FEBRUARY 2019 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2ENGINEERING SPOTLIGHT An engineering regionBRIDGING THE GAPBRIDGING THE GAPPRINTING AND PACKAGING Time to evolveTRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS Facing the skills crisis01 .qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2019 11:23 Page 1Do you suffer from… Foot Pain? Knee Pain? Back Pain?Foot Pain? Knee Pain? Back Pain?Orthotic intervention helps to reduce pain, slow the progression of a deformity, or prevent injuryOrthotic intervention helps to reduce pain, slow the progression of a deformity, or prevent injuryCALL NOW TO BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION 01522 520362 Burton Waters Lincoln. LN1 2TU www.quaysorthotics.co.ukCALL NOW TO BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION 01522 520362 Burton Waters Lincoln. LN1 2TU www.quaysorthotics.co.ukCLINICS IN LINCOLN, HULL AND WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA TAILORED, SERVICED ACCOMMODATION SOLUTIONSTHE LUXURY OF A BOUTIQUE HOTELWITH ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOMEWith Eazy Rooms, everything really is easy. With our award-winning flexible service everything is taken care of means less hassle for you.To find out more call us on 01482 770360 or visit eazy-rooms.co.uk02.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2019 11:34 Page 1The second month of the year has come around already, and it certainly feels like the UK isn’t quite ready for it. Questions about Brexit remain (and when do they not?) and, at the time of writing, the Government has not yet made a decision on whether to continue with a No Deal option or extend the deadline yet again. One has to wonder if the deadline is going to be extended indefinitely, with the country in the year 2099 still arguing over it. Supermarkets may have warned of a lack of goods on the shelves in the event of a No Deal Brexit, but here in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire many manufacturers are stocking up beforehand, predicting sharp price raises for raw material in the event of a no deal. It’s good to see what sectors can preparing, as it never hurts to prepare for a worst-case scenario. Anything better can be considered a bonus. It’s not all doom and gloom, however, because the manufacturing sector has also signalled high rates of confidence across the region despite the economic uncertainty, while other sectors such as property have bucked trends and remained strong. Our issue this month takes a look at both of these – but also delves into the world of business travel, as well as training and apprenticeships, to face that ever-present skills shortage question. Along with up-to-date news, analysis and comment from business leaders in the region, this month’s issue is not one to be missed. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher EditorThe magazine that cares We care because we want to leave our world a better place than we found it Business Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of. Community - From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We also extend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causes and charities. Environment - Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources, minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise.From the Editor03.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2019 11:23 Page 1CONTENTSFEBRUARY 20196News The latest business news and success stories from around our region 12GlobalView Systems Q&A Chatting with Richard Iveson, Business Development Manager at Hull’s GlobalView Systems, not only offered a better insight into the company and its specialities, but the software and communications industries as well 14Commercial property There’s a mixed picture in store for the commercial property market across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire with experts predicting a deficit of Grade A office space as demand increases without the stock to meet it 18Engineering spotlight Almost 75% of the UK’s manufacturing within 4 hours of the Humber, so it’s perhaps no surprise that our region plays such an important part in the engineering market • Pipesco Q&A 24Printing and packaging The packaging industry is constantly changing in response to consumer demand, but what are some of the most recent trends affecting firms? 