Independent garage charges up growth plans with EV investment
A Rotherham-based garage is charging up its future growth and expansion plans by offering additional support to electric car owners.
Treeton Auto Services has become one of the first independently owned garages in Yorkshire to provide specialist maintenance and repair services for electric vehicles, a move which has been made possible through a six-figure investment in the business.
The investment, which has been self-funded by the business, has seen Treeton Auto Services relocate to new, larger premises which will double the size of its workshop space. The expansion will see the creation of two dedicated electric vehicle repair bays, eight ramps and next month the business is planning to open a new MOT testing facility.
One of the challenges facing garages working on electric vehicles is the need for additional physical space required to work on the vehicles safely. Due to the high voltages involved, additional safety precautions are required, especially when diagnosing and repairing faulty batteries, which means repair bays for electric vehicles are much larger than those used to maintain their petrol and diesel counterparts.
The move will create four new jobs in the business, and the independently-owned garage has also secured help from the skills bank. Delivered by SYMCA, the match-funded grant has been used to train the company’s workforce of experienced mechanics and vehicle technicians to develop their knowledge and expertise, particularly in relation to the charging and drivetrain systems – key components in powering electric vehicles.
In recent years, Treeton Auto Services has found its vehicle repair services to be in high demand. When larger premises became available in Canklow Meadows Industrial Estate, business founder Dave Geldard recognised that the site didn’t just provide a chance to expand and grow the business, but diversify the services offered.
With new petrol and diesel cars set to be banned in 2030, Dave recognised that the current high demand for his services could be short-lived if the business did not respond to meet changing driver needs. Today, electric vehicles account for one in five vehicles on the road, and with many owners looking beyond dealerships to maintain their cars, Dave realised that few independent garages were responding to the changing marketplace.
Although the company has no intention of stopping its support for petrol and diesel car owners any time soon, Dave believes that investing in EV technology will give the business a golden opportunity to build and grow the company further, as well as creating new opportunities for the mechanics of tomorrow.
Dave Geldard, founder, Treeton Auto Services, said: “Expanding to larger premises is a major milestone for Treeton Auto Services, one that will result in new jobs being created, we have recognised that vehicles on Britain’s roads are changing and our business needs to respond to these changing demands.
“Adding an MOT testing facility to the business has been a long-held ambition of mine, and the relocation means that we are finally able to put these plans into practice.
“Although electric vehicles experience the same wear and tear as petrol cars when it comes to brakes and tyres, a greater degree of specialist knowledge is required when diagnosing and repairing faults associated with the cables, battery and vehicle drive train and due to the high voltages involved, additional workshop space is needed to work safely on the vehicles.
“Taking this step now will help us to futureproof the business. At present, there are very few options for electric car owners when it comes to repairing and maintaining their vehicles beyond the main dealerships and I predict that demand for electric vehicle repairs and maintenance is likely to be an area that will see significant growth in the years to come.”
CitiPark welcomes new Chief Technology Officer
Leeds-based car parking operator, CitiPark has promoted Pete Dowling to Chief Technology Officer (CTO). With more than 18 years of experience in the technology sector and a proven track record of leading innovative solutions, Pete will now oversee the company’s technology strategy and innovation efforts.
Since joining CitiPark in 2012, Pete has served as the Head of Systems and Infrastructure, where he played an integral role in scaling the company’s IT operations, optimising infrastructure, as well as implementing cutting-edge technology that enhanced operational efficiency.
In his new role as CTO, Pete will spearhead the development and execution of CitiPark’s long-term technology vision. He will be responsible for driving innovation across all departments, aligning technology initiatives with business objectives, introducing artificial intelligence technologies and overseeing the development of new products and solutions to meet the evolving needs of the company’s business and its partners.
“Pete’s deep expertise and strategic mindset have been instrumental in transforming our technology operations,” said Ben Ziff, CEO of CitiPark. “We are confident that in his new role as CTO, he will continue to elevate our technology landscape and position us for even greater success.”
Pete Dowling said: “I’m excited to take on this new challenge and help shape the future of technology at CitiPark and our subsidiary businesses. Technology is at the heart of everything we do, and I’m looking forward to leading our talented team as we continue to innovate and drive success for our clients.”
