News: Fit Out UK given OK to fit out new Rotherham facility

Fit Out UK, a leading interior fit out and logistics service provider, has secured planning permission to redevelop a prominent vacant industrial property in Rotherham.

Established in 2000, the company operates throughout the UK with offices in London and Sheffield and serves an impressive client list featuring Lloyd’s Bank, PureGym, Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tesco and Westfield.

Taking on "Hellaby 90" - the former home of Eldon before its acquisition by nVent and relocation accross the borough to Woodhouse Link - Fit Out UK has secured permission for a for a phased development.

The first phase will see the construction of a new unit to the rear of the altered existing unit which will remain operational. The second phase will then comprise the demolition of the existing unit and the extension of the new unit to create one single, larger unit of 156,000 sq ft.

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Plans explain that the site is currently used by the applicant as a storage and distribution centre, however due to demand the current facilities have become inadequate and a larger centre is required.

Analysis by local commercial property agents, Knight Frank shows that the property was acquired for £4.85m in 2023.

Fit Out UK already has an 80,000 sq ft joinery, metal fabrication and powder coating facility plus 400,000 sq ft of warehousing space across facilities in London, Sheffield and Doncaster.

The application for a modern unit alongside the M18 was approved without going to the planning board with planning officers at Rotherham Council concluding that there would be no severe impact on the surrounding highway network as the the overall trip impact at M18 JN1 "is likely to be less than 30 two way trips and therefore will not have a material impact in this location."

A local labour agreement between the applicant and the council indicates that 40 jobs would be based at the redeveloped Rotherham site.

Fit Out UK website

Images: Fit Out UK

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News: Freight firm plans Rotherham expansion

Plans have been submitted to enable a local distribution firm to expand in Rotherham, bringing a recently closed factory back into use.

Hallam Express has identified the former Toyoda Gosei plant at Templeborough in its search for larger premises, and a new home for 100 staff.

A recently submitted planning application from property firm, Hydra Park, is for a change of use to storage & distribution (Use Class B8) for the 220,000 sq ft warehouse on Centurion Business Park.

With its headquarters at North Anston Trading Estate in Rotherham, Hallam Express is part of the The Pallet Network, an alliance of 125 partner companies, all top regional transport companies in their own right, and with more than 143 depot locations across the UK.

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The plans, drawn up by agents, Knights, state: "Hallam Express Ltd currently operate from an existing local depot although are in need of larger premises due to the success of their business. Accordingly, Hallam Express Ltd has identified this site as providing the necessary facilities and floorspace to enable their operations to continue to grow and support the local economy."

No changes are planned to the industrial unit and a transport assessment concludes that changing from an automotive manufacturing facility to storage and distribution use would not result in any unacceptable harm on matters of local highway safety.

If approved, the new 16 acres site would include an indoor storage area that can accommodate over 22,000 pallets.

Rothbiz reported in September that Japanese-owned auto parts manufacturer, Toyoda Gosei was dissolving its subsidiary in the UK as a part of its restructure of the company’s European business.

The Rotherham factory closed in July with European manufacturing moving to the Czech Republic. Along with challenges from the COVID pandemic, Toyoda Gosei said that Brexit impacted turnover and profitability of UK operations.

Hallam Express website

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News: Automotive group to take massive new Rotherham warehouse

Work has only just begun on a massive new warehouse in Rotherham but the speculative development already has a tenant.

Alliance Automotive Group UK (AAG UK) has partnered with Europa Capital and Panattoni, Europe’s leading logistics developer, to build their new distribution centre.

Panattoni secured planning permission for two facilities adjacent to junction 1 of the M18 at Hellaby, one of 630,000 sq ft, which will be one of the largest-ever speculative logistics buildings in the north of England, and a smaller 80,000 sq ft facility.

AAG has signed a 25-year lease for the facility.

AAG UK, acquired by the American Genuine Parts Company in 2017, supply light and commercial vehicle parts to over 36,000 independent garages, franchise networks and public services throughout the UK.

Steve Richardson, AAG’s Managing Director said: “We’re delighted to partner with Europa Capital and Panattoni to secure this new facility for our FPS business. We’ve experienced significant growth since acquiring FPS in 2016 and this investment not only allows us to consolidate our 3 existing facilities in Sheffield, but also forms part of our wider programme to strengthen our distribution infrastructure to ensure we are prepared for future growth.

"This will be a purpose built, state of the art facility, integrating best in class logistics operations with advanced technologies to put us at the forefront of aftermarket distribution. As we move forward customers can expect an even wider product offering alongside market leading service and support. It’s an exciting next step in our journey and we expect the new facility to be operational in the first quarter of 2025”.

