Future looks bright for Bell Lighting as it relocates and expands into new Normanton logistics space
Bell Lighting, a manufacturer and supplier of lighting to the wholesale sector, is relocating to newly refurbished logistics premises at Centre 31 in Normanton as part of its expansion plans.
CBRE Leeds and CPP have completed the letting of a 68,992 sq ft prime industrial/ warehouse at Foxbridge Way, acting on behalf of Kennedy Wilson. Bell Lighting were advised by Avison Young.
The move will see the family-run company double its logistics and office space, relocating from its existing premises at Unit A on Normanton Industrial Estate, and will create a number of new skilled jobs for the local area. Established in 1920, Bell Lighting is part of the Bell Group of Companies and has seen growing demand for new technology lighting, prompting the need for bigger premises.
Centre 31 is a modern, detached industrial unit comprising 48,823 sq ft of warehouse space with two floors of office accommodation totalling more than 20,000 sq ft on the well-established Normanton Industrial Estate.
Danielle Raunjak, associate director at CBRE Leeds, said: “We are delighted to agree a deal at Centre 31 to Bell Lighting to facilitate the company’s relocation into larger premises to support its growth strategy. Centre 31 is strategically located with excellent links to the nearby motorway network. This latest letting confirms the increasing demand for good quality industrial units within the region.”
Avison Young acted for Bell Lighting alongside Blacks Solicitors.
Rob Oliver, principal at Avison Young, said: “We were delighted to have worked with Bell Lighting on this search and acquisition project. Given the current supply demand dynamics, it can be challenging to acquire additional premises. We had to be creative, securing additional short-term premises, in addition to acquiring Unit C at Centre 31. We were aware this unit was likely to be vacated by WLT and felt it could provide a good option, given its size, specification and great location, so were very pleased to have been able to engage in discussions early and agree a deal.”
Jonathan Kay, senior associate solicitor, led the Commercial Property team at Blacks Solicitors and said: “We’ve really enjoyed working closely with Trevor and Ralph at Bell Lighting and Rob Oliver at Avison Young to secure the lease of new premises at Unit C, Foxbridge Way. I’m looking forward to seeing how the extra space will support Bell Lighting’s growth plans and the new jobs that will be created for people in the local area.”
Sixteen jobs saved as South Yorkshire-based joinery company bought out of administration
Following the appointment of Andrew Mackenzie and Louise Longley of Begbies Traynor as joint administrators of Mustang Joinery Limited on 4th May 2022, a sale of the business and assets has been completed, saving 16 jobs.
Based in Rotherham and founded in 1981, the company specialised in the manufacture of a range of bespoke window frames, staircases and door sets for local and national developers.
Unfortunately, the business suffered a downturn in turnover with the impact of prolonged lockdowns and restrictions caused by COVID-19 over the last two years causing this to accelerate significantly. This resulted in a build-up of HMRC arrears which could no longer be serviced.
After a period of accelerated marketing undertaken by Begbies Traynor Group, a pre-packaged sale to Mustang Bespoke Joinery Limited completed on 11th May. Gateley Legal providing advice to the administrators throughout the process.
Joint administrator Louise Longley said: “After more than 40 years of trading, Mustang Joinery became another casualty of the pandemic, with multiple lockdowns resulting in falling turnover and, ultimately, an inability to service its mounting HMRC arrears.
Having sought a buyer for the business, we are pleased to have secured this sale which is good news for employees, customers and suppliers.”
Yorkshire firms pledge support for Paces as it launches first-ever Business Club
Businesses from across Yorkshire have signed up to the first-ever business club from Paces, the leading specialist centre, charity and school for individuals with Cerebral Palsy and motor disorders.
The Sheffield-based charity, founded 25 years ago, welcomed the founder members of Club 300, and others interested in joining, to a launch event at Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.
The club has been formed as a way for businesses of all shapes and sizes to support Paces’ life changing work focused on conductive education, which offers children and adults life-changing skills – such as sitting, standing, walking, speaking, communication and self-care.
Membership costs just £300 per year and will entitle businesses to priority access to the charity’s events, exclusive networking opportunities and other marketing support.