Vertu Motors acquires Yorkshire dealership group
Vertu Motors, the automotive retailer with a network of 202 sales and aftersales outlets across the UK, has acquired Yorkshire-based Burrows Motor Company.
Burrows is a family-owned group of dealerships operating five Toyota dealerships, two Mazda dealerships and one Kia dealership. The acquisition significantly increases Vertu’s brand presence in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire adding outlets in Barnsley (2), Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield (3), York and Worksop.
All outlets will be rebranded Vertu and integrated into the Vertu systems platform in the coming weeks.
For the year ended 31 December 2023, Burrows Motor Company Limited achieved revenue of £168.9m and an operating profit of £1.4m.
Robert Forrester, CEO of Vertu Motors, said: “We have long admired the Burrows business and are delighted to have completed this acquisition creating further scale for the Group with key Manufacturer Partners.
“The acquisition of Burrows gives us considerable scale in our partnership with Toyota and strengthens the Vertu brand in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. This is in line with our strategy to actively pursue value accretive growth opportunities to enhance our portfolio, applying strict investment return metrics as well as returning cash to shareholders.”
Majority stake snapped up in Leeds medical equipment manufacturer
Reinsberg Group, the MedTech holding of BHM group, a Prague-based investment firm, has acquired a majority stake in Brandon Medical, a Leeds-based company specialising in the development and manufacturing of medical equipment.
This acquisition is a key part of Reinsberg Group’s strategy to build a strong group of independent European medical manufacturers, leveraging their capabilities to achieve economies of scale in the global consolidation of the medical industry.
“This move strengthens our market position especially in the UK market as well as in the area of hospital products as lights, integration and other products while supporting the growth and innovation of Brandon Medical,” said Dr. Markus Keussen, CEO of Reinsberg Group. “We are excited to welcome this company into our family and continue developing it with a focus on its key products, both in the UK and globally.”
Brandon Medical is a manufacturer and designer of advanced technological solutions for operating theatres, critical care, and primary care, with over 70 years of experience in the healthcare sector. This acquisition is part of Brandon Medical’s long-term succession plan to ensure the company’s strategic growth and sustained success in a dynamic and fast-changing marketplace. Adrian Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Brandon Medical, said: “As part of a larger group we now have the opportunity to leverage a wider pool of expertise, resources, and innovation. This will allow us to accelerate innovation and enhance the value we deliver to our customers, partners, and stakeholders. Together, we are positioned to drive even greater success, fostering innovation and creating new opportunities in our global markets.”Work starts on development of West Yorkshire solar energy site
Work on the development of a West Yorkshire solar energy project has reached a major landmark with the start of construction work on site.
OnPath Energy (formerly Banks Renewables) secured unanimous planning approval in 2021 for the Barnsdale Solar Energy Park, which sits between Kippax and Allerton Bywater to the east of Leeds, and which will be able to generate enough electricity to meet the annual requirements of up to 13,000 family homes.
Since then, the OnPath project team has been finalising the detail of the project, which will include solar panels covering an area of around 50 hectares of south-facing land and will link directly into the Ledston Primary electricity sub-station to the south east of the site.
And now, work has begun on creating the Barnsdale site entrance, which will then allow for its overall development to proceed in the new year.
The initial work is being carried out by contractor Cheetham Hill Construction, under the supervision of specialist infrastructure consultancy AECOM.
Alongside the green energy it will generate, the Barnsdale Solar Energy Park’s detailed ecology and biodiversity strategy will also see the biggest increase in biodiversity for any renewable energy project within Leeds to date.
As part of OnPath’s policy of delivering tangible benefits to the local communities in which its operations are based, over £800,000 of the revenues generated by Barnsdale will be directed into a community fund that will provide grants to support local community groups and voluntary organisations over its lifetime.
OnPath Energy owns and operates four onshore wind farms in Yorkshire, including the Hook Moor Wind Farm near Leeds.
Will Rust, development planner at OnPath Energy, says: “This is a significant landmark in the development of a project that will deliver a wide range of environmental, ecological, energy security and social benefits to local communities and the wider region.
“The Barnsdale Solar Energy Park will also further extend the contribution OnPath Energy is making in Yorkshire towards meeting the UK’s crucial Net Zero targets, and we’re excited to see development work now starting at the Barnsdale site.
