News: Harworth in major Leeds land deal

Harworth Estates, one of the largest property and regeneration companies across the North of England and the Midlands, has acquired the site of the former Skelton Grange power station near Leeds from RWE Generation, its first major non-coalfield acquisition.

Based on its flagship development at Waverley in Rotherham, the developer manages around 31,370 acres across some 200 projects, with consent for 8,000 new homes. It is set to be completely acquired in a £150m deal by Coalfield Resources, the stock market-listed company created during a complex restructure of UK Coal.

The 162-acre site, which provided power to the city until 1995, offers the potential for development for distribution, open storage and energy generation uses. It already has outline planning consent for a range of commercial uses, including a 26MW, 300,000 tonne waste-to-energy facility.

The site will be branded as "Logistics Leeds" following on from "Logistics North" in Bolton where Harworth is developing 4m sq ft of distribution space over 250 acres.

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By regenerating former coalfields and brownfield land Harowrth valued its investment properties in June at £283.7m, up from £278.5m, and net assets at £247.3m, up from £234.7m. Key sites include Rotherham (Waverley), Bolton (Logistics North), Nottinghamshire (Harworth) and Pontefract (Prince of Wales). Earlier this year a strategic marketing alliance with The Peel Group was agreed with the aim of Peel Logistics becoming a key player in the logistics market.

Owen Michaelson, chief executive of Harworth Estates, said: "Skelton Grange fits very well with the rest of our property portfolio, given the number of commercial developments we are already bringing forward across Yorkshire. As we take the site forward to the occupier market we will be emphasising its range of assets and benefits, including its strategic location and high power connectivity.

"Our specialist team has significant experience developing large-scale brownfield sites and transforming them into places of lasting economic and social regeneration. We believe this is a key development site for the Leeds City Region and we look forward to bringing it to fruition."

Steve Boughton, head of business development at RWE Generation UK Plc, added: "We are delighted to have agreed the land sale to Harworth Estates, who are acknowledged experts in regenerating brownfield sites, creating high quality developments with corresponding employment opportunities. They have been a pleasure to do business with and I wish them success in bringing the scheme to market."

Mike Baugh of CBRE, who acted on behalf of RWE Generation UK Plc, added: "This sale represents one of the most significant site disposals in the Leeds area for many years. CBRE worked closely with RWE to ensure a smooth marketing campaign and successful completion of this transaction and we believe it represents an exciting prospect for Harworth Estates to bring forward what is a unique opportunity for the area."

Harworth Estates website

Images: Harworth Estates

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News: Cumulus secures further funding

Cumulus Energy Storage (CES), a high-tech start-up based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, is being backed by Government funding to help bring its low cost energy storage battery to the market.

Previously known as Wind Power Performance Ltd, and based in the AMP Technology Centre, Cumulus is developing prototype battery technology which can be developed commercially to cope with the rigours and requirements of the renewable industry.

Storing the electricity from intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar at source, or "grid level," is a key problem due to the mismatch between the availability of intermittent wind or sunshine and the changing demand for grid electricity.

Cumulus is developing a grid-level energy storage battery with 1MWh-100MWh storage capacity which it hopes to be the lowest cost battery technology in the world. By using its new batteries, developers of offshore wind farms or solar farms could reduce the price at which electricity must be generated from the source to break even over the lifetime of the project.

The Bi-Metal battery is based on existing industrial chemistry and architecture already used at a larger scale in mineral processing. The technology allows this to be used as a re-chargeable grid-storage battery, using inexpensive, recyclable materials.

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Cumulus is one of 19 projects to secure funding from the latest round of the Government's Energy Entrepreneurs' Fund (EEF) that was established in 2012 to help bring a range of new and innovative low carbon products to market. The scheme particularly aims to assist small and medium sized enterprises, including start-ups, and those companies that are selected can receive additional funding for incubation support.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Amber Rudd said: "As the nation that is leading the way in tackling climate change, it is important that we support small and medium sized businesses get their innovative energy projects off the ground."

Cumulus recently secured £250k from seed investors as far ranging as Switzerland, Guernsey, London and Yorkshire. It will help to meet the aim of bringing the battery to market in 2015 after the demonstration models have been commercialised. Already there is considerable interest in the USA as well as in the Netherlands particularly with solar and tidal companies.

The firm is headed up by CEO Nick Kitchen, COO Darron Brackenbury, two professional engineers with MBAs, and Mike Horwitz, the principal inventor. With research in San Francisco and manufacturing in South Yorkshire, the enterprise was recently recognised for Outstanding Achievement through Passport to Export at the second annual Passport To Export Awards, organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Yorkshire and the Humber.

Cumulus website

Images: Harworth Estates

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News: New directors for Parseq

Rotherham-headquartered business process and technology specialist, Parseq, has made two key appointments as it continues with its strategy to create a business with a £100m turnover in three years.

Based at Hellaby, Parseq specialises in mobile and online banking software and technology-led outsourcing services. It processes 25 million documents a year and the Hellaby facility provides BACS electronic fund transfers, remittance processing and voucher processing services to a number of high street banks.

Current head of marketing, Lian Chambers, has been appointed as marketing director and Louise Cope has joined as group human resources director.

Playing a vital role in the company's rebrand, Chambers' ten years of experience in the BPO sector was also critical for the integration of Parseq's newly acquired businesses, including 2Touch and Pure.

Lian Chambers, marketing director at Parseq (pictured, left), said: "This year Parseq has undergone a complete transformation. It's rebranded, acquired a raft of new businesses, grown our UK network to seven key locations and expanded our business streams and produce offerings. As a result our workforce has doubled in size and our investment in jobs creation continues well into 2015 and beyond. This rapid growth has seen my team work closer than ever before with our HR function to develop a comprehensive internal communications strategy which can be taken across the whole business.

"2015 is an exciting year for HR and marketing as we aim to transform our 3000 strong workforce into a passionate group of brand ambassadors."

New recruit, Louise, brings with her vast experience having acted as group HR director for FTSE 100, FMCG, retail, manufacturing, engineering and Contact Centres brands and organisations. In her senior role at Parseq, Cope will manage the corporate HR function across Parseq's sites in Rotherham, York, Leeds Sunderland, Glasgow, Brighton and London.

Louise Cope, group human resources director at Parseq (pictured, right), said: "I am attracted to Parseq because of its innovative approach towards its employees. I am excited to be part of growing the organisation with such passionate and dedicated staff. It's something to be relished.

"I bring with me proven expertise across many sectors in developing robust corporate HR functions and a desire to deliver a strategy that will support Parseq's growth."

Recommended reading: Improving Document Accessibility and Management: An Overview for Business Owners

Parseq was created via a successful reverse takeover by Rami Cassis and Rotherham-based BPO provider, Documetric in 2010. The £33m management buy out was led by Cassis, together with Nova Capital and funds managed by HarbourVest Partners, LLC.

Following a number of acquisitions, the combined turnover of the group now exceeds £65m and its client footprint covers the top ten international banks, a third of the UK's utility sector, the charity sector and a significant presence in the UK insurance sector.

Parseq website

Images: Parseq

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News: High demand for AMP spec development

Rotherham Council is being inundated with offers to purchase its remaining speculative development space on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

In March, landowners and developers, Harworth Estates, signed a £4.3m forward-purchase agreement with Rotherham Council for Plots 3 and 4 of the R-evolution development on the Waverley site. With construction almost complete, the council's cabinet approved the sale of Unit 3 earlier this month.