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Dan Burn, Head of Development for the North West and Yorkshire at Panattoni, said: “This major pre-let to AAG endorses our continuing commitment to a significant speculative development programme across the UK and our continued confidence in the logistics sector. We look forward to working with AAG over the coming months as we bring significant investment and employment opportunities to Rotherham”.

Rachel Hanke, Managing Director and Value Add Fund Manager at Europa Capital, commented: “Despite current headwinds, securing a pre-let with a tenant such as AAG at an early stage of construction is a testament to the resolve of the asset management team and strength of the fundamentals in the sector, especially for high-quality assets such as the Rotherham logistics park. We continue to experience a good level of occupier interest in the remaining unit and are focused on letting up this space.”

Letting agents are M1 Agency, Legat Owen and Knight Frank.
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Matt Pochin, Director at Legal Owen, said: "We were always extremely confident in the sites’ location during the acquisition process, so to have secured an effective pre-let of this scale underpins our advice and Panattoni’s commitments to Rotherham and Junction 1 M18."
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AAG UK website Panattoni website

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News: Updated plans for massive Rotherham development set for approval

Updated plans for a huge distribution centre development alongside the M18 motorway in Rotherham are being recommended for approval despite a large number of objections.

Outline plans were approved for "Interchange Park" at Hellaby last year and applicants said that it could be home to over 1,000 jobs.

Since then, Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, has bought the Cumwell Lane site and has submitted further details and made changes to the plans.

The outline plans enable a 630,000 sq ft facility to be built along with a smaller 85,000 sq ft facility on former greenbelt land.

A report to Rotherham Council's planning board explains: "The developers wish to bring forward a Reserved Matters application [details not submitted at outline stage and "reserved" for later determination] as soon as possible, however with an amended access strategy which would include only two access points off Cumwell Lane, a main shared access for cars and HGV’s and a second access for cars only serving the smaller northern unit."

Changes to the parking strategy are also planned.

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The changes put forward now are considered to be less than substantial and this application is to ammend some of the conditions put in place with the determination of the outline application last year.

Objectors believe that the changes are substantial given the removal of a southern access to the site but transport planners state that the assessment of the approved outline plans only looked at proposed access to Cumwell Lane and so have no concerns.

Objections also focus on car parking and HGV parking but these issues are likely to be considered at a seperate Reserved Matters application stage. Issues with the traffic surveys being undertaken during Covid and the impact of the nearby operation of Thurcroft Colliery have also been raised.

The planning officers are recommending that the planning board, which is due to meet this week, approves the plans as they do not consider that the removal of the southern access point to the site would lead to any increased air quality issues, would not create any additional impact on noise and general amenity for the residents close to the site and is acceptable in highway safety terms.

The report concludes: "This application to vary the original permission is considered to be acceptable in terms of highway safety and general amenity, and would not result [in] any significant additional impacts which would adversely affect the residential amenity of nearby residents or the wider community. It is therefore recommended that planning permission be granted subject to ... conditions."

Images: Panattoni

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News: Large industrial unit in Rotherham sold

With a new occupier following years of being vacant, a large industrial unit in Rotherham has now been acquired by a property investment company.

Rothbiz reported last year that Carlton Forest Group (CFG), a warehousing, distribution and logistics provider based in North Nottinghamshire, had signed up to take on the "Rotherham 125" property at Maltby.

The former Wincanton depot on Rotherham Road previously operated as a chilled distribution centre for retailers such as Sainsbury's and Tesco. It had been vacant for over ten years with the landlords struggling to find a tenant for B8 distribution use, despite refurbishment.

Now Goodman, a global property group specialising in creating high quality logistics developments, has sold the 125,000 sq ft unit to Urban Logistics REIT plc, a property investment company, quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. A REIT is a real estate investment trusts that own or finance income-producing real estate across a range of property sectors.

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Urban Logistics recently announced the acquisition of six logistics assets for a total consideration of £27.8m.

The Rotherham unit went for £3.8m at a 10.8% Net Initial Yield. The site is let to Green Forest Solutions (the new name for The Carlton Forest Group LLP) for a term of five years through to 2025. The rent is £3.50 per sq ft.

Richard Moffitt, Chief Executive of Urban Logistics, said: "We are delighted with these new logistics assets which are perfectly positioned to deliver essential goods the "last mile" to customers and businesses in key conurbations.

"In line with our strategic focus, all of these assets are single-let properties servicing high quality logistics tenants."

