SUPPORTINGBUSINESS GROWTHThe passion to succeedMATERIALSHANDLINGA matter of logisticsHEALTH ANDSAFETYStaying on the rightside of the lawFEBRUARY 2014 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 29ISSUE 2READYAND ABLEThe energyestuary01:Layout 1 31/1/14 15:23 Page 1T: 01507 602491 www.seymour-castle.co.uk Seymour and Castle Ltd specialist installation and maintenance electrical engineers are well positioned in terms of both skills and geography to service all electrical infrastructure requirements of the renewables sector in the Humber region. We are continually investing in the skills necessary to meet future demands for bothonshore and offshore projects and are expanding our activities tocover High Voltage requirements. It is our preference to partnerwith our customers in order to provide a sustainable quality ledservice. We think that given the success and longevity of our businesswe are well positioned to maintain these aims.Serving Industry in the East Midlandsfor 50 yearsThrough Scenergy Ltd our renewable technology business we have installed over2MW of solar photovoltaic panels locallySpeed is one of the main factors in fatal road accidents.Around 400 people a year are killed in crashes in which someone exceeds the speed limit or drives too fast for the conditions.Take care on the roadsRespect the speed limitSafer Roads East RidingLove your life xRoses are redThe skies are greyIf you hadn’t been speedingYou’d be with me today x02:Layout 1 31/1/14 10:46 Page 1EnvironmentalBusiness Link Environmental is your ultimateguide to the expanding world of greenbusiness.30Environmental newsThe latest news from this fast-moving sector32Recycling and waste management Companies are finding that small changescan have a huge impactRegulars4From the Editor5News9AccountancyHow prepared are you for auto-enrolment?asks Mark Bradshaw, Partner StreetsChartered Accountants10LettersReader’s letters and replies35Business SceneLincoln Sportsmans dinner42AutoLinkThe latest data from the society of MotorManufacturers and Traders reveals thatoutput rose 3.1% last year to over 1.5million units. This is the highest volumesince 2007, and is another positivesign that the UK economy is growing. 46EventsWe take a look at business eventshappening around Yorkshire andLincolnshire48Classified49Appointments50And finally…Features11Commercial PropertyThere’s a new atmosphere of optimism incommercial property that is to bewelcomed. We seek out some examplesof a reinvigorated sector in our region• Mercury House14Supporting business growthLocal business of all shapes and sizes arereporting increased success in locatingfunding and support or new initiatives16Humber BankThe major Marine Energy Parkdevelopment is further confirmation of theHumber Banks as the gateway to Europe• HCF Humber / CATCH20RefrigerationCompanies are looking for new solutionsthat are just as effective as before, butwhich possess a far smaller carbonfootprint22Materials handlingWith a surge in manufacturing and aparticular focus on the renewablesindustry in our region, materials handlingcompanies look set to reap the rewardsthey deserve25ConferencingGiven the advances in technology itwould be all too easy to think that videoconferencing is the way forward. But thebest way to meet potential clients is stillface to face36Health and safetyHealth and safety is still the oft-malignedelement of running a business. Take noprecautions however and you could bewalking into a minefield 38Health and Safety EventThe Health & Safety Event launches at theNEC in Birmingham on 11th to 13thMarch in reaction to significant demandfrom both visitors and exhibitors40DesignWe meet an exciting innovative designerwho transforms aeronautics, high-endmotorsport and engineering intofunctional, stunning décor for both officeand homeContentsFebruary 201411162232www.blmforum.net03:Layout 1 31/1/14 11:05 Page 1It’s the economy, stupid. This infamous quote couldn’t bemore apt after the pain of the last five years, but with GDP nowrising faster than Osborne could’ve hoped and unemploymentfalling, it does seem that the economy will once again be thebig battleground of the next General Election.One of the big beasts of that election looks set to be EdBalls, but you have to wonder how he’s still in a job aftersingularly failing to make any political hay at all during one ofthe worst downturns in modern history. Ed has lumbered from one balls-up toanother. His latest is the call to raise the top rate of income tax to 50p in the pound –just days after unemployment dropped again and the day before GDP was seen tobe rising at its fastest rate since 2007. You maybe remember those days, whenbankers were revered...You have to admire Ed though, he has the turning circle of a JCB, and while it’shard to believe that anyone could possibly think a return to 50p in the pound willmean a return back to socialism for the Labour Party, it does smack of economicilliteracy. Most serious economists know that another five pence into Treasury cofferswill hardly make a difference to the deficit, yet for Balls, politics is all about preeningand posturing, and very little to do with what’s going on in the real world.In the real world, things certainly seem to be on the up in our region - with the go-ahead finally being given for the Able Marine Park