< PreviousGround-breaking carbon capture project at Immingham secures £25m Humber Zero, a project to decarbonise critical energy intensive industry and safeguard local jobs in the wider Humber region, has secured £25 million. Backed by Vitol’s VPI Immingham power plant and the Phillips 66 Humber Refinery, Humber Zero is a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project on the south bank of the Humber Estuary. The large-scale decarbonisation project will remove up to 8-million tonnes per annum of CO2 at the Immingham industrial site within the next 7 years. This represents a meaningful reduction in national CO2 emissions, while protecting local jobs and supporting the region’s economy. Of the £25 million initially being invested into the project, VPI and Phillips 66 are investing £12.5 million and Innovate UK, the UK Government’s innovation agency, is matching that figure. The initial £25 million will be used to develop the technology to capture and safely store carbon created by the Immingham industrial cluster. In a further phase, the project aims to produce hydrogen at commercial scale allowing fuel switching, from natural gas to hydrogen, to fully decarbonise the Immingham industrial site. The project will create 2,500 jobs during construction, 200 permanent jobs, and safeguards 20,000 direct and indirect jobs on the South Bank. “This is great news for the Humber and a further endorsement for Humber Zero,” said Phillips 66 UK Decarbonisation Lead and Technical Manager, Chris Gilbert. “The Phillips 66 Humber Refinery and VPI Generation’s combined heat and power plant are ideally situated to connect to offshore carbon storage. Humber Zero is ready to be a major part of the energy transition in the region, “The Humber region represents 40% of the nation’s industrial emissions. By the late 2020s, Humber Zero will capture up to 8-million tonnes per annum of CO2 for permanent storage in nearby locations.” 10 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Meatless Farm launches dedicated ingredient subsidiary & plant protein facility Meatless Farm, the Yorkshire plant-based meat alternative brand, has launched a dedicated plant protein ingredients subsidiary to provide its global supply of TPP (textured plant protein) and expand into broader external supply operations. Lovingly Made Ingredients will operate out of a new flagship plant protein facility in Calgary, Canada where it will be the first of its kind on this scale and one of the company’s biggest investments to date. Meatless Farm has invested an initial £8.53 million in its manufacturing infrastructure with the 30,000 sq ft plant, which will have the capacity to produce up to 14,500 tonnes of plant protein ingredients by 2023. The facility will utilise cutting edge manufacturing processes to enable a significant reduction in water and energy use – a key challenge in plant- based protein production – and aims to be net zero on carbon emissions throughout the supply chain within the first year. 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:04 Page 5www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 NEWS Leeds to house second DWP HQ Leeds will become the Department for Work and Pensions’ second HQ and will house a Ministerial office due to open this April. The new ministerial offices will be in the department’s Quarry House office in the east of the city, where core services such as digital, HR, finance, policy and operations are already established. “Designating Quarry House in Leeds as our second HQ with Ministerial offices builds on our presence in towns and cities across Britain,” said Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Thérèse Coffey. “Leeds has a leading role in this country’s recovery as we build back better and deliver our Plan for Jobs. “DWP ministers are excited about our second office, giving us direct entry into the Northern Powerhouse.” York-based vegan business raises £2.5m to scale up VCF Foods has raised £2.5 million in seed funding as the York-based vegan food business looks to scale up domestically and overseas. The company, which launched at the end of December 2020, already sells products in UK retail outlets and has completed its first expansion into Spain. The funding round was led by vegan investment fund, Veg Capital, and includes investment from the senior leadership team and Johnson Resolutions. Now, VFC Foods co-founder Matthew Glover – who is also co- founder of Veganuary and MD of Veg Capital – will become Chief Executive. Chef Adam Lyons, who created the product at his restaurant, Source on Castlegate, will continue to oversee operations. The company said that the funds will be used to scale up production and accelerate the growth of the brand both in the UK and abroad. VCF is targeting sales of £20 million by the end of 2023 and £50 million by the 2025. © Shutterstock/Duncan Cuthbertson Matthew Glover and Adam Lyons BUSINESS LINCOLNSHIRE Your trading standards troubles solved with Better Business for All Spring is in the air and this April businesses are reopening after months spent in lockdown. Although this is undeniably a positive step, many businesses will be nervous about opening their doors with the new rules and regulations in place. Fortunately, Better Business for All (BBfA) is