Looking tothe futureFinding better waysFOOD AND DRINKINDUSTRYOne of the region’s mostsuccessful sectorsFACTORYAUTOMATIONRise of the robotsHARROGATE A showstoppingdestinationJULY 2012£3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 27ISSUE 07Looking tothe futureFinding better ways01:Layout 1 2/7/12 14:03 Page 102:Layout 1 2/7/12 08:58 Page 112ContentsJuly 2012On the coverPhotograph courtesy ofwww.shutterstock.com /nokhoog_buchachon21243040Features8Sutcliffe Insurance BrokersA new dawn for Sutcliffe Insurance Brokers12Relocation / commercial propertyWith the need to relocate to get the best opportunitiesbecoming more common, what can employers do tomake that move seamless?18DoncasterDoncaster is a town that is facing the future. With plansfor growth across infrastructure and job creation, weexamine how it intends to do this21Food and drink industryThe food and drink industry remains one of our region’smost successful sectors – but is it getting the new talentand investment required?24Supply chain managementA necessary part of any company, and yet struggling tosurvive, what are the threats faced by the supply chainindustry?26Invoice and finance solutionsA recent survey suggests that late payments of tradeinvoices is stifling growth of SMEs in the region - so howcan the process be streamlined?28Factory automationThe UK has allowed the rest of Europe to take theadvantage in automation - but our region is at theforefront of the fight back30HarrogateThe thousands who visit Harrogate for the Great YorkshireShow emphasise the town’s position as one of theregion’s leading business tourism venues34ConferencingWhy is it that many conferences fail to achieve theirobjectives, instead being dull and boring affairs?36Relay for LifeCancer Research UK is bringing together thousands ofpeople from across the country to raise vital funds 38Health and safety in asbestosAsbestos is still a major issue in the realms of health andsafety, and being reminded of its dangers is not simplyroutine, it’s vital40FranceThe new French President Francois Hollande might beeschewing austerity, so what does the country have tooffer UK exporters? 42Retirement is a grey area for businesses in all sectors, butan intelligent and respectful approach is all that is neededin most cases52Chamber ExpoThis year’s Chamber Expo 2012, organised by Hull andHumber Chamber of Commerce, was deemed a hugesuccess by exhibitors and visitors alikeEnvironmentalBusiness Link Environmental is your ultimate guide tothe rapidly expanding world of green business.44Environmental newsThe latest news from this fast-moving sector45FinanceWith government tariffs changing imminently, it seemsthere’ll never be a better time to invest in renewableenergy46Carbon footprintInitiatives are appearing across the environmental andrenewables sector and businesses are being encouragedto innovate in all strands of the supply chain48BiomassYorkshire and Lincolnshire could lead the way inanaerobic digestion – generating electricity and cashsavings for thousands of companiesRegulars4From the Editor5News9TaxationTax and divorce explained by Clare Slattery, PersonalTax Consultant, Streets Chartered Accountants10LettersReader’s letters and replies50AutoLinkFor many years German cars have been envied for theirengineering, design and luxury – but there are plenty ofother countries making decent motors too54EventsWe take a look at business events happening aroundYorkshire and Lincolnshire56Classified57Appointments58And finally…03:Layout 1 2/7/12 14:05 Page 1It’s great to be in a nice dry office after the downpour at theLincolnshire Show, but we were pleasantly surprised how manyreaders braved the weather and made it through to our corporatehospitality marquee. Being British, I guess we’re used to the suddenchanges in weather and, clearly, the mini monsoon that arrived onthe second day wasn’t going to stand in anyone’s way. If you managed to get one of our show bags back to the car intactyou’ll doubtless want to check to see if your numbers match thoseon page six. The main prize of a week in the sun at a luxury villa must be prettyappealing at this moment in time, so good luck!Back in the office, I was surprised to discover the UK remains top of the pile forinvestment from overseas. A fall in the number of Foreign Direct Investment projectslocating in the region during 2011 must, however, act as a wake-up call for the region.Indeed, a report by the “big four” professional services firms reveals the region rankedtenth out of twelve UK regions by number of FDI projects. According to E&Y’s annual UKAttractiveness Survey, which analyses inward investment, our part of the world attractedtwo FDI projects last year - down a third on 2010 – creating 545 jobs.The picture is the same across other regions outside London and the South East(which, unsurprisingly, remains the jewel in the UK’s crown), which all saw