British Steel creates bespoke rails for Belgium
British Steel’s Scunthorpe Rail and Section Mill has worked with Belgian railway infrastructure operator Infrabel to develop a type of rail used exclusively in Belgium.
As one of few rail suppliers to roll this profile, British Steel is now positioned as an indispensable partner to Infrabel for many years to come.
Craig Harvey, Commercial Director said: “Our commitment to technological innovation enables us to offer customer solutions built on our core strengths of metallurgy and manufacturing excellence.
“We have developed many partnering relationships and have become a strategic supply chain partner to many organisations around the world. This latest development with Infrabel will see our footprint in the supply chain increase and provide Infrabel with additional purchasing options for their rail needs.”
Raphael Burniaux, Head of Production of Infrabel’s rail welding workshop said: “35% of the rails we weld are 50E2 rails. We are very pleased with this partnership, as it has made it possible to make the supply of this less common, but essential profile more reliable for Infrabel”.
A key element of the supply contract was British Steel’s ability to supply the first delivery of the new profile to Infrabel’s schedule, meaning the first load has already been delivered.
Most countries operate one or two different rail profiles, often unique to their own national railway network. Different profiles have been selected historically based on the specific traffic demands and environmental conditions in that country.
The wide spectrum of track and traffic conditions found in the modern railway environment is matched by our comprehensive range of steel rail products. By working in partnership with customers, manufacturers can ensure products fulfil the demands of the international railway industry.
Mr Harvey aded: “New and bespoke rail profiles will always be considered based on minimum order quantities and although we introduce many new profiles each year, this development for Infrabel creates the blueprint for us to supply 50kg rail profiles worldwide.
“The 50 in the profile name refers to the weight of a rail per unit length and it is an important factor in determining rail strength and hence axle loads and speeds. All British Steel rail profiles are measured in kg per metre meaning that for every metre of the profile there is 50kg of weight.
“Our rail products and grades can be matched precisely to track conditions, track types, environmental conditions and lots of other variables to ensure that every rail we deliver provides the best performance throughout its service life.”
North Yorkshire sees record number of companies despite economic challenges
North Yorkshire has hit a record high in business registrations, with 67,293 companies now operating in the region, up from 65,895 at the end of 2023. Over the past year, 8,830 new businesses were established across the county, including significant growth in cities like York and Middlesbrough. This data comes from the Inform Direct Review of Company Formations, using information from Companies House and the Office for National Statistics.
The national trend reflects similar growth, with the UK’s total number of companies rising to 5,637,210 from 5,476,772 in 2023, fueled by 848,192 new formations and 690,501 dissolutions during the year.
Northern Trust acquires Brighouse Business Village for £2.85m
Northern Trust Company has acquired Brighouse Business Village in Middlesbrough for £2.85 million. The multi-let industrial estate spans 41,224 sq ft across 29 units, ranging from 729 sq ft to 3,815 sq ft.
Located near the A66, the site is adjacent to Northern Trust’s existing properties at Collingwood Court and Harwood Court within Riverside Park Industrial Estate, roughly one mile from Middlesbrough Town Centre.
This acquisition boosts Northern Trust’s presence in the North East, increasing its portfolio to over 3 million sq ft. The company emphasised that the site’s strategic location enhances its ability to support local businesses and provides greater flexibility for tenants.
Sheffield strengthens international trade ties with focus on key business sectors
Sheffield’s leaders, including Council Leader Tom Hunt and Chief Executive Kate Josephs, recently visited Pittsburgh, USA, as part of an international strategy to boost trade and investment in key local sectors. The three-day trip saw them engage with over 50 representatives from 16 organisations, including government officials, business leaders, and academics.
The primary goal was to forge deeper ties in advanced manufacturing, health technology, cultural industries, and the tech sector. Sheffield is focusing on these sectors for growth, and the visit was designed to drive collaboration and investment in these industries. The city’s strong manufacturing and health tech capabilities align with Pittsburgh’s similar strengths, offering numerous opportunities for mutual business development.
Sheffield and Pittsburgh, sister cities since 1980, share a rich industrial heritage. Both are positioning themselves for future prosperity through international trade and investment. The visit laid the groundwork for continued collaboration, knowledge sharing, and potential business partnerships in both cities.
Siemens Mobility plots greener future at Goole Rail Village
Siemens Mobility is looking to a greener future for the rail industry with a range of low-carbon investments at its Goole Rail Village.
The Rail Village now has minimal operational emissions, with green energy generation, clean heating systems and sustainable transport policies all significantly reducing the site’s carbon footprint.