The twelve founder members are GXO Logistics, Cinderella Support Services, Professional Energy Purchasing, Andy Hanselman Consulting, Glu Recruit, Irwin Mitchell, City Taxis, Line One Sales, Dawson Radford Solicitors, Bruce and Butler Cyber Security, TQ Environmental and Waverley Consultancy.
They have already been joined by new members, including Stowe Family Law, MultiWeb Marketing and Universal Office Supplies, and more are set to sign up following the launch event.
David Hall, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Paces, said:
“Paces has received so much support from many businesses over the last 25 years so we felt it was the right time to launch a club that allows them to come together and show their support for our adults and children, and allows us to say thank you to them for their incredible efforts.
“Our life-changing work is only possible thanks to the generosity of others across our community. Thank you to all our new members of Club 300 and, for any businesses interested in signing up, I promise this will be a fun and engaging partnership that makes a real difference to the incredible individuals we support at Paces.”
Newly appointed NHS Non-Executive Director excited to get to work at Lincolnshire mental health and learning disability trust
A newly appointed Non-Executive Director says he is hugely excited by his new role as he prepares to help reshape services for the future at Lincolnshire’s mental health and learning disability trust.
After a competitive selection process, Chris Wright was duly appointed to serve in the role on Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s (LPFT) board.
Mr Wright has served as a Chief Executive at a high performing large service delivery company in the ‘not for profit’ sector, as well as being able to call upon 35 years of experience in children’s services, social care and the criminal justice system.
His new role will see him work with the other Non-Executive Directors to ensure the vision and values of the Trust, as well as key objectives are being met
Mr Wright, who will perform the role for three years with the possibility of having that extended to six, said:
“I’m delighted to be joining the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as a Non-Executive Director.
“I believe passionately in the work of the Trust and its reach into communities across Lincolnshire.
“I’ve been hugely impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of colleagues across the Trust and their absolute commitment to providing people centred services across Lincolnshire. I very much look forward to getting stuck in”.
LPFT Chair, Kevin Lockyer added: “Chris’ strengths of leadership, management and making strategic decisions coupled with his business acumen and commercial skills will add real value to our Board of Directors.
“I am looking forward to getting to know Chris and working closely together to help provide the best mental health, learning disability and autism care we can to the people of Lincolnshire.”
Manufacturing output growth accelerates, but confidence falls further
UK manufacturing output grew at its fastest pace in ten months over the quarter to May, according to the latest monthly CBI Industrial Trends Survey.
Output still failed to keep pace with demand, however, as the volume of stocks of finished goods became less adequate compared with last month.
The balance of firms expecting to raise selling prices in the three months ahead increased slightly, moving closer to March’s record high.
The survey, based on the responses of 249 manufacturers, found:
- Manufacturing output growth picked up in the three months to May (balance of +30 from +19% in the three months to April), with output increasing at the fastest rate since the three months to July 2021. Although output growth is expected to ease in the three months to July (+23%), the pace of expansion will remain comfortably above the long-term average (+9).
- Total new orders were above normal to a greater extent than last month (+26% from +14% in April), matching the record high seen in March. Export order books were above normal to the greatest extent since January 2018 (+19% from -9% in April).
- Stock adequacy for finished goods deteriorated in May (-15% from -3%). 26% of manufacturers this month said stocks were inadequate, with 11% saying that stocks were more than adequate and 54% saying they were adequate.
- Expected domestic price growth for the three months ahead picked up slightly in May (+75% from +71% in April), moving closer to March’s survey record high (+80%).
- Confidence showed a further decline in the quarter to May (-30%), while investment plans for buildings (-6%) and plant and machinery (-2%) remained weak.
Call for support for Career Passport to solve labour shortages in food-related industries
The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink and the Food and Drink Federation are calling on manufacturers of all sizes to back a new Careers Passport and help solve the chronic labour shortages that are hindering the industry.
The Food & Drink Careers Passport, set to be introduced later this Spring in England and Wales, offers pre-entry accreditation to job hunters seeking entry-level roles. The scheme speeds up interview short-listing and job onboarding, saving time and money for firms and fast-tracking eager and committed new talent into the sector.
It is designed to make it easier to find new recruits with Food Safety, HACCP, Health and Safety and Allergen Awareness accreditation, to provide a common industry standard and raise the profile of industry jobs.
