News: Harworth Estates continues to perform well

Property developer, Harworth Estates is on a more stable footing following last year's restructuring of UK Coal that created two separate businesses - the mining division and property division.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Harworth Estates became Harworth Estates Property Group Limited with the new company, Coalfield Resources plc, owning 24.9 per cent and 75.1 per cent having passed to the Pension Funds in return for a £30m cash injection.

Recovery plans for UK Coal were put in place in May 2011 after they reported a pre-tax loss of £124.6m after a "further year of poor operational performance" and a deficit due to the pension fund of around £450m.

Jonson Cox, chairman of Coalfield Resources plc, said: "Following the restructuring on 10 December 2012, Coalfield Resources plc no longer has operational responsibilities but is an active investor in Harworth Estates. The company also holds a residual minority investment in [mining division] Mine Holdings. The restructuring effectively separates the company and Harworth Estates from any liabilities associated with the defined benefits pension schemes.

"Harworth Estates continues to perform well. The major fire, and subsequent closure of Daw Mill Colliery in Warwickshire, has had a material impact on the mining business.

"The fire has also led to a potential short term funding requirement for the company as Mine Holdings resolves its issues following the closure of Daw Mill.

"In these circumstances, the company has sought to obtain a facility, secured against its shareholding in Harworth Estates, from its bankers. It is expected that this facility will be repaid through an equity fundraising during 2013."

The restructure meant that Coalfield Resources recorded a post-tax loss of £6.3m for the year ended December 29 2012, compared to a post-tax profit of £55.2m in the previous year.

Harworth Estates is one of the largest landowners in the UK with access to over 30,000 acres of land and a property portfolio currently valued at £260.1m. One key regeneration project is the £100m Waverley community development in Rotherham.

The biggest brownfield site development in South Yorkshire covers 741 acres, an area bigger than Sheffield city centre.

Over a development phase of 20 years, the site will see the establishment of a new community of around 4,000 homes, shops, restaurants, schools, leisure facilities, health and community centres and parks.

Key developments over the past year include the start of construction on the first 250 of the new homes at Waverley, the sale of 32 acres of land on the AMP to Rolls-Royce in a £11m deal, and contracts being exchanged with the University of Sheffield to enable the construction of the AMRC training centre and new prototyping centre.

Plans were also approved for earthworks that will allow further development of around 21.5 hectares (53 acres) of land adjacent to the AMP. Following the £7m sale of the Evolution development, Harworth has recently unveiled details of the next phase of high specification new build accommodation for the advanced manufacturing sector, to be called "R-evolution @ The AMP."

Harworth Estates website

Images: Harworth Estates

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News: Gallery Town's Spring refresh

The Mayor of Rotherham, Dave Pickering, has been pictured writing graffiti in Rotherham town centre.

Gallery Town in Rotherham's spring refresh has been launched by the Mayor and Mayoress, who contributed to a Graffiti Door inspired by a photograph called "Lover's Graffiti" by Paul Schatzberger – a work which people are invited to continue to contribute to. Local young people from Swinton Lock Activity Centre and artist Jamie Jones worked with the Mayor and other visitors on the artwork during the launch.

The art project, which is backed by the Rotherham LSP (Local Strategic Partnership) Board, was started as a way to regenerate the town centre, attract more visitors and to help create more trade for local businesses. Since launching in 2011, it has built up to include over 100 large-scale reproductions of artwork from local artists, artists from further afield and local schoolchildren, complemented by famous masterpieces from the National Gallery.

Speaking at the launch event on Hollowgate, the Mayor said: "Gallery Town is a unique project that no other Town Centre in the country can lay claim to. It brings art within reach of everyone and is a major, positive step, towards aiding in the regeneration of the town."

The latest phase includes a number of doors for residents to add their own graffiti to, inspired by a photograph taken by Paul Schatzberger, a Sheffield based photographer and former doctor, who was delighted to be invited to participate in the Gallery Town project.

He said: "Wandering around Verona, Italy with my camera during a break in rehearsals of the European Doctors Orchestra, I come across this old doorway near Juliet's House. A romantic spot where countless people inscribe their names for the sake of love. Hundreds of personal graffiti cover the surface of the door. Romeo and Juliet may be the imaginary story of passionate young lovers written by Shakespeare, but that doesn't stop romantics from linking fact with fiction.

"The Verona city council consider providing replaceable panels for the use of graffitists. Rotherham goes one step further and gives us actual doors. Go for it!"

Approximately 30 new pieces are being added to the gallery with large scale reproductions installed in key outdoor locations around the town.

Other work includes a series of pieces that capture prominent Rotherham people from Sheffield-based artist Shelley Hughes that were specially commissioned by Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance.

The unusual showcase has already helped raise the profile of the artist with the unique artwork of author and educator, Gervaise Phinn already sold....to Gervaise Phinn.

Gallery Town website

Images: Gallery Town / Shelley Hughes

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News: Apprentices bring hope to empty home

The charity Action Housing and Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT) have celebrated success with the official opening of their first refurbished house under the HOPE Strategy.

The house, which had been derelict for several years, was donated to the project by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and refurbished by construction apprentices working with Action Housing to create two flats. Two of the apprentices who had been working on the project are going to be moving into the flats.

The chair of the board of trustees at Action Housing and Support, Mr Gwilym Griffith cut the ribbon at the house in Maltby on Alexander Street. He was joined by many of the other partners involved in the project and Gill Alton, principal and chief executive of RCAT.

The charity's HOPE strategy brings together voluntary, public, and private sectors to provide holistic solutions to empty houses, worklessness and provides purposeful activity.

Gill Alton, principal and chief executive of RCAT, said: "This fantastic project is the culmination of partnership working between Action Housing, Rotherham College and RMBC. We have taken derelict housing and converted it into high quality, affordable homes. I am very proud of our students, college staff and everyone involved for what they have achieved."

All the apprentices who had taken part in the project so far were presented with a certificate by local MP Sarah Champion, who said: "I am so proud that this wonderful project is happening in Rotherham, it shows what working together can achieve."

RCAT website

Images: RCAT

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News: Tata to close Rotherham site - reports

Tata Steel intends to close the Swinden Technology Centre (STC) in Rotherham, according to reports in a national newspaper.

The Sunday Times reported yesterday that the Indian-owned steelmaker has warned the government that it intends to close two technology centres, in Rotherham and on Teeside, over the next 18 months. The paper's Westminster source adding that it would move the research to the Netherlands and India.

The STC, on Moorgate, is the main R&D site in the UK. Employing around 200 staff, it focuses on product research and applications research for the transport, engineering and building and construction sectors. It specialises in mechanical testing, welding and fatigue analysis and is pioneering ways to reduce steel production's impact on the environment.

United Steels acquired the site in 1946 and in addition to state of the art laboratories, it also includes Swinden House, the former home of Rotherham solicitor Thomas Badger, plus playing fields, tennis courts, a club house and orchards.

Last year, The National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC) moved out of Swinden House and across Rotherham to the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) to join the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing.

Just over 2,000 people are employed at Tata Steel in South Yorkshire and sites including Stocksbridge and Aldwarke specialise in the production of high grade and special steels for the world's leading companies in markets ranging from automotive to aerospace, civil engineering to component manufacturing, energy industries to consumer goods.

The speciality steels business is performing well but high raw material prices and sliding demand continue to be key problems for European steelmakers. In its most recent financial reports, Tata Steel posted a loss for its European operation of £51.2m for the third quarter of 2012/13, down from an £5.2m loss the previous quarter but up from a £93.2m loss in the same quarter last year.