which should be one of theflagship renewable energy projects for the country. It’s a real showpiece for whatbusinesses, LEPs and other organisations in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire can offermajor blue-chip companies looking to invest. Hopefully this will be the spur forSiemens to finally break their silence and confirm the Green Port Hull developmentwhich has been in limbo for what seems an eternity.It’s not just the renewables sector that benefits from these developments –companies of all shapes and sizes can play a part in the supply chain and thismonth we take a look at the funding and support that can help win contracts. As therecovery continues, you’ve got to leap at the new opportunities available. Which iswhere Business Link magazine can help - keep an eye on the news as it breaks atwww.blmforum.net.In the meantime, good reading as alwaysW S FisherEditorEditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsSteve Williams (s.williams@blmgroup.co.uk)Mike Shields (m.shields@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) 310310Kim Collins (k.collins@blmgroup.co.uk)Lisa Grenney (l.grenney@blmgroup.co.uk)Accounts & 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/ELECTRIC BLUE04:Layout 1 31/1/14 10:46 Page 1Business Link 5www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSManufacturerincreasing internationaltrade with partnership A Sheffield manufacturer of machine knivesand industrial blades has, through a localpartnership, increased its international trade by15% and saved thousands of pounds in theprocess. Durham-Duplex exports approximately fiftymillion components a year to more than fortycountries worldwide. To deliver the products ithas joined forces with freight managementcompany 512 (Sheffield), based at the SheffieldInternational Freight Terminal, to handle all itsimporting and exporting needs. Carl Foster, international sales director at Durham-Duplex, says, “We’ve worked with 512since 2009 and in the first year of working with them we saved more than £25,000. Thepartnership now allows us to keep costs at a level which are appropriate for the activityrequired.” SH-I-F-T is one of only two bonded warehouses in South Yorkshire. It allows companies,including Durham-Duplex, to import products into the country and store them at thewarehouse before being shipped out again to non-EU countries without paying tax duty.Law, fair & squarefirm revealedLCF Law is the new name ofYorkshire law firm Last Cawthra Featherfollowing the biggest shake-up of thecompany’s branding and corporate image for morethan thirty years.Simon Stell, Managing Partner at LCF Law, says,“Dealing with law firms can often seem hugelycomplicated but it shouldn’t be such a dauntingprospect. Our firm has always been about simplifyingthe legal process and we were keen for this totranslate into our branding so our new logo, websiteand corporate literature has all been designed toportray our accessible image.“The first thing we did is shorten our name fromLast Cawthra Feather to LCF Law and added ‘Law, Fair& Square’ to communicate what we stand for. Welooked at every aspect of our business and improvedhow we do things by putting the customer at thecentre. We used the simple principle of puttingourselves in our customer’s shoes and asking whatwe’d want if we were them.” Sheffield University Students’ Union £20million refurbishmentSheffield-based architects HLM played a pivotal role in the refurbishment ofUniversity House, Sheffield University’s students’ union complex on Glossop Road.HLM was appointed to develop initial design concepts, which were refined priorto being approved, then developed the scheme through to the detailed design stageand provided all technical design information prior to the scheme being put out totender.HLM’s designs incorporate an amphitheatre-style space for special events withina new octagonal piazza and additional social and study space, allowing students tocollaborate and work outside the formal teaching hours. There is also a new shop,café and new restaurants; HLM also designed six new event spaces that can caterfor up to 250 delegates. Students’ Union president Ally Buckle says, “The union is already regarded bystudents as the best in the country so it’s fantastic to have worked in partnership with the universityto ensure the student experience at Sheffield is second to none.”Global hose specialistshelps students engineercareersRepresentatives from Lincoln manufacturerJames Dawson were on hand to offer advice tostudents and prospective employees at theUniversity of Lincoln’s careers fair.The company was one of the main sponsors ofthe event and is also one of Lincoln’s largestemployer, with around 240 people working acrossits main site and its Moorland facility in the city.Placements will potentially be on offer in thecoming year to students who have an interest ineither engineering, sales support, IT or finance. Theevent follows the recent launch of James Dawson’snew recruitment microsite.Peter Wressell, HR Manager at James Dawson,says, “James Dawson has a very strong reputationin the Lincolnshire area and we have a great beliefthat young people and students who can introducenew ways of thinking into our industry, which canonly be a good thing.”HelmFertilizer has signed a ten yearagreement