News: AMRC support Bloodhound's supersonic bid

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham is supporting the twin aims of the Bloodhound Supersonic Car (SSC) project.

The British engineering showcase aims to break the world land speed record by achieving the supersonic speed of 1,000mph. It also aims to inspire future generations to take up careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by showcasing these subjects in the most exciting way possible.

The AMRC initially supplied testing expertise and resources to the Bloodhound team, helping with spin testing of the car's carbon brake discs alongside member company Vibrant NDT. Other testing projects followed, including measuring friction in the front suspension joints, and calibrating the attachment ring used to monitor the thrust produced by the rocket engine.

The AMRC's machining-focused Process Technology Group is now producing a number of key parts for the car, including gearbox components for the Cosworth auxiliary power unit.

Rotherham high-tech precision engineering sub-contractor, Newburgh Engineering is a project sponsor and has completed Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) gearbox casings for use in the car.

The AMRC group of centres will now produce other components, potentially including the car's rear sub-frame – a complex task which will require the large-scale machining capabilities of the Nuclear AMRC and the specialist services of member companies.

Richard Noble OBE, who is leading the Bloodhound project recently held a lecture at the AMRC on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham. He said: "The AMRC has come on board and are now making key parts including the all important rear sub frame as well as supporting the manufacture, test and calibration of vital components for the UK Rocket test.

"The facilities and resources at AMRC are truly world class and need to be seen to be believed."

The Bloodhound SSC education roadshow also recently visited the AMRC, with the 13.4 metre replica showcar on display next to the AMRC's MANTRA exhibition lorry. Around 120 8 to 10-year-old students from local schools visited to get a taste of advanced engineering, and to test their skills building balloon cars and piloting the Bloodhound simulator.

Phil Spiers, head of the AMRC Advanced Structural Testing Centre, said: "When the Bloodhound project was formed, I was keen to be involved and trained as a STEM ambassador to help spread the message about the benefit of science technology engineering and mathematics.

"I firmly believe that without a good skills base and future engineers, the UK will not be able to compete."

AMRC website

Bloodhound SSC website

Images: AMRC

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News: Events boost footfall in Rotherham town centre

Taking part in national, high profile events is helping to bring more people into Rotherham town centre.

Recent figures show a positive week-on-week footfall increase, up 13.3% in Rotherham, as the town celebrated Armed Forces Day and National Markets Day on June 23.

The figures are from Springboard, the retail insights specialist that tracks footfall in over 350 UK town and city locations.

National Armed Forces Day is this weekend but Rotherham hosted their own celebration and recognition event on June 23.

The day aims to raise public awareness of the contribution of the armed forces and to allow the country to show their support.

Rotherham has signed up to the Armed Forces Community Covenant, which aims to help service people leaving the Armed Forces to integrate into civilian life.

Stalls and family entertainment were in place in All Saints' Square with a parade through town in the morning.

National Markets Day was one of the recommendations made by retail consultant, Mary Portas in her review of the nation's High Streets and is part of the government backed "Love Your Local Market" campaign.

In Rotherham town centre, the home of Britain's best street market, stalls were offered to new traders and entrepreneurs for just £10.

Robin Lambert, manager of Rotherham Markets, said: "Our National Markets Day celebrations started last Saturday and are due to continue throughout the week until Friday, with new casual traders invited to take advantage of the £10 per day stall offering.

"This initiative has already proved to be a success, with the heightened promotional activity and increased variety on offer driving footfall up 13.3% compared to the previous Saturday.

"Despite the bad weather visitors from all over the South Yorkshire region took advantage of the enhanced offering, with many staying on in town to visit the high street shops too.

"Rotherham hosts regular markets and we frequently change the focus of what's on offer in order to keep people interested and eager to come back to the town again and again."

The town centre was also a focal point of the Olympic Torch relay passing through Rotherham on June 26. An estimated 30,000 people lined the streets as the torch made its way through the borough.

Rotherham town centre website

Images: John Healey MP / twitter

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News: Optare completes sale of Rotherham site

Bus manufacturer Optare has completed the sale of their Rotherham site.

Leeds-based Optare was sold to Blackburn coachbuilder Darwen Holdings in a £16m deal in 2008. An in-depth restructuring programme led to the decision to close the firm's plant at Hellaby.

The Rotherham manufacturing facility closed in July 2009 and the Cumbernauld service centre closed in November 2009. A service centre at Hellaby remained in operation.

In the group's latest final results the chairman stated that "while it has been a protracted process in a difficult commercial property market, the sale of the balance of the former Rotherham site has also been completed on 28 June 2012."

The total site is around 3,500 sq m and comprises a modern manufacturing facility, including two storey offices and a showroom area, with additional mezzanine areas.

The sale of the first part of the site was completed for just under £1m in 2011.

Optare, which is now 75 per cent owned by Ashok Leyland, has completed the restructure and moved into a single factory at Sherburn in Elmet. For the 15 months to March 31 2012, sales were £72m with a pre-tax loss of £8.8m.

Optare website

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News: Final sign off for A57 improvements

The government has granted their Full (final) Approval for the £14.7m transport scheme to upgrade the A57 from junction 31 of the M1 to Todwick crossroads in Rotherham, enabling work to begin.

The Department for Transport has granted £11.8m for improvements and Rotherham Council has committed £2.9m for the long-awaited scheme.

A public enquiry was concluded earlier this year when the planning inspector agreed with the council that the scheme would improve road safety and bring huge economic and regeneration benefits to the area.

The scheme improves an important 1 mile stretch of road between the M1 and A1 and supports the continued regeneration of the former coalfields at Dinnington which is now a thriving business location.

Planning permission for the initial scheme was secured in 2009 for a dual carriageway between the M1 and a new roundabout replacing the existing crossroads at Todwick.

Revisions were needed to reflect the drop in funding from the Government; the disbanding of Yorkshire Forward, which was also contributing to the scheme, and the cuts to local government.

Planning permission was approved last year for a revised scheme with a signalised crossing to replace the plan for a subway under the road. As a result, the road will also have a 50mph speed limit instead of the original 70mph limit.

The scheme requires compulsory purchase of the required land and is scheduled to open in December 2013.

Norman Baker said: "This is a useful scheme that will provide a boost for the local area by improving journeys for motorists, pedestrians and bus passengers. As well as reducing congestion on the road, this work will improve road safety so it's a win-win for the Dinnington area.

"The £11.8m we are putting into this scheme shows that this government is serious about investing in the infrastructure the country needs to drive economic growth."

The council has selected Ringway Infrastructure Services as the preferred contractor with the contract, if eventually entered into, serviced from Ringway's Rotherham office in Wath upon Dearne.

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News: BT names date for fibre broadband roll-out in Rotherham

High-speed fibre broadband will be rolled out to more than 30,000 homes and businesses in Rotherham and Thorne during 2013.

Through its local network business, Openreach, BT is making the investment in a mix of fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) and fibre to the premises (FTTP) technologies.


Both offer speeds many times faster than those currently available to most UK homes and businesses. FTTC, where fibre is delivered to the street cabinet, offers download speeds of up to 80Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps. FTTP, where fibre runs all the way to homes and businesses, offers download speeds of 110Mbps, with 330Mbps coming soon.

John Anderson, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at BT, said: "The arrival of fibre broadband in Rotherham and Thorne is a massive shot in the arm for the local economy, creating new businesses, jobs and educational opportunities.

