Yorkshire business supplies company reports “encouraging” start to 2023

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Yorkshire business supplies company reports “encouraging” start to 2023
CTS UK, the Yorkshire business supplies company, has reported a “very encouraging” first quarter of 2023. CTS UK, whose headquarters are in Northallerton, provides personalised workwear, merchandising, promotional products, cleaning and hygiene products, personal protective equipment (PPE) and office stationery. Howard Gill, CTS’s Managing Director, addressing a quarterly business update meeting for all staff, said: “There’s no doubt that these are challenging economic times, with an on-going cost-of-living crisis which impacts on businesses across the UK. We are no exception. “Having said that, we are very encouraged by the progress we have made so far this year, with strong trading figures across all sectors of our business, which are supported by a healthy order book, margin improvements across the board and exciting new customers, including Sainsburys and Bunzl. “In addition, we have secured market leading suppliers from our burgeoning hygiene business, including a new partnership with Cleenol, as this division goes from strength to strength. “At the same time, we are now being included in large tenders for major UK companies and we are establishing a formidable reputation for being a one-stop business supplies company with the ability to meet all the needs of our customers from quality workwear to high-class hygiene products. “We are also delighted with the rapid growth of Equithread, which specialises in providing high quality, affordable workwear and uniform to the horse racing and equestrian industry,” said Howard. “Equithread is proving to be a resounding success.” CTS’s senior team has been strengthened by two key appointments, James Smith who is the new production manager and Imran Amjad, who joins as a senior account manager, with special responsibility for cleaning and hygiene sector. Howard explained: “James and Imran are tremendous additions to our tight-knit and hard-working team. Their experience and expertise will be vital in driving our business forward and ensuring that we continue to be the fastest-expanding supplier of business workwear, office supplies and hygiene products in the north of England and a leading player in these sectors in the UK.” CTS has extensive warehouse and distribution facilities in Northallerton to service its high-profile clients including Sports Direct, WS Transport, Bunzl, Heck, Sainsburys, Flamingo Land and Woodsmith Construction. Founded just four years ago, the company’s growth has been rapid, with a projected £50m turnover by 2027.

Work begins on major Swinton redevelopment project

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Work begins on major Swinton redevelopment project
Yorkshire property developer Ben Bailey Homes has begun work on a major development of new housing and important community restoration in Swinton town centre. The long-awaited project will see the construction of 41 private properties and eight housing association homes, along with upgraded community buildings and public gardens. The £8 million plus Harrop Mews project is being carried out in partnership with Rotherham Council. The 49 new homes – including the eight affordable properties – are being built off Highcliffe Drive in Swinton, along with a newly refurbished library at the former customer service centre building, an upgraded and improved Civic Hall and a new public space area between the existing Civic Building and Station Street. As part of the partnership, Ben Bailey will also provide funding towards sustainable travel measures, the planting of replacement trees and education provision. Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, performed a ceremonial ground-breaking alongside Rotherham Council Leader Councillor Chris Read, Council colleagues and partners from Ben Bailey Homes. “These new homes, green spaces and improved community facilities will transform Swinton Town Centre for the better,” said Lelliott. “It’s a real privilege to be able to mark the official start of works and I’m looking forward to seeing the benefits. “These changes will bring people much-needed housing, and new community buildings where friends and families will meet and enjoy their leisure time together.” Ben Bailey Sales and Marketing Director, Jon Bailey said: “This project really takes Ben Bailey Homes back to its roots as the company was launched in the 1930s in neighbouring Mexborough. “We’re pleased that as well as providing much needed two, three and four bedroom homes for sale, all with Ben Bailey’s signature unrivalled specification, we are also providing refurbished facilities to Swinton town centre, delivering a project that will once again make this area the centre of the community. “This is the sort of project that the Ben Bailey brand was revived for, bringing quality development to the heart of the region.” Launched in 1933 by Ben Bailey himself, Mexborough-based Ben Bailey Plc was Yorkshire’s largest independent house builder, developing more than 700 homes a year when acquired by Gladedale in 2007. Following the takeover and a subsequent rebrand, the Ben Bailey name disappeared completely from the construction industry. But it has made a strong return after it was acquired and revived by Yorkshire’s Conroy Brook Group.