“Our four Yorkshire wind farms generated enough electricity in our last financial year to meet the annual electricity needs of more 33,400 homes, or a city around the size of Wakefield, and we’re very pleased to be moving quickly towards adding to this figure.”
South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Levy Matchmaking Service to receive new funding from the BBC
The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Levy Matchmaking Service is to receive new funding from the BBC to support apprenticeship training within local small and mediums size enterprises (SMEs) across South Yorkshire.
The service, which forms part of the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub, is funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and delivered by the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership.
The BBC has now pledged £100,000 Apprenticeship Levy fund, which will allow people who want to work in the creative and digital industries, or who currently are, to earn while they learn.
The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Levy Matchmaking Service is one of several services receiving levy funds from the national broadcaster with an aim to encourage SMEs in their area to apply for the funds so they can recruit apprentices and create apprenticeships for their businesses.
The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub, which aims to see 300 new high-quality apprenticeships brought to the region by 2025, was launched by South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, in December 2023.
Welcoming the BBC’s additional funding, he said: “This contribution from the BBC recognises the significant contribution the creative and digital industries make to South Yorkshire’s young people and the wider economy.
“South Yorkshire doesn’t just need a bigger economy, we need a better economy. That means we need the right people with the right skills, and the right training and education to support them.”
Sarah Moors, BBC Head of Apprenticeships, said: “Apprenticeships provide a vital route into the media for people from a range of backgrounds. In pledging these funds, we hope to support the development of new talent for the creative, cultural and digital sectors, and to equip existing employees with additional skills.”
Approval sought for Compulsory Purchase Order for land at Bolton Woods
A report, being presented at a meeting of City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council’s Executive Committee on 5 November, will seek Executive approval for Bradford Council to use its statutory Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers to acquire necessary third-party property interests in land at Wealdheare Street, Bolton Woods in Bradford.
The site is not recorded at HM Land Registry and efforts have taken place to search for, trace and contact the owner of the site without success.
Without the proposed CPO measures being used to secure the site for residential development, the council says there is a high risk that the land will remain unused, unproductive and continue to have unsightly blight on the neighbourhood.
The council want to use the small site to build housing in the New Bolton Woods regeneration area.
This is with the view to delivering new residential development within the Canal Road Urban Village Regeneration Scheme.
New Bolton Woods is a major regeneration project, delivering 1,000 homes, with two phases already completed delivering 200 houses, together with the new Aldi store and Costa Coffee drive-thru in the local centre off Stanley Road.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “As a local councillor for the area I know this site has been a blight on nearby houses for years.
“Despite our best efforts an owner cannot be identified, so using a CPO could bring the site into worthwhile use, create new homes and remove an eyesore for local residents.”
British Steel trials new carbon capture process developed in South Yorkshire
British Steel has started a trial to capture carbon emissions from its Scunthorpe plant using ground-breaking technology.
It has installed a mobile carbon capture pilot plant developed by the University of Sheffield that will extract carbon from the power station’s boiler flue.
Dr Andy Trowsdale, British Steel’s Head of Research and Development, said: “This project is all about testing the capabilities of the technology. If it works for us, and others, it could be scaled-up and play an important role in carbon capture, utilisation and storage.
“The trial, which has been approved by the Environment Agency, will demonstrate the technology’s potential. We’re excited to be working with the University of Sheffield and supporting such vital research.”
British Steel’s involvement is part of a wider project by the University of Sheffield which aims to capture waste gases from manufacturing industries like steel and glassmaking to generate an alternative source of carbon for consumer products.
The technology, called FluRefin, was developed by Professor Peter Styring and Dr George Dowson from the University of Sheffield in partnership with AESSEAL – the Rotherham-based seal manufacturer.
With the support of SUSTAIN, the future steel manufacturing research hub, the University team have created a carbon capture system that does not use environmentally hazardous chemicals and which is much cheaper and smaller than other carbon capture technologies.
British Steel is focused on transforming the manufacture of steel into a clean, green and sustainable business by embracing electric arc furnace technology.
While electrification of the steelmaking process will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by more than 75 per cent, the company is exploring routes to provide further reductions in CO2e intensity. This includes the development of technologies for capturing CO2 generated by other parts of its manufacturing operations.
To support this, and the development of the required technology, a has been installed at British Steel’s Central Power Station in Scunthorpe.