double-digitdecline in projects. It’s a little too early yet to say whether or not the ending of the RDAsgoing will have any effect on FDI (so many acronyms!) or whether Germany canovertake the UK as the number one destination for inward investment. It’s time to roll oursleeves up and make sure this doesn’t happen.We focus on inward investment in this issue and examine what this region has to offerbusinesses looking to relocate. Also this month, we focus, once again on the incredibleamount of innovative thinking going on in our region, examining how we lead the nationin sectors such as renewable energy, food and drink and advanced manufacturing. Thegreat work going on in these areas will certainly help attract more investors to our part ofthe world.Good reading as always,W S FisherEditorEditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsSteve Williams (s.williams@blmgroup.co.uk)Mike Shields (m.shields@blmgroup.co.uk)Elis Ballard (e.ballard@blmgroup.co.uk)Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)Editorial contactnewsdesk@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317Sales DirectorTeri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk)AdvertisingTel: (01472) 310310Kim Collins (k.collins@blmgroup.co.uk)Accounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharman Dawn CookTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary JorgensenMark CassonRachel GreenTel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314(studio@blmgroup.co.uk)E-Mail:yorks-lincs@blmgroup.co.ukWebsitewww.blmforum.netAddressHaychart Ltd,Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby,N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE.ISSN No:1462-2092All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwisewithout express permission of the copyright holder, for whichapplication should be addressed first to the publisher. Whileevery reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor itsparticipating agents accept liability for loss or damage toprints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material ofwhatever nature submitted to this publication. The viewsexpressed in this publication are not necessarily the views ofthose held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recyclingmagazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paperindustry each year. Before you recycle your magazine,please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free giftsand samples. If you are unable to participate in a recyclingscheme, then why not pass your magazine onto a localhospital or charity?From theEDITORThe magazine that caresWE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than wefound itBusiness Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key tomaintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staffwill be proud to be part of.Community-From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We alsoextend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causesand charities. Environment-Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources,minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise.04:Layout 1 2/7/12 08:58 Page 1Wealth of advice proves a strong drawStrong attendance figures atCereals 2012 have underlinedthe event’s importance to thearable sector. 25,800farmers, agronomists andother industryprofessionals passedthrough the gates atBoothby Graffoe.Event director Jon Daysays attendance was about4% down on last year’srecord but well ahead of 2010. He says, “Professional farmers and key decisionmakers are as hungry as ever for knowledge, and 493 exhibitors, the largestnumber ever at Cereals, provided a wealth of information to help them take theirbusiness forward. We were also delighted to welcome back agriculture minister JimPaice, whose presence reflects farming’s renewed importance on the political agenda.”A line-up of some of the most influential individuals in the sector ensured crowdspacked the four sessions held at the Arable Conference at Cereals, in partnership with theOxford Farming Conference. Topics included food versus environment, raising crop output,new entrants to farming and CAP reform.Lincoln medical systems companyin major expansion moveStreets Heaver, suppliers of administrative and clinical software systems for hospitals, is torelocate to new premises in an expansion move that will double its office space in Lincoln. Thisfollows the purchase of state-of-the-art offices at The Point, a three-acre landscaped office park, ina deal handled by Hodgson Elkington LLP chartered surveyors.Streets Heaver has been operating from Lincoln for over 25 years and has made the investmentin the larger office building which is approximately twice the size of its current Doddington Roadpremises, due to its ongoing success and an increase in contracts across the UK and abroad.The larger premises will facilitate the planned expansion of its software development, testing,support and sales and marketing teams. The company, which employs 26 staff and is activelyrecruiting more having recently won a number of additional important contracts, is scheduled to move into The Point in July.www.blmforum.net5newsyouryourThree into one for even betterserviceDoncaster based Clyde Processand Stroud based Redler haveboth become part of themultinational Schenck Processgroup, whose UK base waspreviously located in Stockport.Now all three companies areunder one roof at Doncaster’sLakeside.The thinking behind the moveis simple, according to ManagingDirector Nick Jones.