< Previous20 Business Link www.blmforum.netPORTSLincolnshire, and businesses are taking advantage of the upsurge in interest. “It’s great to witness so many of our region’s businesses begin to export or grow their international footprint by making a name for themselves overseas,” says Mark Robson, Head of Region, Yorkshire and Humber, at the Department of International Trade (DIT). “Firms that export are more resilient, profitable and ultimately more successful, which is great news for the local economy.” The success seen in food and drink exports is part of a wider trend for the region, with exports of all products rising. Official government figures reveal that all exports from the region rose 7.8 per cent from 2017 to 2018, making Yorkshire and the Humber one of the best performing regions in the UK. In order to deal with this trend, our ports need to continually invest in storage, services and infrastructure. The catalyst in many cases over the last three years has been Brexit, which presents an existential threat to British ports up and © Shutterstock /vebboy“It’s great to witness so many of our region’s businesses begin to export or grow their international footprint by making a name for themselves overseas” Mark Robson, Head of Region, Yorkshire and Humber, at the Department of International Trade (DIT).18-21.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 10:50 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 21 PORTSdown the UK. Fear over the capacity of Dover to cope with freight traffic in the increasingly likely event of a no-deal Brexit has seen trade re-routed into Humber ports. ABP itself has reported an increase in trade through its parts having invested in infrastructure at Hull. The operator’s own regional head of communications, Dafydd Williams, claimed that Brexit preparedness was important for economic growth. Back in January, Mr Williams said that the operator was “doing what we can to ensure a free flow of trade in the event of a no-deal”. Investment equals competitiveness and while ports up and down the Humber estuary are improving their services and infrastructure, energy can’t be ignored – specifically renewable energy. ABP’s Goole port, for example, is now producing its own green energy thanks to a £1 million rooftop solar initiative comprising over 4,340 solar panels. During peak generation times, the port is able to run solely from clean energy. It’s part of wider efforts along the Humber to embrace clean energy and become a leader in decarbonisation, with a myriad of businesses and industries working together to realise the full leadership of the Humber. Some of the most worrying predictions of a no-deal Brexit paint a woeful picture for our ports, with deadlock, congestion and shipments sat around waiting for inspection. But along the Humber, ports are investing in infrastructure and services, embracing renewable energy and helping the region achieve even higher levels of exports around the globe. © Shutterstock /Neil Mitchell18-21.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 10:50 Page 422 Business Link www.blmforum.netFACTORY AUTOMATIONKey to the smart factory concept is the internet of things (IoT), a cloud-connected network that brings together previously separate systems. In doing so, once disparate data streams are pooled in one place, where they can be turned into actionable insights. This allows manufacturers to see exactly where they can create a leaner, more efficient supply chain operation and highlight what areas require improvement. Far from a passing fad, IoT is already having a transformative effect. According to management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, the impact of IoT could reach $11 trillion per year by 2025. What separates IoT from individual digital technologies is its interconnectedness. Yes, there’s processing machines, forklifts and the like, but it’s as much about creating a mapped network of an entire factory operation. This includes smoke detectors, thermometers for chilled environments, water meters, motion detectors and security systems. Take machine sensors as an example. They allow factories to measure and reduce energy and water waste leading to lower operating costs and more environmentally sustainable operations. Using smart sensors can also lead to better asset tracking, triggering orders when stock runs low so manufacturers can completely automate their inventory replenishment process. The same technology can also automatically identify potential equipment failures before they happen, saving on more expensive repairs and protracted periods of downtime. There will always be some resistance to new technologies, but the majority of companies in the industrial manufacturing sector are exploring this concept or at least looking into smart technologies. The downside, however, is that the right infrastructure is needed before any IoT system can be installed and this requires Falling under the wider Industry 4.0 umbrella, the smart factory concept prescribes intelligent, efficient factory automation and control systems which can increase flexibility, save energy and extend system life. For its myriad benefits, there’s a lot for operators to consider. Industry in evolution 22-24.