financial support available for businesses undertaking research and development activity at a recent event.

The seminar organised by Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO), the regeneration arm of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, featured experts from Funding & Financials and Libcus Limited, and took place at RiDO's Fusion @ Magna business centre.

The event covered R&D Tax Credits that offer relief in the form of tax credits for companies involved in research and development, and R&D Grants give SMEs access to direct grant funding for projects from early stage feasibility studies to full development of pre production prototypes or production processes.

Joanne Flanagan, a partner in Funding and Financials, said: "Research and Development is vital to the recovery of the UK economy and this is being supported by UK Government initiatives in the form of grants and tax credits.

"It was great to hear of the exciting activity which is being undertaken in our region by local companies undertaking real R&D. I would encourage other companies to investigate the potential support from these schemes as they cover a breadth of projects from initial market research to full prototyping."

Andrew Nettleton, of RiDO's business development team, added: "We have a number of small businesses in the Rotherham area developing innovative products and processes in the advanced manufacturing, electronics and other hi-tech industry areas.

"It's important that we support them in the current challenging economic conditions, and events like this are designed to provide information and assistance and enable them to research and develop their products and processes as quickly and cost-efficiently as possible."

RiDO provides a professional and completely free service to both existing Rotherham based companies and new investors into the Borough. Its services include; property sites & premises searches; recruitment & training advice; helping establish supply chain linkages; and, ongoing business support & guidance.

RiDO is a partner in the South Yorkshire Sector Growth Enhancement Programme that is part-financed by The European Regional Development Fund (2007-13) in Yorkshire & The Humber. The programme aims to help accelerate private sector expansion and assist local businesses in achieving growth.

Rotherham Investment and Development Office

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News: Global Manufacturing Festival set for return

Preparations are well underway for the second Global Manufacturing Festival which will take place in Sheffield on March 21 - 22 2012.

The event is designed to highlight the importance of advanced manufacturing and engineering to the UK's economic future and the magnitude of inspiring the next generation of engineers.

The inaugural event last year registered nearly 2,000 attendees across eight major events and featured world class speakers from Boeing, Siemens, Westinghouse, EDF, the Government and many others.

Richard Wright, executive director of Sheffield Chamber, said: "The inaugural Global Manufacturing Festival was a good foundation to develop a unique event in the city which has international reach.

"Early feedback from the March 2011 festival was the need to ensure it provided a significant value added offer to businesses, sponsors and contributors, where economic return can be gained.

"We are reassessing the event format and see it becoming a trade show style gathering of the world's leaders in manufacturing, sharing best practice and ultimately securing contacts for to future partnerships, which will be key to ensuring the city region ultimately benefits."

For the 2012 festival, Sheffield Chamber has joined forces with Marketing Sheffield (the city marketing function of Sheffield City Council), The Cutlers Company and Creative Sheffield in organising a series of focused events, exhibitions, conferences and workshops, with guest speakers from the world of manufacturing, engineering, politics and education.

The organisers want the festival to become the premier national high technology, high quality and high added value manufacturing festival that sells UK manufacturing to the world.

Richard added: "UK manufacturing businesses can compete in international markets if they do the right things and focus on export led, high technology and high added value supply chains, which is critical.

"The Global Manufacturing Festival does, and will continue, to do just that. This is exactly the event for companies to attend who wish to enter export markets or grow existing ones."

Global Manufacturing Festival website

Images: globalmanufacturingfestival.com

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News: Assured awarded new Nigerian contract

Rotherham-based Assured Fire and Security is strengthening its international business links with a second contract in the African country of Nigeria.

The Dinnington specialist has been awarded a £30,000 contract for fire alarm and suppression systems and a full fire extinguisher service at a new power station site being developed the city of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State in southwest Nigeria.

This follows the contract awarded to Assured at the end of 2009 to provide fire suppression systems at a similar gas-fired power station in the city of Otta.

That contract also saw Assured technicians providing fire extinguishers and training on fire safety for power station staff and improving fire safety measures at gas filling stations in the region.

Simon Stokes, managing director at Assured, said: "Africa is an increasingly important market for growth globally and we are delighted that we have been given this second contract in Nigeria.

"Sustaining and developing our international links is vitally important to Assured as we continue our programme of expansion."

International growth is a key part of Assured's five-year plan that aims to transform the expanding Rotherham company into the country's leading fire and security specialist.

The company is also close to signing a multi million contract with Kenana Sugar, a Sudanese company that operates one of the biggest integrated and diversified sugar complexes in the world.

Assured Fire and Security website

Images: assured-ltd.co.uk

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News: Government boost for apprenticeships and skills

The government has announced new measures to ensure more young people benefit from an apprenticeship, and to help employers gain the skilled workers they need to grow.

Small firms of up to 50 employees that don't currently hire apprentices will be offered an incentive payment of up to £1,500. An initial payment will be made two months after the individual has started their apprenticeship; the balance will be paid after the apprenticeship has been completed and the trainee has progressed into sustainable employment.

Ministers hope that this will support up to 20,000 new apprenticeships in 2012/13.

In a bid to cut red tape, the National Apprenticeships Service and training providers will be required to ensure that every employer is in a position to advertise a vacancy within one month of deciding to take on an apprentice.

Apprenticeship providers will also be required to offer training in English and Maths up to the standard of a good GCSE for all apprenticeships and there will be a renewed focus on targeting the programme where apprenticeships deliver greatest value.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "The apprenticeships programme is a success story, with record numbers of learners starting an apprenticeship this year. But I have listened to employers, and will go further to ensure that investment is targeted where impact is greatest, delivering the specific skills businesses need to drive growth.

"Apprenticeships are proven to boost the life chances of young people, and are a sound investment in our future competitiveness. So when times are tough, it's right that we provide additional support to help the smallest firms meet training costs."

The Prime Minister has also launched a £250m pilot plan to help businesses design, develop and purchase the vocational training programme they need.

The competitive fund will route public investment directly to employers and will be backed by significant resources from existing skills budgets. Funding for 2012/13 will be up to £50m, with an additional £200m in the second year - subject to evidence of high-quality proposals from employers and ongoing evaluation.

It will test different approaches, come up with new ways of engaging employees and potential employees, other firms and their supply chains to develop news ways of investing in skills, and working with the further education and skills sector.

It will be open to collaborative proposals from businesses of all sizes and from all sectors of the economy. Bids will need to demonstrate how public investment will leverage private investment, support Apprenticeships and show a commitment to raising skills levels in their sector or supply chain.

