News: Rotherham retail centres work together

An independent study in 2010 identified Rotherham town centre as having the highest amount of retail competition in the UK. Now it works collaboratively with the co-owners of the developments that provide that competition, British Land.

Owned by Hercules Unit Trust, Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham, five minutes from the town centre, is one of the largest retail parks in the UK, home to over 40 shops and attracting around seven million visitors a year. British Land owns 41.2% of Hercules Unit Trust.

Less that 15 minutes from Rotherham town centre, Meadowhall provides 1.5 million sq ft of high quality retail and leisure space on the outskirts of Sheffield and attracts over 25 million visitors per year. It is owned in a joint venture between British Land and Norges Bank Investment Management.

British Land made a £130,000 contribution to Rotherham's ambitious business development programme that helped Rotherham Borough Council to secure an additional £100,000 from the Government's Portas Pilot scheme. This was followed up with £268,000 awarded as part of the government's High Street Renewal Award.

The funding from British Land came forward after planning permission was refused for a new Frankie & Benny's restaurant at Parkgate.

The funding has been put to good use, supporting local, independent retailers and reducing the number of vacant units. It is all part of the plan to create an offer that helps differentiate the town centre from that of their nearest competitors.

The £100,000 business development grant fund has already supported the renovation of Café Rendezvous, the expansion of the Whistle Stop Sweet Shop (pictured) to include a new temperance bar, and the renovation of Stems florists.

Around £12,000 has gone into mystery shopper reviews, improvement grants and World Host customer service training involving over 170 businesses, highlighting examples of "platinum service" and providing training opportunities to improve customer service standards.

£2,500 has been used on training almost 60 traders in visual merchandising, gift wrapping, media and marketing to ensure that Rotherham retailers offer an experience which attracts shoppers and helps retailers collectively spread the Shop Local message.

£15,000 has been used for Rotherham's successful pop up shop scheme, the first of which has given new business Vintage Dolls the chance to test its business ideas on flexible terms, with a queue of retailers now awaiting the next pop up opportunities.

£25,000 has also been spent on the town's high profile Shop Local campaign, finding innovative ways to promote the quality, differentiated shopping offer, alongside advertising discounts and other incentives in over 100 shops and restaurants participating in the Shop Local loyalty card scheme.

The next phase of High Street renewal in Rotherham is already being planned.

Matthew Reed, asset manager at British Land, said: "We believe town centre and out-of-town retail destinations can work together for the greater good of an area - providing local people with complementary retail offers, doing joint marketing, hosting events to promote local traders, supporting apprenticeships and training - and more.

"With footfall up and new shops opening all the time, Rotherham town centre is a great example of how the high street can work well alongside other retail destinations and thrive in an "omnichannel" era. We hope to work more closely with more town centre teams for the benefit of all."

Paul Woodcock, director of Planning & Regeneration at Rotherham Council, added: "The partnership with British Land has provided a real boost to the town; it's clear that there is a role for both the edge-of-town retail park and the historic town centre - both offering complementary retail and leisure alternatives."

"Rotherham town centre has bucked national trends and continues to flourish thanks to the focus on our specialist independent offer. The support from British Land has allowed us to support those new-start businesses, help retailers to grow and promote our town centre to a wider audience, and we look forward to working on joint projects going forward."

Rotherham town centre website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: British Land

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News: Groundwork for giant new machines at Nuclear AMRC

Work has begun to prepare the Nuclear AMRC workshop in Rotherham for its newest and largest machining centres. The two machines will be the biggest of their kind available for collaborative research anywhere in the world.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative between the University of Sheffield, The University of Manchester, and a consortium of industry partners. Part of the government's High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the centre helps to develop capability and competitiveness in the nuclear supply chain through process manufacturing innovation and R&D, driving up quality and reducing cost.

The building acts as a research factory for innovative and optimised processes in machining, welding and other key areas of large-scale manufacturing technology.

The new machines – a purpose-built vertical turning lathe from Dörries Scharmann, and a Soraluce FX12000 floor-type milling and boring centre – will be used to produce large representative-sized parts for the nuclear industry and other high-value sectors.

The vertical turning lathe (VTL) will be capable of working on parts of up to five metres diameter and over three metres height. It will offer full milling and deep drilling capabilities, and is designed for the largest high-value components for the nuclear industry, including full-scale reactor internal parts. It is also ideal for machining offshore wind turbine shafts and the largest jet engine fan casings. The VTL is funded by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and is currently under construction at the Dörries factory in Germany.

The Soraluce will be capable of working on parts up to 12 metres in length and five metres diameter, and can complete five-sided machining of complex parts in a single set up.

It will be used to develop and demonstrate advanced manufacturing processes for large pressure vessels, high-value reactor internals and offshore wind turbine hubs.

Stuart Dawson, head of machining at the Nuclear AMRC, said: "The Soraluce and Dörries VTL are an absolutely unique capability for any research centre. No other research centre anywhere in the world has the physical size or research capability of these machines, as far as we're aware."

With careful planning and specialist contractors mean the workshop will be closed for just three weeks in November.

"It is a unique heavy engineering challenge," Dawson notes. "But we will be the only research centre in the world with these capabilities and, from summer 2014, these very large machines will be available to manufacturers for collaborative projects."

The Nuclear AMRC has also commissioned a Mazak Orbitec 20 machining centre that offers unique capabilities for making complex high-precision components for the energy and oil and gas industries.

The Nuclear AMRC is led by its industrial members. There are currently over 40 member companies, including reactor providers, manufacturers from along the supply chain, and providers of specialist equipment and services. Membership gives access to the workshop and generic projects and provides the opportunity to determine the research and support programmes. Members advise on the general direction of the research and the support provided.

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Nuclear AMRC

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News: Key2Work in Rotherham and the Dearne Valley

Labour Market Solutions Ltd, part of The Phoenix Group of Companies, have been awarded grant funding from Jobcentre Plus to promote to employers in Rotherham and the Dearne Valley their Wage Incentive Scheme which is worth £2,275 for each young person employed.

The programme, named Key2Work, will work with employers to fill vacancies with young people aged between 18 – 24 that are job ready and wanting to work. By taking on one of these pre-selected young people the employer could be entitled to payment of up to £2,275 per young person.

Key2Work has four marketing and sales consultants who will be contacting local employers to highlight the benefits of hiring young people who will attract the wage incentive, vacancies have to be for 16 hours or more and expected to last at least for 26 weeks. Once they have found the right person, they also assist companies in finding suitable training if required.

The young people are being referred from Jobcentre Plus to Key2Work where they will be interviewed by the consultants to establish which roles or vacancies will best suit them.

Paula Hamilton, manager at Labour Market Solutions, said: "The young people that have been referred from Job Centre have been of a very high standard, because this programme is voluntary everyone referred has a genuine desire to move into the job market, they just need a helping hand in the current economic climate."

The contract is run in partnership with Job Centre Plus using European Social Funds via their Flexible Support Fund and will run until the end of April 2014. Anyone wanting more information about the programme or has a vacancy that they want help filling please call 01709 786410 for more information.

Other parts of the group include Phoenix Enterprises, a social enterprise that helps increase employability and overcome social exclusion. As an expert provider in the Welfare to Work sector locally, Phoenix Enterprises has been carefully selected by one of the Jobcentre Plus prime contractors, Serco, to deliver part of the Governemnt's Work Programme across South Yorkshire on its behalf.

Ways2Work provide a wide range of services including advice on skills development and training, job matching and vacancy advertising. Its contracts include delivering the Skills Support for Unemployed in South Yorkshire for Dearne Valley College and Skills Support for Redundancy in South Yorkshire for Barnsley College.

