JANUARY 2015 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 30 ISSUE 1EMPLOYMENTLAWMake sure you're upto dateENGINEERING ANDMANUFACTURINGWhere productivity paysPREDICTIONSFOR 2015 What does the yearhave in store?FOCUS ON THE FUTURE01_Layout 1 14/01/2015 12:17 Page 1Many companies have alreadyimproved efficiency with the Harford Paperless PerformanceImprovement System …… you could do the same oreven betterFind out how onemajor milk bottling site reduced operating costs by more than £2.5million per annum whilst simultaneously improving compliance and quality consistencyFind out how a whisky distiller/bottlerimproved quality consistency, customersatisfaction and bottom line profits bymore than 500%Contact Harford Control Ltd.Tel: +(44) 1225 764461sales@harfordcontrol.comwww.harfordcontrol.com Anyone can achieve similarly stunning results through implementing the proven Harford integrated systems and improvement methodologies.We don’t just write the software and install the hardware, we train and support your people through the change process todo what they do even better and faster than before.Share your objectives with Harford and we’ll guarantee to provide a rapid payback, well in excess of any costs incurred33FROMPHARMACEUTICALSTOPERFUMESFROMMALTWHISKYTOMILKFROMSMOKEDSALMONTOSMOOTHIES02_Layout 1 14/01/2015 07:54 Page 1Regulars4From the Editor5News9BusinessPerhaps we are not reliant on life on Marssays James Pinchbeck, Marketing PartnerStreets Chartered Accountants10Appointments11Business sceneInstitute of Directors Annual Lunch13Business sceneThe Ethan Maull “Up Yours to Cancer”foundation ball27Business sceneRugby legends at Hemswell Court41AutoLinkThe car world looks set to be split once againbetween those of us who can keep thewheels of industry turning and those thatcan’t46EventsWe take a look at business eventshappening around Yorkshire andLincolnshire49Classified50And finally…Features11Commercial property The commercial property market continuesto pull ahead, and some of the largestdeals of 2014 have taken place in recentmonths14PredictionsWe know there’ll be a General Election, butwhat else will 2015 have in store, and whatwill it mean for your business? We’veinvited some of the region’s major namesto offer their suggestions on what we’ll beseeing over the next twelve months16Commercial propertyIt still seems unusual to be looking aheadto a new year in the commercial propertysector with a sense of optimism, but 2014turned out to be pretty successful in ourpart of the world20Corporate financeYou may well have big plans for 2015 – butmuch of this may well be dependent onyour ability to access finance22Network by numbersThe new year brings with it limitlessopportunities, and the region’s networkingevents and organisations give you thechance to get your idea across to a hugerange of people24Supply chain softwareSupply chain software is helping ourregion’s companies combine speed andsecuritywww.blmforum.net28Engineering and manufacturingIt’s proving easier than ever formanufacturers and distributors toincorporate efficiency and improvedproductivity into their processes31Employment lawThe changes to employment law in 2015have one eye on the future with pensionsauto-enrolment the top priority for mostcompanies44Conferencing and eventsSome top events in 2015 will put theregion in the spotlight – and localbusinesses can reap the rewardsEnvironmentalBusiness Link Environmental is yourultimate guide to the expanding world ofgreen business.34Environmental newsThe latest news from this fast-movingsector36Recycling and waste management A move towards more effective plasticsrecycling could have a huge impact38Energy Our region’s renewable energy prowess isa huge benefit to all local companies –especially those who can play a part in thesupply chainCONTENTSJAN 20152414382803_Layout 1 14/01/2015 11:49 Page 1It’s hard to believe another year has slipped by already –they say as you grow older time passes more quickly and, asit seems like only a short time since I wrote the welcomepage for 2014, I guess I’m in that age bracket already.Nonetheless, a happy new year to all and let’s hope 2015proves to be a better year than has been suggested by thepopular press, who’ve been all too keen to pick up on the rumblings ofbusiness confidence being on the wane. Granted, the manufacturing sector isfeeling the impact of the Eurozone economies still lurching from one crisis toanother and that’s certainly affecting order books here in the UK so thesebusinesses are perhaps right to feel cautious. But that’s only part of the pictureas a recent report by the influential business advisers BDO points out thatbusinesses expect to grow in the first half of 2015 – with consumers likely toenjoy the knock-on effects.A convergence of continued low inflation, falling costs, solid jobs growthand a rise in real wages should boost confidence for both businesses andconsumers across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and with this in mind, we asksome of our region’s leading business figures to