BIS website

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News: ASDA Living launches at Parkgate Shopping

Asda Living's brand new store at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham launched last week with the mayor officially opening the store with local primary school teacher, Natalie Garbutt of High Greave Junior School, who was nominated by her pupils and fellow staff.

The 38,000 sq ft non-food store has created 81 jobs in the community and will combine George clothing, home ware and furnishings plus a cafe.

Stephen Davies, manager at the store, said: "I'd like to thank all our colleagues for their hard work getting the store ready for the opening and it has been a real pleasure sharing the celebrations with the Mayor and Mayoress, Natalie and High Greave Junior School.

"Our feet haven't touched the ground over the last few months but we are delighted to be able to welcome customers through the door now. It was extremely encouraging to see the number of people queuing to enter the store and we hope we can be a worthwhile addition to the community."

The Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Shaun Wright added: "I am extremely pleased to have been invited to declare the store officially open. Asda has a long association with Rotherham and I am sure with the addition of this new store it will continue to have a positive impact in the community – creating new jobs for local people is the perfect way to start."

The latest openings include a 5,000 sq ft Maplin store and a 53,000 sq ft Currys Megastore. The a 47,000 sq ft Best Buy unit, which only opened in July is set to close by the end of the year.

Owners, British Land are also hoping to secure planning permission for a 3,500 sq ft Frankie and Benny's restaurant. Further big name retailers are preparing to move in to the park that ranked as the third best in the UK in a recent report.

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: parkgateshopping.co.uk

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News: Vitalife launch new range of teas

Vitalife, the Rotherham-based specialist tea manufacturer, is welcoming eight new "teas with purpose" to its range.

Local young entrepreneur Gavin Edley set up Vitalife in 2010 with the help of the Rotherham Enterprise Project, who exist to offer business advice and support to budding entrepreneurs.

Gavin has successfully introduced the Japanese healthy green tea called matcha to the UK and received a boost in September when he secured a deal to add the range to Holland and Barrett's online store.

Grown in the highlands of Sri Lanka, the new range of teas are carefully blended to deliver maximum health benefits. They all have a specific purpose in mind from helping drinkers to lose weight, aid restful sleep, or settle their stomach after a heavy meal.

Gavin said: "I am really excited to be adding these new specially blended teas to our range. These teas are tailored to offer different benefits to people, one will be about giving people more energy and another will be a relaxing tea. They are all blended using natural herbs at a tea farm in Sri Lanka.

"Vitalife is doing really well and I am really pleased with the help and support I've received from my business coach, Darren McDool, who not only helped me to secure premises in Moorgate Crofts and then a unit in Treeton but also has been on hand whenever I've needed him to provide business support and advice.

"Next on the agenda for us after the launch of our new teas will be to develop a range of cereals, cereal bars and other-healthy products under the Vitalife brand."

Jackie Frost, project manager for Rotherham Youth Enterprise - one of the delivery partners for the ERDF-funded Rotherham Enterprise project, said: "Gavin is a fantastic example of a young person with high aspirations and brimming full of business ideas.

"He has worked hard to set up Vitalife and to have achieved success with a major brand is a testament to his sky's the limit vision."

Vitalife Teas website
Rotherham Youth Enterprise website

Images: Vitalife

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News: Bramall Construction awarded framework contract

Rotherham-based Bramall Construction is building on its reputation as a leading social housing contractor after being awarded a contract by a consortium of 14 social housing providers.

The EN Procure Elemental Works Framework has an estimated £975m demand. It has been developed by the Efficiency North consortium in Yorkshire and the Humber to create efficiencies in the procurement of contractors carrying out trades works commonly used in the improvement and maintenance of housing.

The Manvers firm, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, has been appointed to all three sub-regions under the Framework: West, East and South.

Neil Baxter, managing director of Bramall Construction, said: "This is an innovative Framework which will create efficiencies in social housing across Yorkshire and the Humber.

"Being awarded contracts across the three sub-regions is an achievement of which we are incredibly proud, and we look forward to working with and providing best value for the Framework's member organisations."

Contracts have now been awarded to 98 contractors following an unprecedented level of interest throughout the region when the OJEU was posted on the Supplier Contract Management System (SCMS) in November 2010.

The Framework was divided into the three sub-regions to ensure that local SMEs had every opportunity of securing a place. Of the successful contractors, 80% were local small to medium-sized companies, including 15% microsized companies.

The Framework will provide works, materials and services which can be accessed by any public sector body and principally by social landlords.

Provision is contractually embedded into the Framework for local training, apprenticeship and employment programmes, sustainability initiatives, SME and supplier engagement and local economic regeneration.

The framework is designed to deliver expenditure and process efficiency savings of 10% against annual throughput. Any surplus revenue accrued is collected in a "4 Good Fund" which can be accessed by authorities using the Framework to fund projects which support the strategic themes of Efficiency North and realise social and economic benefits in the local community.

Bramall Construction website

Images: bramall.com

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News: LSE at the AMP

Businesses in the region will be able to learn more about the funding options available during the lifecycle of their company, thanks to an event being run by the London Stock Exchange (LSE) at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

"An Overview of the company funding ladder from an equity perspective" is aimed at fast-growing, entrepreneurial companies who are looking for a cash injection. It will provide an overview of the funding ladder from an equity perspective, and speakers will include experts from the Angel, Venture Capital and Stock Market community.

Barry Cunliffe the Chief Financial Officer of Sheffield-based and AIM quoted ITM Power plc will also provide real life experience of the pros and cons of the various forms of finance on offer.

ITM Power designs and manufactures Hydrogen energy systems for energy storage and clean fuel production. They were the first fuel cell company to be admitted to AIM.

Practical advice for SME's will also be offered through Early and Late stage panel discussions, supported by Barber Harrison & Platt, Hill Dickinson and Grant Thornton, which will provide an opportunity to explore in detail the key issues facing growing companies.

The event will cover flotation on the stock exchange and what investors look for. It takes place on Thursday December 1, from 8.30am – 2pm at the AMP Technology Centre.

AMP Technology Centre website

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News: Rotherham United secure first sponsor for new stadium

Rotherham United is set to sign their first sponsorship deal at the new stadium this week, with Rotherham-based Eric Twigg Foods to sponsor the West Stand.

