News: Orchid acquire Sandvik's Rotherham facility

American contract medical design and manufacturing firm, Orchid, has taken over the state-of-the-art Sandvik European Centre of Excellence (SECoE) in Rotherham.

Orchid Orthopedic Solutions is a worldwide leader in the contract design and manufacture of implants, instruments and innovative technologies for the orthopedic, dental and cardiovascular markets.

A transaction with Sandvik was completed last month to acquire Sandvik Medical Solutions (SMS), a major contract manufacturer of medical implants and instruments for the orthopedic and dental markets.

The deal includes the Swedish firm's 112,500 sq ft facility at Beighton Link Business Park in Rotherham. The £4m centre opened in 2010 and brought together all the finish processing and supply management activities for the production of medical products from Sandvik's Sheffield facilities.

It has an area dedicated to rapid production and prototyping for the development and manufacture of orthopedic implants, instruments and medical material.

Part of Sandvik Venture, SMS had sales of 90 million USD in 2011 and comprised production units in US and UK with about 550 employees.

Anders Thelin, president of Sandvik Venture, said: "The divestment of Sandvik Medical Solutions is in line with our strategy to exit operations outside of the defined core businesses. There is a strong industrial logic in combining Orchid and Sandvik Medical Solutions and we are convinced that Sandvik Medical Solutions will have a positive development with its new owners."

Based in Holt, Michigan, Orchid provides innovative design and development, implant and instrument manufacturing, advanced machining, plastics technology, implant coatings and surface treatment, and packaging services.

The deal is expected to strengthen its significant influence in product offerings and customer service and create an operation responsible for approaching 30% of the world's orthopedic implants.

Mike Miller, CEO of Orchid, said: "Orchid is very pleased to have SMS and its employees join the Orchid team. Sandvik brings a global footprint and a high value expertise in casting, forging and machining of implants, and complex instruments to Orchid, allowing us to better serve our customers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia."

Altor, a private equity fund, acquired Orchid in 2011. Claes Ekström, board member in Orchid and partner at Altor Equity Partners AB, said: "The combination of Orchid and SMS will have a unique offering to its customers and become the leading orthopedic implant supplier globally. The acquisition also demonstrates Orchid's commitment to build a leader in a consolidating industry."

Orchid Orthopedic Solutions website

Sandvik website

Images: Sandvik

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News: Beatson Clark supply Shepherd Neame for Generation Ale

Rotherham glass manufacturer Beatson Clark is supplying the bottles for a special celebration beer brewed by Britain's oldest brewery, Shepherd Neame.

Generation Ale is a premium beer created by the Kent brewery to celebrate the work of five generations of the Neame brewing family.

Sold hand-wrapped through selected outlets in a wooden presentation box, the beer comes in an elegant 750ml customised bottle with embossed finish moulds.

It will be brewed once a year and combines five types of roasted malt with five varieties of traditional Kentish hops.

Beatson Clark supplied the packaging solution by designing customised finish moulds for an existing amber glass bottle, thereby creating a unique container with half the lead time and cost of a full set of moulds.

The embossing, which reads "Shepherd Neame Faversham Brewery since 1698", takes pride of place on the side of the bottle as there is no label applied, enhancing the purity and quality of the glass.

Tom Falcon, production and distribution director at Shepherd Neame, said: "Beatson Cark have supplied us with many different bottles in the past and we were confident that they would do an excellent job providing a superb bottle for our Generation Ale."

"Other beers in our portfolio have highly recognisable brands, such as Spitfire and Bishops Finger, but with Generation Ale the brand is the brewery itself and it was very important that we got the presentation right.

"Beatson Clark were very helpful and receptive to our ideas, they worked in a very innovative way and their flexibility really made a difference."

Charlotte Taylor, marketing manager at Beatson Clark, added: "By customising existing designs and offering small productions runs we can keep costs down for our customers and supply bespoke products to smaller, niche brands."

Last month, the historic Rotherham company announced that it would invest £10m in furnace improvements and new high-tech equipment at its Greasborough Road plant.

Beatson Clark website

Images: Beatson Clark

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News: Continued expansion for Moorhead Savage

Rotherham insolvency practice Moorhead Savage has appointed a new insolvency administrator.

Based in RiDO's Moorgate Crofts business centre, Moorhead Savage is led by Paul Moorhead, a licensed insolvency practitioner with many years experience of helping struggling businesses and over-indebted individuals. Paul is also the UK's only insolvency practitioner with a PhD in insolvency law.

Rachel Parker, who lives in Sheffield and has a degree in Psychology from Sheffield Hallam University, has extensive experience in the insolvency field, having previously worked with the debt team at law firm Howells and with insolvency practitioners Probitas.

Paul Moorhead, founder of Moorhead Savage, said: "We are delighted to welcome Rachel to our expanding team.

"Even though there are encouraging signs of recovery for the economy there are still companies and individuals struggling with their finances.

"Our expansion means we will be able to meet the needs of those people seeking our turnaround services promptly and efficiently."

Rachel joins two new members of staff who joined the expanding firm in March.

Moorhead Savage website

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News: Progress for Rolls-Royce in Rotherham

Harworth Estates, the Rotherham-based property arm of UK Coal, has completed the deal with Rolls-Royce for 17.4 acres of land on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Contracts were conditionally exchanged at the beginning of the year and the deal was completed on April 18.

The world-renowned engineers has secured outline planning permission for three facilities in Rotherham.

The first to come forward is the Advanced Blade Casting Facility to be built as a sister factory to an existing operation in Derby. The 14,900 sq m factory will manufacture fan blades, principally for the aerospace sector.

A 21,000 sq m "Project PoWeR" facility is planned for manufacturing and assembling power vessels for the next generation of nuclear power stations and a 8,800 sq m building which could be for another Rolls-Royce facility or for one of their suppliers.

Together, they could create 360 jobs initially.

The AMP is the UK's premier advanced manufacturing technology park and is a key site in the region's enterprise zone. It is part of the 700 acre Waverley development, UK Coal's largest development site.

Housebuilders, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Homes and Harron Homes have planning permission for the first phase of construction for 254 homes. The masterplan for the reclaimed opencast site includes 4,000 houses, shops, restaurants, schools, leisure facilities, health and community centres and parks.

Owen Michaelson, managing director of Harworth Estates, said: "We are delighted that Rolls Royce has chosen the Waverley AMP site for its new facility.

"The announcement of these contracts signals the start of Harworth Estates delivering on the Waverley regeneration scheme, which is hoped to bring an estimated £1 billion of investment in to the local area. We believe that together these developments will act as a strong catalyst for further investment and regeneration of Waverley; something Harworth Estates remains focused on delivering."

The first Rotherham facility is set to open in Spring 2013 and Rolls-Royce has also recently issued a tender worth £25m for the construction of the facilities.

Rolls-Royce website

Harworth Estates website

Images: Bond Bryan

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News: AMRC researchers welcome Boeing Dreamliner to the UK

Researchers from the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham, were amongst customers, suppliers and partners from the UK to welcome Boeing's 787 Dreamliner as it's "Dream Tour" came to Heathrow Airport this week.

The aircraft uses 20 percent less fuel and has a noise footprint 60 percent smaller than today's similarly-sized airplanes. When bidding for the landing gear was opened, manufacturer Messier-Bugatti-Dowty came to the AMRC, at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, to see if it was feasible to make landing gear parts from a new grade of titanium alloy.