Corus joined the Tata Steel family in April 2007 in a £6 billion transaction that created one of the world's largest steelmakers.

Major restructuring saw the company announce that 1,100 jobs would be lost in Rotherham in 2009. A restructure of its UK operations announced in November 2012 included £2.7m being invested in Rotherham but over 100 local jobs put at risk of redundancy.

The reports regarding the R&D centres follows on from rumours from the Indian sub-continent that Tata Steel is planning to sell of some of its UK assets to reduce its debt burden.

Local staff have been updated by directors indicating that "a key point of the news is incorrect" and that investment in R&D in the UK is on track.

A spokesperson from Unite said: "Tata have informed the unions that the story is wrong and it has no plans to close R&D in the UK."

Tata Steel website
Sunday Times article

Images: Tata

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News: Crawshaw reports on continued improvement

In a year that saw significant changes to VAT rules and major supermarkets hit by the horse meat scandal, Crawshaw, the Rotherham-based meat-focused retailer, has seen a rise in like for like sales and an increase in earnings and profit, resulting in the first ever dividend for shareholders.

In its financial results for the year ended January 31 2013, the Bradmarsh Business Park company saw overall sales for the year of £18.8m, slightly down from the previous years figure of £18.9m but said that this was due to the planned scale back of less profitable sales channels.

Like for like sales were up 3% following the disappointing dip last year, which meant that EBITDA (earnings) went up by 15% at £0.7m and profit before tax came in at £0.3m compared to a nil figure in 2012.

The good results meant that debt has been reduced to zero and new financial arrangements since the year end has seen the group reduce its mortgage from £840k to £540k and extend the facilities for a further three years.

Last year, Richard Rose, chairman of Crawshaw, stated that his confidence in sales growth had been undermined by the Chancellor's decision to propose the introduction of VAT on hot food.

Following a u-turn by the government, retailers have been able to sell hot products "on the cool", straight out of the oven and avoid the 20% VAT charge and Crawshaw invested in equipment, additional staff and staff training to prepare for the changes.

Crawshaw's 20 outlets cook smaller batches of roast chickens and cooked meat joints much more often and letting them cool naturally for short periods so they will be freshly cooked for customers.

Richard Rose, chairman of Crawshaw, said: "The measures taken to improve our performance in the face of a very tough retail climate have been working and I'm pleased to be able to report a continued improvement in trading.

"The retail climate remains challenging; however I am encouraged by the continued improvements in trading over the first 12 weeks of the current year. Like for like sales are ahead and we are particularly pleased with the further increases in gross margin and improvements in cost we are achieving.

"The Board is delighted to propose its maiden dividend of 0.2 pence per share."

He added that the VAT change was a "disruptive, expensive and challenging development that we could have done without, and our performance would have been better without the change."

Crawshaw website

Images: Crawshaw

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News: Hallam University secures £2m to help Yorkshire innovate

Sheffield Hallam University has secured new funding to help more than 100 businesses in Yorkshire and Humber to innovate.

The team has already worked with 160 businesses over the last four years to solve technical problems or develop new ideas. These include broadband provider Ask4, food company Shaws of Huddersfield, gasket manufacturer Whitby and Chandler, Westfield Health and Martek Marine.

Manvers-based Martek is the world leader in safety and environmental monitoring equipment for commercial ships. The university supported Paul Luen when he moved into the chief executive role and helped enhance leadership capability in his new management team.

Alex Prince, director of Innovation Futures at the University, said: "We have a team of 12 consultant academics, all with business experience.

"Businesses tend to come to us either with a technical problem – such as product corrosion issues – or they have a great idea and don’t know where to start to make it happen. Projects have included working in interactive design, increasing the energy efficiency of production processes, introducing lean manufacturing, spectroscopic analysis, improving food production to reduce preservative levels, and a wide variety of new product development projects."

The project is part-funded with £900k from European Regional Development Fund and match-funded by the university for projects until end June 2015.

Innovation Futures has a dedicated team of staff who work in Sheffield Hallam University's leading research centres – Materials and Engineering Research Institute; Cultural, Communication and Computing Research Institute; Centre for Food Innovation; Biomedical Research Centre and Sheffield Business School.

Sheffield Hallam University website

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News: Yormii in Denby deal

Award-winning Rotherham cookware company, Yormii, has attracted its first national retailer, Denby, who have 29 cookshops nationwide.

Product designer Nathan Bestwick set up the innovative kitchenware firm in partnership with Sheffield-based company Gripple, under its "Incub" programme, which nurtures local inventors with the aim of creating future jobs in South Yorkshire.

Enterprising Nathan's first product, millmii, is an innovative spice mill that can be used by people who have limited strength or dexterity in their hands and works by being rolled in the hands without any need to grip or twist. It got an "honourable mention" amongst some of the world's leading brand names and product developments in the red dot awards for product design 2012.

The first few weeks of 2013 saw the company send out their first orders of millmii from new premises at RiDO's Matrix Business Centre in Dinnington. The company received a lot of interest after Nathan showcased the products at the Autumn Fair in 2012, the largest home and gift buying event of the season that showcases new designers and new products.

In February, Yormii showcased millmii plus new innovative products at Spring Fair International, a similar home and gift trade fair. It was the launch of spicemii, a specially designed product that works like the pestle and mortar but again it can be used by people who have limited strength or dexterity.

Spicemii was demonstrated on Cook Live in front of an intrigued audience and used to create a tasty meat rub, salad dressing, a harissa paste mixed with mayonnaise, a mustard mayonaise dip and a fresh basil pesto. After the showcase Nathan Bestwick, managing director at Yormii, said: "The audience were happy, and feedback was fantastic. Even the cameraman was licking his fingers. Getting stuck in! That's what Yormii is all about - inspiring creativity in the kitchen!"

As well as taking orders from lots of new independent giftware shops and cook shops, Yormii attracted their first national retailer, Denby.

Yormii continues to grow, and with RiDO's support through the Soft Landing Zone programme, Nathan is building on the interest from distributors worldwide.

Three further products are getting ready to launch, including count-on-mii - easy peel, scratch-off food freshness labels, and Nathan is now looking forward to Yormii's first consumer facing show at Grand Designs Live at the ExCel in London next month.

Nathan added: "Every year hundreds of thousands of people flock to Grand Designs Live to spot the latest in home and lifestyle products, and this year is no exception. Especially because Yormii will be there selling our products at our first consumer facing show. We're so excited to be there."

Yormii website

Images: Yormii / Gripple

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News: Finance Yorkshire pass £40m mark

Finance Yorkshire has taken to the streets to get the message out that funding is still available for growth.

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

More than 500 business leaders from Yorkshire and the Humber attended recent Finance Yorkshire organised events in Leeds, York, Hull and Sheffield.

Since being launched in August 2010, Finance Yorkshire has made more than 350 investments, with a total value of £41m, in businesses across Yorkshire, the Humber and north and north east Lincolnshire. This has safeguarded and created 6,200 jobs and generated a private sector leverage of £79m.

Alex McWhirter, chief executive at Finance Yorkshire (pictured above), said: "The Roadshows illustrated through case studies that there is funding available for viable businesses to develop growth plans. Plenty has been achieved so far, but there is still a lot of hard work ahead.

"This year attendees had the chance to learn about the economic strategies from their respective Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). Working together, Finance Yorkshire and the LEPs can improve prosperity and generate employment throughout the region.

"These annual events are always popular with financial intermediaries and we look forward to next year where we will have even more investee companies report their successes."

Each event provided attendees with area specific information on accessing finance and allowed local businesses, which have had Finance Yorkshire investment, to report their development and the benefits of the funding.