Phoenix Enterprises website

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News: The future of manufacturing

Businesses and government must adapt to ensure manufacturing continues to play a powerful role in the UK economy, or they risk being left behind international competitors, according to a new report published today.

"The Future of Manufacturing: A new era of opportunity and challenge for the UK" published by Foresight in the Government Office for Science, states that manufacturing is set to enter a dynamic new phase, driven by rapid changes in technology, new ways of doing business, and potential volatility around the price and availability of resources.

The report shows manufacturing currently makes significant contributions to the economy, accounting for over 10% of the UK's gross value and employing around 2.5 million people. It accounts for more than half of the UK's exports (53%) and around 3 quarters of business research and development (72%).

In addition, the report emphasises that economies with strong, export-led manufacturing sectors typically recover from recessions more quickly than those countries without equivalent sectors.

It also highlights what the manufacturing sector will look like in 2050, following technological advances such as 3D printing, a greater exploitation of the service side of manufacturing, the need for a highly skilled workforce as the current workforce retires and the more efficient use of materials and energy.

The report urges government to build on existing initiatives, for example by scaling up funding for the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centre, the UK's key technology and innovation body for manufacturing, to make it even more accessible to small businesses and to enhance the role it plays in connecting academic expertise to industry.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) are lead partners in the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

Professor Keith Ridgway CBE, executive dean of the AMRC contributed to the report with input into an evidence paper on what the factory of the future will look like. Professor Steve Fothergill & Dr Tony Gore at Sheffield Hallam University provided evidence on the employment implications of the shift to high-value manufacturing in the UK from the high employment manufacturing seen in the past.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Britain has a proud manufacturing tradition and the government wants to ensure the sector stays ahead of the curve, leading global innovation and developing, once again, a worldwide appetite for British-made goods. The manufacturing sector is crucial to building a stronger economy – supporting 2.5 million jobs, over half of our exports and about three quarters of research and development. I don’t share the fatalistic view that it will inevitably decline; rather the reverse."

Sir Richard Lapthorne CBE, Chair of the Project Lead Expert Group, added:"Manufacturing in 2050 will look very different from today and will be largely unrecognisable from 30 years ago.

"Successful firms will be highly adaptable, capable of regularly reconfiguring their physical and intellectual infrastructures, exploiting strong international linkages, and adapting their business models.

"The implications for industry and government are substantial - the UK will need to introduce radical changes and adapt its behaviours to ensure that it is not left behind."

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News: G4S secures new Rotherham office

Leading international security solutions group, G4S, has signed the lease for 10,657 sq ft of office accommodation at Callflex Business Park in Manvers, Rotherham.

G4S specialises in outsourcing of business processes in sectors where security and safety risks are considered a strategic threat. Contracts range from securing sporting or entertainment events (including stewarding at Rotherham United's New York Stadium) to 25-year government contracts for the construction and management of prisons.

With a head office in Crawley, G4S is the largest employer on the London Stock Exchange, with operations in more than 120 countries and over 620,000 employees.

The Dearne Valley area has already attracted a wealth of high profile occupiers including NEXT, Keepmoat, South Yorkshire Police and RBS.

Unit 2 at Callflex Business Park is owned by commercial property management and investment company, Telereal Trillium. Joint agents CBRE and Lambert Smith Hampton acted on behalf Telereal Trillium and G4S were unrepresented in the deal.

Rob Darrington, associate director at Lambert Smith Hampton in Sheffield, said: "Callflex Business Park suited G4S' requirement for modern, well-positioned office space in the South Yorkshire area. The lease that they have signed until 2018 will enable them to service a new contract they have secured."

Ben White, surveyor at CBRE, added: "Following this recent deal, we have a further 24,500 sq ft available to let within Unit 2 at Callflex Business Park and look forward to welcoming additional occupiers in due course."

G4S website
CBRE website
LSH website

Images: G4S / CBRE

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News: SCR at MIPIM 2014

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) will be showcasing its key development sites to the global investment community in March 2014 at MIPIM - the 25th anniversary of the world's premier real estate event.

Held annually in Cannes, MIPIM is the world's property market and brings together the most influential players from all international property sectors - office, residential, retail, healthcare, sport, logistics and industrial. Last year it attracted 20,000 visitors including 4,300 investors and 3,000 CEOs and chairmen.

The Property & Construction Sector Group of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) put forward the case that the Sheffield City Region simply cannot afford not to go. The LEP has responded to calls from the private sector, and has committed an initial fund to kick-start MIPIM campaign. Counter Context, a Sheffield based communications company has been recruited by the LEP to orchestrate and deliver on the plan and private sector support will be needed for the project to proceed as planned.

Martin McKervey, partner at Nabarro, and chair of the region's Property and Construction Group, said: "MIPIM is a huge opportunity for businesses across this region. 2014 with the Tour de France passing through our city presents a great moment to illuminate the business opportunity for the world to see. There are a number of key development areas we can talk about – whether retail, commercial, transport or manufacturing – with our future investors."

James Newman, chairman of the SCR LEP, added: "The property and construction sector is a hugely important part of this City Region's economy. It is right that the LEP sector group will lead the City Region's presence at MIPIM. I will be attending to lend my support and encourage businesses to get behind this initiative."

Businesses in the sector are being urged to find out how they can be involved and capitalise on this opportunity.

Harworth Estates has been the first business to sign up as a partner. The company, based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, was created to realise the property assets of what was UK Coal.

Owen Michaelson, chief executive of Harworth Estates, said: "We are looking forward to being at MIPIM in 2014 as part of Sheffield City Region's efforts to tell potential investors about the range of property opportunities available.

"We are already working with a range of leading companies at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, part of the wider Waverley development that is creating skilled jobs and new quality homes. MIPIM provides unrivalled opportunities for us to effectively engage with our key target audiences."

Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership website

Images: MIPIM

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News: Flyover makes way as Tesco development progresses

Contractors, ISG, are making good progress on the new £40m Tesco development in Rotherham town centre, with all of the former civic buildings demolished and the Centenary Way flyover the next in line to be removed.

The first phase of the project is the construction of a new road junction onto Centenary Way, paving the way for the demolition of the flyover that is due to commence from the first weekend in November, requiring a series of weekend closures of Centenary Way.

Between the five weekend closures, contractors will carrying out demolition to the bridge either side of the ring road.

At the same time a pedestrian crossing in the same location is expected to greatly improve pedestrian access into Rotherham town centre and a new junction between Kenneth Street and Centenary Way is also to be constructed.

Developers TCN UK secured planning permission for a new 110,000 sq ft superstore last year which also includes 540 parking spaces and a petrol filling station on a five-acre site that has been home to a number of council buildings.

On the site itself, the construction of the concrete retaining wall along Nottingham Street has begun, along with some of the building's pad foundations.

Service diversions have been undertaken and the redevelopment of Effingham Square is due to complete in November. This will see the fully refurbished grade II listed Hastings Clock installed back in the square.

Replacing the Forge Island store, the new Tesco Extra is planned to open in January 2015.

ISG website

Images: TCN / Smith Smalley

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News: Expansion for Vitalife at home and abroad

Rotherham-based health specialist, Vitalife is set to triple the size of its health product retail business this year, with plans to open a new store in Rotherham town centre and to capitalise on major export opportunities across Europe.

Based at RiDO's Fusion @ Magna business centre at Templeborough, the enterprise started life in 2010 in the niche industry of specialist teas. It has gone on to launch a new line of organic coconut oil and develop a range of vitamins and minerals that feature no artificial or highly processed bulking agents or fillers.