Boeing were looking to reduce the weight of the landing gear components whilst crucially retaining the strength and durability. Titanium was the preferred material and AMRC engineers worked with Messier-Bugatti-Dowty to help reduce the machining of the titanium 5553 components by a factor of 18, and reduce their tooling costs by 30 percent.

As a direct result of this, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty became the first British company to win a contract to supply the entire landing gear for a Boeing aircraft.

The French company (part of the Safran group) continues to work with the AMRC, looking at how to machine titanium alloys at rates that meet the increasing demands of cost down targets, increased volume and increased process capability.

Randy Tinseth, vice president, marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: "Our partnership with the aviation and aerospace sectors in the United Kingdom stretches back over 70 years and the 787 Dreamliner is the latest world-leading airplane that Boeing has produced with their support.

"As we continue to manufacture and deliver the 787 Dreamliner our customers and their passengers alongside the UK aerospace sector will all see increased benefits from the program."

As part of the Dream Tour, the Dreamliner visited Manchester and Gatwick Airports before returning to Heathrow. It also performed a flyover of the Rolls-Royce facility in Derby, were the famous Trent 1000 engines are made.

A sister factory for the manufacture fan blades, principally for the aerospace sector, is one of three facilities that Rolls-Royce are planning to build in Rotherham.

AMRC website

Boeing website

Images: Boeing / Thomson Holidays / twitter

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News: Lindley Group secure New York Stadium catering contract

Rotherham United has appointed Lindley Venue Catering, the specialist sports stadia catering division of The Lindley Group, to develop its conference and events business, and manage all aspects of match day and non-match day catering at the League Two club's brand new £20m New York Stadium.

The five year deal is worth £6.1m and the partnership will see Lindley provide catering and events sales and marketing services for the club when it relocates from its temporary home at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield to the prestigious new 12,000 capacity stadium next season.

Construction on the iconic venue is nearing completion on the site of the former Guest and Chrimes Foundry in an area close to Rotherham town centre that was historically know as New York.

It incorporates flexible, state-of-the art conference and banqueting facilities for private and corporate functions, and will include a 400-cover hospitality suite overlooking the pitch along with a variety of other meeting rooms and suites.

Lindley will be responsible for hospitality on matchdays and also for non-match day events. They will also install their range of retail outlets to supply fans, including Frank's Original New York Streetdogs. The company has also assured Millers' fans that Pukka Pies will be on sale from next season!

The partnership is set to create over 100 jobs with recruitment already underway.

Tony Stewart, chairman of Rotherham United, said: "The New York Stadium is much, much more than just a football stadium. In the past two years we've spent a lot of time during the design process concentrating on making sure the stadium has seven days a week functionality.

"From the outset we wanted the stadium to attract business and visitors from outside the area. And, being located in the centre of Rotherham, we also wanted it to serve and become part of the local community, as well as fulfilling its role as a functioning professional sports stadium.

"We believe the New York Stadium design has achieved these aims, and we were looking for a catering and events operator which has the experience and expertise to work with us in developing and maximising the non match-day revenue potential of these fantastic new facilities, and, at the same time enhance and develop the food offering and catering services on match-days.

"The input, insights and guidance we have received from Lindley Venue Catering during the development phase has been invaluable, and the team has clearly demonstrated that they have the skill set, enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring the New York Stadium becomes one of the country's leading events venues."

Jonathan Davies, head of Sales & Marketing at The Lindley Group, added: "It is a great privilege to be given the opportunity to work with Rotherham United FC at such a pivotal point in the club's history, and to become the first catering and events company to operate at the New York Stadium.

"We are well-versed in operating in multi-function venues and are able to bring an integrated approach to managing all aspects of the catering, sales and marketing functions for the New York Stadium, which we regard as a showcase venue for Yorkshire.

"The facilities provide a great sales opportunity and we'll be launching a new fully search optimized website to attract corporate and private events business locally and nationally - for example, a website we developed for one of our other venues generated a 20% uplift in conference and banqueting sales.

"We'll also be encouraging the local community to make use of the facilities and are planning, for example, to introduce loyalty incentives to encourage fans to hold celebrations for families and friends at the stadium.

"The quality of food and service will also clearly be a priority, and our Creative Director, Gary Bates, will be working with the catering team at the New York Stadium to create bespoke menus inspired by locally sourced produce and regional dishes which will be given a contemporary twist."

Rotherham United website

The Lindley Group website

New York Stadium website

Images: The Lindley Group

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News: Rotherham town centre Tesco plans updated

Plans for a new Tesco Extra in Rotherham town centre have been updated and resubmitted following continued discussions with Rotherham Council and local businesses.

The 10,000 sq m development on the site of council buildings at Walker Place will replace the current outdated store on Forge Island.

Anglo-Dutch developer, TCN is purchasing the council's 22,000 sq m Civic Site and submitted initial plans at the end of last year for a store with a total sales area of 6,273 sq m on the site of the Civic Building, Central Library and Norfolk House, plus a petrol filling station on the site of Crinoline House.

The major revision is to the planned road layout with a left turn now included off Centenary Way onto Kenneth Street following pressure from businesses on Effingham Street. As part of the development, a multi-million pound investment would be made in the road network, including removing the Centenary Way flyover.

There is also now a plan to close vehicular access onto Norfolk Street from Nottingham Street to stop "rat-running."

Following concerns on how the new store will link to the rest of the town centre another entrance is now emphasised opposite the markets on Drummond Street. A "shared surface" on Drummond Street is planned to remove any perceived barriers to pedestrian connectivity with the primary shopping area.

A number of updates have been made to the design with new mesh around the undercroft car park and a "green wall" with vertical climbing plants at the back of the store facing Nottingham Street and St Ann's. Some changes have also been made to the planned public realm area in Effingham Square.

Following concerns from the council and an assessment by retail consultants at Colliers CRE, the development will be restricted in terms of the concessions that can be included alongside the Tesco store. It is set to include a pharmacy, photo processing lab and mobile phone shop, but not an opticians.

The applicants state that the development "will help to claw-back trade lost to out-of-centre superstores, which in-turn will improve visitation and footfall within Rotherham town centre, with spin-off benefits for other town centre traders."

Planning consultants, DPP, who put the plans together, are hopeful that they will go before the council's planning board in May. The store is not expected to be open and trading until 2013, because vacant possession of the site will not be possible until Spring 2012 and it will take around one year to build the proposed scheme.

TCN website

Images: TCN / Smith Smalley

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News: Lindsay is fit for business

An enterprising sports injury and rehabilitation specialist has bounced back from redundancy and is operating a new clinic in Rotherham.

Lindsay Whitaker worked for Plymouth Albion Rugby Club before being made redundant due to financial problems at the club, having previously worked with Rotherham Titans, Doncaster Knights and Sale Sharks rugby clubs, the National Ballet and the Great Britain Women's Basketball Team during qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

On returning to Rotherham, Lindsay received guidance on business planning and marketing from Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber through the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme. She also secured a £500 loan from UK Steel Enterprise and has is operating a clinic in the TR Sports department of Thomas Rotherham College from 8am-8pm on weekdays, offering a range of sports rehabilitation treatments.

Lindsay said: "I had wanted to open my own clinic at some point but, ideally, I would have continued working in rugby for a few more years before changing direction. However circumstances forced me to go on my own a little earlier than I had originally planned.

"The most important assistance I had from the Chamber was on business planning and financial issues. They helped me get all the facts and figures I needed to create a plan for the next three years, and how to structure it into a clear format. That guidance was the difference between comprehensively preparing to set my own business, rather than having a basic plan."

