INFORMATIONTECHNOLOGYThe communication gameSOCIALNETWORKINGMastering the marketing mixINVEST INLINCOLNSHIREA big future in storewww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 29ISSUE 3MARCH 2014 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINESMALL WORLD,BIG POTENTIALSupply chain success01:Layout 1 3/3/14 08:35 Page 1Work, rest and stayWhen you invite colleagues or clients for a meeting or event at the DoubleTree byHilton Lincoln, you can be confident that everything will run smoothly. · City centre location · Contemporary meeting space for 2 to 300 people· Four adaptable, multi-functional meeting suites· Expansive fifth floor space for larger events· Private dining for up to 220 guests in our showcase Cathedral Ballroom· Adaptable and flexible approach to every enquiry· Full air conditioning, natural light and panoramic views of the city· Dedicated events team on hand to cater to even the smallest of detailsWith a number of flexible delegate packages available, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hoteland impressive locally sourced menus, we really are ready for business. 02:Layout 1 28/2/14 12:46 Page 1EnvironmentalBusiness Link Environmental is your ultimateguide to the expanding world of greenbusiness.28Environmental newsThe latest news from this fast-moving sector30Solar With dozens of solar farms already inoperation and PV becoming more affordableto businesses, what does the future hold forYorkshire and Lincolnshire’s energyproduction?Regulars4From the Editor5News9AccountancyThings you should ask yourself beforestarting your own business by JamesPinchbeck, Marketing Partner, StreetsChartered Accountants10LettersReader’s letters and replies11Business SceneLeicester Tigers benefit dinner21Business SceneLincoln Sportsmans Club42AutoLinkEvery year you can hear a sigh of relieffrom motor manufacturers when theyrealise they’ve been included in anautomotive awards ceremony. Here’s asnapshot of the cars currently baskingin the spotlight46EventsWe take a look at business eventshappening around Yorkshire andLincolnshire48Classified49Appointments50And finally…Features12Commercial propertyWith so many commercial property dealsbeing brokered recently, it’s hard to knowwhich way to look. There’s plentyhappening across our area, so here’s asnapshot14Social networkingSocial media, has been somewhat of adouble edged sword. After all, it looksincreasingly easy and inexpensive tolaunch a social media strategy but theinvestment in man-hours can bephenomenal to sustain a presence…16Machinery and componentsWith increased flexibility and lower costs,many companies are investing in newmachinery to automate processes andincrease efficiency on the production line18Invest in LincolnshireMore and more companies are realisingthat the enthusiasm and support thatexists for innovation in Lincolnshire makesit the ideal place to invest – and there arenow myriad opportunities.22ConferencingConferencing and hospitality is somethingYorkshire and Lincolnshire does incrediblywell, but what keeps people coming backyear after year?24IT and telecomsImproved broadband rollout in our regionmeans most companies can now benefitfrom improved communication – but thechallenge is to make it work effectively34PortsFor generations, much of our region’sprosperity has come via its ports – and itlooks likely that this will continue to be thecase for many years to come37Supply LincolnshireA new project is helping SMEs in Lincoln,Boston and East Lindsey reap thebenefits of buying and supplying locally38MultimodalThis year’s Multimodal show will be thebiggest in the show’s history and will hosta new Air Freight Pavilion• Chartered Institute of Logistics andTransport40Commercial Vehicle ShowThe Commercial Vehicle Show, held atthe NEC from 29th April to 1st May isperhaps the best place to get thelowdown on freight and logistics and ismore packed than ever this yearContentsMarch 201412143442www.blmforum.net03:Layout 1 3/3/14 13:55 Page 1If I look out of the office window right now, I can see thebustling port of Grimsby, with workers unloading container aftercontainer of goods, ready to be distributed throughout the UK.Up the road at Immingham there’s more of the same, and, atboth ports, it’s encouraging to see goods going out as well ascoming in.Away from the South Bank, Hull is known throughout theworld for its fishing heritage and it still has a proud working portand redeveloped docklands which has diversified with the moving times. And let’snot forget Goole in all this – Associated British Ports should be congratulated for