once again gaze into theirproverbial crystal balls and offer us their predictions for the year ahead.It makes interesting reading, as does our timely report on improvingproductivity and efficiency – something that most of us have had to do overthe past few years but will be much needed over the next few as well. I canalso commend readers to our report on employment law, given the upcomingauto-enrolment for pensions and the recent changes regarding paternity leave. We hope you enjoy reading our latest offerings and, of course, we’ll bekeeping readers up to date online at www.blmforum.net with the latest newsas it breaks so don’t forget to log on there - or better still, keep your finger onthe pulse by subscribing to our newsletter which is now read daily by aphenomenal number of business decision makers.Good reading as always,W S FisherEditorEditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsSteve Williams (s.williams@blmgroup.co.uk)Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)Editorial contactnewsdesk@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317Sales DirectorTeri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk)AdvertisingTel: (01472) 310310Accounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharman, Dawn Cook, John DownesTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary Jorgensen, Mark Casson, Rachel GreenTel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314(studio@blmgroup.co.uk)E-Mail:yorks-lincs@blmgroup.co.ukWebsitewww.blmforum.netAddressHaychart Ltd, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE.ISSN No:1462-2092All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwisewithout express permission of the copyright holder, for whichapplication should be addressed first to the publisher. Whileevery reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor itsparticipating agents accept liability for loss or damage toprints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material ofwhatever nature submitted to this publication. The viewsexpressed in this publication are not necessarily the views ofthose held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recyclingmagazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paperindustry each year. Before you recycle your magazine,please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free giftsand samples. If you are unable to participate in a recyclingscheme, then why not pass your magazine onto a localhospital or charity?The magazine that caresWE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than wefound itBusiness Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key tomaintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staffwill be proud to be part of.Community-From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We alsoextend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causesand charities. Environment-Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources,minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise.From theEDITOR…Yorkshire-Lincolnshire-Business-Link @blmforumblmforum.netCOVER PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM - KEITH HUDSON • WDG PHOTO • CREATIVA IMAGES • 06PHOTO • GILES ROCHOLL PHOTOGRAPHY LTD04_Layout 1 14/01/2015 12:18 Page 1Business Link 5www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSAmbitious plan toregenerate centralLincoln Details of an exciting £25 million project to create anew transport hub in Lincoln city centre have beenrevealed. City of Lincoln Council’s Executive have beenasked to support the development of the scheme bycommitting a further £760,470 ofcapital funds to allow a planningapplication to be submitted.The scheme would include thecreation of an integrated transporthub, comprising a new fit-for-purpose bus station adjacent toan improved train station, dual-purpose footbridge over therailway connecting St Mary’sStreet and Tentercroft Street, anda 1000 space multi-storey carpark. Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leaderof the city council, says, “This is ahuge scheme that would bringequally huge benefits to all wholive and work in Lincoln, andimportantly to those who visit thecity and invest in it as well. Thisambitious project represents asignificant commitment from the city council andpartners and is a once in a generation opportunity toimprove the city centre.”Yorkshire airport is top for customerserviceA Yorkshire airport, whichreceived national praise as thebest UK airport by an annualWhich? member survey, has nowbeen recognised locally. DoncasterSheffield Airport won theCustomer Service Award at theannual Doncaster BusinessAwards, arranged by the Chamberof Commerce.Steve Gill, managing director ofDoncaster Sheffield Airport, says, “We are delighted to have won this award. Providinggreat customer service is a real team effort and involves every person in every role at theairport.