The programme provides guidance and support to anyone who has been claiming Jobseekers Allowance for 26 weeks or more as they develop their business plan and through the early months of trading. The government scheme also includes a weekly allowance worth £1,274 over 26 weeks and if start-up capital is needed, a loan up to £1,000 can be accessed.

Sports Injury Rehabilitation website

Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber website

Images: sports-injury-rehab.co.uk

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News: Rotherham United appoint Richard Stewart as vice-chairman

Rotherham United has installed Richard Stewart as vice chairman to form a partnership with his father and club chairman, Tony Stewart.

Richard has been a director of the football club for the previous four years and is also involved at his father's business, ASD Lighting in Rotherham.

The Millers are set to move into the £20m New York Stadium in July as construction nears completion on the site of the former Guest and Chrimes foundry close to Rotherham town centre.

Tony Stewart, chairman of Rotherham United, said: "The new stadium is creating new opportunities for the football club, and to maximise this wonderful opportunity we need to be fully prepared for what will be an exciting new era for Rotherham United.

"Behind the scenes Richard has played a vital role on the operational side of the football club, and has been heavily involved in the development of the new stadium. The New York Stadium is not just about a game of football on a Saturday, it is a 24/7 facility, which will require a great deal of work and commitment combining the skills and expertise of everyone at the club.

"The new stadium is guaranteed to move the club forward so it is important that I can continue to share the responsibility of key decision making, and that is where Richard and other members of the board will be a factor."

The club's board contains experienced directors who also have senior roles at ASD Lighting. In addition, Terry Stewart, Tony's brother and Richard's uncle, is also playing a key role at the club as the stadium director.

It is thought that silent partners and financial backers at the club include Brian Beckett, chairman of the Rotherham-based ABS Group and Ron Hull, founder and owner of the successful Rotherham group of companies.

Tony Stewart saved the League Two club in 2008 when he brought them out of administration via a Creditors Voluntary Agreement. His chairmanship has provided stability, investment and a professional off-field set-up despite having to play home games at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield after leaving Millmoor. His most important achievement as chairman will soon be realised when he watches Rotherham United play their first game back in their home town, in a brand new stadium.

Richard Stewart, vice chairman of Rotherham United, said: "It is an honour to be handed this new responsibility, at such an exciting time in Rotherham United's history.

"The club is growing day-by-day and when we arrive at New York it is important that we have a developed club with an infrastructure that befits this iconic and modern facility. Having worked alongside my father successfully for the past 18 years, I am excited about being handed this extra responsibility, and I cannot wait to get started to help bring about success for Rotherham United."

Rotherham United website

Images: Rotherham United

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News: Tata Steel's SilentTrack installed in the UK

Innovative railway track from Tata Steel which reduces the noise of trains passing over has been installed for the first time in the UK, at Blackfriars station in London.

The special railway track, called SilentTrack, was developed by British scientists and engineers at Tata Steel and will reduce rail traffic noise in and around the station by up to 50%.

SilentTrack is already in operation in 13 countries around the world. It has now been installed at London Blackfriars as part of the Thameslink Programme to help reduce the noise from one of the capital's busiest stations.

Researchers at Tata Steel's Swinden Technology Centre in Rotherham teamed up with acoustic experts at the world-renowned lnstitute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton to develop the track.

SilentTrack uses patented dampers attached to the sides of the track to absorb vibration in the rail as the train moves over it. The dampers are made in the UK from Scunthorpe-made steel encased in a rubber-like material, and are acoustically tuned to the track. The dampers cancel out noise from the track as the train passes over it which reduces the overall noise impact of the train.

Mike Poulter, rail marketing manager at Tata Steel, said: "SilentTrack is an innovative and unique product designed to meet the need for quieter rail traffic in projects around the world.

"Our research engineers in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, helped to develop the product after we identified growing public demand for noise reduction, particularly in urban areas. SilentTrack also provides a simple, cost-effective solution to address requirements of the new European noise legislation."

David Benton, an engineer at Tata Steel who helped develop SilentTrack, added: "The Thameslink Programme will improve rail transport for passengers in London by enabling more frequent and longer trains. With increased traffic through Blackfriars it was important to consider measures to keep noise to a minimum for local residents and businesses around Blackfriars.

"SilentTrack will reduce peak noise levels as trains pass over by about a half. This means that the enhanced railway, when it opens later this year, will have no greater noise impact than the existing railway."

Tata Steel website

Images: Tata Steel

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News: S3 ID secure further funding from Finance Yorkshire

Rotherham company, S3 ID, the UK's market-leading provider of innovative location awareness solutions, has secured a further £300,000 from Finance Yorkshire.

The Eastwood company was the first company to receive an Equity Fund investment from Finance Yorkshire when they secured £1.1m last year to enable them to maintain the controlled expansion that they have experienced over the last three years.

With regional offices in Norway and Singapore, S3 ID has developed a range of specialist hardware and software products that provide real-time personnel location awareness, mustering and access control. They are used in working environments where a major incident would be catastrophic such as oil, gas and petrochemical plants.

The additional £300,000 will be used for growth capital to support newly secured contracts. The latest being a significant new security contract for a major offshore complex via Semco Maritime of Denmark.

S3 ID is supplying a central shore-based security monitoring facility controlling a mixture of remote, autonomous and safe areas plus door access controls off-shore. The "field of the future" approach is designed to allow for future expansion across the entire oil field.

It follows on from the deal to supply its technologies to keep track of personnel working in the Gudrun field via Siemens Norway and the supply of S3 ID's eLock locking systems to the Gorgon gas project in Australia via their Perth-based partner, Western Advance.

Finance Yorkshire provides seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments, ranging from £15,000 to £2m. It has attracted £30m investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), £15m from Yorkshire Forward's Single Programme, and £45m match funding from the European Investment Bank.

£19m has been invested to date with some £10.8m invested in South Yorkshire businesses including S3 ID, Xeros Ltd, Labfacility, Sterecycle and IBCS Ltd in Rotherham.

Alex McWhirter, chief executive at Finance Yorkshire, said: "April is a time when many of us start to plan for the new financial year ahead. For Finance Yorkshire, it's also a good time to reflect on our investment activity in recent months before we set next year's targets.

"In the last quarter of 2011, we completed 31 deals, with another 30 completed between January and mid-March this year - a busy but very rewarding investment period."

S3 ID website

Finance Yorkshire website

Images: Semco

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News: Johnston Press posts loss

Johnston Press, one of the largest local newspaper publishers in the UK and operator of a £60m printing press in Rotherham, has released their latest financial results in a "challenging trading environment."

The Edinburgh company, that publishes the Yorkshire Post and The Star, made a loss of £143.8m in 2011 compared to a profit of £16.5m in the previous year.

The loss was primarily due to the impairment of the value of publishing titles of £163.7m. Pre-tax profits fell 6.9% to £28.4m and revenues declined 6.1% to £373.8m.

Revenues for print advertising continued to fall whilst costs were affected by significant price increases for newsprint.

A review of future requirements during the year led to a further rationalisation of print capacity. This led to the closure of a printing plant on the Isle of Man, and consultation began on the closure of the print facility in Leeds. In a statement, the company said that "these moves reflect activity across the industry and are essential for ensuring the efficiency and streamlining of our operations."

The state-of-the-art press in Dinnington is one of five modern print works operated by the group. During 2011, further enhancements to the presses in Dinnington and Portsmouth created new revenue opportunities by offering different newspaper formats.