"The benefits are major and wide ranging. As our new fibre network expands across Yorkshire and the Humber it also brings new potential for offering essential public services on-line and cost savings across the sectors.

"Local firms and households who make the switch to fibre broadband will be able to do so much more with their connection, whether they're using it for business, entertainment, education, social networking or shopping – or all of these at once. They're joining more than 10 million premises now passed by our fibre network and becoming part of one of the fastest roll-outs of the technology anywhere in the world."

Recent research by Regeneris Consulting predicted that over the next 15 years, BT's fibre broadband could give the economy of a typical town a £143m boost, create 225 new jobs and 140 new start-up businesses.

The move is in direct competition with the Digital Region project. Through a new fibre optic network, the Digital Region project will bring continuous 25mb+ broadband to over 97% of South Yorkshire, including 550,000 homes and 1.3 million people.

The £90m project was wholly owned by the now defunct Yorkshire Forward and the four local authorities of South Yorkshire.

Procurement is being finalised for a private sector partner to take over the operations of the broadband network.

BT Openreach website

Digital Region website

Images: openreach.co.uk

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News: Government wage subsidies extended in Rotherham

Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has announced that government incentives encouraging firms to employ young people will be extended in Rotherham.

As part of the Youth Contract, the £2,275 incentive is provided to firms who employ workers aged between 18 and 24 who have been out of work for nine months.

Rotherham is one of 20 areas where this has been brought forward for those young people who have been out of work for six months.

Speaking at the CBI Action for Jobs Summit, Clegg said: "Three months can make all the difference. When you feel like you're banging your head against a brick wall, when you live in an area where opportunities are already few and far between, another 12 weeks of rejection letters, of being cut off, of sitting at home waiting, worrying, that can seriously knock the stuffing out of you, making it extremely difficult to pick yourself up.

"So jobcentres will be able to make use of the subsidy before people are referred to the Work Programme, capitalising on their links with local employers, and they'll also intensify support, so more training, more regular coaching, spending more time with young people to knock a CV into shape or prep ahead of an interview."

The areas were selected as they had the highest rates of long term youth unemployment and the lowest rates of return to work.

Clegg added: "These are the young people who are hardest to reach in the labour markets that are hardest to crack, and they cannot be made to wait."

The move comes after Rotherham MP Denis MacShane described the levels of youth unemployment in Rotherham as "the travesty of "the lost generation" that is unfolding before our eyes."

The extra help will be on offer by the end of July.

Youth Contract website

Images: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

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News: Are You Ready? and Gripple Ltd team up to inspire primary entrepreneurs

Rotherham's award winning enterprise team Are You Ready? has joined forces with Sheffield manufacturer Gripple Ltd to pioneer primary enterprise on an innovative web-based student-business platform.

Are You Ready? and Gripple have worked together to create the first ever challenge aimed at primary school pupils on national enterprise challenge website MyKindaCrowd.

Until now, MyKindaCrowd has been focussed on secondary schools, colleges and universities. The website connects students and teachers directly with brands including Cisco, Nike and McDonalds through exciting enterprise challenges. Young people benefit by connecting with the world of work and business and teachers can integrate real life industry challenges into the curriculum.

The new challenge aimed at primary schools is called "Innovating for the Environment" and asks pupils to develop an idea for a product or service that would have an environmental benefit. To support teachers and pupils there are comprehensive learning materials to provoke and develop new ideas and innovations.

A £350 prize is available for the winning idea, and the chance for the winner to work with Gripple to produce a prototype of their idea.

Catherine Brentnall, director of Are You Ready?, said: "It has been great to work with Gripple Ltd and get the first ever primary challenge onto the MyKindaCrowd website.

"We love what Gripple Ltd stands for – it's a global business that is employee owned and puts sustainability at the heart of everything it does.

"Gripple Ltd has worked with us to develop its innovation methodology into a resource for primary school teachers and set a really exciting challenge. This is an amazing opportunity for teachers to stretch young people's creativity and excite them about how innovation and enterprise can benefit people and planet."

Gordon Macrae, special projects manager at Gripple Ltd, said: "We believe that business has a key role to play in inspiring young people about the world of work and business.

"Are you Ready? is leading the way in enabling teachers to make learning about enterprise part of children's school experience, and that is impacting on young people's skills, attitudes and ambitions.

"It is great to play a part in the process and be able to share our values and expertise with the next generation of entrepreneurs and enterprising employees."

Are You Ready? website

Gripple website

MyKindaCrowd website

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News: South Yorkshire employees set for sustainable journeys to work

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), with the four South Yorkshire councils, has secured £24.6m of Government funding to help boost the local economy and get people back to work.

The "Sustainable Journey to Work" project aims to invest in four main corridors in South Yorkshire including the Don Valley and the Dearne Valley which include key employment sites and communities in Rotherham.

The bid is for part of the Department for Transport's Local Sustainable Travel Fund. It builds on the £4.9m secured in 2011 for a key component bid for the project.

The bid seeks funding for a range of measures including improvements to bus routes, highway improvements, traffic management systems, cycle routes, training programmes, and information provision, as well as trials of electric vehicles, new bus services and other measures to help people get to work and training.

£10.9m had been earmarked for projects in the Don Valley and £2m for the Dearne Valley, based on a combination of genuine local need and a high potential for carbon-friendly economic growth.

Enhancements will also be focused at the Enterprise Zones along the M1.

The investment stands to benefit around 10,200 businesses in the four corridors which affects 226,000 jobs – with more jobs likely to be created.

A range of measures will be put in place including bus priority; 'Jobconnector' bus services; cycle routes; upgrade of tram stops; rail-based Park & Ride; promotion of electric vehicle use; infrastructure to unlock urban regeneration; training; marketing and travel planning.

Mick Jameson, chairman of the SYITA, said: "We welcome this crucial Government funding which will help support economic growth and help get people back to work.

"We have identified four key corridors in South Yorkshire which will greatly benefit from this level of investment and between them they include around 10,200 businesses and 226,000 jobs. We are confident that this funding will enable a step change in our ability to help people access jobs and help employers reach the right people.

"The Government wants to see carbon emissions reduced and this money will help facilitate economic growth while helping people to travel in a sustainable way."

Transport Minister Norman Baker, added: "We are serious about funding infrastructure where there is a clear business case for doing so. The money we are putting into these projects will unlock much greater economic benefits for communities as well as improving the environment – it's a win-win."

SYPTE website

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News: Meet the contractors

Buyers from 15 of the largest construction firms operating in Yorkshire are attending a supply chain event this week.

The event is part of the YORbuild programme which has simplified construction procurement frameworks for the region's Local Authorities, Public Sector Bodies and Third Sector Organisations.

Every year the YORbuild construction framework carries out over £100m of construction projects in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Their Supply Chain Engagement Programme is for any business that wants to supply services or goods to the framework, including subcontractors, materials suppliers, consultants and other service providers. 300 companies have already joined the programme.

The Open for Business event, at the offices of Senior Architectural Systems in Doncaster, takes place on June 29 at 11:30. It is open to everyone who wants to find out what YORbuild and the supply chain programme is all about.

Buyers from firms such as Bramall Construction, BAM, Henry Boot and Wilmott Dixon will be in attendance.