here to help. A local partnership between businesses, the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub and regulators across Lincolnshire, BBfA can not only support businesses as they reopen after lockdown, but with any trading standards or regulatory issues that might come their way in the future. Part of a national Government initiative to ease the regulatory burden on businesses, BBfA offers resources and support to help businesses of all sizes - from start-ups, to SMEs, to local growing businesses - to adhere to the trading standards regulations relevant to them. Their support comes without fear of enforcement activity, and acts as a safe space for businesses to gain the knowledge they need to comply. Angela Kane, Trading Standards Adviser for Business Lincolnshire, says: “Adhering to trading standards legislation is about more than not breaking the law. Compliant businesses have proven themselves to be safer and more professional, which is great for reputation-building – particularly for small businesses. “Trading standards regulations may seem overwhelming, but BBfA can simplify the process, saving you time and money while building customer confidence in your products or services – a big boost for any local business!” Find out more about Better Business for All and fully-funded trading standards support on the Business Lincolnshire website: www.businesslincolnshire.com. © Shutterstock/V italii V odolazskyi 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:04 Page 612 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY A lack of stock and rent rises in city centres are seeing out of town business parks attract more companies and talent, whilst becoming increasingly appealing to investors and developers as well. The location of business parks is also a key draw, generally able to offer desirable open green space and shorter commute times, though the transformation of transport to electric vehicles and cycling will require improved transport links, charging points and bike racks moving forwards. Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are witnessing a boom in business park expansions and new schemes, as can be seen in the past couple of months alone. For example, in March a £56 million eco-conscious business park received the green light in Lincolnshire. Set to bring up to 500 jobs to the area, boost North Kesteven’s local economy and raise the bar for environmentally conscious and energy saving measures, Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park is a 37-acre development being brought forward by North Kesteven District Council. Having received the go-ahead to be built, infrastructure work could start as soon as this autumn following a tender process. A first phase will follow with subsequent build of units taking place through to 2027. The development is to provide 37,245 m2 of floor space for new and expanding businesses. Meanwhile the eco-conscious scheme will host features such as Stirlin Place business parks Business parks are booming in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, with a plethora of new projects underway. Backing 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 14:00 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 15 Á walkways around attenuation ponds, tree planting and wildflower verges to create an environment with both scope for wildlife and better wellbeing for employees. There will also be sustainable drainage systems onsite, alongside carbon-cutting measures incorporated within the design of its buildings, including electric vehicle charging points, solar panels and air source heat pumps. Units will be available for leasehold and have a range of uses; mainly light and general industrial, warehouse and distribution with ancillary office space and potential for trade showroom use. The business park will benefit from the strategic east to west access the A17 gives across Lincolnshire and its connections with the A1 and east coast ports. It is also accessible by bus, bicycle and on foot. Amenities in Sleaford are within walking distance, plus planned pedestrian access to new-build housing nearby and the adjoining Sleaford Moor woodland for increased wellbeing. Following planning approval, also in Lincolnshire, Stirlin has begun constructing a new phase on its established Riverside Enterprise Park in Saxilby. The 6.4-acre commercial development is three miles from the Lincoln Bypass and five miles from Lincoln City Centre. Phase five will offer eight light industrial units, divided into two terraces of four. The first terrace, expected to be complete in summer 2021, will feature two units of 1,250 square foot and two units of 1,500 square foot. The second terrace will comprise four units of 1,500 square foot, which will each benefit from a secure yard to the rear. Stirlin has also recently commenced construction on two new phases of its Stirlin Place business park, a one-acre commercial development situated on the Foxby Lane Business Park in Gainsborough. The two new phases on the development will comprise eight additional industrial units, with sizes ranging from 960 square foot - 1,362 square foot. James Kirby, Owner of Stirlin, said: “Lincolnshire County Council studies have previously shown that there is a shortage of modern