< Previous20Business Link www.blmforum.netEND OF YEAR SUCCESS STORIESArchitecture and Morecelebrate stellar year Architecture and More, the Brough-based RIBA Chartered Practice, hasenjoyed a stellar year working on projects with clients of all sizes, national andinternational. This year, the company has provided design management support to theSewell Group on a new academy built in Hull under the Building Schools forthe Future programme. It also provided CDM consultancy services to BAESystems on several projects including the transformation into HumberEnterprise Park. As if that wasn’t enough, the company has worked on the £105 millionCentre for Scientific Excellence that RB is building in Hull and a £1.5 millionoffice refurbishment for RB in Slough. To say that the company’s client base is varied would be understatement. As well as the above, Architecture and More has also worked on anew place of worship for Revive Church in Hull as well as providing a chapel conversion to a private dwelling in East Yorkshire. For more information, visit www.architectureandmore.co.uk.© Shutterstock/RAY-BONhappened. With the disruption, loss ofjobs and knock-on effects to suppliersand contractors, the effects will still befelt years from now. Collapse and liquidation have been acommon theme for much of this year,with a domino effect taking place onBritish high streets as big names in theretail and hospitality sectors ceasetrading and vanish into the annals ofhistory. Although some chains haveentered company voluntary arrangementsto close outlets and lay off staff, othershad no other choice but to close up shopfor good. So while House of Fraser wassaved from the brink by Billionaireentrepreneur Mike Ashley, we’ve biddenfarewell to Toys ‘R’ Us, Maplin andPoundworld. The supermarket sector hasalso been forced to shutter shops andreduce headcounts as the high streetsqueeze continues. Many have pointedthe finger towards the shift towardsonline spending, though rising high streetrents, inflation and stagnant wages havealso been blamed. In any case, tens ofthousands of jobs have been lost in thesesectors alone this year, painting a bleakpicture for business. Although sustainability has been in thespotlight this year, health has also been amajor concern. It’s no secret that theworld has an obesity crisis. In England,more than half of adults are now classedas obese, and with bigger waistlinescomes a whole host of related diseases,including diabetes, heart disease andstroke. Suffice it to say that excessivesugar, salt and saturated fat in food anddrink products have been public enemynumber one. To help counteract that, thegovernment has introduced its much-© Shutterstock/monticello18-21.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:21 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 21END OF YEAR SUCCESS STORIESHammer & Pincers crownedplatinum for second yearrunning For the second year running, the Hammer & Pincers pub on SwinesheadRoad in Boston has been awarded platinum in the prestigious dining awardsorganised by our sister publication Lincolnshire Today. The awards seek to celebrate the county’s very best restaurants and diningexperiences. The judges found that the Hammer & Pincers excelled in everycriterion, from taste and presentation, to atmosphere and affordability. With its friendly staff and warm welcoming setting, the Hammer & Pincershas cemented itself as a go-too family favourite in its native Boston as well asattracting diners in from afar. The establishment provides a range ofentertainments, as well as offering ample space to host meetings and events. For more information, visit www.hammerandpincers-boston.co.uk.mooted sugar tax, though research hasquestioned the impact it will have.Companies have gotten in on the actiontoo, whether to avoid any levies or toappeal to the wallets of consumerslooking for lower sugar and salt varietiesof household favourites. Through all of this, though, there hasbeen Brexit bubbling away in thebackground and often dramaticallyexploding as we edge closer towards ourfinal departure date. The latter half of theyear has unfolded more like a soap operawith backstabbing, resignations andrevelations of rampant bullying inWestminster. But there seems to be someclarity and consensus (of a sort) finallyunfurling. As of going to print, all 27remaining EU leaders have signed offBritain’s Brexit agreement. A victory forMay, albeit a small one, who now has theunenviable task of persuading lawmakersin the UK Parliament to vote for her deal. All in all, it’s been a mixed year forbusiness and for the country at large. Sorather than end on a downer, and in thespirt of the festive season, we’ll end withsomething a little more light-hearted. Webid a fond farewell to the paper tennerand welcomed the futuristic polymer notefeaturing literary icon Jane Austen inplace of Charles Darwin. Then we alsohad a royal wedding. Now, say what youwant about those unelected spongers,but there’s nothing quite like a royalwedding to bring the nation together.Lastly, we lost Stephen Hawking, KenDodd, Peter Stringfellow and BarryChuckle, among others. While that maybe sad, just imagine the parties that lotare having up in heaven. That’s sure toput a smile on your face.