Leeds aerospace distributor buys six acres of land
A Leeds-based distributor to the international aerospace industry is scaling up its operation and pioneering innovation, with the purchase of approximately six acres of land to bring its office and warehouse space onto one site, laying the foundation for its new Innovation Hub.
Aeroservices operates in over 100 countries and offers a range of services including maintenance and new component development.
It recently purchased land in West Yorkshire to build its new Aviation Business Park and bring its UK warehousing, in-house maintenance operations and research and development (R&D) offering under one roof. The acquisition was supported by a funding package from Lloyds Bank to support Aeroservices’ next decade of growth plans.
The business is investing in a new ‘Product Innovation Lab’ where it will work on market-leading projects with the University of Leeds and other leading academia in the UK. More widely, its R&D work will focus on automation and robotics as the company looks to maximise productivity and efficiency in aviation sector.
Bringing its capabilities onto one site will allow Aeroservices to scale up its operations and sell more to other businesses directly. To support this, the firm is planning to invest in a fleet of electric vans for delivery, as well as triple its workforce over the coming years.
The business is also looking to invest in solar panels and other energy-efficient technologies for the new warehouse and office space, as part of its wider sustainability plans.
Mashood Akmal, CEO at Aeroservices Limited, said: “Innovation is at the heart of Aeroservices, so this expansion will help accelerate our research and development and place West Yorkshire at the centre of the aerospace sector map.
“We’ve been with Lloyds Bank from day one and following recent support to help us adapt during the Covid-19 pandemic, we were confident they were the right partner for our latest growth plans.
“Purchasing the new site is the first big step towards our wider Aeroservices Vision 2030, and Lloyds Bank has been instrumental in making that happen. We look forward to continuing to work alongside them as we build and develop our new Aviation Business Park.”
Tony Buchan, relationship director at Lloyds Bank, said: “We’ve supported Aeroservices since it was founded, and it’s great to be working together again, this time to support with plans to invest in its R&D offering and scale up its operations by bringing its various capabilities in-house.
“Aerospace is a key sector in West Yorkshire and the business is a great example of the leading innovators that are making the region their home.
“We’ll be by the side of the business from day-one to completion of this project, and beyond. And will be on hand to provide additional support, from new opportunities for growth through to advice around sustainability.”
Mayor urges government to back Harrogate College rebuild
Elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire earlier this year, David Skaith has recently written to the new Secretary of State for Education requesting an extension to the time limit attached to the Department for Education’s (DfE) funding for the £22m rebuild at Harrogate College.
The Mayor’s letter to Bridget Phillipson is being supported by a host of other influential figures including Tom Gordon MP, the recently elected Member of Parliament for Harrogate and Knaresborough, and David Hughes CBE, the Chief Executive for the Association of Colleges. A number of local headteachers, employers and organisations have all also added their signatures in support.
Designed to upgrade the college’s facilities so they can meet the area’s current and emerging skills needs, the campus redevelopment was due to start this year and complete in 2025. However, the launch of a Judicial Review has knocked the timetable back, jeopardising the DfE funding.
In his letter, Mr Skaith said: “I’m writing on this occasion to request an extension to the funding timeline for Harrogate College to complete the much-needed rebuild they have planned through your Department’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund.
“North Yorkshire Council had granted the college planning permission…and preparations were being made for construction to begin. However, an application for Judicial Review has been made by a local individual opposed to the rebuild. This is highly unusual given the new college is being built on the current site.
“The council remains confident that the project will still be granted planning permission, albeit at a delayed pace. This delay does mean, however, that the funding underpinning the rebuild is now threatened as a result of the expected completion date being delayed until September 2026.
“Missing this valuable window of opportunity to redevelop Harrogate’s only general further education college would be a damaging outcome for local people, employers and the regional economy.”
Principal of Harrogate College, Danny Wild said: “I’m immensely grateful to David Skaith and others who have signed this letter supporting our planned rebuild.
“I hope the levels of local and regional support for the project are recognised by the new Secretary of State for Education and our request for an extension to the funding timeline is approved.
“The redevelopment of the campus will present new opportunities for training and education that will help deliver the growth aspirations for North Yorkshire. Losing this valuable opportunity to redevelop Harrogate’s only further education college will have a long-term detrimental impact on our local people, employers and the regional economy.”