Innovative Rotherham company, Xeros, outlined their experience of the fund. The Leeds University spin-out, based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), has developed a patented system using a unique method of special polymer beads rather than the usual large amounts of fresh water to clean clothes. Funding has been secured to commercialise the system.

Finance Yorkshire website
Xeros website

Images: Finance Yorkshire

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News: How to avoid the high street slump

Leading Rotherham insolvency expert Paul Moorhead, of Moorhead Savage, insists there is still room for optimism in the retail sector despite a number of big names recently disappearing from the High Street.

The firm, based at RiDO's Moorgate Crofts business centre, has seen an increase in the number of calls from smaller traders in recent months but insists that they can prosper if they adapt to the rapid changes in spending habits and the other changes affecting all areas of retail.

"The people who are going to survive the economic crisis are the ones who are already positioning themselves for future growth, ensuring that any problems they face now don't become an insurmountable and terminal economic disaster," he said.

"There is no doubt that the high street is going to change over the next few years as larger businesses struggle to cope with the threat of online and the growth of cut price outlets.

"But there is always an opportunity for retailers to identify fresh markets and provide good service and great products for that market in order to build up a loyal customer base."

In Rotherham town centre, retailers have been taking advantage of funding from the Portas Pilot initiative to undertake training in areas of visual merchandising, gift wrapping, customer service and media and marketing. Many are following the major retailers and setting up online stores to compliment their physical stores, the so-called "clicks and bricks" model.

In a recent mystery shopper exercise, undertaken by the Mary Portas-inspired Source Retail Skills Academy, 48 town centre businesses and over 120 indoor and outdoor market traders were assessed and rated against criteria including signage, visual presentation, store layout, staff knowledge and service, communication, product knowledge, sales and customer service.

Of the shops surveyed, 11 businesses achieved Platinum ratings of 100%, with a further 33 businesses achieving Gold ratings of 93% and above.

Councillor Gerald Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development at Rotherham Council, said: "It's fantastic that so many businesses took part and the results were very impressive, as we anticipated they would be. Providing excellent personal service is just one of the ways in which we provide customers with that little bit extra.

"Shoppers are increasingly looking for value for money and know that when they spend their money in our independent stores they are buying quality goods coupled with expert knowledge about the products.

"Surveys have shown that Rotherham shoppers are becoming more satisfied with the shopping offer and are increasingly choosing to Shop Local and support our specialist independent retailers; the high level of customer service is a hugely important factor in that."

Paul Moorhead concluded that the correct advice as early as possible can lead to exciting new opportunities, adding: "It is the companies who make no arrangements with their creditors until it is too late to do anything positive who go under.

"Act early, seek proper help and there's no reason at all why a business shouldn't be one of the high street winners rather than a retail loser."

Rotherham town centre website
Moorhead Savage website

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News: Summer camps to help young people get work-wise

Work-wise, the initiative inspired and led by local employers, is aiming to enhance the future employment prospects of up to 200 young people across the city region, with a series of summer camps.

The programme was developed by Templeborough-based Business & Education South Yorkshire and a partnership of local manufacturing and engineering companies in response to their concerns that not enough young people are attracted to the sector as well as not having the basic work ready skills to take up apprenticeships and jobs.

Described by many as the "ultimate interview", Work-wise provides young people with a broad range of inspirational, industry focused, work related learning and development experiences enabling them to better develop the personal attributes and skills they will need in preparation for future jobs and life. It is supported by local employers including Newburgh Engineering, AESSEAL and the MTL Group.

Work-wise is now established as a charitable foundation to lead the campaign on improving employability, work readiness and open up real job opportunities for young people.

The expansion into summer camps means that more young people will get the chance to become work-wise. Keen young people aged 14-16 who have an interest in careers in engineering and manufacturing are being encouraged to apply. The camp includes a two day employability skills induction programme and an eight day real work placement in an engineering or manufacturing environment.

Running from July 29 to August 30, the camp costs £100 and some bursaries are available through the work-wise Foundation Charitable Fund.

Jackie Freeborn: chief executive of Business & Education South Yorkshire, said: "Schools have a really difficult time because education is constantly moving. Schools are not measured on how many young people go into an apprenticeship or get a job, they're measured on qualifications and how well they do at OFSTED.

"Although schools understand the relevance of getting young people ready for work, they sometimes don't have the capacity to do that. We come in and make that easy and work with schools as an interface with young people that have shown an interest in engineering or are more interested in a vocational route into employment.

"What's great about it is that the employers really feel passionate about Work-wise because they'd designed the content, they've designed the program."

Gordon Bridge, director at AESSEAL and executive member of the Work-wise Foundation board, said: "I think work-wise is the best initiative in business and education certainly in my experience, over the last 40 years. Businesses are embracing it, as are schools and parents."

Work-wise website

Images: Work-wise

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News: Vitalife set for supplemental income

Rotherham-based health specialist, Vitalife, is continuing to expand its product range with the launch of its own branded vitamins and minerals supplements.

Vitalife started life just two and a half years ago in the niche industry of specialist teas - with just one line of their signature matcha green tea (a powdered form of green tea). Since then, they have expanded to offer over 16 lines of specialist teas from matcha through to their popular "slimming" tea blend.

Expansion into RiDO's Fusion @ Magna business centre at Templeborough in 2012 has given the enterprise more space and access to specialist support from the ERDF-funded Soft Landing Zone project including research and support in developing contacts with international markets.

Now Vitalife plan to give the big vitamin brands a run for their money with a new approach. It has developed a range of vitamins and minerals that feature absolutely no artificial or highly processed bulking agents or fillers, allowing the active ingredients to be easily and fully absorbed by the body.

Gavin Edley managing director of Vitalife, said: "We wanted to create a range of vitamins and supplements that were genuinely good for you.

"Ingredients like Magnesium Stearate are often derived from pork and other animal fats - not necessarily an ingredient you would like to find in a health supplement. But the reality is that this is found in most supplements on the market. We use none of these ingredients in our range, opting for no fillers and bulking agents at all where applicable, and where this is not possible, we use natural rice flour as the only additional ingredient to the active substance."

Vitalife launch their first line-up of vitamins and minerals this month, with more due to launch throughout 2013. It follows the first move outside the niche of specialist teas with the launch of its organic coconut oil earlier this year.

Edley added: "We have developed a strong brand since our inception in 2010, and want to continue building on these foundations by offering a wider range of health products under the Vitalife brand - following our basic principles of developing products with completely natural ingredients and using strictly nothing that is highly-processed or artificial.

"We want to be seen by consumers as a broader 'health product' brand and have many more products that we are currently developing, testing, and planning to launch during 2013. It is set to be a very busy year for us in the New Product Development department."

Vitalife Health website

Images: Vitalife

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News: Thermex select Nikken to deliver benefits

Thermex Ltd, a specialist manufacturer of heat exchangers, has called on Rotherham's expert tooling supplier, Nikken Kosakusho Europe, as they invest in future growth.

Based in Redditch, Thermex manufacture high quality shell and tube, liquid cooled heat exchangers for the hydraulic, industrial and marine markets. They count the JCB Group, Caterpillar Global Mining and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as clients.

Nikken enjoys a global dominance of the rotary table technology market and supply manufacturers operating in the aerospace, defence, motorsport, automotive and medical sectors, as well as customers looking for the most productive and most effective ways to machine aluminium, steels, stainless, titanium and exotics.

In late 2012 Thermex Ltd took delivery of a new Doosan 750L vertical machining centre equipped with a Nikken CNC260 rotary table and eight Alberti angle heads also supplied and supported by Nikken Kosakusho Europe.