28Training and apprenticeships The skills gap looming over the country has reached Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, presenting employers with the challenge of finding suitable staff to fill the positions available. There is now a need to become more proactive by training individuals to suit the requirements of one’s business • York Learning 32Meet the experts Experts from a range of major sectors across our region share their vast expertise, experience and insight 34Business travel and leisure Though seemingly not as necessary as it once was thanks to technological developments, business travel remains popular 38Corporate hospitality Beset by staffing issues and increasing competition from sharing accommodation, the hotel sector is having to play to its strength to overcome its challenges 41AutoLink Over 80 exciting new generation models, 31 of them plug-in electrics, are set to make their showroom debuts in 2019 as the motor industry tries to stimulate growth • We get our hands on the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sports Turismo 46Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 50And finally…Yorkshire-Lincolnshire-Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.netCONNECT WITH US14384404-05.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2019 11:26 Page 1Group Editor Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalists Dominic Cuthbert (d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk) Stuart Pearcey (s.pearcey@blmgroup.co.uk) Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup,.co.uk) Editorial contact newsdesk@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317 Sales Director Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Advertising Sam Trott (s.trott@blmgroup.co.uk) Vicky Hunt (v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk) Kerry Randerson (k.randerson@blmgroup.co.uk) Nicolle Sizer (n.sizer@blmgroup.co.uk) Emily Bakes (e.bakes@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: (01472) 310310 Accounts & Subscriptions Angela Sharman, John Downes Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Design & Production Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson Tel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314 (studio@blmgroup.co.uk) E-Mail: yorks-lincs@blmgroup.co.uk Website www.blmforum.net Address Haychart Ltd, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE. ISSN No: 1462-2092 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. COVER PHOTOS: LJ REAL ESTATE/KNIGHT FRANK • SHUTTERSTOCK - PGRAPHIS • ATELIER211 • BIGTUNAONLINE • PORSCHEwww.blmforum.net3404-05.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2019 11:26 Page 2€6m acquisition undertaken by Tracsis Leeds-based transport software specialist Tracsis has acquired Dublin’s Compass Informatics in a deal worth up to €6 million. This is the first overseas acquisition undertaken by Tracsis who said the addition will be “highly complementary” to its Traffic & Data Services division. The acquisition consideration comprises an initial cash payment of €3.15 million. An additional payment of circa €0.5 million will be made on a euro for euro basis to reflect the net current asset position of the business (above a working capital hurdle) at completion and will be finalised in due course. Additional contingent consideration of up to €2 million is payable subject to Compass achieving certain stretched financial targets in the three years post acquisition. Tracsis CEO John McArthur said: “Coming together with Compass will strengthen the product and service offerings to our client base in the UK and also benefit those existing clients retained by Compass in Ireland.”6 Business Link www.blmforum.netNEWSLincolnshire Chamber reveals new Chair Lincoln College Group CEO Gary Headland has been appointed as the new Chair of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce replacing Ursula Lidbetter. Mr Headland’s experience includes running a £60 million turnover College Group with three UK colleges, two colleges in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as a range of international contracts in China, Eastern Caribbean and Romania. He is also Chair of the Institute of Directors for Greater Lincolnshire and a Midlands Engine Export Champion for the Department of Industry and Trade. Ms Lidbetter said: “Our Chamber Board and new Assembly have attracted an exciting mix of talented business people. Led by Gary, I have no doubt that they will make a real impact, developing the Chamber’s services, support and strategic leadership for our vibrant business community across Lincolnshire.” Lloyds to lend £1.4bn to Yorkshire businesses in 2019 During 2019, Lloyds Banking Group plans to lend up to £1.4 billion to Yorkshire firms as part of its £18 billion pledge to support UK businesses. Available to firms across Yorkshire, the funding will support entrepreneurs looking to start-up a new business, micro-businesses seeking to scale up and small businesses considering trading internationally for the first time. It will also support established mid-sized businesses and large, multinational corporations seeking further growth. Russell Galley, Lloyds Banking Group Ambassador for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We hope lending up to £1.4 billion will go some way to help local firms realise their growth ambitions. Whether it’s a start-up tackling a breakthrough into Yorkshire’s expanding digital tech sector, or a large manufacturer shoring up supply chains ahead of Brexit, we are here to help with expertise and financial support.”