Eric Twigg, chairman of Eric Twigg Foods and managing director Matthew Twigg will be joined by Millers chairman Tony Stewart, and new head of commercial Steve Lewis at the stadium site on Wednesday to confirm the deal, which will see the Pukka Pies brand above the new stand for at least the next three years.

Rotherham were the first club to stock Pukka Pies, courtesy of Eric Twigg Foods of Parkgate, back in 1981. In the 30 years since, the company's relationship with the great British game has grown to the point where football supporters buy in excess of half a million Pukka Pies every season.

Matthew Twigg said: "My father, our chairman, has always been a massive Rotherham United fan and I followed in his footsteps, so we are delighted to be the first major sponsors of the new stadium.

"We have just celebrated a 30-year association with the club, and as we enter a new exciting time in the clubs history, we are delighted to be extending our association long into the future. I think it is fair to say that having a Pukka Pie has become part of the tradition of attending a Rotherham United game, and a lot of thanks have to go to the Millers fans for making that happen."

Recently installed head of commercial, Steve Lewis added: "Today is a great day for the club and for Rotherham. Eric and Matthew Twigg have been long standing supporters of the club with the Pukka Pie brand, and this sponsorship highlights that.

"The new stadium will bring life into the town and Eric Twigg Foods have captured this, by seizing this sponsorship opportunity. Being the 'new guy on the block' I am so pleased a deal of this scale has been reached, three years is a perfect length for a sponsorship to grow and develop alongside the club, and where better than in our new home. We look forward to working with Matthew [Twigg] and his team, on what is an new and exciting time in Rotherham United's history."

With construction well underway and the stadium set for completion in July, Lewis is confident that more deals are in the pipeline.

He added: "We have had interest from quite a few companies on stand and more so stadium sponsorship, not sounding arrogant, but why wouldn't we? This is an amazing opportunity to promote a business brand and/or product, one that only comes around once in a lifetime for local business, we won't be building a new stadium every year, and the companies who are coming forward are aware of that."

Eric Twigg Foods website
Rotherham United website

Images: Ellrod

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News: Testing time for Tata Steel

High raw material costs and low selling prices have resulted in quarterly earnings decline at Tata Steel Europe.

In the latest financial results from the Indian-owned steelmaker, the European operations, which include sites in Rotherham, posted increased turnover and sales but a 42% decrease in earnings compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

Results for the first half and second quarter ending September 30 2011 had Q2 sales of US$4.32 billion that were 19.0% up from the US$3.63 billion for the same quarter in the previous year.

Turnover at Tata Steel's European operations of US$8.51 billion for the first half of this year was 19.7% up from the US$7.11 billion posted in the first half of last year.

However, EBITDA (earnings before tax) of US$103 million in the second quarter this year was 42.8% down from the US$180 million seen in the same quarter last year.

The $140m arbitration settlement between Tata and certain offtakers of the Teesside Cast Products business boosted the first half earnings.

Dr Karl-Ulrich Köhler, MD & CEO of Tata Steel Europe, said: "Higher raw material costs and lower average selling prices made the normally quiet summer quarter particularly testing. Despite these headwinds, Tata Steel in Europe succeeded in matching the delivery volumes achieved in Q1.

"The actions taken after 2008 to weather the financial crisis has strengthened the European operations' ability to cope with market disturbances. The restructuring and performance improvement initiatives that we launched in the first half will build on that progress and yield further competitive edge. Our focus on product and service innovation is also achieving breakthroughs in pursuit of our mission to be the long-term preferred partner of customers in our chosen markets."

Tata has recently mothballed plants in Scunthorpe and Teeside and announced that it will cease operations at its loss-making Construction Products business.

After major restructuring in 2009 where they announced that 1,100 jobs would be lost in Rotherham, the Speciality Steels business in South Yorkshire is benefiting from a new strategy that focuses on exceptional high-value products and sectors. Just last month, Tata announced that a further £4.5m is being investing in their South Yorkshire speciality steel plants.

Tata Steel Europe website

Images: tatasteeleurope.com

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News: Employers show support for Sheffield University Technical College

More than 100 employers have attended a consultation to discuss how they will support a new Sheffield University Technical College.

The Sheffield UTC will be the first of its kind in Yorkshire and the Humber and is due to open to upto 600 students aged 14 to 19-year-old in September 2013.

The Sheffield UTC will specialise in developing the technical skills of young people entering the advanced engineering and manufacturing, and digital and new media sectors, and could receive up to £10m of government funding.

At the consultation meeting at Sheffield Town Hall on October 31, employers discussed how they will get involved in shaping the curriculum content that would be tailored to their industry needs.

Employers will influence all aspects of the Sheffield UTC including the curriculum and building design, in addition to providing work placements and sponsorship. Staff will include trained teachers and those from technical backgrounds.

The Sheffield UTC application was initiated by Sheffield City Council and is being sponsored and led by The Sheffield College with Sheffield Hallam University and Firth Rixson Ltd as co-sponsors.

The bid was approved by the Department for Education last month. Details about the location, curriculum content and funding have not been formally approved at this stage.

The bid set out the intention to locate the Sheffield UTC Academy Trust within a £8m new build on the Digital Campus in Sheffield but the possibility of a location on or alongside the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham is also being explored.

Andrew Cropley, executive director at The Sheffield College, said: "We are receiving a very good response from local and regional businesses, reflected in a strong turnout to the consultation. There's still time for more employers to get involved, as we are planning another consultation in the New Year."

Sheffield College website

Images: Carey Jones / Sheffield College

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News: Rotherham programme launches campaign to transform young people’s education

Rotherham's award-winning enterprise education programme is launching a national campaign during Global Entrepreneurship Week to create a culture of enterprise in education.

"Are You Ready?" was launched by founding patron, Carl Hopkins in June 2011 and is a national programme based on the ground-breaking work taking place in Rotherham through Rotherham Ready. It works with schools and colleges to develop enterprising and entrepreneurial learning for young people aged 4-19 so they develop the skills, attitudes and aspirations necessary to survive and thrive in the 21st century.

Now the team are calling on the government to make enterprise and entrepreneurship a key part of all young people's learning and has launched a government e-petition to try and spark a debate about how young people are educated for life in the 21st century.

Catherine Brentnall, "Are You Ready?" project officer, said: "Changes in technology and the global economy have transformed business and employment beyond recognition. Young people have got to be ready for what's out there; we are doing them a huge disservice if they come through their education without understanding that if they want a job in the future they might have to employ themselves.