The publisher recently announced a new strategy for all of its 170 paid-for titles with "platform neutral" content seen as the key component of the group's publishing strategy. The first phase includes switching five of its daily newspapers into weeklies.

The aim is to put digital at the heart of Johnston Press with new web, mobile and iPad offerings. Digital revenues grew by 0.7% in 2011.

Ashley Highfield, chief executive of Johnston Press, said: "Although the prospects for the economy remain downbeat in the short term, I believe we can return Johnston Press to being a growth business through the twin track approach of re-launching and revitalising our papers while simultaneously growing our websites, and taking full advantage of the opportunities created by technology and the changing media demands of our users to deliver innovative propositions."

Johnston Press website

Images: ohnston Press

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News: Thai Garden Café to open in Rotherham

The Thai Garden Café is the latest food outlet to take space at the Onyx Retail Park in Manvers, Rotherham.

Only one unit is left in phase 1 of the development by Onward Holdings with Subway, Greggs, Domino's and MotorWorld already signed up.

The retail park, comprising 17,500 sq ft of retail space, is based at the Manvers Waterfront development, the 285-acre mixed-use regeneration of the former Manvers Colliery by Anglo-Dutch developers, TCN UK.

Opening next month, the Thai Garden Café, which has seating for 30 people and space for a further 12 diners outside, will be a "great place to chill out" with a relaxed atmosphere and varied menu. It will be serving oriental dishes using typical Thai ingredients.

The café is owned by Sheffield housebuilder Paul Hague. He said: "Onward Holdings was very helpful during the whole process and the Onyx Retail Park is such an ideal location.

"We are thrilled to be starting out in such a vibrant area. New houses are being built nearby and with visitors to the RSPB's Old Moor nature reserve and other local attractions, we expect to hit the ground running when we open for business."

Plans for phase 2 of the site have now been brought forward to accommodate additional interest from food outlets. This will release an additional 10,000 square feet of space split between two units, however, to allow flexibility Onward has decided to apply for planning permission to enable the units if required to be divided into much smaller shells to accommodate further quick service food stores and or restaurants.

Neil Storey, director at Onward Holdings, said: "We are delighted to welcome the Thai Garden Café to the Onyx Retail Park. This brings another thrilling dimension to the eating experience available to visitors to the site. We wish the Thai Garden Café every success."

Onward Holdings website

Images: Onwards Holdings

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News: Support for young engineers in Rotherham

Brinsworth Academy of Engineering is working with local engineering company Arnold Wragg Ltd to successfully offer career opportunities to young engineers across a range of employment projects.

The academy is a leading engineering and manufacturing training provider with over 250 apprentices currently in training at their Templeborough site.

A supplier of fasteners and turned parts, Arnold Wragg Ltd in Sheffield is part of the Specialist Technologies Aerospace Group (STAG), an international group with operations in UK, France and the USA which specialising in the supply management of aerospace components, parts and equipment.

Although relatively new to the modern apprenticeship scheme the company has been fortunate to have experience some very positive results, scooping the Employer of the Year Award in addition to their apprentice Yaser Rauf winning the SMC Award of Excellence at this year's Brinsworth Academy of Engineering Annual Employer and Learner Awards.

The organisation has also successfully engaged in working with an ex-offender programme offering a learner who had already undergone an NVQ level 1 at Brinsworth Academy of Engineering a position within Arnold Wragg Ltd as a full time apprentice.

Paul Brunton, production manager at Arnold Wragg, said: "Arnold Wragg is very proud to be in the position to offer these opportunities and sees the challenge as a positive with rewards to be gained by each party involved."

John Edwards, quality manager at Brinsworth Academy of Engineering, added: "We are delighted to be able to work with Arnold Wragg Ltd on delivering sustainable employment for young people and the impact that they have had on the learners is rewarding to see, committed employers make a real difference to successful apprenticeships."

Brinsworth Academy of Engineering website

Images: brinsworthtraining.co.uk

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News: Bluebell Wood open furniture store in Rotherham

Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice has taken space at the Hellaby Industrial Estate in Rotherham for its new fund raising venture, a "pre-loved" furniture shop.

The shop opens this week in a spacious unit on Sandbeck Way, Hellaby, and offers a full range of furniture items at competitive prices including electrical items, beds, wardrobes, chests of drawers, tables and chairs.

Based at North Anston, Bluebell Wood provides care and support to families who have a child who has a life limiting condition and is not expected to live into adulthood. It has to raise £3m each year to continue its work, and receives no statutory government funding.

Last year the charity opened a 2,500 sq ft, three-storey unit at 12 Wellgate in Rotherham town centre.

Sarah Champion, chief executive of Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, said: "We know that good quality furniture items often become available when people move house or empty a property on behalf of a relative. Donating them to us will help fund our work supporting families whose children have a shortened life expectancy.

"The furniture store is an exciting extension of our retail operation, which includes seven very popular shops selling a range of attractive new giftware and high quality second hand goods."

The Bluebell Wood furniture store opening times will be from Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-4.30pm. Donations can be delivered to the store or by ringing Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice on 01909 517360. The store will also accept general goods for sale in the Bluebell Wood shops.

Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice website

Images: Bluebell Wood

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News: Cert Octavian operations acquired by Culina

A 90,000 sq ft warehouse facility in Rotherham has been taken over as part of the deal that sees Culina Group Limited acquire the supply chain activities of Cert Octavian Holdings plc.

The acquisition extends the existing Culina network to eight distribution centres in the UK following the addition of the five facilities currently owned and operated by Cert Octavian. This includes the Rotherham facility and Culina will also take over the portfolio of existing Cert Octavian distribution contracts.

Culina and Cert Octavian have previously developed strong links through shared facilities at the Hellaby site in Rotherham and in the coming weeks Culina will finalise the details of the acquisition and commence the implementation of its expanded network.

Thomas van Mourik, ceo of the of Culina Group Limited, said: "We are acquiring some excellent contracts, facilities and people. This significantly expands our ambient network and will enable us to drive through synergies and efficiencies that will benefit all our existing customers and allow us to offer an even better service.

"This announcement is further evidence of our commitment to double the size of the business in the next five years. We will be looking for similar opportunities that will allow us to add value for food and drink customers through the innovation and competitive supply chain solutions that set us apart."

Culina is the leading provider of high quality logistics services for food and drink companies in the UK. Cert Octavian have been one of the largest drinks logistics companies within the UK. They will retain their fine wine cellarage business where strong economic growth in the Far East is resulting in significant growth.

With an operation at Hellaby, Cert Octavian took a extra 84,000 sq ft at Manvers in 2008. The Adwick Park unit has since been let to metals processing and supply firm, ABS.

Cert Octavian website

Culina website

Images: culinalogistics.co.uk

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News: KUKA joins AMRC

KUKA, the Midlands-based industrial robot supplier has become a member of the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham so it can offer greater technical support to future automation projects.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, The AMRC is a £100m collaboration among more than 40 partner organisations, comprising world leaders in the aerospace supply chain, key government offices and international academic institutions. As part of the university's Advanced Manufacturing Institute, which now employs around 180 people, they work with world-leading companies such as BAE, Boeing and Rolls-Royce, helping them become more competitive.

After being chosen to supply a number of robots for a variety of AMRC research programmes, KUKA will now take part in a broad range of projects and receive privileged access to the centre's resources and capabilities.

Their robots are currently being used at the centre for a project headed by Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems to explore automated assembly applications in the aerospace industry.

The robot supplier also provided a KR 16 model for a three-year study, which investigated the production of large aircraft components using the shaped metal deposition process.