Local MP, Tom Gordon, who has also separately written to the Education Secretary to urge for an extension, said: “Colleges, and the valuable work they do training our workforce and opening up opportunities for people of all ages, are close to my heart.
“We are very fortunate to have a great college, serving the area, here in Harrogate – but in a rapidly-changing world it simply cannot afford to stand still.
“Harrogate College needs this redevelopment to ensure it has the facilities to keep delivering the evolving skills our region needs as we go forward – particularly in the rapidly growing green skills sector.”
The redevelopment would see the main college building replaced with a sustainable, modern property equipped with a host of facilities including a mock hospital ward and digital technology suite.
The proposals would also see a new renewable energy technology centre opened on the campus, to help the college expand its work in the fast-growing sustainability sector.
Sheffield Forgemasters seeks planning for new facility in Sheffield’s Meadowhall district
Engineering specialist, Sheffield Forgemasters, has submitted a pre-planning application for a landmark 30,000m2 machining facility on brownfield land in Sheffield’s Meadowhall district.
Located on a 16-acre plot at Weedon Street, the new facility will form one of the world’s most advanced large machining facilities, to support the Ministry of Defence-owned company’s manufacture for the UK defence programme.
With work on the site planned to start in Q4 2024, the building will cover a space equal to 12 olympic-sized swimming pools and will contain 17 new machines, including some of the largest and most advanced five-axis Vertical Turning Lathes ever produced.
Gareth Barker, Chief Operating Officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “The pre-planning application covers an ambitious new project, to create a facility which will deliver some of the world’s most advanced, large-scale machining capabilities.
“Creating this new facility on derelict ground, which was once part of Sheffield’s engineering past, is an amazing investment for the city and for the wider UK, which will create highly-skilled engineering jobs for decades to come.
“The building is set to become an iconic landmark and the sheer scale of the endeavour is actually larger than construction of the UK’s largest open-die forging-line, which is underway on our adjacent Brightside Lane site.”
Plans for the new machining facility detail a main building with a circa 272.5 x 110 metre footprint, standing 32 metres tall, located close to the River Don and designed to complement the historic look of the company’s existing buildings.
Adjoining the main construction is a second, proposed 3,500m2 building, with a state-of-the-art test-house facility and a dedicated training area, to transfer vital skills to the next generation of engineers.
Gareth added: “The scope of what we are creating in the centre of Britain’s industrial heartland is truly monumental and will not only de-risk supply for the UK and trilateral AUKUS defence programmes, it will provide some of the most technologically advanced and rewarding working facilities for our employees.”
The machining facility is set to be operational by the end of 2028 and will deliver unmatched levels of speed, accuracy and efficiency for the manufacture of large, highly complex, nuclear-grade components.
All of the new machines are bespoke to Sheffield Forgemasters’ requirements, and are already being designed and built by machine tools specialist, WaldrichSiegen.
Both the company’s new forging line and proposed machine shop will service defence and also commercial work in sectors such as civil nuclear power, creating a new generation of engineers and designers trained to work with Industry 4.0 technologies.
JLL acted on behalf of Sheffield Forgemasters for the site acquisition and planning submissions.
John Good Group opens new offices in Hessle
John Good Group has opened its new HQ at Quarry House on the Hesslewood Office Park in Hessle.
The opening of the purpose-built office was marked by the company’s Annual General Meeting, where John Good Group welcomed the Good family shareholders and wider stakeholders to the new building. The event was also the first AGM of the modern era, attended by three generations of the Good family.
CEO Adam Walsh said:“The official opening of Quarry House is a significant milestone for us, celebrating not just a new office, but the culmination of two years of transition and growth. Quarry House, alongside our beautiful Hesslewood Office Park, provides the perfect environment for our team today and for future generations of employees and business partners.
“Quarry House is also a testament to John Good Group’s commitment to sustainability and investing in creating a working environment that prioritises both well-being and performance. Every choice was considered from multiple perspectives including commercial, employee experience and sustainability. The project team, led by our Chief Financial Officer Ben Norman, with input from Julie Ornsby, Steve Pullen, Darren Howden, and Michelle Taft, have done a superb job. They should be congratulated for what they have delivered for the business and their colleagues.”