The plant has been
The CO2 captured at British Steel will be bottled in gas cylinders and transported back to the University of Sheffield where it will be converted into synthetic transport fuels.
Professor Peter Styring, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the University of Sheffield, said: “We are excited to get our next generation carbon dioxide capture and refining technology on site. We look forward to being able to demonstrate a unique approach to further reducing British Steel’s CO2e emissions.”
Lincolnshire Co-op offers £5,000 finder’s fee for new store sites
Lincolnshire Co-op has taken a radical step in its search for about 30 new stores by offering a £5,000 finder’s fee to anyone who can identify a suitable location.
It has pledged to pay the money when stores are opened on the identified sites as it seeks to expand its food business by about a third.
Following a £1.8m investment, Laceby Food Store near Grimsby opened in late June, and Scartho Food Store, also near Grimsby, opens this week.
As well as building new stores, the Co-op is open to renovating existing buildings, taking on freehold and leasehold sites, and business acquisitions.
The retailer has expressed interest in sites within Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, and North Norfolk.
Steve Leach, Lincolnshire Co-op’s COO, said: “We have an ambition to be the UK’s fastest growing co-operative, and we’re keen to deliver even more valued services.
“We’re driven by our purpose, which is to make life better in our communities. Having a presence in more communities means we’re able to make even more of an impact.”
Last survey results show ‘sense of flatness’ in South Yorkshire’s economy
Although business conditions in South Yorkshire are broadly moving in the right direction there is still a prevailing sense of flatness holding the economy back, according to the region’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey.
The respective Chief Execs of the three South Yorkshire Chambers said: “There are certainly grounds for cautious optimism when parsing these results, with the region’s export market being at its healthiest level since 2020 when we first began recording the relevant metrics for international sales and orders. Likewise, domestic growth, cashflow positions and the job market are all on an upwards trajectory as well, albeit a somewhat marginal one.
“That being said, the region cannot afford to rest on its laurels here, especially when business investment intentions are continuing to weaken and have now reverted back to where they were at the end of 2023. This goes for investments in both training, as well as in plants & machinery.
“Any sluggishness we are observing here has doubtlessly been exacerbated by the long delay in getting to the Government’s first budget, as firms will understandably be wanting to see what direction that is heading in before they commit to any major new plans. Speaking of which, it is also worth noting that concerns over inflation and corporate taxation in particular have increased significantly this quarter, with the latter being at its highest recorded level to date.
“Suffice it to say, the announcements from the upcoming budget are therefore going to be extremely important when it comes to either instilling or undermining the confidence that businesses have in our economy.”
The South Yorkshire QES is sponsored by Clear Insurance Management and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, added: “I am pleased to see further evidence that our economy is growing and business confidence continues to increase. With this new Government’s first Budget just days away, I understand this is a crucial moment. Businesses here need economic stability and the right conditions for investment, both locally and nationally.
“We are already leading the way through investment in the region’s transport and skills training that can help stimulate growth. I am determined to work in partnership with local businesses and national government to create the bigger and better economy we need here in South Yorkshire.”
For context, the QES is the nation’s largest independent review of business sentiment. Led by the British Chambers of Commerce, it asks a series of standardised questions — that are repeated every three months — to monitor if there are any fluctuations, developing trends or other points of interest that help shed light on how the UK’s private sector is currently fairing.
Although it is compiled into a national dataset by the BCC, the Quarterly Economic Survey is carried out all over the country by local accredited chambers of commerce. In the case of South Yorkshire, this means that the respective networks for Doncaster, Sheffield and Barnsley & Rotherham conduct the poll together, and then share the results to ensure that the voice of our region’s business community is being heard loud and clear by those with the power to enact change on their behalf.
The fieldwork for the most recent survey took place between mid-August and mid-September and, in many respects, its findings were consistent with those of previous quarters. Respondents indicated that there has been a minor uptick in domestic growth (for the sixth consecutive quarter now), while cashflow positions strengthened as well. Meanwhile, workforce levels continued to increase — with only one in ten firms expecting them to decrease in the near future — and overall business confidence is also on the up.
Although this may seem like cause to be tentatively optimistic, it is worth noting that all of these gains are relatively slight and that economic conditions across South Yorkshire appear to be plateauing. More troublingly, this is also the second successive quarter that has seen a worsening of business investment intentions; a development that will only serve to impede our long-term growth as a region.