“All three companies are specialists in their fields,” says Nick, “and by bringing themtogether we’re now able to offer clients an unrivalled service, essentially creating a one-stopshop for process technologies to meet the needs of a wide range of industrial sectors.”The new company was keen to establish its base in South Yorkshire because of the level ofengineering expertise within the area. Doncaster also offers great transport links and realpotential for expansion because of the availability of land and a supportive approach todevelopment.Work commenceson BradfordCollege new build Building work has begun on the new multi-millionpound Bradford College campus. The first stage of thebuilding works will see the creation of a Westbrooktemporary entrance, which will be ready towelcome learners at the start of the newacademic year in September. The fullyglazed entrance onto Carlton Streetwill function for approximately twoyears during the construction ofthe new build.The new 23,000 sq mbuilding will sweep up GreatHorton Road and will be builton the College’s existing citycentre site, WestbrookBuilding, and on the site of theformer Randall Well Building. The project will be deliveredby BAM Construction NorthEast, part of Royal BAM Group.BAM is active across the worldon projects such as the new NATOheadquarters and Soccer City inJohannesburg.The eco-friendlycampus design is sympathetic to thelarge-scale mill and warehouse buildings thatcharacterise parts of Bradford.LincolnBIG iscelebrating a£600,000 boost inEuropean funding. TheBusiness Improvement Group,which provides a range ofsupport services for more thaneight hundred city levy payers,has won a grant of £612,000 fromthe European RegionalDevelopment Fund. This money,which must be used byDecember 2014, has thepower to help unlock morethan £1 million worth ofinvestment into thecity.05-07:Layout 1 2/7/12 09:01 Page 1newsyouryourStudents’ edgy products givemarket aSLAMProduct Designstudents from theUniversity of Lincolnhave secured a contractwith giftware companySLAM, which will see theirdesigns on the shelves.The students assigned tothe SLAM project this year generated approximately three hundred concepts for newproducts, described as ‘functional ornaments for the domestic environment’. Theyincluded a porcelain pigeon hole for leaving messages by Kirsty Boswell, pictured. Thisextensive list was eventually worked down to a select 25 which were developed furtherinto prototypes and presented to SLAM who chose eleven for possible production,following initial presentations to buyers.A contract between the programme and SLAM has also been drawn up so thatproducts going into production will create royalty payments for both the University andstudents. David Bramston, Product Design Programme Leader at the University of Lincoln,says he is delighted students had had so many of their designs considered for production.Lincolnestate agents King & Co aremoving to new city centre premises. Thisfollows the letting of 33 Silver Street by HodgsonElkington LLP chartered surveyors. King & Co partnerGill King says, “We had completely outgrown ourpremises in Guildhall Street and desperately neededmore space. The new premises will provide retail salesdisplay and reception on the ground floor andoffices on the first floor and allows us thepotential for further growth.”6www.blmforum.netSouthYorkshire International TradeCentre has announced a newpartnership with law firm Hill Dickinson to helpdrive exports within the Sheffield City Region. Thecollaborative approach will see the two organisationswork together to highlight the services andopportunities available for local companies wantingto expand into overseas markets. Thepartnership will also see SYITC and HillDickinson hosting combinedevents.Are you a winner?This year’s Lincolnshire Show was a fabulous advertisement for thecounty, with visitor numbers up year on year and, for the first day atleast, unbroken sunshine. Though the good weather failed to make iton the second day, the event’s importance for the region can be seenby the fact #LincsShow generated over 4.5 million impressions onTwitter during the Show – giving it a huge presence.Thanks to all the readers and advertisers who visited our marquee atthe show – it was great to see so many