Louise Cairns, CEO of the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink said: “The new Passport is proof that holders will arrive at interview with core food manufacturing compliance certification. All Passport holders have made a readily-evident choice to seek a career in food and drink and have put the work in to prove it. They’re engaged and eager to start.”
Head of Industry Growth at the Food and Drink Federation Caroline Keohane said:“The food and drink industry has a long history of hiring a wide-ranging and diverse workforce at all skills levels and we need that to continue if we are to build a strong pipeline of home-grown talent and develop our next generation of engineers, food scientists, marketeers and leaders.
“With around 500,000 vacancies across our farm-to-fork supply chain, we must fill these places with potential, by matching talent to opportunity in all corners of the country. The Careers Passport is a practical, industry-led initiative to provide a means to accelerate recruitment in all communities – the next tool to levelling up the nation.”
A range of industry firms have already pledged support for the Passport including Premier Foods, Gressingham Foods, Glanbia Cheese, Greencore and Pukka Pies with the NSAFD launching a dedicated website www.fdcp.co.uk for interested businesses to find out more.
The Food & Drink Compliance Passport acts as a quick and easy way for employers to identify entry-level job candidates with pre-interview compliance certification in:
- Food Safety Level 2
- HACCP Level 2
- Health & Safety Level 2
- Allergens Awareness
Government urged to intervene to ease cost pressures on small firms
The Federation of Small Businesses is urging government to take action in areas it can influence to ease inflationary pressures on small firms.
It’s calling for targeted interventions in sectors of the economy hit by the pandemic and now facing low growth and surging inflation.
FSB National Chair Martin McTague said: “The gulf between the rate of input and consumer price growth underscores the efforts of businesses to absorb costs rather than pass them on. Small firms in particular find it hard to pass higher operating costs onto customers, fearing that doing so will hamper competitiveness.
“More and more are being left with no choice, however, as inflationary pressure collides with an increasingly tight labour market, making it harder and harder to find the right people, and pushing up the wages needed to keep them.
“We hear a lot from politicians about the cost of living crisis, but very little about the cost of doing business crisis which underlies it.
“The Government must now look at targeted interventions that will do most for local economies hardest hit by the pandemic which are now faced with low growth and surging inflation.
“It can’t control the wholesale price of oil and gas, but it can go further to help small firms with property costs – increasing the ceiling for small business rates relief and extending the energy support issued via the council tax system to the rates system.
“With employment costs, including national insurance, now way up on where they were this time last year, installing a sick pay rebate for the smallest businesses would give them a measure of breathing space.
“Our debilitating poor payment culture worsened over the pandemic. Here we have an area where government can take action – by making audit committees directly responsible for supply chain practice – without it costing a penny.
“More widely, with so many firms lost over lockdowns, we need policymakers to come forward with the Enterprise Strategy that we were promised a long time back – clearly outlining how, now we’ve lost the New Enterprise Allowance, government intends to spur those thinking about starting up to turn vision into reality, thereby shoring up our already foundering recovery.”
Planning granted for 1.1m sq ft of speculatively built warehouse space in Yorkshire
Planning has been granted for 1.1 million sq ft of speculatively built warehouse space in Yorkshire, which is being delivered by joint venture partners Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse.
Konect 62, a 136-acre tri-modal logistics development, was acquired with outline planning consent for 1.4 million sq ft of prime logistics accommodation and a reserved matters application for the first phase has now been granted which will bring forward the first 1.1 million sq ft of sustainable logistics space, built to BREEAM Excellent standards.
At 735,000 sq ft, ‘Big K’ is the largest of four units that will be delivered as part of phase 1. Start of development on the site, which is 24 miles from Leeds city centre, is expected in September 2022.
Over 4,000 trees will be planted in the first phase of the development including a diverse mix of native species, and the development will have electric vehicle charging points as well as 400 cycle parking spaces. A new pedestrian footpath will link around the site passing through extensive areas of new landscaping. A temporary cycle route will also connect Weeland Road to the Knottingley and Goole Canal before a permanent route is finalised as part of the later development phasing.
DTRE and Sixteen Real Estate have been appointed as joint marketing agents for the scheme.
Damian Flood, CEO at Cole Waterhouse, said: “Having successfully secured the site last year, we are pleased to now be able to press ahead with the first phase to ensure the site is oven-ready for occupiers. Enabling works are well underway and we are now working towards a construction start date of September 2022 with the first facilities, scheduled to reach sectional completion from Q3 to Q4 2023.”