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 10:45 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 23 FACTORY AUTOMATIONinvestment. Costs here can be steep – sometimes even prohibitive – but at a time when the future seems uncertain, investing in technologies that will help to future-proof the factory floor can be an attractive prospect. But there’s more to the smart factory concept than just IoT. The so-called “lights out” production concept, where manufacturing activities and material flow are handled automatically, is becoming a hallmark of modern manufacturing. Obviously, this can’t be achieved by a traditional workforce and so robots have become much more commonplace on the factory floor. Robots were originally introduced in the workplace for health and safety reasons, replacing human workers in dirty and dangerous jobs, and boosting production output. Robotic systems also help to improve product quality and uniformity and, crucially, cut manufacturing costs by replacing increasingly expensive people with ever-cheaper machines. After all, a machine doesn’t need a living wage or pension. It’s understandable that some workers fear robots will put them out of a job, especially in the manufacturing sector. Yet it’s the very nature of technology to eliminate jobs by expanding the scope of human understanding and by making our home and work lives easier. Complete automation is the natural next step for manufacturing. There’s been countless studies both confirming and denying the notion that robotics and artificial intelligence will result in job losses. What we can agree on, however, is that these booming new sectors will themselves create jobs – though the exact figure is almost impossible to predict. Business Link has never been shy in asserting its opinion that there will always be a place for a human workforce in the manufacturing 24 Á© Shutterstock /PopTika22-24.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 10:45 Page 2FACTORY AUTOMATIONsector, because machines and automated systems still need to be designed, installed, serviced and repaired. But it is inevitable that the robots are coming. As well as improving efficiency, lowering operation costs and boosting output, investing in robots makes sound financial sense. Over the last three decades, the average robot price has fallen by half in real terms whilst the cost of labour has continued to rise. Robotic systems also have the advantage over IoT as they’re comparatively easy to assemble, install and integrate thanks to overall advances in computing power, software development techniques and networking technologies. Whether working in tandem with robotic systems or as part of a wider IoT, augmented reality (AR) has a number of practical applications on the factory floor. Although AR dates back to 1968, the technology is still in its infancy, but there’s a huge scope of what it can offer manufacturers. It can be used to train maintenance engineers on the specific environment they will encounter, making it a boon to hazardous environments such as food and drink and pharmaceutical manufacturing. For facilities managers and site operators, the technology allows off-site staff to experience the same view as a maintenance team on site. By projecting information on a heads-up display, AR can also assist in complex assembly, something that’s already being used by companies like Boeing and will likely permeate the industry in the years to come. The smart factory concept is less a decision facing manufacturers and more like the industry in evolution. Companies resist this change at their own peril, but that’s not to say they must completely overhaul their operations. The addition of augmented reality or a robotics system may be enough to benefit from efficiency gains and, best of all, a reduction in operating costs. © Shutterstock /Zapp2Photo24 Business Link www.blmforum.netTel: 01482 325676 • Email: sales@kingston-engineering.co.uk • www.kingston-engineering.co.uk Kingston Engineering are specialists in precision engineering, based in Hull. As one of the region’s leading companies in their sector, Kingston Engineering can provide specialised power screw products, specialist leadscrew and ex-stock power nuts and screws. In addition, they can provide expertise and guidance in factory and production machinery installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair.22-24.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 10:45 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 25FAMILY BUSINESSThere’s a slew of benefits of family-run businesses, from creating a more open and welcoming workforce, to cultivating a legacy that resonates with clients and customers. There are, however, a number of challenges for family businesses to overcome, as their greatest strength can sometimes be their biggest flaw. According to the Institute of Family Business, two thirds of businesses in the UK are family-owned. That’s 4.8 million in all, 70,000 of which are based in Yorkshire and the Humber. Some are fledgling companies, others have been established for hundreds of years, but together family businesses generate over a quarter of UK Gross Domestic Pound. In 2016, for example, the family business sector paid £149 billion in tax, which is twenty-one per cent of UK Government revenues. It isn’t just their production output and financial contribution that makes this sector such an indispensable part of the British economy, but also what it offers in terms of recruitment. Family firms employ approximately 12.2 million people in the UK and account for forty-seven per cent of private sector employment. But family businesses aren’t without their own unique challenges. The familiarity between family members © Shutterstock /Andrey_Popov Better together26 Á25-27.