JUNE 2021£3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 36 ISSUE 6 PORTS AND LOGISTICS Well connected AGRI-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT The future of farming COMMERCIAL PROPERTY A spike in storage space BUSINESS POST-LOCKDOWN BUSINESS POST-LOCKDOWN 01.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 11:35 Page 1Looking forward at new business opportunities SINGLE USE MENUS / NOTICES AND SIGNS / INFORMATION LEAFLETS / LOGOS AND BRANDING STATIONARY / BUSINESS CARDS / NEWSLETTERS / POSTCARDS / FLYERS / BROCHURES VINYL BANNERS / ROLLER BANNERS / POSTERS / PLAN PRINTING Established more than 40 years ago, Lincoln Print & Copy Centre has experienced the highs and lows of the economy alongside many other businesses in the area. Looking at the opportunities as the economy grows, they identified areas where they can help their customers stand out from the crowd and have invested in new printing and finishing equipment. With the latest Xerox Versant 280 press and Kasfold 640 booklet maker, they can now supply landscape A4 brochures, 6 page A4 leaflets and A5 concertina leaflets with other products available in the near future, all in smaller as well as large quantities. The combination of the new machines offer many new exciting products for customers. Their experienced design team have worked in print for many years so understand what’s required in the worlds of commerce, industry, hospitality, culture and tourism. They can help customers understand how the new ideas will work for them, discuss branding and logos, what will attract and inform their customers. For more information visit www.lincolncopycentre.co.uk 9 Clifton Street, Stonefield Park Industrial Estate, Lincoln, LN5 8LQ tel: 01522 546118 email: sales@lincolncopycentre.co.uk #FindOutInFifteen Book a meeting at www.calendly.com /simon-bulteel GET YOUR CASH FROM HMRC Call COODEN TAX CONSULTING NOW! Our #FindOutInFifteen promotion will allow you to have a no obligation discussion with our director, Simon Bulteel to determine whether your company has a project that is worthy of a claim for Research and Development Tax Credits, go to www.calendly.com/simon-bulteel Call us on: 01424 225 345 | email us on: info@coodentaxconsulting.co.uk @CoodenConsults | www.coodentaxconsulting.co.uk Office 8, Chart House, 43 St Leonards Road, Brexhill on Sea, East Sussex TN40 1JA 02.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 11:37 Page 1Despite the threat of the potent Indian strain of COVID-19, the government looks set to stick fast to its irreversible, one-way roadmap out of lockdown with the easing of all social restrictions by the end of June. Assuming everyone remains cautious and continues to play their part, this is good news for the economy and many a beleaguered business across our region. It’s no exaggeration to say that the pandemic has been a trial by fire. But our region rose admirably to the challenge, with businesses adapting and evolving, protecting themselves and their employees and giving back to their communities. Truly, it has been an inspiration. However, the hardships will hardly stop there. From an economic perspective, we’ll be feeling the effects of COVID for years to come. But to judge from the resilience and innovation of businesses across our region, I know that we’ll continue to get through this together. Stay safe and good reading, as always, Michael Fisher Editor The 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 Editor 03.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 12:38 Page 1CONTENTS JUNE 2021 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 10 Commercial property With a spike in logistics take up across our region, this month we highlight a number of important new distribution are warehousing developments. 14 Agri-business spotlight With an eye on the future, the agri-business sector continues to adapt to challenges – be they social or environmental. Post-Brexit and post-pandemic, this sector will be more crucial than ever. 18 Construction machinery and equipment While traditional equipment is continuing to be popular in sales, the equipment used in the construction industry is becoming ever more innovative as we explore. 22 Business advice experts As they say, use the right tool for the job. To follow this advice through to its logical conclusion, one should also use the right company for any given need – be that telecoms, education or legal matters. 24 Insurance When it comes to business insurance, its better to be safe than sorry, especially at a time when the economy is still in a precarious state as we emerge out the other side of the pandemic. 28 Ports and logistics An important gateway for the UK, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are vital to the logistics industry, with powerful port, road, and rail access, and space in the region in high demand. 32 Occupational health Health and wellbeing are firmly in the front of employees’ minds as a result of the pandemic, increasing occupational health expectations. 36 Corporate hospitality Across every industry, teams who spend time with one another outside of work show improved performance, and yet despite this – businesses still consider team building an unnecessary luxury. 38 AutoLink You are what you drive – and whether it’s for business or pleasure we’re all proud of our motors. We take a look at a few cars we’d love to have in our garages. 42 Water treatment From wastewater treatment to water scarcity and understanding waterflow, there’s a lot for businesses to get grips with when it comes to this oft overlooked resource. 