Olympus Print Group joins All4Labels Group
All4Labels Global Packaging Group, a leading international manufacturer of packaging solutions and digital printing, is continuing its global growth strategy through its acquisition of Olympus Print Group, one of the leading label manufacturers in the United Kingdom.
The company offers label solutions for a range of markets with a focus on the Personal Care as well as Wine & Spirits, and Beer industry. Olympus Print Group will become the first subsidiary of All4Labels in the UK. The former owners will become co-shareholders of the All4Labels Group and will continue to manage the business. Terms and conditions of the transaction were not disclosed.
“This transaction represents a new milestone for All4Labels as we will get access to the important and dynamic UK market with a strong partner who can cater existing and future customers with high-quality label solutions. The acquisition marks the beginning of our strategy to build a leading business unit in the United Kingdom through investments in organic and acquisitive growth. Along with our leadership team, I look forward to working with the Olympus Print Group team on our joint growth and success for many years to come.” highlights Adrian Tippenhauer, CEO All4Labels.
Steve Cartwright, Director at Olympus Print Group, states: “After 28 years of building the Olympus brand, we are proud of our reputation for technical expertise, high quality and strong focus on customer service. The decision to join a partnership with a global, like-minded and innovative packaging group was made easy as All4Labels shares the same strong values as Olympus Print Group. The full senior management team and employees look forward to working with All4Labels in the future.”
The new partnership with Olympus Print Group illustrates the fifth successful acquisition by the All4Labels Group within the last twelve months, underlining All4Labels sustainable investments into growth and expansion in a global context.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.
‘Could have done better’, says NFU over trade deal with Australia
NFU President Minette Batters said: “As the first deal to be struck under our new independent trade policy, this FTA provided a chance to set the standard for future deals which incentivise trade in food produced to higher environmental and animal welfare standards.
“However, it is clear from this report that the UK government has missed the opportunity to reach a genuinely innovative and world-class FTA with Australia.”
“While it is reassuring that this deal will not result in a change in production standards here – for instance, imports of hormone-reared beef will still be banned – the report confirms that this FTA simply opens up UK agricultural markets for Australian produce, whether or not produced to the same standards that are legally required of UK farmers.
“This deal will pave the way for others to follow, and I’m increasingly concerned about the cumulative impact of the government’s FTA programme, especially as its own impact assessments anticipate a negative economic impact on UK farmers.
“It’s vital that government provides a clear programme of policies and investment to help UK farming get ‘match ready’ for this new, tougher trading environment.
“We also need to see government working with farmers to develop a set of core environmental and animal welfare standards which it can seek to safeguard through forthcoming FTAs, as well as in its general import policy under its current WTO commitments,” Mrs Batters added.
North Lincolnshire Council names Galliford Try to create enterprise and innovation hub in Scunthorpe
Galliford Try has been appointed to work on a multi-million-pound enterprise and innovation hub in the heart of Scunthorpe town centre, for which planning permission was granted earlier this year.
The company will complete detailed designs for the £12m redevelopment for North Lincolnshire Council as part of the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council and Towns Fund Board Member, said: “The enterprise and innovation hub will be a game-changing addition to the heart of Scunthorpe, welcoming new people to the town centre for new reasons.
“Not only will businesses benefit from the incredible environments and green space, the growth of staff and young professionals will directly support Scunthorpe’s bars and hard-working retailers. It is a real win-win for the high street.”
Designs are set to include outstanding collaborative space for businesses, as well as a 46-bed unit for the NHS and licensed café bar.
The innovation hub is one of several projects being delivered to transform Scunthorpe and create a different future. The schemes are funded with £30m of Government cash from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, through the Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund.
They include delivering gigabit broadband to hundreds of businesses, creating an advanced manufacturing park, delivering green energy schemes for schools and community buildings, new cultural experiences, a blue light facility, and hundreds of news homes.
The plans are designed to stimulate the creation of more, better-paid jobs, driving prosperity and ensuring a new future for people who live locally.