It was part of an automated production cell, which was designed to build up components from welded wire and show how the SMD method could be transformed from an experimental concept to a commercially viable manufacturing technology.

Jeff Nowill, managing director at KUKA, said: "As the UK subsidiary of Europe's largest robot manufacturer, I feel it is not only important to give backing to the AMRC's pioneering work, but also demonstrate KUKA's enthusiasm to share its expertise with a talented group of researchers."

KUKA website

AMRC website

Images: kuka-robotics.com

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News: LEP searches for skills needs of employers

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has launched a major research survey to understand the future skills needs of employers in the Sheffield City Region.

One of the partnership's objectives focuses on the economy and skills and covers business support, sector development, inward investment, and an employer-led skills system.

The study aims to gain a better understanding of employers' current and future skills needs and how well the education and training system responds to them.

Nigel Brewster, LEP Board Private Sector Lead for Skills, said: "Today's business leaders have an integral part to play in ensuring that we equip young people with the skills and education that City Region businesses need for future growth and economic success.

"This research can contribute towards giving businesses real power and influence over local employment and skills strategies.

"The LEP needs businesses to quantify their skills demand, so we can ensure that all providers offer courses that are well suited to the particular requirements of the Sheffield City Region."

The LEP has jointly commissioned research experts from ekosgen and PCP Market Research to carry out the business survey during April. Other LEPs in Yorkshire taking part are Leeds City Region, Humber, and York, North Yorkshire and East Riding.

Sheffield City Region LEP website

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News: Slovenian engineers explore SteelPhalt processes

Road surface specialist, SteelPhalt, hosted a visit by highway engineers from the Republic of Slovenia at their Rotherham facility recently.

And the fact-finding mission to the company's site in Templeborough could pave the way to the use of locally produced steel slag aggregate for asphalt applications in Slovenia.

SteelPhalt has been developing and manufacturing high performance asphalt products for the UK road making industry since the 1960s, sourcing slag cost-effectively from the surrounding steel industry and providing a sustainable way of making asphalt, with at least 95 per cent of the product the result of the recycling process.

SteelPhalt works in partnership with councils, local authorities and contractors nationwide to deliver durable roads for a sustainable world.

During their visit, the Slovenian delegation toured the plant and explored the full range of SteelPhalt products, as well as meeting local authority specialists from Rotherham Borough Council, which has been using the products on roads throughout South Yorkshire for over 70 years.

Steve Finley, principal engineer and David Hepworth, highway delivery manager, discussed their experiences in the use of Steelphalt's products from both a client and contractor point of view.

Dean Raynor, commercial manager at SteelPhalt, said: "We already have operations in the Slovenian steel industry through our parent company Harsco.

"What they do not have there at the moment, though, is the technology that could help them successfully develop asphalt from steel slag aggregates.

"This meeting could prove extremely important if it leads to us developing SteelPhalt technology for this new and developing market."

The exceptional strength and durability of SteelPhalt's steel slag products extends the life of roads and lengthens road maintenance intervals for resurfacing.

It achieves high skid resistance - enhancing road safety for both drivers and pedestrians - and maintains it throughout the whole life of the road, also avoiding the use of quarried materials and the landfill of residual slag product.

Part of the Harsco Metals Group, SteelPhalt specialises in the conversion of steel slag into a surface course for road making. The company's products include SteelStop, SteelSurf, SteelPave and SteelFlow.

Steelphalt website

Images: Steelphalt

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News: C.F. Booth wins first Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Rotherham-based, C.F. Booth, one of the largest independently run recycling companies in Europe, has been awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade as export sales reached an impressive £132m in 2011.

The company specialises in metal recycling and metal ingot manufacturing of both ferrous and non ferrous metals for UK import and export. Their Clarence Metal Works on Armer Street is thought to be the largest scrapyard in Europe.

Established in 1920 it has grown from a local metal trader and sustained investment in staff, technology and equipment enables C.F. Booth to be at the forefront of the industry and able to meet the ever growing global demand for recycled metals.

An extensive range of services includes specialist forms of scrap metal recycling and the trading and processing of all grades of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap.

One of their most high-profile contracts sees end-of-the-line carriages from the London Underground travel up to Rotherham to be dismantled and recycled. Over 200 carriages are expected to make the journey.

The manufacture of a wide range of copper-based ingots and forged parts for use mainly in the marine industry has developed new and exciting business opportunities throughout Scandinavia and Eastern Europe consolidating the company's exporting pedigree.

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are highly prestigious awards for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development.

C.F. Booth Ltd has won the Queen's Award for International Trade for an outstanding performance over the last three years. Export sales are 56% of turnover which is well in excess of industry sector averages contributing to overseas earnings growth of 81%. For the year to March 31 2011, turnover increased by a massive £100m to £237m.

Ken Booth, director of C.F. Booth, said: "We are honoured to have been given such a prestigious award, it really does endorse the fantastic team we have assembled at C.F. Booth and means a lot to us. We are a very proud British company and are excited about the future. We are certain that this award will only serve to enhance our reputation throughout the world."

As well as instant recognition, C.F. Booth will welcome a Royal representative to Rotherham during the year to present a crystal bowl and receive an invitation to attend a special reception at Buckingham Palace.

Fellow Rotherham metals specialist, Kiverton Park Steel, also picked up a Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade for 2012.

C.F. Booth website

Images: cfbooth.com

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News: Queen's Award for Kiveton Park Steel Limited

Rotherham-based, Kiveton Park Steel Limited, a quality manufacturer of bright engineering steel bar and wire, has won a prestigious Queen's Awards for Enterprise by demonstrating outstanding achievement in international trade over three years.

Established in 1922, the family company originally produced items used within the UK mining industry and also supplied specialised products into the defence and aircraft industries. It has developed its unique range of production equipment to ensure that the manufacturing facility at Dog Kennel Hill in Kiveton Park is suited to supply chain requirements for critical parts within the global automotive markets, principally supplying Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies.

The major subsidiary of Kiveton Park Holdings, which has interests in steel processing, international distribution and trading, has seen export activities increase rapidly over recent years with current levels representing over 60% of total sales, initially to European markets but now extending into many deep sea destinations including Latin and South America, India and the Far East.

The company is closely associated with the global automotive sector supplying quality products in supply chains leading to diesel injection, steering, engine and suspension parts and providing a full service package for a wide range of material specifications.

50% of markets are either new to the company in the last six years or are an existing market where new products have been introduced to new companies in those markets.

Turnover for the year ending June 2011 was up by 50% to £27m.

Bill Collington, managing director at Kiveton Park Steel, said: "The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious corporate awards that any UK business can win and we are extremely proud to be honoured with the award for International Trade.

"We share this award with all employees, agents and distributors working together to promote our export trade.The company is committed to continued export growth both within and beyond Europe where our key messages of, Quality – The First Priority and Excellence in Customer Service, provide the foundations for sustainable supply chain business relationships."

Fellow Rotherham metals specialist, C.F.Booth, also picked up a Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade for 2012.

Kiveton Park Steel website

Images: kpsteel.co.uk

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News: GLASSOLUTIONS acquires Greenberg Ltd

GLASSOLUTIONS, the French-owned multinational company with a major base in Rotherham, has acquired Greenberg Ltd, also based in Rotherham.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, comes after GLASSOLUTIONS, recently rebranded from Solaglas. Most of the Greenberg team have joined the GLASSOLUTIONS team at its multi-million pound production and call centre operation at Manvers. Greenberg moved to Kea Park at Hellaby in 2009.