with PD Ports to operate a blendingand bagging facility for its fertiliser imports at the Port ofHowden. The Port of Howden, which is owned and operatedby PD Ports will also provide the stevedore service for this newagreement with the first vessel call expected in early 2014.The arrival will see an initial investment of over £500,000spent refurbishing one of PD Ports’ existing onsite warehouses, covering some68,000 sq ft.Bostonrecycling company TheRecycling Factory has entered into anew partnership with Combat Stress, theveterans’ mental health charity. They will berecycling inkjet and toner cartridges, mobilephones and electronic gadgets in order to raise vitalfunds for the charity. Through the scheme,supporters can send their items to The RecyclingFactory, and Combat Stress will receive adonation for each one that cansuccessfully be recycled.05:Layout 1 31/1/14 11:05 Page 1ADPAKNo.1 FOR SHRINK WRAPPINGAdpak Machinery Systems Ltd established in 1987 are recognized as one of the leaders in packaging technology.Adpakmarket a range of innovative shrink wrapping, palletisation and pallet stretchwrapping systems supplying both new and second hand machinery and providing a fullafter sales service.Our reputation for these systems is well respected within theindustry. The speciality of the company however, is inapplying the latest technology and innovations tounusual and sometimes difficult packaging problems.We can provide full project management for your installation.Tel: 01282 601444 Fax: 01282 6122013 Pendleside, Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, Nelson, Lancashire BB9 6RYWWW.ADPAK.CO.UKVisitus at easyFairs Packaging EventStandH406:Layout 1 31/1/14 10:45 Page 1www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSSystematic showcasecreativity withOrigami ArmyCaistor company Systematic PrintManagement have shown it’s amazing whatyou can do with paper with their very ownOrigami Army.Systematic are renowned for creating andprinting their own Calendar, which gracesmany walls with humorous anecdotes, oftenat the team’s expense. The theme for 2014 builds onSystematics’ successful re-branding earlier this year, whereorigami images illustrate that the team know what’spossible with paper. The talented team have conceivedand crafted origami versions of their team, collectivelyknown as the Origami Army!Each bespoke origami person was designed and builtby hand. Three dimensional backdrops were created foreach scene and then the final set photographed togenerate twelve unique images for the Calendar, witheverything made out of paper. Each month of the Calendarsees the Origami Army dealing with the dilemmas andopportunities associated with being made out of paper. Monaghansbuilding successin the retail sectorMonaghans, a national buildingconsultancy with head offices inSheffield, is playing a key role inthe continued expansion of one ofthe UK’s best-known andsuccessful retailers.Monaghans were ProjectManagers for recently completednew format John Lewis stores inExeter and Kent. In addition, thecompany has been engaged tocarry out a similar role forplanned John Lewis departmentstores at Birmingham, Leeds and Westfield London and have ongoing schemes in York and atHeathrow’s new Terminal 2.Craig Hibbert, Group Managing Director for Monaghans, says, “Our expertise means we aresuccessfully delivering projects right across the retail spectrum from established brands to newembryonic retailers,Tan Khan, Regional Director, adds, “This is an exciting period for Monaghans and we are wellpositioned for further growth in the retail, residential and commercial sectors in the New Year asthe recovery in the economy starts to push on.”Mechan readies depot for modern fleetSheffield manufacturer Mechan is helping Northern Ireland’s newest rail depotraise standards in train care. Translink’s Adelaide train maintenance facility in Belfastis the latest recipient of rail handling equipment designed, constructed and installedby Mechan’s expert engineers.The £28 million purpose built facility is equipped with twelve of Mechan’s flagshiplifting jacks, along with two engine removal tables and two bogie turntables. Theyare being used to service the twenty new CAF Class 4000 trains, recently introducedto the local network, to renew and expand its existing fleet. This latest order by Adelaide’s main contractor Graham Constructioncomplements the lifting jacks and engine removal tables Mechan installed atTranslink’s York Road engineering facility in Belfast in 2002. Richard Carr, Mechan’s managing director, says, “Adelaide exemplifies recentdevelopments in depot maintenance, offering staff a safe, efficient environment inwhich to work, resulting in a faster turnaround and more reliable rail service.”Specialistsolicitors from Sheffield’sTaylor&Emmet LLP have received globalrecognition for the advice they provide aboutunfair dismissal, the law at the heart of UKemployment rights. Taylor&Emmet has been named thecountry’s ‘unfair dismissal law firm of the year’ in the 2013Legal Awards. The accolade recognises the skill andperformance of Taylor&Emmet’s employment lawexperts in their representation businesses andindividuals involved in unfair dismissalclaims.YorkshireDales Meat Company has seen a20% rise in sales of its products in ASDAstores across the North of