Cliff Wheatley, Managing Director of Galliford Try Building North East, said: “The new hub helps revitalise the high street and will attract more people into the heart of town, stimulating the local economy and ensuring its future sustainability.”
Cllr Waltham added: “With the construction of the hub moving ever closer, there is a fantastic opportunity for forward-thinking businesses to relocate or expand into the town centre, becoming part of Scunthorpe’s exciting next chapter.”
Credit management services provider expands into financial services sector with new acquisition
Lowell Group, the Leeds-based credit management services providers, has acquired Hoist Finance UK.
The transaction includes the operations of Hoist Finance UK and its entire unsecured non-performing loan portfolio, comprising of over 2 million consumer accounts, with approximately £585m 180 month Estimated Remaining Collections as at December 2021. The loan portfolio is almost exclusively in the credit card and personal loan sector.
The acquisition continues Lowell’s growth trajectory as well as delivering targeted, strategic expansion into the UK financial services sector, specifically banking. Lowell will also benefit from improved data insight from the financial services market, materially speeding up pricing and analysis whilst reducing investment risk.
The transaction is valued at £370m on an enterprise value basis as at 31 December 2021 which accounts for £340m of net debt. Completion is subject to the approval of the Financial Conduct Authority and is expected Q3 2022.
Colin Storrar, Lowell Group CEO, said: “Hoist Finance is a strong UK market player and its platform, experience, data and portfolio will bring much added value to the Lowell Group. This transaction also demonstrates our ambition, cementing our place as one of the largest UK and European credit services providers across all principal sectors. This is a continuation of our growth trajectory and supports the delivery of the strategic goals we set ourselves.”
Contractor appointed for £5.4m business incubation hub in Rotherham
Plans to create a brand-new business incubation hub on Century Business Park in Rotherham have taken a step forward with Esh Construction now appointed as contractor.
Led by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Century 2 will provide high-quality, serviceable office and workshop accommodation designed to help micro or start-up businesses grow. The facility will feature 20 workshops, 16 office units and 2 laboratories for 38 businesses.
This second phase will build on the success of the nearby Century Business Centre, which was constructed in 2000, and has since helped over 300 businesses, playing a crucial part in the economic regeneration of the Manvers area.
Esh Construction has been appointed as design and build contractor after the scheme was procured by YORhub’s YORbuild2 framework and will work in partnership with The Harris Partnership and RWO Associates.
Esh’s operations director, Paul Waller, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Rotherham Council on this key facility that will enable businesses to become more successful and sustainable, contributing to a boost in local employment and the economy.
“From receiving the initial brief, Esh has led a fast-tracked pre-construction process which included developing design proposals, arranging surveys, pricing the scheme, and submitting planning all within a 10-month period. A huge achievement from everyone involved and we look forward to getting work underway.”
The new centre will feature a central reception and lettable conference facilities for larger meetings and functions. Externally, the site will include car parking, cycle storage and electric car charging points. The workshop zone will have its own dedicated service yard for light vehicles such as transit vans and utility vehicles.
A fabric first approach has been taken towards creating a more sustainable building and renewable heating will be incorporated within the office spaces via air source heat pumps.
The site is located just off the A6195 at Wombwell. It will be managed by Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO) which manages similar facilities across the borough.
There will also be a focus on achieving a BIM Level 2 accreditation throughout the scheme, with Magenta Solutions Ltd leading on the BIM Execution Plan, as well as achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’.
New seven-storey building approved for Leeds as next phase of landmark development
Plans for Vastint UK’s landmark Leeds development, Aire Park, have taken a significant step forwards as planning consent has been granted for the next phase of the scheme.
Leeds City Council has approved plans for a new seven-storey building, which will provide 75,000 sq ft of office space and almost 7,000 sq ft of flexible ground floor space for local retail, restaurant and amenity businesses.
The new building is located on the corner of Waterloo Street and Hunslet Road, neighbouring the iconic Tetley building, and will mark the gateway to Aire Park on the approach from Leeds train station and city centre. Work on the building is set to begin later this year.