YORbuild Supply Chain Engagement Programme website

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News: Beatson Clark selected by Crabbie’s again

Rotherham glass manufacturer Beatson Clark has supported Crabbie's as they launch a new ginger sauce product.

Crabbie's Ginger Sauce, which was launched in Asda earlier this month, comes in Beatson Clark's standard 220ml square sauce bottle in white flint with a 31.5mm ROPP neck finish.

The sauce comes in two flavours - Ginger Spiced Sweet Chilli Sauce and Sweet Ginger Splash – and is being introduced two years after Halewood International chose a Beatson Clark bottle for the successful launch of its now famous Crabbie's Ginger Beer.

Ian Duffy, purchasing director at Halewood International, said: "The size and shape of the bottle met our requirements perfectly and, as the bottle is already used by our nominated bottling company, we knew there would be no filling issues.

"Beatson Clark is a well established supplier of ours and their bottle was available from their standard sale range, so there was no problem with availability."

Lynn Sidebottom, sales and marketing director at Beatson Clark, added: "We helped to launch Crabbie's Ginger Beer in 2010 so we're pleased Halewood International chose to work with us again for this launch this too.

"It is a perfect example of how we can work with larger companies as a new product development partner, enabling them to test and launch new products with minimum capital outlay."

The Greasborough Road company is undertaking a £10m investment programme involving improvements to the furnace and new high-tech equipment.

Beatson Clark website

Images: Beatson Clark

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News: Rotherham businesses welcome Olympic Torch

The Magna Science Adventure Centre played a spectacular part in the Olympic Torch relay that passed through Rotherham this week.

The symbolic flame was carried through the former massive Templeborough steel works by children's poet Debjani Chatterjee as part of the torch's 70-day relay around the UK.

He was greeted by local schoolchildren and businesspeople and photographed with the torch alongside the "Big Melt", a huge original electric arc furnace which dramatically roars back to life with pyrotechnics and sound to recreate the steel-making process.

Karen Staniforth, marketing manager at Magna, said: "Magna aims to not only inspire interest in science for the future but to preserve the history of steel making.

"Often taken for granted, steel is the backbone of Great Britain and most activities we do every day involve steel. The cars we drive, the roads we drive them, world travel, space travel – all involve steel. Even products that don't contain steel are made using steel machinery.

"The Rotherham and Sheffield region as a whole is inextricably linked with the history of steel and it is still important to our economy today. We hope the Olympic torch will help shine a light on this heritage."

More than 30,000 people lined the streets as the torch made its way through the borough. Templeborough print company, Horner Brothers celebrated with a "GB day" and Brinsworth-based manufacturers, the MTL Group, celebrated their own employee, Anita Adams and her role as a torchbearer.

Henry Shirman, Managing Director at MTL Group, said: "One of the key themes of the Olympic Torch Relay is about generating pride in communities across the nation. MTL Group is proud of its role in the community and we are delighted that Anita has been selected for the role.

"Since her appointment as HR Manager in 2010, she has been involved in the recruitment over 150 people here at MTL Group."

Thousands cheered on the torchbearers through All Saints Square and Clifton Park, with thousands more on the streets through the town centre, East Dene, Dalton and Thrybergh.

Councillor Roger Stone, Leader of Rotherham MBC, said: "People from across Rotherham have again shown what a fantastic community spirit there is here by turning out in their thousands for our moment to shine.

"I was lucky enough to be able to join the people in Clifton Park and there was a fantastic atmosphere and the numbers there were similar to the crowds we see for the Rotherham Show every September.

"Even the weather held for us and the event has been a major success in showing Rotherham's best qualities to a worldwide audience. We wish every other community well when they have their time with the Olympic Torch."

Magna website

Images: london2012.com / Magna

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News: Last stand for KCM at New York Stadium

Rotherham United has confirmed that local firm, KCM Waste Management will sponsor the North Stand at the New York Stadium.

The Greasborough Road company specialise in recycling, trade waste and skip hire and have signed a three year deal for the final stand with the League Two club.

The home end will be named The KCM Recycling Stand and the company become the fourth company to sign up to sponsor a stand at the £20m stadium, following Eric Twigg Foods, Morrison and Ben Bennett Jnr.

Phil Hickling, managing director at KCM, said: "I have been a fan of the club since I was six and I am tremendously excited about the move to the New York Stadium. I think the Chairman and everyone connected with the club have done a fantastic job and I am extremely proud to be a part of it.

Following the agreement Phil was given a guided tour around the Millers new home to have first hand glimpse of his stand, and was extremely impressed with the brand new state-of-the-art facility.

"I think if you asked most Rotherham fans, we would never have thought the club could move into such a fantastic stadium, but it is really happening, I cannot wait, it looks fantastic."

KCM have also secured a deal to continue the sponsorship of the dugouts for next season, extending an agreement into a third season.

"We have agreed to sponsor the dugouts again and I am hoping to have the grandchildren as mascots for the opening game," added Phil.

"I think we are going to have a great season, we have signed some excellent players and hopefully we can achieve promotion come May."

Rotherham United website

KCM website

Images: Rotherham United

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News: Spotamo sign up more independent retailers

Spotamo, a unique advertising company based in Rotherham, has signed up more independent retailers.

Based in RiDO's Century Business Centre in Manvers, the enterprise is helping retailers benefit from the new form of word of mouth advertising via social networks.

The Spotamo concept allows retailers to advertise an offer through a 2D barcode, often known as a QR Code. The free Spotamo app will scan the code and reveal the offer on a shopper's mobile device. In order to take up the offer, the customer needs to share it through Facebook or Twitter, giving the retailer free advertising in return.

Norma McSeveney from HavaHire a fitness rental company in Rotherham said: "I'm so impressed with what Spotamo has done for my business. I was always looking for the right place to advertise and now realise that my customers advertising me actually is a lot more powerful.

"My business has near enough doubled without me having to learn all about social networking."

As part of the Federation of Small Business, the enterprise aims to make Spotamo visible in every high street in the UK and give independent retailers the power, control and marketing tools to compete in today's tough retail environment.

Chris Cooper from Spotamo, said: "QR codes are big business in Asia, The Middle East and U.S.A and it's great to see that retailers in South Yorkshire are embracing this technology to promote their business with positive effects, we fully support the FSB "shop local" campaign and we are working with many independent retailers with the aim of kick starting the UK’s economy by giving shoppers a reason to shop locally."

Spotamo website

Images: Spotamo

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News: Get Set in Rotherham

Local employers will meet with the workforce of tomorrow at an event in Rotherham this week.

Get Set is a skills education and training event that bring employers and potential employees together at an informal venue in a way that breaks down communication barriers and opens opportunities.


Taking place at the Liquid & Envy nightclub in Rotherham town centre on June 27 and 28, the event aims to engage with young people to encourage them to take up the employment and training opportunities on offer in South Yorkshire.

Colleges, training providers and employers are attending and offering a broad range of educational opportunities, including apprenticeships.

Get Set will mix music, street-dance lessons, filming, editing and web designing in a way that breaks down communication barriers and opens opportunities, making the event different from a formal jobs fair.

Representatives due to attend include Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT), Rotherham Youth Enterprise, Rotherham United and Garnett Dickinson.