© Shutterstock/Tonis Valing18-21.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:21 Page 422Business Link www.blmforum.netPORTS & LOGISTICSTel: 01482 506560 • Email:sales@datamarkuk.com• Website: www.datamarkuk.com•Plain / Printed Labels•Thermal Transfer Ribbons•Lasersheets•Fanfolded Labels•Barcode LabelsConnectivityis vitalThe ports of our region are vital to the UK’strade, but further investment in Yorkshire andLincolnshire’s roads and rail, as well inconstruction of warehouses, is essential tomaintain freight growth.22-25.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:24 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 23PORTS & LOGISTICSThe UK’s leading under waterengineering servicesince 1963Oslo Road • Sutton Fields Ind Est. • Hull HU7 0YN • Tel: +44 (0)1482 227276 (24-Hours)Email: contact@northerndivers.co.uk • www.northerndivers.co.ukActing as a gateway between theMidlands Engine and NorthernPowerhouse, Yorkshire and Lincolnshireare ideally located for the logisticsindustry in the heart of the UK. Withsolid rail links, dedicated freight onlylines, and road connections that offeraccess to the UK’s most important routes- such as the M1, M18 and M62 - andallow those in Greater Lincolnshire toreach 75% of the UK population in 4hours, the region further boasts anumber of ports. Lincolnshire forinstance holds the Port of Grimsby andImmingham, the UK’s largest port bytonnage, which handles approximately55 million tonnes, or 12%, of the UK’scargo. Its location on the HumberEstuary gives the region a place on oneof Europe’s most busy trade routes andthe port has direct routes to Europe aswell as America, Australia, the MiddleEast, Africa and the Far East. Theconnectivity of our region is particularlyvital as 95% of UK trade passes throughports. Earlier in the year it was revealedthat exports from Yorkshireoutperformed national figures, rising by8.7% to £16.9bn for the year endingMarch 2018.In addition the Hull, Goole, Grimsbyand Immingham, ports in our regiontogether contribute £2.2bn annually tothe UK economy. Hull also houses one ofthe UK’s largest port developments withGreen Port Hull, a centre for renewableenergy. The support for our ports hasbeen bolstered by investment this year.Most recently, it was announced lastmonth (November) that Immingham portwould receive a £65m steel investmentas a result of British Steel transferring itsfacilities, and ABP prior to that revealedit would invest £36m in the port’sfacilities, on the container terminal, and£2.8m on expanding the land andservices available to support customeroperations. Looking elsewhere, Port ofHull received a £3m investment toaccommodate demand. Investment isalso being made to grow the region’s railfreight to support port connectivity, withNetwork Rail partnering with NorthLincolnshire Council and the HumberLEP to invest over £15m in rail freightgrowth to allow high cube shippingcontainers to run on standard heightwagons from Immingham to Doncaster,removing the requirement of low floorwagons which are expensive to run.Despite the offerings in the region, itis no secret that more still needs to bedone by the Government to betterconnect the UK to our ports. ADepartment for Transport study onEngland’s port connectivity found thatinvestment in better connections couldboost the economy, and both importsand exports, and the Civil EngineeringContractors Association noteimprovements to road and rail links tothe ports of Hull, Grimsby andImmingham will support freight growth.In addition to further support the portsector, emphasis needs to be placed oncombatting the UK’s desperate need formore warehousing space, which hasarisen partially as a result of thepopularity of online shopping. Yorkshiredevelopers are trying to tend to a lack ofgrade A warehousing, which is vital insupporting the port sector, with 6 unitscurrently under construction in theregion totalling 1.1 million sq ft -according to Savills’ latest ‘Big ShedBriefing’. The region has seen morespace be transacted (2.9m sq ft) in thefirst half on 2018 than in the entire of2017, leaving 2.5m sq ft for the region.The region also had the largest deal foran existing unit in the UK this year withthe 615,000 sq ft Sheffield 615, let toClipper Logistics.While there is a call for more© Shutterstock/Travel mania24 Á22-25.