The AMP is the UK's premier advanced manufacturing technology park and is located on the site of the former Orgreave coking works. R-evolution is a 117,000 sq ft speculative industrial development and the site's status for advanced manufacturing, combined with the financial incentives through the Enterprise Zone, the units have been in high demand.

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Business Growth and Regeneration at Rotherham Council, explained at a Cabinet meeting this week: "One of the units, we've already sold, and made a profit on that, and that was always the intention - that we would build them and not hold onto them but sell them. The taxpayer and public purse would reap the rewards of the surplus on that.

"Because of the fact that it's on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, and because of the fact that it is held up nationally as an example of cutting edge, innovative business, regarding the other two units we've got, we are being inundated with approaches to buy them.

"If and when in the future there's an opportunity to do this again, I will come to this Cabinet and advise colleagues that we do it again because we've made money, we've made the Council money, but crucially we've created jobs for local people, and we all know how much we need jobs.

"We can't sit back as a Council and say that we don't have a role to play in this town of supporting the creation of growth and jobs."

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Last week it was announced that X-Cel Superturn, a global manufacturer of machined components, has bought a 30,000 sq ft unit from Rotherham Council for £2.75m in order to triple the size of its operation at the Enterprise Zone.

Cllr. Beck, added: "The approach by a successful advanced manufacturing company to buy the 30,000 sq ft detached unit reveals a continuing high level of business confidence and strong demand for high-quality commercial property in Rotherham, whilst supporting our desire to attract high-value lasting employment.

"The council decided to purchase three units from Harworth Estates last year to support and stimulate economic growth at the site. Whilst we always had confidence that this would be a successful investment our financial model was built around an assumption that the council might have to hold on to the units for up to five years until the investment market strengthened sufficiently to allow the council to achieve an acceptable sale price.

"We have been extremely pleased with the level of interest our investment has generated and, in respect of this particular offer; the council is able to achieve all of its financial and regeneration objectives immediately without the need to hold the units."

The Council deal unlocked a £2.7m loan from the Sheffield City Region Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) Fund, which was set up to support infrastructure and real estate investment opportunities across the region. It was used to pay for infrastructure works and the construction of new manufacturing units at R-evolution.

Plot 1 (40,000 sq ft) was pre-sold to Maher, a supplier of high-performance alloys, and Plot 2 (25,000 sq. ft) to Nikken Kosakusho Europe, a supplier of precision engineering products. Colliers and LSH have been acting as agents.

Owen Michaelson, chief executive of Harworth Estates, said: "We are delighted to see another key advanced manufacturing company expand at the AMP. The disposal of three of the five units at R-evolution so quickly justifies our decision to build speculatively and reinforces the strength of demand for high-quality industrial space at the development.

"We are accelerating our plans for a second phase of R-evolution on five acres of the 68 acres that remain to be developed for employment use at Waverley. That will be followed by a larger development of up to 300,000 sq ft, called "AMPlify" on a further 21 acres."

There are currently around 700 people employed at the AMP, with the potential for over 2,000 new jobs to be created through further development. There is around 70 acres of employment land remaining on the Waverley site.

Waverley website

Images: Harworth Estates

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News: Rotherham College students have designs on starting their own business

A team of students from the business department at Rotherham College have won a Rotherham Youth Enterprise challenge, impressing judges with a sound business idea for selling T-shirts to fans of local unsigned bands that also raises money for charity.

Rotherham Youth Enterprise provides self-employment support and advice for young adults in the area. They encourage young people (up to the age of 30) to explore business ideas and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be their own boss.

The recent Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) saw the culmination of the "Doing the Biz Team Challenge 2014" with students aged between 16-19 studying Art & Design / Fashion, Business and Enterprise in Rotherham schools and colleges, tasked by Rotherham Youth Enterprise to design an image that can be printed on to a T-shirt, prepare a business plan that outlines their ideas for running a T-shirt design business and finally make a short presentation to a panel of judges from business and enterprise across Rotherham.

The Business Diploma Level 3 students made the final along with teams from Aston Academy School, Wales High School and Wath Comprehensive School who all won their internal heats to compete for a number of awards for the best business ideas at RiDO's Moorgate Crofts business centre.

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Adam Mozley, 18, and Saif Naeem, 16, from Sheffield, Dominic Borthwick, 18, from Worksop and Samuel Keeling, 17, from Rotherham decided to develop their idea using a local band called The Wired as their subject. As a part of the idea they had to nominate a charity that they would work with and proceeds from part of the business would be donated to them.

They competed in four categories. These were; best team presentation, best business plan, most sustainable business idea and overall challenge winners. The Rotherham College students won three out of the four including the overall winners.

Adam (pictured, second left) said: "Pitching like we did at the competition has given us experience of what it is like working in the business world. It's given us some real practical experience. We'd like to carry this on as a business."

As overall winners, the team were awarded gift vouchers and the backing to produce a first batch of their T-shirts.

Donna Hine, curriculum leader of business at Rotherham College, said: "The students were extremely motivated during the project and their success is a result of a positive attitude and commitment to develop their Business skills and knowledge. As a teaching team, we are very pleased with their positive approach to both their studies and enrichment activity and the success they have achieved to date – a well-deserved win!"

Rotherham College website
Rotherham Youth Enterprise website

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News: Connexion2 improves safety of Sovereign staff

Connexion2, the Rotherham company that uses innovative technology solutions and associated services to improve the safety and productivity of lone workers, has secured a contract to supply more than 550 employees at Sovereign Housing Association with its market-leading products.


The Dinnington firm developed and manufactures Identicom, which is now the UK's most widely deployed dedicated lone worker device with with over 135,000 in circulation, and a market share of 80%. Clients inlcude NHS, BSkyb, Domino's Pizza, Travelodge and a number of housing associations and local authorities.

A unique communication device, Identicom is designed to look like a normal ID badge but allows lone workers to raise an alarm, make an emergency phone call or send a text message. Highly trained staff at the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) can monitor and listen into a situation, escalating directly to the emergency services if necessary. GPS technology fitted into the device can also help locate a lone worker.

Sovereign Housing Association, which was originally established as West Berkshire Housing Association in 1989, currently provide homes for more than 80,000 people in the South and Southwest of England. Employees including anti-social behaviour officers, housing support workers and housing officers use Connexion2's innovative 8 series device which allows two-way audio and remote software updates to maximise efficiency. Identicom is supplied through Connexion2's SoloProtect solution which includes the device, inclusive billing, 24/7 manned monitoring, SIM card, mobile network usage, device training, monthly reports and a dedicated in-house UK-based customer support team.

Dave Brown, anti-social behaviour officer at Sovereign, said: "I spend a large amount of time out of the office lone working, visiting residents and dealing with sometimes difficult issues. In some cases, although I do not always feel at risk, I appreciate that there are risks that come with dealing with the diverse range of situations and people that we do. With the Identicom lone worker device, I genuinely feel that I have a safeguard in place in case an incident should occur whereby I am at risk from abuse, or indeed a more serious issue, from a customer or other person I am dealing with.