The acquisition is expected to secure supply and enhance the service for Greenberg's existing customers. It further strengthens GLASSOLUTIONS' number one position as the largest installer and repairer of glass and glass systems in the UK and its shop-fitting and interior glass business.

GLASSOLUTIONS, part of the international Saint-Gobain Group, now plans to invest in a new shop-fitting fabrication facility at their Waterlands facility to further strengthen its expanding shop-fitting and interiors operation.

Ian Davy, Director - Installation at GLASSOLUTIONS, said: "Responsiveness is critical in the sectors we serve. Like GLASSOLUTIONS, Greenberg has an excellent reputation for quality and delivery so there is a perfect fit between our two organisations. Both provide national emergency replacement glazing services. As part of the bigger GLASSOLUTIONS business, Greenberg customers now have access to our enhanced nationwide service operations.

"At the same time, Greenberg brings to the group its special expertise in the shop-fitting and internal glazing markets which perfectly complements our commercial glazing operation."

GLASSOLUTIONS website

Images: glassolutions.co.uk

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News: ZND win Olympic contract

Rotherham-based ZND UK, the market leader in the manufacture and supply of high quality temporary fencing, has secured a deal to supply the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London this summer.

ZND will be supplying around 85 kilometres of pedestrian barriers for use by The Metropolitan Police at a huge range of events for the hundred of thousands of people who will visit the Capital each day.

The Met has a key role in planning and delivering an operation that, together with partners, will keep the Games safe and secure.

With more than 10 million tickets being sold and over 200 countries participating, the Games are the world's biggest sporting event and will see the Met mount the largest ever peacetime policing operation in its history.

It will run for 64 days, and cover over 1,000 venues including those hosting Olympic and Paralympic sports, cultural events and 2012 themed celebrations taking place across the Capital. Venues include the Olympic Park, Wembley Stadium, Horse Guards Parade and Wimbledon.

15 kilometres of police barriers and 70 kilometres of standard barriers will be transported from Rotherham as part of the order.

ZND are specialists in the design and manufacturing of temporary fencing for crowd containment purposes. Their facility on Barbot Hall industrial estate manufactures more than 17,500 meters of temporary fencing per day.

ZND UK was established in 1997 as part of the ZND Group. Their 173,000 sq ft premises also includes a bespoke production line for their SmartWeld 100 fencing range.

In 2010, the company supplied 61 kilometres of fencing for the 2010 Commonwealth Games being held in Delhi.

ZND UK website

Images: znduk.com

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News: New York Stadium to become networking hub of Rotherham

Rotherham United chairman, Tony Stewart, has urged local companies to bring their business and support back to Rotherham United.

As the club approach the target of 2,500 season tickets sold, the owner of Rotherham-based ASD Lighting discussed how the £20m New York Stadium will be at the heart of the local community, from fans and their families to local businesses.

Tony Stewart, chairman of Rotherham United, said: "The New York Stadium is a venue for the people of Rotherham to come to enjoy and engage with. It will be at the heart of the local community and we want everyone to join us and be part of something really special.

"We are engaging with the local business community. The 1925 Club will set the standard in corporate hospitality with its world-class facilities and five-star dining. It will become the networking hub of Rotherham and stimulate new business relationships locally. This stadium will bring huge change and enhance the match day experience for all, be it children in the family stand, businesses and VIPs in the 1925 Club or season ticket holders.

"I can't wait to welcome everyone to this fantastic stadium and share what has been a dream of mine for many years. All local people can be part of this historic move by doing your part, supporting the stadium and bringing your business and support back to Rotherham United.

"The stadium really is the future of Rotherham and these are very exciting times for Rotherham United."

The stadium is nearing completion on the site of the former Guest & Chrimes foundry close the Rotherham town centre. The 12,000 seater stadium will feature exhibition and banqueting spaces for 400 corporate guests and 1925 Club membership is fully transferable and can be shared with clients or staff and also provides networking opportunities and priority booking for other 1925 events.

Rotherham United website

Images: Ellrod Site Services / twitter

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News: Rotherham hosts Indian delegation

Representatives of the Indian company, Barry-Wehmiller International Resources (BWIR) visited Rotherham recently looking to engage with local companies in the manufacturing, engineering and industrial sectors.

In a visit hosted by Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber, the delegation visited numerous manufacturers from across the region and also met law firm Hill Dickinson.

BWIR are moving one of their offices to the UK to establish and develop a presence in the country which it is hoped will aid inward investment from India to the UK and vice versa.

The company can help aid companies in entering into the growing Indian market and provide technical support on product adjustments, strategic market entry methodologies and general support in how UK companies can find customers in India.

D. Senthil Kumar, vice-president and senior partner at Barry-Wehmiller International Resources, said: "We would like to thank Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber for hosting our company and introducing us to some key businesses in the region for whom we are also grateful for their time.

"Our company offers something that many other providers of outward investment advice can't provide - a wealth of personal knowledge and a specific understanding of the Indian market and how companies can make globalisation a real success. We can't wait to hear from companies who may want to have that conversation with us. Barnsley and Rotherham is the place to be to encourage, promote and deliver investment both in and out of the area, and through the Chamber we hope to do that."

Andrew Denniff, executive director of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber, added: "It was a pleasure to host Barry-Wehmiller International Resources and show them that Barnsley, Rotherham and the City Region is the number one area for inward investment to take place.

"Through the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, BWIR are hopeful that they can attract new companies into the region and at the same time help manufacturers in our region move into the Indian market place."

BWIR website

Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber website

Images: brchamber.co.uk

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News: New chapter for Rotherham Central Library

Rotherham Central Library is set to reopen in Rotherham town centre next week following a move across town into the council's new offices, Riverside House.

The new Library, Heritage and Arts space on Main Street will be open to the public for the first time on Monday April 23 from 9am.

As well as offering book, DVD and music CD lending services, along with free access to the internet, there will also be an art gallery where local artists will be able to exhibit their work.

The first major exhibition scheduled will be the Rotherham Open Art competition which will run from June 23 until August 11.

The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Shaun Wright, will be officially opening the new facility at 10.30am by cutting a ribbon in the new performance space within the Children's area of the library. Activities will take place throughout the day.

Julie Hird, manager for integrated cultural services at Rotherham Council, said: "During the Central Library's closure period, staff have been hard at work cleaning, packing and re-labelling all of the book and audio stock ready for the exciting move.

"It's been quite an operation to move the thousands of items that we hold and make sure that they are in the correct order and place when we unpack them at Riverside House, but as visitors to Riverside may have noticed the shelves are almost full and we are all looking forward to opening day.

"It's been a quite incredible team effort to relocate the library across town over the past couple of months. We've moved approximately 51,000 books, 6,000 DVDs, 4,500 CDs and 40 Public access PCs, all to ensure that our new library is the best it can be for its thousands of expected customers."

Rotherham Libraries website

Images: rotherham.gov.uk

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News: Rotherham IT worker has big idea

An IT worker from Rotherham has been named as the winner of Hallam FM and Newburgh Engineering's "Big Idea" competition and picked up the £10,000 prize.

The competition, sponsored by the specialist contract manufacturer, ran on Hallam FM late last year and attracted thousands of visitors and over 100 entries.

Edward Buttler, 43, a programming manager in the IT industry who lives in Rotherham, impressed the expert judging panel with a product that hopes to improve the lives of people with impaired or undeveloped motor skills.

While full details of the winning idea cannot be shared, Edward explained: "I first had the idea back in 2008, after watching my mother-in-law struggle with an everyday, routine task. I thought there had to be a solution. I submitted the idea to an ideas research company in 2009, but they wanted money I just didn't have.