The building has been designed by architects Cartwright Pickard, with sustainable construction and occupant wellbeing in mind. Manufacturing elements of the structure and façade offsite will help to make the building more environmentally friendly by maximising its thermal performance and reducing waste. The building will target BREEAM Excellent.
Reflecting changes in the world of work due to COVID-19, the ground floor has been designed for a flexible co-working space. Cycle storage and changing facilities promote healthy commuting and active lifestyles and, unlike a sealed air-conditioned office building, opening windows will give tenants control over levels of fresh air.
Floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides of the building will also give office workers 360-degree views across Leeds, providing high levels of natural light and a strong visual connection to the greenery of Aire Park. The building also has a large roof terrace with views across the park and Leeds’ skyline.
A Leeds City Council Planning Officer’s report accompanying the decision said: “The proposals present the next step in the delivery of the built setting to a 21st Century, child-friendly, biodiverse and climate change-adapted City Park for all generations, that would bring significant new pedestrian and cycle connections, the delivery of major office employment space in the South Bank, and the first phases of the regeneration of the Tetley Brewery site, which closed almost ten years ago.”
Plans have already been approved for additional commercial space, the restoration and expansion of the former Crown Hotel, and the detailed design of the park, as part of the first phase of the development.
Payments entrepreneur aims to triple business with help of £850k investment
A fast-growing card payment solutions provider aims to treble the size of its business following an £850,000 investment.
Grimsby-based Card Industry Professionals has raised the equity funding from both the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), managed by Mercia.
Founded in 2017, by award-winning young entrepreneur Ciaran Savage, Card Industry Professionals provides card terminals, point of sale and online payment solutions to thousands of merchants throughout the UK. It focuses on SMEs including retailers, hair and beauty salons and hospitality businesses, and offers a range of solutions to suit different trading volumes and requirements.
The company has doubled its revenue each year since it launched. The management team has also been bolstered by the addition of Ciaran’s mother, Lyn Savage, as operations director, and sales director John Selby, who, between them, have over 40 years’ experience in the payments industry.
Card Industry Professionals employs a 13-strong team in Grimsby and has a nationwide network of over 130 sales agents. It currently processes over £25m worth of transactions per month and aims to triple that number in the next 18 months. The funding will enable it to strengthen its board, create around 10 new jobs in Grimsby, and continue to expand its product range by incorporating the latest innovations in payments and fintech.
Ciaran Savage, founder and director, says: “This is an exciting moment for Card Industry Professionals as we continue to grow and develop. The investment will enable us to deliver our long-term plan to support and introduce many more merchants to new and emerging payments technology.
“As we shift to more contactless and digital payment methods, we want to make it as easy as possible for merchants to access and adapt to the new payments technologies available, feel supported with the implementation and enable merchants to provide the choice and flexibility to their customers.
“With this investment we can develop upon our portfolio of products, as well as expand our sales team throughout the UK and customer support teams based within our head office.”
Maurice Disasi of Mercia added: “The pandemic has accelerated the uptake of contactless payments and many smaller firms – particularly ‘cash-led’ businesses such as takeaways and hair salons – are having to adapt.
“Card Industry Professionals focuses on this underserved market and is ideally placed to help businesses make the transition to alternative payment methods. The funding will enable the company to stay at the forefront of technology and expand its market share.”
Leeds-based agency wins project with NHS and online retailer
Principles Agency, which has delivered integrated marketing campaigns for brands for more than 35 years, has been appointed by the NHS to coordinate a campaign to combat abuse inflicted on primary healthcare providers which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ‘Be Kind’ campaign, which will run for an initial three months, will see Principles combine extensive research, strategy, concept development and paid media, to challenge deep-rooted behaviours affecting NHS staff.
Karen Coleman, associate director for communication & engagement at West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership commented: “Principles’ proposal for the ‘Be Kind’ campaign was incredibly strong with a good balance of research and campaign development and activation. Principles was selected to support the NHS for this vital campaign based on its ability to work with sensitive subject manners, extract evidence based on insight, and translate these elements into an effective campaign creative.”