"I particularly like the fact that, if you feel that a situation may be at all uncomfortable or confrontational, you can raise a "Red Alert," give the advisor a brief description of the issues that may be faced, and then have the reassurance of that advisor listening in on the subsequent conversation and situation that you are facing.

"I was impressed with the customer service and support following a recent situation where I used the "Red Alert." I was immediately called following its conclusion, and the advisor was able to recount what had been heard, and checked that I was not only safe, but felt reassured as well."

Craig Swallow, managing director of Connexion2, added: "Employees within the housing sector face an increasing number of risks every day within their role – whether that be a social or environmental one. With an estimated six million lone workers in the UK, knowledge and best practices of working safely are very important for the safety of all workers."

In 2013 Connexion2 was acquired by the US leading emergency communications company, Kings III of America. Earlier this year Connexion2 opened its European office in Roermond, the Netherlands, launching Identicom and its SoloProtect solutions into the Benelux market and beyond.

Connexion2 website

Images: Connexion2

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News: Continued growth for Greencore in tough food sector

Investment in the Rotherham operation of leading convenience food manufacturer, Greencore, has helped the Irish firm increase revenues and profits.

In its financial results for the year ended September 26 2014, the firm, which operates in the UK and increasingly in the US, reported that group sales were up 6% to £1.27bn with a 7% rise in full-year pre-tax profits to £44.4m.

Greencore has 28 sites in the UK and employ around 3,000 people in Yorkshire. Greencore Prepared Meals at Wales Bar in Rotherham is one of five sites in the Prepared Meals division and prepares quiches, ready meals and soups.

Greencore's Prepared Meals business produces chilled ready meals, chilled sauces, chilled soup and quiche for the major retailers in the UK. The business, like most of the categories in which it operates, is largely "own brand" label, although products are produced under license for the Weight Watchers brand. It represents approximately 20% of group revenue.

In a difficult sector, growth has been maintained with strong performance of the convenience or small store formats of its customers.

The annual report states "The chilled ready meals market experienced growth in FY14 of 2.1%, while the Italian chilled ready meals category, our principal sub-category, grew by 4.0%. This was a little disappointing given that the horsemeat scandal depressed the market so materially in the previous year. The quiche market grew by 1.4% in the year while chilled soup declined by 4.4% in the face of a mild winter.

"Revenue in the Prepared Meals business was 0.2% higher than in FY13. Revenue performance in chilled ready meals in the year was modestly ahead of the market. This was despite having exited certain product categories with our largest ready meals customer in Q1 before increasing our share in Italian ready meals from Q2. The growth was driven by successful customer relaunch activity with several key customers and the addition of a new ready meals customer.

"Quiche sales were lower year on year as one customer moved manufacture of some lines in house, while soup and sauce sales were broadly in line with the prior year."

The Dublin-based firm is investing £30m in its site in Northampton as it focuses on the "food to go" sector but the annual report highlights the level of investment at is Rotherham site. It said: "Over the past number of years, we have invested in our facility in Kiveton, increasing our ready meals, quiche and soup capacity. These investments were largely driven by secured business wins, supplemented by incremental investments in capacity to support future growth with existing and new customers.

"These investments are aligned with our strategy to have market leading positions in convenience food categories that are complementary to the food to go category.

"These investments facilitate deeper relationships with our customers to ensure we remain their supplier of choice and that we are in a position to support their future growth agendas."

Greencore produced 214 million prepared meals, quiches and packs of chilled soup in the financial year. The Rotherham facility bakes over a hundred thousand quiche a day and uses over 35 million eggs a year.

Greencore website

Images: Greencore

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News: Kier selected for Rotherham Urgent Care Centre

Kier Construction has been selected as the principal supply chain partner for the £12.2m Urgent Care Centre that is set to be built at Rotherham Hospital.

The Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group, which buys in services from providers, has signed off the final business case for the project which secured planning permission earlier this year.

The proposals for a new NHS Urgent Care Centre in Rotherham involve the closure of the Town Centre Walk in Centre on Greasborough Road and transfer of the GP out of hours service to a new purpose built Urgent Care Centre on the Hospital site.

Patients who currently walk into Accident & Emergency (A&E) at the hospital will in future access care through the proposed urgent care centre. It is set to operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This coincides with the increased use of the NHS 111 telephone number as a single point of access to care so that telephone triage will play a greater part in directing patients to urgent or GP care.

Earlier this month, the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, that serves the health needs of the borough and delivers care at Rotherham Hospital, reported that it is currently under extreme pressures with a high volume of patients attending A&E, a department that is currently operating at a £1.1m deficit. The current A&E department was built to accommodate 55,000 attendees each year but activity now exceeds 75,000 patients. One of the main drivers of the new urgent care centre is to reduce recurring costs by reducing admissions to A&E by five per day.

Plans were drawn up by Gilling Dod Architects, working with Kier Construction who where selected via the ProCure21+ National Framework, and the new integrated service will comprise a two storey development with an overall floor area of approximately 1,850 sq m, linked to the main hospital. The ground floor will provide clinical accommodation and the upper floor will provide office and staff supporting accommodation. The new extension has been designed to complement the hospital's existing main entrance that was redeveloped in 2011.

Staffed by highly skilled clinicians across the emergency department and primary care, the integration of skilled staff is expected to ensure that the most appropriate clinician will see the patient, reducing the need for handovers between staff and improving the patient flow. However the options proposed involve cutting the recurring costs for clinical staff from £5.5m to £4.6m. The Trust expects to be in a position to employ additional advanced care practitioners (ACPs) in place of middle grade doctors.

During consultation, concerns were raised by the council and members of the public regarding transport and parking issues at the hospital site. The proposals include a total of 122 car parking spaces, for use by staff, being provided on the former mental health site at the Eastern side of the hospital site, close to Moorgate Road. This is set to free up spaces in the main public car park.

The business case states: "While travel times and expense for patients will, on the whole, slightly increase as a result of relocating urgent care from a town centre location, but this is outweighed by the quality benefits that will result."

The existing £9.9m building operated by Care UK on the Greasborough Road site, which sees around 4,000 patients a month, will continue to offer a town centre GP surgery. An estimated 50% of current activity will transfer to the new emergency centre with Care UK set to continue as provider. All of the other NHS and community services are expected to remain on site, including family planning/sexual health services and clinics. Some other non‐acute provision could be relocated to the centre.

Construction on the new facilities is set to begin in the spring of 2015 and it could start treating patients in April 2017.

Adjacent to the Moorgate site, Kier Construction is also leading on the multimillion pound rebuild at Oakwood High School.

Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group website

Images: Gilling Dod Architects

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News: MP disappointed at Government's lack of action for town's traders

Traders in Rotherham town centre are on the verge of going out of business as a result of the number of marches and demonstrations taking place in the same areas and on key shopping days.

With repeated marches by the likes of the English Defence League (EDL) resulting in significant parts of the town closing everytime, and the shops that remain open not trading well, Rotherham retailers started a petition based on their rights to trade, asking the Government to change legislation so that economic impact, and other factors other than public safety, are taken into account so that marches can be banned, relocated, or re-timed.

Rotherham MP, Sarah Champion raised the issue in the House of Commons, asking the Government for increased policing powers to prevent marches when they are seen to continually target a particular area, and for additional support to be directed to businesses that were suffering as a result in Rotherham.

