News: Inditherm secure sizeable orders

Innovative Rotherham company, Inditherm, saw losses increase for 2012 but has also seen sizeable orders placed in the first quarter of 2013.

The AIM-listed Manvers firm is the only UK manufacturer of patient warming systems and has developed products using low voltage carbon polymer technology to provide heat. Its systems are used for patients undergoing operations which carry risk of inadvertent hypothermia and in neonatal wards.

In its latest results to December 31 2012, Inditherm reported that turnover had remained roughly the same at £1.7m with sales also similar to those of the prior year, up slightly to £1.67m. But post-tax losses increased to £164,000 from £108,000 in 2011 due to investment to support future growth.

The board is confident that the investment will pay off as the manufacturing organisation was put in place in order to meet future orders, which have now been received.

Economic conditions and delays with decision making in the NHS hit profits but orders expected to be received in 2012 were delayed and received in early 2013.

Mark Abrahams, chairman of Inditherm, said: "It is our belief that the increased order conversion lead-times we saw in 2012 were caused by general and specific economic circumstances rather than a dampening of enthusiasm for our products.

"We have seen some sizeable orders placed in the first quarter of 2013, some delayed from last year along with business originally expected later in the year. The Company has enjoyed a profitable start to the current year and this gives us cause to be optimistic that we can return to a more attractive growth rate."

Despite delays, Inditherm managed to grow UK order levels by just under 10% in 2012, helped by strong performance in the neonatal sector. An increasing number of NHS hospitals are now using Inditherm as their primary surgical patient warming system.

The company has benefited from an increase in export orders in previous years but 2012 saw a lack of order growth. Inditherm has started to address territories where partners are under-performing.

Inditherm also launched a number of new products recently including a range of accessories for use by neonatal units and the new "LifeStart" system, launched at the 2013 Arab Health exhibition, that facilitates the delaying of the clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord following childbirth by providing resuscitation at a newborn baby's bedside.

Working with with other manufacturers, Inditherm expects to see partners' product launches towards the end of 2013. With new products using Inditherm's technology, the move offers good potential for additional growth for the future, and wider brand recognition.

Inditherm website

Images: Inditherm

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News: Awards for next generation of engineers

Rotherham-based engineering and manufacturing training provider, Brinsworth Academy of Engineering, recently held their Annual Employer and Learner Awards.

The event at Magna Science Adventure Centre showcased both apprentices and employers alike paying tribute to their continued hard work and dedication.

Guest speakers included Sarah Champion MP, the Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham and Wayne Miller from the National Apprenticeship Service.


There are over 250 apprentices currently in training with the Templeborough academy. All are following a training framework developed with the engineering industry sector, which includes attainment of a vocational qualification, a technical certificate and specified key skills.

Conner Wild of C B Kaymich & Co Limited (pictured) was named Level 2 - Apprentice of the Year with Joe Pantin of Davy Markham named Level 3 - Apprentice of the Year.

Daniel Poultney of Kostal UK picked up the Special Achievement Award and Alex Montisci of Eldon Tool & Engineering was given an Award of Excellence.

Employer of the Year was Davy Markham and Mick Marriott of Brinsworth Academy of Engineering was named Assessor/Trainer of the Year.

Paul Reeves, business development director at Brinsworth Academy of Engineering, said: "We saw some extremely promising young engineers win awards that we are very proud to say they started their careers with our academy and with our on-going support we will continue to make a positive difference to the encouraging developments across the sector."

Mick Crossley, managing director at Brinsworth Academy of Engineering, added: "I would like to congratulate all of the nominees and winners and encourage them to celebrate and acknowledge their own success that they have achieved during their time here at Brinsworth Academy of Engineering."

Sponsors on the night included Koyo Bearings (Europe) Ltd, Institute of Mechanical Engineers, AESSEAL, SMC International, Mitsubishi Electric Automation Systems and Mondelez International.

Brinsworth Academy of Engineering website

Images: Brinsworth Academy of Engineering

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News: Rotherham firms see inside the Patent Box

Enterprising Rotherham firms have been taking advice on how they can develop innovative new products and save on their tax bills at the same time.

A recent seminar at RiDO's Moorgate Crofts Business Centre focused on The Patent Box - the Government's new regime of tax relief on company profits from patented products, which is set to be introduced in April 2013. Companies that choose to develop products with a patent will be eligible for tax relief of up to 60 per cent in the tax year 2013-2014, increasing up to 100% relief in four years' time.

The seminar was a collaboration between Atkinson & Co patent attorneys, based in Rotherham, Hart Shaw Chartered Accountants of Sheffield, RiDO's ERDF-funded Growth and Prosperity in Rotherham (Soft Landing Zone) and UKTI (UK Trade & Investment).

Steve Vickers, Tax Partner at Hart Shaw Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, explained how HMRC is introducing a reduced level of corporation tax – down to 10% – on profits attributed to patents and other types of intellectual property. As the Patent Box applies to worldwide income from existing and new patents, it opens up the opportunity for local businesses to export into overseas markets.

Steve discussed how SME companies can take advantage of this new tax relief on patents. This includes navigating the complexities of the Patent Box and how to calculate the tax saving.

Steve Vickers said: "The Patent Box is a great incentive for businesses to invest in developing patents on a national and international basis, whilst recouping the corporation tax benefits. It is good news for businesses locally looking to work on more of an international level."

Ralph Atkinson, European Patent Attorney at Atkinson & Company Patent in Rotherham, explained the legal considerations regarding patents and how it will have positive commercial implications.

Ralph Atkinson said: "It is a great time to take advantage of the Patent Box, but essential for companies to make sure they have the proper legal protection in place from the outset, when targeting both domestic and international markets."

Amanda Parris, Business Development Manager for RiDO, added: "This was a very well attended seminar and was a chance for delegates to ask questions directly of experts in their field. There are some really exciting opportunities for companies within our local area to take advantage of the Patent Box, both in the UK and overseas and there is all the support available to help them do this."

Nathasha Leach, International Trade Adviser at UKTI, discussed the support for companies that are looking to export, which is available through UKTI. Martyn Benson, the business co-ordinator from RiDO, explained how the Growth and Prosperity in Rotherham – Soft Landing Zone – works, offering support to Rotherham companies with accessing international markets and helping foreign inward investors who choose to locate to RiDO's business centres.

RiDO website
Hart Shaw website
Atkinson & Co. website

Images: RiDO

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News: Government commits to Nuclear AMRC

An industrial strategy, developed by government and industry, has been published to enable the UK to seize the opportunities for economic growth in the nuclear industry.

The strategy commits the government to continued funding for research and development, innovation and skills, including ongoing support for the Nuclear AMRC in Rotherham.

Over the next two decades it is forecast that globally there will be £930 billion investment in building new reactors and £250 billion in decommissioning those that are coming off line. The nuclear new build programme in the UK alone could generate up to 40,000 jobs in the sector at its peak. The nuclear industrial strategy sets out the basis for a long-term partnership between government and industry to exploit those opportunities.

The Nuclear AMRC on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham is a joint initiative between the University of Sheffield, The University of Manchester, and a consortium of industry partners led by Rolls-Royce. It provides a focal point for the bulk of the UK civil nuclear manufacturing industry supply chain, meeting a key government milestone by ensuring that manufacturers in the UK have the capability and capacity required to compete for nuclear new build in the UK and globally, from skills training to research and development.