The Agency, which celebrated its 35th birthday last year, has also secured a contract with Kingfisher Direct to lead on a business rebrand and strategy reset. Principles has been appointed to lead on strategy and insight to understand Kingfisher Direct’s target audiences, interpret brand positioning and articulate the visual identity of the brand, in order to transform the business into an organisation that engages on a more emotional and personal level with customers.
Client services director at Principles agency, Liz Bryne, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working alongside the NHS on such an important campaign. The project draws on our core strengths of developing big creative ideas built on solid insight, and executing them to the highest standards with the right message, in the right place at the right time. The ‘Be Kind’ campaign is crucial to supporting healthcare staff who have worked so hard during the last two years and we can’t wait to see the impact of the campaign.”
Leeds’ JMG Group enters Scottish market with new acquisition
Investment from Leeds-headquartered JMG Group is set to facilitate a management buyout at Scottish broker Greenwood Moreland and see the business continue its expansion plans under joint ownership.
Greenwood Moreland currently employs 35 people, operating from four branches across Scotland. The company was formed through the merger of Greenwood Insurances and Moreland Insurance Brokers in 2017, with an eye on further growth. It has continued its expansion over the last five years with the acquisition of six brokers serving communities across Scotland.
The investment from JMG will enable founding director Robert Weir to retire after a long career in insurance – having originally set up the business in its current form in 2004 as part of his MBO of Greenwood Insurances.
The broker provides general insurance solutions to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as more specialist expertise covering the charity, church, and franchise sectors.
Greenwood Moreland MD Andrew Weir says the business has always operated with a growth mindset and takes a “grow well” approach to its continued expansion: “We’re an ambitious business and team, and our aim is to build a good quality company that people want to work for, and work with. We want to offer development opportunities to our team as the business grows and take our clients and team with us on our journey.
“The new partnership with the JMG Group is a real game changer for our business that ticks our boxes for growth in the short, medium, and long term. The people and processes they have in place are superb and will help us execute our strategy over the coming months and years. Clients will continue to enjoy a strong and committed trading relationship with us, and it will provide additional opportunities for the people in our team, too. It’s a really good fit for us, and we’re very excited.”
JMG Group CEO Nick Houghton says: “I’ve watched Andrew’s business grow over recent years, and have always been impressed by the way he does business. There is a real parallel between the Greenwood Moreland ethos and approach and our own, and I know the company and the team will be an excellent fit within the JMG group.”
New Digital Growth Grant worth over £12million
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is launching a £12.09 million Digital Growth Grant.
The grant will focus on opening up access to skills training and advice and providing support services to the digital and tech sector over two years.
Bids will be invited to address identified market failures and accelerate the growth of tech start-up and scale-up ecosystems across the regions and nations of the UK. The successful bidder will be awarded up to £12.09 million to be spent over two financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25.
Objectives
The objectives of the Digital Growth Grant will be based around:
- Delivering support services to the digital sector, particularly in transformative/emerging technologies. These services should address key challenges faced by a wide range of companies from seed stage to series A/B, their first or second round of financing.
- Developing the growth of regional support networks for tech start ups and scale ups. Activities should deliver concrete improvements against three or more areas identified in DCMS Regional Ecosystems Report: Investment, Skills, Innovation, Infrastructure and Business Growth/GVA. Interventions should be tailored to local needs and tech specialisms, and developed in partnership with local bodies.
- Ensure founders and firms can access digital entrepreneurship and investment readiness training, with tailored advice to help develop their skills to start and grow a tech business. Clearly signpost start-ups and scale-ups to the digital skills initiatives in private and the public sector (DCMS’ local digital skills partnerships) and share information on the types of roles available in tech companies, the skills required to access these roles, and direction to low/no cost skills provision to acquire those skills.
- Promoting and raising awareness of the strength and competitiveness of the UK tech sector with the aim of boosting investor confidence and inspiring the next generation of tech workers and entrepreneurs.
For further information readers can contact: dcmsdigitalgrowthgrant@dcms.gov.uk