North Yorkshire charity welcomes £5,000 donation

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North Yorkshire charity welcomes £5,000 donation
An animal rescue charity is celebrating after being awarded a £5,000 donation. Whitby Animal Sanctuary will receive a monetary gift as part of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards. Founded by Alexandra Farmer and aided by a team of dedicated volunteers, Whitby Animal Sanctuary rescues thousands of animals each year. The charity moved to new premises in 2020 enabling it to increase the number of animals it is able to home. More than 104,000 people around the country gave their time and nominated the animal welfare causes they cared most about to receive one of the ten special grants that were available. The winning charities were chosen at random from those nominated. Now in its fifth year, the Movement for Good Awards is the flagship charitable giving initiative from Benefact Group. This year once again, more than £1 million will be gifted to charities up and down the UK and Ireland, following £4 million being given to good causes since the initiative started in 2019. Since the awards began, more than 1.6 million nominations have been received resulting in over 2,200 charities benefitting from valuable donations. This year, 420 charities will be awarded £1,000 donations, while 40 good causes will be awarded £5,000 sums via special grants throughout the year, aimed at helping charities in specific sectors. Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. Further gifts totalling £500,000 will also be donated in larger amounts later this year. Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, says: “We would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate an animal charity as part of our Movement for Good Awards. Benefact Group is the third largest corporate donor in the UK and has an ambition to be the biggest. “Owned by a charity, all of its available profits go to good causes, and the more the Group grows, the more the Group can give. We know that £5,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that animal charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will help animal welfare.” Benefact Group has donated almost £200 million to charitable causes since 2014 and has just been recognised as the third biggest corporate giver in the UK. The organisation aims to reach £250 million in donations by 2025. Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.

Partnership cements pledge to boost homes in West Yorkshire

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Partnership cements pledge to boost homes in West Yorkshire
A ground-breaking new partnership will cement the commitment made by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, to build more affordable and sustainable homes for people across the region. The Government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England, has partnered with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to boost the delivery of thousands more homes, including affordable homes, throughout all five districts of West Yorkshire. The agreement will be officially signed at UKREiiF, a major conference in Leeds that brings together global investors and developers. Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “I’m thrilled to have secured this fantastic opportunity to work in partnership with Homes England, which will take us forward in our journey towards achieving good quality and truly affordable housing growth in West Yorkshire. “We have ambitious plans to create and grow vibrant communities and support an ever-growing population, addressing decades of underinvestment in the region. “The partnership will allow us to build on the progress made so far, and bring vital resources directly to West Yorkshire, ensuring a better quality of life for people throughout the region.” Chief Executive of Homes England, Peter Denton said: “We enjoy a fantastic working relationship with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. This Strategic Place Partnership agreement builds on this, helping the Mayor to deliver her housing and regeneration priorities and create thriving new and renewed places that the people of West Yorkshire seek. “As the national Housing and Regeneration Agency, we are committed to bringing all of our capital, expertise, land, powers and relationships in support of WYCA’s desire to boost place-based growth, prosperity and pride of place.” 15 projects have been identified through the partnership, which will be the focus for regeneration, developing great places and homes for the people of West Yorkshire. The Combined Authority was able to secure the partnership through investment of its £3.2 million housing revenue fund to build a credible project pipeline, secured through the devolution deal. It is Homes England’s third Strategic Place Partnership (SPP) to be signed, following the successful pilots in Greater Manchester and South Essex.