The Government response to the written questions suggests that the it has no plans to bring legislation on the policing powers relating to restricting the marches, and the response received from the Business Minister only offered a standard response relating to business services available to any businesses, with no specific reference to Rotherham businesses or Sarah's plea to provide additional support.

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Sarah Champion MP, said: "I am angry that the Government aren't taking these concerns on board. Small business owners are seriously affected by the repeated targeting of our town by the EDL. Traders are telling me that they are on the verge of going out of business, because they haven't been able to recover lost earnings. This is a serious issue and not one that the government should ignore.

"I will be holding a meeting with small business owners this week to find out how they would like me to progress. I don't think this is an issue we should drop, as people's livelihoods are affected. I will carry on working with Rotherham's independent traders until we get some kind of resolution."

Images: Courtesy of chrisfp on Flickr, used under Creative Commons licence

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News: The science behind the Xeros system

Commercialising a ground-breaking system that is the first real innovation in the laundry industry for 60 years, Rotherham-based Xeros has hailed the work of its chief scientific officer, Dr Steve Jenkins and his team based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Xeros is a Leeds University spin-out that 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. Having moved to Rotherham, the firm secured millions in private investment before launching on the AIM stock exchange earlier this year.

The system comprises a special washing machine designed to release the beads into the drum for cleaning, and which then removes them from clothes once the cleaning is complete. The tiny, spheroidal plastic beads are able to absorb stains, stray dye, and soil, carrying them away from fabrics, resulting in a superior cleaning process that uses less water and chemicals. In commercial laundries, the technology has been proven to reduce water by up to 80%, energy by 50% and detergent by 50%.

Writing in its company blog, Xeros discusses how Dr Steve Jenkins, an eminent polymer physicist, joined the company in 2009, when the only patent in place covered the basic interaction of polymer beads with garments.

Steve (pictured) explained: "The sole procedure established was the basic one involving beads removing soil from the surface of clothing. No means had therefore been developed for preventing the redisposition of dirt or removing the beads from the drum, when washing was complete, for instance.

"My early work with Xeros included conducting experiments under far more controlled conditions than had applied previously. Factors such as the speed and direction of the drum's rotation, number of beads involved and amounts of cloth, detergent and water used, plus the mechanical action, were all more tightly regulated than before."

The company believes that Steve and the Xeros team's greatest single achievement to date has been finding a way for the beads to be extracted from the drum at the end of a wash cycle. He pioneered the process from an original position where a wash cycle left a sea of beads in the drum, from which garments had to be picked. The breakthrough development is the current flow-through process which involves the beads being pulsed into the drum, exiting through the drum perforations and, finally, being fully extracted by the end of the cycle.

Beads are constantly extracted from the wash, whilst refreshed ones are introduced to ensure that absorbent beads are available to soak up stains and loose dye. Approximately 1.5 million beads pass through the wash drum, somewhere between none at all and a tiny handful are left in the wash load once it is done.

Not only do Xeros beads last for hundreds of uses, they are also completely recyclable. The polymers used in the Xeros beads are suitable for a number of non-colour intensive applications, such as the manufacture of molded plastic parts for cars.


Jenkins added: "I oversaw six-month trials during 2011 of our 25kg commercial machine at leading London dry cleaners and an independent commercial laundry. These were successful, involving a wide variety of garment types. They proved, among other findings, that, using our system and a little detergent, garments such as mechanics' overalls could now be washed at, or close to, ambient temperature, when they had previously demanded water heated to 80 degrees centigrade.

"These trials led directly to the Xeros commercial system being launched officially last year at the Clean Show in New Orleans."

Xeros now has 30 patent families and Jenkins is part of an organisation containing about 25 research specialists, many of whom hold PhDs, a seven-strong engineering team and an in-house patent attorney.

Xeros website

Images: Xeros

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News: SCR's British Glass Innovation Centre secures support from Siemens

Siemens, the German multinational conglomerate company, clearly sees the benefits of innovation in the glass sector as it pledges £4m of investment and signs a technology partnership with the British Glass Manufacturers Confederation in Sheffield.

British Glasss is a member organisation and a focal point for the industry, providing information and expertise, promoting the use of glass, promoting recycling and stimulating research and innovation.

Earlier this year, £5m funding was secured via the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership's Growth Deal with the Government to support the creation of a new British Glass Innovation Centre and new training facilities, including a brand new British Glass Academy.

The site will provide a centre of excellence for glass manufacturers and support the development of an innovative culture and skills for the sector. The centre, planned to be built on the Phase 2 site of Sheffield Business Park, will include fully functioning glass production plants, as well as promoting leadership in important areas such as new product development and fast prototyping.

It will also be home to The Glass Academy, the training and skills development initiative set up by British Glass to train the next generation of engineers and technicians entering the sector, with relevant fit-for-purpose skills and qualifications, and to continue to upskill the industry's current workforce, encouraging a culture of lifelong learning in the sector.

The private sector is expected to invest £15m in the British Glass Academy and once at full strength, it will provide 2,000 apprenticeships and qualifications each year.

In signing the agreement Siemens will provide a wide range of technical, product and manpower support to ensure British Glass' plans benefit from world-class manufacturing expertise, technical excellence and global sector knowledge.

Dave Dalton, CEO of British Glass, said: "Siemens is the first major partner to commit to working with us on the journey to an exciting and highly competitive future. The breadth of Siemens' technical expertise and support offered to us through the partnership will be vital if we are to successfully transform our industry for the 21st Century. In addition, the concerted efforts by Siemens to help us develop the skills of people in the sector, as well as those entering it, ensures we have a powerful combination to push our industry forward over the next five years."

Brian Holliday, managing director, Digital Factory - Siemens UK & Ireland, added: "We are delighted to announce this substantial investment in the future of the UK glass industry. We are impressed by the strategic ambition of British Glass to develop an innovative culture and to make British glass-making a globally competitive leader. Siemens has a long established relationship with the glass industry across the UK. By developing this technology partnership, we want to ensure glass manufacturing is at the heart of the manufacturing agenda.

"The newly proposed British Glass Innovation Centre in Sheffield is a prime example where the leaders in the sector are setting out a clear vision for the future and this must be applauded and supported."

On the other side of the Parkway from the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), the site of the former Sheffield Airport, construction is underway on Factory 2050, the state of the art, £43m development that is set to keep the Sheffield city region at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing.

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing signed a deal to secure 50 acres of land on the park and the first development will be the UK's first fully reconfigurable assembly and component manufacturing facility for collaborative research, capable of rapidly switching production between different high-value components and one-off parts.

British Glass website

Images: Wilkinson Eyre

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News: Moorhead Savage appoints new business support manager

Rotherham insolvency practice, Moorhead Savage has appointed a new business support manager as it looks ahead to further growth.

Established in RiDO's Moorgate Crofts business centre, the award-winning enterprise is headed by Paul Moorhead who leads a team offering high quality, professional, impartial and ethical help and debt advice to both companies and individuals.

Gaynor Goodman joins the company after spending almost 30 years with the Insolvency Service in Leeds, where she was latterly a deputy official receiver.

She has most recently completed her Masters in Business Administration at the University of Sheffield.

In her new post, Gaynor – who lives in Barnsley - will be developing new business for Moorhead Savage and working on the company's strategy for future growth.

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Paul Moorhead, managing director at Moorhead Savage, said: "Gaynor's vast experience, especially in the area of investigation, will add enormously to our skill set, particularly when we are dealing with complex cases and transactions.