"Our campaign is about inspiring children and young people to become creative, resourceful and energetic adults who can help us all build a more prosperous future. But attitudes and mindsets are formed at an early age and that's why we believe enterprise and entrepreneurship must be a key feature of all young people’s education, from as soon as they start school."

In October 2011, the campaign gained national recognition when it won the StartUp Britain "Best Enterprise Support Award", presented by the Rt Hon Vince Cable at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Judges in the competition were impressed by the campaign's values and the potential scale and impact of the programme.

This followed from Rotherham being named the most enterprising place in the UK after Rotherham Ready showcased their approach to creating a culture of enterprise in education and inspiring young people about the world of work, business and self employment.

Jackie Frost, "Are You Ready?" project manager, said: "We are an extremely committed team – we have seen the positive impact enterprise and entrepreneurship in education has had, with children from as young as four years old learning new skills, and growing in confidence and aspiration.

"Now we want to inspire schools, colleges and universities nationally to prioritise enterprise, support young people's enterprise development and help create a dynamic economy."

Global Entrepreneurship Week has spread to 115 countries, with nearly 24,000 organisations planning more than 37,000 activities to celebrate enterprise. Rotherham Ready are hosting a number of events and challenges between November 14 to 20.

Are You Ready? website
Global Entrepreneurship Week website

Images: areyouready.org.uk

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News: Government announces new measures to boost British business

A series of new measures to help Britain's small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) grow and create jobs, export to new markets, secure finance and cut red tape has been launched by the Prime Minister.

RBS, NatWest and HSBC have agreed to facilitate the distribution of the £95m of the government's Regional Growth Fund to support SMEs considering investing in new capital assets. It is expected to create at least 4,000 jobs and unlock around £500 million of new investment.

To cut red tape, "one-click registration" will go live in April so that businesses can get online, register their business at Companies House, sign up for PAYE registration, Corporation Tax and Self Assessment all in one place. The ability to register for VAT will be added shortly after.

For exporters, new support involves national challenges and workshops, sector knowledge from business intermediaries and professional export advice, hosted by Yell to allow UK firms to swap information and experiences directly.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "British SMEs are already doing incredible things, but we urgently need more of them to follow that boldness. We need this to be a country where more people think "I can start my own business and I can sell to the world.

"Our determination is to come through these difficult times stronger, to trade our way to growth and jobs. We need to show real optimism about the future, and we need to show real aggression about pursuing Britain's interests in the world. The markets are there to be tapped; the deals are there to be done, the opportunities are there to be capitalised on. Now together we must seize them."

The national Business Link online service has also been relaunched. My New Business offers comprehensive information and guidance to those looking to start a business, including personalised checklists, video tutorials and step by step guides.

The Growth and Improvement Service offers access to informative videos, case studies, events and business support finders, for those who wish to develop their business.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: "The Business Link services unveiled today will give businesses new, easy to use, and tailored online services.

"This represents the most effective and efficient way to provide the information and advice businesspeople tell us they need and will help businesses grow.

"Interactive tools and services provide real benefits and support to start-ups and SMEs and I am looking forward to seeing these new services put to good use."

Business Link website
BIS website

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News: Master Cutler visits Rotherham apprentices

The recently-elected Master Cutler, Pamela Liversidge OBE, has visited Brinsworth Training in Rotherham to meet with apprentices that are undertaking vocational training to become the engineers of the future.

The leading engineering and manufacturing training provider works with the region's top companies including Firth Rixson, AESSEAL and Newburgh Engineering.

The Master Cutler said: "I was impressed by what I saw at Brinsworth. As this region attracts more investment, our requirement for apprentices of the sort I saw today will grow. We must continue to focus providing the right skills for the future and I commend Brinsworth for their very effective approach."

Paul Reeves, business development director at Brinsworth Training said: "We are delighted that The Master was able to allow us time from her hectic schedule and was able to see so many young people that are being given an opportunity to begin their careers in the engineering industry by working through our apprenticeship programme."

During her visit to Templeborough, The Master Cutler, accompanied by Consort Doug Liversidge CBE, met a number of learners who are developing the crucial skills that Pamela herself used during her career as a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, including meeting the latest batch of female learners that have recently taken roles the engineering sector.

During a career of almost forty years in heavy industry, Pamela worked in manufacturing, including four years creating her own business to manufacture specialist metal powders by atomisation, in addition to five years as a senior executive in the electricity industry during its privatisation. In the 1999 New Year's Honours List, she was awarded the OBE for her services to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The Cutlers' Company was established by a parliamentary Act of Incorporation in 1624 and for almost four hundred years has sought to maintain the standards and quality of Sheffield manufactured cutlery and steel products and to promote the name of Sheffield.

Paul added: "We fully support the work of The Cutlers Company and embrace their commitment to apprenticeships, we have seen a significant rise in not only the amount of young people that want to enter the sector of engineering but also a healthy appetite from employers who want to create real job opportunities for apprentices."

Brinsworth Training website

Images: Brinsworth Training

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News: Inditherm exports largest CosyTherm order

Rotherham company, Inditherm, has recently dispatched their largest ever single order for CosyTherm, the innovative neonatal warming system.

The order from Indonesia includes 35 of the warming systems that use their patented, low voltage carbon polymer technology to help prevent hypothermia in new born babies.

The systems are already highly popular in the UK and used in almost half of all NHS neonatal units, with that number still growing. The product is also gaining increased international recognition, with users in over 30 countries world-wide, this order being the largest to date.

CosyTherm is designed to allow open nursing of the baby, contributing to developmental care and providing unhindered access to the baby for nursing staff and parents. The system has no circulating air or water and so provides a safe, convenient, simple and effective method of keeping new born babies warm.

The mattresses also fit existing equipment and allows more expensive and sophisticated equipment, such as incubators, to be freed up for babies with greatest need.

New additions to the range include more compact and lightweight systems that include integrated battery power and DC input, designed to help with the transport and transfer of the new born patients.

Nick Bettles, CEO at Inditherm, said: "We are delighted to have received such a large export order for CosyTherm. The product has seen remarkable success in a number of countries and has rapidly become the system of choice in most UK NHS hospitals.

"It is a very cost-effective solution that can free up more costly and sophisticated equipment, such as incubators, for patients in greater need."

It is orders like this that helped Inditherm win the UKTI Export achievement award at Medilink's Healthcare Business Awards 2011 this week.