The Deputy Prime Minister is expected to announce today that subsidies made available for business to encourage them to take on young people out of work will be extended to include those out of work from six months.
Get Set website

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News: Rolls-Royce submit plans for Project PoWer in Rotherham

As construction gets underway on the first Rolls-Royce manufacturing facility in Rotherham, detailed plans have been submitted for their next factory on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

The 21,000 sq m "Project PoWeR" facility is proposed for manufacturing and assembling power vessels for the next generation of nuclear power stations. It will bring another 180 of the initial 360 jobs from Rolls-Royce.

Again designed by Sheffield architects, Bond Bryan, the rectangular factory will be built in Rolls-Royce's corporate style on 6.84 hectares of land at Plot 9 on the AMP.

The height of the building will be irregular as it will need to accommodate the production of vessels that will weigh 140 tonnes and stand 23 metres high. It will also include a furnace area that will reach temperatures of up to 60°C.

The development will also include office space, a gatehouse and utility buildings. Two new ponds will be created as part of the landscape plan creating a new valuable ecological habitat.

Rolls-Royce considers that its products constitute an advance upon present technology and success here at the AMP may also create opportunities beyond the UK's shores.

The plans have been put together by consultants, URS who are confident of this application being reported to the council's planning board in August.

The delivery of the first vessel is anticipated in 2015.

A spokesperson at Rolls-Royce, said: "Our plans for our new civil nuclear manufacturing facility continue to develop in line with our customer needs. We have completed purchase of the land, received outline planning permission from Rotherham Borough Council and have submitted our application for detailed planning permission."

Simon Spode, marketing manager at the AMP, added: "Coming only a week after the groundbreaking ceremony for the Rolls-Royce advanced blade casting facility, this is great news and further cements the relationship between the AMP and Rolls-Royce.

"It is clear that with Rolls-Royce see the value of the AMP, in terms of the land availability, the relevant skills and expertise in the region, and also the relative proximity to its Derby headquarters."

Work is underway on Rolls-Royce's 14,900 sq m Advanced Blade Casting Facility on the AMP and a third 8,800 sq m building has outline planning permission. The use is not yet known but it could be for another Rolls-Royce facility or for one of their suppliers, creating more jobs on the park.

Rolls-Royce website

Images: Rolls-Royce / URS

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News: A sell out at Rotherham’s New York Stadium

Executive boxes at Rotherham United's New York Stadium have sold out as local businesses rush to become part of the club's historic new era.

All six boxes at the £20m stadium, the club's new home from the 2012/13 season, have been sold, but the Millers are keen to point out that membership to the 1925 Club, which is setting a new standard in corporate hospitality, is still available.

The 1925 Club provides members with state-of-the-art hospitality, including bar, lounge and world class restaurant facilities as well as VIP parking. Members will watch the Millers from the very best seats in the house and a number of established South Yorkshire companies have already signed up.

Tony Stewart, chairman at Rotherham United, said: "As we expected, both the executive boxes and the 1925 Club have received a lot of interest, and the boxes are now sold out for the season.

"Local businesses are as excited by the fantastic New York Stadium as I am. The 1925 Club will provide the best networking facilities in the town and members will be able to entertain clients and customers in style while watching the Millers.

"I would urge local business people to sign up to the 1925 Club as soon as possible to avoid disappointment and confirm their seats while they are still available – as these are the hottest tickets in town."

Construction work on the stadium is being ramped up to ensure that everything is ready for the first friendly on July 21. Contractors are being given permission to work longer hours and over the weekends.

Last week, new signage was installed on to the main West stand.

Rotherham United website

Images: Rotherham United / 1925Club / twitter

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News: Machining of hard to machine metals

An event is taking place in Rotherham this week looking at the development of leading edge technology used in advanced manufacturing sectors such as aerospace, Formula 1 and the oil and gas industry.

The National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC) in Rotherham, is hosting the event focusing on the machining of hard to machine metals.

Advanced manufacturing faces ever demanding challenges in the machining of hard to machine metals used in the high technology sectors such as titanium, nickel alloys and higher grade steels.

For UK manufacturers to remain competitive, new tooling and new machining methods are constantly being developed which reduce machining times and reduce scrap thereby reducing costs.

Alastair Lang at NAMTEC is fully aware of the challenges and the efforts being made to help manufacturers. He said: "In South Yorkshire, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is developing new techniques which dramatically reduce machining times, not incrementally but a step change - for example in one instance from 70 hours to just 7 hours.

"On the same Advanced Manufacturing Park, Sandvik Coromant is developing the advanced tooling for machining those difficult to machine materials. These developments are crucial for UK manufacturers in an increasingly competitive world."

The seminar takes place in the Knowledge Transfer Centre on the AMP on June 27. It is co-organised by the Materials KTN – Metals and Alloys Group. The Materials Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) is supported by the Technology Strategy Board with the aim of stimulating UK innovation through knowledge transfer.

The seminar will enable delegates to learn about the developments in machining technologies to overcome specific issues with the machining of hard metals, this will enable them to machine faster with less rejects, thereby reducing costs and making them more competitive against foreign competition. Speakers confirmed from; Sandvik Coromant, Craftsman Tools, Wilde Analysis, AMRC, Technicut and Nikken.

The event will help companies make decisions about investment in capability and capacity to meet potential demand from sales growth.

NAMTEC website

Images: NAMTEC

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News: Man of Steel planning application submitted

A planning application has been submitted for a 27.3m high art installation on a former land fill site in Rotherham.

The "Man of Steel" has been designed to be a landmark gateway sculpture close to the M1 that "will recognise the history of steel and coal in the region, and preside over a new age of technology and specialised steel production."

The main aim of the development is to provide a unique landmark, which will provide additional stimulus to the regeneration around the site and the overall local economy.

The sculpture has been designed by Sheffield artist Steve Mehdi, who is leading the project, and would be higher than the Angel of the North in Gateshead. The plans have been put together by Axis Architects.

The man would sit on the FCC Environment Group's site on Meadowhall Road in Rotherham, overlooking the M1 and Meadowhall Shopping Centre, close to where the Tinsley Towers used to stand.

The final stage of site remediation is underway, and the proposals aim to improve the landscape offer on the site. The site around the sculpture would be open to all members of the local and wider community.

The man of steel would sit on a 16.3m tall plinth with the potential to include an internal viewing platform.

A spokesperson for the project, said: "Man of Steel embodies the generations of workers who passed through numerous factory gates and left their mark and their memories on the landscape. Enshrined in a mantle of steel and coal this symbol of a former age honours the past while presiding over a new age of technology and invention."

It is expected that the £2.7m cost of the project will be privately funded.

Man of Steel website

Images: Axis Architects

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News: Rolls-Royce’s new facility will attract further world class manufacturers to Rotherham

Landowner, Harworth Estates, anticipates further leading edge manufacturers being attracted to the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham as construction starts on a new state of the art facility for Rolls-Royce.

The 14,900 sq m Advanced Blade Casting Facility will use cutting edge manufacturing techniques to produce single crystal turbine blades for Rolls-Royce's most modern, high-thrust Trent engines.

Owen Michaelson, managing director at Harworth Estates, said: "Harworth Estates is attracting the world's leading manufacturers to Waverley Advanced Manufacturing Park in order to help deliver a large number of high end jobs to the region.

"This latest Rolls-Royce development adds to the AMP's international reputation. With further land now available, and with the AMP being an integral element of Sheffield City Region's Enterprise Zone, we anticipate that further world class manufacturers will join Rolls-Royce at the AMP."