This investment has already provided immediate benefits for Thermex, reducing manufacturing times, eliminating the threat of scrapped parts and delivering an unparalleled finish on all the machined components.

Brian Wilson, commercial director at Thermex (picture above, left), said: "Our significant investment in this new Doosan machining centre from Mills CNC with Nikken's 4th axis capability and the Alberti angle heads will definitely bring about improvements in our manufacturing processes and to the quality of the components supplied to our UK, European and Global clients.

"Successful approvals and audits are absolutely vital to our business going forward and the purchase of this type of sophisticated equipment demonstrates the importance attached to customer requirements and our commitment to deliver products of outstanding quality every time. Premium quality at a competitive price is essential to an SME such as Thermex in order to maintain of our position as a preferred supplier of quality air and liquid cooled heat exchangers to international OEMs."

Nikken Kosakusho Europe is a subsidiary of Nikken Works Limited Japan and its headquarters on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate opened in 1999. It has continued to expand in both the UK and Europe, taking on new staff in the UK and in overseas offices and last year they opened a new technical office and demonstration / testing facility at The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Nikken Kosakusho Europe website
Thermex Ltd website

Images: Nikken Kosakusho Europe

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News: AMRC and IBM unveil MRO prototype

Researchers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham are working with global technology and consulting corporation, IBM to use augmented reality and robotics to support engineers.


The mobile maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) prototype is a robotic sidekick designed to help manufacturers and companies supplying and maintaining high-value machinery in sectors such as aerospace, oil and gas and shipping. It will help field engineers accurately locate equipment, provide them with critical information and receive real-time visual support from supervising experts based remotely.

Out on site, engineers can use smart phones with augmented reality technology to overlay points of interest over a plan of the site, which can include the location of other engineers, first aid stations and health and safety apparatus. Scanning QR codes can help locate and identify an asset and receive maintenance instructions.

If assistance is needed, a remote expert back in the office is able to view the on-site engineer's workspace and support them with real-time video and audio links using a camera and a small projector mounted at the end of a remotely controlled robotic arm. The remote expert is also able to project a pointer and valuable information such as free-hand sketches, assembly instructions and CAD images directly onto the workspace or a nearby wall.

The new system provides the supervisor with complete visual independence and a more stable video image; on-site engineers are able to work with greater freedom or, in the case of those with specialist glasses, freed from the tiring need to re-focus their eyes.

Richard Lanyon-Hogg, technical director for the industrial sector at IBM, said: "The MRO prototype brings together two innovative IBM technologies, developed in our European research labs in Hursley and Haifa, into a single solution for our clients. It offers manufacturers the opportunity to lower their costs, provide just-in-time knowledge transfer and reduce the personal risk to engineers working in difficult environments."

Dr Rab Scott, head of the Virtual Reality and Modelling Group at the AMRC, added: "IBM's MRO prototype is an exciting addition to the innovative toolset used by the AMRC's researchers and engineers. We hope to demonstrate its usefulness and versatility in a number of situations within the manufacturing arena."

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, the AMRC is a successful collaboration between academia and industry and is responsible for identifying, researching and resolving advanced manufacturing problems in order to help businesses become more competitive through the application of new techniques, technologies and processes.

A fully working IBM MRO system has been installed at the AMRC's Diamond Jubilee Knowledge Transfer Centre.

IBM website
AMRC website

Images: IBM / AMRC

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News: Rotherham's newest Freemen

Lieutenant Commander Allen Dixon, Brian Chapple and Stephen Smith, MBE, are set to become Honorary Freemen of Rotherham.

Elected Members of the Council recently agreed that arrangements should be made to admit them in recognition of their eminent service to the borough.

Northumberland-born Brian Chapple has lived and worked in Rotherham since 1969. He started his career as a teacher at Wickersley Comprehensive School and then Old Hall Comprehensive School. He then held a number of positions at Rotherham Council including education adviser and OFSTED inspector and went on to become the independent chair of The Rotherham Partnership.

From 2001, Brian's career focused on the Rotherham Rugby club where he worked as chief executive, and he was instrumental in establishing the Titans Community Foundation.

Rotherham United appointed Brian as their new community director in 2011 as they looked to maximise the community aspects of their new stadium but Brian left the role after suffering from ill health later that year. Brian was already well know to Rotherham United fans through his work as a commentator for Radio Sheffield from 1982-2004 ("Everybody's gone mad, I've gone mad, the fans are on the pitch, who blames them"). He is currently working on details for Paul Warne's testimonial.

Brian also joined Full Circle Learning as chairman in November 2010. Full Circle works with a number of partners in the town to provide training opportunities for young people in areas such as construction, security and IT. Partners include Lifeskills, Morrison plc and Rotherham United.

Steve D Smith, MBE is a criminal lawyer at Wilford Smith Solicitors in Rotherham town centre and is famed for his high profile cases, after-dinner speaking and charity work. Sheffield-born Steve aspired for a life in showbusiness but was drawn to the theatre of the courtroom and worked at local solicitors whilst studying for his legal exams. He moved to Rotherham in 1971 despite being told that "it was so rough even the kids played conkers with hammers" and grew to like it and its people.

In 1981 he set up Wilford Smith with friend, Steve Wilford, specialising in fraud and environmental cases, together with serious crime, such as murder, manslaughter and drug related offences. The firm went on to attract high profile clients including the late Adam Faith, the boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, and Rotherham peer, Lord Ahmed. With plenty of stories to tell, Steve has become a successful author and after dinner speaker.


The self-confessed workaholic is also involved in several local charities (raising an estimated £2-4m) including being chairman of the SAFE@Last charity that provides refuges for abused children. Steve was awarded the MBE in 2006 for services to Rotherham and South Yorkshire charities.

For over 50 years, Commander Dixon has organised both the Remembrance Day and Mayor's Parades through Rotherham town centre. Since 1958 and even after his retirement in 2012, he has organised and planned the two annual parades, that often involve hundreds of people.

Wilford Smith website
Rotherham Council website

Images: Brian Chapple / twitter / yourstevesmith.com

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News: Sweet source of support for Rotherham retailers

The Source Skills Academy Rotherham continues to offer advice, guidance and training services to Rotherham businesses to increase skills levels, create apprenticeship opportunities and to support trade in the town centre.

Based at Meadowhall, The Source Skills Academy is a flagship centre providing state of the art training and development facilities with a focus on the retail and service sector.

A Rotherham base opened on the High Street in 2011 with support from Rotherham Council and the Skills Funding Agency.

As a new business, Whistle Stop Sweet Shop needed specialist support to point them in the right direction for training, recruitment and business development. Having previously worked for retailer Toys'R'Us, owners Kara and Tony Chapman were taking a leap into running their own business and called on The Source to offer the much needed guidance.

George Elliott, business account manager at The Source Skills Academy Rotherham, met Kara and Tony in 2011 and suggested a range of new ideas to help grow their business. From visual merchandising observations and recommendations, to marketing and promotional plans and training assessments, Kara and Tony have accessed a range of business development ideas.

One of Kara and Tony's main focuses was encouraging customers through the door of their Imperial Buildings shop, and after a professional visual merchandiser from The Source made a visit to the store to illustrate new store layouts and creative designs, Kara and Tony felt comfortable to use their creativity to develop exciting displays, witnessing an increase in sales and a brand new customer base.