The centre helps to develop capability and competitiveness through process manufacturing innovation and R&D, driving up quality and reducing cost. It was established in 2009 and initial support was followed by additional investment of £37.1m in 2012. This public funding has been matched with additional industry and European funding. The Nuclear AMRC is also part of the Manufacturing Catapult attracting additional grant funding and support.

New initiatives set out in the strategy include a procurement and infrastructure client group, to launch later this year. Headed by EDF Energy, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and government, the group will aim to simplify market access for UK suppliers.

The government will also support research into access to finance for smaller businesses in the nuclear sector. Inward investment and export agency UKTI will meanwhile work to increase investment for all parts of the nuclear supply chain, and create a new nuclear export strategy.

Two new bodies will be created this year to support nuclear R&D: the Nuclear Innovation Research Advisory Board will ensure that publicly funded R&D is aligned to industrial and energy policy; while a new Nuclear Innovation Research Office, likely to be based within the National Nuclear Laboratory, will coordinate R&D programmes and advise industry and government on R&D opportunities.

35 projects, including ones involving the Nuclear AMRC and Sheffield Forgemasters, were also awarded government funding to develop new technologies for the construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "The nuclear industry presents significant multi billion pound long-term opportunities for UK companies and for thousands of high value jobs. We have worked with industry on a plan for the future to ensure we are well placed to grasp those opportunities.

"We have some of the finest workers, research facilities and academics in the world. But we need to sharpen those competitive advantages to become a top table nuclear nation."

The pioneering work of the Nuclear AMRC combining the public and private sectors is highlighted in the documents released by the government. Its work on deep hole boring is used as a case study showing how new techniques have been designed to drill holes of up to 8m depth with a single cut in a wholly automated process.

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Nuclear AMRC

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News: Middleton named chair at AMRC Training Centre

Vince Middleton, chair of Newburgh Engineering, has been appointed chair of the new AMRC Training Centre.

Newburgh is a precision engineering specialist that has it's head office and manufacturing facility in Templeborough, Rotherham and a site in Derbyshire. It is a specialist contract manufacturer of component parts and assemblies for the nuclear, defence, oil and gas, petrochemical, aerospace and power generation industries.

The AMRC Training Centre is a £20.5m centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham where the focus will be on 250 students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships with opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses.

Vince Middleton, chair of the AMRC Training Centre (pictured above, far left), said: "It's an honour to chair the AMRC Training Centre. It's a landmark in the advanced manufacturing training scene in the region, and it's going to lead the way nationally. Having looked around a lot of other areas, I've seen that there are very few places that have got their act together in employer-led training. By focusing on industry as the customer, the AMRC Training Centre will create exceedingly good people who can go into companies and create wealth and jobs.

"At Newburgh, we've said for a long time that we need to either correct the ills of training, or plan a 20 year exit from manufacturing. One of the main reasons that manufacturers aren't able to grow is that they can't get enough skilled people. The UK advanced manufacturing sector has huge potential and is very well respected around the globe, but if we haven't got the people to do it then we lose out.

"We need exceedingly good people. We really need degree-capable apprentices, which is why the pathways through the Training Centre are critical. People can see it's a high-grade approach, and that helps change the perceptions about apprenticeships."

Other businesses represented on the Training Centre board include Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Tata Steel, Evenort, JRI Orthopaedics, Maher, MTL, Nikken and Polypipe.

Alison Bettac, training director at the AMRC, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Vince as chair of the AMRC Training Centre. As with our established research centres, we are led by our industrial partners, ensuring that everything we do is bringing real value to UK manufacturers.

"Apprentices and students coming to the AMRC Training Centre can be sure that they will be learning the skills they need to forge a rewarding career in some of the world's most exciting and innovative industries."

The board met for the first time last week and will have seen construction of the new 59,000 sq ft building progressing rapidly, with the first steelwork now erected. The building will open in the autumn.

Newburgh website
AMRC Training website

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News: Plans resubmitted for Maltby office development

Plans for a significant office development between Maltby and Hellaby in Rotherham have been resubmitted.

The development would see eight business units totalling 32,000 sq ft on land off Bawtry Road and Rotherham Road with associated car parking and landscaping.

The 2009 application from Boulby Davison Developments (led by the directors of Jaguar Homes in Sheffield) was refused by Rotherham's planning board but the decision was overturned following an appeal. The reasons for refusal centred on the concerns over the impact on traffic levels on the strategic road network and members' concerns over the impact it would have on the appearance and character of open Green Belt land adjacent to the site.

The site is in an open gap of countryside separating Maltby from Hellaby, although there is adjacent commercial development on the opposite side of the road from the site. The land was allocated for business development in the borough's Unitary Development Plan (UDP) (therefore allowing an office development) in anticipation of a proposed new road to be built to the south of the site. The re-alignment of the A631 never took place.

The application received objections from nearby residents and Maltby Town Council.

After reports into the impact on the nearby M18 junction were carried out and the removal of an office block from the plans, the Planning Inspectorate granted planning permission for the development in 2010.

The resubmitted plans, drawn up by Coda Planning, come with the expiration of the planning permission that gave three years for work to start.

Images: Coda Planning

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News: Rotherham amongst UK’s top locations for environment and infrastructure

The strength of the inward investment offer in the Rotherham has been confirmed by a recently published report.

Analysis by The Local Futures Group was carried out for its Inward Investment Guide to England, in partnership with the Municipal Journal (MJ). The survey looked at all 335 local authority areas in England, ranking them in relation to key factors important to potential inward investors.

In the Environment and Infrastructure scores, Rotherham was ranked 3rd of the English local authority areas surveyed behind North Tyneside and Stockton, whilst Sheffield also ranked 3rd of English cities.

Factors such as availability of commercial floor space; connectivity; cost base; quality of life; and growth in commercial and industrial floor space were taken into account. A summary score was then created by adding together all of these measures and indexing the scores to the national average.

Commenting on the results Tim O'Connell of Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO), the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council, said: "We have always known that the Rotherham area comprises a strong offer for potential inward investors, with not only the factors highlighted in this report, but also the expertise of our companies (especially those in the advanced manufacturing and materials sectors), and the availability of high level skills. 

"This has enabled Rotherham to attract world-class companies such as Rolls-Royce, AESSEAL and Tata Steels, and it is rewarding to have these factors recognised by independent survey."

Ann Allen, Head of Investment & Sector Growth at Creative Sheffield, added: "Sheffield City Region is an attractive place for companies to locate, invest and grow by taking advantage of the large skilled workforce. This has been recognised by the continued investment and success of companies who have chosen the city as their home; such as Sky, HSBC, Firth Rixson, Wandisco and Plusnet."

RiDO website

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News: A new dawn for metals

A recent event on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham brought together visionary engineers who are leading a new industrial revolution to showcase some of the emerging manufacturing techniques for metallic structures.

Organised by The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the seminar called, "A new dawn for metals" highlighted the application of innovative techniques in designing and manufacturing that are revolutionising many industry sectors including aerospace, automotive and power.

Representatives from academia and industry included Professor Keith Ridgway CBE, research director at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing discussing high performance manufacturing and Stephen Cater, senior project leader at TWI giving an update on friction stir welding.

Other topics included additive layer manufacturing, pressurised vapour deposition and plasma-based and nano coatings.

Dr Jacob M Hundley of HRL Laboratories in California, introduced microlattice materials and the world's lightest metallic structure that could revolutionise the way aeroplanes, cars and even buildings are constructed.

HRL Labs is jointly owned by Boeing and General Motors and has developed a way of creating an ultra lightweight piece of metal using a complex criss-cross polymer template that can be etched away leaving a metallic structure that is 250 times lighter than Styrofoam.