In May, Harworth Estates, the property arm of UK Coal, confirmed a deal for the sale of 32 acres of land on the AMP to Rolls-Royce worth around £11m.

The facility is one of three Rolls-Royce facilities eventually planned for the AMP. In addition to the blades casting facility Rolls-Royce has identified locations at the AMP for a factory to manufacture, assemble and test components for the proposed next generation of civil nuclear power stations, and a third, smaller factory which could house one of Rolls-Royce's suppliers. Together the facilities are expected to support about 360 skilled jobs.

Rotherham Borough Council has also welcomed the start of work. Councillor Roger Stone, Leader of Rotherham Borough Council, said: "This is a major milestone in the work around the Advanced Manufacturing Park and in the regeneration of Rotherham.

"Having Rolls Royce based here not only brings new jobs but will help our work regionally, nationally and internationally to show that Rotherham can offer the right location with the right local skills base to meet the needs of internationally-renowned companies."

Rolls-Royce website

Images: AMP

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News: Rise in sales at Crawshaw

Like for like sales are now running at 4% higher than last year at Crawshaw, the Rotherham-based meat-focused retailer.

In their financial results for the year January 31 2012, the Bradmarsh Business Park company saw sales for the year of £18.9m, slightly down from the previous year (£19.1m). Like for like sales were down 4%.

Since then, the AIM-listed company has seen sales increase.

Richard Rose, chairman at Crawshaw will make the following statement with regard to current trading at their AGM: "As reported previously, following managements' actions to stimulate growth, like for like sales have significantly improved since last autumn and I am pleased to announce that this trend has continued. Year to date like for like sales are now running at 4% higher than last year."

The group, which has 20 retail outlets, reported that sales in May were particularly encouraging with legacy stores being 6% higher than the same period last year and newer stores being 12% higher than the same period last year.

Overall sales in June are running in line with trend at 4% higher than last year, despite the recent lack of BBQ sales opportunities, as compared to the previous year.

In May the chairman stated that his confidence has been undermined by the Chancellor's decision to propose the introduction of VAT on hot food. Today he added: "The recently announced concessions have helped in so far as we would be permitted to sell such items "on the cool" VAT free. This does however create in itself some anomalies, particularly affecting our small format stores.

"We have therefore made further representations to the Treasury, both in writing and in person, and are hopeful that workable solutions can be found."

Crawshaw website

Images: Crawshaw

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News: International business events in Rotherham

Rotherham is hosting two free events to support local companies in developing their international business and boost exports.

Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RIDO), the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council is joining up with experts from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) as part of the "Soft Landings Zone" (SLZ) project.

The project supports Rotherham companies looking to export and is managed by RiDO and funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

In addition to helping overseas companies that are looking to establish operations in the UK, the SLZ project works with local companies through accelerated support programmes to develop ideas that have true potential to create export focused businesses.

On June 26, businesses can access free expert advice on accessing overseas markets. Simon Bedford, international development specialist at UKTI will be delivering a presentation on the various routes to market available for products or services, with advice on developing strategies to take advantage of them. Delegates will gain an insight into all aspects of international business and the first steps towards entering a new market.

On July 4, businesses can learn how to communicate effectively with potential foreign customers by adapting marketing material from expert speaker Mary Cousins, director at Lloyd International Communications and export and communications consultant for UKTI. Mary Cousins is a communications specialist on international sales and marketing, foreign languages and intercultural communications.

It will look at how to develop marketing and websites to make them accessible in foreign languages and to different cultures.

Both morning events will take place at RiDO's Fusion @ Magna business centre at Templeborough.

Interested businesses should contact Julia.millea@rotherham.gov.uk

Rotherham Investment and Development Office

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News: Tesco's Rotherham move moves closer

Tesco's move across Rotherham town centre has taken a step closer after the retail giant finalised legal terms with the developer, TCN.

Plans for the new £40m Tesco Extra were approved by the members of the planning board at Rotherham Council earlier this month and were referred the to the government's National Planning Casework Unit. The body handles major planning applications on behalf of the Secretary of State and if they decide not to intervene, planning permission will be granted, subject to a number of conditions.

The proposals are for a Tesco 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.

Tesco will then close their outdated store on Forge Island.

The development would create 450 jobs (200 full time and 250 part time). 200 of these are additional to the current store and all staff at the current store would be guaranteed a job at the new site.

The complex land deal involves Anglo-Dutch developer, TCN, purchasing the civic sites from Rotherham Council for £7m. A lease has now been agreed between TCN and Tesco. The retailer will rent the space for a period of 30 years at an annual rent of £2m.

Construction costs are £31m amd the estimated development value exceeding £35m with a yield of around 5.5%.

The developers are also making a multimillion pound investment in improving the road network, including removing the Centenary Way flyover.

The construction of the project starts in October and the project is expected to be completed in December 2013.

Richard Pearce, director of TCN UK, is excited about the momentum this development will create for the town centre and surrounding area. He said: "It took a long time for all of the components in the process to come together.

"We are very pleased with this successful deal for all parties, including Rotherham Council, the owner of the land."

In 2007, TCN entered on exclusivity agreement on nine council-owned sites covering over 10.5 acres of the town centre. The agreement is set to end in September.

TCN website

Images: TCN / Smith Smalley

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News: Fabricated Products move across Rotherham

Fabricated Products has moved to new premises in Rotherham after securing a £600,000 loan from The Co-operative Bank.

Fabricated Products UK Ltd supply products and services that are utilised by companies in industries such as water treatment and heating and ventilation throughout the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Australia.

The funding has been used to move from The Ickles at Templeborough and buy new premises at nearby Fullerton Road.

The growing firm was established by Gary and Debra Brown in 2001 and now employs 14 people.

Gary Brown, managing director of Fabricated Products, said: "Our business has come on in leaps and bounds over the past few years, which saw us outgrowing our former premises. Our new base at Fullerton Road will provide us with the space necessary to continue to grow the business in the future."

The loan was provided by the South Yorkshire corporate banking centre of The Co-operative Bank in Sheffield.

David Lee, business development manager at The Co-operative Bank, said: "Fabricated Products is a thriving business, providing unique high quality products and services to a growing customer base worldwide and we look forward to helping Gary, Debra and the team to achieve their business goals."

Fabricated Products website

Images: Co-operative Bank

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News: Rotherham celebrates National Markets Day

Rotherham town centre, the home of Britain's best street market, is celebrating National Markets Day by offering market stalls for just £10.

On Saturday June 23, new and casual traders and entrepreneurs are being encouraged to try out running their retail business at a low cost.

Stalls will also be available free of charge to charity organisations.

The day was one of the recommendations made by retail consultant, Mary Portas in her review of the nation's High Streets and is part of the government backed "Love Your Local Market" campaign.

A spokesperson for The National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA), said: "Some people will simply use the opportunity to gain an experience and, as such, it may plant a seed that will flourish in later years particularly in respect of colleges and high schools.

"For others it may be the start of a career in market trading. Marks & Spencer and Morrisons started on a market stall. There is no reason why a new generation of market traders cannot aspire to such achievements."

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, added: "The bustle of a busy market has long been a great British tradition. Markets are a vital and vibrant part of any town's shopping experience. These energetic traders are not just somewhere to find a great deal, they are an important part of local economic life that deserve our support.