Following an increase in sales, the retailers have recruited additional members of staff, including apprentices through The Source. Kara Chapman, owner of the Whistle Stop Sweet Shop, said: "I wasn't familiar with apprenticeships before, but after The Source explained the benefits of recruiting an apprentice, we realised that it wouldn't put a strain on our business and instead we would be developing our staff base whilst bringing fresh ideas to our store.

"The Source has encouraged us to evaluative our business progress and consider our store from a customer's perspective. The team have offered an honest approach which was refreshing - they actually listened to what we wanted and came up with solutions.

"The Source's support has taught us valuable businesses lessons which have opened up a wealth of opportunities for us, including moving into new premises and opening a temperance bar which will generate additional business for us in the future. The Source Skills Academy has made a huge impact on our business."

Whistle Stop Sweet Shop website
The Source website

Images: The Source

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News: Rolls-Royce discuss prospects for nuclear and aerospace sectors at GMF

Work on the planned Rolls-Royce civil nuclear manufacturing facility in Rotherham will start when the world-renowned engineers receive the first orders for its nuclear components.

Professor Steve Garwood of Rolls-Royce Nuclear (pictured above) was a key speaker at the recent Global Manufacturing Festival on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham and gave an update on the UK being on the verge of a new nuclear renaissance.

In the UK, the new generation of nuclear power stations will require a total investment of around £60 billion. Recent positive moves include planning permission being granted for a nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset, the UK's official nuclear regulators approving the design of Areva's EPR reactor for use in the UK, and Hitachi acquiring Horizon, the UK new nuclear power station business from E.ON UK and RWE npower.

On Rolls-Royce developing its nuclear business, Professor Garwood said: "We have aspirations for building a civil nuclear factory at some point in the UK, when there are orders. So we are really on the brink.

"We do have an aspiration, particularly if we start building civil nuclear components in the UK, to attack the global market with that factory, not just base it on UK requirements."

Plans for a state-of-the-art factory for Rolls-Royce at AMP in Rotherham have been approved. 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.

Rolls-Royce is aiming to produce large components, up to 150 tons, such as pressurisers, core make up tanks and heat exchangers.

Professor Garwood also highlighted the pedigree of Rolls-Royce in the nuclear submarine sector and the expansion of facilities in Derby (employing 1,400 nuclear engineers) and also discussed the importance of its involvement in research and development, particularly as the lead industrial partner in the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre on the AMP.

Summarising, Professor Garwood said that the only way the UK can compete in the nuclear sector is by focusing on high value manufacturing. He added: "Forget high volumes, forget mass employment actually. We need to develop the techniques taking us to a technological edge above the rest of the world.

"For this to work we need absolute synergy between the universities, the manufacturing research centres, the supply chain and people like Rolls-Royce. And, in fact, the government need to oil the wheels. You can't just say 'market forces take over,' it doesn't work in the nuclear industry."

Andy Page, strategic purchase executive for Rolls-Royce, was also a key speaker at the Global Manufacturing Festival. He provided an update on the company's involvement in the aerospace sector, a sector where future production is much more set in stone than civil nuclear.

Page estimated that 27,000 new aircraft will be needed over the next 20 years. "This stuff is going to happen," he said. "We have a growing order book of around £60 billion and the challenge now will be on delivering as opposed to winning orders."

Page added that it took Rolls-Royce 18 years to produce the previous 2,000 of its iconic Trent engines, the next 2,000 will take only five years.

To do that means the continuation of the groundbreaking research in new manufacturing techniques and materials carried out at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing on the AMP.

"Technology and capability is key" added Page. "The UK needs to improve technologies to give itself an advantage."

Improvements are taking place in productivity, supply chains, financing and management and Rolls-Royce is investing in the next generation of engineers with a new apprentice academy.

Rapid progress is also being made on the new Advanced Blade Casting Facility currently being constructed at the AMP.

The 14,900 sq m facility will use cutting edge manufacturing techniques to produce single crystal turbine blades, which play a critical role in jet engines and 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 Rotherham facility will be capable of manufacturing 100,000 blades per year when fully operational in 2014.

Rolls-Royce website
Global Manufacturing Festival website

Images: globalmanufacturingfestival.com

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News: AMP firms grow with Goldman Sachs

Two Rotherham firms that have taken part in Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme, have both taken on new staff.

Fripp Design and Research, one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies, and engineering design specialists, Performance Engineered Solutions Ltd (PES) are both based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP). They both secured a place on the Yorkshire version of the scheme, funded by the investment bank and run by the Leeds University Business School.

The programme enables SMEs to achieve their growth potential with targeted support and resources. Each participant undertakes the programme as a member of a cohort of 25 to 30 entrepreneurs. The core of the programme, undertaken by all participants, is a cycle of 12 modules each focused on a different aspect of business growth.

Since the launch of 10,000 Small Businesses UK in October 2010, the program has reached nearly 500 leaders of high-growth small businesses and social enterprises across Yorkshire and Humber, the North West, the Midlands and London.

A progress report, published today, showed that two thirds – 66% – of participants indicated that, compared to the same period in the previous 12 months, their turnover had increased. 92% of participants reported that they are now more confident in their ability to succeed in growing their businesses.

The report also showed that 77% of participants are creating net employment after the programme, compared with 24 percent of the wider small business population. On average, participants reported an annual increase of 23 percent in their net employment.

In March, both Fripp and PES Ltd hired new designers.

On taking part in the programme, Tom Fripp, managing director of Fripp Design and Research, said: "The programme gave me access to a calibre of people, participants and presenters that I would never have had before. It was a privilege to be involved in such a high profile scheme, and we benefited enormously."

Speaking at The 10,000 Small Businesses UK alumni conference, Lloyd Blankfein, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, said: "Our approach to 10,000 Small Businesses is that this is more than just philanthropy. This represents an investment that is self-sustaining and that has a compounding effect on local communities through economic growth and job creation."

Recruitment for the next cohort, due to start in the Autumn, is underway.

Fripp Design and Research website
PES Ltd website
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses website

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News: Apprentice gains the right tools for the job at SNA Europe

A young apprentice is seizing the opportunity created by SNA Europe and Rotherham College of Arts & Technology (RCAT).

With a UK office in Bramley, SNA Europe has been designing and manufacturing tools for over 150 years and their Bahco brand offers high quality and ergonomically designed hand tools.

Before starting her Business Administration Apprenticeship, 19 year old Louise Simmonite was working in a full time job. She had tried studying A Levels at Sixth Form but found that she wanted to work and earn money rather than study full time.

However, after working in a shop for a year she decided it was time to go back into training so she could pursue a career that was right for her. Through RCAT, Louise enrolled on an apprenticeship so she could learn on the job and earn money while she trained.

Louise started her Level 2 qualification at SNA Europe in the Human Resources department with great success. Louise won the Apprentice of the Month award from Rotherham College after only being in her Apprenticeship for two months through excellent work in arranging a training course that included organising travel for staff from five other countries.

Since then she has gone onto a Level 3 apprenticeship and has further plans to develop.

Louise said: "I decided that I wanted to work and gain some qualifications at the same time and an apprenticeship would be the best way. This would also give me the experience I needed to progress.

"With the skills I have learnt during my apprenticeship I plan to carry on and go on to do HR qualifications and progress with the HR Department."

Stephen Casey, head of Business Improvement at Rotherham College, said: "This is a perfect example of how an Apprenticeship can support both the learner and the business. Louise has excelled at work and in her studies with great benefit to SNA Europe."

Michelle Clark, HR manager at SNA Europe, added: "Louise is an asset to our Business, she always gives 110% to both her work and studies, and is now a key member of our HR Team."