In creating the next-generation of lightweight materials, the experts incorporated design into the material itself, replicating architectural features, such as the lattice of the Eiffel Tower, on a nano-scale.

Dr Hundley explained: "The design philosophy is to mimic what is done on the architectural scale using existing, commercially available materials. This is the important thing for the automotive and aerospace industries: there is no need to use exotic materials; for these sectors, you just want to take existing materials that the sectors are familiar with, but engineer and architect them so that they have new, innovative properties.

"In effect, it's about architecting a material to make it the most efficient: putting material only where you need it."

Images: HRL Laboratories

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News: Back to the floor at Maple Leaf Bakery

Apprentices have become an integral part of the engineering team at Maple Leaf Bakery in Rotherham, as one college manager found out when she went back to the floor.

Louisa Wall, deputy head of engineering at Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT), visited one of her students at his place of work at the huge bakery in Swinton.

She said: "It is important to see what our students are doing in the work place. That way we know what we can do to support them and further their skills more while they are at college.

"Having close links to industry is paramount for us – how else can we ensure the skills we are teaching are the right skills for the work force of the future?"

Karl Jackson, 21, started his Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering and Manufacturing in 2011. He trains in the engineering department at the Maple Leaf Bakery and has become a vital part of the team that keeps the 24 hour production line moving.

He said: "I'm really enjoying it. I have learnt so much and the skills I am going to take forwards, obviously, for the rest of my life."

The bakery is the largest manufacturer of bagels in Europe, producing 6-7 million bagels per week for several companies including the New York Bakery Co. The Canadian-owned firm announced major UK expansion plans in 2011 including an £11.5m investment in the Rotherham facility.

Paul Groves, engineering controller at Maple Leaf Bakery, said: "It's about time control – you have to answer for every minute. The engineering team I have here are the best I have worked with."

The company have decided to take on apprentices for the next four years to help them further develop the skills they need in their engineers. To ensure no time is lost during production, the company needs a team of specialist engineers to make sure the machines are in working order.

Maple Leaf Bakery website
RCAT website

Images: RCAT

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News: Spar sign up at Onyx Retail Park

Global food retail chain, Spar, is to open a convenience store at the Onyx Retail Park in Manvers, Rotherham.

The store has pre-let 4,000 sq ft of space under phase two of the successful scheme with more franchise businesses being targeted by the owners, Onward Holdings Ltd.

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.

Phase one is occupied by Domino's, Greggs, Subway, Motorworld and the Thai Garden Café, with one remaining unit under offer.

Hayley Granger, store manager at Subway, said: "We were thrilled about the business opportunities this franchise could provide but the outlet is already much busier than we originally expected."

Jay Ravel, Area Manager for Domino's Pizza who is responsible for five of Domino's establishments in the South Yorkshire area, added: "Head office is continually looking for high impact places and picked Onyx because of its prime location to existing and planned new housing.

"The site ticked all the boxes. Initially we hired 15 people but with the uptake in sales we are now recruiting a further 15 members of staff."

Dean Hughes, investment officer at RiDO, said: "This high quality scheme provides welcome jobs for local people. In the current economic climate successful retail developments like this one are good news for everyone.

"There is free support available to people looking to start up a business in the area and this may include financial incentives depending on the project detail."

The decision by Spar to locate on the Onyx Retail Park has enabled Onward Holdings to bring forward the second phase of the development, comprising 10,000 square feet, which was originally not planned to take place until later in the year.

Onward Holdings website

Images: Onward Holdings

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News: ELG acquires ABS Group

The ABS Group, the metals processing and supply firm and one of Rotherham's most profitable companies, has been acquired by ELG Utica, part of Germany's ELG Haniel Group, and is set for global expansion.

ABS is an international specialist in the sourcing, processing and supply of primary and secondary alloys and metals and ELG Utica is the Superalloys Division of the ELG Haniel Group.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, sees ELG Utica acquire 100% of the shares in ABS Industrial Resources Limited with ABS continuing to operate independently under its current management team. As part of the deal, current directors, Mark Ridgeway, Andrew Jones and Richard Hannam will be joined on the board by Dimitrij Orlov, head of ELG's Superalloys Division, and Mark Johnson, head of ELG Utica's UK branch.

A spokesperson for the ELG Haniel Group said that: "The management teams of both ABS and ELG Utica will continue to provide high quality service to customers while strengthening the development and expansion of the business worldwide."

The ABS Group was founded in 1988 and has successfully grown into market a leading business. It employs more than 150 employees, has an annual turnover in excess of £100m, and has facilities located in South Africa, USA, Germany, France and China. In 2011 it acquired a new 83,712 sq ft high-specification industrial unit to create a state-of-the-art global headquarters at Adwick Park in Manvers, Rotherham. The move is part of an expansion program that sees 40 people employed in Manvers plus the retention of its Kilnhurst facility.

With headquarters in Duisburg, ELG Haniel Group is a global market leading company for the trading and processing of raw materials for the stainless steel industry. It has a turnover in excess of 27 billion euros and is one of the largest privately owned companies in Germany. ELG acquired the US-based Utica Alloys, Inc. in 2008.

ABS Group website
ELG Utica website

Images: absgroup.co.uk

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News: Investments in new Rotherham facilities paying off for manufacturers

Sarclad and X-Cel Superturn, two local companies that invested in new facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, are already seeing evidence that the decision will pay off after both reported strong starts to the year.

Sarclad, a provider of advanced technology products for the metals industry, has reported a number of new export orders. It has secured three major contracts for its Electro Discharge Texturing (EDT) equipment that is used to provide surface textures on cold mill rolls in steel making facilities across the world.

The first is for a machine for Alcoa, an aluminium mill in Saudi Arabia and is the first time that Sarclad has sold its EDT system into the aluminium industry.

Deals have also been secured with Marcegaglia, an Italian steel processing company based in Mantova and with VAMA, a joint venture between Valin Steel and Arcelormittal, to be installed in China.

Sarclad opened a new facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) last year after moving from Chesterfield. It is also continuing its success with its Strand Condition Monitor (SCM) despite the current difficult marketplace. The system provides accurate measurement and assessment that is essential for the production of high quality steel.

Steve Shillito, project manager at Sarclad, said: "Despite little activity with new steel plant projects, Sarclad's SCM continues to sell well to established steel makers and our extensive reference list continues to grow."

Over the past year installations of new SCMs have been carried out at existing customer plants in Slovakia, Turkey and Taiwan and at new customer plants in China and Canada.

Orders have also come in for a Bloom Caster SCM in Japan, a thin-slab SCM for South Korea, and standard SCMs for Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, Argentina, Finland and the USA. All of which will be installed over the course of 2013.

Repeat customers include AHMSA Mexico who are awaiting installation of their fifth unit later this year, and a fourth machine was installed at USS Steel Kosice in 2012.

Steve added: "Even during these difficult times, steel manufacturers continue to recognise the benefits and cost-savings that our Sarclad SCM provides.

"We are particularly pleased to be supplying Outokumpu Sheffield with their second SCM this year, which will replace their first unit after 21 years of continued service, which ties in well with this year's centenary celebrations for Stainless Steel - first developed in Sheffield 100 years ago."

X-Cel Superturn, a global manufacturer of machined components, was the first major company to confirm an expansion into the Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone when the Attercliffe firm announced that it was to expand its current operations to a new 10,000 sq ft facility at the Evolution development on the AMP.