The growing brand purchased its first High Street store in May, following several years operating purely online and via resellers as a successful health food brand and retailer.

Now Gavin Edley, managing director of Vitalife, is planning to be the first business to take on a unit in the prestigious Keppel Wharf development in Rotherham town centre.

Developed by Iliad as part of the Rotherham Renaissance programme, the £7.7m building quickly sold all of the residential apartments but has struggled to find commercial tenants since it was completed in 2009.

A £7,500 fit out grant for a Keppel Wharf unit was recently approved by the Council from its Vitality Grants Scheme. Gavin hopes to be open at the end of November.

Gavin also sought advice from RiDO's Soft Landing Zone to help him to expand the business into mainland Europe. RiDO's business co-ordinator Bob Langley assisted Vitalife Health by providing translation services, enabling test marketing of key products in three languages – French, German and Greek on Vitalife's website, which has created numerous new business enquiries from these countries. Bob also helped by providing credit checks on overseas companies, as well as payment advice to enhance the businesses' cashflow.

As a result of the new website and the company's international connections, the company has secured major contracts with a brand agency in Norway, which has resulted in Vitalife vitamins being sold in sports megastore outlet across Scandinavia.

Gavin Edley, managing director of Vitalife Health (pictured), said: "This has been a hugely successful year for us and we have seen our turnover triple year on year.

"It's great to be able to create new jobs at our stores and by the end of this year we also plan to take on a dedicated export sales person. We are planning to open more new stores here in the UK and across mainland Europe over the coming months, with support from RiDO.

"It is a really exciting time for our business as we look at ways to expand even further."

Bob Langley, business co-ordinator at RiDO, added: "It is great to see Gavin's business going from strength to strength with him taking advantage not only of UK opportunities, but also operating internationally as well.

"Our Soft Landing Zone service is here to help local entrepreneurs to access opportunities across the globe, as well as supporting overseas businesses who are looking to establish operations in Rotherham."

Vitalife Health website
RiDO Business Centres website

Images: RiDO

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News: ZND's live X Factor performance

Fencing made in Rotherham by ZND UK made a surprise appearance on a recent episode of ITV's The X Factor.

As the biggest television talent competition in Europe began the first of its live shows on primetime Saturday night telly, ZND's Smartweld fencing was integral to the on stage performance of one of the hopefuls.

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

Smartweld is one of the toughest, most durable temporary fencing panel systems ever developed and ZND has invested millions in the manufacturing process that makes Smartweld products the most technically advanced temporary fencing and pedestrian panel range available today.

It was 80's night on the hit show and as 16 year-old singer Tamera Foster sang her version of the 1983 hit "Ain't Nobody" by Rufus & Chaka Khan, backing dancers performed a unique routine that involved moving a number of Smartweld fences around the stage.

It meant that ZND's products were in front of a TV audience of over nine million viewers and the performance impressed the judging panel and Tamera was safely through to the next round.

A spokesperson for ZND, said: "It was a great surprise to see the panels being used and shows that ZND fencing is also appreciated for its aesthetic value."

Last year ZND products played an integral part in high profile events in London including the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

You can watch Smartweld take centre stage here.

ZND UK website

Images: ITV

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News: Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2013

The shortlist has been confirmed for the Rotherham Young Entrepreneurs' Awards 2013 following the final judging phase this week.

The Awards, now in their eighth year, look to recognise the achievements of business owners under the age of 30 and for the last two years have been organised by Rotherham Youth Enterprise.

The shortlisted nominees are: Dawn Brown from Fresh n Chic Boutique, Gavin Edley from Vitalife, Sam Goddard from Response Vehicle Lighting, Charlotte Scothern from Patchwork Pig and Paul Tomes from The Expo People.

A panel of experts and sponsors interviewed the shortlist who will now have to wait till Friday November 22 to find out who has won. The winners will be announced at the Local Employment Advisory Forum skills day, which is being held at the New York Stadium in Rotherham.

There are four category awards to be won with a prize of £500 each and an overall winner collecting £1,000. The prizes are: Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by UK Steel Enterprise; Best New Start Up, sponsored by Parkgate Shopping; Most Determined to Succeed, sponsored by Rotherham College of Art and Technology; Best Established Business, sponsored by The Source and Most Innovative Business, sponsored by AESSEAL.

Allan Wood, regional executive for UK Steel Enterprise and sponsor of the overall prize was impressed with the determination of all five finalists. He said: "It is really pleasing to see so many promising and aspiring young people running their own businesses in Rotherham. They are all facing the future with confidence and we are delighted to be able to support them all."

Jackie Frost, manager of Rotherham Youth Enterprise added: "Each one of the finalists deserves huge credit not just for getting this far but for the attitude they all have in wanting to be successful business owners. It’s going to be very exciting for everyone involved when the winners are announced in November."

Rotherham Youth Enterprise provides self-employment support and advice for young adults in the area. Office and workshop provision is also available across the borough.

UK Steel Enterprise has set aside finance from its Kickstart Fund to target young entrepreneurs in Rotherham.

Rotherham Youth Enterprise website
UK Steel Enterprise website

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News: Next phase of High Street renewal in Rotherham

The next phase of High Street renewal in Rotherham town centre is set to include a dedicated space for enterprising retailers to "test-trade" their products.

The efforts of the council and town team to rejuvenate the town centre have been highlighted by High Streets Minister Brandon Lewis in a national report and at an event to share ideas about retaining and developing local businesses and making sure High Streets remain active and exciting.

The report by the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) highlights what has been done in Rotherham with the £268,000 that was recently awarded as part of the government's High Street Renewal Award. Last year Rotherham was also one of 27 areas to be named as a "Portas Pilot" securing £100,000 of government funding to support the high street.

The report highlights the Business Vitality Grants Scheme where rental and capital fitout grants have been offered to 24 new businesses, reducing the number of vacant units and increasing the range of independent shops.

Also highlighted is the successful Pop-Up shop scheme; the grants for existing retailers to help with business development; initiatives aimed at improving levels of customer service; the Shop Local discount card scheme; Pop-Up High Street events that take the town centre retailers to different locations; physical improvements to empty shops and the Gallery Town open air art gallery.

High Streets Minister Brandon Lewis said: "The report shows that when local civic and business leaders take action they can change the fortunes of their high street. Town teams are fizzing with ideas on how to make high streets thrive from free parking and pop up shops, to street café grants and attractions that encourage footfall.

"The results are not only having an immediate impact in reviving the fortunes of their high streets but they are laying the foundations for sustainable prosperity over the long term. For example, Rotherham's efforts have seen 44 new shops open, reducing the boarded up shops, increasing footfall and signing up 100 shops to their local loyalty card scheme. Most importantly of all, shopper satisfaction has soared."

The next steps for Rotherham include the continuation of the business support programme. This includes expanding the range of opportunities at entry level, essentially creating a "supply chain" of new businesses from incubation through to leasing their own unit.

Organisations such as Rotherham Youth Enterprise, local colleges and The Source Retail Academy in Rotherham will work with the council to provide the relevant support and resources at the appropriate level. Opportunities will exist for talented students looking to sell their merchandise for the first time and for experienced innovative business people looking to evolve and expand their market in Rotherham.

One key project is a shared retail space model which will enable new retailers "test trading" space, for up to a year. Set to be located in a historic building on the High Street, the centre will host a minimum of 20 exhibitors at any one time and benefit from a dedicated retail manager.