"Love Your Local Market fortnight is a really exciting opportunity for towns and villages to boost their high street economy. For any local entrepreneur who's dreamt of starting a business, now is the time to try it and take advantage of the special trader rates on offer - it doesn't come much better than a tenner to start a new business."

NABMA awarded Rotherham first prize in the category of "Best Street / Outdoor Market" at their national awards ceremony held in January.

Rotherham has been a successful market town for over 800 years - its original royal market charter was granted by King John in the year 1207. The outdoor market sees 44 quality stalls line Effingham Street every Tuesday.

Mary Portas, saw for herself how the bustling, lively market brings the town centre to life when she visited Rotherham last year.

Anybody interested in booking a stall should contact the Markets team on 01709 336959.

Rotherham town centre website

Images: RMBC

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News: Redtooth gets shirty with The Blades

Redtooth, the UK's leading supplier of entertainment to the licensed trade has signed a shirt sponsorship deal with Sheffield United.

The Barlborough company is renowned for pub quizzes and attracts a huge following by organising and running the UK's largest pub poker league in more than 1,000 venues with 140,000 registered players. It culminates in a national final in Las Vegas where 100 players battle it out to become the UK Pub Poker Champion.

Redtooth is headed by Rotherham-based managing director and lifelong Sheffield United fan, Martin Green.

Martin, who now lives in Moorgate, said: "We are really pleased to be on board for United's promotion push for next season, coming at a time when we are about to announce another significant venture in pub and club entertainment with two high profile sporting names."

Steve Coakley, commercial director at Sheffield United, added: "Having dealt with Martin previously we are looking forward to the opportunity of working with Martin and his team next season. Redtooth have become a very successful business in the last decade and we are delighted to announce this partnership with an organisation having such a terrific reputation."

Redtooth will continue to have a commercial partnership with the Blades and continue a shirt sponsorship Sheffield Wednesday. They previously sponsored the away shirt for Rotherham United.

Redtooth website

Images: Redtooth

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News: Rolls-Royce break ground in Rotherham

World-renowned engineers, Rolls-Royce, has begun the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Rotherham.

Business Secretary Vince Cable was on hand at the ceremony to mark the start of construction on the Advanced Blade Casting Facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park.

The 14,900 sq m factory is the first of three facilities on the park that has secured outline planning permission. It will be home to the first 180 employees of an initial 360 Rolls-Royce staff in Rotherham.

The multi million pound facility will produce a specific portfolio of civil aerospace parts, such as turbine blades, using advanced manufacturing techniques and an increased level of automation.

Mike Mosley, executive vice president – Turbines, at Rolls-Royce, said: "Rolls-Royce invests in world class technology and infrastructure to expand the scale and efficiency of our operations and to deliver our promises to our customers. In the last five years we have invested over £950m on infrastructure in the UK alone.

"The Advanced Blade Casting Facility will use cutting edge manufacturing techniques to produce single crystal turbine blades, which play a critical role in jet engines and must withstand incredibly harsh conditions."


The new foundry will be used for Rolls-Royce's pioneering work in the manufacture of single crystal (SX) turbine blades. It is developing new, high-productivity manufacturing processes to create these important and highly complex aero engine components. Turbine blades are required to withstand centrifugal loads of up to ten tonnes while operating at up to 200 degrees above the melting point of their alloy.

The factory will manufacture advanced turbine blade castings for the company's most modern, high-thrust engines. There are over 65 in every iconic Trent engine.

Construction work is expected to extend over a 12 month period and the facility will be capable of manufacturing 100,000 blades per year when fully operational in 2014.

Business Secretary Vince Cable, added: "Today is further evidence of Rolls-Royce's strong commitment to the UK and the strength of advanced manufacturing we have in this country. This new facility is good news not just for Rolls-Royce and the local area but for our aerospace sector and the wider economy too. It provides a good example of business and Government working together to deliver growth."

Simon Spode, marketing manager at the AMP, added: "The ground-breaking for the new Rolls-Royce blade casting facility sees another key milestone in the history of the Advanced Manufacturing Park project.

"It was always envisaged that the AMP would accommodate both world-class research organisations and high quality production facilities.

"With the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, Castings Technology International (Cti), TWI and the Nuclear AMRC on the AMP we had already achieved the first of these aims and now with Rolls-Royce gearing up for production of their aerospace turbine blades we begin to achieve the second of these challenges too."

Rolls-Royce website

Images: Rolls-Royce

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News: Government funding boost for AMRC

The government used today's ground-breaking ceremony by Rolls-Royce on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham to announce an £80m investment package to keep the UK at the forefront of advances in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

The package includes an investment of £25m, with business, led by Rolls-Royce, providing a further £40m, for a series of collaborative research and technology projects.

SAMULET II (Strategic Affordable Manufacturing in the UK through Leading Environmental Technology) will investigate new manufacturing processes aimed at increasing productivity and making the best use of resources.

Dr Cable said: "Our investment in manufacturing research and technology is a good example of Government and business working together to deliver growth.

"This type of research will help ensure the UK stays at the forefront of advanced manufacturing. That is particularly true in sectors such as aerospace where we have a world leading position - and are determined to keep it that way.

"The new factory that Rolls-Royce are building [in Rotherham] will create at least 150 highly skilled jobs which doesn't just mean good news for them but for our aerospace sector and the wider economy too."

The SAMULET programme will also involve extensive collaboration with The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham.

Another boost for the AMRC is the announcement that the government will separately invest £15m in new capital equipment for the High Value Manufacturing Catapult - part of a Government backed network of technology and innovation centres - which will assist projects such as these across the advanced manufacturing sector.

Based on the AMP, The AMRC and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) are lead partners in the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

Launched in Rotherham last year, the centre supports a number of industries and will commercialise business-led research and innovation that will help UK manufacturing businesses become more competitive on a world stage.

Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, said: "Innovation in advanced, high value, manufacturing is fundamental to our future success and is a major driver of economic growth.

"As the UK's innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board has an important role to play supporting and encouraging innovative companies to develop breakthrough manufacturing technologies – technologies that are more efficient, more sustainable, and that can exploit new product and process opportunities.

"We also welcome the further investment in the HVM Catapult, which will expand its offering of cutting edge technologies available for UK companies large and small."

AMRC website

Images: amrc.co.uk

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News: Strong global sales supports continued growth at AESSEAL

Leading Rotherham company, AESSEAL, has posted their latest financial results and is expecting to continue the uninterrupted sales growth seen over the last 30 years.

AESSEAL specialise in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals, bearing protectors and environmental control systems for process equipment, maximising reliability and protecting the environment from leakage. Their products are crucial to sectors including oil & gas, pharmaceutical, mining and power generation.

In its annual results to 31 December 2011, the Templeborough company reported that sales were up 19.5% to £123.9m and EBITDA (earnings before tax) was £22.8m, up 22.9%.

AESSEAL, which is backed by international investors, 3i, enjoyed a rise in operating profit to £18.2m.

They reached a landmark in their continued growth by passing the £100m mark for sales for 2010, the first time that the sum has been reached in a calendar year in the history of the company.

Amazingly, despite breaking the £100m annual turnover barrier, sales are expected to rise from £123.9m in 2011 to £150m by 2012.

The aim is to reach sales of £200m by 2015 and to be the number one in the world in 2029.

They won the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2011 for international trade (their 12th overall), recognising that over six years the company's overseas earnings have more than doubled and three-quarters of its output are now exported to its markets in more than 100 countries.