RCAT is currently more than half way through the 100 in 100 campaign, part of a national initiative which aims to get 100 apprentices into training over 100 days. Over the last three years the initiative has been a great success in South Yorkshire.

SNA Europe website
RCAT website

Images: RCAT

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News: Restover Lodge in administration

Restover Lodge, the independent budget hotel group that operates a hotel in Rotherham, has called in the administrators.

Simon Thomas and Shelley Bullman of leading insolvency and restructuring firm Moorfields Corporate Recovery LLP were appointed administrators of Restover Lodge Limited on April 15 2013.

Moorfields will continue to trade its three hotels in Doncaster, Rotherham and Peterborough, to maintain their business and protect value whilst they are marketed for sale. All employees have been retained.

With the assistance of specialist management agents, Moorfields have taken steps to implement a programme of improvements to ensure customers are provided with an improved level of service.

Michelle Toms, operator of 51-room Restover Lodge on Hellaby Industrial Estate in Rotherham, acquired the other two hotels from Metro Inns in 2008.

Restover Lodge website

Images: restoverlodge.co.uk

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News: Queen's Award for LSM

Rotherham-based London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Co Limited (LSM) has been awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade for 2013 as the firm celebrates its 75th anniversary year.

Founded in 1938, LSM is a highly successful manufacturer of high specification metals and alloys and an acknowledged global leader in sustainable metal and powder technology.

In securing the UK's highest accolade for business success, LSM showed outstanding achievement resulting in substantial growth in overseas earnings, sustained over three years or more, with a commitment to product innovation, quality, customer service and employee relations.

Now part of AMG Superalloys, the LSM group operates on a worldwide basis with its Head Office and manufacturing plant at Canklow. LSM exports over 85% of its specialised products for the steel, aerospace, superalloys, hard facing, welding and glass industries. It has a state of the art purpose built laboratory equipped with the latest analytical equipment and accredited to UKAS and Quality Management Standards.

Exports account for 87% of turnover and have grown over 50% in the last three years with growth in mature and new markets including the USA, India, Sweden, Belgium, Turkey and Canada.

LSM conducts extensive research on its markets and new exporting opportunities with market share information in each subsector well developed, including those areas where there is no standard information. A variety of routes to market are used including direct with the customer, through agents and through exclusive distributors.

Itamar Resende, managing Director of LSM, said: "I feel honoured that LSM has been recognised with such a prestigious award, and I would like to thank all employees for their support and commitment over many years. This award will strengthen our reputation and hopefully inspire other South Yorkshire businesses to grow internationally.

"2013 will see LSM celebrate its 75th anniversary and the achievement of this award emphasises the growth and development of our business, we could not have picked a better year to have received this award."

Michael Fallon, Business and Energy Minister, added: "The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are one of the most internationally-recognised and sought after awards that a UK business can achieve. They give companies prestige, an edge overseas and a well deserved boost.

"The Queen's Awards highlight our strong entrepreneurial streak and the excellent businesses we have up and down the country who are growing, creating jobs, making a valuable contribution to the economy and helping us to compete in the global race. I applaud each and every one of the winners."

LSM will welcome a Royal representative to Rotherham during the year to present a crystal bowl and will receive an invitation from HM The Queen to attend a special reception for the winners at Buckingham Palace.

LSM website

Images: LSM

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News: Principal Building Products acquire new £1m Rotherham premises

Principal Building Products, a growing distributor of building materials and building products, has acquired new premises on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate in Rotherham.

Acting on behalf of Enodis, GVA has advised on the sale of Sceptre Point, a 50,900 sq ft warehouse unit fronting Mangham Road in a deal worth £1.075m.

Currently based at nearby Parkgate, the acquisition of the former Magnet Limited premises will help Principal Building Products facilitate its planned expansion. Plans have already been approved to increase the office space within the unit that will be home to around 28 staff.

Rob Oliver, director at GVA's Leeds office, who brokered the deal, said: "Over the last few years, we have found Rotherham to be one of the more resilient and active markets in our area for industrial premises and we were pleased with the interest in this unit.

"Our client had a leasehold interest in this unit, but most enquiries were for the freehold. With the landlord willing to sell, we were able to agree a lease surrender and freehold sale, which worked for all three parties."

GVA and Crossland Otter Hunt were joint marketing agents for Enodis.

Principal Building Products website
GVA website

Images: GVA

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News: Gala Tent helps young people in Rotherham get ready for work

Five young people from Rotherham have been given a unique insight into the world of work by Gala Tent, one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of marquees and gazebos.

The Manvers company jumped at the chance to help unemployed people between the ages of 18 and 22 to prepare for the world of work, having been approached by Rotherham Youth Enterprise, who were delivering the Job Centre Plus initiative, for help with the "Get Ready" programme.

As part of the eight week long programme, Gala Tent's managing director Jason Mace ran a workshop at My Place in Rotherham, providing valuable advice on employment, interviews and enterprise. Jason Mace talked about his experiences of setting up Gala Tent, providing a valuable insight into the highs and lows of starting a business.

Jason also offered advice on preparing for interviews and employer's expectations of employees in the workplace, alongside graphic designer Kathrine Furniss from Gala Tent, who gave the group advice tips on producing a good CV which leaves a lasting impression on potential employers.

The young people were then set an enterprise challenge, with all profits raised going to local charity, Rotherham Cancer Care Centre. Rotherham Cancer Care Centre loaned £150 to the young people who set about organising two events held at Rotherham Street Market and Parkgate Shopping.

Gala Tent supported the Parkgate event by loaning the young people a marquee which would provide a professional shop front for their business.

Jason Mace, managing director of Gala Tent (pictured above, far let), said: "I was delighted to get involved with helping to inspire young people into being entrepreneurial and motivating them in their search for employment.

"I was really impressed with the hard work and enterprise of the young people involved in the programme. They took on board the advice and guidance we gave them in the workshop and made a real success of their two day business venture, raising over £500 for a good cause. I wish the group all the best in their search for a career and hope that a few of them may even be inspired to pursue their own business ventures."

Jackie Frost, enterprise projects manager at Rotherham Youth Enterprise (pictured above, far right), added: "Gala Tent's support of the "Get Ready" programme helped the young people involved to raise £568.14 for Rotherham Cancer Care Centre, on top of paying back the initial £150 loan.

"The event at Parkgate would not have been possible without the help of Gala Tent as their marquee provided protection from the bitterly cold weather. The marquee made an impressive pop up shop and, along with the workshop delivered by Jason Mace and Kathrine Furniss, it inspired real confidence in the young people we were working with."

Gala Tent will be previewing its extensive range of new designs for marquees, gazebos and accessories at its Spring Show on April 26 - 27.

Gala Tent website
Rotherham Ready website

Images: Gala Tent

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News: Rotherham welcomes Vintage Dolls

Vintage Dolls has become the first Pop-Up Shop in Rotherham town centre, opening today in the refurbished Imperial Buildings and adding to the town's niche and independent retail offer.

The store specialises in vintage jewellery, clothing and furniture and has taken advantage of a scheme that enables new start businesses to test the market and their business ideas without the risk normally associated with new enterprises.

Vintage Dolls has initially been offered a three month licence for the unit with the option to occupy the shop for up to one year if successful. Rental discounts, help with fitting out and free business support and retail training form part of the package available.

Led by Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO), the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council, the scheme is being funded by central government as part of a grant received following the announcement last year that Rotherham was successful in becoming a "Portas Pilot" town.

The Vintage Dolls are Louise Griffiths, Jessica Donovan and Debbie Stevens, three friends who originally met through their day jobs having previously worked at Mamas & Papas, plus Viv the mannequin. They won the competition to secure the much sought after unit by impressing the council's Town Centre team with their solid business plan and enthusiasm.