"As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, this latest appointment shows that we are continuing to develop and grow stronger, providing vital support in helping businesses to find ways to survive and enjoy a more prosperous future.

"For all those companies that are still having a tough time the advice is always to seek expert advice right now because things are seldom as bad as they might seem and there really can be light at the end of the tunnel."

Moorhead Savage website

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News: The AESSEAL New York Stadium

Rotherham United has scored the biggest sponsorship deal in its history with successful Rotherham manufacturers, AESSEAL, becoming the club's first ever stadium naming rights partner.

With global headquarters at Templeborough, AESSEAL manufactures seals to stop leakage of harmful liquids and gases into the environment for a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, food, water, mining and pharmaceuticals.

The multi-year deal will see the Millers state-of-the-art £20m home called The AESSEAL New York Stadium until at least the summer of 2019, with the first official game under the AESSEAL brand against Huddersfield Town in the Sky Bet Championship on Boxing Day.

The substantial deal is worth six figures for the next five years.

Tony Stewart, chairman of Rotherham United (pictured, second left), said: "This a landmark deal not only for the football club and but also for the Borough of Rotherham.

"AESSEAL are one of the world's leading figures in their sector and it is a company with roots deeply embedded in Rotherham, which makes them the perfect partner for the stadium naming rights.

"I am delighted to continue our association with AESSEAL group managing director and founder Chris Rea, who is a man I have known for many years, and he shares the same drive and ambition for the football club and town of Rotherham.

"We are very proud of our stadium so it was vitally important for the club that if we went down a stadium naming rights route, it was with a company we respected, trusted and could work with. AESSEAL is that company.

"We are now looking forward to further enhancing our relationship with AESSEAL during what continues to be very exciting times for the club, both on and off the field."

AES Engineering Ltd, parent to the AESSEAL Group, has increased sales and profits every year for over 30 years and reported 2013 sales at £147m, with exports accounting for more than 90% of the total. EBITDA (earnings before tax) rose to £24.6m. All of the product development, process development, information technology and more than 90% of manufacturing continues to be based in the UK.

Even as it marks its continued growth, AESSEAL is planning further expansion. It already employs more than 1,650 people worldwide, of whom approximately 650 are in the UK and Ireland and more than 330 in Rotherham, home to its Global Technology Centre HQ.

Land and buildings have been purchased on a site neighbouring the headquarters in Rotherham which could lead to the workforce doubling over time.

AESSEAL also has a branch office on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate, next to another Rotherham manufacturing success story - ASD Lighting - the firm built up by Tony Stewart.

The firm attracts high calibre staff from outside the area has operations in 37 countries and recognised the potential to grow the AESSEAL brand through the television coverage enjoyed by the Millers. The Championship itself is the fourth most watched division in Europe and Rotherham United's home win over Leeds United brought the fourth highest televised audience for a Football League fixture so far this season.

Chris Rea, group managing director and founder of AESSEAL (pictured, second right), said: "The primary reason that I am delighted to associate the AESSEAL brand with Rotherham United is that the current management team of the football club has built a beautiful product.

"The stadium itself, and in particular the corporate social responsibility aspects of the club, are truly excellent."

Jonathan Wilkinson, chief executive of AESSEAL plc, added: "We are so pleased to support, and be further associated with Rotherham United, a club with such great community spirit that like ourselves is taking on new and bigger challenges every year."

AESSEAL currently has prominent advertising boards at the stadium and car park on the edge of Rotherham town centre, and the new agreement will also see the AESSEAL name and branding prominently visible both internally and externally at the stadium.

Steve Coakley, commercial director at Rotherham United (pictured, left), said: "This is undoubtedly a ground-breaking agreement for Rotherham United Football Club and one that we are all absolutely thrilled with. We look forward to welcoming AESSEAL as our stadium rights partner.

"It has taken some tireless work and diligent planning, from both parties, to come to this agreement, and after working closely with both Chris and Jonathan we are very excited to announce this partnership with such a long-standing and well known international brand that also has very local links.

"Based close by at Bradmarsh Business Park AESSEAL employ in excess of 300 people within the town so it really is a brand that the supporters of the club can identify with."

AESSEAL website
Rotherham United

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News: AMRC puts on a display for Red Arrows' 50th season

Designers, engineers and apprentices at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in Rotherham have put their skills on display as engineers from the Red Arrows paid a flying visit.

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 partnership between industry and academia focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. It employs around 200 highly qualified researchers and engineers from around the globe, who have worked on manufacturing challenges for likes of Airbus, Boeing and GKN Aerospace.

AMRC's Composites Centre staff Conrad Sdao, Craig Atkins, Paul Rigden and Phil Greenway used their skills to make a scaled down replica of the tailfin of one of the BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce-powered, Hawk T1 jets, which the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team flies.

The fin is resplendent with the design created especially this year to mark the 50th season milestone of the team, renowned for its trademark combination of close formations and precision flying.

The replica fin will go on display at the Red Arrows' home base at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and is also likely to be used to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects to pupils.

Researchers from the AMRC's Design Prototyping and Testing Centre produced a Computer Aided Design model of the tailfin which apprentices from the AMRC Knowledge Transfer Centre used to create a mould.

Then the Composites team went to work, carefully lining the mould and curing the material in a special oven, before bonding the two sides of the fin together and finishing it, ready for presentation to the Red Arrows senior engineering officer, squadron leader Haroon Raja.

Squadron Leader Raja said: "The hi-tech, precision work of the Royal Air Force and the Red Arrows demonstrates not only the importance of STEM subjects but also the huge variety of roles and careers in which they form a vital part.

"Every time you watch a display in the air by the Red Arrows, they are a tangible reminder of engineering excellence and the work of well-trained and motivated personnel on the ground, whether they be technicians or logistics personnel."

Craig Atkins, development engineer at the AMRC Composites Centre, said: "We wanted to congratulate the Red Arrows on their achievement and do something that would promote STEM subjects to young people.

"We thought the tailfin would be an iconic thing to make, particularly as it carries the new design, marking the 50th season."

In September, the AMRC was one of the organisations taking part in a STEM day hosted by the Red Arrows at RAF Scampton which saw more than 300 school children gain a better understanding of these crucial subjects.

AMRC website

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News: Business organisations prepare for Autumn Statement

Business organisations have submitted their calls on the Government for what they would like to see in the upcoming Autumn Statement.

To be given to MPs by the The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osbourne on December 3, the Autumn Statement is an update on the government's taxation and spending plans.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the UK's largest business organisation representing around 200,000 small businesses, has called on the Chancellor to continue supporting business confidence by reforming business rates, taking forward tax simplification, and investing in infrastructure to strengthen and rebalance the economic recovery.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) focuses on new measures to accelerate the progress of infrastructure projects that are critical to businesses, both locally and nationally, urging the Government to enhance the compensation and incentives available to those affected by nearby infrastructure projects such as rail and housing, and commit funding to repair deteriorating roads over the next five years.

The Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF), the UK trade organisation dedicated to the future of manufacturing, is calling for a massive boost to infrastructure and innovation to build on the strong economic recovery and, lay foundations for longer-term economic growth. It wants to see funding for the Catapult network increased and the Energy Intensive Industry (EII) compensation scheme announced at Budget 2014, implemented as soon as possible.

