News: Manufacturing strategy for Yorkshire launched

A strategy for manufacturing which outlines what actions need be taken to help Yorkshire and Humber's manufacturing sector grow and become recognised internationally has been produced.

The strategy takes a long term view of where the sector needs to be in five, ten and twenty years from now, identifying actions and the support needed to grow manufacturing by over 50%, so it represents 20% of the regional economy by 2030, compared to the 13% it represents now.

Although manufacturing as a whole is not growing regionally as a result of international competition, high-tech manufacturing has continued to grow and export, and remains strong.

Four strategic sectors have been chosen to drive growth and development: Advanced Engineering and Materials; Digital Technologies; Healthcare Technologies; Low Carbon Technologies.

Richard Wright, Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Manufacturing Steering Group and chief executive of Rotherham company, Inertius, said: "These sectors have been chosen because they represent enormous international market opportunities and regionally we know we are good at them - and therefore able to compete in the world market and export their products and make money - which gives us the best return on our investment.

"This no way detracts from the importance of businesses in other sectors, but identifies them as drivers through which manufacturing can produce a step change in its performance and by which Yorkshire and Humber will be recognised internationally. Resources are finite so to fully exploit commercial potential; resources have to be focused."

Simon Hill, Executive of Director of Business at Yorkshire Forward added: "Manufacturing is important because it is a high exporter and brings real value into the region and an economically balanced region needs a strong manufacturing base. Manufacturing is high on the national agenda and we believe Yorkshire and Humber can lead the way nationally with this focused strategy which builds on the region's strengths."

Yorkshire Forward website
Rotherham

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News: Richard delighted at Queen's New Year honour

Richard Wright of Rotherham company, Inertius has been awarded the MBE for services to manufacturing industry.

Richard from Woodsetts, Rotherham was given the accolade in the Queen's New Year honours list.

The 53-year-old former Sheffield Chamber of Commerce President has and continues to play an important role in South Yorkshire business, especially the manufacturing sector.

Richard is leading on Yorkshire Forward's strategy in advanced engineering and materials industry, is chief executive of Inertius based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, Chair of the Core City Chamber group – a national organisation which brings together key Chambers from around the country - and continues to be a member of the Sheffield Chamber board.

Richard said he was: "surprised, but very pleased."

He added: "Since the announcement I have been contacted by a number of people from across the South Yorkshire business community to pass on their congratulations, which has been very nice and supportive."

Nigel Tomlinson chief executive of Sheffield Chamber said: "We are delighted that Richard's hard work and endeavour has been recognised with this honour.

"He has played an important role in Sheffield business for a number of years now, before, during and after his role as President of the Chamber. Richard continues to be an influential figure in a wide range of issues to support economic growth for the region."

Inertius is developing an inert anode that will replace the currently used carbon anodes and eliminate the release of carbon dioxide during the refining of aluminium.

Inertius website
Rotherham

Images: Sheffield Chamber

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News: Rotherham manufacturers urged to make most of business support

A specialist taskforce established by Yorkshire Forward to look at how Yorkshire and Humber's manufacturing industry can be supported through the recession has found that many regional companies are missing out on opportunities for support.

The group is Chaired by Richard Wright, CEO of Rotherham based Intertius Ltd and former President of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, and includes representatives from regional companies, Business Link Yorkshire, the Manufacturing Advisory Service and Engineering Employers Federation.

The group has identified that many are missing out on opportunities to access support and are now working to make sure companies understand the best routes to access support and improve their business.

Richard Wright said: "An example would be finance. There are various publicly funded finance schemes available through Business Link Yorkshire but the Banks still remain the major source of short term finance. We know that they are being more challenging to companies who want to borrow; however, one of the many services Yorkshire Forward is funding through Business Link Yorkshire is a free financial health check, which allows a company to look at their financial situation in detail.

"Similarly, there is a huge amount of support available via the Manufacturing Advisory Service around process efficiency and productivity. MAS are also able to provide mentoring support, which can be incredibly helpful for those company leaders for whom this is their first recession."

As well as direct business support, manufacturing companies are also eligible for assistance from Rotherham Council and HMRC via their Business Rates Deferral Scheme, which allows companies to spread payment of their tax or business rates to help alleviate short term cash flow issues.

Yorkshire Forward website
Business Link website
Rotherham

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News: First test runs for Inertius

Rotherham company Inertius has announced that the first test-work on titanium has been successfully completed at Leeds University. Based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre, Inertius is developing an inert anode that will replace the currently used carbon anodes and eliminate the release of carbon dioxide during the refining of metals. Aluminium trials have also started at the University of Auckland and technical manager Greg Doughty will spend January in New Zealand observing the first test runs. A recently secured £120,000 investment from South Yorkshire Investment Fund is helping Inertius get its patented technology to market. The company is engaged on an extensive program of development to trial the anodes over extended time periods and prove the cost savings and reductions in carbon emissions that the early trials exhibited. Other work is focused at developing the techniques necessary to fabricate the alloy and make the anodes themselves.

Inertius website
Rotherham

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News: Rotherham firm helping manufacturers reduce carbon emissions

Inertius Ltd, based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park’s Innovation Technology Centre, is developing an inert anode that will replace the currently used carbon anodes and eliminate the release of carbon dioxide during the refining of aluminium. About 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide is released into the earth’s atmosphere every year from using the current process. Similar opportunities exist for other metals particularly titanium and niobium. A £120,000 investment from South Yorkshire Investment Fund is helping Inertius get its patented technology to market. The inert anode technology, devised by Professor Animesh Jha at the University of Leeds, is moving into the next stage of its development with the loan from SYIF. The money will be used to fulfil a prestigious project with professors at the University of Auckland, a world leader in electrochemical metal production processes. Inertius chief executive, Richard Wright said: "Not only will this process mean a huge reduction in the industry’s carbon footprint and benefit the environment but it will also save companies vast sums of money. "The investment from SYIF allows us to focus on the next stage of development including work in South Yorkshire, Leeds and Auckland Universities. It also means we can pour some resources into forming industrial partnerships, which will help us get the system to market as soon as possible." Peter Pridham, Investment Manager at SYIF, said: "It is ground breaking developments such as this that have given our region its rich industrial heritage and Inertius is proving that legacy is alive and well with a system that will benefit the aluminium industry around the world"
Inertius website
SYIF website
ITC website
Rotherham

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