< Previous20Business Link www.blmforum.net20-23_Layout 1 03/04/2017 14:08 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 21PORTSThe Lincolnshire and Yorkshireregions position in the sector is a strongone, with many companies takingadvantage of the strong links withEurope, as well as the easy access tothe motorway network connecting theNorth and South of the country.Certainly there are many differentdistribution centres and warehouseswithin our region, with more being builtin coming months.High quality warehouse space is inhigh demand at the moment, withfigures suggesting that the availability ofwarehouse space within Lincolnshireand Yorkshire could be decreasingfaster than new facilities are being built.No doubt this is a reflection of thestrong logistics sector our regionexperiences, but it does create aninteresting dilemma of supply anddemand. Our ports are a key player inthis, being attractive prospects not onlyto exporters and importers, but also therenewable industry – and doing workwith the offshore wind farms off thecoast of Yorkshire.Competition has never been strongerthan it is now, particularly with severallarge international manufacturersshowing interest in the area. Each ofthese businesses from overseas likelyalready has an existing supply chainand logistics chain set-up, so localcompanies now find themselvescompeting with overseas logistics firmsas well. The goal is to convince theseinternational companies of theknowledge and experience a local firmhas, both in regards to the industry andthe local area, and how it will benefitthe parent company as opposed to apotentially cheaper service from© Shutterstock / MAGNIFIER22 ÁHarbouringsuccessOur region is well-placed to benefit from its ports, butit depends on continual investment and innovation.abroad. The region however, also has a partto play in increasing the number offoreign investors coming to our shores,both in terms of making our regionmore attractive to investors, but also inmaking the region itself accessible. There are many who wonder whateffects the triggering of Article 50 willhave on the ports industry, and withgood reason. The sector relies onEuropean trade for a large proportion ofits business, and it’s sure to not bebusiness as usual with recenthappenings. Chief Executive of theWine and Spirit and Trade Association,Miles Beale says; “We all want to avoida cliff-edge situation and urgegovernment to take industry advice on20-23_Layout 1 03/04/2017 14:08 Page 222Business Link www.blmforum.netPORTShow to avoid a trade dead-stopand ensure the rapid transit ofgoods. There must be clear andworkable mechanisms in placeto allow cross-border trade ofwine and spirits from themoment we leave the EU.Anything else will result in hugedelays at the ports leading tobacklogs and gridlock. We mustdo everything we can to preventBritain turning into a lorry park. Ifthis isn’t address it will meanmisery on the roads for all andwill also mean that wine andspirits will not get onto theshelves. If this happens it is notunrealistic to expect an influx ofbootleggers looking to find moreefficient ways of getting alcoholinto the UK.” Of course, it is not only thewine and spirit industry whichmay face this problem, andtraditional foodstuffs and productsfrom the continent might get heldup at ports across the region. Theresultant congestion this wouldcause might influence otherindustries too, leading to a knock-oneffect that places pressure on all sectorsrelated to the ports industry. While thismay seem a worst-case scenario, it’ssomething the Government will need tokeep in mind as they move intonegotiations with the EU.There is more to our ports than trade,however, particularly with the GreenHull developments and the offshorewind farms. A whole new industry hasemerged around this sector, with manyclaiming it to be the future of theregion. Renewable energy captures theBoston Barrier plans winbacking of port authorityThe Port of Boston has backed the proposed Boston Barrier and haswithdrawn its objection to the Transport and Works Act Order applicationmade by the Environment Agency last August.This comes after extensive discussions between the Environment Agency andthe Port about the proposed Order, which will go to a public inquiry in April. The multi-million pound Boston Barrier is part of the Boston CombinedStrategy that will reduce the risk of tidal flooding to over 17,000 properties inthe area.Boston Barrier Director Adam Robinson said: “We’re delighted to be workingalongside the Port of Boston, the statutory Harbour Authority, to secure consent and enable the delivery of such an important scheme for thetown of Boston, following the December 2013 tidal surge where many properties and