theway they’ve invested in the region and believed in its strengths.I think it’s fair to say that without the sound economic base laid down by ourregion’s ports over the last two hundred years, then much of Yorkshire andLincolnshire would have struggled. Where we once relied on the sea for our food, wenow rely on it to ship in and ship out goods that are vital to keep our economy on themove. This month we feature those ports, and examine their past, present and,perhaps most importantly, their future.Of course, there’s a more to our region and with Multimodal and the CommercialVehicle Show taking centre stage in the next few weeks, it’s a good time to confoundexpectations of the area as isolated and take a look at its strong links with the rest ofEurope.As we’re in futuristic mode, we’re also taking a look at social networking - onceheralded as the holy grail of marketing, but which has now run into its own problemsas sites monetise and marketeers struggle to get their voice heard above the din.Some argue social marketing is a must, while others argue it’s like shouting yourmessage in an already packed football stadium. This month, we ask where doessocial networking fit into the marketing mix – and is it worth the investment in timeand money? This month’s issue is certainly worth your time with its usual mix of advice andcomment – but as always, do let us know what you think and, if you haven’t already,don’t forget to log onto www.blmforum.net where you can view the news as it breaks.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/ARTENS04:Layout 1 3/3/14 08:36 Page 1Streets expands intoNottinghamshireStreetsCharteredAccountants is setto open a newoffice at the A1Business Park atLong Bennington,just south ofNewark.The new officewill act as Streets’East Midlandshub. Chairmanand managing partner Paul Tutin says, “We chose the A1 Business Parkfor a number of reasons, not least as it is becoming recognised as a keystrategic location for enterprise with businesses.“The new office is very exciting for us as we are able to bring together anumber of the firm’s partners, along with key staff to create a new, vibrantand robust business centre that can realise the commercial opportunitiesfrom the surrounding areas. By capitalising on the use of the emergingdigital technology and ICT Streets will also be able to look after the needsof the larger owner business along with corporate entities in Nottinghamand Leicester that are seeking more specialist services and support.”Business Link 5www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSApprentice gas engineers to train inGermanyTwo apprenticegas engineers aretaking advantage ofa fantasticopportunity todevelop their skillsin a differentcountry.Nicolae Lia, ofLincoln CityCouncil’s CityMaintenanceServices, and Nicolas O’Hern, of Aaron Services, will travel to the Coesfeldarea in Germany for a three week work placement as part of an exchangeprogramme run by Lincoln College. Funding was secured by the college andits partners at the Krieshandwerkerscaft (Guild of Craft) in Coesfeld as part ofthe Leonardo programme, which is a European initiative to raise the qualityand provision of lifelong learning.Darryl Kay, Maintenance Manager at the city council, says, “Theplacements in Germany will not only give Nicolae and Nicolas anopportunity to develop their skills and work towards a specified unit in theirNVQ but it will also allow them to compare and contrast work practices.Apprentices from Germany will be visiting Lincoln later this year.”Northside Truck & Van opens newImmingham dealershipMercedes-Benz agent Northside Truck & Van have opened a new, purpose-builtdealership at Stallingborough, near Immingham, developed at a cost of £2 million andnow providing employment for thirty people. It replaces the temporary home in NorthKillingholme, from which Northside had operated since taking on its franchise for thearea two years ago.Staff at the Kiln Lane site are now retailing new and Approved Used trucks and vansfrom the award-winning Mercedes-Benz range, as well as FUSO Canter light truckswhich are also sold and supported through the German manufacturer’s Dealer networkin the UK.Chris Mansell, General Manager for Northside’s Immingham operation, says, “We’dbeen searching for the right site for a new, purpose-designed dealership since we tookover responsibility for this area. The fact that we now have a modern base in a convenient location is great news, not only for local operators but also forour staff.”Claybank Farmhouse, Umberslade Road, Earlswood, Solihull, B94 5PY01564 