“Doncaster Sheffield Airport has continued to expand in 2014, with a growing customerbase, expansion of existing routes and adding new destinations, and this is down tolistening to our customers and taking their feedback seriously. For us it is returningcustomers and regular repeat business which provide a true indicator that our expectedhigh levels of customer service are being achieved.”Focusing on the futureLincoln-based charteredsurveyor Banks Long & Co hassold a 1.25 acre site in WhisbyRoad, Lincoln, to DenbyTransport, whose red-liveriedfleet of vehicles are regularlyspotted travelling the UK andEuropean road networks. The£7 million company, whichemploys 75 people, has madea strategic decision to investat a time when UK companiesare looking to better times, inthe aftermath of a protracted recession.Denby Transport Managing Director Peter Denby says, “This piece of land willgive us room to expand our operations in line with our hopes of growing ourbusiness. It will also mean that we will be able to develop our storage facilities.“Up until ten years ago we would have described ourselves as a haulier andwarehouse business, but we are now doing an increasing amount of work withinthe UK, as well as our international runs. This growing trend of helping customers managetheir supply chain means we are likely to need to create bigger storage facilities in thefuture.”Lidl appoints Britcon for more store upgradesBritcon has secured two further contracts toexpand and refurbish Lidl stores in Grimsby andBarton on Humber. The contracts, worth severalmillion pounds, follow the successful completionof recent store extension projects in Coventry andLeicester for the chain with further projects in thepipeline.Britcon is currently building a 4500 sq ftextension for the store on Cromwell Road inGrimsby to create space for a new bakery, freezerarea and additional warehouse facilities that willcreate an 18,000 sq ft facility in total. In Barton onHumber Britcon is refurbishing the 12,000 sq ftHigh Street store with a reconfiguration of space,new glazing, heightened ceilings, new flooring and full mechanical and electrical installation.Paul Clarkson, Managing Director at Britcon, says, “It is testament to our expertise in the food retail sector anddemonstrates trust in our capabilities to deliver full design and build services for Lidl during its store refurbishmentprogramme.”Leeds-based SearchLaboratory has launched aspecialist Real-Time Biddingarm, Bid.Media. Bid.Mediawas launched in response toa large demand from SearchLaboratory’s clients thatwished to invest in highlytargeted, tailored displayadvertising. Real-TimeBidding is currently thefastest growing onlineadvertising segment andpredictions estimate aquadruple spend inprogrammatic displayadvertising, taking up 75%of all digital advertising. Pudsey-based NexusVehicle Rental iscelebrating two majoraccolades in the sameweek for its commitmentto the highest standards ofcustomer care. Nexusreceived the CustomerService Award in thenationwide Best BusinessAwards, as well as its ISO27001, a globalcertification for excellencein security management.Nexus received thecertificate after beingexamined over a period ofjust six weeks.05-08_Layout 1 14/01/2015 11:15 Page 1LATEST NEWS6Business Link www.blmforum.netKnaresborough industrialunit soldCBRE’s Leeds Industrial Agency team has sold a 16,533 sq ftindustrial and office unit at St James Business Park inKnaresborough to ALM Manufacturing for an undisclosed sum. ALM Manufacturing is a local family owned business currentlyresiding in the neighbouring buildingat St James Business Park. Thecompany has been keen to expandfor a number of years and the recentsale of the adjacent unit presented anopportunity to grow within anexisting location. Jacques Esterhuizen, Surveyor inCBRE’s Leeds Industrial Agency team,says, “The property represents theonly industrial and office unit of this nature to be marketed on afreehold basis in and around Knaresborough and Harrogate. Theproperty generated a good deal of attention with a number ofinterested parties, proof that unsatisfied demand for qualityindustrial stock in North Yorkshire remains.”Telematics organisationreceives iconic markThe Floow are the second eversoftware organisation to have theirapplication to use the prestigious Madein Sheffield Mark approved. The brand is regarded internationallyas a mark of quality and is exclusivelyused on products that are developed inSheffield. The mark will support TheFloow in the global exportation of theirsystems across China, Europe, and theAmericas, and help them to build ontheir international reputation as leadingproviders of telematics. The Floow’s application for the markwas approved by the Made in SheffieldSteering Committee after seeing theiruse of software to overcome thedifficulties associated with data capturefrom mobile phones and other sensingdevices and their unique datainterpretation techniques.Aldo Monteforte, CEO of TheFloow, pictured, says, “We are proudto have received the Made in SheffieldMark, a brand which recognisesexcellence in products that aredeveloped in the city and exportedworldwide.”Banks Long & Co has acquired The Mall in Lincoln’s upper HighStreet