Implementing a successful international strategy has enabled them to access new markets and build their reputation globally, with particular success across the Middle East, China and Europe.

The Manvers firm will now be automatically shortlisted for the national Medilink UK awards which will take place in early 2012, recognising the nation's leading lights in healthcare.

Inditherm website

Images: inditherm.co.uk

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News: Free parking set to return to Rotherham town centre

Rotherham Council is planning to re-introduce free parking on Saturdays to support town centre retailers during the important festive period.

Cabinet member approval is being sought to cover the costs of providing free parking in council owned car parks in Rotherham town centre on six Saturdays from November 19 to December 24 inclusive.

The period between the Christmas lights switch-on event on November 17 and Christmas Day is the key period for retailers that can ensure the year-round profitability of the business. A poor Christmas trade can have a significant impact on the viability of the business.

If approved £28,000 from the council's Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund will cover the costs. The loss of revenue for each Saturday is estimated at £4,000 and funds will also be used to promote the scheme.

Free parking is only available in RMBC car parks and maximum stay rules would still apply.

In the report, Bernadette Rushton, Retail Investment Manager at Rotherham Council, said: "It is hoped that the offer will encourage shopping activity and drive footfall to support town centre businesses. The town centre continues to compete with out of town shopping locations offering year-round free parking.

"Christmas is a significant trading period for retailers and successful trading at this time underpins the year-round profitability of the business.

"Whilst a campaign is underway to promote the family friendly events and much improved independent shopping offer in the town centre, this would be significantly strengthened if the additional incentive of free parking were available. In addition this facility has been offered over recent years leading to a certain level of expectation from both shoppers and businesses."

In 2010 funding was used to provide free parking on Saturdays and after 3 o' clock each day. Consultation with town centre businesses showed that 74 per cent traders felt the "Free After 3" initiative had the potential to improve trade and footfall and just under half of those indicated that trade had already improved shortly after the scheme was brought in.

Sixty four per cent of those traders surveyed also suggested trade and footfall had also increased with the free Saturday parking scheme.

Rotherham town centre website

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News: Connect with Gazelles in Rotherham

Connect Gazelles, a unique group that will provide ambitious entrepreneurs with top level mentoring from Yorkshire's leading entrepreneurs, is hosting an event in Rotherham later this month.

"Gazelles" are private sector businesses who are growing rapidly - they can be from any business sector.

Launched by Connect Yorkshire, a not-for-profit company that helps growth businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber get the debt/equity funding and expertise they need, Connect Gazelles will be a members operation and include masterclasses, mentoring, networking opportunities and discussion boards.

As the level of business support provided by the public sector is dramatically reduced, the new group offers members access to expertise, access to other local entrepreneurs and a free strategic review of their current business situation.

Nick Butler, chief executive at Connect Yorkshire, said: "Running a business can be a lonely place and a wrong turn can delay growth by years. Connect Gazelles provides exclusive access to Yorkshire's and the UK's leading entrepreneurs to take advantage of their considerable expertise and experience plus a support group of like-minded individuals.

"It's an inside track for companies to build on their success and prosper."

The next monthly event is on November 23 at award-winning Rotherham company, AESSEAL. Chris Rea OBE, founder and managing director, is one of the region's leading entrepreneurs who has committed to the Gazelles initiative and will become one of the Entrepreneurs in Residence.

AESSEAL specialise in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals, bearing protectors and environmental control systems. Last year was the 28th year of uninterrupted sales and profit growth and AESSEAL reached a landmark by passing the £100m mark for sales. The Templeborough firm also picked up their 12th Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The Connect Gazelles event provides Chris with an opportunity to introduce the next generation at AESSEAL who will tell their story, their plans, show off the business, and share their experiences and their vision for the future.

AESSEAL website
Connect Gazelles website

Images: connectgazelles.co.uk

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News: Plans unveiled for new Tesco store in Rotherham town centre

Plans have been unveiled for a new Tesco store in Rotherham town centre that could create an extra 200 jobs.

Developer, TCN Property Projects and Tesco have brought forward proposals to replace the current superstore at Forge Island with a new Tesco Extra store on the former Civic Site on Drummond Street.

The development, thought to be around 120,000 sq ft, would create up to 200 new full and part-time jobs, on top of the existing jobs at the current store. All staff at the current store would be guaranteed a job at the new site.

Stephen Holme, development director at TCN Property Projects, said: "We are delighted to be able to announce these plans that will bring a significant investment in Rotherham town centre.

"I have worked in the Rotherham area for a number of years and it is very exciting to bring forward proposals that will provide jobs and the potential for a multi million pound investment in the local road network."

In 2008, the Anglo-Dutch developers secured a five year exclusivity agreement with the council to develop vacant land following the disposal of council buildings.

TCN are purchasing the council's 236,000 sq ft Civic Site with Rotherham Council staff relocating to new offices, Riverside House on Main Street, in 2012.

The proposals for the current site of the Civic Building, Norfolk House and the Central Library and Arts Centre also include a multi-million pound investment in the road network, including removing the Centenary Way flyover, upgrading pedestrian crossings and improving access to the bus terminal.

The Grade II listed clock, which sits at the current civic centre complex, would be moved to Effingham Square.

Deborah Hayeems, corporate affairs manager at Tesco, said: "We are delighted to be working alongside TCN Properties to bring forward a new Tesco Extra. Our customers have been telling us for a number of years they want an improved shopping environment and a wider choice of shopping.

"We want to hear as many views as possible on our proposals and would encourage local residents to come and see our plans which will be on display at our public exhibition."

The public exhibition will be held on Thursday, November 17, from 2pm and 7pm and Friday, November 18, from 1pm to 5.30pm at Rotherham Central Library.

The developers have been in pre-application discussions with council planners and a formal planning application is expected to be submitted soon.

TCN website
Tesco website

Images: TCN Property Projects

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News: Rolls-Royce apprentices at the cutting edge

Four Rolls-Royce apprentices are learning at the cutting edge of the nuclear manufacturing industry with a placement at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) in Rotherham.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, The £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative between the University of Sheffield, The University of Manchester, and a consortium of industry partners. It provides a focal point for the bulk of the UK civil nuclear manufacturing industry supply chain.

Ben Hudson, Conor Radford, James Smith, and Ben Sowerby, are in the third year of their apprenticeships. As part of Rolls-Royce's partnership with the Nuclear AMRC, they are spending 18 months working on new welding technologies in the centre's workshop.