46 Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 50 And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net CONNECT WITH US 14 28 38 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 12:39 Page 1Group Editor Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Assistant Editor Dominic Cuthbert (d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist 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 Vicky Hunt (v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk) Kerry Randerson (k.randerson@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 : SHUTTERSTOCK - RA 2 STUDIO • PEOPLE IMAGE STUDIO • OLIVIER LE MOAL • N _ SAKARIN • LUKASSEK www.blmforum.net 42 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 12:39 Page 2First Founding Partner revealed for Bradford 2025’s City of Culture bid Support for Bradford 2025’s City of Culture bid has been given a major boost with Yorkshire-based property investors Rushbond coming on board as a Founding Partner. The agreed partnership includes a prime real estate deal that sees the Bradford 2025 team moving into a sought- after city centre space beneath Impressions Gallery on City Park in Bradford. Mark Finch, Real Estate Director for Rushbond, said: “This is a prime example of how business and communities can forge alliances to promote a collective vision, working together to promote the City as a whole.” Shanaz Gulzar, Chair of Bradford 2025, added: “Having such as well-known and respected Yorkshire business such as Rushbond come on board as a Founding Partner is a great boost for the 2025 City of Culture bid.” 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Metlase sets sights on 20% growth Rotherham’s Metlase, which is a joint venture between Unipart Manufacturing and Rolls-Royce, is setting its sights on 20% growth as it marks its fifth birthday. The tooling and intelligent fixturing specialist is launching a new expansion plan that has speed, customisation and data at its heart through the launch of ‘smart’ products that give its global customer base the ability to reduce costs and be first to market. Clients, including OEMs and suppliers involved in aerospace, construction, defence and renewables, are already tapping into the benefits of the firm’s SmartGauge, SmartMachining, SmartBench and rapid tooling support. Through close collaboration with the National Composite Centre (NNC), MetLase has also installed SmartGauge into the NCC’s Smart Factory Innovation Hub, which will help companies and composite component producers test quick-fire projects and early-stage technologies. Shanaz Gulzar with Mark Finch Rishi Sunak tours Quorn’s Stokesley HQ Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire, recently visited Quorn Foods’ Stokesley HQ to hear about the company’s efforts to build a more sustainable global food system. Quorn, the alternative protein brand, invited Mr Sunak to visit its site in his constituency, which employs around 350 people locally, to show him how the company was developing products which can help consumers reduce their carbon footprint. The MP met Marco Bertacca, Quorn Foods’ CEO, along with other members of the Operations team, before taking a tour of the factory. Ahead of the UN’s upcoming COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow this November, Mr Bertacca had written to the MP about the company’s plan to participate at the event. Quorn’s bid includes a live-streamed zero carbon cook-along to demonstrate how delicious food can be one of the solutions needed to tackle the climate crisis. “Quorn is a major employer and a national and international brand leader headquartered here in Stokesley,” said Mr Sunak. Rishi Sunak Laura Hinks (Design Engineer) with David Boram (Lead Engineer) 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 12:42 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS EDF and University of Sheffield Nuclear AMRC deepen collaboration EDF has signed a new membership agreement with the University of Sheffield Nuclear AMRC to drive innovation in low- carbon power generation and support UK manufacturers. EDF has supported the Nuclear AMRC’s development over the past decade, and the new tier one membership strengthens and deepens the relationship between the two organisations. Collaboration will focus on research and development to deliver the UK’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, and the goal of the Nuclear Sector Deal to reduce the cost of nuclear new build by 30 per cent. “With COP26 being hosted in the UK later this year, climate change and reducing our carbon emissions is at the forefront of the social and political agenda,” says Dr Ionel Nistor, Head of Nuclear R&D at EDF. “Nuclear is essential to successfully decarbonise our electricity system as it’s a reliable low-carbon source that can support increased renewables in our energy mix. We look forward to furthering our collaboration with the Nuclear AMRC to ensure the sector continues to innovate and support our efforts to achieve a Net Zero Britain.” EDF and the Nuclear AMRC will work together in technology areas – including digital twin development, modularisation, and process modelling and simulation – which can reduce costs and improve quality and safety in the construction and operation of nuclear power plant. “This long-term agreement with EDF will allow us to work together more strategically than before,” says Sean Murphy, Nuclear AMRC Strategic Relationship Manager. “We believe that access to our research and engineering expertise, as well as the wider Nuclear AMRC research network, will be of strong benefit to EDF. Similarly, EDF’s deep industry and R&D knowledge will be extremely valuable to our mission of helping UK manufacturers win work in the nuclear sector.” Looking forward at new business opportunities Established more than 40 years ago, Lincoln Print & Copy Centre has experienced the highs and lows of the economy alongside many other local businesses. Looking at the opportunities as the economy grows, it identified areas where it can help its customers stand out from the crowd and have invested in new printing and finishing equipment. With the latest Xerox Versant 280 press and Kasfold 640 booklet maker, the company can now supply landscape A4 brochures, 6 page A4 leaflets and A5 concertina leaflets with other products available in the near future, all in smaller as well as large quantities. The new machines