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:24 Page 224Business Link www.blmforum.netPORTS & LOGISTICSwarehouse space and for our region’stransport links to improve to supportport logistics, revolution is happeningconcurrently at UK ports themselvesand in their associated warehouses.UK ports are already beginning toembrace visions of the future withremotely operated equipment, atransition to a low carbon options,digitalisation and sophisticated dataplatforms. A survey from the UK MajorPorts Group (UKMPG) on the port of2050 highlights four areas for portdevelopment which include changesto the physical port environment,digital and automation technologiesand developments to improve thesustainability and environmentallyfriendliness of ports. Newtechnologies changing the portssector include autonomous ships,automated guided vehicles andremote-control cranes - which havethe potential to improve efficiency andspeed of loading and unloading - andsupply chain management systems.The restricted roadways and lack of© Shutterstock/VanderWolf Imagespedestrians at ports have made thesites prime for testing autonomousvehicles which can reduce numbers ofemployees on site and chances oferror and accidents. Overall the sector is embracing theidea of connected smart-porttechnologies, like sensors, that willmake ports more efficient, safer andmore sustainable. Many of thebenefits of smart-port technologiesare attributed to the increasedavailability and potential for use ofdata they allow via The Internet ofThings (IoT). Advanced data analyticsare bringing the power of predictionto ports, the wider logistics chain andin maintenance to allow for higherlogistical control and productivity.Smart-port technologies can: improveproductivity through the optimisationof cargo operations, coordinatevehicle movement to improve trafficflow between the port and cargodestination, streamline the sharing ofcargo and custom information,provide greater offerings to customers22-25.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:25 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 25PORTS & LOGISTICSYour worldwide freight and logistics partnerT: 01709 529709 www.daviesturner.comPIONEERS IN SERVICE SINCE 1870and reduce energyconsumption.In the now, examples of smart-port tech usedincludes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)technologies, which have become popular intracing goods and in supply chain management.RFID provides ports and customers with real-timelocation information, automated alerts andanalysable analytics. In using RFID technology onecan reduce inventory management labour andequipment, reducing costs, and speed upcontainer checkouts. Sensors are another example,which are being used at ports to monitorinfrastructure and help schedule predictivemaintenance to reduce the need for inspections.Data sensors can collect data on a variety ofthings such as water and weather and can be usedto decrease wait times and ascertain when it isoptimal for ships to dock and load or unload.Smart illumination systems are also now beingused to light up ports only when vehicles are inthe vicinity to reduce energy consumption. Whilecomplete automation and digitalisation of portsand warehouses is a ways off, we must keepinvesting in port innovation to remain competitive.© Shutterstock/Andrea SeemannTurning safeshipping intoan art formWhen you need to send asmall pre-packed package thereare a multitude of options toconsider, but when you or yourbusiness needs to movesomething larger or fragile orvaluable then the choices arefewer – especially if the deliverydestination is overseas. And ifthe items need packing thenyou will probably be wonderingwhat on earth to do.This is when PACK & SEND ‘delivers the goods’. Their growing network of easilyaccessed service centres are now the UK’s leading packing and shippingspecialists providing a custom, end-to-end service for getting virtually anything toalmost anywhere.They regularly handle packing and shipping for consumer and businesscustomers including safe delivery of antiques, musical instruments, servers andswitches, medical or laboratory equipment, tourist shipments, exhibition materialsand art of all ages and values. Services can include help with export and customs documents and completeloss or damage cover – whatever the shipment’s value. For more information, visit www.packsend.co.uk.22-25.