for county developer MF Strawson after an unmissableopportunity cropped-up at a London auction. MF Strawson hasambitions to remodel the dated retail complex, which is home to ahandful of small enterprises, and replace it with an new restaurantor entertainment venue. Banks Long & Co is currently overseeingthe preparation of a planning application, which it expects to besubmitted to the City of Lincoln Council in February.Lincolnshire business clubdonates £1000 to LIVESBusinessnetworking clubDynamic Lincolnhas donated£1000 toLincolnshirecharity LIVES.Set up byPygott andCrone andWillmott Dixonat the beginningof this year,DynamicLincoln’s aim isto bring togetherleaders to work together to encourage and enhance investment andgrowth in the county. To mark the end of a successful first year of theclub, which has seen a number of deals and contacts being securedthroughout Lincolnshire, the members wanted to make a charitabledonation to a local charity.Tim Downing, senior partner at Pygott and Crone and a trustee of LIVESsays, “As I’m already involved with LIVES I’m very familiar with thelifesaving work they do and the fact that the first responders who go outto help people are all volunteers. The LIVES team are extremely dedicatedand committed to helping the people of Lincolnshire in their time of needand it only seemed fitting that we contribute to this great work.”05-08_Layout 1 14/01/2015 11:15 Page 2Business Link 7www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSRegain Polymers secures£2.5 million investmentCastleford-based RegainPolymers hassecured £2.5million of newequity financefrom its owner,Chamonix PrivateEquity. Thecompany hasalso beenawarded £10million of newdebt finance facilities with Leumi ABL.The business currently operates a 50,000 tonne capacity site andlaunched its new Product Development Laboratory in early 2014. Thenew lab facility allows Regain to offer bespoke product developmentservices that meet the needs of its varied client base.Martin Marron, Chief Executive Officer of Regain, says, “We aredelighted to have secured this additional investment from Chamonixwhich will enable us to continue to expand and enhance the capacity,capability and reliability of our manufacturing plant.“The new facility will enable us to provide additional research staffand specialist laboratory equipment, allowing us to continue to innovateat a pace in the development of high specification compounds, for awide range of applications from available recycled materials.”Bradford law firm‘supercharges’ client serviceMir Solicitors isenhancing itsservice to clientsafter becomingone of the firstprofessionalservices firms inBradford to takeadvantage ofSuperconnectedLeeds Bradfordconnectionvouchers. Thefirm successfullyapplied for funding from Superfast Leeds Bradford, which is administeringthe government’s Superconnected Cities scheme to help smallerbusinesses access high speed internet services.The firm employs ten people and acts for clients ranging fromindividuals to large blue chip companies and overseas governments, withspecialisations in in commercial litigation, commercial property andinsolvency. Using a ‘fibre to the cabinet’ connection, Mir Solicitors’ highspeed broadband connection has increased the firm’s download speeds byover 400%, from 12mbp to 52mbp.Senior partner Idris Mir says, “As a small practice we’ve always punchedabove our weight and having the new high-speed internet has certainlyboosted our productivity already as well as helping us to make costsavings.”WordsandSpacesLtdtel:01724 352156 mob:07736 952885 fax: 0871 989 5784 email: stuart@wordsman.co.uk twitter:@stuartpearcey Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 2QEI’ll write blogs, websites, ads, articles, leaflets, news releases and newspapers; I’ll design print and buy it. I’m Stuart Pearcey. How can Imake your life better today?www.wordsman.co.ukWhere goodcopywritingmeans business05-08_Layout 1 14/01/2015 11:15 Page 3LATEST NEWS8Business Link www.blmforum.netAmbitious growth plan forclean label leaderPontefract ingredient specialist Ulrick & Short has unveileddevelopment plans for the next three years, working to targets thatinclude increasing staff numbers by 70% and expansion into newterritories.Ulrick & Short is aiming to double in size thanks to market demand,its commitment to innovation, and support from a team of expertsdedicated to the firm’s ethos of technical excellence. The company’saim is to increase shelf life, reduce fat, simplify labelling and improvethe texture and nutritional content of processed foods.Director Adrian Short says, “At Ulrick & Short we pride ourselveson being one step ahead of market trends. We have been addressingthe increasing demand for our clean label non-GM ingredients, manyof which are also allergen-free, by recruiting new technicians alongwith additional sales and support staff in 2014. From the level of salesenquiries we are experiencing, we expect that trend to continue into2015 and beyond.”Training company invests£200,000 training its trainersA