The newly-constructed Quarry House is a cornerstone of the Group’s Fast Forward plans, which emphasises strategic growth alongside commitments to People, Planet, and Performance. The design of Quarry House was guided by a sustainable and local-first philosophy, using nearby suppliers to support the local economy. This sustainable approach includes locally-sourced timber, recycled fishing nets repurposed into a boardroom carpet, and reclaimed materials from a Canary Wharf building for raised access flooring.
South Yorkshire football ground to continue as ‘MEPS International Home of Football Stadium’
Sheffield FC’s ground will be called ‘The MEPS International Home of Football Stadium’ for the entirety of the upcoming campaign.
Partnerships Manager Dylan Ralph said: “We are thrilled to retain MEPS International as stadium sponsor and a major partner of The Club.
“We’ve also got some great content and brand activations planned, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
“We look forward to welcoming all of our supporters to The MEPS International Home of Football Stadium in the season ahead, with hopefully plenty to celebrate.”
Joe Rugg, Commercial Lead at MEPS International said: “We’re thrilled to be renewing the naming rights of the MEPS International Home of Football Stadium.
“Steel and football lie at the heart of Sheffield’s heritage, and as MEPS International celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2024, it feels poignant that we’re able to maintain close ties with a such a historic and enduring sports club that is also such a globally-recognised symbol of the city.
“We’re proud to see the MEPS name displayed at the stadium and can’t wait for another exciting season to get under way.”
Bradford-based food group expands further with a slice of cheesecake market business
Bradford-based Regal Food Products Group Plc expands further with acquisition of artisan cheesecake makers Love Cheesecakes.
Based in Lancaster, Love Cheesecakes specialises in handcrafting over 100 premium cheesecakes for wholesale, food services and the hospitality sector.
In 2020 Love Cheesecakes appeared on TV show, Dragons’ Den, giving the artisan bakery a step on the online ladder. The bakery now also holds a strong online presence through several ecommerce platforms in which it operates. With a strong focus on gifting, the service allows customers to indulge in doorstep desserts at home.
Since the acquisition of Just Desserts Yorkshire in 2022 and more recently Love Handmade Cakes, the Regal Group have strategically focused on growing and developing their desserts range in the food service and wholesale market.
Younis Chaudhry, CEO of Regal Food Products Group said: “The acquisition of Love Cheesecakes will further strengthen our chilled desserts portfolio allowing us to give customers a solid offer across all ranges and price points.”
“With a catalogue of over 100 products, there will be plenty of opportunities for new product developments, giving us the platform to bring a whole new range of exciting flavours and combinations to customers old and new.”
“As a group we have the resources and infrastructure in place to bring Love Cheesecakes in line with our vision and family of dessert brands and look forward to integrating the bakery and its assets into one of our existing manufacturing sites.
“This strategic step will further strengthen our growth and open up opportunities in the chilled desserts category.”
James Asquith, founder of Love Cheesecakes adds: “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for the Love Cheesecakes, promising tremendous growth and innovation. I am confident that Regal Food Products Group’s expertise and resources will take the bakery to new heights, reaching even more customers and continuing to deliver the quality and values we as a business stand for.”
Housing association Chief Exec calls for political unity over homebuilding
The chief exec of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association has urged politicians from all parties to support more housebuilding following the announcement in today’s King’s Speech of proposed changes to planning laws and the introduction of housing targets to boost the delivery of new homes.
Lee Bloomfield said: “The country has endured a deepening housing crisis for many years which has curtailed life chances and stunted economic progress in deprived communities.
“Sadly, successive governments have backed away from their housebuilding commitments after encountering opposition either within their own ranks or from local pressure groups.
“I welcome the measures outlined in the King’s Speech aimed squarely at delivering the homes we need in Bradford, Keighley, and elsewhere – but we have been here before.
“This time must be different which means Ministers sticking to their policy pledges and standing strong in the face of the inevitable challenges to new developments.
“That task will be greatly helped by politicians from all parties accepting the need to build new homes, rather than habitually opposing local housebuilding for political gain.”
Founded in 1986, Manningham Housing Association manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley. Over 80 per cent of residents are of South Asian origin but the association proudly serves all of those in need.
Manraj lands Director role with Quantuma
Business advisory firm Quantuma has promoted restructuring expert Manraj Mand to the role of Director in its Yorkshire practice. Manraj is based in Quantuma’s premises in Leeds and also spends time in the firm’s Bradford office.