Images: Goodman

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News: NSM delivers quickly for Hermes

Industrial asset management specialist NSM has let an additional unit in Rotherham to global logistics giant Hermes -  with the deal from initial enquiry to occupation taking just five days.

As demand for logistic and industrial space grows during the covid-19 crisis, NSM was initially approached by Hermes with a speculative enquiry on Monday April 27 for expansion space at the Vector 31 Industrial Park, close to Junction 31 of the M1 at Waleswood.

A viewing was arranged, and Head of Terms were finalised within 24 hours. The lease was agreed and signed a day later with Hermes taking occupation of the 11,650 sq. ft unit on Friday May 1st.

Nicky Jones, managing director at NSM, said: "Demand for quality logistics and industrial space is huge at the moment but even in our most optimistic moment we never thought we would be able to deliver a deal like this in such a tight timeframe. I am incredibly proud of the NSM team and our partners for making a 5-day turnaround possible, it really shows how agile our business is.

"We are obviously delighted to assist a current tenant and we have also been able to offer flexible leasing terms that suit their current business demands."

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Hermes is the UK's largest home delivery courier network handling more than 245 million parcels last year. It first took space in Rotherham with a 35,600 sq ft warehouse at Vector 31 in 2011.

David McPherson, head of depots at Hermes, said: "We're delighted that NSM has been able to support Hermes with a quick turnaround on the letting. Our business is incredibly agile and needs to have the ability to quickly scale up when demand is high, the pandemic has accelerated the shift from the high street to online. Additional pop-up depots like these give us the opportunity to operate safely and continue to support our clients so we can meet demand from the end customer and in turn support the government’s guidance to stay home wherever possible."

Vector 31 offers nine high quality modern industrial units with gated yards, centrally heated offices, dedicated car parking, heating and lighting in the warehousing areas, as well as 7m high eaves.

As an industrial asset management specialist NSM manages more than 4.3million sq. ft of industrial property across the north. It currently looks after 669 units nationally with a rent roll in excess of £14m.

Images: NSM

Hermes website
NSM website

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News: Distribution firm take Rotherham 125

A large vacant industrial unit in Rotherham finally has a new occupier.

Commercial Property Partners (CPP), working jointly with Savills, has advised on the letting of a large warehouse unit, totalling 125,000 sq ft. in Rotherham, on behalf of Goodman, a global property group specialising in creating high quality logistics developments.

At Maltby, the unit has been let to Carlton Forest Group (CFG) – a warehousing, distribution and logistics provider based in North Nottinghamshire.

The former Wincanton depot on Rotherham Road operated as a chilled distribution centre for retailers such as Sainsbury's and Tesco. It has been vacant for over ten years with the landlords struggling to find a tenant for B8 distribution use, despite refurbishment.

CFG was established in 2013 and retains its family owned status. It employs over 70 members of staff and works with blue chip companies across the UK including Reckitt Benckiser, KP Foods, and Greencore. It operates over four divisions – Logistics, Property, Energy and Warehousing. During 2019 it doubled its warehousing capacity to over 450,00 sq ft, opening a new warehouse in Barnsley.

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Ed Norris, partner at CPP, said: "We are delighted to have secured the letting of this well-located unit, not least during these unprecedented times.

"During recent months there has been a continued demand for high spec industrial properties within the region, which will only accelerate as tenants regain the flexibility and confidence to move between properties."

Tom Asher, director at Savills, added: "The industrial market continues to go from strength to strength. This letting along with further market activity proves the strength in the industrial and logistics sector."

Toby Vernon Partner at CPP, said: "We are very pleased to achieve this letting on behalf of Goodman who are a long standing, valued client of CPP and to see Carlton Forest take occupation of the Rotherham 125 warehouse."

Carlton Forest Group website
CPP website
Savills website

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News: Stelrad looking to expand Rotherham facility

Stelrad, the UK's leading manufacturer of stylish modern radiators, is hoping to extend its current facility in Rotherham after a sustained period of growth.

The company was founded in 1936 manufacturing steel column radiators from a purpose built factory in Southall. It now operates from facilities in both Nuth (The Netherlands) and in Mexborough (UK). The Swinton site handles the UK radiators business, coordinating an advanced production and distribution operation that spans a 17 acre site.

Since the warehouse was build in 2002/2003, The £70m turnover firm has grown its market share from a third to around half of the UK market. Stelrad puts this down to the efficiency of the warehousing and distribution facility. The growth has however resulted in increased pressure on the facility and to relive this pressure, more warehousing capacity is required.

Stelrad is now looking to squeeze every inch out of the site, which is home to around 165 staff.