February was a record breaking month, putting the group firmly on the track to reaching its targeted £30m annual turnover. Sales of £2.2m were achieved and an order intake of £2.9m, with shipments beating records for a second month running.

In January, X-Cel appointed three key members of management to its team at the AMP site, Richard Robson as group materials manager, Ben Watson as AMP operations director and David Willis to the post of account manager.

In addition, the group is investing in new state of the art CNC machinery with the AMP site used for the production of gaskets and seals used in the petrochemical, power generation, aerospace and construction industries.

A spokesperson for the company, said: "Continued investment in the most advanced machinery coupled with a companywide commitment to attracting and retaining the brightest industry talent is ensuring that expansion and investment is continuing at a rapid but controlled rate enabling us to maintain and grow our global reputation for quality, service and commercial integrity."

Sarclad website
X-Cel Superturn website

Images: X-Cel Superturn

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News: Yorkshire Crisps launch newest flavour

The Rotherham-based Yorkshire Crisp Company has added its new Sweet Cured Ham & Pickle flavour as a guest flavour to its range of gourmet crisps that are exported around the world.

The Waleswood company produces hand-made crisps made from local vegetables and totally natural flavours. It now has 12 flavours including the award-winning Roast Lamb & Mint flavour that launched in 2011.

The launch of the Sweet Cured Ham & Pickle crisps took place recently at Fodder, the award-winning farm shop and café at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

Tim Wheatley, sales director at Yorkshire Crisps, said: "We are looking forward to introducing the new flavour to both new and established customers.

"All our bags and drums feature Yorkshire heritage images and the image chosen for the new flavour was taken at the Great Yorkshire Show as there's "nowt" more Yorkshire than that! It's a perfect complement to our brand and packaging. That's also the reason we chose Fodder as the venue for the launch as it is situated on the Great Yorkshire Showground."

The business, which was initially a regional operation, has expanded and their gourmet crisps are now exported to over 14 countries around the globe, including the Far East.

Closer to home, their products can be found in regional supermarkets and flavours of the crisps including Lightly Sea Salted, Henderson's Yorkshire Sauce and Nowt On are already being sold in John Lewis Food Halls, Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.

Yorkshire Crisps website

Images: Yorkshire Crisps

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News: Sheffield Law Society offers help to former Atteys clients

The Sheffield & District Law Society is offering free help to all former clients of Atteys in tracing documents held by the firm, following the closure earlier this month.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) stepped in to close down the South Yorkshire firm with John Owen of Gordons LLP appointed to act as the SRA's intervention agent.

At its peak, Atteys employed more than 300 legal professionals throughout South Yorkshire, and operated from 14 locations including Wath-upon-Dearne and Rotherham town centre. The firm acquired numerous local law practices including Sheffield-based Porrett, Fawcett & Renwick, Taylors Solicitors; Rotherham-based Middleton, Oliver & Marsh and Barnsley-based Dibb and Clegg.

Since Atteys ceased trading, a number of parts of the business have been sold to other law firms. Neil Hudgell Solicitors acquired casework based on Personal Injury and Medical Negligence claims.

As well as helping former clients of Atteys, the Sheffield & District Law Society holds a complete record of every law firm that has traded in Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley and operates a free document location service, designed to help concerned members of the public to locate legal documents.

Anna Rudkin, president of the Sheffield & District Law Society said: "Atteys was a very well known and respected law firm throughout the whole of South Yorkshire and its closure is a very sad loss for the people that it served as well as the broader South Yorkshire legal community.

"The closure of the firm is likely to come as a shock to many who have used the firm as their family solicitor and many are likely to be worried about what has happened to important documents such as wills and property title deeds.

"When a law firm closes, the files that it held are transferred to another firm, who will provide advice to existing clients in the interim. It is usual for the appointed firm to make contact, advising that they hold the documents as well as discussing next steps.

"In addition to offering support to members of the public, we are working with former employees of Atteys, allowing them to continue to keep their training up-to-date, as well as helping them to find alternative employment in the local area."

Atteys website
Sheffield Law Society website

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News: Poundstretcher open new Rotherham store

Poundstretcher, the UK's original value store is opening its latest outlet in Rotherham town centre today.

The Huddersfield-based firm operates 400 discount retail stores in the UK, providing variety retailing across an extensive range of products at exceptional prices. It has recently taken over the former Walmsley furniture store on Bridgegate.

It is part of reported plans to open an additional 100 UK stores by the end of this month, with a view to a 900 store portfolio over the next six years. Owned by the Crown Crest Group, Poundstretcher has also recently opened its first overseas store in Dubai. It has a store at Dinnington and operated at Parkgate Shopping under the instore brand.

The value retail sector is becoming increasingly competitive across the UK as shoppers search for a bargain, with Rotherham town centre an evident battleground. Recent analysis by PwC and the Local Data Company showed that whilst Great Britain's multiple retailers closed stores and entered administration, pound shops were one of a handful of business types on the increase, showing an net increase of 13% for 2012.

Payday loans providers, pawn brokers and betting shops were also increasing in numbers on the nation's High Street, again seen in Rotherham with Coral, the latest bookmaker hoping to open another new betting shop after submitting plans to fit out the former Santander Bank on Effingham Street.

Matthew Hopkinson, director of The Local Data Company, said: "The end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 has seen the most dramatic period on record as companies controlling more than 1,400 shops went into administration.

"Will the discounters, pawnbrokers, charity shops, coffee shops and supermarkets continue to fill a large proportion of these closing stores? Town centres will have to adapt faster than ever before to maintain their attraction to consumers."

Whilst Rotherham follows the national trend, the council is also enhancing the retail offer with support to new businesses and those looking to expand their business in the town. So far 17 grant awards have been made with a further four made through the Street Cafe Grant scheme.

Vintage Dolls will be the latest independent store to open, offering vintage clothing and furniture from a unit within the historic Imperial Buildings.

In the Old Town Hall something else different is taking place in Rotherham. Armies of thousands are being put together but the borough is not planning to invade Barnsley, instead national specialist, Games Workshop has taken a unit for its newest hobby centre.

The business is doing well as it is not a traditional retailer. Instead it focuses on manufacturing fantasy miniatures and using its hobby centres to show customers how to engage with the hobby of collecting, painting and playing with miniatures and games.

It means that they don't need to pay for prime rent shopping locations, evidenced by the fact that the Rotherham centre opened in February following the closure of the Meadowhall centre. The centres also differ from retailers in that they help build a sense of community and comradeship.

Poundstretcher website
Rotherham town centre website
Games Workshop

Images: Poundstretcher

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News: Macalloy secures contract for Vietnamese Airport

Rotherham construction experts, Macalloy has received an export order from Vietnam for high strength steel tension bars that will be used on the new international terminal at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi.

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

Representatives from the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, who are responsible for overseeing construction of the airport, visited Macalloy in December to view the production facilities and quality control processes at the Dinnington facility. The finer details of the order were discussed and delivery schedules and quality documentation agreed.

Noi Bai International Airport is the gateway airport to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The 70 billion Yen (around £493m) redevelopment project aims to construct a second terminal which is capable of accommodating 10 million international passengers each year. It includes a four-storey international passenger terminal building with a floor area of approximately 1.5 million sq ft and is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

The Macalloy tension bars, also commonly known as tie bars, provide high strength, lightweight, architectural solutions for major construction products. They will be used throughout the new terminal building to provide structural bracing.