The building will also offer two stand alone Pop-Up shops allowing retailers the flexibility to expand into their own unit adjacent to their current location and bridge the gap between the shared retail space and a permanent fixed term lease on their own premises.

Rotherham town centre website

Images: Tom Austen

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News: Tata Steel prepares for new nuclear renaissance

Tata Steel Projects has joined the National Skills Academy Nuclear Manufacturing to help develop the nuclear related capabilities of its workforce.

An important part of the Indian-owned steelmaker's business services section, Tata Steel Projects provides engineering services including consultancy, planning and design through manufacture, installation, construction and site management.

Tata Steel Projects employs around 650 technical staff in York, Birmingham, Manchester and Reading, and at manufacturing facilities at Workington and Scunthorpe. The team includes engineers, architects, planners, project managers and project engineers with expertise and experience in transportation, construction, defence and security, industrial, energy and power generation, and oil and gas, and nuclear facilities.

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, tackle the most urgent skills challenges facing the nuclear manufacturing industry.

By engaging with the Skills Academy, alongside the Nuclear AMRC's civil nuclear Sharing in Growth programme, Tata Steel Projects is demonstrating a long-term commitment to investing in the widescale development of its people and processes in step with the growth in the UK's nuclear decommissioning and new build programmes.

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, 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 £76m Sharing in Growth programme sees companies work with the Nuclear AMRC in a four-year programme of business development and training, tailored to the specific needs of their business. Tata Steel Europe is a founder and Tier One member of the Nuclear AMRC.

Bill Clark, director of Tata Steel Projects, said: "We are keen to build upon over 50 years of experience in the nuclear sector. Working with both the Nuclear AMRC and the Skills Academy in order to strengthen our capabilities will be key to our growth in the sector."

Dawn Vinall, business development manager at The National Skills Academy Nuclear Manufacturing, added: "We are delighted to welcome Tata Steel Projects in to membership, and we are looking forward to supporting them with their workforce development programmes."

Tata Steel website
Nuclear AMRC website
The National Skills Academy Nuclear Manufacturing website

Images: National Skills Academy Nuclear Manufacturing

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News: VO4 saves at the Co-op

Rotherham-based VO4, one of the UK's leading voltage optimisation manufacturers has announced that the company's system is being rolled out across a number of Co-Operative stores in the UK.


Specialising in voltage optimisation units offering an energy saving solution to homes and small businesses, the separate company remained at Templeborough when associate firm, EMS UK Ltd expanded to larger premises. The systems reduce the incoming voltage supplied to a building and help reduce energy consumption.

3 phase systems were initially installed in six Co-Operative stores in Portsmouth and Southampton. Following successful trials that resulted in delivering significant energy savings, a further 22 have now been installed in Plymouth.

The Co-Operative, renowned for its ethical approach to business, had already achieved significant energy savings in a number of larger stores where voltage optimisation had been installed and was keen to make even greater savings by installing the new VO4 solution in smaller convenience stores.

Geoff Clifton business development manager at VO4, said: "We developed the 3 phase system as a means of helping businesses with energy costs less than £50,000 to save money on their electricity bills and reduce CO2 emissions. As a company recognised for its ethical values, we are delighted to be working with the Co-Operative, to supply them with our 3 phase solution."

Rob Scoulding, regional energy and environmental manager at the Co-Operative, added: "We are committed to embracing energy efficiency as part of our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment. We have seen very useful reductions in our electricity use at the large supermarkets in our group through the adoption of voltage optimisation and when we became aware of the small VO4 offering it became clear that, with the huge numbers of smaller stores in our portfolio a device such as this could make a great contribution towards our targets."

The innovative system will help businesses achieve energy savings of up to 10%. VO4 will also go some way to helping companies reduce their carbon emissions and extend the lifespan of electrical equipment as it improves power quality by balancing phase voltages and attenuating transients from the supply.

VO4 website

Images: C-Operative Food

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News: Rotherham in line for massive economic boost from HS2

The economic impact of the proposed investment in high speed rail (HS2) on Rotherham could be massive, increasing output by as much as £272m each year.

HS2 is the Government's £50 billion high speed rail project that aims to provide extra capacity to handle increasing demand. By 2033, a South Yorkshire station will be on the proposed route from London to Leeds via Birmingham and the East Midlands. With trains travelling at speeds of up to 250 mph, and each with up to 1,100 seats per train, passengers will be able to get from Leeds in 17 minutes, Birmingham in 38 minutes and from London in one hour and nine minutes.

Last month, analysis by KPMG showed that the UK will be £15 billion a year better off with HS2, recovering the cost of the scheme within just a few years. HS2 could add between £0.5 billion and £0.9 billion each year to the economic output of South Yorkshire.

Following a Freedom of Information request, HS2 Ltd has now released the findings for individual areas (PLANET Long Distance (PLD) model areas). The data was used by the BBC to show the areas that will lose out if the line is built as proposed.

With a proposed station at Meadowhall, the analysis shows that Rotherham could increase its annual economic output by between £131.7m and £272.12m due to the investment in HS2 and the re-design of the existing railway infrastructure.

The figures represent an increase of between 2.3% and 4.8% of Rotherham's GDP (the market value of all final goods and services produced) and is the eleventh highest percentage increase of all 235 UK areas in the analysis.

In percentage terms, the HS2 investment could have a bigger impact on Rotherham than Sheffield (between 2.4% and 3.6% increase in GDP), Barnsley (1.6% and 3.1%), Doncaster (0.7% and 0.9%), North East Derbyshire (1.7% and 3.2%) and the South Yorkshire areas combined (1.9% and 3.2%).

The KPMG analysis looks at the potential benefits of HS2 in a different way to those captured in more traditional appraisals. The analysis attempts to put a figure on how increased capacity and reduced journey times for passenger journeys can enable improved levels of economic productivity. It looks at longer journeys and takes into account improved connectivity and commuter journeys plus the impact on businesses through changes to production costs and transport costs to the market.

HS2 is expected to support the creation of around 5,000 jobs in the station development regeneration areas around Meadowhall and the Lower Don Valley.

One key statistic from the report is that the number of people who can reasonably access employment in South Yorkshire would increase by nearly 32% as a result of investment in HS2.

Richard Threlfall, head for infrastructure, building and construction at KPMG, said: "There have been repeated calls for a business case for the HS2 scheme focused on jobs, productivity and growth. KPMG's analysis forms a key part of that business case, setting out the economic impact across the country of the HS2 scheme. It shows beyond reasonable doubt that HS2 brings net benefits to the country of many times the scheme's cost. It shows the UK will be £15 billion a year better off with HS2, recovering the cost of the scheme within just a few years."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, added that HS2 "will make Liverpool stronger, Manchester stronger, Leeds stronger, Britain stronger. A £15 billion annual boost to the economy, with the north and midlands gaining at least double the benefit of the south."

HS2 website

Images: HS2 Ltd

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News: Brinsworth Academy of Engineering and tomorrow's engineers

Brinsworth Academy of Engineering is having its say on the issue of young engineers, especially women, in the Sheffield city region.

A leading engineering and manufacturing training provider, the academy has state of the art facilities at Templeborough in Rotherham and has secured a record number of vacancies for apprentices, despite the harsh economic climate.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the professional body for the industry, recently secured backing from a number of MPs for its pledge to support young engineers, especially women, in their constituencies.

It follows from the results of the IET's skills survey 2013 that showed that only 7% of the engineering workforce in the UK is female.

Barry Brooks, president of the IET, said: "Engineering underpins our everyday lives but we in the UK are facing a serious skills shortage. We urgently need to provide the right career advice and encourage more young people to take the right subjects at school and then to support them as they progress into a career in the engineering sector."