Manraj joined Quantuma in 2021 as a Senior Manager from a regional restructuring practice, where he had worked for the previous nine years. He began working in corporate insolvency in 2012 and qualified as an Insolvency Practitioner in 2018.
Manraj provides advice to owner-manager SMEs and has significant experience in the care industry, retail, and property sectors. He also advises clients who are in personal financial difficulty.
He said: “I really appreciate the recognition from my colleagues and continuous support from the business community. As a firm, Quantuma continues to have tremendous ambition and I look forward to giving my continued support to the brand and to promoting our service lines in Yorkshire and further afield.”
Quantuma MD Rehan Ahmed added: “We are very pleased to recognise Manraj’s achievements since joining Quantuma in 2021. Manraj has a wealth of experience, and he is committed to helping to achieve best outcomes for clients at all times, so it has been a pleasure to support him in progressing his career over the past three years.”
Google returns to York to talk AI with city’s businesses
For the second year running, York has hosted a meeting of medieval architecture and cutting edge technology as local businesses boosted their digital skills with Google.
Over 80 businesses from York and North Yorkshire gathered on Tuesday 16 July for a day of free digital skills training delivered by Google Digital Garage in partnership with City of York Council.
Held in the city’s fourteenth-century Hospitium, Tuesday’s session concluded a series of three events – two online webinars and one live training day.
Over two years of the council’s partnership with Google Digital Garage, over 400 businesses have been able to learn new digital skills thanks to these events.
Debbie Weinstein, MD of Google UK & Ireland, said: “Digital technologies are truly transformative and can help businesses and individuals across the UK to increase their earnings, boost their productivity and unlock their full potential.
“As a former business owner myself, I understand how tough it is to know where to turn to for advice. That’s why we’re providing hands-on support as part of our nationwide digital skills drive to help equip more people with invaluable skills that help to create jobs and economic opportunities.”
Among the topics covered were crafting effective AI prompts, how to save time using AI-powered tools and techniques and the fundamentals of data analysis. Businesses also learned how to problem solve like a consultant, by defining a ‘problem statement’, implementing proven problem-solving techniques and finally, evaluating solutions.
Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture, said: “York is well known for its fabulous history, but it is also at the cutting edge of science and innovation. This Google digital garage taking place in our medieval Hospitium shows how York’s future economy sits easily with our proud heritage.
“Our Council Plan, ‘One City for All’ aims to build a thriving economy that is driven by innovation and good business. These events are just one example of the work our business growth managers are doing to help local businesses to upskill, innovate and grow.
“We’ve seen rapid growth in the AI tools now available to businesses of all shapes and sizes, and it’s vital that our local businesses are able to use these to their advantage, to boost their profits and remain globally competitive.
“It’s been a really enjoyable, engaging day and I hope that our city’s businesses have been inspired to seize the opportunities offered by AI.”
Pukka Pies signs up for another year with Sheffield FC
Sheffield FC and Pukka Pies will continue their sponsorship agreement into next season.
SFC Partnerships Manager Dylan Ralph said: “We are delighted to have continued the partnership with Oukka and be using them as The Club’s official supplier in our ground. There is so much synergy between both brands, with over 200 years of history between us.”
Pukka’s Sport & Stadia Sector Manager, Nik Jones said: “Pukka are delighted to continue our partnership with The World’s First Football Club, and be available in their rightful place at The Home of Football.”
The news comes hot on the heels of agreement with Propensio Finance to continue as Dugout and Community Partner for the season.
Propensio Finance CEO Dave Hindle said: “Renewing our dugout sponsorship and community partnership with Sheffield F.C. was never in doubt. This partnership reflects our shared values, love for football, and engaging the community. We’re excited to be one of the many supporters of this institution as they begin the journey towards their new stadium. Up The Club!”
The dugout is a focal point during matches, symbolising strategy, teamwork, and the spirit of the game. Propensio Finance and The Club are forward-looking and committed to innovation and future growth.
Chairman Richard Tims, said: “It’s great to have Propensio as a partner at The World’s First Football Club.
“There is a real synergy between both brands and the branding on the dugouts looks fantastic. We’re really grateful for their support and we’re looking forward to growing our partnership even more this season.”