Speaking about the site’s potential, Andrew Lynn, partner at DTRE, added: “This site is extremely significant for national and multi-national occupiers who are evaluating their distribution network and we have already had a significant amount of interest in the site.”
Andy Backhouse, director at Sixteen Real Estate, said: “Requirements for logistics accommodation have reached record levels across the north and with vacancy rates at an all-time low. Konect 62 is perfectly placed to meet the needs of many occupiers looking for superbly appointed space in a well-connected location.”
Digital health and care solutions provider strengthens presence in Finland with acquisition
Doncaster-headquartered health and care technology company, Tunstall Healthcare, has expanded its presence in Finland with the acquisition of alarm monitoring services provider Oy Verifi Ab (Verifi).
This latest acquisition, which follows the acquisitions of Secuvita in 2021 and BeWo in March 2022, is part of a broader international growth strategy to solve every-day challenges across the health and social care markets through digital and proactive technology solutions.
The expansion will enable Tunstall Oy, part of the international Tunstall Healthcare group, to expand its services in Finland, which currently provide technology solutions across the country, and to increase the efficiency and security of social and healthcare operations. The partnership will see Tunstall and Verifi launch an alarm monitoring centre aimed at securing the daily lives of older people in their own homes, and saving social and health care resources.
Kristoffer Axelsson, chief commercial officer at Tunstall Healthcare, said: “I’m delighted to announce the acquisition of Verifi by Tunstall, which will enable us to strengthen our presence in Finland. The team at Verifi have built a strong company, with values that support our ethos. The coming together of Tunstall and Verifi will serve to improve cost efficiencies, and greatly improve the quality of health and care, the experience of carers and the experience of end users.
“In recent years, the global social care and health sectors have seen a significant leap in digital capabilities, leading to a growth in the demand for digital services. The benefits of technology are unparalleled and can enable significant benefits within care delivery. Those who use Tunstall’s wrap-around in-home telecare services significantly reduce their calls to the ambulance service (36%) and live independently for longer (1.5 years). In addition, the relative delay for people transferring to residential care (27%) compared with the overall was almost nine months (8.6).
“We’re keen to explore new ways of delivering enhanced health and social care to Finland’s vulnerable people through Verifi’s monitoring centre, and reaping the emotional and financial benefits of deploying wider reaching technology-enabled care.”
The new partnership will enable Tunstall to harness Verifi’s alarm monitoring centre in Vaasa to receive phone alerts from vulnerable people and deploy support where it is needed.
Mika Rajasalo, CEO of Tunstall Oy, added: “We have long supplied security technology to Finnish municipalities, hospital districts and private service providers. Technology offers peace of mind and confidence to people and their families that they’ll receive the right care at the right time, and this acquisition presents us with an opportunity to deliver care to even more people that need it.
“With the acquisition, Tunstall will expand its operations while also gaining qualified, bilingual staff for its team. People are extremely important to us, and the team plays a highly valuable role in helping us move forward successfully with Verifi.”
Visit APSS at the Lincolnshire Business Expo 2022
Commercial interior design and fit out company APSS is exhibiting at the Lincolnshire Business Expo 2022, helping businesses create the right working environment for staff to promote productivity and morale.
Hosted at the Lincolnshire Showground by CityX on Tuesday 24 May, expert staff will be on hand, ready to provide inspirational ideas to make your business stand out from competitors and streamline efficiency.
Stuart Marsland, sales director for APSS, said: “The way offices are used has changed drastically over the last two years. Whilst some have returned full time to the office, many companies have found the benefits of hybrid working. They want to adapt their workspace to a more communal meeting space. Companies are focusing on how to bring the home comforts into the office and moving away from the more traditional banks of desks.”
APSS works across a range of industries including commercial, industrial, retail, leisure, education and healthcare.
“We are here to help businesses find the right balance for their staff, helping to take their concept and make it a reality,” added Stuart. “Our team, who will be available to speak to on the stand ES6, can help provide ideas and inspiration for small changes, large-scale fit outs and refurbishments.”
From concept to completion, APSS provides personal service and creates a stunning work environment for all types of businesses. Get in touch to let them know you’re coming, book a slot to speak with them or just turn up on the day.