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A recently submitted planning application for a 5,000 sq ft extension, drawn up by Topping Engineers, states: "The site at Mexborough is fairly restricted with limited space available for any new buildings however there are two areas of concrete hardstanding at either end of an existing canopy which are under-utilised.

"These areas would facilitate a warehouse extensions to be built. These extensions would be of modest scale compared to the existing building but would offer significant additional bulk storage. The extra capacity will assist in allowing the business to maintain its current levels of customer service and to continue its growth."

Stelrad website

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News: API Group placed in administration by US owners

API Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of foils, laminates and holographics, as gone into administration, less than a year since it expanded into larger Rotherham facilities.

API Group is an indirect subsidiary of Steel Partners Holdings, a global diversified conglomerate that is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The American investment firm has confirmed that it has placed the UK companies into administration.

Headquartered in Poynton, API Group and subsidiaries also operated in Livingston and Rotherham, employing over 200 staff.

The group's materials provide exceptional brand enhancement for consumer goods and printed media worldwide. Products are used in packaging across a wide-range of industry sectors including premium drinks, confectionery, tobacco, perfumery, personal-care, cosmetics and healthcare.

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On January 31, Colin Dempster and Robert Kelly from Ernst & Young were appointed as joint administrators with "the purpose of API Group's administration proceedings is to facilitate an orderly sale or wind-down of its UK. operations."

Taking 18,000 sq ft warehouse and modern office space at Dinnington last year enabled API to create a new, larger UK sales and distribution facility.

Bill Fejes, CEO of Steel Partners, said: "As previously disclosed, since early 2019, we have been working with the API Group businesses to assist in managing significant adverse change within their industries and the loss of major customers.

"Importantly, we expect that all our other business units will continue to operate as normal and will not be adversely impacted by the transition of the API Group."

API Group website

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News: Plans for national roll out at Wilsons Carpets

Rotherham-based Wilsons Carpets has set its sights on national expansion and is progressing plans for a new purpose built 55,000 sq ft distribution warehouse.

Established in 1968, the family firm specialises in carpets, laminate, rugs, vinyl flooring and artificial grass. Headquartered at Houndhill Park, Manvers, it has grown to run 13 stores across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, with one of the largest now at The Gateway in Parkgate, Rotherham.

Now a planning application has been submitted for a 55,000 sq ft building on waste land to the North Of Patrick Tobin Business Park, also at Manvers. Used for B8 Storage and Distribution use, associated car parking and landscaping is also planned.

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The planning application reads: "The building is to be used as an additional storage and distribution unit used by Wilsons Carpets for national distribution of carpets, floor coverings and artificial grass.

"Wilsons Carpets currently employ 135 members of staff across five warehouses and 15 retail stores. Currently 50 staff members are located within the Patrick Tobin Business Park and the new storage and distribution unit would create an additional ten new employees."

Set to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and closed only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Eve, access would be through the existing business park onto Bolton Road.

The planning application also add that the sustainable location provides "a unique opportunity to create a central location for Wilson Carpets for all activities in one location."

The area of the Dearne Valley is popular with distribution operations and contains modern warehouses for the likes of Next, Pegler and Maplin.

Wilsons Carpets website

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News: Pricecheck make major move

Award-winning Sheffield firm, Pricecheck Toiletries, has made the move to new premises at Beighton Link Business Park in Rotherham, as it gets set to boost staff numbers to 150.


Founded in Sheffield in 1978, the firm supplies value retailers and pharmacies in Europe, Asia and Australasia. Its wide range of branded toiletries, fragrances and household goods includes Gillette, Clearasil and Airwick.

It won the Queen's Award for International Trade 2015 for continuous and cumulative overseas export earnings growth of 283% over six years, from £3m in 2009, to £12m in 2014.

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Moving to 100,000 sq ft premises at Brightside Lane in 2001, the company's success has translated into more jobs for the local area, with staff numbers increasing from 32 to 71.

Now the head office and storage and distribution facilities have relocated to a 113,000 sq ft state of the art building at Beighton Link, just over the border in Rotherham.

The building was previously Sandvik's European Centre of Excellence (SECoE), a £4m facility that opened in 2010 and brought together all the finish processing and supply management activities for the production of medical products from Sandvik's Sheffield facilities. The site was acquired by American contract medical design and manufacturing firm, Orchid, in 2012.

The DLA Piper team advised Pricecheck Toiletries on the creation and adoption of the lease.

Debbie Harrison, joint managing director of Pricecheck Toiletries, said: "We are delighted DLA Piper helped us secure new premises. Given the tight timescales and the logistical complexities in our move their assistance proved invaluable.