Ben Sowerby said: "What we're doing is out of the norm for Rolls-Royce apprentices. We're privileged to be doing what we're doing, because when we come out we'll have a much wider skills set than a normal apprentice."

Rolls-Royce recently received outline planning approval for a 21,000 sq m "Project PoWeR" facility on the AMP for the manufacturing and assembling of power vessels for the next generation of nuclear power stations in the UK. Following their placement, the four are likely to join the lead batch of part makers at the new facility.

The apprentices spend four days a week on practical training, and one day on theory, working closely with Dr Steve Jones, company engineering specialist for fusion welding with Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear.

Conor Radford said: "Not a lot of apprentices get the opportunity to work with someone that high up. Civil nuclear is a new business for Rolls-Royce, so it's exciting to be at the forefront of what's going on. It's nice to be part of the first wave."

Annette Valentine, training and skills manager for the Nuclear AMRC, added: "Its an exciting time for apprentices, with innovation and advanced technology making their training more challenging and yet more attractive.

"Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to start building a career, and continue through to higher degrees and professional learning."

A £20.5m training centre for advanced manufacturing is set to be built close to the site after the University of Sheffield was awarded £9.2m by the government last month. Over 200 apprentices will enter the Advanced Manufacturing Institute each year, where they will receive nine to 12 months of intensive skills training.

Details of the Nuclear AMRC's own apprenticeship programme will be announced shortly.

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Nuclear AMRC

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News: V04HOME appoints new supplier

Rotherham-based V04HOMEhas appointed Chrome Technologies Limited as the preferred distributor and installer for their innovative products that can reduce energy use and CO2 and lower the end user's electricity bill.

VO4HOME is designed to maximise the delivery of energy into the home to 220V/230V and the Templeborough company has seen a recent upsurge in orders and manufacturing levels, which have allowed them to pass on a significant price reduction in the devices' trade cost.

Geoff Clifton, business development manager for VO4HOME, said: "The economies of scale associated with production costs means that we are now able to pass on a significant reduction in the product's trade price. We see this as an exciting development, and one that will continue as the simply installed devices become more widely used.

"It is a trend that is being driven by councils, social housing providers, energy companies and domestic energy users who are all looking for proven technologies that deliver cost effective solutions to rising energy costs, whilst simultaneously lowering their carbon footprint. It’s very much a win-win situation for the customer."

Wynyard-based Chrome Technologies will add the VO4HOME units to their existing product portfolio which is already helping clients in the North East to save between 12 & 17% on their electricity bills.

Michael Greensmith, VO4's Sales Manager said: "We chose Chrome Technologies as our preferred installer and distributor due to their experience of the emerging green technologies such as efficient lighting control and electric vehicle charging.

"With a client base covering domestic & small/medium business as well as local authorities it has created great opportunities for both companies and we look forward to a long-term partnership. I know that with the experience of Chrome Technologies, the units are being incorporated into packages with their other products and services to create substantial savings for both domestic and commercial clients."

VO4HOME website

Images: VO4HOME

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News: Maple Leaf secures dough for Rotherham bakery expansion

Rotherham is set to be home to the largest bagel factory in Europe and one of the largest in the world after the New York Bakery Co announced major UK expansion plans.

The UK's leading bagel brand has been backed by an £11.5m infrastructural investment and £3m communications spend from owners, Maple Leaf Bakery UK Ltd.

The significant capital investment will extend the existing Swinton factory, increasing capacity at the state of the art bakery and securing jobs in Rotherham for the long term. When complete it will be the largest bagel factory in Europe and one of the largest globally.


Parent company, Maple Leaf Foods in Canada, supported the investment in response to the unprecedented success of the 2011 New York Bakery Co bagel relaunch - which has seen sales increase by 66 per cent with expected strong growth still to come.

Research by market experts, Nielsen, showed that the relaunch in January has added over £8m in incremental sales to the "Morning Goods" category and that the company has been a driving force behind the rise in the bagel category that is now worth £41.7m, up by 34 per cent since last year.

This year, New York Bakery Co has sold over 110 million bagels and expects to lead the continued growth in the bagel market as a whole, with ambitious targets to double UK household penetration in the next five years.

Simon Foster, VP Marketing of Maple Leaf Bakery UK, said: "Our strong performance is the product of the market's growing demand for bagels, the quality and authenticity of our product and our carefully planned re-launch earlier this year. We are excited about increasing our sales in the UK market and are confident in our expansion plans.

"The significant backing by Maple Leaf Foods will enable us to move forward with our ambitious expansion plans in the next five to ten years. As a result we can now increase our capacity at our Rotherham site to meet growing consumer demand and support our growth aspirations as the market leader in specialty bagels."

Maple Leaf employs approximately 1,200 people in the United Kingdom and their growing Rotherham facility has an estimated production capacity of 70,000 bagels every hour. The company has expanded the Swinton Meadows site three times, the previous investment was in 2008 with £4m to expand its frozen bagel capacity.

New York Bakery Co website

Images: newyorkbakery.co.uk

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News: Rotherham artists need paint

ROAR (Rotherham Open Art's Renaissance) is appealing for local people and businesses to donate paint in order to finish work on new space for artists' studios in Rotherham town centre.

ROAR won £50,000 from The People's Millions Big Lottery in December to help redevelop the disused offices in Westgate Chambers, at the top of Corporation Street, into artists studios and community art space.

The launch date is set for November 30 but a little more help is needed to ensure all the work is finished and so ROAR is appealing to the local community to donate white paint.

Karen Sherwood, CEO of ROAR, said: "This is such a fabulous project and we only need such a small amount of extra help to see this project completed.

"We have large numbers of volunteers putting in a lot of time and effort to see this project succeed and if we can find a few more generous people to help in these final stages that would be the icing on the cake. Please help!"

There will be six artists' studios all with natural light, white walls and ceilings, wooden floors, broadband Wifi and separately metered electric supply. Each studio will have access to a communal kitchen, wet room, toilets and a reception gallery area. There will also be 24hr access with 24hr CCTV.

The centre will open 75% let and is self sustaining and independently run.

ROAR website

Images: ROAR

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News: nCode at the forefront of fatigue

Rotherham-based nCode, the leading brand of fatigue and durability software, is to release a new product to predict the fatigue of composite materials.

Composite materials are increasingly being used in high-performance products that need to be lightweight but strong, such as aerospace and automotive components.