"I believe that my idea has world market potential, and could help so many thousands of people. I am really looking forward to the next stage."

Vincent Middleton, a member of the judging panel and chairman of Newburgh Engineering, added: "Edward was the perfect candidate for this competition – he had a great idea, and this was the opportunity he was waiting for.

"We are excited to start developing the idea and taking it to market. Hopefully this will be yet another excellent manufacturing product that can be awarded Made in Sheffield status."

More details about the big idea will be available in the coming weeks. Runners up for the competition were Lee Machin, 28, from Sheffield, and Michelle Payne, 41, from Rotherham.

The campaign also served as an apprenticeship competition with five winners who will each win the opportunity to interview for an apprenticeship with Newburgh at their Templeborough site in Rotherham.

Newburgh Engineering website

Images: Newburgh

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News: History & Heraldry amongst UK's best

History & Heraldry, the Rotherham-based impulse-buy gift business has been named amongst Britain's 100 private companies with the fastest-growing profits.

The Hellaby company has been ranked at number 38 in the Sunday Times Profit Track 100 with an impressive annual profit growth of 73.67% over three years.

The annual league table, sponsored by PwC, 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 show an average profit growth of 70% and combined profits of £1.2 billion.

History & Heraldry was started in 1994 by Malcolm Ogg and Diane Clothier in their kitchen, making coat-of-arms keyrings for common surnames. The company now employs 77 staff at their Rotherham headquarters.

Customers include visitor attractions, garden centres and gift shops and the company now sells its merchandise worldwide and its products have been translated into 30 languages.

Gifts include keyrings, mugs and fridge magnets with people's names, catchphrases or sentiments on them and last year, 40 million items were sold, with most of the revenue generated in mainland Europe.

A move to replace third-party distributors with its own operations has helped profits to grow by 74% a year from £1.4m in 2007 to £7.4m in 2010.

The couple also own Paper Island, a successful greeting card company with a turnover of £8.3m.

Arif Ahmad, partner and head of private business in Yorkshire for PwC, said: "It's great to see these local privately-owned companies delivering sustained profit growth and making such a positive contribution to the economy.

"These companies show how private businesses and their owners can help drive regional economic growth and development in Yorkshire."

History & Heraldry website

Images: History & Heraldry

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News: Lewis leaves Rotherham United

Head of commercial Steve Lewis has left Rotherham United by mutual consent.

Lewis took over the department from previous commercial director, Steve Coakley in November having previously worked in similar roles at Leeds United and Sheffield United.

Steve started his career at Leeds United spending almost 11 years with the West Yorkshire club, as sponsorship manager before graduating to the position of head of commercial. He worked for tourism organisation, Welcome to Yorkshire as head of sponsorship before returning to football as head of commercial at Sheffield United.

During his time at The Millers, the club announced that the new £20m stadium will be called the New York Stadium and announced stadium sponsorship deals with Eric Twigg Foods, Ben Bennett Jnr and Morrison.

The club also appointed leading stadium marketing company, Empire Stadiums to work with Rotherham's commercial team on corporate seating, match day promotion, sponsorship and naming rights for the 12,000 seated stadium.

The stadium is nearing completion in time for the 2012/2013 season.

In a statement on their official website, Rotherham United said: "The club would like to place on record our thanks to Steve for his hard work and commitment whilst with the club, where over the last several months he has played a key role in the development of our new stadium.

"Rotherham United would like to wish Steve well for the future."

Rotherham United website

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News: VO4HOME reduces energy consumption at 5 star bunkhouse

VO4HOME Ltd, the Rotherham-based manufacturer, has installed its innovative VO4HOME domestic voltage optimisation system at a 5 star bunkhouse situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales, resulting in immediate savings in energy consumption and a substantial reduction in electricity costs.

The installation of a VO4HOME system at Wern Watkin Bunkhouse – which has been graded Gold by the Green Tourism Business Scheme, the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK – has led to savings of 17.6% in electricity consumption, complimenting other green products and initiatives, including a ground source heat pump and photovoltaic solar panels. The VO4HOME unit has also significantly improved power quality.

Manufactured in Templeborough, the system optimises incoming voltage to a constant 220V and can help households and small businesses save 330-500lbs of CO2 emissions each year and save money on power bills by around £90 to £150 a year.

Andrew Fryer, owner and manager of Wern Watkin Bunkhouse said: "Due to the location of the bunkhouse we used to suffer from regular voltage surges, which resulted in recurring equipment failure, particularly water pumps. By installing the VO4HOME unit, power quality has improved and we have seen a marked reduction not only in electricity consumption, but also in the failure of electrical components. In fact, we haven't lost a water pump since we installed the system."

Geoff Clifton, business development manager at VO4HOME, said: "Wern Watkin Bunkhouse already boasted an array of green products and initiatives, including a ground source heat pump and photovoltaic solar panels, when they approached VO4HOME. By installing our voltage optimisation system, we were able to contribute to existing green efforts by not only optimising energy savings, but also by addressing power quality issues."

"An increasing number of small businesses are turning to voltage optimisation to reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiency. Installations such as the one at Wern Watkin Bunkhouse, as well as a recent VO4HOME installation at a hair and beauty salon in Cyprus where savings of 13% were achieved, prove that small businesses can benefit considerably from voltage optimisation technology."

VO4HOME website

Images: VO4HOME / wernwatkin.co.uk

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News: Oak's losses continue following YES! Project termination

Oak Holdings has reported on a "difficult year" following the termination of the developer agreement for the YES! Project in Rotherham and the short term lease and associated management agreement for Rother Valley Country Park.

The delayed £350m proposal was set to create the largest undercover leisure based scheme in Europe but in January 2011, Rotherham Council terminated the development agreement relating to the YES! Project between RMBC, Oak Ventures Limited and Oak Holdings plc.

Oak took over the management of the well visited park as part of the developer agreement but the council terminated this agreement in October 2011 and the management of the park was brought back under the direct control of the council.

Oak Holdings plc has been temporarily suspended from the AIM stock exchange since then but trading has now been restored following a creditors' voluntary arrangement, new directors and a new investment strategy.

The company will be renamed Pires Investments and hope to raise £1m through a placing of new shares to fund the CVA and to pursue the new approved investing policy.

The company posted losses of £1.7m for the year ending October 31 2011. The loss included selling land bought for over £1m that was due to be used as access to the A57 for the YES! Project. The land has "little value above the bare agricultural value at which it is being sold back to the vendor."

Oak Holdings posted a loss before tax of £11.48m last year as a result of failing to prevent the termination of the developer agreement for the YES! Project.

Oak entered into a preferred developer agreement with Rotherham Council in May 2003 and the development agreement was signed in August 2008. Outline planning approval was granted in 2007 and updated plans for outline planning were approved in September 2010. The agreement was terminated by the council after Oak made a "material lack of progress."

The Council's cabinet selected new preferred developers in August 2011, China Vision Ltd and regeneration specialist MCD Developments. Their Visions of China project will be a £118m, 120 acre cultural theme park set in an authentically built and landscaped Chinese environment combining a range of experiences and activities for visitors.

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News: Firechill progresses free cooling technology

FireChill, the green cooling and heating company, is closer to taking their unique technology to market after successfully connecting one of its high-efficiency, gas-fired absorption chillers to a microturbine to deliver free cooling.