businesses were affected.”The Port has agreed that the Environment Agency can provide temporary berthing facilities for use by the Boston fishing fleet duringconstruction of the proposed Barrier. imagination, and promises to be anindustry all countries will need to turnto in time. Many in the area have alsofound their success working alongsidethe industry, especially in fields such asspecialist recruitment and marineengineering. This has built an entire supply chain20-23_Layout 1 03/04/2017 14:08 Page 3www.blmforum.netPORTSdedicated to working on the environmental industry,and this in turn makes the area attractive to futureinvestors, as they need not worry so much aboutsuppliers, workforce and other amenities. Inessence, Siemens did a lot of the hard work for theregion, and now our ports are in a position to reapthe benefits.Green Port Hull may be hogging the headlinesacross our region, but the exceptional port facilitiesare enjoying huge investment to continue Yorkshireand Lincolnshire’s long heritage as the leadingdestination for goods from around the world.Whether or not the UK’s split from the EU is a messyone, in the long term a new trade deal will be ekedout, and our ports will continue as major trade hubsbetween the UK and the rest of the world.Increased container demandmeans more calls by A2B shipsABP’s Immingham Container Terminal has welcomed the MS Vanquish intothe port to meet growing demand for UK container traffic.Mark Frith, Port Manager for Grimsby and Immingham, said: “The success ofthe Immingham Container Terminal is largely down to the staff that we haveworking there.”The staff at ICT have been heavily focussing their attention on improvementsaround the site such as enabling advanced electronic data collection, improvingIT infrastructure, setting KPI’s and continually improving their haulier booking-insystem.The newly-chartered vessel will increase A2B’s presence at Immingham’sContainer Terminal from 9 to 11 calls every week. This commitment toImmingham reflects the positive transformations and significant investmentmade at the terminal in the last 12 months to meet growing customer needs.ABP owns and operates Imminghamand Hull container terminals. Withfuture investment plans dueto be made at ICT,improvements andexpansion plans meanthat the capacity ofcontainers throughthe terminal isexpected toincrease.The UK’s leading under waterengineering servicesince 1963Oslo Road • Sutton Fields Ind Est. • Hull HU7 0YN • Tel: +44 (0)1482 227276 (24-Hours)Email: contact@northerndivers.co.uk • www.northerndivers.co.ukDB Cargo mark 40 yearpartnership with contractrenewalDoncaster’s DB Cargo UK andOutokumpu are celebratingworking 40 years together after acontract renewal sealed theirongoing partnership.Three to four services will runeach week from Sheffield toImmingham, and one a week toLiverpool for the contract, witheach train carrying around 1,300tonnes of Stainless Steel.The steel arriving atImmingham will be carried by shipto Gothenburg in Sweden, whereit will then be moved by rail toAvesta and Degerfors in Sweden.Steel transported to the Port ofLiverpool will be exported to the American markets.DB Cargo UK first began moving Stainless Steel on behalf of Outokumpu in1977, when the melting shop in Sheffield was first built.Sonia Hampton, Account Manager Metals at DB Cargo UK, said: “We arecelebrating 40 years of working with Outokumpu – the equivalent of a rubywedding anniversary – and we continue to build on the excellent relationshipwe have with them.”Business Link 23Photograph of DFDS Immingham Riverside byRichard Dunn courtesy DFDS Seaways plc20-23_Layout 1 03/04/2017 14:08 Page 4FACTORY AUTOMATION SPOTLIGHT24Business Link www.blmforum.netAutomatedNATION© Shutterstock / Zapp2Photo24-27_Layout 1 03/04/2017 14:11 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 25FACTORY AUTOMATION SPOTLIGHTOver the tumultuous events of theprevious year, it quickly becameapparent that there exists a pervasive‘us and them’ attitude. Both here and inthe US, it went almost undetected untilthe eleventh hour, where the results ofthe EU Referendum and Presidentialelection demonstrated two countriesdivided down the middle. In reality,opposing sides have more in commonthan not, and the anxiety over artificialintelligence is as universal a fear as any.Outside of the political sphere, worldnews has been dominated bytechnology; specifically the evolvingapplication of AI and roboticcapabilities. For some workers, the issue isexistential. With their livelihoodsthreatened, workers are feelingalienated in an increasingly digitalworkplace. With the tabloids stokingthe flames of fear, many have adoptedfatalistic outlooks, blaming artificialintelligence