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 10:52 Page 1FAMILY BUSINESSmeans that they might behave with one another in a way they wouldn’t with unrelated employees. And working with family members runs the risk of bringing household drama into the workplace. Not only can this create tensions between related employees but can also make working life difficult for all staff. It’s inevitable that any family-run businesses serious about growth will have to look outside the clan when recruiting. Ensuring that these staff members can work free of bickering is critical. If not, a business is likely to struggle holding onto talent which can seriously scupper growth plans. One of the other potential threats for family businesses is nepotism; the appearance of favouring one staff member over another simply because they’re related to you. It has to be said, however, that this won’t always be the fault of the employer, and can often give disgruntled employees a means of expressing their dissatisfaction at losing out on a promotion or raise. Say, for example, two employees are vying for a newly created or recently vacated position. Both candidates possess valuable skillsets which would be invaluable to the role, and both have the right kinds of experience. In fact, both are evenly matched when it comes to experience, ability and time served with the company. One of them, however, happens to be the son or daughter of the managing director, while the other is an unrelated employee. If the MD selects their own kin for the position, the other candidate could throw around claims of nepotism – claims they could very well take to tribunal. This isn’t an easy burden for family businesses to bear, but being objective is critical to ensuring workplace harmony and the continued success of the company. Business leaders need to think of their relatives as they would any other employee, especially when it comes to promotion and discipline. This is by no means a silver bullet, but it should help to ease any accusations of “it’s one rule for us, another for them”. For family businesses, the challenges don’t end in the board room, sales floor or warehouse. Working together with family members does invite the danger 26 Business Link www.blmforum.net© Shutterstock /fizkesDIRECT GASKETS LIMITEDHaving being established for over 25 years in Kingston upon Hull, we have been called the leading manufacturer in our area. Here at Direct Gaskets we aim to be versatile in our company. We supply gaskets – bespoke and standard – to all types of businesses. Contact us today on 01482 219655 or visit our website www.directgaskets.co.uk Units 26 36 | Dansom Lane South Hull | HU8 7LA Email: info@directgaskets.co.uk 25-27.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 10:52 Page 2www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 27FAMILY BUSINESSSTOKESLEY METALS LIMITED HAVE A FULL SET OF LICENSES TO WORK IN THE SCRAP METAL RECYCLING INDUSTRY. WE HAVE AN ON-SITE DE-POLLUTION PLANT WHERE WE SAFELY REMOVE SUBSTANCES THAT ARE HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT BEFORE SCRAPPING CARS AND OTHER VEHICLES.SAME DAY PAYMENTS BY BACS OR CHEQUE FREE SKIPS FOR SCRAP METAL WE BUY MACHINERY AND TRUCKSFERROUS NON-FERROUS WE BUY SCRAP CARS WITH FREE COLLECTIONof talking shop over personal phone calls or, should they live together, over dinner. Mental health experts claim that there should be a separation between one’s work and social lives, but this is difficult when both cross over with one another. Some companies have found success in creating specific times or areas where business talk is forbidden, thereby creating that separation between work life and home. But, ultimately, it comes down to the individuals involved and, as ever, what works for one company head won’t necessarily do so for another. Family-run companies are the beating heart of the British economy, permeating every sector right up and down the country. Our region, in particular, has a rich pedigree of family firms whose roots are older than the trees on the Yorkshire Dales or Lincolnshire Wolds. Long may it continue. © Shutterstock /Aleksandr Karanov25-27.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 10:52 Page 328 Business Link www.blmforum.netLANGLEYS SOLICITORS Q&ATell us about the need for a new Corporate and Commercial team in Lincoln. Langleys is a regional heavyweight firm of solicitors, with offices in Lincoln and York. We will this year be opening a further office in Manchester. We have a large, well established presence in Lincoln and our office here has served the business communities of Lincolnshire and North East Nottinghamshire for many years. However, the continued growth of these communities has seen our clients demand a dedicated and high quality Corporate and Commercial specialism. In response to that demand, we have made three substantial appointments – Martin Smith has joined as a Partner to head up the Corporate and Commercial department, and he will be assisted be fellow new-starter Luke Rees, an Associate. Richard Tomlinson has also joined as a Partner, to head up the Dispute Resolution department, with a strong focus on commercial litigation. These appointments are a real statement of intent and underline our commitment to the Lincolnshire and North East Nottinghamshire markets. They will ensure that we are the go-to firm for commercial legal services in the area. What are your specialisms? The expertise of the Corporate and Commercial team can broadly be split into two areas. Firstly, we assist clients with mergers and