Gordon Millward, regional chairman of the FSB, said: "Businesses want an Autumn Statement that delivers stability and certainty, and provides them with incentives to grow and create employment.

"That means investing in our infrastructure to match the world’s best, whether that be broadband, road, rail or air. Regional connectivity, particularly between our great cities in the North, must be improved if the region is to reach its full potential and challenge the economic prowess of London. We encourage the Chancellor to progress plans to set out how that vision might be fulfilled. Likewise, we would like to see sights set far higher on broadband connectivity to power the UK's digital economy.

"On taxes, businesses will be looking for measures to ease the cost of business rates, and a commitment to fundamental reform of the current, outdated system. To support business growth and reduce costs, further efforts to simplify our complex tax system should also form a central part of the Statement.

"The FSB has also long called for simplified and sharpened business support to match businesses' growth ambitions. Unfortunately current schemes have not had the impact they should have, which is why the FSB has called for reforms. We are pleased the Government has reviewed the current offer this year, with a view to making it easier to access. We now look forward to seeing what progress has been made."

FSB website
EEF website

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News: Pearson Group planning Rotherham expansion

Leading examinations board, Edexcel, is planning on expanding its Rotherham operation by taking over a vacant unit in Hellaby, a move that would provide 20 jobs.

Part of the Pearson Group, the largest education company and the largest book publisher in the world, Edexcel already operates a huge exam paper processing centre in Rotherham spanning more that 80,000 sq ft that enables more than 90 per cent of Edexcel GCSE, A-level and AS-level answers to be scanned in electronically and sent for marking.

The revolutionary scanning technology was introduced in 2003 and examiners mark the papers, not by traditional pen and paper, but on screen using a web-based marking system called ePEN, that enables them to access and mark scanned images of candidates' questions, eliminating the problems of sending papers through the post. Over £1m was invested at Edexcel's operations centre in Hellaby in 2005 and the company processes eight million exam scripts every year.

Starting in premises at Lowton Way, Edexcel took over the property formerly known as Rion House in 2008. It employs well over 500 staff at peak times, like after Summer exams when tens of millions of A4 sheets are scanned in.

Pearson produced an infographic to coincide with this year's GCSE and A-level results days and calculated that 11,713 examiners marked 4,782,503 exam papers. 84% of A-level papers and 90% of GCSE papers were marked online using the ePEN system which meant that the group scanned 53,747,009 exam sheets.

Now plans have been submitted that would enable the group to expand into Unit 1 at Eden Close and use it for file storage which requires 24 hours access to deal with orders. The vacant unit was previously used as a training centre for construction trades.

The 17,000 sq ft unit is owned by Suon Industrials Ltd and the plans, prepared by DLP Planning Ltd, state that: "The success of the Pearson Group has led to a need to expand. The opportunity to expand into neighbouring premises offers logistical benefits and will provide 20 jobs within the building."

The modern warehouse with high quality offices has been marketed by Commercial Property Partners (CPP) and Knight Frank.

Edexcel website

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News: Rolls-Royce wins $5bn engine order

Rolls-Royce, one of the most famous names in engineering throughout the world, has won a $5bn order for Trent engines from Delta Air Lines to power 50 new aircraft.

Trent XWB engines will power 25 Airbus A350s and Trent 7000 engines will power 25 Airbus A330neo aircraft. The Trent XWB, the world's most efficient aero engine and specifically designed for Airbus, is the fastest-selling civil large engine ever, with more than 1,500 already sold to 40 customers. Earlier this year, Airbus selected the new Trent 7000 from Rolls-Royce as the exclusive engine for the new Airbus A330neo.

It is the first major contract announcement since the company revealed it would cut its workforce by 2,600 over the next 18 months, principally in its aerospace division.

Nat Pieper, vice president of Fleet Strategy and Transactions at Delta Air Lines, said: "We are pleased to be working closely with Rolls-Royce to power aircraft that will be a vital part of our future, providing a new level of excellence on our Pacific, Atlantic and Latin American routes."

John Rishton, chief executive at Rolls-Royce, added: "We are proud to be selected to power Delta's new generation of aircraft and look forward to deepening our relationship with a long-standing and valued customer. It is further evidence of the success of the Trent XWB in the market and represents a powerful vote of confidence in our newly-launched Trent 7000."

Work on the XWB engine started in 2005 when Rolls-Royce sat down with Airbus to look at how they could improve the performance of the new A350. Today the programme involves 16 manufacturing plants, eleven engineering and testing facilities, 12 engineering partners as well as 75 suppliers worldwide.

One of the manufacturing plants is on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, where single crystal (SX) turbine blades are being produced using the very latest manufacturing techniques.

The turbine extracts energy from the hot gas stream received from the combustor in high-thrust aero engines. Turbine blades convert the energy stored within the gas into kinetic energy.

The advanced turbine blade castings operate in the hottest part of the engine, at 200 degrees centigrade above the melting point of the material from which it's made. Temperatures are approaching half the surface of the sun and even the "cooling air" forced through the holes in the blade is 800C.

The technology means that the Trent XWB is some 20% more fuel efficient than the engines powering the airliners it will replace, saving airlines operating the A350 around £2m per aircraft, per year.

Rolls-Royce website

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News: Council keeps car park open on Forge Island

220 car parking spaces are now open for visitors and shoppers in Rotherham town centre on the site of the old Tesco store on Forge Island.

The new £40m Tesco Extra, which also includes 540 parking spaces, has opened across town on a five-acre site that was home to a number of council buildings on Drummond Street.

The council has stepped in on Forge Island to offer 70 free spaces for an hour, with the remainder being charged at £1 for two hours, £2 for four hours and £3 all day parking.

Cabinet Member for Business Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Dominic Beck, said: "It's great news that we've been able to secure these extra parking spaces for the town centre which will undoubtedly boost trade at that end of town.

"The pay-and-display machines have been installed and although it's great that the cost of both short and long stay parking has been kept to a minimum, it's the fact that that we've been able to provide spaces which will allow visitors to shop for an hour free-of-charge that’s the real story.

"This is the first time we've had bays like this in the town centre and hopefully it will be a massive boost to Rotherham's independent retailers.

"I've no doubt that it will encourage those shoppers wanting to quickly run into the town centre for an individual item, or just visit a couple of shops, to use Rotherham rather than other shopping destinations.

"The car park will also be offering the free weekend parking offer up to and including December 27."

Dawn Topliss, owner of the Craft Corner and Bears Den in nearby Riverside Precinct, added: "It's fantastic news that the town centre has these extra car parking spaces and even better that people can park for free for an hour.

"With Tesco leaving the site, it should keep people flowing to this side of town and all the great businesses here.

"This, plus the free weekend parking and the events which are taking place in the run-up to Christmas are a real indication of the enhancement of the Rotherham town Centre shopping experience."

The long term future of Forge Island is uncertain. The council has continued arrangements for the strategic acquisition of the vacated site, which could include a purchase and sale to a third party. The council has an option to buy the site for £1.5m and in 2012, the council's cabinet confirmed Forge Island as the preferred site for a town centre cinema and theatre development.

However, the recently published final draft of the borough's Local Plan states that "the future of the site is uncertain, as are any constraints (such as land contamination). As such it is not identified as a leisure or office development site."