for a forthcomingdiscontent. The technologicalsingularity – where artificial super-intelligence radically changes the faceof human existence – is still some wayoff. Google’s Director of Engineeringhas claimed 2045 is the tipping point.With that in mind, it’s a fair assumptionthat until such time as robots areentirely self-sufficient, there still existsa place for flesh and blood workers (ifonly to maintain the machines). However, some 250,000 publicsector workers could lose their jobs torobots in as little as 15 years,according to the right-of-centrethinktank Reform. Its report found thatthrough their inherent efficiency,robots can save the UK economybillions of pounds – certainly acompelling case for employers feelingthe sting of the National Living Wage.It added that ‘chatbots’ who byreplacing administrative positionscould save huge amounts of money. But not all forecasts are to thechagrin of workers, with somesources claiming that automation canbe a positive means of ushering inskilled workers. For example, LenMcCluskey, General Secretary of theunion Unite, says: “Automation couldbe a good thing for industry andsociety, if handled in the right way –which means not seeing it as justanother opportunity to cut jobs andcosts and make a fatter profit.“It should instead be an opportunityfor a shorter working week with no lossin pay, or the gateway to a nationwideprogramme of re-skilling and up-skillingexisting workers, while also creatingnew training and apprenticeshipschemes.”The University of Salford, togetherwith Siemens, has launched a Bachelorof Engineering degree in control andautomation to help plug the wideningskills gap, offering opportunity ratherthan obsolescence. If successful, similarschemes are likely to arrive in ourregion, with the Universities of Leeds,Sheffield and Lincoln all idealcandidates. The massive expansion of AIcapabilities over the last few yearsalone has seen unprecedentedtechnological leaps forward. Issues overrobotic intelligence are being debated inparliament, with MPs exploring whetherthere should be a robot tax and whetherrobots should be treated the samerights as human workers. In the comingdecades, there will likely be a leapforward greater than all previousindustrial expansion in human historycombined. It’s important to remember that theswitch to automation isn’t an overnightchange, and has been a gradualprocess to which UK workers and thenation’s economy has been adapting fordecades – in some cases centuries. Thismagazine, for example, was written ona computer and printed not by a press,but by an automated printing process.In the here and now – and certainly inEngland – automation is typicallyrelegated to the manufacturing sector.A prime example is the automotiveindustry, where the production line isfully automated. The UK is globallyrenowned for its automotive industry,with some of the foremast names in26 ÁDespite sparkingconcerns of massunemployment,automation is a viablesolution to the skillsshortage as well ascreating a stronger,more competitiveBritain. 24-27_Layout 1 03/04/2017 14:11 Page 226Business Link www.blmforum.netFACTORY AUTOMATION SPOTLIGHTLeeds manufacturer bootsproduction with premiseschange Leeds manufacturer Yamato Scale Dataweigh UK has bolstered its productionthroughput capabilities following a recent change of premises.The greater space on Millennium Way means that Yamato has increased space todevelop work flows and processes that have improved efficiencies in all areas offabrication and production.More space in the new factory means that Yamato has increased the efficiency of itsproduction of weighing machines, multihead weighers, check weighers and metal detectors. Increased work flow, even more efficient processesand better capacity means swifter delivery of new machines and faster handling of repairs.Andrea Spencer, Yamato Commercial Operations Manager, said: “Extra space means that we have more capacity than before. This has led to uscreating improved work processes which have made the team more efficient across the board.”She added: “The new factory space enables us to develop additional solutions for a wider range of customers even more efficiently than before.”luxury vehicles produced on British soil– several in our region, in fact. Sadly,the UK can’t claim to be a leader inautomated engineering in any otherregard. In fact, we lag behind othermajor economies. In a close second, however, is thefood and drinks industry whereautomation has been commonplace onthe production line for years. Both thefood and pharmaceutical industries relyon many of the same machines, most ofwhich are semi- and fully-automated.Keeping up with demand would beimpossible otherwise. Take, forexample, labelling