Peter Hoy, managing director at Macalloy, said: ”Countries in the developing world such as Vietnam continue to show exceptional GDP growth and to invest in necessary infrastructure, providing opportunities in the construction sector. These markets play a vital role in Macalloy’s future growth plans and we were delighted to welcome and work with the Airports Corporation of Vietnam on this prestigious project.”

Macalloy website

Images: Macalloy

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News: The Budget 2013

Chancellor George Osborne presented "a Budget for our Aspiration Nation" yesterday, but what does it mean for Rotherham business?

For small businesses, new initiatives could see them not having to make any NI payments as up to £2,000 is to be taken off National Insurance Contributions (NIC) from April. The "Employment Allowance" is aimed at small firms in a bid to help them create more jobs and take on more staff.


Mr Osborne explained to the House of Commons: "For the person who's set up their own business, and is thinking about taking on their first employee - a huge barrier will be removed.

"They can hire someone on £22,000, or four people on the minimum wage, and pay no jobs tax."

Other measures for small firms include growth vouchers to help with expert advice on expansion and R&D tax credits will be increased to 10%. The government has also committed for more of their own spend to go to small firms through improvements to public procurement.

The limit at which income tax is paid is to increase to £10,000 in 2014 - a year earlier than planned and other measures for business include a cut in corporation tax by 1% to 20% in 2015, a tax relief for investment in social enterprises, and the removal of stamp duty on shares traded on growth markets like AIM.

To support economic growth, the government will allocate an extra £3bn a year to infrastructure projects. This will be from 2015 with details on the exact projects to be announced in the next spending review.

Plans outlined earlier in the week to place Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) at the heart of growth in the regions were confirmed with LEPs charged with putting together local growth plans. They will then be able to bid into a single pot of funding to support their plans but the size of this Single Local Growth Fund is yet to be announced.

James Newman, chairman of the Sheffield City Region LEP, said: "We agree that the prosperity of this country was built on strong local leadership, and we intend to forge ahead, with all our partners, to create jobs and improve the quality of life of local residents."

The chancellor also announced that the government's Industrial Strategy has been allocated an additional £1.6 billion of funding. This follows from the £2 billion investment in aerospace manufacturing announced earlier in the week that will support cutting edge work like that of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing carried out on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

Also specific to Rotherham is the news that energy intensive industries such as metal processing and mining are to be exempt from the climate change levy (CCL), a tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users.

Rotherham MP, John Healey who campaigned on the issue, welcomed the news. He said: "I have the honour of representing a steel area in Rotherham. Steel is one of this country's strategic industries, and the chancellor's announcement today will be very welcome in my constituency. It will help to secure the industry for the future, and I hope that it will also help to secure extra investment from Tata Steel."

Measures were also announced to support housebuilding and to boost lending from the banks. A £1bn Business Bank is also planned.

HM Treasury website

Images: George Osborne / twitter

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News: Gala Tent has it covered at Wentworth Woodhouse

Growing Rotherham business, Gala Tent has secured a marquee signing, a major new partnership agreement with Wentworth Woodhouse to supply marquees and gazebos for a number of events throughout 2013.

The Manvers company will be the venue's preferred supplier of marquees and gazebos which will be available for stall holders to buy or hire when attending Wentworth Woodhouse's exciting range of events. As the prestigious stately home will soon also be offering itself as a wedding venue, Gala Tent will also be supplying marquees for such celebrations.

Giles Newbold, owner of Wentworth Woodhouse, said: "We chose to work with Gala Tent as they are a local company that shares the same values as us and does a lot of work in the local community. We have an exciting range of events planned this year from a black tie Charity Ball to a Spring show, so need a reliable and experience marquee partner. It was great to find such a company based locally too."

Tom McWilliams, event manager of Wentworth Woodhouse, added: "Gala Tent supplied a number of marquees and gazebos for our Christmas Market, which was a huge success. We have an active programme of events planned for the year ahead, so it is important that stall holders can access provide professional looking marquees and gazebos that reflect the quality of the event we will be running here."

Jason Mace, managing director of Gala Tent, said: "It is great to be working with such a prestigious venue as Wentworth Woodhouse and we are looking forward to adding value to their events. We can offer affordable and professional looking stalls and marquees to traders and exhibitors and also provide stunning marquees that make it the perfect wedding venue.

"As a Rotherham-based company, we see this as just the start of a great partnership and look forward to helping to put Wentworth Woodhouse on the map as one of South Yorkshire’s major attractions."

Gala tent is the UK's largest supplier of marquees and gazebos, exporting across Europe and to the US. They moved into new 53,000 sq ft headquarters at Fairfield Park in Manvers in 2011 and secured a finance deal from HSBC worth £2.3m to back the business' strategic five-year growth plan.

Part of the growth plan has seen the firm expand its product range by launching its own high quality play equipment for young people aimed at commercial use by nurseries, pubs, restaurants or for domestic use. Mace added: "We are very excited about the launch of the Gala Play Centres. We have had lots of interest from both families and venues such as pubs and leisure parks, who are looking for high quality activity centres, with a strong focus on safety."

Gala Tent website

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News: Xi Technologies expand into new Rotherham premises

Xi Technologies, a leading supplier of audio visual and IT solutions to the education, health, leisure, retail, and corporate sectors, has expanded into its own 3,000 sq ft premises in Moorgate, Rotherham.

The enterprise provides state of the art interactive touch screens to schools and businesses as replacements for projectors or whiteboards, together with innovative audio visual solutions.

Established in 2009 by entrepreneur Mike Slattery, who received support and mentoring from RiDO (Rotherham Investment Development Office), Xi Technologies has expanded from the Moorgate Crofts business centre next door.

As the company started to grow and expand, Xi Technologies also took advantage of support through RiDO's Soft Landing Zone, which provides research and consultancy services for the identification of new overseas markets. This included exploring opportunities in Germany, which the research showed had potential for future growth.

Xi Technologies has expanded considerably in the past three years, with an impressive client base, which includes schools across the country – with 30 in Rotherham, plus major corporates such as Slimming World and the University of Sheffield.

Mike Slattery, managing director of Xi Technologies, said: "It is great to have our own premises and to have the facilities to be able to expand even further into the education and corporate market.

“We have been able to take on new staff and our new technology centre provides the perfect base for us serve customers across the UK – and further afield. It's a really exciting time for our business."

Julia Millea, business development co-ordinator at RiDO, added: “It is always really satisfying to see a business expand and grow so quickly. Xi Technologies has a fantastic product range and it was fantastic to be able to support Mike in looking into opportunities for growth overseas.

"The company is entering an exciting new era and we look forward to working with Mike and the team in the future."

XI Technologies website
RiDO website

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News: NEET initiative from RCAT

Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT) and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council have teamed up to help local young people turn their lives around and get into work.

From working together the College and Council are hoping to get young people into Apprenticeships and then into long term employment while reducing the number of people classed as NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in the area.

When Emily Walker, now 17, left Comprehensive school she hadn't decided what she wanted to do. She knew that doing A Levels or a course at College was not right for her and, like other young people who are unsure of what to do next, she was placed on the NEETs list.

Emily applied for a role advertised by Rotherham College on behalf of the Council. After getting the job, Emily was successfully enrolled for training provided by the college.

When she completed her Business Administration Apprenticeship she went on to get a full time job in the Customer Contact Centre department of the council.

She said: "I did want to learn new skills but also wanted to start work and earn money, so an apprenticeship was the right choice to make for me.

"I have moved on from being an apprenticeship, straight to a well paid job, which for anyone my age is quite an achievement."