Brinsworth Academy of Engineering worked with Barnsley manufacturers of technologically advanced electronic and electromechanical products, Kostal (UK) Ltd, to train three female apprentice engineers; Imogen Stennett, 17, Zoe Baker,19 and Jade Hickling, 20.

Paul Reeves, business development director at Brinsworth Academy of Engineering, said: "We have got to get as many young people to see the opportunities within the engineering sector. It is important to see the skills that employers require being matched to a suitable individual regardless of whether they are male or female. The secret is to change perceptions, by introducing young people to organisations such as Kostal (UK) and showing them what impact engineering has on everyday life and the important role that young people can play in the future.

"We are in the process of developing a Girls Engineering and Manufacturing Skills (GEMS) programme and are hoping to secure funding from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to facilitate this. Our aim is to encourage more girls to follow in the footsteps of ambassadors such as Zoe Baker and realise the potential within the sector."

Kostal website
Brinsworth Academy of Engineering website

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News: Winners react to Chamber awards

Category winners are celebrating their success at the recent Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards.

Held last week in front of over 400 guests at the Magna Centre in Rotherham, the awards saw Rotherham manufacturer London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Co Limited (LSM) take the overall award.

Winner of The Source Skills Academy Most Promising Start-up Award was CCTV Factory UK Ltd. 12 months ago Andrew Thomas from Clifton, Rotherham, gave up his day job as a sales engineer for a local manufacturing firm and followed his lifelong dream to start his own company whilst on holiday in Mexico.

The supplier of CCTV and security equipment has grown from RiDO's Century Business Centre at Manvers and recently moved into larger premises on Wombwell High Street.

Andrew Thomas, director of CCTV Factory Ltd (pictured top, left), said: "Winning the award for Most Promising Business Start-up still hasn't sunk in yet. When I started the company I never envisioned winning an award or how difficult and mentally straining a business would be. I soon realised there was nothing glamorous about being a company director, the role comes with immense pressure, accountability and many sacrifices along the way. Whilst my gamble is still on-going, I now feel the odds are starting to go in my favour."

Jason Mace, managing director of Rotherham-based marquee and gazebo manufacturer Gala Tent, won The Bull Information Systems Business Person of the Year Award. He said: "It was a great surprise to be chosen as the Business Person of the Year. There were some really strong contenders in this category and it's a real honour to take the title.

"I hope that the work I do, not only in my business life, but also in the local community and in encouraging young people to learn more about enterprise, will help to inspire and create new entrepreneurs of the future."

Willmott Dixon Partnerships picked up the The Barnsley College Skills Development Award for demonstrating an involvement in all aspects of training and staff development. The company's Rotherham branch delivers repairs and maintenance to 10,500 homes for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

Sharon Ayles, national training manager at Willmott Dixon (pictured above), said: "We are extremely proud to win this award and receive recognition for our training initiatives in Rotherham. We are committed to investing in our staff and delivering training opportunities to all members of the local community.

"Our team in Rotherham have worked very closely with local organisations to target the issue of high unemployment and offer training to help secure long term jobs. We position ourselves at the heart of the communities that we operate within and are delighted to have received this accolade."

CCTV Factory UK Ltd website
Gala Tent website
Willmott Dixon Partnerships website
Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber website

Images: BR Chamber

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News: Martek delivers complex export order

Rotherham company, Martek Marine, one of the world leaders in the supply of safety and environmental monitoring systems for the shipping industry, has delivered an emissions monitoring system so unique that no other company was even willing to quote for the project.

The export deal sees the most sophisticated emissions monitoring systems ever built for marine use fitted inside the world's largest Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) being built by DSME (Daewoo). The £280m, 173,400m3 vessel, which can also function as an LNG carrier, is due for delivery in May 2014 when it will be deployed in Brazil. An FSRU is used out at sea to bring liquified natural gas back to ambient temperature and pressure before it is exported to shore through pipelines.

The equipment monitors eight different types of emissions, meeting maritime regulations and reducing a vessel's fuel consumption and impact on the environment. Martek expects to supply more complex systems in the future as the European Union pushes for emissions monitoring legislation for the maritime industry.

Steve Austwick, project manager at Martek Marine, said: "This is the biggest and most complex system ever built in the marine industry. The fact that no other supplier was prepared to take on this project underpins our position as the market leader."

Manvers-based Martek supplies companies all over the world and estimates that it has ship engine emission system design experience spanning over 600 engines.

Martek is also building a large scale, bespoke gas monitoring system for a Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) for Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in South Korea, which will be delivered for use by one of the major oil companies operating in the North Sea.

The system was commissioned to continuously sample and monitor gas emissions in a total of 60 ballast tanks and void spaces throughout the vessel.

Phil Riggs, project engineering manager at Martek Marine, said: "This project has presented a unique challenge as this has never been done before on this size and scale. The system is completely bespoke for this project, requiring non-standard components and a re-design of our standard arrangement."

Martek Marine website

Images: Excelerate Energy

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News: The gardener's apprentice

Gardening expert, Lee Bestall has taken on an apprentice as his award winning Inspired Garden Design business continues to grow.

Enterprising Lee, who grew up in Aston, Rotherham and studied at Sheffield Hallam University, was working in recruitment when he earned the chance to turn his love of gardening into a career with invaluable training from gardening expert, Diarmuid Gavin as part of a BBC series.

The local business has gone from strength to strength with Lee receiving industry awards including a silver medal at Tatton Park Flower Show 2005 and a bronze medal at Gardeners' World Live 2006.

Last year he was named as the winner of Grand Designs Garden Designer of The Year Award for his creation, "Cloud Nine" and was back at the event this year taking part in the "Ask An Expert" section.

Chloe Trueman, 18, from Dinnington, Rotherham recently joined the company and is currently undertaking a Business Administration apprenticeship with The Source Academy.

Chloe said: "Working with Lee and the team is amazing, the team work on projects located all over the world, our most recent project is Toronto. I am responsible for social media, marketing and dealing with incoming enquiries, which is my favourite part.

"We have some great clients and enjoy playing a key role in making sure they get their dream garden which is really exciting. I have a number of important tasks which I need to complete as part of my role; one is to make sure we have a paperless office by Christmas. But, my most important task is to make sure Lee is where he needs to be!"

Lee Bestall, creative director at Inspired Garden Design, added: "Recruiting an apprentice was completely new to me and I'd been considering this route for a number of months.

"My workload was increasing and as a small business owner, I was carrying out a lot of duties myself, which wasn't cost effective. In the end I bit the bullet and recruited Chloe who immediately made an impact straight away and made letting go very easy. She is so efficient in the way she works and has very quickly organised the entire office to make us more efficient. She has great telephone manner and our clients look forward to speaking with her.

"Chloe has made me realise the immense potential of young people and I couldn't have wished for a better member of staff."

Chloe has big plans for the future and is looking forward to completing her Business Administration Apprenticeship and enrolling onto a Management Apprenticeship in the future.

Lee added: "For years I have been used to creating environments to grow plants and now thanks to Chloe I'm creating an environment to grow the future of my business."

Inspired Garden Design website
The Source website

Images: The Source

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News: The Expo People help make first Halal Food Festival a success

The Expo People, a Rotherham-based global events business, has helped the inaugural Halal Food Festival attract around 100 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors at the ExCel London.

The event is the brainchild of London based Halal Events Ltd and was created to fill the growing desire from affluent middle class Muslims to experience a greater range of Halal offerings and companies wishing to raise the profile of their Halal brands.

