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 giant, Toyoda Gosei, to dissolve UK subsidiary hit by Brexit and COVID

Japanese-owned auto parts manufacturer, Toyoda Gosei has made the decision to dissolve its subsidiary in the UK, Toyoda Gosei UK Ltd. (TGUK), as a part of its restructure of the company’s European business.

Rothbiz reported in 2021 on the company's decision to close the business in the UK with both plants at Rotherham and Swansea affected. The decision was due to changes in the global automotive sector and reduced demand in the UK and 458 jobs have been lost.

Having already moved som European manufacturing to the Czech Republic, bosses said it would now aim to grow its business in Europe centered on Toyoda Gosei Czech (TGCZ).

A statement from the company said: "As the automotive industry undergoes dramatic changes, Toyoda Gosei is restructuring its business globally as one part of efforts to grow sustainably into the future. The decision to close TGUK was made against the background of the changing business environment as automakers decrease or end production in the UK, leaving little expectation for growth in the business of TGUK.

"Manufacturing operations had been transferred to TGCZ and other companies, and production at TGUK ended in July 2023. Liquidation of TGUK is scheduled to be completed by around the end of 2024."

Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd, which is based in Kiyosu, Japan and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2019, opened in the UK in 1999, manufacturing weatherstrips for a range of car makers. The Rotherham site at Templeborough was its first in Europe.

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2019 accounts for TGUK reported that: "The potential impact of Brexit, further associated customer shutdowns and the new challenges of COVID will impact sales and profitability." Production turnover in 2020 was 23% down on the previous year and this dropped another 10% for 2021.

The company reported that Brexit impacted "turnover, profitability and appropriation of lead-times of goods and services," adding that leaving the EU had increased administration, cost, and pressure on on-time deliveries which led to post-production delays at customers.

In the 2022 accounts, TGUK reported that turnover was down from £42m in 2021 to £35.4m in 2022. Losses before tax increased year on year by £26.1m from £5.2m to £31.3m. This was due to a combination of the closure costs of £24m, reduced impairment (£0.4m) and increased staff costs (£1m) along with the reduction in turnover.

The company had been kept trading by loans from the parent company - £8m came through group loans in 2022. As at 31 March 2022, the company had net current liabilities of £34m and net liabilities of £172m. At the time, Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd said that it remained committed to continue to support Toyoda Gosei UK Ltd and it would provide adequate funding to enable the company to meet its obligations as they fall due.

Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd website

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News: Automotive manufacturer proposes closure of Rotherham facility

Japanese-owned auto parts manufacturer, Toyoda Gosei UK Ltd (TGUK), is proposing to close the business in the UK - both plants at Rotherham and Swansea are affected.

The company said that its decision was due to changes in the global automotive sector and reduced demand in the UK. Some European manufacturing has already been moved to the Czech Republic.

458 jobs are at risk at the UK plants.

Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd, which is based in Kiyosu, Japan and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2019, opened in the UK in 1999, manufacturing weatherstrips for a range of car makers. The Rotherham site at Templeborough was its first in Europe.

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A statement said: "TGUK will now enter a formal period of consultation with its employees regarding the proposed changes. The proposal is in response to continued changes in the global automotive sector, and a significant reduction in key UK customer demand. Due to these changes, Toyoda Gosei does not foresee growth of its business there and has decided to make this proposal."

In its most recent accounts, for the year ending March 31 2019, loses at the UK subsidiary increased by £1.5m to £8.4m. Turnover dropped by £17m to £60m due to the end of production on some platforms. The accounts said that this decrease would continue, as would consolidation and a focus on cost reduction.

The accounts added that: "The potential impact of Brexit, further associated customer shutdowns and the new challenges of COVID will impact sales and profitability."

A statement from Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd, added: "Restructuring of its global business is one part of Toyoda Gosei’s efforts to achieve sustainable growth into the future.

"The company has taken previous steps to reorganize its business in Europe, selling its shares in a production subsidiary for automotive parts in Germany in December 2019 and moving some of production to its main European manufacturing site, Toyoda Gosei Czech, s.r.o. (TGCZ). It will continue to improve productivity and strengthen its European business with TGCZ in a central role."

Toyoda Gosei website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Rotherham manufacturer plays a part in hospital appeal

The Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity is one step closer to introducing a fourth Purple Butterfly room at Rotherham Hospital thanks to a year of fundraising by employees at Toyoda Gosei.

The Templeborough company makes rubber weather-seals for car windows, doors and boots, and chose to raise money for the Charity's Purple Butterfly Appeal throughout 2017 following nominations from supervisor Mandy Roebuck.

Mandy sadly lost her 78-year-old father Graham in 2016 after he suffered a blood clot on his lung. He was able to spend quality time with his family in the Purple Butterfly room on the Fitzwilliam Ward before he passed away.