90% of sales are from outside of the UK, with sales to North America and emerging markets contributing strongly to sales growth in 2011.

Chris J. Rea, OBE, managing director at AESSEAL, said: "Whilst the UK economy hovered on the edge of recession for much of 2011, at AESSEAL we have managed to further strengthen our global sales. This is through continued investment in our customer value proposition."

AESSEAL's guiding principles focus on innovation and customer service. AES employment levels rose by 5% overall to 1,331 during 2011, with an increase of 25%in direct customer facing employees. AESSEAL also invested in stock, which rose £4m year on year. This was done to provide faster delivery to more customers.

Other highlights included the growth through the acquisition of Absolute Vacuum in the UK and two key acquisitions within the core US market.

At their global headquarters in Rotherham, experts have been working on new products for hydrocarbon applications and the development of dry gas seal technology for compressors.

Rea added: "We have made significant product technology and customer service infrastructure investments over the last decade, and I believe we are seeing the benefits.

"I also believe that more businesses need to operate a culture of empowerment – particularly within international markets. People need to take ownership of the results, supported by competent management and solid processes from the central organisation. I think too many international businesses either exercise too much or too little control. At AESSEAL we place a huge amount of importance on empowerment, but with high standards and robust processes."

AESSEAL website

Images: AESSEAL

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News: RGF bid submitted for multimillion pound infrastructure project

Public and private sector partners from across the Sheffield City Region have submitted a bid to the government's Regional Growth Fund (RGF), to support a project to improve the infrastructure around the region's Enterprise Zone (EZ) and boost investment and job creation.

Harworth Estates, Henry Boot Developments, Sheffield Business Park Ltd, Peel Holdings and Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO) – the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council, with the support of local authorities in Bolsover, Chesterfield and Sheffield, Derbyshire County Council and the local Chambers of Commerce are looking to deliver key infrastructure works and unlock over £92m of private sector investment.

One key site in the EZ is the Advanced Manufacturing Park and Waverley in Rotherham (pictured). The project would support the construction of a new improved road junction and additional ground works to accelerate development of a 280 hectare (692 acre) former UK Coal site.

In addition the project would support works to key junctions on the local strategic road network that improve access for heavy and oversized loads from the Sheffield and Rotherham EZ locations to the motorway network, thereby increasing the investment potential of the EZ for manufacturing companies.

Initial estimates indicate that over 5,000 jobs will be created with support from the project including both construction employment followed by modern manufacturing jobs and a range of support roles.

Gerald Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development at Rotherham Council said: "There is already clear evidence that businesses see the advantages of locating in the Sheffield City Region and are looking to invest. It is critical to ensure that we have a supply of serviced sites available at good quality locations to satisfy both the current and future demand from these requirements.

"With the assistance sought through this project, the region's EZ sites will offer a complete solution, ready to deliver growth and jobs."

The RGF is the government's main source of funding for economic development and regeneration. Over 400 applications are competing for a share of £1 billion funding in the third round of the fund.

AMP website

Rotherham Investment & Development Office

Images: Harworth Estates

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News: Onyx Group opens Rotherham datacentre

Onyx Group has officially opened its South Yorkshire datacentre in Rotherham, providing local businesses with a range of innovative and flexible solutions to their data hosting and management needs.

The Manvers centre also offers a comprehensive business continuity service that companies can use in the event of a disruption that can prevent them from accessing their offices.

Stockton business IT provider, Onyx Group, which specialises in business continuity, datacentre and cloud services, has heavily invested in the site to ensure it can provide the appropriate level of infrastructure, power, security and resilience to businesses that choose to host and secure their data at the facility.

The sheer scale of this datacentre, combined with its business continuity seats, is a unique and attractive offering for businesses in the region. It stands at 22,000 sq ft, providing high capacity data hosting and workplace recovery seats, which will provide space for 320 racks and 500 business continuity positions.

Neil Stephenson, CEO at the Onyx Group, said: "The datacentre will provide great benefits to Yorkshire businesses because it is unique in its approach as it can house all of a company's datacentre and business continuity services under one roof.

"Opening a facility like this is great news for the Yorkshire region as it demonstrates that businesses are keen to invest here and provide support to a thriving, innovative business hub which is fast becoming one of the UK’s key regions for growth."

The datacentre is one of 11 Onyx sites throughout the UK including London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, and Teesside. This includes five datacentres and six workplace recovery facilities.

Onyx Group website

Images: onyx.net

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News: Gym and café set to move to New York

Plans have been submitted on behalf of the first two commercial occupiers inside Rotherham United's New York Stadium.

Under construction on the site of the former Guest & Chrimes Foundry, close to Rotherham town centre, the £20m development is just weeks away from hosting the first friendly fixture.

Now plans have been submitted that will see the largest units either side of the North stand taken by a 575 sq m gym and a 300 sq m café.

The gym and fitness centre would be on the corner of the North and main West stand and would include a mezzanine level.

The café would be on the corner of the North and East, family stand, fronting the River Don.

The operators are yet to be announced but there is a strong possibility that a Starbucks will open in the 12,000 seater stadium given the long standing partnership between the American coffee giant and Lindley Catering, the contracted company developing the conference and events business, and managing all aspects of match day and non-match day catering for Rotherham United.

Planning permission is required for "non-ancilliary" uses at the New York Stadium as the current planning permission only covers uses linked to the football club such as the club shop and conference space.

Simon Chadwick, managing director at Signet Planning, who are working on behalf of The Millers, said: "The club has been finalising proposals for non-football related activities within the stadium complex in order to improve the viability of the stadium.

"The objective is to make the stadium a more integral part of Rotherham rather than just having it used on match days.

"The presence of a new football stadium (as other towns and cities such as Chesterfield and Derby have recently experienced) provides a focal point not just for community activity but also for economic activity."

30,000 sq ft of high specification lettable space is available within the stadium with Rotherham's Burgess Commercial the appointed agents.

Tony Stewart, chairman of Rotherham United urged more business to follow the gym and café and get involved. He said: "The staff at Rotherham United already have the excitement of moving into the New York Stadium, and it's one that I want as many people as possible to share. By moving into this wealth of lettable space, you're not only taking a unit, but you're taking your place in what I believe is one of the most exciting venues in the region.

"It's not secret, the number of people who will be passing on matchdays, and if you have one of the seven ground floor units, the passing trade will be tremendous.

"We want the New York Stadium to be a hive of activity both on and off matchdays, and this is your chance to be a part of it."

A planning application has also recently been submitted for a five metre by four metre club crest to take pride of place high above the main entrance of the main stand.

Rotherham United website

Images: Lindley Group / twitter

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News: ZND barriers make royal appearance

Barriers made in Rotherham by ZND UK played a high profile role in the recent celebrations in London for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Barbot Hall company secured a lucrative contract to supply around 85 kilometres of pedestrian barriers for use by The Metropolitan Police at a range of events in the capital over the summer.

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

A spokesperson at ZND UK, said: "The Diamond Jubilee weekend may have been a wet affair but most agreed it was a time to celebrate.

"Our pedestrian barriers were everywhere! It was almost impossible to watch any TV coverage without them making an appearance."

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.

ZND UK website

Images: ZND UK

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News: Rotherham colleges to collaborate

Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT) and Dearne Valley College (DVC) are to collaborate in a bid to improve their services and their business efficiency.