Paul Tomes, director of The Expo People, said: "We were approached by the organisers of the Halal Food Festival to help them with the recruitment of exhibitors. With such a specific brief and a really fresh vision, it was a project we were immediately excited about and are pleased that we were able to assist during the recruitment process and also provide a level of exhibition specific support to the participating exhibitors.

"We hope to continue to work with Halal Events to drive the continued success of this model and indeed other concepts that they have in the pipeline."

The festival featured many famous names on the food circuit and included top chefs such as Jean Christophe-Novelli, Shelina Permalloo and Abdul Yaseen as well as performances from superstars of the Islamic world Saif Adam and Mesut Kurtis, described as "the Michael Buble of the Islamic world."

With backing from Rotherham Youth Enterprise, the new company is based in RiDO's Moorgate Crofts business centre and is currently working on a number of projects offering consultancy services to companies organising or attending events with an exhibition element.

Paul added: "It's a really exciting time for the business – we have lots of projects ongoing both in the UK and overseas, we believe we are able to add value to many events and continue to engage with as many companies as possible."

The Expo People website

Images: Halal Events Ltd

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News: Tata Steel investing a further £15m in South Yorkshire

Tata Steel has announced that it will build a Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) furnace at its Stocksbridge site in South Yorkshire.

The cutting-edge VIM furnace will allow Tata Steel's Speciality Steels business, which already supplies steel to aircraft engine and airframe makers, to further develop relationships with its customers and expand its product portfolio.


The VIM production route involves melting high-purity recycled steel and alloys in a crucible furnace, extracting trace elements via a degassing process in a low-pressure vacuum, and casting the purified liquid steel into ingot moulds. The entire melting and casting operation is conducted in an oxygen-free atmosphere, resulting in clean steel with very low gas content.

Alloying additions, also carried out under vacuum, allow for very precise control of the steel's chemical composition. The ingots produced would be refined further by vacuum arc remelting before being rolled or forged into products for the aerospace market.

VIM-derived steels are typically consumed in aircraft engine transmissions and bearings as well as aircraft structural and undercarriage components and the investment will enable the Indian-owned steelmaker to tap into new market opportunities and develop innovative new products for the aerospace and oil & gas industries.

Henrik Adam, chief commercial officer at Tata Steel, said: "The addition of a VIM furnace to our asset base for aerospace steel production is an exciting prospect. It means we will be able to make more ultra-pure steel for fail-safe, safety-critical applications such as aircraft engines.

"This initiative enhances our role as a partner for key customers who require highly specialised products. Our ability to support them is an important aspect of our role in the aerospace steels supply chain.

"This investment is a clear demonstration of the contribution foundation industries like steel make towards rebalancing the British economy. We are supporting high-skilled manufacturing jobs and developing innovative new products and services for customers around the world."

Mark Broxholme, managing director of Speciality Steels, added: "While the business currently supplies small quantities of VIM-derived steel using ingots sourced from third parties, having our own manufacturing capability will greatly increase our scope for VIM sales.

"This is a clear signal to our customers that we are fully committed to the aerospace market for the long term.

"This is also great news for the team here at Speciality Steels, which has put enormous effort into bringing this facility to South Yorkshire."

Investment in 2005 saw the Rotherham site at Aldwarke become the focus for steel making, casting and rolling of specialist steels. The steel is manufactured from recycled material at the Rotherham site before undergoing further refining at the Stocksbridge plant or the Thrybergh Bar Mill to improve the quality.

In 2012, a £6.5m investment in aerospace steel production, including two new Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) furnaces at Stocksbridge, boosted output of these steels by 30% and safeguarded the South Yorkshire jobs.

A £1.3m development was recently confirmed that will meet the exacting needs of Tata's American customers.

Last year, Tata announced a collaboration with German technology company SMS Mevac, which has designed the new £15m facility. The VIM furnace (cgi above) is expected to be commissioned early in 2015.

Tata Steel Speciality Steel website

Images: SMS Mevac / Tata Steel

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News: Quartzelec in Dinnington deal

Quartzelec, a fast growing electrical engineering group, is the latest company to expand into new premises in Dinnington, Rotherham.

The firm has acquired a 31,500 sq ft industrial facility on Caxton Way that is six times bigger than its Darnall premises with an additional acre of land for expansion.

The regenerated site of the former Dinnington colliery is already home to Macalloy, Johnston Press, Ernest Bennett Saws, Connexion2 and Assure Fire & Security.

Quartzelec offers design, manufacture, maintenance, refurbishment, service solutions and spares support for low voltage and high voltage electric motors, generators, pumps, gearboxes, transformers and associated static plant to customers in industries that include petro-chemical, steel mills, power generation, utilities, defence, food processing, traction, pharmaceutical, plus quarrying and mining.

The company has an annual turnover in excess of £50m with its critical electrical motors and generators used by companies around the globe.

Its heritage dates back over 80 years and is derived from engineering names such as Cegelec, ALSTOM, AEI, BTH and Metropolitan Vickers. It has also been part of Manweb, Norweb and ScottishPower through its lifetime. It became Quartzelec in 2007 following a management buyout.

Originally having cost over £2.5m to build, Quartzelec is leasing the new building with the option to buy.

Dave Graham, general manager at Quartzelec, said: "This site is perfect for our needs and growth plans.

"We've opted to lease the premises in the short term while we negotiate the freehold and release the necessary funds from within the business. Our existing premises in Sheffield were acquired back in the 1990s to enable us to service the needs of the metals industry in the region.

"However, we've subsequently diversified and built a reputation working with customers in many other sectors including power generation, petro-chemical and water and so needed more space and facilities to meet this growing demand."

The existing team of more than 20 engineers and support staff have recently transferred across to the new building and Quartzelec will also be looking to recruit additional skilled engineers in the future.

Rob Oliver, director of commercial property consultants GVA advised on the deal. He said: "Having totally outgrown its existing and antiquated premises in central Sheffield, close to the Don Valley Stadium, Quartzelec approached us late last year with a brief to identify either existing alternative premises or design and build opportunities in the region.

"The local market is struggling with a lack of supply of modern premises; particularly units designed and fitted out for manufacturing use. We shortlisted a number of options and the purpose built unit on Caxton Way, Dinnington, Rotherham ideally matched the requirement, as it already had the necessary cranes installed plus offered future expansion options and were pleased to negotiate and agree a deal."

Quartzelec website

Images: GVA

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News: Rotherham event gives a boost to local businesses looking to export

Business owners were given a better insight into export opportunities at an International Trade Workshop organised by RiDO (Rotherham Investment & Development Office) in conjunction with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and held at Fusion Business Centre in Templeborough recently.

The event was led by Simon Bedford, an expert advisor from UK Trade & Investment, who looked at the population trends in particular overseas markets, which make them attractive for certain types of businesses, what the barriers are to entry and how they can be overcome and what support is available for exporters. The aim was to give local businesses greater confidence to exploit their export potential and to provide information about new markets and guidance with securing business internationally.

Julia Millea, business development co-ordinator for RiDO's Growth and Prosperity in Rotherham, Soft Landing Zone said: "This was a great opportunity for businesses from a wide variety of markets to learn more about exporting and to network with other businesses who are already doing so. As UK GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is only 3% of World GDP, there is huge potential out there for local companies, plus lots of support available through RiDO's Soft Landing Zone and UKTI to help businesses to grow their export sales and stimulate new overseas markets."