Siemens Mobility’s investment of up to £240 million in the Goole Rail Village represents a significant commitment to the North of England, with the site featuring manufacturing, components, logistics, innovation and office facilities, establishing it as a centre of excellence for rail technology in the UK.
The company has set bold targets for the decarbonisation of its operations and supply chain, alongside supporting the ambitions of customers and the wider rail industry.
Finbarr Dowling, Siemens Mobility Director of Localisation, said: “Our vision from the very outset was for the Goole Rail Village to be net zero in its operations by 2030, with this state-of-the-art facility playing a central part in our mission to transform rail travel and transport in the UK.
“This strategic focus has informed the development of a state-of-the-art rail cluster that leads the way on decarbonisation for the industry, with facilities that are streets ahead of many across the sector.
“It also underpins everything we do at Goole, ensuring that our buildings, energy generation and consumption, how we work, and travel to and from the site all minimise our carbon impact.
“That is hugely important for us, as a business committed to the highest sustainability standards, as well as to our customers, stakeholders and partners as they strive for excellence in environmental responsibility.”
Siemens Mobility has installed 1,700 solar panels across the three manufacturing buildings at the Goole site, which have now been connected and are capable of generating up to 1MW of clean energy – the equivalent of powering more than 150 homes.
Sited on the trucking, final assembly and commissioning buildings, the £2 million solar array covers almost 215,000 sq ft of roof space and is producing sufficient energy to meet the site’s needs.
Green energy produced by the panels during the site’s non-production hours, such as during weekends, is exported back to the grid, while any additional energy required during peak times is exclusively from renewable sources.
Siemens Mobility has set targets to reduce emissions in own operations by 55 per cent by 2025, and 90 per cent by 2030, with the production of its own renewable energy at sites such as Goole playing a vital part in that transition.
The solar array complements other sustainability measures which are contributing to the Goole site’s low carbon credentials.
Siemens Mobility has invested £2 million to install more than 40 localised air source heat pumps to heat the production facilities at Goole, an initiative projected to cut its carbon output by 980 tonnes per year, an 88 per cent reduction.
The business is also electrifying its vehicle fleet and rolling out EV charging points across the Goole site to ultimately install around 70 chargers, one for every 10 parking spaces.
Commercial property owners face challenges in meeting energy efficiency targets
A new study from the British Property Federation (BPF) revealed that most commercial buildings in key UK cities fall short of the government’s energy efficiency expectations. In a survey covering real estate in London, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, and other major cities, 83% of commercial properties had an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating below B.
With stringent regulations looming, commercial building owners face rising costs and limited government guidance. The BPF’s analysis points to a significant gap, with only 17% of properties in cities like Manchester and London achieving the required EPC rating of A or B. The current rules, which set a target of EPC B by 2030, require an ambitious increase in retrofitting to meet the standards across millions of square feet of commercial space.
For example, while 20% of commercial buildings meet the minimum EPC B in Manchester, over 10 million square feet still need to be upgraded to meet the 2030 deadline. Nationwide, this translates to the need for 94,595 square metres of space to be upgraded daily over the next five years.
However, the BPF is critical of the government’s lack of response to consultations that addressed these issues. They argue that the proposed interim targets—EPC C by 2027—are now unrealistic, and without more explicit guidance from the government, property owners are left in limbo.
Rob Wall of the BPF stressed that the commercial real estate sector is committed to improving energy efficiency but requires clearer rules on compliance, exemptions, and enforcement. He added that the slow pace of progress could delay meeting the EPC B target unless the government offers immediate clarity on the path forward.
Business advisers and accountants, Fortus makes acquisition to support growth in Leeds
Fortus, the business advisers and accountants, has acquired Charles Stewart & Co, a respected firm located in the heart of central Leeds.
The strategic move enhances Fortus’ compliance capabilities, and provides a robust foundation for further growth in the city.
Craig Herbert, Group CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome and integrate the talented Charles Stewart & Co team to Fortus! Ensuring that client service remains consistent and unchanged is an absolute priority for us and given our team now consists of 120 outstanding people, we’re confident of successfully navigating that challenge.
“We will now be able to leverage the combined expertise of both teams, ultimately delivering enhanced value to clients of Charles Stewart & Co.
“This acquisition also solidifies our presence in the city of Leeds and positions us for scalable growth in the future which, aligning with our 5-year growth strategy, focuses on us coming together with businesses driven by culture, in-house expertise and quality clients.”
Former owner of Charles Stewart & Co, Andrew Charles – now a Director at Fortus – said: “This acquisition is crucial for my business and for my team.