"The move will allow us to double our turnover from £40m to an anticipated £80m, and increase staff numbers to 150 over a five year period. Winning the Queen's Award in 2015 has also helped to enhance our reputation worldwide and will help us to achieve more ambitious growth plans."

Mark Keeling, legal director at DLA Piper, added: "This deal marks the next step for Mark and Debbie who have impressively grown Pricecheck over a six year period."

Staff worked last week and over the weekend to make sure Pricecheck were up and running in the new premises this week. It saw new signage and warehouse systems installed and over 700 pallets worth of stock unloaded in one day.

Pricecheck Toiletries website

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News: Acorn acquired by Axel Johnson International

Rotherham-based Acorn Industrial Services Group, one of the largest power transmission distributors in the country, has been acquired by the Swedish industrial group, Axel Johnson International, for an undisclosed sum.

Established in 1983, Acorn supplies bearings, power transmissions and linear systems to a global customer base. It was subject to a management buy out in 2005 and the growing company moved across the borough to Hellaby in 2013, investing over £1.25m in a new HQ.

Axel Johnson International is "a next generation technology trade group" that incorporates 90 different companies providing products, services and solutions that help industrial customers improve the efficiency, reliability, quality and safety of their operations.

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The deal is expected to strengthen Axel Johnson International's position in the UK market and is seen as an important step in growing its business within bearings and transmissions.

Acorn will become part of the business group AxIndustries, specialists in bearings, transmissions and related services. Acorn directors Martin Povey and Des Spillings will continue to lead and drive forward the company's continued growth strategies.

Des Spillings, managing director of Acorn Industrial Services Group, said: "Acorn has grown tremendously over the last ten years and to continue our growth, and more importantly, to grow at a quicker pace, we needed to align ourselves with a business that could bring with it skills and resources that we do not have currently. With the European market place changing and consolidating quicker than at any time in the past 20 years, we had to find the right partner for the future and we believe Axel Johnson International to be this partner."

Mats R. Karlsson, CEO and president of Axel Johnson International, added: "Acorn fits very well into the structure of our business and will be a valuable addition in our ambition to grow the bearings and transmissions business. Over the years, Axel Johnson International has invested in many leading niche players with strong positions in local markets and outstanding customer relations, companies that continue developing and thriving in their new setting."

Acorn has nine sales branches throughout the UK and an e-commerce platform supporting customers throughout Europe. Acorn is well-known for its high technical competence, excellent logistics and market leading e-commerce platform. Annual sales amounts to £21m, the number of employees is approximately 100.

Headquartered in Stockholm, Axel Johnson International has annual sales of SEK 6.5 billion (£508m), 2,640 employees and operations in more than 20 countries throughout Europe.

Acorn Industrial Services Group website
Axel Johnson International

Images: Acorn Industrial

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News: Pricecheck on Beighton Link

Award-winning Sheffield firm, Pricecheck Toiletries could put its expansion plans into action from new premises at Beighton Link Business Park in Rotherham, as it gets set to boost staff numbers to 150.

Founded in Sheffield in 1978, the firm supplies value retailers and pharmacies in Europe, Asia and Australasia. Its wide range of branded toiletries, fragrances and household goods includes Gillette, Clearasil and Airwick.

It won the Queen's Award for International Trade 2015 for continuous and cumulative overseas export earnings growth of 283% over six years, from £3m in 2009, to £12m in 2014.

Moving to 100,000 sq ft premises at Brightside Lane in 2001, the company's success has translated into more jobs for the local area, with staff numbers increasing from 32 to 71. Local suppliers and haulage firms have also benefitted from the growth.

Now a planning application has been submitted that would enable Pricecheck to take on the 113,000 sq ft state of the art building at Beighton Link, just over the border in Rotherham.

The building was previously Sandvik's European Centre of Excellence (SECoE), a £4m facility that opened in 2010 and brought together all the finish processing and supply management activities for the production of medical products from Sandvik's Sheffield facilities. The site was acquired by American contract medical design and manufacturing firm, Orchid, in 2012.

The property has been marketed by Deloitte.

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After winning the Queen's Award, Priceheck said that moving to new premises would facilitate further growth. The firm said: "The new premises will allow us to double our turnover from £40m to an anticipated £80m, and increase staff numbers to 150 over a five year period. Winning the Queen's Award will enhance our reputation worldwide and will help us to achieve our ambitious growth plans."

If approved, the plans would see a change of use of the existing building from B1 light industry to B8 storage and distribution.

Pricecheck hope to be in new premises by January 2016 and add that it will "provide the perfect platform for our planned growth, additional product categories and increased staff numbers."