702 269 info@1cold.com www.1cold.com1Cold is one of the fastest growing providers of specialist construction services to the food, pharmaceutical, research & aerospace industries. With over 50 years of experience in the UK and a history in the installation of food processing & food manufacturing facilities, 1Cold is proud of its reputation for delivering value engineered ‘turnkey’ solutions, where a wide range of temperature controlled environments are required.05-09:Layout 1 3/3/14 08:42 Page 1East meets West as Neill & Browndelivers jobs boostNeill & BrownGlobal Logistics ismaking a £2.5 millioninvestment in Hullwith assistance fromthe Humber LEP’sGrowing the Humberfund. The company isbuilding a new40,000 sq ftwarehouse facility atMarfleetEnvironmentalTechnology Park on Hedon Road as part of its strategy for growth. Neill& Brown was awarded 20% of the overall investment, conditional on jobcreation over a three-year period.Work has already started on the site byStoneferry Marfleet. It is scheduled tobe operational by this Septemberand will include storage anddistribution facilities as well asadditional loading bays.Neill & Brown CEO PeterBrown says, “We have seensteady progress despite thedifficult economic climate.To continue on thistrajectory we have to lookto the future. The new eastHull facility will complementthe space at our head officesin Hessle and will enable us toprovide efficient services fromeither side of the city.”Henderson’s local team reaches£10 million milestoneThe Hesslebranch ofHendersonInsuranceBrokers iscelebratingplacing annualclientpremiums ofmore than £10million. Theindependentbroker says ithas reached its target largely through a strong record of client retention,offering bespoke services and winning business in all sectors with themost significant growth being in logistics, construction and professionalservices.The figure of £10 million is a first for the Hessle office and was achievedduring the current financial year. The announcement follows news ofstrong performance across the group as a whole, with group turnoverrising 5% to £22.55 million for the year ended April 2013.Director of the Hessle office Andrew Wakefield says, “When the currentmanagement team took control in Hessle seven years ago, we wereplacing around £2.2 million in premiums. Since then our staff numbershave increased from six to sixteen, leading to a recent expansion whichdoubled the size of our office space.”LATEST NEWSDTZ seminar unites land ownersand developers Real estateservices firmDTZ, inpartnership withWalker MorrisLLP and theHomes andCommunitiesAgency, havehosted aseminar inLeeds thatexaminedresidentialdevelopment viability in Yorkshire. The seminar reported on marketconditions, the latest practice of viability in the planning process, thelegal implications of changes in planning legislation, and the publicsector tools that are available to assist the delivery of residentialdevelopment.The event was attended by forty professionals from the residentialsector who heard the latest thinking on various topics. The seminar’s conclusion was that partnership working has a key roleto play in delivery, and engagement with local authorities at an earlystage in local plan development and the community infrastructure levy iscritical to ensure that the views of developers and landowners are takeninto consideration. Delegates were advised to be ‘cautiously optimistic’about the residential market.KeighleyBusiness Awards hasannounced its applicationdeadline as 31st March. Open toall businesses and entrepreneurs inthe Keighley district, the awards’steering group is urging people to enterat www.keighleybusinessawards.co.uk. Following the success of the pre-launchevent in January where over fiftybusinesses attended, a large numberregistered their interest straight awayacross the various categories andthe steering group areexpecting many moreentries.6Business Link www.blmforum.net05-09:Layout 1 3/3/14 08:42 Page 2Business Link 7www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSDoubleTree byHilton celebratescontinued successAs Lincoln’s DoubleTree by Hiltonmoves into its third year of business,the team are celebrating the progressand successes they’ve achieved intheir meeting and events business.Designed to host a wide range ofevents from one-to-one interviewsand board meetings, right through tolarger exhibitions and conferences,the DoubleTree by Hilton offer anadaptable and flexible approachto all enquiries. The dedicated team are on hand both before and during a meeting orevent to provide full audio-visual and IT support