Dylan Stuchbury, technical director at Woodview Electronics on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, said: "I am looking to export to the USA, as it's a large potential market for our Rev Counter products for motorbikes. This event has given me a useful insight into overseas opportunities and the added motivation to progress with plans to expand our business in the United States."

The ERDF Growth and Prosperity in Rotherham (Soft Landing Zone) project is supported financially by the European Union. It has attracted £842k investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe's support for the region's economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme 2007-13.

RiDO website

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News: LSM has more to celebrate in 75th year

Rotherham manufacturer London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Co Limited (LSM) walked away with the top prize at the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards Event on Friday evening.

LSM triumphed over the competition to lift the RBS Business of the Year Trophy in front of over 400 guests at the Magna Centre in Rotherham.

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

Earlier in the night LSM were awarded the ASD Lighting/Rotherham United Excellence in Export Award in addition to also receiving a Salute to Business to mark their 75th Anniversary. Over the last four years, the company has doubled its turnover which has resulted in 87 percent of sales taking place in the export market to over 60 countries. The chamber award follows the Queen's Awards for Enterprise in International Trade.

Itamar Resende, managing director of LSM, said: "LSM were delighted to be part of the Barnsley and Rotherham Awards Event on Friday, what a superb evening recognising the many fantastic and forward looking companies in our region!

"We feel immensely proud to have been recognised, not only for our export sales in receiving the Excellence in Export Award and the Salute to Business 75 Years Award but in particular for the RBS Business of the Year Award.

"As managing director of LSM, it is a great honour to receive this prestigious accolade which coincides with our Diamond Anniversary, celebrating 75 Years of Manufacturing in Rotherham.

"Our achievements, our growth and continued investment are a true reflection of the commitment and dedication of our employees, the people who will help us drive towards a successful future and our Centenary.

Other Rotherham firms celebrating on the night were, The CCTV Factory, Morthyng Group Limited, Willmott Dixon Partnerships, Iceotope and the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

Individual awards went to Jason Mace, managing director of Gala Tent as the 2013 Bull Information Systems Business Person of the Year and Theo Smith from Newburgh Engineering, who was awarded this year's Gala Tent Apprentice of the Year Award.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber website

Images: Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber

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News: LEP unveils plan to treble job growth

"A City Region with a stronger and bigger private sector that can compete in national and global markets."

That's the overall vision for the Local Enterprise Partnership's (LEP) Growth Plan which has set an ambitious target of creating 70,000 new jobs in the Sheffield City Region (SCR) by 2023.

The LEP's goal of creating 70,000 jobs is more than treble the current number forecast by economists which have been analysing the economy in the Sheffield City Region. Consultant economists at Ekosgen, IPPR North and Oxford Economics examined growth rates in the Sheffield City Region and believe that the area is currently on course to create only 20,000 jobs in the next decade. The LEP believes that this is not enough and that significant action is required to treble this number.

The data used in the plan makes for difficult reading, but a lot of it relates to things we already know. The city region lags behind the national average in important measures such as GVA, business density, skill levels, attracting investment and high quality jobs. The region has also been over-reliant on the public sector for jobs growth.

To reach the ambitious jobs target, and that of increasing output per worker by 25% in real terms, the Growth Plan also identifies a number of objectives covering business support for existing firms, attracting more inward investment, developing the skills base and improving infrastructure.

James Newman, chairman of the SCR LEP, said: "The Sheffield City Region must face up to the overarching and pressing need for a stronger private sector.

"To achieve this, we must do more to attract investors to do business here, to increase our exports, to support high growth businesses to realise their growth potential and to provide businesses with the conditions they need to prosper."

The LEP will submit the draft Growth Plan to Government in December 2013. Detailed and specific policy recommendations will be set out in a follow-up Strategic Economic Plan.

The Government's new model of local economic growth centres around LEPs, a collaboration between businesses and the local authorities that are placed at the heart of growth in the regions. In response to the Heseltine Review, the Government have charged LEPs 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.

Newman added: "This important plan sets out plans to transform the Sheffield City Region economy.

"The plan will ask Government to hand over the powers and funds to enable the Sheffield City Region to make improvements to education, housing, transport and to create more and better jobs for the Sheffield City Region's 1.8 million residents."

Sheffield City Region LEP website

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News: Rotherham college offers a range of creative apprenticeships

Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT) is offering a path into the creative industry with apprenticeships in Live Events and Promotion, Technical Theatre or Music Recording Business.

The college is also pioneering the use of a traineeship to help young people reach the entry requirements for an apprenticeship. In this example, a 12 week long course sees learners complete the Certificate in Employability Skills, Certificate in Enterprise, Arts Award along with maths and English functional skills.

Traineeships, which began in August with backing from the government, provide 16 to 23-year-olds with the skills, experience and confidence to compete in the labour market – helping them secure apprenticeships or other jobs.

RCAT also offers a 20 week traineeship for other areas which also help to develop business and customer awareness, problem-solving skills, team working and time management as well as interview and job application skills.

Learners will also earn a wage while learning if they successfully secure an apprenticeship up on completion of the traineeship and other benefits include access to industry standard equipment and contacts within the sector.

With one day a week in lessons at the college, learners will get the chance to use state of the art facilities, such as the Roland Academy music studios, working in the College's Studio Theatre, the new Technical Theatre workshop and in the Mac suite and music recording studios.

While some learners benefit from being taught in classrooms, these courses are designed to be more hands on where apprenticeships are trained by other workers and learn whilst on the job.

RCAT offers over 170 courses or apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds and over 200 courses for adults. In a recent report from Ofsted, the college is a "Good" college with two "Outstanding" areas: Construction and Visual and Performing Arts

RCAT website

Images: RCAT

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News: Plans for R-evolution in Rotherham

Plans have been submitted for the R-evolution development, part of the second phase of the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Landowner and developer, Harworth Estates, expect the employment growth of the AMP to go from 500 to 1,500 employees as they bring forward new, high quality developments. It plans to provide a range of industrial units, sized from 10,000 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft on the Waverley site.

Plans were approved last year for earthworks that will allow further development of around 21.5 hectares (53 acres) of land. 5.23 hectares (12.94 acres) of this could provide around 200,000 sq ft of high quality, modern, flexible industrial units.

Outline plans have now been submitted for the Plots 2, 3 and 4 of the R-evolution development and propose around 85,000 sq ft of high quality new business and manufacturing floorspace incorporating warehouse units and offices. The plans also include associated access roads, service yards and car parking. Further details on appearance and design, landscaping and travel plans will be covered in subsequent detailed plans.

Plans are being brought forward in this way as existing planning approvals mean that 123,000 sq ft of floorspace can be occupied before improvements to Highfield Spring and the Poplar Way/Morrisons roundabout are provided.

Separate proposals are also being progressed for Plot 1 and further plots will be subject to separate future planning applications.

In the plans, Barton Willmore, planning consultants, state: "The proposals build on the success of the AMP to date and represent Phase 2 of the development. This next phase, known R-evolution, will provide further high quality business, manufacturing and office floorspace

"These exciting proposals will further enhance the AMP and will continue to assist in the economic development and regeneration of this area of the Borough."

The application site is located within an Enterprise Zone which offer a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per eligible business over a five year period.

Companies within the zone could also take advantage of enhanced capital allowances (instead of business rate discounts) in the form of up-front tax relief for major capital investments.

Interest in the development is expected to be high. Last year Harworth Estates, the company created to realise the property assets of what was UK Coal, sold the fully-let, 87,500 sq ft Evolution development on the AMP for £7.2m.

Lambert Smith Hampton and Colliers International are joint agents on the R-evolution scheme.