and printing, andimagine the loss of time and profitsrelying solely on a human workforce.Automated labelling machines alonesave food manufacturers on downtimeand expenditure. Automated factoriesare becoming more familiar in the foodsector, at a production level but also interms of distribution. In the widersupply chain, warehouses are leadingthe way in terms of automatedefficiency. One need look no further than e-commerce giant Amazon, who alongwith its digital offering, has expandedinto a number of new venturesincluding groceries under itsAmazonFresh brand and into renewableenergy – all of which requires intelligentand integrated logistics capabilities. Asone of world’s largest and forwardthinking companies, Amazon is leadingthe charge when it comes to itsautomated warehouses. The companyboasts three fulfilment centres inDoncaster alone. As the name suggests,these facilities allow Amazon to fulfil thestaggering number of orders it receives,focussed on a specific geography,thereby allowing consumers to takeadvantage of quick delivery andservices. This ‘Amazon effect’ is evolving theindustry as a whole, meaning that whattakes place in an Amazon centre willinvariable permeate into the facilities ofother companies until it becomesindustry standard. Already these24-27_Layout 1 03/04/2017 14:11 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 27FACTORY AUTOMATION SPOTLIGHTNow appointed byToshiba TEC as an officialreseller for their Aplex4print and apply system.Call today for helpful, expertadvice on cost effectivemanual, semi and fullyautomatic labelling.Norpak Ltd, 3 Mitre Court, Cutler Heights Lane, Bradford, W. Yorks, BD4 9JYTel: 01274 681022 Enquiries to info@norpakltd.comwww.norpakltd.comEurope’s biggest aerospacecastings facility nowoperational at AMRCA castings facilitycapable of producingsome of the biggesttitanium aerospacecomponents in the worldis now operational at theUniversity of SheffieldAdvanced ManufacturingResearch Centre (AMRC).Construction of thefurnace for the AMRCCastings Group was completed last year and in March, the first testsor ‘hot commissioning’, have been completed successfully.The furnace has three interchangeable crucibles with the capacityfor melting 250kg, 500kg and 1,000kg of metal, which give it theversatility to produce components with a finished weight rangingupwards from 60kg.With leading aerospace primes and manufacturing companiesalready lining up to collaborate on research, AMRC Castings isconducting initial paper and pilot studies to explicitly identify therisks and value streams associated with casting large-scale near-netshape components in titanium.This research aims to refine and enhance the casting process,reassuring engineers that casting can create lower buy-to-fly ratios forlarge-scale aerospace components; whilst maintaining the performanceexpectations when compared to their forged counterparts.© Shutterstock / Rainer Plendlcentres utilise robotic drone-like ‘Kiva’ robots whichcan carry the weight of a car on their backs and criss-cross vast distances across the company’swarehouses hundreds of times a day. The robots arealready a mainstay of Amazon’s South Yorkshire-based workforce. Automation is imperative in order for the UK toremain competitive on the world stage, doubly so aswe’ve begun the protracted process of leaving the EU.A Government’s duty might be first and foremost toits people, but the expansion of robotics and artificialintelligence into our homes and workplaces isn’t acase of one thing or the other. As well as makingcompanies more efficient and competitive – andpotentially saving billions for the UK economy – thesesolutions can help to solve the skills gap rather thanexacerbate it. Of course, there will be job losses, tensof thousands even, but that glosses over the jobs thatwill be created as a direct result of automation. Thebooming robotics industry will need its own talentedworkforce, after all. The jobs market is evolving, andwe as a nation need accept that change is constantand inevitable. 