The governing bodies of the two colleges have decided to collaborate on areas including joint curriculum development and joint employer engagement activity, together with co-operation over staff recruitment.

The institutions moved quickly to state that the move is not a merger.

In a joint statement, Gill Alton, principal at RCAT and Ioan Morgan, interim principal at DVC, said:"Rotherham College of Arts and Technology and Dearne Valley College are successful colleges giving good service to their communities whilst operating in challenging times, but this throws up opportunities.

"To ensure a sustainable future innovative measures have to be taken. To maximise our opportunities going forward the Governing Bodies of DVC and RCAT have decided to collaborate in significant ways.

"To be clear, this is not a merger, but it is about close working, growth, excellence and putting the student first. We hope this initiative will lead to great things and prevent some of the more extreme business reduction processes having to be implemented that we see happening elsewhere."

RCAT website

DVC website

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News: AMRC at the forefront of innovation in manufacturing

The spin-out company of The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham is to share government funding of over £6.5m to stimulate innovation in the UK's manufacturing sector.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board are to provide grant funding to support the development of new technologies that have the potential to underpin new production processes in a wide range of industrial applications and market sectors.

AMRC Manufacturing Ltd has been named as a lead partner and the focus of the R&D will be on production technologies that can create high value through novel processes, advanced product manufacture, resource efficiency and production techniques.

The projects will also encourage the development of technologies that will facilitate greater environmental sustainability through efficient disposal, recycling or remanufacture of assets at the end of their useful life.

Projects include developing autonomous intelligent machining, on-line control of welding processes using ultrasonic test techniques and the sustainable and resource efficient cutting of titanium.

Established in 2001, the AMRC is a world-class centre for collaborative research. Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, the centre has over 60 industrial members, from global aerospace giants to local SMEs; and employs around 200 researchers and engineers, from apprentices to PhDs.

Professor Dave Delpy, chief executive of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), said: "Investment in cutting edge manufacturing research and the translation of that into commercial applications is the key to economic success. EPSRC has a portfolio of 350 live projects and an investment of £380m in the manufacturing sector.

"The UK is not alone in placing increased importance on advanced manufacturing. Funding projects such as these will help maintain our competitiveness against international peers such as the US and Germany."

Iain Gray, chief executive of the Technology Strategy Board, added: "The Technology Strategy Board has an important role to play, through funding for such collaborative research and development, helping UK businesses to accelerate the development of new equipment, processes and expertise brought about by technology innovation.

"Manufacturing capability is often built on, and strengthened by such new-found technology and this can be a significant driver of economic growth."

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

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News: G4S at the NYS

G4S Secure Solutions (G4S), the UK's leading security company, has been awarded a three year contract with Rotherham United.

From July, G4S will be providing a range of security services at the club's new site, the New York Stadium, including car parking marshals, crowd searches, ticket checks and stewarding.

The £20m, 12,000 seater stadium is nearing completion on the site of the former Guest & Chrimes foundry, close to the town centre.

G4S will secure the club's first game at its new site, for a pre-season friendly against Barnsley FC on July 21. The first competitive fixture has been confirmed as the League Two game against Burton Albion on August 18.

G4S' existing portfolio of professional football clubs includes Manchester City and the new contract follows the business' temporary work with The Millers during their time playing at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield.

Eric Alexander, managing director of Regional Security at G4S Secure Solutions, said: "We are delighted with our new partnership with Rotherham United Football Club and are looking forward to developing our relationship and supporting the transition to their new stadium.

"It is great to be expanding our footprint in this part of the country and we are looking forward to using our extensive experience to provide a seamless security solution whilst expanding our football credentials."

Paul Davis, stadium manager at Rotherham United, added: "Having worked with G4S previously during the transition between our old and new stadiums, we are confident that they can provide the expertise required to ensure the safety of our players and fans at all times."

Recruitment is underway.

G4S website

Rotherham United website

Images: 1925 Club / twitter

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News: Rotherham apprentice recognised for his skills

Rotherham apprentice, Jake Matthewman, has been named as a runner-up at the National Craft Skills Awards presented by Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies.

The award, sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers association, City of London, includes a £100 voucher as reward for his performance.

Jake is undertaking his advanced apprenticeship in mechanical manufacturing and engineering in Sheffield at Sandvik Coromant, the market leader in the manufacture and supply of cemented carbide cutting tools.

He is also completing a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering from Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT).

Joe Hargreaves, Jake's training coordinator from the Semta Apprenticeship Service, said: "Jake Matthewman was among the highest level of entrants for this year's craft skills award. He was chosen as runner-up for demonstrating a consistently high performance level and excellent achievements in his practical and academic work.

"For the last 10 years, the Semta Apprenticeship Service has offered apprenticeships for the metals and manufacturing sector with consistently high completion rate. We are always very pleased to see enthusiastic, dedicated talent in the engineering and manufacturing industry and congratulate Jake with his achievements; we look forward to working with new apprentices like Jake in the years to come."

Robert Bloomfield, senior manager HR of Sandvik Coromant, added: "Jake is part of our apprentice training programme in Sheffield and will progress to become a qualified engineer in our R&D facility.

"It is always very encouraging to see our Apprentices recognised for their hard work. We consider ourselves to be very fortunate to have three very capable engineering apprentices as that resource will equip us with valuable skills in the future."

Sandvik Coromant website

RCAT website

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News: Allprint appointment

Clare Garner has joined the northern office of Allprint Supplies in Rotherham as account manager.

Clare, who is 24 and comes to her post with the support of Benchmark Recruit, previously worked with Virgin Media, progressing to become a B2B Customer Service Executive.

One of the UK's leading suppliers of sign vinyl and materials to the sign, exhibition and display markets Allprint Supplies – which has its northern base at the Magna 34 Business Park at Templeborough - provides a range of print vinyls including sign vinyls for sign makers, self adhesive vinyls, solvent, latex and aqueous printing media, laminates, print finishing films, letter cutting vinyl, plotting media and solvent and eco solvent printing inks for printing and professional graphics applications.

The Rotherham office became part of the Allprint group in 2010 when Graphica Plus Limited trading as Andersons, was sold out of administration.

Allprint Supplies website

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News: Assured awarded Jaguar Land Rover contract

Fast-growing Assured Fire and Security has been awarded a major new maintenance contract with Jaguar Land Rover.

The award winning Rotherham fire and security specialist will be providing CCTV maintenance at all three main Midlands Jaguar Land Rover sites in Whitley, Leamington and Gaydon.

The new global headquarters at Whitley, near Coventry, includes 155 acres of engineering space and is home to approximately 2,000 employees.

The company's Gaydon site hosts high-technology design and engineering facilities and is home to 3,000 employees.

Leamington hosts an academy where both technical and commercial training for the Jaguar and Land Rover UK dealer networks takes place.

The roll call of national clients of Dinnington-based Assured now includes such major names as Tata Steel, Rolls Royce, Nissan, Honda, Lafarge, Harveys Furniture, Toolstation, Warner Brothers, Games Workshop, River Island as well as other commercial, public sector, industrial and manufacturing companies.

Simon Stokes, managing director at Assured, said: "We are delighted to be strengthening our links with existing customers like Jaguar Land Rover.

"We see this new contract as continuing proof of our strength in an extremely competitive national market."

Assured website

Images: jaguarlandrover.com/

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