To say thank you for the care he received, Mandy inspired colleagues at Toyoda Gosei, an international manufacturer of rubber and plastic automotive parts based at Centurion Business Park, to organise fundraising events including a football tournament, bake sales, raffles as well as a festive jumper day. They raised £2,765.90.

Mandy, 46, of Herringthorpe, said: "My family and I were so grateful to be able to use the Purple Butterfly room when my dad died. He fell ill so quickly it was a godsend to have that space and privacy to be with him and start to come to terms with how poorly he was.

WI thought the Purple Butterfly room was brilliant. There was no time limits on when we could visit and as many relatives and friends as we could fit in were invited to say goodbye to my dad. It was really nice for me to have my family around me at such a difficult time.

"I've invested a lot of time, love and effort into fundraising because the cause is extra special to me. I made hampers for Valentine's Day, Easter, Christmas and summer barbecues. I also enjoyed running a "name the bear" competition was aptly named Violet in honour of the appeal.

"I'm really proud that we have raised so much money. Knowing we were doing our bit to help fund a fourth Purple Butterfly room at Rotherham Hospital really spurred us on."

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The Purple Butterfly Appeal raises money to fund Purple Butterfly rooms, which provide privacy, dignity, space and a home-from-home for patients, their families, friends and carers.

The £75,000 purpose-built rooms offer privacy and dignity to patients nearing the end of their lives, and their families. The money goes towards funding all the building works, specialist equipment and facilities for loved ones to stay plus a television, fridge, microwave and a kettle.

Gabby Atmarow, Chair of the Charitable Funds Committee at the hospital, said: "We have three Purple Butterfly rooms at Rotherham Hospital, located on Ward A2, Fitzwilliam Ward and the Labour Ward and I know a fourth room is very much needed for our patients and their families. But we are incredibly proud to be able to offer these rooms to our patients and their families because they really do provide the space and privacy families need when time is most precious.

"Thanks to Mandy and her colleagues at Toyoda Gosei we are now one step closer to raising the money we need for a fourth room. Every penny raised really does count and we hope they inspire other businesses and individuals in Rotherham to fundraise for us too."

Toyoda Gosei website
Rotherham NHS website

Images: Rotherham NHS

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News: MacShane: Hire or train a Rotherham worker in 2010

Rotherham MP Denis MacShane has issued a New Year appeal to employers in Rotherham urging them to give priority to hiring local men or women in 2010.

The MP highlighted the £2,500 on offer to employers to recruit and train 18-24 year olds who must be in receipt of unemployment benefits.

MacShane said: "I hope that in 2010 every Rotherham business, big or small, can reach out to the Rotherham community and give local people a job if they have the skills and motivation.

"The Government has offered grants of up to £2,500 to recruit or train young workers between the age of 18 and 24 but there are men and women of all ages who want to work if they are given a chance."

The MP raised the need to support more local employment in the House of Commons just before the Christmas recess. He told Labour Deputy Leader, Harriet Harman, to hold a special Commons debate on the need to encourage Yorkshire employers to provide more work for local people.

Speaking in the Commons MacShane said: "People from Toyoda Gosei, the Japanese car parts factory in my constituency, wrote to me recently saying that they had 30 different nationalities employed there.

"Could we have a debate on hiring practices, because although I am sure that the firms hiring practices are completely non-discriminatory, there is widespread concern in South Yorkshire that employers are perhaps not giving a fair crack to local Yorkshire men and women, and we need to discuss with employers how to bring more of the local work force into active work?"

In her reply Ms Harman stated: "It is important not only that we have training, high skill levels and the appropriate skill levels in the local community for the jobs that are available, but that those jobs are made available through the jobcentres and that the regional development agencies work with employers to make sure that agencies that do not just choose workers from abroad are used. My right hon. Friend makes an important point and it is being taken forward."

The MP has urged the local Chamber of Commerce to draw up an employment audit so that all its member firms can see what they can do to help get more Rotherham council tax-payers into work.

He added: "This is not about excluding anyone and Rotherham is proud of being open to foreign investment such as Toyoda Gosei brought to the Borough. You cannot say yes to foreign companies investing in the UK and then demand that race or nationality criteria should determine who gets work. But that said, it is important for all Rotherham employers to be sensitive to community feelings and to the sense that sometime local workers to do not get a fair crack of the employment whip."

Denis MacShane website
Rotherham

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News: Rotherham companies make skills pledge

Two Rotherham companies are being used by the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) to highlight the benefits of signing up to the Skills Pledge.

In signing up to the pledge, companies promise to provide employee training that enables individuals to achieve their potential.

Car-components manufacturer Toyoda Gosei UK signed up to the pledge to demonstrate its commitment to equipping its workforce with the skills they need in an expanding company.