Louise Griffiths, co-owner of Vintage Dolls, said: "The Mary Portas Pop-up Shop has given us an unbelievably amazing opportunity to showcase our dreams and launch our small business in what can be for many a very daunting prospect in today's economic climate.

"Within 24 hours we found ourselves pitching our ideas to Rotherham Council in a bid to showcase our dreams, they recognised our enthusiasm, passion and drive and were unanimous in their decision.

"We feel very honoured to be chosen to be a part of such fantastic project and very grateful for all the support we have received."

The business moves into the Imperial Buildings at an exciting time. Already an arts and crafts hub with independent boutiques, a café and hairdressers, the Whistlestop Sweet Shop and Temperance Bar has recently expanded and the Bittersweet Boutique has also recently moved in.

Louise explained what the newest addition will bring: "Vintage Dolls works on the unique concept of appreciating the little things in life.

"We source items such as jewellery, furniture, homeware, clothing and gifts from times gone by, to bring into modern day to be cherished for years to come, giving old items the new lease of life."

Vintage Dolls facebook page
Rotherham town centre website

Images: RMBC / Vintage Dolls / twitter

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News: New York Stadium up for international award

Rotherham United's New York Stadium is in the running at The Stadium Business Awards, the annual competition that honours the most notable venues across a number of different categories.

On the site of the former Guest & Chrimes Foundry, close to Rotherham town centre, the £20m development hosted its first games this season.

It has been shortlisted in the "Small Venue of the Year Award" category and will face competition from Russia, Isreal and Austria, as well as two other venues in the UK.

Led by proud Millers chairman, Tony Stewart, the stadium project has seen the club return home following four seasons of playing homes games at the soon to be demolished Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield.

Designed by S&P Architects, the 12,000 seater stadium has a roof design that is the stadium's iconic feature. The roof sections are made of solid, highly transparent plastic sheets of polycarbonate in a stepped formation going up to the main stand. These ensure that the atmosphere from the fans is kept within the stadium and reverberated back onto the pitch, whilst also letting sunlight onto the grass.

Other iconic features include the unique floodlights and the steepness of the stands that keep fans close to the action and help foster the excellent atmosphere.

It's name comes from the fact that the area where it was located is historically know as "New York." It is also though that the old Guest and Chrimes Foundry on the site made the distinctive fire hydrants which are dotted around the streets of New York, USA.

Rotherham born Dave Fellowes was attracted back home from his job as head groundsman at Premier League Fulham to ensure that the playing surface is one of the best in the league and the New York Stadium also includes top quality facilities for match-day banqueting, non-match hospitality, conferencing, training and education areas and commercial spaces.

Signet Planning were the planning consultants and the stadium was constructed on time by GMI Construction.

The Stadium Business Awards are now in their fourth year and are the only awards to recognise the entire spectrum of achievements from across the global stadium industry. Not only will the venues and events of the year be acknowledged but also individuals from behind the scenes and successful local community projects.

Ian Nuttall, founder of the The Stadium Business Awards, said: "Nominees should be very proud of their achievements and we congratulate them all in reaching the finals shortlist.

"The administration has been completed and now the real hard work begins - choosing the winners in each category from each of these deserving shortlisted finalists."

The winners will be announced in Manchester at a special gala evening on the June 6.

Rotherham United website

Images: themillers.co.uk

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News: Artfelt thanks to Signs Express

The team behind the new hydrotherapy pool at Sheffield Children's Hospital have given their thanks to Signs Express (Sheffield) for their work on the project.

The £200,000 hydrotherapy pool at the Ryegate Children's Centre, which was built following a successful fundraising campaign, was unveiled in March and opened by Paralympic gold medallist, Oliver Hynd and aims to help disabled youngsters develop their skills and strengthen their bodies.

Replacing a 50-year-old pool, the new sunken pool is easier to access, features modern lighting, including lights beneath the water, and has an improved hoist system, which allows patients to be moved from the changing rooms straight into the pool and shower room.

Templeborough-based, Signs Express worked with Cat Powell, Artfelt manager at The Children's Hospital Charity whose project uses art to brighten hospital walls, make children smile and engage them in creative workshops. Sheffield artists TADO donated their time and brightened up the walls with their funky designs, as part of a collaboration with Artfelt. Artfelt also worked closely with the architects in translating the staff's vision into the pool design; alongside choosing soothing colours for the space.

Signs Express were on hand to assist and advise on the most suitable vinyl and print for the pool environment that has very high humidity levels, and to identify the speciality paint that can be applied to the walls for adhesion.

Carol Morris, owner of Signs Express (Sheffield), said: "It has been a joy to be part of this project. Signs Express (Sheffield) worked with key members of the team including the artists and hospital staff to ensure the right decisions were being made. The end result…a wonderful environment for the children."

Jenny Featherstone, team leader for community physiotherapy and occupational therapy at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, added: "We are immensely grateful to all of the people who have been involved in this project. The new pool provided us with a bright, fresh, fun environment which will transform hydrotherapy for all involved."

Signs Express website

Images: tchc.org.uk/

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News: Global Manufacturing Festival underway

The main exhibition of Global Manufacturing Festival takes place today at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham.

The event has proved very popular and all 1,000 tickets have been taken, as delegates gain the opportunity to meet senior executives and buyers from Rolls Royce, Boeing, Siemens, Tata Steel and other global players.

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), 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.

James Newman, chairman of Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said: "The demand for this event demonstrates how important manufacturing is to the regional and national economy.

"The LEP is proud to support the Global Manufacturing Festival and I am delighted to hear the event has sold out. I'm looking forward to seeing Sheffield City Region showcase its world class strength in advanced manufacturing.

"It is symbolic that this event is being held on the Advanced Manufacturing Park – home to world-class research and manufacturing organisations including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Castings Technology International, Dormer Tools, Sandvik Coromant, TWI's Yorkshire Technology Centre and the new Nuclear AMRC."

Yesterday saw the hundreds of school children and students get the opportunity to see some of fastest vehicles, innovations and people on earth all in one place at the "Get up to Speed" event at Ekspan's Blue Shed in Sheffield. Headline attractions included Quicksilver, the world water speed record challenge boat and The AMRC's MANTRA lorry showcasing the groundbreaking work undertaken on the AMP. Marussia's F1 showcar returned, as did the Formula 1 simulator and PES Ltd's skeleton bobsleigh simulator.

The Global Manufacturing 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: The AMRC

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News: The Sheffield City Region Economic Overview

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) will be the best place to collaborate, to invest, to innovate and grow a business, and live, work, play and study. It will be supported by an unrivalled skills base and quality of life.

That's the vision of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the future growth and development of the city region and the starting point for the local growth plan.

Last month, the government confirmed a new model of local economic growth in its response to the Heseltine Review. LEPs, a collaboration between businesses and the local authorities that are placed at the heart of growth in the regions, have been charged with putting together local growth plans that will be the basis on which the government negotiates deals with each LEP for new levers, resources, funding and flexibility over them.

In the future, LEPs 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.

The Economic Overview, which identifies key priorities for economic growth in the SCR, has been out to consultation over recent months and will go before the next LEP Board in April. It refreshes the plans submitted to the government when the LEP was being established in 2010.

The objectives are relatively simple to understand - increase GVA (the value of goods and services produced in the area), increase the number of jobs, rebalance the economy by increasing the numbers employed by the private sector, and capitalise on the quality of life to deliver sustainable growth.