Final phase of development for multi-million pound regeneration project

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Final phase of development for multi-million pound regeneration project
A multi-million pound regeneration project that is nearing completion in the heart of North Yorkshire’s county town looks set to help drive forward the county’s economy. The last phase of the £20m Treadmills development in Northallerton will see Everyman open this week (Friday 19 May) on the site of the town’s former prison – which has been turned into a retail, leisure, education and business destination in the centre of the market town. The 276-seat, four-screen cinema and three adjoining restaurant units has been part funded with £4.75m from the Government’s Future High Street Fund (FHSF) awarded to Northallerton two years ago. The funding was part of a wider £7m investment of Future High Street Fund in the town. The Treadmills scheme has been delivered by the Central Northallerton Development Company Ltd (CNDCL), a joint venture between North Yorkshire Council and Yorkshire developer Wykeland Group. Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “This development is a prime example of how regeneration projects can help to build momentum for wider economic benefits and more investment across North Yorkshire. The Treadmills project has turned dark buildings surrounded by a huge wall into a vibrant centre in our county town.” Central Northallerton Development Company Ltd board member and North Yorkshire Councillor Cllr Peter Wilkinson added: “It’s very exciting that the innovative regeneration project, Treadmills, is almost complete. The cinema will be a huge asset to the town and bring with it new visitors who we hope will also enjoy spending some time there, shopping and dining. “I have had a sneak preview and Everyman brings a new experience to the usual cinema trip – with comfortable sofas, food and drink. “Treadmills is a thriving centre with restaurants, shops, an education campus and business growth hub and sees this council joining forces with a range of partners to bring high-quality services to the county town.” Dehenna Davison MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Levelling Up), added: “I am delighted that Government investment of over £7m is supporting the exciting Treadmills development in Northallerton. The project is delivering retail, education and business support to the historic market town, and the opening of the Everyman Cinema this month will be a great asset for the town, its residents, and the wider region.” Olivia Gold, Head of Marketing at Everyman, added: “We are delighted to be opening our 39th venue as part of the final phase of the exciting new Treadmills destination. At Everyman we promised a redefined cinema experience, and the new Northallerton venue is no exception. We can’t wait to open our doors next week for customers to enjoy the full offering of this beautiful new cinema.” Treadmills also features the digital innovation centre, C4DI (Centre for Digital Innovation); Lidl and Iceland stores; a pilates studio; kitchen showroom; restaurants and bistro; and the educational facility, Campus@Northallerton (C@N). The development has also been supported by the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which secured investment of £1.8m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund for the redevelopment and fit-out of Centre for Digital Innovation and a further £725,000 from the Government’s Getting Building Fund for Campus@Northallerton – the first further and higher education facility in the area with two education providers, the University of Sunderland and York College. The project was a former Hambleton District Council initiative, which has passed to the new North Yorkshire Council as part of local government reorganisation that saw all the district and borough councils and the county council of North Yorkshire combine into one unitary authority.

Huge funding boost for Huddersfield District Energy Network

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Huge funding boost for Huddersfield District Energy Network
Kirklees Council have been awarded over £8 million for the commercialisation and construction of the Huddersfield District Energy Network (HDEN) from the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF). The GHNF is a 3-year £288 million capital grant fund launched by the Government last year, which is open to organisations in the public and private sectors in England. It aims to develop and grow the heat network market and address some of the challenges of decarbonising the UK’s heat sector. Kirklees Council have previously benefitted from funding for the various stages of the project, including £300k for the delivery of the outline business case from the BEIS Heat Network Delivery Unit who have since shown their written support of the scheme to progress to the next stage. This most recent grant funding, a total of £8.2m, includes an initial £1m for commercialisation and a subsequent £7.2m for construction of the network subject to successful completion and approval of the commercialisation stage. Commercialisation includes the final technical design work for this council initiative, setting out the procurement and commercial arrangements for how the HDEN will be constructed and operated, and the proposed customers. The HDEN is intended to recover heat from the existing Energy-from-Waste (EfW) plant in Huddersfield. A network of underground pipes will distribute heat to public and private sector buildings in the town centre. The heat network is expected to deliver 7.6GWh of low carbon heat in its first year, rising to 14.2GWh and 21.7GWh in its second and third years respectively. The network will go towards helping Kirklees Council achieve an ambitious target of net zero carbon emissions by 2038 – a target set when Kirklees Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019. It is being designed with ambition for potential future expansion and connection to other heat sources. Councillor Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “District Energy Networks, also known as Heat Networks, are widely recognised as one of the most effective ways of decarbonising the local heat supply in built-up urban areas. “We recognise the challenges of a changing climate facing the district and are making changes and have set targets of becoming Net Zero and ‘climate ready’ by 2038 for the benefit of Kirklees residents, its wildlife, landscape and biodiversity.” Councillor Will Simpson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees, said: “The scale of the Huddersfield District Energy Network (HDEN) would contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of Huddersfield Town Centre and our 2038 targets. It will also provide the town with greater energy resilience and control over the local heat supply along with the potential for future expansion.” Officers will now start developing the full business case. Once completed, this will go to Cabinet and GHFN, for approval.

Leeds architect and retirement living scheme provider unveil hat-trick of new developments

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Leeds architect and retirement living scheme provider unveil hat-trick of new developments

Providers of extra care and retirement living developments, Housing 21, and Leeds-based Brewster Bye Architects are working on three major new schemes that will create almost 200 new homes for local people over the age of 55.