The fatigue of composites poses particular challenges for engineers because the properties of the constituent parts, polymer (resin) matrix and fibres, interact to determine the fatigue properties, which vary in each location and direction.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, nCode's new innovative and industry leading solutions for fatigue of composites are a result of collaboration with e-Xstream engineering, provider of state-of-the-art material modeling platform, DIGIMAT.

The initial focus of the new DesignLife software is in the area of engineering plastics, such as short fibre polymers, which are commonly used in the automotive industry.

The aim is to answer the question "how long will it last?" or "will it pass the test?" before engineers and manufacturers even have prototype components.

Steve Tudberry, vice-president HBM-nCode software, said: "With the drive for reduced weight and increased fuel efficiency, the transportation sector is turning to lightweight materials such as polymers and composites. The challenge for automotive and aerospace manufacturers is to ensure the required longevity and durability under real operating conditions.

"The partnership with e-Xstream brings together the global leaders in our respective fields to provide a seamless and robust solution for fatigue analysis of composites."

nCode was acquired by German company, HBM in 2008 in a deal thought to be worth around £20m. They supply leading names including General Motors, Chrysler and Lockheed Martin.

nCode website

Images: ncode.com

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News: Plans submitted for Rotherham waste facility

The detailed planning application for a new waste recycling centre in Manvers, Rotherham has been submitted.

In April, specialist waste organisation 3SE was named as the preferred bidder in principle for the contract to develop a facility to treat leftover household waste from Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham.

A partnership between Shanks Group plc and SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy plc), 3SE plans to use three sites to treat waste with the new facility adjacent to the NEXT warehouse at Brookfield's Park in Manvers, designed to create material suitable for recovery and recycling.

The facility would receive up to 265,000 tonnes per annum of municipal solid waste and Shanks estimates that the 25 year contract has a revenue value of £750m.

The three councils secured £77m through the Private Finance Initiative for the scheme and Shanks believes that the contract will reach financial close this calendar year.

The plans, put together by consultants, Mouchel, are for 20,500 sq m of buildings on six hectares of brownfield land which was once part of the former Manvers Colliery spoil tip and coke works. The buildings include the main intelligent transfer station (ITS) and anaerobic digestion (AD) buildings, together with an administration and visitor centre building, workshop, weighbridge and gatehouse.

The plans state that: "3SE will manage residual waste from the three BDR authorities at the proposed facility in a four stage treatment process; shredding, biodrying, refinement and anaerobic digestion. The facility has been designed to manage the peak waste generation that the three authorities will generate.

"The overall aim of the four stage process is to create material suitable for recovery and recycling, whilst stabilising the remaining fraction as a pre-treatment for landfill. Waste is aerated to stabilise and sanitise the material. The aerated material is then separated into seven fractions by a combination of sieving, weight separation and metal extraction."

These include Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), biodegradable material (fines), glass, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics and residuals for landfill.

The solid fuel recovered will then be transported to a proposed multi-fuel plant next to the existing coal-fired power station at Ferrybridge, where it will be used to generate electricity. 3SE recently received consent from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to develop an up to 108MW multi-fuel project within its existing Ferrybridge site.

The biodegradable material (fines) will be moved to anaerobic digestion plant on the Manvers site where they will be processed organically to create biogas for fuel. Leftover material will be used in landfill remediation projects as a soil improver. The total annual capacity of the AD facility is 18,000 tonnes.

The Manvers plant is expected to create 40 jobs with more in the construction phase. Construction is expected to take 28 months with completion scheduled for winter 2014. After a period of testing, the plant is expected to become fully operational in spring 2015.

The submission of plans follows an extensive programme of public consultation which has seen details of local residents' feedback published online.

Stephen Ray, bid director for Shanks, said: "We are grateful to everyone who has given us their comments so far. I would like to stress that the dialogue does not stop now that the application has been submitted.

"We are setting up a Community Liaison Group so that we can continue to engage with local residents. We will also be organising a local supplier day in the New Year so that we can meet local businesses to discuss opportunities for them to provide goods and services for the new plant, subject of course to our obtaining planning permission."

The application will be scrutinised by statutory consultees including the three local authorities before it is considered by Rotherham Council's planning committee next year.

BDR Waste Partnership website
Online planning application

Images: 3SE / Mouchel

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News: Infrastructure funding for Sheffield city region

The Sheffield city region has been given an indicative allocation of £12.3m to be used on improving infrastructure and getting stalled projects moving again.

The allocation is from the government's £500m Growing Places Fund and will be used to support housing and employment investment in the city region with investments in projects such as new transport schemes and flood defences.

Local Enterprise Partnerships are able to apply for the funding and then take decisions about what to prioritise locally.

Councils will support these plans with their technical and financial expertise - leaving Local Enterprise Partnerships free of red tape and better able to focus their attentions on ensuring the funds go to where they will be used most effectively.

All £500m will be allocated from the end of January 2012 and the fund can be used to establish revolving funds to take forward a range of projects that can help facilitate economic growth, jobs and housebuilding in the local area, providing returns which can be re-invested locally. Through this, Local Enterprise Partnerships will be able to offer secure funding to developers in their area, making it quicker for projects to get off the ground but also securing a return on that investment for the local area.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "The £500m Growing Places Fund will unlock much-needed local infrastructure and get the homes we need built. It will be Local Enterprise Partnerships, made up of the people and businesses who know their local areas best, who will decide where this cash boost will be spent.

"I now want to see these partnerships coming together and finding innovative ways to unlock local sites and help get Britain building again."

In April Doncaster Council and its private sector partners secured £18m from the government's Regional Growth Fund to progress The Gateway to the Sheffield City Region project. The infrastructure project is expected to open up development sites around the Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) and HelioSlough's proposed inland port development at Rossington.

Sheffield City Region website

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News: Beatson Clark supplies iconic Buttercup brand

Rotherham glass manufacturer, Beatson Clark is supplying the packaging for the latest product from the Buttercup syrup brand.

Bell Sons & Co has chosen the Amber 150ml SS Flat glass bottle for its client, Omega Pharma UK's new product, Buttercup Chesty Cough Oral Solution.

Glass packaging is an essential requirement for some pharmaceuticals, its inert capabilities ensures that there is no cross contamination from the packaging to the product itself.

Beatson's amber bottles, manufactured at their Greasborough Road facility, have the added advantage of providing UV protection to the product and it can be more cost effective than clear glass whilst giving the appearance of superior quality.