© Tomasz Bidermann / ShutterstockGardy Headland with Ursula Lidbetter © Shutterstock /metamorworks06-11.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2019 11:45 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 7 Funding advice for ambitious Yorkshire engineering firms A two-day event hosted by the British Valve and Actuator Association (BVAA) in Brighouse this February will kick-off with a workshop looking at how business leaders can access grants and support through Local Enterprise Partnerships. Delivered by Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Growth Service, the free session will explore how to access the support available, and how to make a strong bid to secure this. “Many engineering businesses are aware that funding opportunities exist, but they don’t necessarily have the inhouse resources to properly investigate or apply for them,” BVAA Director Rob Bartlett said. “The session will arm them with the insights they need to identify potential growth areas that could be eligible for loans or match-funded grants.” After the opening session, delegates have the option to join a motivational talk from John Nichol, retired RAF Navigator and former prisoner-of-war, followed by dinner.British Steel enhances logistics fleet with £1.4m investment British Steel is investing £1.4 million in a new fleet of 11 tractor units and 7 rigid vehicles to support the growth of its UK distribution network. “This is a significant investment in our future which will enable us to provide an even better service to our customers throughout the UK,” said Richard Farnsworth, British Steel’s MD of construction. He added: “The vehicles, coupled with our extensive stock range, will enable us to meet customer needs with next-day delivery in the immediate area while customers can also still make their own collections.” The fleet, which will be delivered this spring, is being supplied to British Steel through the Thomas’s Group, a family-run commercial vehicle business based in Birmingham. And the vehicles – which will serve customers across the South East, Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber regions – are being supplied by DAF Trucks.Stagecoach invests £5.7m in greener buses for Hull Stagecoach East Midlands is making a major £5.7 million investment in new state-of-the-art buses for Hull. The fleet of 31 high-spec vehicles – including 21 single and 10 double-decker buses – will hit the roads early this summer. The vehicles are all fitted with environmentally-friendly Euro 6 engines with low carbon emissions, the latest start/stop technology and the most up to date CCTV equipment. They also feature the latest tracking technology, allowing customers to access the Stagecoach mobile app to track their bus live wherever they are. The delivery of the new buses will increase capacity on routes servicing Hull, helping to tackle traffic congestion and allow more people to switch to public transport. “It’s great news for people living and working in and around Hull,” said Councillor Daren Hale, portfolio holder for transport. “This is a significant investment from Stagecoach East Midlands and supports the Council’s vision to make the city accessible to all.”NEWS© Shutterstock /pcruciattiJohn Nichol06-11.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2019 11:45 Page 2TOWER FIELD SERVICES Cat Tech Tower Field Services offers bespoke mechanical services to oil refinery and petrochemical plants all around the world. Our team has vast experience in overseeing and undertaking the installation of all types of Tower internals. Our Tower tray, packing and other internals installation services has deep roots, with several of the senior team at Cat Tech being involved in the founding of the Cana-Tex organisation. Since 1971, Cana-Tex had been the premier global Tower speciality contractor; performing Tower maintenance and plant turnaround projects around the world. These origins, with the addition of new team members, make Cat Tech Tower Field services a global operation which is both cost effective and technically experienced. We strive to create new ways to make your Tower work safer, faster and more productive and that can make very good things happen for your business.We thrive on exceeding our clients expectations and understand the need for upfront communication in relation to timescales and costs. No-one likes surprises in this industry and we ensure that everything is done, from pre-job planning, on site activities to post job reporting in a manner which allows our customers to concentrate on their core business. Let us show you what we can do. We work hard to maintain an industry reputation for safety, speed and dependability. Ours crews have been trained by us, this allows us to staff a project with the proven skills necessary to produce customer satisfaction. It is our intention to demonstrate the benefit of utilising Cat Tech for all of your Tower work. The benefits of engaging Cat Tech are: l Experienced Tower specialists. l Proven track record. l