Stephen Casey, head of Business Improvement at RCAT, said: "The statistics for NEETs in Rotherham is quite high. I am pleased to see that apprenticeships are offering a viable route into both training and employment.

"Through the on-going support of the College and organisations like RMBC, we are starting to turn a negative in a positive and we're hoping that through further commitment from the local community we can showcase NEETs in a positive light and have it stand for "Now Employed, Earning and Trained.""

RCAT website

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News: First turbine tower complete at Rotherham wind farm

Work on the construction of the first turbine tower at the £21.9m Penny Hill wind farm in Rotherham has been completed.

Banks Renewables secured planning permission for the six turbine wind farm at Ulley in 2010. Turbines with a maximum height of 132m, are set to be built on green belt land to the west of the junction of the M1 and M18.

Around 30 jobs are being created directly on site through the construction of the scheme, with a number of contracts also being awarded to local firms for the supply of materials and sub-contract works.

The turbines that have been specified for the scheme have the highest capacity of any ever used in a UK onshore wind farm and are expected to be generating electricity by the end of March.

With an installed capacity of 20.4MW, the Penny Hill wind farm will produce enough energy to meet the annual electricity consumption requirements of over 12,000 homes – or around ten per cent of all the homes in the Rotherham area.

In addition to this, Banks has already made a further £50,000 investment to help establish a Warm Zone scheme across the Rotherham area. This scheme will deliver practical measures such as cavity wall insulation and loft insulation into local homes.

Phil Dyke, development director at Banks Renewables, said: "Erecting the first turbines towers is obviously a real landmark for us, and takes us ever closer to being able to generate substantial amounts of renewable energy from the Penny Hill scheme.

"A great deal of work went into the planning of our delivery schedule to both minimise local traffic disruption and ensure that everyone is fully kept up to date on when deliveries are scheduled to take place, and we're very pleased with how things have gone so far.

"Further deliveries will take place over the coming weeks to enable us to continue the construction process, and we will ensure that everyone remains fully informed about the schedule ahead of any convoys' arrival.

"The wind farm is already making a positive contribution to the local area in several different ways, including new jobs, supply chain support and the Warm Zone scheme, and with regular funding from the wind farm's benefits fund still to come, this is just the beginning of the long-term, positive impact that our work here will have on the local community."

Banks Renewables website

Images: Banks Renewables

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News: VO4HOME launch new products at Ecobuild

Rotherham-based VO4HOME Ltd has launched two new additions to its innovative domestic and small business voltage optimisation product range at Ecobuild, the world's largest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment.

The Templeborough company unveiled a revolutionary 100Amp three phase unit aimed at industrial and retail businesses with electricity bills of up to £25K per annum.


It is the first time VO4HOME's wholesale and electrical customers will be able to market a product of this kind to their customers.

The new three phase unit has a single drop and will enable wholesalers to offer customers 10V, 15V or 20V models. A more efficient, slimmer and more compact single phase unit will also be unveiled at the show.

Geoff Clifton, business development manager at VO4HOME, said: "By offering a wider selection of products with multiple 5V taps through the addition of these new products to the VO4HOME range, the benefits of voltage optimisation will be accessible to a greater number of potential users.

"The 100Amp 3 phase unit, in particular, will cater for the untapped SME sector and will enable these businesses to benefit from significant energy and carbon reductions.

"The new products will be available from our extensive network of wholesalers and partners across the UK and Europe. The installers will be able to recommend the most appropriate solution to their customers."

A three phase VO4HOME unit has recently been installed by Tregroes Waffle Bakery in Wales in a bid to reduce its environmental impact and resulted in immediate savings in energy consumption and a significant reduction in electricity costs.

Kyna Huysmans, head of environmental operations Tregroes Waffle Bakery, said: "As energy prices continue to spiral, we are always looking at ways to reduce our energy usage and make our processes more efficient. The installation of a VO4HOME unit has taken us closer to achieving our goal by reducing costs while benefiting the environment."

VO4HOME website

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News: Supply chain ready for Hinkley Point

Planning permission has been granted for a multi-billion pound nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset, an important step forward in the UK's nuclear new build programme and good news for companies like Rolls-Royce and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) in Rotherham.

EDF Energy has been given consent following three years of in-depth consultation with local communities and a year long examination by the UK Planning Inspectorate.

Two new reactors will be built at what will be one of the country's largest power stations, supporting between 20,000 and 25,000 jobs during construction and 900 permanent jobs during operation.

It is the supply chain supplying EDF and their nuclear rector provider, AREVA, that is of most importance to this region.

The Nuclear AMRC on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham is currently working with 50 companies identified by AREVA to help them qualify and bid for work.

The Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative between the University of Sheffield, The University of Manchester, and a consortium of industry partners. It provides a focal point for the bulk of the UK civil nuclear manufacturing industry supply chain, ensuring that manufacturers in the UK have the capability and capacity required to compete for nuclear new build in the UK and globally, from skills training to research and development.

AREVA is continuing to identify additional potential suppliers in the UK through the Nuclear AMRC's Fit For Nuclear programme and other initiatives.

Rolls-Royce, who is investing in a large nuclear manufacturing facility in Rotherham, has a £400m agreement with AREVA that sees the two companies collaborate on the UK civil nuclear market, covering nuclear new build and fuel cycle.

The world-renowned engineers has outline planning permission for a 21,000 sq m "Project PoWeR" facility on the AMP that is proposed for manufacturing and assembling power vessels for the next generation of nuclear power stations.

Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive at EDF Energy, welcomed the decision to approve construction of the new nuclear power station. He said: "This decision sets up a huge opportunity for this project to provide enormous benefits to the UK in jobs, skills, cutting carbon emissions and future energy security. We are ready to deliver and an extensive supply chain is standing by to begin work."

EDF Energy websiteNuclear AMRC website

Images: EDF Energy

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News: HEROtsc acquired by Webhelp Group

The Indian owners of leading contact centre operator, HEROtsc, has sold the business to Paris-headquartered Webhelp Group.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, includes the Dearne Valley contact centre in Rotherham that employs over 800 people.

HEROtsc, which changes its name to Webhelp TSC following the acquisition, gives the Webhelp Group a major presence in the UK for the first time and the capability to provide English-language customer management to its international client base.

The combined group will be one of the largest independently-owned customer experience organisations in the world, with revenues in excess of €350m (£300m), 33 centres serving 25 clients and 16,500 employees globally.

HEROtsc increased turnover last year to £82m from £63m.

Webhelp TSC will retain its operational headquarters in Falkirk, Scotland, and continue to be run by its existing management team. A new marketing office has been established in London, where Webhelp Group founder and co-chairman Frédéric Jousset will be based to support the company’s growth and development in the UK market.

David Turner, chief executive of Webhelp TSC, said: "This acquisition is excellent news for our people and customers. Webhelp is a dedicated customer relationship management organisation and is therefore totally supportive of our ambition to provide customers with the very best multichannel experience. Our management teams share an entrepreneurial drive to push the company forward and achieve new growth across all of our markets."

Frédéric Jousset, founder and co-chairman of Webhelp Group, added: "HEROtsc is an excellent business with a strong track record of delivering first-class customer experience on behalf of UK and international clients. We are very excited about joining forces with the company, its management team and employees, to expand Webhelp's global footprint and support the company in the UK market with the resources available from our group organisation and investors."

The acquisition marks an end to the company's ownership by the Indian-based HERO Group, which bought TSC in 2007 for £40m. The HERO Group has divested of its ownership to focus on its existing core manufacturing businesses.