Principal contractor, Esh Construction, is due to complete work in the coming weeks on a £7.5 million, 60-home development on Highfield Road in Askern near Doncaster, that Housing 21 has developed in partnership with Doncaster Council and Askern Town Council.

Known as Askern Vale Court, the development offers 58 one and two bedroom apartments within a three storey building, complete with communal facilities, landscaped gardens and dedicated parking area, as well as two bungalows. All the homes are available for affordable rent.

Work is also due to start this summer on a major new extra care scheme at Cleckheaton that will provide 80 rental apartments for over 55s, who have a connection to the local area. Housing 21 is developing the scheme in partnership with Kirklees Council.

Designed to promote independent living in a community setting, a care team will be on-site 24 hours a day to deliver planned care packages to residents if needed. Facilities will include an activity room, communal lounge and gardens. An on-site hair salon and café for residents will also be open to the public.

Earlier this year, work started on another retirement living development consisting of 57 apartments on the site of a disused mill at Compton near Leek in Staffordshire. The part two, three, four and five-storey development will include associated ancillary spaces, gardens and parking. It is being constructed by Tricas Construction for Collaborate Living and Housing 21.

Mark Henderson, director at Brewster Bye, said: “These three developments are about creating stunning homes, in safe environments, that mean older people can enjoy their independence for longer.

“Over the past five years we have designed more than 1,000 homes for older people across the north of England and working on three large scale developments with Housing 21 is testament to our experience in this market.

“We always put residents at the heart of our designs, in order to create well thought out developments, where people will want to live, as well as carefully considering their surroundings and the requirements of local planning officials. The result is three exceptional schemes that have the potential to become landmarks and focal points within their local communities.”

New promotions at Aon’s Leeds office

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New promotions at Aon’s Leeds office

Aon, a professional services firm, has made five promotions in its Leeds advisory team which is responsible for commercial risk.

Aon has promoted Jonathan Harrison to head of sales for Advisory UK. With a career spanning 15 years, most recently as a client management director, Jonathan will draw on his vast insurance experience to lead the sales strategy across the UK for Aon’s mid-market and SME client division.

David Westcott, who has 15 years’ industry experience, is promoted to client management director and will oversee a team of client directors and account executives. He will also be responsible for business development for Aon’s Leeds and Harrogate offices.

Holly Copsey is promoted to client service director, Adam Wilson to client director, and Sara Wilkinson to client service manager. In her new role, Holly will oversee broking on new business, support business development, and allocate resources to new enquiries. In addition, she will be involved with mergers, acquisitions and transaction solutions.

Both Adam and Sara will service their respective book of clients. In addition, Adam will contribute to business development and support wider Aon functions. In her new role, Sara is now responsible for overseeing a team of eight brokers, which involves dealing with all aspects of development and training, being a day-to-day referral point for technical or market queries and managing workload allocation.

Tracey Threlfall, UK head of advisory at Aon, said: “Employees are front and centre at Aon and each one is provided with a progressive career path, structured training, and a flexible and inclusive working environment. These well-deserved promotions are testament to the hard work and dedication given to helping their clients make better decisions. It is great to see the advisory division in Leeds continue to go from strength to strength.”

Sara Wilkinson, client service manager in Aon advisory, said: “Aon is extremely supportive of any employee wishing to further their career, providing resources and structured training for the specific roles and business divisions in which you are interested. I was thrilled to receive the promotion and have found it both rewarding and challenging in equal measure!”

Digital showcase to boost net zero progress in West Yorkshire

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Digital showcase to boost net zero progress in West Yorkshire
An innovative new online platform has been unveiled by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, to attract green investment and help boost the region’s progress in tackling the climate emergency. The Net Zero Investment Prospectus showcases opportunities for investors to support trailblazing projects, led by West Yorkshire Combined Authority partners. Initiatives in the multi-million-pound investment pipeline will help to radically reduce carbon emissions, improve the energy efficiency of people’s homes and businesses, and create thousands of new well-paid green jobs. This comes after Mayor Brabin allocated £40 million to progress her climate and environment action plan, with the goal of achieving a net zero carbon region by 2038 – twelve years ahead of the Government’s national target. Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “Creating a net zero carbon West Yorkshire will unlock a once-in-a-generation opportunity to truly transform our region, reshape our economy and tackle ingrained inequalities. “We’re determined to work in partnership, across the public, private and third sectors to turn our ambition into a future defined by hope, innovation and collaboration. “This is an exciting chapter in West Yorkshire’s story, and we need the right investment partners to unlock the opportunities that will shape our future.” The prospectus has been developed as part of the Net Zero Region Accelerator – a West Yorkshire Combined Authority programme to support project development, providing long-term projects for green investment.