acquisitions – including the sale, purchase and reorganisation of businesses. Secondly, we assist clients with the preparation and implementation of commercial contracts. Our ethos, however, is to work with clients and to help them throughout the entire lifecycle of a business – from establishing a new business, through periods of growth, dealing with succession planning through to the sale or disposal of a business. We use our extensive experience to act as a sounding board for our clients and really add value as business advisors. The Corporate and Commercial team can draw upon the other, well established, specialisms offered by Langleys – such as Commercial Property, Employment, Dispute Resolution, Insolvency and Corporate Recovery, Agriculture, Private Client and Family Law to offer clients a genuine full service for all of their legal matters. What types of businesses do you act for? We act for business of all shapes and sizes – from sole traders, SMEs and Owner Managed Businesses to large multi-national companies. We also act for the individuals that run these businesses both in their capacities as directors and shareholders and also personally. We take a pragmatic approach to legal advice and will deliver services suited to the size of the client and the complexity of the matter. What sets your team apart from other firms in Lincolnshire? Langleys is a firm with a fantastic reputation both locally and nationally for delivering high quality legal services. It is an ambitious firm that is constantly striving to better itself and to exceed its already high standards for delivering an exceptional client service. What clients often do not see is everything that happens behind the scenes – and Langleys has invested heavily in IT infrastructure, business development support and an internal quality and compliance team. The firm also continues to recruit high calibre solicitors to strengthen its offering. Martin, Luke and Richard bring with them decades of experience and technical expertise and their appointments mean that our Lincoln office now has the stand-out Corporate Q&A Langleys Solicitors Langleys Solicitors has a new Corporate and Commercial team in their Lincoln office. We sat down with them to discuss their specialisms and their views of the business market in Lincoln. 28-29.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 12:46 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 29LANGLEYS SOLICITORS Q&Aand Commercial team in Lincolnshire. We believe that the breadth and depth of their expertise is unrivalled in this area and that Langleys really are the “go to” firm in Lincolnshire and North East Nottinghamshire for Corporate and Commercial legal advice. They will work closely with the firm’s other solicitors to ensure that clients can receive a seamless, full service. How do you view the business market in Lincoln and the surrounding area? The City of Lincoln has been a real success story in recent years and we are delighted to see the City and its businesses grow. This growth has, in turn, helped us recruit high calibre solicitors such as Martin and Richard – who have joined from firms in Cambridge and Leicester respectively. In years gone by law firms have, along with many other businesses, struggled to recruit from outside Lincolnshire so their appointments are testament to the positive changes that have taken place in Lincoln recently. There is, of course, uncertainty in the market resulting from Brexit and we see many businesses delaying decisions with regards to making investments. Lincolnshire as a whole, and in particular the agriculture and food sectors, face the potential for many years of uncertainty and a substantial amount of change – whether that be, for example, in the labour market as migration from the EU falls or in the replacement of the current Basic Payment Scheme with the Environmental Land Management Schemes. However, we believe that businesses in Lincolnshire and North East Nottinghamshire are resolute and we are here to help them navigate their way through the legal hurdles and challenges that may come their way in the coming years. For more information, visit www.langleys.com, or call 0330 0947777. Martin Smith Martin trained in corporate finance at city financial institutions before developing a specialisation in buy-ins and buyouts and private company sales. He has been described as a ‘Leading Individual’ by the Legal 500 for a series of ground-breaking, significant transactions including takeovers of public companies and capital raisings. Richard Tomlinson Richard handles a broad range of disputes and litigation matters, such as breach of contract disputes, shareholder disagreements, professional negligence claims and property litigation. He has developed strong commercial awareness and an unwavering focus on his client’s desired outcome in any dispute. Richard is also highly experienced in alternative forms of dispute resolution. Luke Rees Luke has a decade of experience in advising private companies in a range of corporate and commercial matters including corporate structure and governance, mergers and acquisitions and commercial contracts. His legal career has been spent at firms in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire and so he knows the region well, but he also acts for a large number of clients much further afield across the country and has gained experience in dealing with cross border commercial and corporate matters. 28-29.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2019 12:46 Page 2Next >