When HEROtsc took over the former T-Mobile site at Manvers in 2004, staff numbers had dwindled to less than 300. Today the thriving Dearne Valley centre has over 830 employees working for leading trade names such as Vodafone, E.ON and Office Depot – with an ongoing recruitment and training programme to bring new jobs to the area.

David Turner, added: "The dedication and commitment of our teams in the UK cannot be underestimated and they are a major part of our success. Under our new ownership, we will continue to provide the very best career opportunities and support to our people as we continue to expand our operations geographically and into new service areas."

Webhelp TSC website


Images: webhelptsc.com

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News: Oak Furniture Land planning Rotherham store

Oak Furniture Land, the UK's largest retailer of solid hardwood furniture, is planning to open a new store in Rotherham, creating 12 new jobs.

Plans have been drawn up to extend a vacant retail unit at the Foundry Retail Park on Great Eastern Way at Parkgate. It follows on from approved plans for the creation of a mezzanine level inside the unit to create extra space.

If approved, the unit would be increased to a total of 1,100 sq m (11,900 sq ft) of floorspace enabling Oak Furniture Land to display its full range of products.

The Wiltshire company has sustained remarkable growth in recessionary times and now operates 38 show rooms throughout the UK. With a business philosophy based on designing its own products and working direct with manufacturers, Oak sells large volumes of high quality oak, mango and mahogany furniture at internet prices. It currently process approximately 400,000 orders a year.

Documents submitted with the application conclude that sites that would be preferable for retail uses in planning terms are not available and add that the development would have no negative impact on Rotherham town centre.

The plans state that: "Their [Oak Furniture Land's] occupation of a unit which has stood vacant for a number of years will provide Rotherham with a new furniture retailer that will provide additional choice and competition to consumers, and also result in economic benefits through job provision.

"It will also strengthen the role of Foundry Retail Park as a destination for furniture shopping."

The park was acquired by Brockton Capital and Pradera for around £22.1m in 2012. Recent lettings include The Range and B&M Bargains with Staples closing down and the Dreams store not bought out of administration.

Oak Furniture Land website

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News: Rolls-Royce joins Nuclear Skills Academy

World-renowned engineers, Rolls-Royce, has joined the National Skills Academy (NSA) for Nuclear Manufacturing as an employer board member.

In collaboration with manufacturing skills group Semta, the NSA Nuclear Manufacturing has created a single point of entry for employers and a dedicated team, based at the Nuclear AMRC's facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, will tackle the most urgent skills challenges facing the nuclear manufacturing industry.

NSA Nuclear Manufacturing operates on a membership model, with industrial members gaining full access to its specialist skills services. Rolls-Royce is also founding member of the Nuclear AMRC on the AMP.

Rolls-Royce supports a number of key phases of the global nuclear programme, including providing advice to governments and operators, supply chain management, and manufacturing and technical engineering support. The Group also provides safety-critical instrumentation and control systems to reactors across 20 countries.

Plans for a second state-of-the-art factory for Rolls-Royce at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) were approved last year. 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.

Ian Perkins, general manager Civil Nuclear New Build at Rolls-Royce said: "The strategic approach and leadership that the Skills Academy provides by helping maximise nuclear opportunities for UK manufacturers and delivering the skills requirements companies need to grow, is crucial for us and our industry as a whole. We are keen to support this and are delighted to be on the board to drive this programme forward."

Since its launch in September 2012, the NSA Nuclear Manufacturing has gained momentum and support from industry as a focal point for the nuclear manufacturing supply chain and a one-stop-shop for support and guidance on skills issues.

Members include Newburgh Engineering, Maher, NES Ltd, Lab Impex Systems Ltd, James Fisher Ltd, CSE Controls, NIS Ltd, Ultra Electronics, Johnson Controls, Rolls Royce Civil Nuclear, Wallace Sheetmetal and Fabrication Ltd, Bendalls Engineering, APD Ltd and Centronic.and NIS Ltd.

Dawn Vinall, business development manager at the National Skills Academy Nuclear Manufacturing, said: "The Skills Academy for Nuclear Manufacturing is delighted to welcome these members on board.

“This dynamic growth in membership is significant and we look forward to working with all our manufacturing members in supporting them in maximising the nuclear opportunities for the UK manufacturing industry and delivering and developing the skills requirements companies need to grow their current market share."

NSA Nuclear website
Rolls-Royce website

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News: Crosby Kitchens take space in Rotherham

Crosby Kitchens, a major UK kitchen designer and supplier, has agreed a five year lease on new premises in Rotherham.

The company is owned by Aberdeen-based CHAP Holdings and had housed its stock in Edinburgh whilst operating out of The Wesley Centre in Maltby, Rotherham.

Its new home of Unit 4 at Houndhill Park, Manvers, comprises 10,460 sq ft of trade counter and storage space as well as including 2,735 sq ft of first floor offices.

Jones Lang LaSalle's industrial agency team acted on behalf of Praedia Investment Limited for the deal. Richard Harris, director from Jones Lang LaSalle, said: “The deal works well for both Praedia Investment Limited and Crosby Kitchens who can now invest in this larger space over the medium term."

The company began as K Brody Ltd in 1936, a small company specialising in the manufacture of bedroom and dining furniture for supply to local builders. It moved into manufacturing kitchen units and despite the parent company going into receivership in the early 1970's, the profitable business joined the The Crosby Group where the development of the flatpack concept meant that the arm quickly became accountable for 50% of the turnover for Crosby's Consumer Products division.

CHAP (Holdings) Ltd, one of Scotland's leading privately owned construction groups, acquired a 60% stake in the firm in 2000 and are now sole owners.

Crosby Kitchens website

Images: Jones Lang LaSalle

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News: U-Explore in record start

Rotherham education specialist, U-Explore, has had a record start to the school year with the total amount of time that young people across England have spent using its careers and employability platform since September 2012 equating to more than six years' worth of work-related learning.

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

A recent government report has examined the effects of the statutory duty for careers guidance that came into effect in September 2012 and saw the responsibility for young people's careers guidance transferred from local authorities to schools.

The report from the Education Select Committee warns that careers services for young people in England show a "worrying deterioration" and that "urgent steps are needed to improve matters".

The MPs said: "Too many schools lack the skills, incentives or capacity to fulfil the duty put upon them without a number of changes being made. Young people deserve better than the service they are likely to receive under the current arrangements. Schools cannot simply be left to get on with it."

Ahead of the introduction of the new statutory duty, U-Explore's national careers platform was rebuilt from the ground up, with the involvement of teachers and students. Key features include more than 2,000 written and video job profiles, an online action plan, intuitive CV builder and links to educational establishments throughout the UK.

Andy Pickles, chief executive of U-Explore, which is also lead sponsor of Maltby Academy in Rotherham, said: "I believe the government was right to make changes to how careers guidance was being delivered last year as it was patchy and inconsistent, and if their objective was to cause disruption and debate, then it is a job well done if it now helps to shape the right approach.

"Schools and colleges should be able to decide what is right for their students and shape an offer that meets their individual needs in a relevant and impartial way. In achieving this, however, a school has to have a dedicated, ring-fenced budget and the appropriate measures must be put in place by the local authority, Ofsted and business organisations, to ensure the school is not just delivering young people with qualifications, but young people who are 'qualified' to make a positive progression from the school to their next destination.

"This is not a one-size-fits-all strategy but there must be consistency in what is on offer to all young people, a clear understanding from schools about what success looks like when young people receive excellent guidance and an accountability, so the importance of getting this right sits up there with attainment and league tables."