Business Productivity funding helps Rotherham engineering specialist fabricate bright future

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Business Productivity funding helps Rotherham engineering specialist fabricate bright future

A longstanding design engineering company has ignited its ambitious growth plans after securing funds from the South Yorkshire Business Productivity grant scheme, by helping them to save a staggering half a day per employee, per week in lost working time.

Rotherham-based Philford Design Engineering, which is headquartered at Aldwarke Business Park, designs, manufactures and installs the vital equipment relied upon by the quarrying, mining, recycling and energy sectors, including conveyor belts, crushers and automated metal detection equipment.

Over the past twelve months the company has seen its workforce increase by 25% and with a growing order book, Philford’s senior management team began exploring ways of improving the way in which the business operated.

A key challenge the business faced was that it was reliant upon a dedicated welding bay, which often meant moving large structures around the factory during the manufacturing process. Realising they were in a unique position to overcome the challenges the company was facing, Daniel Beckett decided to reach out to RiDO for advice.

Help came in the form of key account manager John Fox, who advised the company that it may be eligible to receive support through the South Yorkshire Business Productivity grant scheme: a match-funded ERDF grant scheme, specifically developed to help businesses overcome growth barriers.

The successful grant application enabled Philford Design Engineering to invest in new mobile welding and ventilation equipment, allowing crucial fabrication work to be undertaken without the need to move the large structures around the factory.

The funding secured proved to be transformational and as a result of the changes the company has implemented it is hoping to add another five new recruits to its workforce, as well as helping to pass on the skills and knowledge within the business to the next generation through its apprenticeship programme.

With the costs of the project match-funded through the grant, the company was also able to set aside additional funds to commission a new argon gas line, reducing the reliance on individual bottles, which needed to be replaced regularly throughout the working week. Since implementing the changes, the company has not only reduced lost working time, but the new welding equipment purchased has helped it to reduce spatter – formed when droplets of molten materials land on surfaces near to the area being welded.

Daniel Beckett, Management Accountant, Philford Design Engineering, said: “We’ve seen demand for our services increase significantly over the past 18 months, resulting in a 25% growth in our workforce. As a relatively small business, we knew that the key to creating sustainable growth wasn’t simply about recruiting new members of staff, but also overcoming the barriers that were impacting upon our capacity. This meant re-thinking the way in which we operated as a business.

“We knew that the limitations of our welding bay were holding the business back. I explained the problems we were facing to John Fox, and he recommended that we should apply to the Business Productivity Programme for help. The match-funded grant we received has helped us to purchase new portable welding equipment, which means that rather than spending time moving large steel structures around the factory, the welding equipment can be moved to where it’s needed.

“The match-funded grant also meant that funds which would have been set aside to invest in the welding equipment could also be reinvested back into the business and as a result we were able to bring forward our plans to commission a new argon gas line, which eliminated overnight the time spent changing individual gas bottles.

“The measures we have introduced have proved to be transformational for our business. Not only have they reduced the need to move the large structures we’re working on around the factory, but the new equipment has helped us to create a better quality of weld; the reduction in spatter being created also means less time grinding and cleaning too. It all adds up to quite a large time saving.

“Until the work was completed, we didn’t quite appreciate just how much time was being lost. We didn’t realise how transformative to our business the funds would prove to be, resulting not only in increased productivity, reduced lost working time, but also contributing towards the creation of five additional new jobs in the business this year.”

John Fox, Key Account Manager, RiDO, said: “SME businesses like Philford Design Engineering are the lifeblood of the local and regional economy, but in many cases the challenges they face can stifle their growth. The South Yorkshire Business Productivity Grant scheme was launched specifically to help businesses across the region unlock the barriers to growth they face.

“Philford Design Engineering recognised that simply recruiting new members of staff would not solve the problems they were facing; instead, they needed to re-think the way a key element of their production process was undertaken – something that required significant investment – and I feel confident that the Business Productivity Grant funding the company has received will help them to lay the foundations to create new skilled jobs and enjoy a period of growth and expansion.”

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