Tim Withnall, Human Resources Manager at Toyoda Gosei told the LSC: "The pledge fits perfectly with our intended culture change, which is based around ensuring all our people have the required skills and knowledge to do their jobs to the very best of their ability.

"The Pledge also enables employees to gain recognised qualifications which will prove useful for future career progression and promotion opportunities."

"When the economy does pick up again, we will be better placed to enjoy further growth."

In order to maintain consistently high standards, Greencore Prepared Meals recognised the need amongst employees to improve basic skills in literacy, numeracy and IT.

Julia Matthews, HR Controller, told the LSC: "Our people are our most important and valuable asset. Without a competent team it would be very hard for us to continue to grow as a business. It is therefore a priority that we invest in training and development."

Greencore has won national and regional awards for its commitment to ongoing training and development. This was recognised at the recent Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, where the company won a number of accolades including the Productivity Through Skills Award and the Company of the Year Award.

LSC website
LSC Skills Pledge
Rotherham

Images: LSC

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News: Toyoda Gosei offer redundancies at Rotherham plant

Toyoda Gosei, one of South Yorkshire’s leading car-component suppliers is to cut jobs from its 700-plus Rotherham workforce. Toyoda Gosei UK, makes rubber weather-seals for car windows, doors, boots and more at its Rotherham HQ on Centurion Business Park and supplies Toyota, Honda and Aston Martin. Vice-president, Chris Cooley told The Star: "What we are trying to do is to avoid compulsory redundancies. "The benefit of being a Japanese company is that we plan for the long term. It's a question of survival until things pick up maybe two or three years down the line. "We believe it's an attractive package, it's the same for everyone based on their weekly pay and is open to everyone." Redundancies are expected to be across the board, among managers, shopfloor operatives, engineers and maintenance, finance and logistics staff. The redundancies are likely to begin in March.

Toyoda Gosei website
The Star article
Rotherham

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News: Company raises over £6,000 for Rotherham cancer battler

Just four hours’ fundraising at a Rotherham company has raised a phenomenal £6,200 for teenage cancer fighter Daniel Barnett. Workers at car-components manufacturer Toyoda Gosei UK raised more than £3,000 at a family fun day – and the company promised to match the result pound for pound. That’s the equivalent of more than £2,500 an hour. "The total is a massive tribute to Daniel’s courage, in pressing ahead with his studies while undergoing treatment, and a mark of just what big-hearted people we have here at Toyoda Gosei," said company vice-president Chris Cooley. The 17-year-old needs not just chemotherapy for Ewing’s Sarcoma, primarily a form of bone cancer that affects about 30 young people a year in the UK, but also life-saving kidney dialysis three times a week. He will also soon need a kidney transplant. Yet he is still working towards four A-levels at Thomas Rotherham College and aiming at university – having gained nine A*-C GCSE’s at Clifton Comprehensive last year, a feat that was recognised with the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award. Family, friends and supporters are working to raise £15,000 to buy a specially-equipped, sterile, cabin at home. That would let him have the dialysis there and mean less time spent away from family and studies.

Toyoda Gosei website
The Star article
Rotherham

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News: Rotherham company comes to the aid of inspirational teenager

Workers and managers at one of Rotherham’s top companies have pledged support for a teenager battling a rare form of cancer who is ploughing ahead with his studies. Daniel Barnett is just 17, but he needs not just chemotherapy for Ewing’s Sarcoma, primarily a rare form of bone cancer, but also life-saving kidney dialysis three times a week. He will also soon need a kidney transplant. He is still working towards four A-levels at Thomas Rotherham College and aiming at university – having gained nine A*-C GCSE’s at Clifton Comprehensive last year. Toyoda Gosei UK, the Japanese car-components manufacturer, will hold a special fund-raising Sunday fun day for its 800 employees and their families to help raise £15,000 to buy a specially-equipped, sterile, cabin for Daniel's home. The company has promised to double whatever the event raises and family friend, Sharon Williamson, a supervisor at the Templeborough factory, and had no trouble persuading the company to hold the event there, on Sunday September 21. TGUK’s vice-president, Chris Cooley, said: "This is a simple way for our people to demonstrate their support for good causes, and they don’t come much better than Daniel’s. He’s an inspiring young man in his positive approach to life. Many other local businesses feel the same, as they have contributed prizes." Rotherham Rugby Club hosted a "Stars in your Eyes" fund-raising event last Saturday.
Toyoda Gosei website
Teenage Cancer Trust website

The Star article
Rotherham

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News: New pumps for Toyoda Gosei

Toyoda Gosei UK Ltd have reduced process scrap costs at their Rotherham factory after investing in pump technology supplied by Watson-Marlow Bredel. The Centurion Business Park facility is where door seals fitted to the Toyota Yaris are manufactured.

http://www.pandct.com/media/shownews.asp?ID=16350

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