business premises in both the south and the north of the county. Therefore, it’s great to be able to provide further employment space to support the economic growth of the local business base.” The new units are due to be completed in summer. Crossing over the border into Yorkshire, developer Carnell Management Services has started on a second £5.25 million phase at a Barnsley business park. Construction work has begun to build two units totalling 45,000 square foot of industrial and warehouse accommodation with offices, creating an additional 105 job opportunities to complement the 15 units already completed at the Nexus Business Park at Capitol Park, Dodworth. The 19,417 square foot and 25,431 square foot Riverside Enterprise Park 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 14:00 Page 2Armstrong house Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 • Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Superb Location - - Close to the ports of Grimsby & Immingham - Great motorway links - Close to the town centre Secure off street parking High speed internet availability Easy in/out terms A range of affordable office sizes 3 3 3 3 3 Last remaining office suites Prime location in Grimsby Offering a prime position in Grimsby, Armstrong House on Armstrong Street is ideally located. Close to the ports of Grimsby and Immingham, motorway links and the town centre, off-street parking is also available for all staff and visitors, meaning it’s convenient too. Our spacious, welcoming offices are located on the ground floor and are both secure and CCTV-monitored, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. At Armstrong House, the flexible in/out terms of contract mean confidence when it comes to affordability and with a range of office sizes there are opportunities for all types of business. If you require virtual office services, prices start from just £15 per month. For more information, or to discuss your office requirements call 01472 310301. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 14:00 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY © Shutterstock /Robert Kneschke units, partly funded by £1.245 million from the European Regional Development Fund and backed by Northern Powerhouse, are set to be finished this summer. Remaining near Barnsley, construction is now underway on a new £5 million, 54,000 square foot industrial and warehouse development in Wombwell, supported by the Barnsley Property Investment Fund. Everill Gate Business Park will feature a detached unit of 33,000 square foot with 10m eaves, fitted first floor office accommodation with WC, shower facilities, and secure yard along with two terraces of ten smaller units ranging in size from 1,740 to 3,190 square foot available to let. The development is expected to create around 150 jobs. Furthermore in Mirfield, in close proximity to Junction 25 of the M62, the second phase of Moor Park 25 is underway. Partnering with AAA Property Group to bring the development forward, Caddick Developments will provide 180,000 square foot of logistics and commercial space, with five industrial the development could create up to 400 new jobs as well as provide a £12.5 million boost to the local economy. Completion is anticipated for Q3 2021. The construction of business parks in the region continues apace, with those mentioned by Business Link here just some of the new developments underway. Moor Park 25 buildings ranging between 19,500 - 59,000 square foot. The developers have noted that the phase will be developed speculatively with work accelerated due to an increase in demand for properties of this type and size across the industrial and logistics market. The site has been identified as one of ten Enterprise Zones across the Leeds City Region area and 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 14:00 Page 416 Business Link www.blmforum.net FACTORY AUTOMATION SPOTLIGHT © Shutterstock /Pand P Studio factory Tomorrow’s today 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 14:02 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 FACTORY AUTOMATION SPOTLIGHT In just ten years, the factory as we know it has radically evolved. As companies invest in ever more innovative technologies, the smart factory concept will continue to become the industry norm. Key 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 it 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 18 Á 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 14:02 Page 218 Business Link www.blmforum.net FACTORY AUTOMATION SPOTLIGHT 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 investment. 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 steal jobs. What we can agree on, however, is that these booming new 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 14:02 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 FACTORY AUTOMATION SPOTLIGHT 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 and engineering sectors, 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 the 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, augmented reality can also assist in complex assembly, something that’s already be 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 /PopT ika 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 14:02 Page 4Next >