To do this is not so simple and the LEP has begun by highlighting two key priorities. The first is about maximising the potential of key growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing, creative and digital industries, healthcare technologies, logistics and low carbon. It is hoped that theses sectors will deliver the greatest increase in GVA and will be supported by high profile projects such as the developments around the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Robin Hood Airport, Markham Vale and Sheffield's New Retail Quarter.

The second priority is around putting in place the foundations to unlock growth and includes increasing skill levels, infrastructure projects, attracting inward investment and fostering business growth as well as using devolved powers effectively and maintaining and enhancing high quality, distinctive places.

James Newman, chairman of Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said in a recent blog: "There will be a lot more work to do to develop this vision into a clear strategy and business plan for the area, but we are looking forward to working with our partners and to establish the sectors and projects which to focus our efforts.

"Changes to the way local economic decisions are made are gaining substantial momentum and we need to make sure we continue to put ourselves in pole position so that the Sheffield City Region economy can start benefiting as soon as possible.

"The early signs, from conversations I've had with Whitehall, are that government will be looking to be convinced of three criteria before handing down powers or funds. They want to see strong local leadership, an agreed and fair method for prioritising how funds are spent, and a strategy for future economic growth."

Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership website

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News: Magna appoints new manager

John Silker, the former manager of Hellaby Hall Hotel as been appointed as the new general manager of Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham.

Magna is the UK's first science adventure centre and is set in the former Templeborough steelworks. It is a family attraction with more than 100 hands-on exhibits designed to explore the four elements of air, water, earth and fire. It also hosts regular school trips and has event space that can cater for anything from 30 people up to 3,000.

John moves across to the South Yorkshire tourist attraction from Manchester United where he was the manager of the VIP suite at Old Trafford.

John, who has 36 years' experience in the hospitality and leisure industry, says he is passionate about building on the success of Magna. He said: "What we have at Magna is unique in terms of the building. We can do so much that other venues can't, particularly because of the space inside. It's almost like having a blank canvas. It is an exciting time to be taking over."

Magna's nine different function spaces can host awards ceremonies, business conferences, large exhibitions, dinners, team building, wedding receptions, car launches and dance events. In the last year it has hosted the Olympic torch relay, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Richard Hawley in a concert broadcast live on BBC 6 Music, Warp Films tenth anniversary celebrations, RIBA Awards ceremony, BBC's Children in Need and a real ale festival.

Janet Lister, chair of the Magna Trust, the registered charity committed to promoting science and preserving South Yorkshire’s steel industry heritage, said: "John is committed to helping us build on the legacy of Magna, which has so much going for it, both for the leisure market and on the corporate side. I really think John can take us forward."

Originally from Merseyside, John, who is 60, has managed hotels and spa and golf resorts from Gretna Green in Scotland down to Suffolk. He said the eight years he spent in charge of Hellaby Hall Hotel near Rotherham, which he left in 2008, had a big influence on him.

"I was very committed to the area when I was here and involved in lots of charity work and was vice-president of Rotherham Chamber. Coming back to South Yorkshire feels like coming home. I love the area and I love the people."

Magna website

Images: Magna

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News: AMRC to experiment with "string" manufacturing

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham has secured £50,000 to carry out experimental work in composites manufacturing.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, the AMRC has a £4.5m state-of-the-art centre supporting the development of advanced composite materials inside the Factory of the Future. The centre works with complex hybrid components and systems, which require manufacturing expertise in both composite and metallic structures.

Complex and finely detailed fibre-placed structures are being developed for aerospace manufacturing and are playing a major part in weight reduction. Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has an airframe (the fuselage, wings and undercarriage) where nearly half is made up of carbon fibre reinforced plastic and other composites.

The new funding is from the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites (CIMComp) and will be used to carry out a feasibility study into the monitoring of automated composites manufacturing in-situ in a project called "string manufacturing."

Carbon fibre composite materials are increasingly used in aerospace, marine, automotive and other high-value industries for their combination of light weight and high strength. But they also present a host of manufacturing challenges.

Due to the cutting-edge manufacturing techniques used in composite manufacturing, defects in complex composite structures may only become noticeable after the manufacturing process is complete. The current quality control methods are used only once the full structure is solidified. At that stage, if the damage is detected, the whole component needs to be rejected as the material is beyond the state of repair, leading to high production costs and waste.

The new research, led by Professor Keith Worden with Elizabeth Cross at the university's Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Professor Alma Hodzic at the AMRC, is hoping to develop a structural health monitoring technique that can be carried out during the manufacturing process.

Experimental work will be carried out in the world-class facility of the AMRC with Boeing using an Automated Tape Placement (ATP) robot from Automated Dynamics. The system uses an automated "lay-up" process of layering composite fibres and adhesive onto the surface of a mould and is capable of producing new kinds of fibre-placed structures which are complex and finely detailed than those in current aerospace manufacturing.

The structures will be monitored as they are being created by applying a system of acoustic signals through the mould supporting the manufactured piece.

The research documents state that: "This approach to automated composites manufacturing will revolutionise the current industrial practices, potentially halve the production time, remove the need for post-processing inspection, and by nature become applicable to all advanced manufacturing methods and composite systems.

"This approach will create an enormous impact in the aviation industry, where the speed of manufacturing of novel composite airplanes (Boeing 787 and Airbus 350) depends entirely on the currently used composite manufacturing practices and the ability to assess the structural integrity of the system, carried out after the production."

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

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News: Man Of Steel set for charity appearance

Currently on show at this week's Global Manufacturing Festival in Rotherham, the iconic Man of Steel will do his bit for good causes when Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce holds its award-winning President's Charity Ball next month.

Last year, planning permission was granted conditionally for the 27.3m high art installation based on work by local sculptor Steve Mehdi, on a former land fill site in Rotherham. A two metre model has been created by local companies and organisations to raise awareness of the project.


The finished model will be present at the ball at the Magna Science Adventure Centre on Saturday May 11 and fits perfectly with the theme of "Yorkshire Pride" that will see the ball celebrate the region's mining and steel heritage, then travel into its future at the forefront of technological and manufacturing excellence.

Steve Mehdi, sculptor (pictured above, left!), said: "This wonderful occasion will be a celebration of "Yorkshire Pride", recognising the ambition and achievements of innovators and entrepreneurs across the region and the Man of Steel will add to this; honouring the steel and coal heritage of the City Region and embracing the new technology sector led by facilities such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Rotherham.

"Holding the ball at Magna chimes well with the historic connections of this former steel producing facility and giant of the industry - Steel, Peech & Tozer. Magna captures this bygone atmosphere well and offers a glimpse of an age when Britain - and Rotherham - led the world in steel production. It now stands as a reminder of the past but at the centre of the next generation of entrepreneurs, surrounded by companies who are setting new standards others will follow, adding new meaning to the term Yorkshire Pride!"

Owen Gleadall, president of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, added: "It is fitting that the Man of Steel will join us at Magna for this year's ball as we mark the 100th anniversary of Harry Brearley's discovery of stainless steel with our "Yorkshire Pride" celebration. Guests will have a unique opportunity to see and be photographed with the model, in addition to enjoying a special Yorkshire-themed menu and superb entertainment provided by the Gillian Banks Theatre School. It will be a night not to be missed so book your places now!"

Funds raised on the evening will be donated to four charities – the Barnsley and Rotherham Street Pastor Groups, the Barnsley Churches Drop-In Project (BCDP) and Shiloh - a Christian charity helping Rotherham people living in poverty, transition, oppression and homelessness to rebuild their lives.

Man of Steel website
Rotherham Chamber website

Images: sheffieldicon.com

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