England since thebeginning of the Horsemeat scandal last year. Thebusiness has seen an impressive 20% boost in sales ofits products in ASDA stores across Yorkshire, the NorthEast, North West and North Midlands since anumber of beef products were found tocontain traces of horsemeat inJanuary 2013.Spencer Group preparesfor world’s largestbridge cable projectHuge gantries are under construction to enableHull engineering specialists Spencer Group to carryout the world’s largest retro-fit suspension bridgedehumidification project.The gantries are part of Spencer Group’strademarked Cable Crawler system and are thelargest yet built for work to enable prevention ofcorrosion to suspension bridge cables, for whichthe company has carved out a global reputation.Four gantries, each 33 metres long, 4.5m high,3.5m wide and weighing 22 tonnes, are beingfabricated at the workshops of ESL GB in Hull. Thegantries are 40% bigger and heavier than anypreviously constructed for a Spencer Group bridgeproject and will cost a total of £1 million to design,construct and equip.They are due to be shipped to Denmark in March2014 for the work on the East Bridge, the thirdlargest suspension bridge in the world. The size ofthe gantries is directly related to the span of theEast Bridge which at 1.6km is 15% longer than theHumber Bridge.Theonly new homesdevelopment withinwalking distance of York citycentre to launch in 2013 hasproved such a success that everyhome has now sold off-plan beforework is even complete. Bootham Greenis being developed by Rushbond Groupand Advent Developments. The formerGrade II listed Shipton Street Schoolbuildings are being converted into24 townhouses and fourteennew homes are being builtwithin the school’sgrounds. Business Link 707:Layout 1 31/1/14 11:04 Page 1COMET 6•Fringe Projection Scanner •High Resolution due to 16MP Camera• Outstanding Accuracy and Repeatability •High Measurement SpeedCOMET L3D•Uses LED Lighting Technology •Fast Measurement Times•Easy Portability •Quick and Easy to Change the Field-of-ViewT-SCAN CS•Hand-Held Laser Scanner •High Measurement Accuracy•Large Measurement Volume •Tactile ProbingABIS OPTIMIZER•Provides Surface Defect Inspection •Fully Portable and can be Automated•Extremely Fast Measurement Cycle Times •Flexible, Compact and Highly PreciseSteinbichler UK are proud to present thelatest technologies in 3D Digitizing…Tel: +44 (0)1527 837 283 www.steinbichler.co.ukThe Inmotion! team can help your businessssssget the most out of the travel options aaarrroooouuuunnddyou, from bus, tram and train to wwwwwwaaaallllkkiinngg,,cycling and betteeerrrrr dddrrrrriiiivvviinnggg...travel@inmotion.co.ukinmotion.co.uk01709 51 51 5108:Layout 1 31/1/14 10:47 Page 1Business Link 9www.blmforum.netACCOUNTANCYDon’t forgetyou can now read Business Linkon thego!Digital Editions now available on iPad & iPhoneWWW.BLMFORUM.NETIdeal for those who spendtime away fromtheir officeHow preparedare you for auto-enrolment?asks Mark Bradshaw, Partner StreetsChartered AccountantsAuto-enrolment is thebiggest change to workplacepensions for generations. Asa consequence of thechanges to workplace pensionlegislation, all employers willbe required to ensure more oftheir employees have apension in place.Auto-enrolment applies toall organisations that employpeople. While many largeremployers have already beenrequired to implement auto-enrolment, many smalleremployers are still to do so. Employers with 50 to 249 people intheir largest PAYE Scheme will be staged between 1st April 2014and 1st April 2015, while those with fewer than fifty people willbe staged between 1st June 2015 and 1st April 2017The work involved in setting up an approved auto-enrolmentscheme should not be underestimated. For those employing alarge workforce with dedicated staff and resources to deal withimplementation it is much easier than for smaller employers whowill undoubtedly find the task a significant chore and burden. For those that choose to follow the guidelines and processesfor setting up a scheme provided by the pension’s regulator, visitwww.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk. Others, including thoseinitially thinking they will do it themselves, may find it moreappropriate to seek external advice and support.Those employers who fail to comply or meet the regulator’srequirements, whether unintentionally or not, will face theenforcement powers of the Pensions Regulator. This ranges frominformal action and guidance, through to statutory notices tocomply and ultimately financial penalties. Such penalties start witha fixed penalty fine of £400 escalating to daily fines of between £50and £10,000 whereby employers have failed to comply.For advice and support concerning the impact andimplementation of auto-enrolment on your business ororganisation we advise that you contact an accountant or apensions advisers. You may also benefit from advice form an HRor employment adviser too. To assist those affected, we haveproduced a simple step by step guide to auto-enrolment which isavailable at www.streetsweb.co.uk or by calling 0845 8800320. Mark Bradshaw is Partner at Streets Chartered Accountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm. Telephone 0845 880 0320, email info@streetsweb.co.uk or visit www.streetsweb.co.uk09:Layout 1 31/1/14 11:01 Page 1Next >