Harworth Estates website

Images: Harworth Estates

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News: Hinkley Point agreement can kick start the UK nuclear programme

EDF Group and the UK Government have reached in principle an agreement on the key commercial terms for an investment contract of the planned Hinkley Point C nuclear power station - the £16bn project that will kick start the UK nuclear programme.

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

The key agreement is the "strike price" - the minimum price which will be paid for the power produced. Finalising agreements with industrial partners for equity funding is one of the remaining key steps necessary before a final investment decision can be taken. Letters of Intent have now been signed by EDF Group, AREVA, CGN (China General Nuclear Corporation) and CNNC (China National Nuclear Corporation) to become strategic and industrial partners in the project.

Vincent de Rivaz CEO of EDF Energy, said: "What we are announcing today is a good, fair and balanced deal for consumers, the UK and EDF. The project will kick start the UK nuclear programme and will help rebuild the nation's industrial stamina."

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. 57% of the Hinkley Point's construction value could be spent in the UK, building skills and expertise which will help the country win a greater share of nuclear programmes nationally and globally.

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.

Mike Tynan, chief executive of the Nuclear AMRC, said: "This is a significant milestone in the development of new nuclear power stations in the UK. Utilities, developers and investors need confidence in both long term cost and revenue profiles for making a final investment decision, and I'm sure that this announcement will be welcomed by everyone involved in UK new nuclear build.

"The Nuclear AMRC looks forward to the Hinkley Point scheme moving forward with EDF Energy, and is already working closely with EDF and AREVA to develop the UK supply chain."

AREVA will have a 10% equity stake in the Hinkley Point project and will provide Instrumentation and Control, Nuclear Steam Supply System and Fuel. It 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.

Rolls-Royce secured 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. Work on the facility, set to create another 180 jobs, will begin when the world-renowned engineers receive the first orders for its nuclear components.

The Chinese investment in the UK project also makes sure that UK companies like Rolls-Royce can be part of China's multi-billion pound new nuclear programme. CGN is currently the world's largest developer and constructor of new nuclear power plants. CNNC has nine units in operation and 12 under construction.

Martin Ride, supply chain consultant at the Nuclear AMRC, said: "This is a significant and welcome investment announcement for the UK's nuclear new-build programme and supporting supply chain, which could lead to real export potential for UK manufacturers into China's internal, fast-growing, multi-billion pound nuclear new build market.

"We welcome the involvement of participating Chinese companies, and will work to develop relationships and interest in areas of manufacturing and business support which will lead to new opportunities for the UK."

EDF Energy website
Nuclear AMRC website
Rolls-Royce website

Images: EDF Energy

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News: Support from UKSE highlights growing Rotherham businesses of different styles

UK Steel Enterprise is continuing to support business growth in Rotherham with Robert Sommerville from Whiston, the latest to secure funding to help start up his own enterprise.

After years of working for other salons in Rotherham and rising to become a salon manager Robert felt his creative flair was becoming restricted. He took the decision to start his own business, Six60, and is now renting space at Simply Beauty, the beauty salon on Bawtry Road in Wickersley. Robert applied for a grant from UK Steel Enterprise's Kickstart Fund to help get him trading.

Robert said: "I felt like I had reached the end of the line in terms of what I could achieve working for others. My real aim is to create a salon that becomes a training academy for other young hairstylists in Rotherham. I've already taken on one member of staff and hope that by this time next year I'll be in my own dedicated premises with a growing team."

UK Steel Enterprise has set aside finance from its Kickstart Fund to target young entrepreneurs in Rotherham. Applicants based in the borough can get support from Rotherham Investment & Development Office to help them find work premises, sometimes with discounted rental rates. Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE) works alongside UK Steel Enterprise to help applicants with business planning and mentoring through the early stages of running a new business.

UK Steel Enterprise has helped over 200 people start a business in Rotherham since 2009. They come from a wide range of sectors including retailers, a tattoo artist, a chiropractor and fishing bait specialists.

Robert won a scholarship with L'Oreal last year, which took him all over Europe to study and learn about different cutting styles. His connection with the world famous brand has been a big bonus for the young entrepreneur. "I used the grant to build up a stock of L'Oreal products, being supported by such a high profile brand gives me credibility. Without the grant from UK Steel I would not have been able to do that or pay for the training I'm undertaking to become an NVQ trainer and assessor; so it really made a massive difference to me," says Robert.

Robert is studying with In Touch Care at Crystal Peaks for his NVQ qualifications that will eventually lead to him being able to teach and assess others that want a career in hairdressing.

UK Steel Enterprise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel. Its Kickstart Fund provides grants of up to £500 to start-up businesses to purchase essential equipment and or services that can get them trading. Its main investment fund provides business finance in amounts from £25,000 up to £750,000 to companies in South Yorkshire and other areas affected by changes in the steel industry.

Allan Wood, regional executive for UK Steel Enterprise said: "The Kickstart Fund is designed for new businesses with the potential to create wealth in Rotherham and forms part of the UK Steel Enterprise ethos of supporting businesses that make a positive impact on the local economy by creating jobs. Robert has already taken on one employee and we hope he goes on to create many jobs while helping other people to launch their own careers and obtain the qualifications they need."

Jackie Frost, chief Executive of RYE, added: "Robert is a great example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination. We are happy to have helped Robert in the grant application process and look forward to providing further support as his hair salon grows."

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UK Steel Enterprise website

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News: Tokyo follows Rotherham's lead

Representatives from the University of Sheffield have been on a recent visit to Japan where they heard about The University of Tokyo's Consortium for Manufacturing Innovation, a new centre explicitly modelled on The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and a partner in the HVM Catapult (the government's strategic initiative that aims to revitalise the manufacturing industry), the AMRC focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. It is a partnership between industry and academia.

Sir Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sheffield, led a delegation on manufacturing and engineering to Japan on behalf of the AMRC with Boeing and Nuclear AMRC.

Last year, Boeing with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Fuji Heavy Industries signed an MOU with the Institute of Industrial Science (IIS) at the University of Tokyo to commence joint research and work to create a consortium to develop industrial-scale manufacturing technology and processes. The cooperation builds on the research capabilities of IIS, the expertise of the industrial partners in aerospace manufacturing and the desire by all to enhance the skills and capabilities of Japanese industry. It is modelled on the AMRC.

Writing a blog in Japan, Sir Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sheffield, said: "Without doubt, our ground-breaking work on advanced manufacturing and in particular in renewable and civil nuclear energy is highly respected here in Japan. Work which began with industrial participation in our world-leading Faculty of Engineering and grew to fill the derelict former Orgreave [colliery site] with the industrial promise of a new manufacturing future, is seen as central to this country's future, too.

"Time and again we were told by colleagues at The University of Tokyo that the work begun by Professor Keith Ridgway and the wonderful team at the AMRC is vital for a safer, more effective future - particularly in relation to the production of the civil nuclear energy which is increasingly seen as critical to keep the lights on both in the UK and Japan. We heard about The University of Tokyo's Consortium for Manufacturing Innovation, explicitly modelled on the AMRC, which the Tokyo team visited earlier this year."

The AMRC is a multimillion pound partnership between industry and academia that has become a model for collaborative research centres worldwide and now boasts 75 partners, including Boeing and Rolls-Royce.

The centre attracts paid industry members at different tiers, keen to make use of the world-class machines and facilities at the AMRC. The model also enables the centre to secure European and Government funding for a diverse range of cutting edge technologies, from shaped metal deposition in the aerospace industry to the use of bio-composites in the automotive industry.

The model has been replicated in Denmark, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany and India.

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

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