“Not only does it provide our clients with an array of additional services that a firm of our size has not previously been able to offer in-house, but it also gives my team the security of being part of a bigger business which will unlock many opportunities for their own personal professional growth.
“It will very much be business as usual for all concerned and I’m looking forward to working with Craig and his exceptional team in the coming years!”
Plans for waterfront office building conversion to support college expansion
Leeds City College, part of Luminate Education Group (LEG), has submitted a proposal to convert the vacant Livingstone House office building at Leeds West Dock into an educational space. The six-story building, currently unoccupied, would be repurposed for both education and office use to accommodate Leeds City College’s expanding needs.
The conversion would help support the college’s growth strategy, enabling the facility to serve approximately 1,000 students. This move follows the college’s recent expansions, including the new Pudsey Sixth Form College and additional buildings at its Mabgate campus.
The project is expected to retain around 70 jobs and create more opportunities in the future. The planning statement highlights that the conversion aligns with local policies for sustainable economic development, benefiting the education sector and the local economy.
Raft of businesses to move into Sheffield’s Heart of the City development
Multinational companies, local independents, cafes, and creatives are among the five new businesses moving into Sheffield City Council’s Heart of the City development over the coming months.
They include Danish inspired HYGGE café, an independent local business who are expanding into the ground floor of Elshaw House whilst keeping their existing sites at Fitzalan Square and Eyre Street.
Global professional services company Turner & Townsend has also agreed to move into Elshaw House, becoming the second major business to take up space in Sheffield’s first zero-carbon office block. The multi-disciplinary project management and programme delivery firm has been working with Sheffield City Council and Queensberry on delivering the Heart of the City project. Chris Sargent, Managing Director, Real Estate UK at Turner & Townsend, said: “We are thrilled to be moving to Elshaw House, a pioneering development that aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and wellbeing. “This move not only provides us with a larger, state-of-the-art workspace but also places us at the heart of Sheffield’s vibrant and transformed city centre. The exceptional amenities and green credentials of Elshaw House will undoubtedly enhance our team’s productivity and overall work experience. “We are especially proud to relocate to a building that we played a significant role in delivering as Project and Cost Managers as part of the Heart of the City II development. This achievement reflects our dedication to excellence and innovation, and we look forward to continuing our growth and success in this outstanding new location.”Work underway on energy efficient new homes in Doncaster
Work is well underway at an affordable housing development in Doncaster which is set to see over 50 homes built in the area.
Together Housing, a social housing provider based in the North of England, is working with house builder, Wordsworth Properties, to provide energy efficient, affordable homes in Balby.
Marking the progression made on site, both organisations, as well as representatives from Identity Consult, were joined by Councillor Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Business from City of Doncaster Council, and Ben McLaughlin, Senior Manager of Affordable Housing Delivery for Homes England, to see the work commencing and speak to the teams involved in the process.
The scheme off Cross Bank has been designed to support a range of housing needs in Doncaster and comprises one, two, three, and four-bed homes built in a considered mix of terraced and semi-detached homes.
Funded through the government’s Homes England funding scheme, the development aligns with Together Housing’s Net Zero commitments; each home will be fitted with energy upgrades including solar panels, EV charging points and Air Source Heat Pumps.
Two-bed adapted bungalows are being built, fitted with an accessible kitchen layout including adjustable worktops and a level access shower. Ceilings have been designed to support the need of a hoist and each bungalow will also be fitted with an electric wheelchair charging point, located inside the property.
In addition to the 39 affordable rent homes, the project is also set to deliver 18 homes for shared ownership to be managed and sold via Together Homes, part of the Together Housing Group.
Councillor Glyn Jones, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Business, said: “As part of our five-year Housing Delivery Plan, we are committed to enhancing housing options for older residents, families and individuals with physical disabilities. These new homes align with our goals, ensuring that local communities benefit significantly.
“Designed with affordability and energy efficiency in mind, these homes will provide comfortable living while also prioritising sustainability. Through thoughtful development, we are not only meeting housing needs but also protecting and enhancing the natural environment for future generations.
“We are incredibly excited to see this project come to fruition and witness the positive impact it will have on the lives of local residents.”
Dai Howells, Assistant Director of Development at Together Housing, said: “Cross Bank is shaping up to be a dynamic development and we were thrilled to show Councillor Jones and Ben McLaughlin how we’re contributing to the affordable homes offering in Doncaster.
“We’re passionate about developing communities for future generations and to have three housing types available and homes for shared ownership widens the market for more people.
“It’s been great working with Wordsworth Properties to deliver energy efficient homes that meet high quality standards and we’re eager to share the completed development with the local community in the coming year.”