Charlotte Taylor, marketing manager for Beatson Clark, said: "We are delighted to be providing Bells with the bottle for the iconic Buttercup brand. As Beatson Clark established its own brand 260 years ago, it was the pharmaceutical industry that benefitted from the company's knowledge and understanding of glass packaging.

"In fact we still, today, have one of the largest portfolios of pharmaceutical products in the world, with our general sale range boasting over 130 items, plus the many bespoke products we produce.

"We still continue to innovate and develop glass packaging for this market and are incorporating Beatson Clark's environmental policies into some of our pharmaceutical ranges with our lightweighing techniques."

Beatson Clark website

Images: Beatson Clark

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News: Best Buy in Rotherham set to close as owner pulls the plug

Best Buy's 45,000 sq ft store at Parkgate in Rotherham is set to close by the end of the calendar year, putting around 100 jobs at risk.

Best Buy Europe announced that all 11 of their UK stores would close but stated that it is confident that it will be able to offer alternative roles to the large majority of the employees affected, within other areas of its UK business.

Best Buy accounts for around 21% of the U.S. consumer electronics market and the family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $45 billion in annual revenue.

Best Buy joined with Carphone Warehouse in 2008 to create Best Buy Europe, and to launch the Best Buy brand in the UK. They have been operating 11 "Big Box" stores on a trial basis but they have not been profitable.

In fact, the business incurred operating losses of £62m in the year ended March 31 2011 and £47m in the six months to September 30 2011. The company's board estimate that the group's share of the total net cash investment from the failed venture will be in the region of £100m.

Roger Taylor, CEO of Carphone Warehouse, said: "The eleven Best Buy UK "Big Box" stores have performed exceptionally at the level of customer satisfaction, but they do not have the national reach to achieve scale and brand economies.

"Due to the lack of visibility of an acceptable rate of return on historical and future potential investment we have decided against rolling out more "Big Box" stores and we will be closing our existing stores, subject to consultation with our employees.

"Our immediate focus is our people and we are confident that the large majority will be offered alternative positions elsewhere in our UK business."

The first Best Buy store in Yorkshire opened in Rotherham in June, taking the former Homebase store at Parkgate Shopping. It created around 100 new jobs.

The intention is to complete the closure of all stores by the end of the calendar year and the group is to focus on their Carphone Warehouse stores.

Andrew Harrison, CEO of Best Buy Europe, said: "After conducting a thorough strategic review of our operations, we believe that our capital investment and "connectivity" strategy should be prioritised within our Carphone Warehouse stores as they offer a higher and proven rate of return.

"The technology world has changed substantially since 2008 and we are confident we will best serve our customers by investing in a single brand and format rather than two.

"We are very proud of our Best Buy team members. They have been exceptionally committed and have delivered fantastic customer service. Our immediate focus is on ensuring that they are offered new opportunities within Carphone Warehouse and Geek Squad, where they will help us deliver a best-in-class customer experience."

Best Buy website

Images: bestbuy.co.uk

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News: Fashion Rocks for Roc and Doll

Rotherham fashion designer and entrepreneur, Lucy Bennett has won the chance to see her designs stocked alongside the likes of McCartney and McQueen in contemporary designer store, Fashion Rocks.

Lucy won Meadowhall Shopping Centre's "In New Designer's We Trust" event, where four up and coming Yorkshire designers were given the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in the industry and sell their collections in the region's largest shopping centre.

Lucy will be working with Fashion Rocks to launch a Spring / Summer 2012 collection from her label Roc and Doll as a concession in the Meadowhall branch of the Fashion Rocks store early next year.

She said: "I am so thrilled to have been chosen as the winner of Meadowhall's New Designers Competition. If you had have told me earlier this year that my Spring / Summer 2012 collection would be selling alongside Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, I wouldn't have believed you!

"I can't tell you how grateful I am to Meadowhall for this opportunity – I launched my label Roc and Doll almost seven years go now and have had great success with it, but to be given a big break like this is priceless!"

As part of the initiative the designers were given exclusive access to an experienced panel of mentors to guide them through the competition.

Martin Lacey, buying director at Fashion Rocks and judge for the competition, said: "I have been impressed by the high calibre of talent and creativity shown by each of the designers in this competition.

"We are proud to be supporting talented new designers in Yorkshire, particularly as Meadowhall Shopping Centre is where we opened the nation's first Fashion Rocks store. We're really looking forward to working with Lucy."

Now based in Leeds, Roc and Doll was established in Rotherham after Lucy returned from studying at university. The brand and the business grew with help, support and rent-free premises through Rotherham Youth Enterprise and The Prince's Trust.

Roc and Doll website

Images: Meadowhall

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News: Elevation recruits new director

Rotherham-based recruitment specialist, Elevation Recruitment is set to expand into Leeds with the appointment of Lee Bhandal as joint managing director.


Based at Moorgate, the company is targeting the fast growing sectors in West Yorkshire and keep up with industry demand in the accountancy and finance industries.

Lee from Ecclesfield in Sheffield, joins the firm bringing over 16 years executive recruitment experience incorporating extensive retained and advertised search and selection assignments.

He has spent the last 12 years with global specialist recruitment firm Hudson plc based in Leeds.  He is a specialist senior recruiter with expertise across the Finance, HR, Sales, Marketing and Procurement markets.

He has a first rate reputation throughout West Yorkshire having acted as Account Director on many preferred supplier agreements across the Blue Chip plc and SME sectors.

Lee (pictured, left) said: "The growth that Elevation Recruitment has witnessed over the last few years is incredible, and a testament to the closely-knit team based here in South Yorkshire.

"They have quickly positioned themselves as one of the leaders in the recruitment industry across South Yorkshire and the obvious, natural progression is to target new geographical regions.

"I am extremely excited to be joining the team at Elevation and to be able to play a big part in the future plans of the business in West Yorkshire."

Greg Parkinson, managing director of Elevation Recruitment, added: "The senior finance and mid tier qualified accountancy sector has remained a particularly strong area for us and has been key in our decision to expand into West Yorkshire.

"It is a very exciting time for Elevation Recruitment as we look to expand further."

Part of the Horbury Group, Elevation Recruitment operates in six specialist sectors; Accountancy, Senior Finance Professional Practice, Financial Services, Sales and HR.

Elevation Recruitment

Images: elevationrecruitment.com

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