Rotherham Town Centre website

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News: Nuclear AMRC sign Atkins partnership deal

The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) and leading engineering consultancy Atkins have agreed to work together on nuclear industry research & development and on support and training for the UK's civil nuclear supply chain.

The £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative with industry, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute, and is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.

With state-of-the-art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the Nuclear AMRC is the focal point for the civil nuclear manufacturing industry in the UK. 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.

Experts in engineering, design, planning, project management and consulting services, Atkins has a reputation for delivering engineering excellence worldwide including in many countries which are considering adding nuclear power to their energy mix.

In 2008, Atkins acquired Rotherham design engineers, Bennett Associates to strengthen its position in the nuclear sector. The Whiston firm has been involved in the nuclear industry for over 20 years and their mechanical engineering designers have worked on systems for the Sizewell B nuclear power station, lifting frames for nuclear submarines and the design and analysis of nuclear shield doors and restraints.

Atkins and the Nuclear AMRC have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together for mutual benefit in areas relating to nuclear research & development, UK civil nuclear supply chain development, and the provision of effective support to the UK civil nuclear industry.

"Both groups will contribute expertise, experience and knowhow to their shared aims.

Mike Tynan, chief executive at the Nuclear AMRC, said: "I am delighted to sign a collaboration agreement with Atkins, a successful, experienced and innovative company in the global civil nuclear marketplace. Both of our organisations are committed to excellence in the nuclear industry and are determined to drive a new era of civil nuclear power for the UK. We share a particular interest in the development of the UK civil nuclear supply chain, skills for the future and economic value for the UK through the creation of value in the civil nuclear programme."

Chris Ball, managing director of Atkins' nuclear business, added: "Atkins and the Nuclear AMRC share the spirit of innovation, collaboration and excellence, and we are looking forward to working together.  This is a very exciting time for the nuclear industry in the UK and internationally, and by working closely on pioneering projects with partners like Nuclear AMRC, we're making a real difference to civil nuclear power in the UK."

The Nuclear AMRC has also signed an agreement to work with US-based reactor developer NuScale, on the development of a groundbreaking small modular reactor.

It follows on from a recent visit to Rotherham to discuss the development of a combined containment vessel and reactor system that measures around 25 metres in length by five metres diameter, small enough to be transported by a single lorry, and features state-of-the-art passive safety systems which significantly reduce risks associated with current reactor designs.

Nuclear AMRC website

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News: X-Cel Superturn expand as part of the revolution on the AMP

X-Cel Superturn, a global manufacturer of machined components, is going from Evolution to R-evolution on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham after finalising a deal to buy a 30,000 sq ft industrial unit for £2.75m.

In 2012, The Attercliffe firm announced that it would expand its current operations to a new 10,000 sq ft facility at the Evolution development on the AMP in Rotherham after securing a £6m contract plus financial backing from HSBC.

Fitted with the latest CNC machinery, the AMP facility manufactures proprietary metal seals and drill parts for the Subsea and Surface Tree manufacturers around the globe. It has allowed the company to increase its production capability and take advantage of new opportunities in the UK and overseas in the petrochemical power generation, aerospace and construction sectors.

The growing firm has now bought the newly-completed unit from Rotherham Council for £2.75m in order to triple the size of its operation at the Enterprise Zone. In March, landowners and developers, Harworth Estates, signed a £4.3m forward-purchase agreement with Rotherham Council for Plots 3 and 4 of the R-evolution development on the Waverley site. With construction almost complete, the council's cabinet approved the sale of Unit 3 earlier this month.

Andrew Taylor, chairman and managing director of X-Cel Superturn, said: "Our rapid growth has meant that we have quickly outgrown our premises at Evolution but we are delighted to be able to stay on the Advanced Manufacturing Park by moving to a much larger unit on R-evolution.

"Being located in a prestigious building on the AMP raises the profile of our company, it impresses our customers and makes it easier to recruit and retain skilled staff."

James Newman, chairman of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, added: "In April 2012 I welcomed X-Cel Superturn to our Enterprise Zone and I am pleased that since then the business has continued to grow and grow. The X-Cel Superturn success story is being repeated across our Enterprise Zone because businesses that locate here get access to a highly-skilled talent pool, excellent transport connections and the best tax incentives available – perfect conditions for growth.

"Over the past decade, Sheffield City Region has been one of the fastest growing economies of the North. This is because landowners like Harworth Estates, local authorities like Rotherham Council and businesses like X-Cel Superturn are all working together to build our private sector and create jobs."

In 2012, 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.

The AMP is the UK's premier advanced manufacturing technology park and is located on the site of the former Orgreave coking works. R-evolution is a 117,000 sq ft speculative industrial development and the site's status for advanced manufacturing, combined with the financial incentives through the Enterprise Zone, the units have been in high demand.

Plot 1 (40,000 sq ft) was pre-sold to Maher, a supplier of high-performance alloys, and Plot 2 (25,000 sq. ft) to Nikken Kosakusho Europe, a supplier of precision engineering products.

Harworth is expected to bring forward three further industrial units on five acres of the 68 acres that remain to be developed for employment use at Waverley, followed by a further 21 acres for "AMPlify" – a new phase of employment development to meet the strong demand for space at the development.

X-Cel Superturn website

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News: La Bella Lingerie opens on Rotherham High Street

La Bella Lingerie, the latest retailer to open on Rotherham's rejuvenated High Street, shows just how important it is to get the right support.

Established by Karen Carr, a former teacher for over 20 years, the independent lingerie boutique offers a wide range of brands of tasteful lingerie, including bras, underwear, briefs and loungewear in all sizes.

To fulfil her long-term dream, Karen has taken advantage of a "Pop-up Shop" initiative, one of a number from the Council that has attracted a range of independent, niche businesses into Rotherham town centre.

Pop-up Shops have become increasingly popular across the country as a means of offering retail space to new start businesses looking to try out their markets, gain valuable experience to shape their business model and to make a sound decision regarding their long term viability before potentially investing significantly in set-up costs and committing to a long term lease agreement.

The scheme is being funded by central Government as part of a grant received by Rotherham Council and follows the announcement in 2012 that Rotherham was successful in becoming a "Portas Pilot" town.

Karen Carr, owner of La Bella Lingerie, said: "The Pop-up Shop concept has given me a fantastic opportunity to showcase my dream business.

"Right from the start of the process, Rotherham Council's Town Centre team recognised my enthusiasm for this project, helping me along the way with support and advice.

"The opportunity was so good, that I gave up my career as a teacher to pursue my dream of running my own shop.

"I'm fully trained in bra fitting and the shop will carry a wide range of sizes, right up to K cup. We will also have post-operation bras available and sportswear.

"We offer a "wishlist" service, making whatever you want, and also gift vouchers which are perfect for Christmas! It really is all about you at La Bella Lingerie."

Cabinet Member for Business Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Dominic Beck, added: "La Bella Lingerie certainly does represent a beautiful new start for this determined entrepreneur.

"It's a great example of the fact that not only does Rotherham town centre continue to grow and diversify, but also that people are willing to start their dream businesses with us."

The Council's Town Centre Team first offered a prime retail unit in the refurbished Imperial Buildings on flexible and attractive lease terms to help businesses get up and running. Opened in 2013, Vintage Dolls, offering vintage clothing and furniture, is still going strong after being initially offered a three month licence for the unit. Rental discounts, help with fitting out and free business support & retail training form part of the package available.