offer many new exciting products for customers. The company’s experienced design team have worked in print for many years so understand what’s required in the worlds of commerce, industry, hospitality, culture and tourism. It can help customers understand how the new ideas will work for them, discuss branding and logos, what will attract and inform their customers. Karen Arnold, Director of Lincoln Print & Copy Centre © Shutterstock/PopTika £100m green fund to help Lincs businesses reduce carbon footprints Businesses across Lincolnshire can switch to renewable energy at zero- capital cost thanks to British Power Group (BPG). Companies aiming to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and reduce overheads can take advantage of the North East Lincolnshire-based sustainable energy supplier’s £100 million worth of green funding. This funding can cover a myriad of green energy initiatives such as electric car charge units and installing solar panels. As well as energy brokerage, BPG also provide consultation and customer support, taking care of the entire process through to final site sign off. “Now more than ever, we need to collectively work towards employing sustainable technology and preserving the planet for future generations,” said BPG Managing Director Steve Cullum. “We are delighted to launch this green initiative to local businesses so they can save substantial amounts on their current and future energy spend.” To find out more, visit www.britishpowergroup.co.uk. 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 25/06/2021 15:29 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 46770 China: 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 871 747 Thailand: 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) 638 692 382 MAKING YOUR PLANT WORK… SMARTER www.cat-tech.com PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/KAWINNINGS 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 12:42 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS Nestlé proposes £29.4m investment in York and Halifax sites Nestlé has announced a £29.4 million investment into its factories in York and Halifax as part of proposals to adapt its confectionery manufacturing for the future. £20.2 million would be invested to modernise and increase production of KitKat in the city where the brand was first created in 1935. The move sees the proposed closure of its Fawdon site in Tyne and Wear towards the end of 2023, putting 573 jobs at risk. However, production would move to other existing factories in the UK and Europe, the company said. Nestlé Confectionery would also make a further £9.2 million investment at Halifax to build on its existing expertise and equip the factory to take on the largest portion of Fawdon’s current production. If these proposals go ahead, the company said that, in future, it expects manufacturing a higher volume of products overall while operating a smaller number of factories. BUSINESS LINCOLNSHIRE Made in Lincolnshire Whether they’re roasting coffee, crafting bespoke bedding for man’s best friend, or working to save the planet with game-changing technology, Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland’s manufacturing businesses are some of the UK’s best. To celebrate these local innovators, Business Lincolnshire and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP have released the new Made in Lincolnshire brochure. Featuring more than 70 businesses, this interactive brochure showcases the diverse range of manufacturers our county has to offer, and which combined bring £1.8 billion to the local economy every year! The brochure can be downloaded from the Business Lincolnshire website (www.businesslincolnshire.com), and will continually be updated to showcase as many local names as possible. However, Made in Lincolnshire doesn’t just put the spotlight on deserving local creators, but also helps them to connect. By inter-trading and working together, SMEs can create new opportunities for themselves and others, boosting both their business and the local economy. Darren Joint, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership Manufacturing Board and Managing Director of Viking Signs, said: “As a business listed, Made in Lincolnshire is an important opportunity to extend our very much appreciated local customer base. With the changes to trading conditions brought about by the EU exit and COVID-19 pandemic, more and more manufacturers are looking to localise and de-risk their supply chains – the brochure can help them to connect with new customers and suppliers right on their doorstep!” Interested in having your business featured? Email businesslincolnshire@lincolnshire.gov.uk or visit the Business Lincolnshire website for more information. Tracy Brabin elected West Yorkshire’s first-ever mayor Tracy Brabin has been elected as the first-ever Mayor of West Yorkshire. The Labour candidate was declared winner of the county’s history- making mayoral election following counts at Leeds’s first direct arena and other local venues today. Ms Brabin secured victory over second- placed Matt Robinson (Conservative) by 310,923 votes to 209,137 votes, after the counting of both first and second preference votes. The Mayor of West Yorkshire will have a similar role to the Mayors of Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region and other regions in England that have secured devolution deals. With special responsibility for areas such as transport, housing and finance, the Mayor will work alongside the leaders of the councils in Bradford,Calderdale,Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield to help make the county an even better place to live. Brabin said: “I’m proud to be the first West Yorkshire Metro Mayor and I’m incredibly humbled and grateful for every single vote. I will fight for every single resident so everyone has the opportunity to succeed.” Tracy Brabin © Starglaze © Unconventional 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 12:42 Page 4Next >