Brother-and-sister team Mark Lythe and Deborah Harrison, now run the firm founded by their parents.

Pricecheck is a Youth Friendly Employer and works closely with the Sheffield Universities, employing placement students and graduates.

Pricecheck Toiletries website

Images: Deloitte

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News: Parcelhub delivers new jobs

A recruitment drive is currently underway at Parcelhub's Rotherham operation and there are plans to increase the team to ten by October this year.

Moving to new 5,000 sq ft premises at Dinnington 12 months ago, Parcelhub provides services for high volume business mail and parcels, distributing across the UK. It saves customers money by providing one access point to multiple parcel carriers including DHL Express, YODEL and Parcelforce, and says the central location and thriving regional business community have been fundamental in growing the customer base and attracting quality members of staff.

Mark Rosenberg, managing director of Parcelhub, said: "In our business accessibility is key. We need quick and easy access to the motorway network in order to deliver an efficient and effective service and reach new markets. Dinnington provides us with this. The Sheffield area has a thriving and successful business base and over the last year better access to these enterprises has meant customer numbers have grown steadily. In fact it has worked so well for us that we are now looking at moving more business services to the depot.

"We want to continue to grow the business and at the same time contribute to the region's economy through the creation of job opportunities and technological development. The Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership has set a target of 6,000 new businesses and 70,000 new jobs over the next ten years and has identified logistics and retail as key sectors for driving future growth, jobs and success. To be located in an area where business growth is so firmly on the agenda can only be a good thing."

The success is built around Parcelhub's customer service which is delivered in a large part by the proactive in house customer service team and supported by the latest technology, which has been developed by the company's own IT team.

Every client is supplied with free tracking through its carrier software integration and additional services include multiple-courier web based tracking, proactive email and SMS notifications and integration with the eBay and Amazon selling platforms. Currently based out of the Nottingham headquarters, there are plans to relocate these key business functions to Dinnington in the future.

In a volatile market, Parcelhub's multi-carrier solution sends more than 350,000 parcels per month (over four million per year) and Todwick Road Industrial Estate is one of three strategically placed distribution centres. Combined turnover was £12.72m for 2014-15.

Parcelhub website

Images: Parcelhub

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News: Peoplesafe secures deal with Andrew Page

Andrew Page, one of the UK's largest car parts distributors, is using the market-leading Identicom device via Rotherham-based lone worker experts, Peoplesafe.

Based in Dinnington, Connexion2 developed and manufactures Identicom, which is now the UK's most widely deployed dedicated lone worker device. It is designed to look like a normal ID badge and allows lone workers to raise an alarm, make an emergency phone call or send a text message. Also based at Dinnington, Peoplesafe work in partnership with Connexion2 to provide lone workers with the Identicom to thousands of lone workers in the UK.

Andrew Page, which has its head office in Leeds, has given 100 of its frontline staff special devices that can raise the alarm if they need help.

The devices are being used by staff at the company's main distribution centre at Markham Vale in north Derbyshire and by staff across the company's 114 branches. It is being used by people working at the 100,000 sq ft distribution centre, by branch managers and HGV drivers.

The other product, the Twig Protector, offers the same high level of protection as the Identicom, but looks like a mobile phone. It has a man-down capability, which means it sets off an alarm if the user falls over. Both devices link to Peoplesafe's 24-hour monitoring centre.

Lisa Reed, health and safety officer at Andrew Page Ltd, said : "The personal safety of our staff is a priority. Employees now feel safer when carrying out their duties in the knowledge that emergency help is only a button push away."

Ian Johannessen, managing director of Peoplesafe, added: "We are delighted to be working with Andrew Page as we know how they value their staff and their welfare.

"We have worked closely with them to provide the best possible solution for their lone workers and give them peace of mind."

Peoplesafe website
Connexion2 website

Images: Peoplesafe

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News: Symphony's Rotherham warehouse sold

Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust Limited (SLIPIT) has acquired a Rotherham distribution warehouse, currently home to the Symphony Group, in a £14.6m deal.

Symphony is one of the UK's largest suppliers of fitted kitchen, fitted bedroom and fitted bathroom furniture with a turnover exceeding £125m and over 800 employees nationwide. Supplying private developers, social housing providers, hoteliers and independent retailers throughout the UK and abroad, it has its head office in Barnsley.

The distribution site at Ickles, Templeborough includes three buildings totalling 365,911 sq ft on a self-contained 18.43 acre site. They are let to The Symphony Group Plc for a term of 20 years, with a tenant only break option at year 15 and five yearly reviews. The initial rent is £1.08mp.a. and the purchase price of £14.6m reflects a net initial yield of 7%.