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:25 Page 426Business Link www.blmforum.netTHE HUMBER BANKHeretostay 26-29.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:28 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 27THE HUMBER BANKWhen it comes to the Humber Bank, thearea has been going through what has beencalled an energy revolution for some time.Affectionately termed the UK’s `energyestuary` the area has seen a raft ofinvestment from firms across the globe, allseeking to tap into the area’s potential forrenewable energy. Developments such as Ørsted, Able andSiemens have had a knock-on effect on muchof the supply chain in the area, essentially aworking example of trickle-down economicsas companies seek to provide services tothese new investors. This is what truly led tothe green revolution in the area, as companieswho had never before really looked intorenewable energy were suddenly battling toadapt and innovate to catch the attention ofthese new companies.And to a degree it has helped to revitalisethe area. It’s worth pointing out that Hull, theHumber and the surrounding area has alwaysbeen a strong hub for business – but it’scertainly been a long time since attention wasfocused so keenly on the area. There’s more to the Humber than therenewables industry however, and it’s© Shutterstock/Luke BroughtonThe Humber region has experienced a surge of growth inrecent years, but with many projects now coming tocompletion – will it continue?28 Á26-29.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:28 Page 228Business Link www.blmforum.netTHE HUMBER BANKimportant to keep that in mind. Placing allyour eggs within one basket has neverbeen a good way to do business, butfortunately the Humber has much it cancall upon. The import and exportpotential of the area is unmatched, andmany manufacturing companies chooseto settle nearby in order to takeadvantage of the connections to WesternEurope and even further afield. In fact,figures show that 75% of manufacturingcompanies within the UK are within afour-hour drive of the Humber. This isbecause the Humber ports give access toover 320 million customers acrossmainland Europe within just 24 hours.With strong transport links via road, notto mention the proposed HS1 and HS2developments which could go evenfurther in opening up the area, it’s easy to© Shutterstock/Karl Everett26-29.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:28 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 29THE HUMBER BANKTel: 01482 325676 • Email: sales@kingston-engineering.co.uk • www.kingston-engineering.co.ukKingston Engineering are specialists in precision engineering, based in Hull. As one of the region’s leading companies in their sector, Kingston Engineering canprovide specialised power screw products, specialist leadscrew and ex-stock powernuts and screws. In addition, they can provide expertise and guidance in factoryand production machinery installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair.see why we have so many warehousesand distribution centres in the region.Many of which ship their goods directlythrough the Humber.And yet it turns out that many withinthe region are failing to tap into marketsoverseas, despite being positioning in afantastic location for it. Although Brexithas brought about uncertainty, it hasbeen doing so for some time and is likelyto continue, and Government initiativesare still in place to help educate, informand assist companies in exporting, bothto the EU and further afield. For many however, export remains anintimidating prospect – not because ofrisk or lack of potential customers, butpurely through the complex nature of it. Itis far easier to stick with what is knownand work with that, rather than to expandinto frightening new territory. Manybusiness organisations however arepromoting exports to all businesses withinthe region, and there are plenty oforganisations who can help – such as theUKTI. We will have to see if this becomes anymore targeted in recent months,particularly with the efforts of many in theregion to promote devolution. If theHumber region does find itself with morecontrol and independence fromWhitehall, then it might lead to moreopportunities for companies in the region.The Humber region has always been astrong one, with much of the UK’s historybeing founded in the area, but on thecusp of a new revolution – it is going fromstrength to strength. © Shutterstock/PhilMacDPhoto26-29.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2018 10:28 Page 4Next >