News: Learn from AESSEAL's international trading success

Local business are being reminded that they can hear about the international export success of Rotherham firm, AESSEAL this week.

This free event is the next Success on Tour business breakfast master class on Friday February 5 and is packed with information to help senior business people stay ahead of their competitors.

Director Gordon Bridge will host the visit and tour of AESSEAL's new and award winning factory and will reveal how the company has managed financial and cultural risks through its expansion.

AESSEAL was established in 1981 and is now selling to 93 countries worldwide with subsidiaries in 33 countries.

Director Gordon Bridge said: "We took a step by step approach to test each local market. The challenge for businesses is to know when it would be advantageous to work with a local partner and then making sure your partner shares your business values.

"Having the right people in place to support your business is critical so whilst it may be better for the market to recruit locally in one country, if in doing so, you risk compromising your own business culture, this may not be the right move."

"Everything we do springs from wanting to do better than our competitors, and to maintain the highest possible standards of delivery and customer service, wherever we operate.

"Managing international pricing and currency fluctuations is an ever present challenge for businesses that want to move into overseas sales. I hope the tour and talk will inspire businesses in the region to think again about the right route to the international market for their own organisation."

Delegates will be able to meet and talk to the support teams that travel around the world and learn from them how AESSEAL has developed an international culture.

Success on Tour events are hosted by the Regional Minister's Business Ambassadors who offer their experience to other businesses in the region and are funded by Yorkshire Forward.

Success on Tour website
AESSEAL website
Rotherham

Images: AESSEAL

Read more...

News: Rotherham business figures receive honorary degrees

Two prominent figures in Rotherham business received honorary degrees from the University of Sheffield this week.

Gordon Bridge was recognised by the University's Faculty of Social Sciences and Bart Moenster was recognised by the Faculty of Engineering.

Gordon Bridge, born and educated in Sheffield, has enjoyed a highly successful career with three leading local firms; The Tempered Spring Company, Richardson Sheffield Ltd, and AES Engineering Ltd. His substantial contributions to the local industry were recognised by his election to Master Cutler in 2007.

Last year Gordon stepped down as chief executive of Rotherham's AESSEAL after 13 years in the role. Gordon continues as a director of the award-winning manufacturer working with the board on the strategic development of the business, acquisitions and other projects, as well as being directly responsible for corporate social responsibility.

Mr Moenster, Chairman of the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), received the accolade for helping the Centre achieve the preeminent status that it enjoys today.

The AMRC with Boeing is a £45 million partnership of the University of Sheffield and over 40 partner companies based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

Mr Moenster is also director of manufacturing technology at Boeing Phantom Works.

The ceremonies took place on July 23 in Convocation Hall, The Octagon Centre.

University of Sheffield website
AESSEAL website
AMRC website
Rotherham

Images: amrc.co.uk /shef.ac.uk

Read more...

News: Region's manufacturers have advantage

Master Cutler and director of Rotherham firm AESSEAL discusses the advantages that manufacturers in South Yorkshire have in the current economic climate in The Star. Mr Bridge told the paper: "Most exporters are benefiting now that the dollar has started to strengthen. Exporters are seeing a big advantage and the good news is this is an export orientated region." He also discussed that energy and material costs are not proving a big disadvantage to companies such as seal manufacturer, AESSEAL, that add significant amounts of value when turning raw materials into finished products. He also highlighted the issue of apprenticeships and the number of skilled workers coming back in to engineering, "A lot of people, skilled people, skilled machinists, left the industry and went to do a variety of other things, but these people are wanting to come back because, at last, people are seeing a career and a future in manufacturing."
Aesseal website
The Star article
Rotherham

Read more...

News: Gordon Bridge moves aside at AESSEAL

The Chamber report that current Master Cutler, Gordon Bridge, has stepped down as chief executive of Rotherham's AESSEAL after 13 years in the role. Gordon will continue as a director of the award-winning manufacturer and will work with the board on the strategic development of the business, acquisitions and other projects, as well as being directly responsible for corporate social responsibility. Chris Rea will continue to operate as managing director of the AESSEAL Group of Companies and AES Engineering Ltd – the holding company. The AESSEAL board has been strengthened by the appointments of Neil MacDonald as group finance director and Stephen Shaw as technical director, while Jonathan Wilkinson has been promoted to the position of chief operating officer. Gordon launched The Master Cutler's Challenge earlier this year to raise money for St Luke's Hospice in Sheffield and Rotherham Hospice and is set to hand on the title of Master Cutler to Martin Howell, former director of construction at Corus next month. Meanwhile, Gordon Bridge has been nominated for the Chamber’s Rotherham Area Council.
Chamber article
The Star article
2nd Star article
Rotherham

Read more...

News: Master Cutler sees first hand what is being done in Rotherham to reduce the flood risk

Chief Executive of Rotherham company, AES Engineering and the current Master Cutler, Gordon Bridge, was delighted to be shown the outstanding progress made on the nearly completed £14m first phase of the Rotherham town centre flood defences. Gordon said: “It’s of great importance to me that local businesses are protected against future flood events like those seen last year and from what I’ve seen today, this is just what the first phase will achieve for a 1km stretch of the River Don.” Amongst the 100 properties to be protected when the full scheme is complete are major companies such as Firth Rixson, an international specialist metal components manufacturer, Rank Hovis, and Tesco, all significant employers in the town. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking further funding for the next phase of the scheme. The work is being carried out by contractor Volker Stevin for Rotherham Borough Council. The scheme has been designed by engineering company Jacobs and is fundamental to the town-centre transformation being brought about by Yorkshire Forward’s Renaissance Towns initiative. A further part of the scheme, the Centenary Way urban wetland nature reserve, is also nearing completion. As well as serving a practical function for collecting water, this area will also be managed jointly by Sheffield-Rotherham Wildlife Trust and Rotherham Council so that it can be enjoyed by both wildlife and people using the area for recreational and educational purposes.

AESSEAL website

Rotherham Renaissance website

Volker Stevin website

Chamber article

Rotherham

Read more...

News: Master Cutler hospice challenge

The Chief Executive of Rotherham-based AESSEAL, Gordon Bridge, is challenging local businesses to give a major boost to hospices in Sheffield and Rotherham in his role as Master Cutler. Companies taking part in the Master Cutler's Challenge will each be given £50 and challenged to use their ingenuity to turn it into as much money as possible.

Master Cutler Challenge website

The Star article

Read more...