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Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust Limited, a company registered in Guernsey, invests mainly in UK office, retail (including leisure) and industrial commercial property to provide an attractive level of income along with the prospect of income and capital growth.

The investor used most of the proceeds from the recent capital raise to purchase the Rotherham property.

Jason Baggaley, fund manager for SLIPIT commented "We are delighted to have exchanged on this purchase, which is due to complete on the 24th September. Following the recent purchase of a portfolio of three logistics units for £28m the company is close to being fully invested.

"We have found attractive assets that provide good quality income for the company, supporting our objective of offering an attractive dividend yield that is fully covered, and without experiencing prolonged cash drag. We are actively looking at a number of other opportunities as well."

Knight Frank marketed the Ickles site as an investment opportunity with a guide price of £13.6m.

Symphony Group website

Images: Knight Frank

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News: Green Group acquires Worksop distribution site

Rotherham logistics firm, The Green Group has acquired the Worksop warehousing operation of Seafield Transport.

David Riley, Les Ross and Joe McLean of Grant Thornton UK LLP were appointed joint administrators of Seafield Transport Limited in June. Immediately following the appointment, the warehousing operation based on Claylands Avenue, Worksop was sold to Green GRP Warehousing Ltd.

Other deals saw the warehousing business sold to Lomas Distribution and the bulk powder transport unit sold to Abbey Logistics Group.

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The sale protects in excess of 70 jobs and provides continuity to the key customers, with over 200,000 sq ft of warehousing this will enable The Green Group to offer a new service to its existing customers and stabilise the depots current customer base.

James Criddle, chairman of The Green Group, said: "We are delighted to have been part of successfully protecting local jobs. It was a natural progression for The Green Group to acquire warehousing and contract packing facilities as part of our growth strategy. We are currently running a fleet of over 75 vehicles and this expansion improves the added value services that our customers benefit from, the Total Logistics Solution that we deliver is now enhanced with the addition of this facility."

David Riley of Grant Thornton, added: "Following the two successful business sales from Seafield Logistics last week, we are pleased to announce a further sale of the warehousing business of Seafield Transport Ltd in Worksop. In excess of 70 jobs have been maintained and the sale will provide continuity to the customers."

With over 25-years experience in the logistics sector, Maltby's The Green Group is a member of the Freight Transport Association. The company also offers warehousing facilities, construction and civil engineering work, and has a number of other business interests in the commercial property market.

Green Group website

Images: Green Group

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News: Confident Crawshaws submit plans for new Rotherham facility

Crawshaws, the Rotherham-based meat focused retailer, has submitted plans for a new manufacturing and distribution facility at Hellaby as it reports increases in both sales and profit.

The Bradmarsh Business Park company has established its recovery in difficult High Street trading conditions, exemplified by the financial results for the year ending January 31 2014.

Total sales for the year were £21m, 12% higher than the previous year (£18.8m). This can be broken down into full year like for like sales that increased by 11% (2013: 3%), plus the introduction of a new market site in Sheffield and a 11% rise in wholesale sales.

EBITDA (earning before taxes) for the year doubled to £1.4m compared to the £0.7m in 2013. The group said that this increase in profitability can be directly attributed to the improvements in like for like sales associated with management control of gross margin and overheads. Both operating profit and profit before tax was £1.0m (2012: £0.3m) and earnings per share rose to 1.42p (2013: 0.31p).

As a result, the board is proposing a dividend a final dividend of 0.43 pence per share.

Richard Rose, chairman of Crawshaw, said in the report: "We believe the excellent quality and value of our core products is driving increases in spend from both existing and new customers.

"Our customers are spending more with us and the improvements in trading performance are spread across most of our stores, giving me much confidence for the future.

"Given the general improvements in trading performance and the reduction in fit out costs the Board are confident that further controlled expansion of our existing shop model will be a key driver of future growth.

"I am delighted to be able to report once again on a continued trading improvement. Like for like sales over the first 12 weeks of the current year are up 19% and gross margin remains strong. I am also encouraged by the initial performance at our new Sheffield store, albeit early days."

Established in 1954, the AIM-listed firm has been trading on the stock market since 2004. It was acquired by Felix Group plc in 2008. It has 21 retail outlets throughout Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Humberside and two distribution centres, in Rotherham and Grimsby.

A planning application has recently been submitted for alterations at Sandbeck Industrial Estate, Sandbeck Way, Hellaby that would allow Crawshaw to occupy a 12,000 sq ft unit for the manufacture and distribution of specialist foods utilising the existing facilities that were previously occupied by Buxton Foods.