FireChill is working with Capstone to produce ammonia absorption chilling packages, powered by Capstone C65 Microturbines for combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) applications. The patented, heat-activated cooling technology recovers the energy from the exhaust heat of the low-emission microturbine and effectively delivers free cooling.

The green benefits are magnified many times by recycling the exhaust heat and by extracting the heat from the exhaust, there is less heat expelled into the atmosphere, reducing the effect of global warming.

The systems are well suited to construction sites, off-grid environments, data centres and a number of portable and temporary uses which opens the doors to new markets for both FireChill and Capstone distributors.

The units are to be manufacturing in Templeborough in Rotherham, creating 100 new jobs directly and many more in the supply chain. A joint venture (JV) between Rotherham-based Newburgh Engineering and Leeds-based Firechill was created in 2010.

Simon Clothier, CEO at FireChill, said: "This is a promising development for us and marks another milestone en route to launching our CCHP PowerChill product to a global market. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Capstone and look forward to being able to offer the ultra low cost cooling solution for sale through their worldwide network. Capstone's specialist distributors have been asking for this product for some time and will in due course develop numerous, free cooling applications.

"We are also pleased to have stolen a march on our competitors whom we know for a fact have been attempting to pair small-scale gas-fired chillers with microturbines for the past decade with limited success. The unique, dual-firing capability of FireChill's unit makes it even more competitive as the chiller can now operate 24/7 with or without exhaust heat."

FireChill's units have also been successfully fitted to an IVECO diesel generating set and when used in conjunction with a condenser, the technology can even produce water extracted from high humidity air, or recovered from cooling tower vapour and stored for later use.

In 2010 FireChill secured just under £1m from a group of private investors to add to the £4m invested to date in research and development. Further funding was secured last year.

The PowerChill family of products, which includes new heat capture technology, will be available for commercial sales later this year.

FireChill website

Images: FireChill

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News: Magna enjoys busy Easter

Magna Science and Adventure Centre in Rotherham recently welcomed the highest number of visitors through its doors on an Easter Monday for eight years.

Magna is the UK's first science adventure centre and is set in the former Templeborough steelworks.

The 1,556 people who visited in the bad weather was the highest number on an Easter Monday since 2004 and was the highest daily total for more than three years. Visitor numbers for the whole Easter break were also up on last year.

Hundreds even braved the cold at Magna's outdoor play areas Sci-Tek, which features trampoline nets, spinning bowls, tilted roundabouts, twisted slides as well as rockets and castles, and Aqua-Tek - one of UK's largest outdoor water play areas.

Magna's indoor four pavilions are on a theme of earth, air, fire and water, and visitors can also see the works' original arc furnace brought back to life through dramatic special effects.

There are daily guided steel tours to explain the steel making process and show what life was life for steel workers.

Easter also saw Rotherham-based F1 Showcars give visitors the chance to experience what it is like to be a Formula One driver in their full size simulator.

Karen Staniforth, marketing manager at Magna, said: "Magna offers something for all the family in all weathers. We have the four pavilions inside, which give a fascinating insight into the steel-making process for children and adults.

"And if the weather is good then the Sci-Tek and Aqua-Tek outdoor play areas are great for kids to let off steam."

Rotherham Council's cabinet recently approved a further one year loan facility to the Magna Trust. This would replace the existing loan facility, which would be repaid before the new loan was taken out. The operators of the venue, the Magna Trust is not allowed to go overdrawn under the terms their constitution.

Magna website

Images: visitmagna.co.uk

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News: Sarclad's £1.6m Rotherham investment

The move to Rotherham by Sarclad Limited will see the provider of advanced technology products for the metals industry invest £1.6m and double the firm's capacity.

Last week, Sarclad announced that it is relocating from Chesterfield into new larger premises at the Evolution development on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

The 13,597 sq ft of office space is the largest letting at the development by UK Strategic Partnership Ltd, a joint venture between Harworth Estates and Strategic Sites.

The firm employs 65 staff and specialises in world-leading products and applications for measurement, monitoring and quality improvement in the production and rolling of steel.

The new manufacturing centre and offices will allow for up to 100 per cent increase in capacity and the firm hopes to grow and boost staff numbers over the coming months.

Keith Shillam, managing director of Sarclad said: "We have great ambitions to grow and enter new markets with our strong reputation and client base. We have seen a massive increase in demand over the past few years and we needed a much larger facility to allow for future expansion.

"We now have the platform from which to leap forward and grow organically but also by acquisition if appropriate. We are excited about what we see as a massively positive development in Sarclad's 35 year history."

Lambert Smith Hampton advised on the deal and Grant Thornton is the firm's auditors and advisers.

Paul Houghton, partner at Grant Thornton in Sheffield, said: "Sarclad is a great manufacturing success story and is exactly the type of business that can help the region's economy to grow and recover. The newly announced Enterprise Zone is the perfect location for this type of growing high tech manufacturing employer.

"Keith has led a transformation of the business with a brand new management team over the past few months. With a first rate reputation within its markets and a strong pipeline of international orders, we expect to see Sarclad grow at its new base and fly the flag throughout the world for this region's manufacturing expertise."

Over the last 30 years Sarclad has grown and expanded around the world and now supplies quality equipment to all of the leading steel manufacturers and suppliers across 46 different countries. Turnover grew to £10m in the year to December 2011 with a raft of contract wins from metals manufacturers across Europe, the Far East and the Americas and expects to grow turnover by more than 50 per cent in 2012.

The new facility is set to become operational in May and an open evening is planned for May 23.

Sarclad website

Advanced Manufacturing Park website

Images: Sarclad / Grant Thornton

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News: Gallery Town artwork to be refreshed

The artwork on display as part of the Gallery Town project in Rotherham town centre is being refreshed, much like in a traditional art gallery.

As the next phase of artwork is just about to launch, local residents are being invited to vote on which piece they would like to see displayed most prominently.

By logging on to the Gallery Town facebook page (www.facebook.com/gallerytown), people have the chance to make their views count by taking part in the online ballot, which closes on Wednesday April 19 at 12 noon. Ballot papers can also be picked up and posted at locations in the town centre.

Five world renowned artwork pieces have been selected and the one which receives the most votes will be displayed in the largest, most prominent location in the town centre – this will be determined by whether a portrait or landscape piece is most popular. The artwork is by famous painters such as Edouard Vuillard, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Jan Van Eyck and Georges Seurat.

The spring/summer 2012 Gallery Town art trail is due to be officially launched in May on the seasonal themes of holidays, travel and water. This latest phase will feature reproductions of works by world renowned painters of the past, as well as artwork from local artists and school children from the Rotherham area.

In September last year, Rotherham became Gallery Town when a group of local entrepreneurs got together to arrange for 60 large pieces of artwork – including work by Rotherham students, local artists and some of the world's greatest painters – to be installed in key outdoor locations around the town.

The artwork is already displayed on shops and well known buildings such as Rotherham Market, English Opticians, Pop nightclub, along with several pieces on College Lane, alongside the B&M store and the walkway from Corporation Street through to the town centre Tesco.

The project, which is backed by the Rotherham LSP (Local Strategic Partnership) Board was started as a way to regenerate the town centre, attract more visitors and to help create more trade for local businesses.

Nick Cragg, local entrepreneur and member of the Rotherham LSP Board, said: "We had a great reaction from local people and retailers to Gallery Town during the first phase of artworks and it is really exciting to be introducing the next phase of the project. By running a ballot, we are hoping that as many local people as possible can get involved in choosing the artwork they would like to see displayed in the most prominent place."

Gallery Town website

Images: Gallery Town

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