Ability to supply spares and replacements. l Spade to Spade service. l Revamps or modifications to Towers / Internals. l Inspection of Tower internals. l Supervision of external/client labour force. l Detailed inspection reports. l Cleaning of tower internals. l Reactor tray field services. l Turnkey reactor tray field services.At Cat Tech, we continue to create new ways to make Tower work safer, faster and more productive. And that can make very good things happen for your business. Contact us for further information. Our well established sales team have a wealth of experience. We take pride on ensuring all enquires are dealt with quickly and efficiently.UK: Cat Tech (Europe) Ltd., 1 South Park Road, South Park Industrial Estate, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN17 2BY UK Phone: +44 (0) 1724 871747 Fax: + 44 (0) 1724 861928 Bulgaria: Cat Tech Services (South Eastern Europe) Ltd., Devnia, Varna District, Povelyanovo, 20 Droujba Str, R Bulgaria, 9160 Phone: +(35) 9519 92052 Fax: +(35) 9527 46770China: Cat Tech Services (Shanghai) Ltd., Room 1230 No.1, 58 Nong Huachi Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 20061 CN Phone: +(86) 2152 9175 08 Fax: +(86) 2152 9175 05 Singapore: Cat Tech Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., 17 Fan Yoong Road, Singapore 629794 Phone: +(65) 6264 6261 Fax: +(65) 6264 6401 South America: Please contact the UK office on +44 1724 871 747Thailand: Cat Tech Services (Thailand) Ltd., 2/1 Soi Banbon Nuenpayom Road, Maptaphut Sub District, Muang Rayong District, Rayong Province 21150 TH Phone: +(66) 894 064 100 Fax: +(66) 638 692 382MAKING YOUR PLANT WORK…SMARTERwww.cat-tech.comPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/KAWINNINGS06-11.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2019 11:45 Page 3Ground broken on Huddersfield’s Gigabit transformation Ground has been broken on the £30 million full fibre network expansion in Huddersfield which CityFibre says will make the town “one of the most digitally connected” in the world. Work began in late January in Huddersfield town centre to extend its existing full fibre network past almost every home and business locally, enabling both residents and businesses to enjoy unlimited bandwidth and internet speeds of up to 1,000Mbps. The new project, delivered in partnership with Vodafone, marks a further £30 million investment from CityFibre, providing residents with access to gigabit speed connectivity for the very first time. By using fibre optic cables for every stage of the connection from the customer’s business or home to the internet, rather than aging, capacity-constrained copper cables, users can experience a significantly superior and more reliable broadband service, capable of Gigabit speeds (1000Mbps). Local Brighouse-based contractor SDH Project Services has been appointed to deliver the programme on CityFibre’s behalf.www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 9NEWSExtra funding secured for growing Lincolnshire businesses Lincoln BIG and Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce have secured additional funding for a special project – in a move which spells good news for growing county businesses. The partners have been given extra money by the European Regional Development Fund for the Collaboration 4 Growth (C4G) project, which means they can help more expanding businesses through until December 2021. The extension to the project could provide boost more individual businesses through the offer of either 12 hours of free business advice and support in areas such as marketing, organisation or finance or, alternatively, a revenue or capital grant of between £2,000 and £7,000. Businesses can also access individual or group support covering topics including social media, understanding their customers, or target marketing and more. Grants contribute 60% towards the cost of a project and can be used to assist with business expansion.© Shutterstock/asharkyu© Shutterstock/Ubermensch MattWANdisco secure $565k multi-cloud deal WANdisco, the big data specialist based in Sheffield and California, has secured its first multi-cloud contract worth $565,000 with an unnamed client. The contract, which was secured whilst working with Amazon Web Services, will see the client deploy WANdisco Fusion for Multi-Cloud (Fusion). This enables continuous replication of data across multiple Amazon cloud environments and locations. This marks the first contract where a client will utilise Fusion for both multi-cloud and multi-tenancy use cases. David Richards, CEO and Chairman of WANdisco, said: “We are seeing businesses with complex data requirements choose multiple suppliers for a range of specialised data use cases. This requires data to be replicated across a multi-cloud architecture with guaranteed data accuracy. The only technology that can enable such live data at scale is WANdisco Fusion.”© Shutterstock/Wright Studio06-11.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2019 11:46 Page 4Next >