logistics training company has invested the equivalent of £200,000training its own trainers. TIR Training of Beverley have worked with EastRiding College to put 26 training officers and tutors through the Diplomain Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector.The course is a nationally-recognised qualification and will help ensurelearners are receiving the highest standard of training. Now every trainingofficer in the company either holds or is working towards a higher levelteaching qualification.Julia Barcoe, Director of People and Resources at TIR Training, says, “Alot of staff who come to us have vocational qualifications because theyhave worked in the industry. However, delivering training is a completelydifferent skill set to doing the job yourself. We want our staff to have thebest teaching methods and techniques so we can say the quality of ourdelivery, as well as the content we deliver is exceptionally high.” CROFT CARPETSWhere thecustomer alwayscomes firstCroft Carpets of High Street, Lincoln, offerfantastic customer service meaning it’s the firstchoice for individual and businesses looking fornew carpets, curtains and blinds.With over thirty years’ experience, Croft Carpets enjoy afantastic reputation and enjoy much repeat custom. The key isconvenience and exceptional customer service. At theirshowroom in High Street they can discuss your needs andshowcase a wide selection of carpets, laminate flooring, real woodflooring and vinyls to suit any taste, but they also offer a uniqueshop from home service. This means the shop can be brought toyou at your request.Croft Carpets also make sure they go the extra mile. They can visityou for free to take accurate measurements, move your furniture toallow quick and painless fitting and take away your old carpets too.It’s this efficient, courteous service that sets Croft Carpets apart fromthe rest – as well as their promise to beat any like for like quotes ona stunning range of carpets and wood flooring.Croft Carpets currently provide a great service to many locallettings agents, as well as other local businesses such as LincolnCity FC, Nomad Trust, LEAP and the RAF. Recommendations arealso available on request.Watch out during January too for their special online deal whereyou can receive £100 off your carpet, vinyl or wood and laminateflooring quote when you spend a minimum of £500. Visitwww.croftcarpets.co.uk for more information.Visit Croft Carpets at 5-6 High Street, Lincoln or call01522 523004.CROFTCARPETS05-08_Layout 1 14/01/2015 11:15 Page 4Don’t forgetyou can now read Business Linkon thego!Digital Editions now available on iPad & iPhoneWWW.BLMFORUM.NETIdeal for those who spendtime away fromtheir officePerhaps weare not relianton life on Marssays James Pinchbeck, Marketing PartnerStreets Chartered AccountantsIt would appear that UK plc isgenerally in better shape than ithas been for some time, withincreased economic prosperityand growth in the economy as awhole. However, we are still along way off balancing the books,with the public sector borrowingdeficit at £97.5 billion – muchhigher than forecast.Although the focus on ensuringthat all tax due is paid and theclamping down on tax avoidanceand evasion was re-affirmed, taxtake alone is unlikely to balancethe books. What were the highlights of the Autumn Statement forbusinesses? For many, the good news must be the proposal for areview of the system of business rates, along with thecontinuation in the reduction, and in fact increase in the reduction,of rate relief from £1000 to £1500 for small retailers. Theannouncement to abolish the payment of National InsuranceContributions for young apprentices must also be good news forboth those looking for employment, as well as the employer.The Chancellor announced the UK manufacturing sector is thefastest growing sector of the economy, with exports and re-shoring in part driving the sector. Ensuring that this is sustainedand continues to develop is undoubtedly dependent on UKmanufacturers having the right skills, products and productivity.Expansion of the Research and Development tax credits formedium sized enterprises goes someway to help, along with plansto provide student loans for graduates pursuing post graduatemasters degrees.With little or no growth in the overall Euro zone economy, andwith growing demands for British goods and services in emergingmarkets, then support pledged for businesses looking to enter ordevelop their export market is most welcome.As with the Budget each year, the implications and ramificationsof the announcements made, those headlined and even thosehidden away in the Treasury press have taken time to digest. Thereal ramifications of the impact of the changes will give rise forindividuals and businesses to consult their advisers.James Pinchbeck is Marketing Partner at Streets CharteredAccountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm. For moreinformation visit www.streetsweb.co.uk or call 0845 880 0320 Business Link 9www.blmforum.netBUSINESS09_Layout 1 14/01/2015 08:02 Page 1Next >