The plans also include the formation of a new entrance to the front elevation of the property to create a trade shop.

Plans state that bringing the empty unit back into use would create "20-30 employees in the first instance to support a successful and expanding national food producer and retailer."

Manned with skilled butchers, Craswhaw stores specialise in traditional raw meats and hot and cold cooked food. Average spend per retail customer is up 13% versus the previous year due to competitive pricing via a focus on larger value packs and multi buy offers, slightly offset by a 1% reduction in customer numbers which is wholly driven by the VAT changes on the hot cooked product offer. Customer numbers for raw meat products are up over 10% on the previous year.

Expansion plans had been scaled back as the group was hit by its key customers - hard pressed families and pensioners - struggling to make ends meet. Crawshaw also felt the impact of reduced footfall in the high street and the government's "Pasty Tax" on hot food.

One of the risks previously associated with the new store roll out was the high cost of capital investment. Over the last year, Crawshaw has spent time working with contractors to simplify layouts and equipment specifications where possible. This has resulted in a significant reduction in fit out costs and so enhanced potential returns. Its latest store opened on The Moor in Sheffield (pictured) in March.

Crawshaw website

Images: Crawshaws / Facebook

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News: Union warning over Pegler's Yorkshire future

Unite, Britain's biggest union, has raised fears over the future of manufacturer, Pegler Yorkshire in the region.

The Dutch-owned firm is a leading manufacturer of advanced plumbing, heating and engineering products and has a commercial head office in Doncaster, and four manufacturing sites - Leeds, Doncaster, Budapest and Jiangmen, China.

In 2010 it opened a £7m state of the art warehouse and distribution centre employing 85 staff at Brookfields Park in Manvers, Rotherham.

Pegler Yorkshire recently announced 50 job cuts at its Leeds site and the union believes there is a real possibility that the site will close and the site's "Yorkshire Fittings" product will no longer be made in Yorkshire.

In July 2013 Aalbert Industries, the owner of Pegler Yorkshire transferred a French operation, Saint Denis Hotel, into the Pegler Yorkshire Group. Unite believes this was to enable the eventual transfer of production from the Leeds site to France.

Ian Tonks, national officer at Unite, said: "Despite being profitable and receiving millions of pounds worth of government investment, Unite fears Pegler Yorkshire may be planning to leave the UK. We do not believe there is a sound economic case for the job cuts and we are demanding that the company reverses this decision and guarantees the future of the site going forward.

"Unite will be giving workers at the site 100 per cent support. It is time for Yorkshire Pegler to sit down with the unions and come clean about its plans. This company is strategically important for UK manufacturing and Britain cannot afford to lose these valuable skills."

Pegler Yorkshire website

Images: Pegler Yorkshire

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News: Dearne deals done as Yorkshire's investment peaks

The sale of the massive Next distribution centre in Manvers, Rotherham for £86.68m took the total invested in commercial property in Yorkshire for the year-to-date to £727m; the highest cumulative total since 2010.

Research by commercial property consultants, Lambert Smith Hampton showed that a total of £301m was invested in the third quarter of 2013. This is almost 10% down on the previous quarter but took the total for the year-to-date to £727m; a 21% increase compared with the same period in 2012.

For the first time in over two years, the industrial and distribution sector was the region's most heavily invested asset class, with transactions totalling £157m. Boosted by Legal & General's acquisition of two distribution units at Brookfields Park in Rotherham for £86.6m, the sector accounted for 52% of the region's total investment activity.

Investment fund managers, Tritax sold the two units at Brookfield's Park, which total 1.1m sq ft, and secured a yield of 5.5%.

Developed by St Paul's Developments and opened in 2008, the Rotherham operation is home to around 450 employees. The two buildings can handle 110,000 pallets and includes the largest warehouse in Next's 13-site distribution network that handles a total 315 million units each year. The network makes 88,000 deliveries every year to 500 Next stores across the UK and 2.6 million active internet and Next Directory catalogue customers.

The sale followed from a previous deal which saw an unnamed UK investor purchase Maplin's head office and distribution warehouse, also at Brookfields Park, for £11.5m, boosting the figure for the second quarter to £334m.

Abid Jaffry, regional director of capital markets at LSH, said: "Activity levels across all main sectors in the market look very positive going forward. We have experienced considerable interest in assets we have marketed, to a point where we are now seeing highly competitive situations with a number of investors. This is beginning to drive pricing levels higher – a situation we have not seen on a consistent basis for some time.

"The volume of money in the market suggests that we will continue to see more transactional activity where pricing levels are beginning to exceed historic book values."

Lambert Smith Hampton website

Images: LSH

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