and to cater to even the smallest ofdetails.The venue offers all-inclusive day delegate packages and half day delegate packages,and offer flexibility to suit most requirements. With stylish, modern and flexible meetingspace, complimentary WiFi throughout the whole hotel and impressive locally sourcedmenus, the DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln are ready for business.Agentsappointed atLawnswoodBusiness ParkFollowing its recent acquisition ofthe 150,000 sq ft LawnswoodBusiness Park on Leeds Outer RingRoad, Canmoor has appointed a duoof agents to market the availableoffice space. Existing agent CBREhas been retained and Jones LangLaSalle has been newly appointed toreplace BNP Paribas.The office park, located within thenorthern outer suburbs of Leeds,comprises eight detached buildingscurrently let to a number ofgovernment and corporate tenants. CBRE and JLL will be marketing up to 40,000 sq ft ofavailable space in suites from 1,800 sq ft upwards.Richard Thornton at Jones Lang LaSalle says, “Lawnswood Business Park is really well placedto capitalise on a shortage of high quality offices in the north Leeds area. We forecast a continuingincrease in demand for the out of town market in 2014 on the back of a strong performance in2013 with take-up being 500,000 sq ft. Canmoor have timed their purchased well.”Capital contract is just the ticket forMechanSheffield manufacturer Mechan, is enjoying a boost in sales after securing workworth more than a million pounds from Thameslink. The depot maintenanceequipment specialist will be providing four bogie drops to two new facilities beingconstructed as part of this historic upgrade to London’s transport network.Commissioned by Siemens Rail Systems, the first two bogie drops are underconstruction and will be installed by Mechan at the Hornsey depot in April 2014.Based in Haringey, this three-road, 12-car maintenance facility will sit alongside theeast coast mainline and is set to be completed in 2016. A further two bogie drops will be delivered to Crawley’s Three Bridges depot inSeptember. In both locations, the bogie drops will be used to service the newDesiro City trains, entering service early in 2016. Mechan’s equipment is installed ina pit within the depot floor, enabling bogies and undercar modules to be removedor exchanged without lifting or splitting the carriages. MRT to expand globallyfrom its new Humber HQBeverley-based Marine Rescue Technologies istargeting UK and global markets after an ambitiousmulti-million pound expansion and investment. Thecompany manufactures specialist man overboardmonitoring, alerting and tracking systems and hasinvested in new manufacturing and assemblyfacilities and offices, increasing its suite of products,and its employee numbers in the process.Chief executive officer Ken Gaunt, pictured withfounder David Marshall, says, “We are here, wemean business and we’re really excited about theopportunities the next few years will bring. As abusiness we want to lead the industry withinnovation and passion to constantly improvemaritime safety. Our business is dedicated to savingthe man in the water.”As well as Marshall House, Grovehill Road,Beverley, the company operates in Australia withoffices in Perth and Sydney, and in Nigeria througha joint venturepartner.SheffieldChamber of Commerce is helpingbusinesses reach out to new global markets andboost their income through higher rankings on overseasversions of Google. The Chamber’s service is provided byleading search engine optimisation company SEOWorks, which is now supporting a number ofChamber members increase theirvisibility abroad.Bossesat Robin Hood Airport DoncasterSheffield have announced two new routesfrom the South Yorkshire airport. LinksAir is set tobase an aircraft at Doncaster Sheffield Airport launchingnew routes to Belfast City and the Isle of Man. Steve Gill,managing director of the airport, says, “This is fantasticnews for the airport and for Yorkshire passengers. Belfastwill be a fantastic business route with people beingable to set off in the morning and be in Belfastcity centre for the start of thebusiness day.”05-09:Layout 1 3/3/14 08:42 Page 3mercury_house@lincolnshire.gov.uk8Business Link www.blmforum.netDon’t forgetyou can now read Business Linkon thego!Digital Editions now available on iPad & iPhoneWWW.BLMFORUM.NETIdeal for those who spendtime away fromtheir office05-09:Layout 1 3/3/14 08:43 Page 4Business Link 9Things you should askyourself before startingyour own businessby James Pinchbeck, Marketing Partner,Streets Chartered AccountantsAre you