24-27_Layout 1 03/04/2017 14:12 Page 428Business Link www.blmforum.netHEALTHCAREA healthy worker is a happy worker,or so the saying goes. Far from the sortof platitude one finds plastered acrossmotivational posters, there’s more thankernel of truth to the phrase. It’s oftenthe case that many manufacturers seehealth and safety principles as, at best,an inconvenience, assuming that acommon sense approach is best andcertainly not requiring anything moreformal than that. While it’s true to saymanagers and employees alike usuallyhave the wit to deal with potentialproblems, there are clear advantagesfrom having a formal policy in place.Offering employees access to privatehealthcare helps in retention and makesa company more competitive. If aprospective new employee is weighingup the merits of multiple job offers,private healthcare is a powerfulmotivator. With the NHS in turmoil, itcan prove especially advantageous,with employees feeling safe in theknowledge that they’re covered andprotected. Many claims will also extendto family, adding extra peace of mind.It’s not uncommon for workers to taketime off to care for a sick child orrelative, and with private healthcare,this time could be prevented or, at thevery least, reduced. Though physical injury and ailmentare typically what spring to mind whenconsidering the health of workers, it’soften what goes unseen that is havingthe most damaging effect. Mentalillness doesn’t have the same stigmaattached that it had in recent years, withhigh profile celebrities, politicians andinfluencers all coming forward andrevealing their own struggles withmental afflictions. With the topic out inpublic, employees are becoming moreunderstanding to what is, by and large,invisible. To that end, a company mightgive employees access to a counsellor,or offer a preferential rate through work.SafeandsecureHealthcare might incursome extra expense inensuring workers arekept fit and safe, butthe effect an unhealthyworker or uninspiredworkforce can haveon a company’sbottomline can be farmore costly anddamaging. 28-31_Layout 1 04/04/2017 09:29 Page 1Complete Health & Safety solutionswith Prestige Safety ServicesPrestige Safety Services are unique in being able to offer a complete Health & Safetysolution for all sizes and types of businesses throughout the UK. Based in Doncaster, Prestige Safety Services operates at a national level. Their servicesare used by a variety of industries, including construction, education, retail and hospitality. The company has a fresh approach to Health & Safety; saving its clients time, effort andmoney through offering the most suitable and cost-efficient safety solutions to meet theirlegal, moral and financial obligations. Moreover, the company are a Qualsafe accredited course provider. It offers a variety ofaccredited and in-house courses including bespoke training specific to the risk and businessof the company requiring it.Prestige Safety Services aims to take the costs out of in-house company Health & Safetywith bespoke packages tailored to each company’s needs, ensuring staff and workers arehappy, healthy and productive. For more information, visit www.prestigesafetyservices.com.© Shutterstock / Olinchukwww.blmforum.netBusiness Link 29HEALTHCAREBlue-chip swoops for Leedspharma businessBlue-chip chemical companyByotrol has agreed to acquireAnthetnian Hygiene – the clinicalhand hygiene division of Leeds-based WinchPharma for £114,000.The Athenian Hygiene brandhas become the leading alcohol-free hand sanitiser brand withinthe NHS after WinchPharma wasawarded the contract back in2013/14.Byotrol had been in talks withWinchPharma for some timefollowing the win, having been amajor, supporting supplierthroughout.The brand is available in over 140 NHS Trusts up and down the country. It is used by over1,000 medical professionals on a daily basis and is used as a standard in 5 NHS Trusts.David Traynor, CEO at Byotrol, said: “This transaction allows us instant and direct accessto the growth in non-alcohol personal care products in the healthcare market and beyond.It also ensures that existing customers of WinchPharma will see continuity of supply and apipeline of high-performance, innovative new products to fit within the new biocideregulatory landscape.”© Shutterstock / IDNOf course, this does come with thedouble edged sword of an employeebeing open and frank about their mentalhealth, which they might not necessarilybe forthcoming about. It might be that depression andanxiety are becoming morecommonplace in the workplace or,more likely, we’re beginning to be moreopen in discussing our mental health.The same is true for that other taboo –sexual health. It’s doubtful theembarrassment factor associated withsexual health will ever disappearentirely, but employees are normallymore approachable and understanding© Shutterstock / wavebreakmedia30 Áthan perhaps workers give them creditfor. Though a worker might put a fewwhite lies on their CV to secure a job,they might also be willing to obscurethe truth when it comes to disclosingtheir health history. This helps no oneand can likely cause a major issue forboth employer and employee furtherdown the line. Occupational health is defined as thebranch of medicine dealing with theprevention and treatment of job-relatedinjuries and illnesses. Though everyworkplace has its own unique risks and28-31_Layout 1 04/04/2017 09:29 Page 2Next >