U-Explore website

Images: U-Explore

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News: Retail development planned for Parkgate

Rotherham recycling experts, Ron Hull, has teamed up with Leeds-based developers, Gregory Projects to bring forward a potential retail development after securing a prime site at Parkgate.

The award winning developer hopes to secure planning approval for retail and leisure facilities on the former car showroom at Great Eastern Way to complement the existing provision.

A planning application is expected to be submitted shortly for the provision of a 16,000 sq ft discount food store, 22,000 sq ft of non-food retail and 18,000 sq ft of leisure facilities alongside over 250 car parking spaces.

Richard Tovey, director at Gregory Projects said: "Parkgate is already considered to be one of the regions premier retail destinations and the district centre plays a vital local role so it is a real coup for us to secure this superb development opportunity.

"The existing provision does not allow for budget operators which is where we hope to fill the gap, ultimately providing a greater variety of shopping. We are in discussions with potential operators which is very encouraging."

Formerly owned by Pendragon, the site was remediated twelve months ago and has been vacant since.

Colliers International is handling the planning process. GVA in Leeds is advising Gregory Projects on the lettings and the Sheffield office of Knight Frank is acting for Ron Hull Jnr Limited.

Across Rotherham, property consultants, WSB, has been instructed to market another former car showroom with the potential to be redeveloped as a retail destination. The two acre site at the end of Fitzwilliam Road has been earmarked for a 11,250 sq ft retail unit and a family pub, again, subject to obtaining planning permission.

Ron Hull website
Gregory Projects website
WSB website

Images: Gregory Projects

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News: Assessment starts at AMRC Training Centre

Assessment centres for prospective apprentices and students at the state of the art AMRC Training Centre get underway this week.

The apprenticeships will be delivered from this Autumn at the £20.5m centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham where the focus will be on 250 students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships with opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses.

The centre will focus on high-level training, concentrating on sectors such as aerospace, energy and Formula One.

New apprenticeship pathways to equip the new generation entering the advanced engineering sector have been designed by The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing with support from the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA).

At a recent launch event, the pathways received praise from the Deputy Prime Minister and Sheffield MP, Nick Clegg. He said: "We are consistently as a government looking, as we expand apprenticeships, to make sure that quality goes with quantity. That's not always been the case. One of the most pernicious brakes on our prosperity is the assumption that the only good thing for a young person at the end of their time at school is to go on and do a degree at university.

"We need to give strategic long-term support to those sectors which have for far too long have been overlooked or taken for granted in the boom years of the City of London, through strategic support and partnerships. What's so uplifting about this sector is the way partnership lies at its very heart. Partnership between politicians, academia and industry."

The first year of the Pathway would focus on engineering skills (performing engineering operations and engineering extension classes) but would also introduce elements of business awareness and a foreign language. It would be delivered largely on site at the AMRC Training Centre.

The second and third years would build on the engineering skills with a Level 3 Technical Certificate but also include a Level 3 NVQ in one of a range of business disciplines (such as sales), further language study, and topics such as Import and Export Law, Regulations and International Business Culture.

Graham Dewhurst, Director General of the MTA said: "The Association has been working with the AMRC Training Centre to develop and secure accreditation for an apprenticeship framework aimed at helping young people progress in advanced manufacturing careers where they will need both engineering skills and commercial acumen.

"The trend over the last decade or so for manufacturers to broaden their offering to embrace customer support solutions has created new opportunities that could benefit the UK's advanced manufacturing sector. In this context the apprenticeship framework that is being developed will seek to equip the new generation entering advanced engineering with the skills that they will require."

The assessment centres days are taking place over the coming months and are by invitation only. To apply visit the AMRC Training Centre website.

AMRC Training Centre website

Images: amrctraining.co.uk

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News: Elevation Recruitment goes West

Rotherham-based specialist, Elevation Recruitment, has opened a second office following an unprecedented year in business which has seen the company almost double both its turnover and workforce.

Part of the Horbury Group, Elevation was founded in 2010 and only expanded its office space in Rotherham less than ten months ago.

It has increased its West Yorkshire client base and revenue stream considerably since Lee Bhandal joined the business over 16 months ago as joint managing director. As result, Elevation looks to capitalise by putting in place an experienced, credible team of recruiters after opening a new state of the art office at No1 Leeds in Leeds city centre.

Greg Parkinson, joint managing director, at Elevation Recruitment, said: "West Yorkshire has become a key area of growth for us particularly in the financial sector and due to this increased demand we were eager to provide our current and future clients with a dedicated resource in the heart of one of the country's up and coming business hubs, as well as consolidating our position as one of South Yorkshire's leading recruiters.

"Since the opening of our head office in South Yorkshire, we as a business have also grown exponentially, having doubled our team of recruiters and firmly established the Elevation name within the region with a turnover of over £1.8m in 2012."

As well as securing new, state of the art premises in Leeds, Elevation has also appointed Harjit Dlay as lead director for their Leeds operation as well as key hires at associate director level in Sales & Marketing, HR and Senior Finance.

Elevation Recruitment website

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News: Rotherham to host Global Manufacturing Festival 2013

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham is to host the Global Manufacturing Festival this April.

The festival is designed to connect SME's in the UK's materials based engineering supply chains with major international customers and at the same time highlight why the Sheffield city region is at the centre of UK manufacturing.

Taking place on April 17-19 2013, the festival includes a conference and trade show, a number of factory visits, an education showcase and a formal dinner.

On the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) on April 18, the free to attend exhibition will be split into four themes, each with high profile speakers, and a uniquely focused trade show of up to 70 premium quality exhibitors from the advanced manufacturing and material industry.

Andy Page from Rolls-Royce and Simon Boon from Firth Rixson will discuss the aerospace sector and Dave Oswin from Rotherham's MTL Group Ltd will talk about the renewable energy sector with Jurgen Maier from Siemens.

Surgical Innovation's CEO Graham Bowland has been confirmed as a speaker for the medical sector and the nuclear sector will be represented by Jeff Benjamin from Rolls-Royce Nuclear and Mike Hawe from Nuclear Engineering Services Ltd.

Neil MacDonald, the Master Cutler and one of the key organisers behind the festival, said: "2013 sees the third annual Global Manufacturing Festival, and the event is now firmly established on the national business calendar.

"We are delighted that this year it will be held at the AMRC, which in just a few years has become a world class research and manufacturing facility and the exemplar of what can be achieved when the private and public sector work together."

At a recent launch event in London, leaders from world industry committed their organisations to backing the festival. Key figures from Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Siemens and Tata Steel responded with a unanimous yes when asked if their buyers would attend the event.

Mark Broxholme, managing director, Speciality Steels at Tata Steel (pictured, above) also highlighted the reasons for the group's regional investment. He said: "Tata Steel is an international company and has choices on where it invests, and I am pleased to say that Sheffield and South Yorkshire is a good place to be. Actually we see no better place to be. Because of the skills base and the platform this gives us for global business, we have invested over £35m in the last three years."

As part of the launch, the AMRC's Mantra lorry, a travelling showcase for advanced engineering, visited Parliament where representatives and apprentices from the city region's top companies highlighted the cutting edge techniques that are key to modern manufacturing.

The festival is organised by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Marketing Sheffield and The Cutlers Company.

The GMF event is headline sponsored by; Nabarro, Siemens, Tata Steel, NatWest, Creative Sheffield, University of Sheffield, Sheffield City Region LEP and Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RIDO).

Global Manufacturing Festival website

Images: Big Box Photography / Global Manufacturing Festival

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