Back on the High Street, the Makers' Emporium operates as a shared retail space model which enables new retailers "test trading" space, for up to a year. Funded by the High Street Renewal Award and delivered in partnership between the Council, The Source and Rotherham Youth Enterprise, The Makers' Emporium focuses on providing locally designed and hand crafted items with an array of items available to suit all tastes and budgets.

The Pop-up Shop initiative aims to bridge the gap for retailers between the shared retail space and a permanent fixed term lease on their own premises.

La Bella Lingerie Facebook page
Rotherham Town Centre website

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News: Beatson Clark fires up new furnace

Leading glass manufacturer, Beatson Clark, has begun production via its new £6.5m amber glass furnace at its Rotherham site.

The Greasborough Road firm, which has been making glass bottles and jars in Rotherham since 1751, specialises in providing glass packaging solutions for niche brands in the food, drink and pharmaceutical markets worldwide.

The new furnace has a larger melting area, improving Beatson Clark's capacity to supply the growing market for craft beer bottles both in the UK and overseas. The melting area in the furnace has been increased by more than 6 sq m and can produce around 200 tonnes of glass per day.

Glass furnaces need to be completely rebuilt every ten years and this latest project is just part of a major £10m investment which Beatson Clark has made in plant and equipment.

Charlotte Taylor, marketing manager at Beatson Clark, said: "We are selling a lot of amber glass at the moment and our new larger capacity furnace will help us to supply the small brewery market even more effectively.

"We've installed stirrers in the forehearths to improve the quality of the glass, and by widening them we can also get a greater pull from the furnace.

"The design has been improved too for greater efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions in line with new Government targets."

A new six-section bottle forming machine has also been installed which will offer further flexibility to supply the smaller breweries.

Around 80 contractors have been involved in the rebuild and maintenance project, including Sheffield-based Tecoglas who designed the furnace, Chapman Brack who have undertaken the rebuild with D A Cooper, and Batts Engineering of Rotherham who fabricated and installed the structural furnace steelwork.

Dean Duke, furnace manager at Beatson Clark, said: "Our staff have worked tremendously hard with all of the contractors involved in the rebuild to ensure a smooth installation.

"The new furnace and the major maintenance work that has been undertaken will enable us to continue to produce quality amber glass for our customers for years to come."

Much of the glass used on the site is recycled with the firm operating a dedicated recycling plant as Beatson Clark holds the council contract to manage the town's recycling collections. Around 4,734 tonnes of glass a year, collected from blue boxes, is melted and reused to make products for household brands including Crabbie's, Bell's Buttercup, Lyle's Golden Syrup and Lemsip.

Beatson Clark website

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News: From UK Coal to Harworth Estates

Harworth Estates, one of the largest property and regeneration companies across the North of England and the Midlands, is set to be completely acquired by Coalfield Resources, the stock market-listed company created during a complex restructure of UK Coal.

Recovery plans for Doncaster-based UK Coal were put in place in May 2011 when the group reported a £124.6m loss and had a £450m pension deficit. The subsequent restructure in 2012 saw the new company, Coalfield Resources, focus on targeting the realisation of its property assets through the Harworth Estates Property Group Limited.

The restructure saw Coalfield Resources own 24.9% of Harworth Estates, with 75.1% having passed to the Pension Funds in return for a £30m cash injection and their support to the mining division. A year later, administrators were called in for its struggling mining division.

In an effort to "optimise the model for the business and drive growth for the benefit of all shareholders," a heads of terms agreement as now been reached to acquire the 75.1% of Harworth Estates Property Group Ltd held by the Board of the Pension Protection Fund, for £150m.

Harworth Estates, which is based on its flagship development at Waverley in Rotherham, manages around 31,370 acres across some 200 projects, with consent for 8,000 new homes. By regenerating former coalfields and brownfield land it valued its investment properties in June at £283.7m, up from £278.5m, and net assets at £247.3m, up from £234.7m.

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The deal is expected to be realised through cash raised by an equity offering of new ordinary shares in the first quarter of 2015 and by the Pension Fund holding between 25% and 29.9% of the share capital of the company.

Following the successful completion of the acquisition, which is considered as a reverse takeover, the company intends to change its name to Harworth Estates Group plc.

In a statement to the stock exchange, the group said: "Harworth Estates (HEL) continues to perform well and in line with management expectations. HEL continues to make progress across its portfolio of sites in terms of income generation, valuation growth and realisation through disposals. The property market in the regions in which HEL operates continues to show signs of improvement, and, as a result, Harworth Estates is seeing stronger demand across all of its activities."

Jonson Cox, chairman of Coalfield Resources, said: "In the two years since our December 2012 solvent restructuring and separation from the mining businesses of UK Coal, we have made good progress in growing the asset value of HEL and delivering the management team's five year plan. The proposed transaction will give a strong platform from which to grow HEL as a developer of brownfield property and to realise value for all its stakeholders. We look forward to continuing to work with the Pension Protection Fund to deliver the transaction."

Harworth Estates website

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News: LEP searches for exec director

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) are seeking an executive director to act as their senior officer as they prepare to accept more devolved powers from central government.

LEPs are the government's new model to promote economic development. With input from the private sector, they provide the strategic leadership required to set out local economic priorities, and better reflect the natural economic geography of the areas they serve.

Last year, the nine local authorities that comprise the SCR agreed to create a new legal body that would have responsibility for transport, economic development and regeneration.

The SCR Combined Authority brings together an integrated transport authority (ITA) and an economic prosperity board (EPB) in order to align political decision making around strategic economic development and transport. It does not take any powers from local authorities, and is intended to complement local authority decision making on these issues.

With stronger governance, the SCR Authority has a remit covering city region economic strategies, investment funds, the enterprise zone and inward investment activity. With this approach the public, businesses and agencies only have to deal with one decision making body rather than many.

The LEP and the SCR Combined Authority have assumed a joint role in developing and delivering the economic strategy for the SCR and a joint SCR Executive Team has been created.

Specialists in executive search recruitment, GatenbySanderson has now been hired to recruit to the newly-created executive director post, which comes with a salary of around £110,000.

The job advert states: "The successful applicant will drive forward the City Region's economic agenda. Responsible for exercising the statutory functions in relation to economic development, regeneration and transport across the City Region and ensuring that the objectives of the Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership are achieved.

"The Executive Director will be both accountable to the CA in respect of its statutory functions and to the LEP in respect of its associated role and activities.

"This is a high profile role so the successful candidate will need to evidence a track record of working at the highest levels with national and local government and be able to demonstrate effective leadership and communication skills, diplomacy, self-motivation as well as strategic thinking in a diverse environment."

The LEP is chaired by James Newman (pictured), the former Master Cutler and current chairman of Finance Yorkshire who worked to bring the bid for the partnership together with businesses and local authority representatives across the city region and was named as chair in 2010.

Newman accepted a request from the LEP board to remain as the chairman until September 2015 and is not expected to seek reappointment. The role of chair is being reviewed which will inform a full recruitment process, with a view to appointing a new LEP chair in summer 2015.


Ben Still is chief executive at the SCR, joining in 2012 having formerly been director of strategy at the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE).

Sheffield City Region LEP website

Images: sheffieldcityregion.org.uk

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