able to conceptualise yourbusiness idea easily?The success of a business venture isoften as much about being able tocommunicate what it is as the idea itself.Is there a market for your business idea?Most businesses fail because they havefailed to understand their market. It’s vitalyou really assess what your market lookslike and what the real potential for yourbusiness is.Will your idea make you money?The ability to assess whether your business relies heavily onknowing your true costs, including how much you need to live offalong with the profit you can make. Knowing your break-evenpoint is a vital part of this process.Does your business model stack up?All too often people starting a new business try to do everythingthemselves. The focus should be on what you do best and need todo – keep everything simple and use others or processes to do therest.When should you seek professional advice from an accountant?The rule of thumb is that it’s best to talk to an accountant whileyou’re preparing your business plan. Their past experience andcommercial acumen can play a key part in shaping your idea andensuring success.How will an accountant help me?An accountant will advise you on a host of issues including themost appropriate trading entity for your business, VATregistration, treatment of income tax, the possibility of grant aid,other assistance and business support.How do you ensure you are on track?As part of our work with start-ups, we will advise you on theneed to set up simple and effective financial reporting to ensureyour business is on track. Keeping on top of your cashflow andensuring the business is profitable are probably two of the mostimportant aspects to monitor.Do you have the entrepreneurial flair?Starting and running a business can be tough to say the least –the ability to keep going can be challenging for the best of us.Knowing you have the resolve to carry on is vital and worth askingyourself.James Pinchbeck is Marketing Partner, Streets CharteredAccountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm. Streets’ start-up andsmall business team across practice nurture, advise and supportstart-ups and early years businesses. For more information, visitwww.streetsweb.co.uk or email startup@streetsweb.co.uk.ACCOUNTANCYCollege builds on its future withinspiring new projectWork has started on Leeds College of Building’s new £16 millioneducation and training facility on Hunslet Lane and Black Bull Street inthe heart of Leeds.Leeds College of Building has appointed GB Building Solutions as thelead contractor and AECOM as project managers. The new all-purpose8000 sq m building should be complete in a year.Principal Ian Billyard says, “This much anticipated project will not onlyencourage further regeneration of the area, but will create an inspiringnew campus that will serve a large proportion of our 7500 students. It’san extremely exciting time for the college and we envisage that theproject will be hugely beneficial to our students and staff as well as thewider construction industry as we will be able to support growth fromthis new campus.”LATEST NEWSFirm looks to a brighter future inrelocationLeisure specialist Camper UK is looking to brighter times in amilestone year for the company. The Camper UK team, which is stillrecovering from a blaze at its Station Road base in North Hykeham, isrelocating to a larger site on the Deacon Road Industrial Estate, Lincoln,after sealing a deal through Banks Long & Co.Award-winning Camper UK – which employs 26 people and has aturnover of £12 million – has invested in buying its own premises.Director Dean Hyde says, “Our move comes at the start of our tenthanniversary year. Despite all the disruption caused by the fire, we arestill targeting further growth and hoping to create six jobs in our firstyear and to probably double that number in 2015.”Banks Long & Co Director William Wall, pictured, adds, “We arepleased to have assisted the growth of such an important family-runlocal employer, tripling the size of its premises to over 60,000 sq ft, andwe wish the company well as it recovers from its setback.”Publicrelations experts at Leeds MetropolitanUniversity are working with sporting organisations,supporting the delivery of the Qatar World Cup 2022 throughtraining and advice on corporate communications. The team, madeup of Professor Ralph Tench, Lucy Laville, Dr Ioannis Kostopoulosand Phil Clements, have recently been running short coursesfor the Josoor Institute, covering marketing andPR for major sporting events.www.blmforum.net05-09:Layout 1 3/3/14 08:43 Page 5Next >