of you! As you’ll know, inassociation with our sister publication Lincolnshire Today, we gave awayour much sought after shoulder bags at the Show – as we’re doing atmany of the other events we visit around the region this summer – and if you kept hold ofyours, now’s the chance to check the number printed on the inside and see if it matches anyof those printed below. If it does you’ve won a choice of the fabulous prizes on offer.To claim a winning prize please complete the entry form below. Prizes are• £1000 holiday voucher • iPAD • Kindle • A drive in a supercar • Case of wineThe winning numbers are 11661 14621Lincolnshire Show Prize WinnerComplete this form and send it to the address below along with your winning bag.Name: ........................................................................................................................Address: ....................................................................................................................Post code: ..................................................................................................................Telephone: .................................................................................................................Email: .........................................................................................................................Choice of prize: .........................................................................................................Second choice (if first is already claimed): ...........................................................................Send to: Steve Fisher, Editor, Business Link Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, DN31 2QEClosing date to claim your prize is July 20th 2012Terms & Conditions:- 1. BLM Group are the promoters of this competition. No Purchase is required. Winning numbersare published in the magazine and on our internet site (www.blmgroup.co.uk) 2. This competition is open to all UKresidents aged over 18 years, except employees and immediate families of BLM Group, their agents or anyoneprofessionally connected with the promotion. 3. Entry to the competition must be made via the official entry voucherabove or on our website. 4. Prize for Villa includes accommodation only. The winner must cover the cost of their returntravel to Costa Blanca. Dates are subject to availability. 5. - No cash alternative/s will be offered. In the unlikely event ofcircumstances beyond its control, the promoter reserves the right to replace the prizes with alternatives of equal orgreater value. 6. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 7. Winners may be asked toparticipate in any publicity required by the promoter. 8. The voucher must be received fully completed and accompaniedby the promotional bag bearing the corresponding number. The promoter is not responsible for any entries lost,damaged, or delayed in the post. Proof of posting is not accepted as proof of receipt. 9. Entry instructions form part ofthe terms and conditions, and participation in this competition means acceptance of these terms and conditions. 10. Inthe event of a duplicate claim the first person to produce their winning bag number shall be awarded the prize.05-07:Layout 1 2/7/12 09:01 Page 2New look forBatty JoineryBatty Joinery of West Dock Street,Hull, have recently undergone aredesign of their company logo andbrand to expose their products andservices to a wider audience. BattyJoinery specialise in the production ofquality bespoke joinery and havedone since 1919.Even in these difficult economictimes, the company feel there is stillan opportunity to assert theirdominance in the quality joinerymarket. Batty’s joinery products are categorised into three distinct markets, namelymanufacturing, with their purpose made general joinery of the highest quality,heritage, based around the specialist joinery they produce for listed buildings,conservation areas and buildings with historical importance and Grand Designs,supplying joinery of distinction for outstanding building developments.Batty Joinery continue to supply quality joinery nationwide for developmentswithin both the private and public sectors. The aim is to let both new and establishedcustomers know what they do and why they’re so good at it.www.blmforum.net7newsyouryour“Self adhesive labels & labelling” PLAIN & COLOURWASHED LABELS PRINTED LABELS DIGITALLY PRINTED LABELS THERMAL TRANSFER RIBBONS PRINT BUREAU THERMAL TRANSFER PRINT SOLUTIONS INK-JET CODING SOLUTIONS TAGS & METAL DETECTABLE TAGSDatamark UK Limited, Unit 3b, Banner Court, Henry Boot Way, Priory Park East, Hull, HU4 7DX. Tel: +44 (0)1482 506560 / 505101 E-mail: sales@datamarkuk.comVisit our new websitewww.datamarkuk.comNorthern Roadmotors ahead withHSBC fundingHSBC has provided a comprehensive funding package tofacilitate the management buy-in of Northern Road Service &Engineering, a Newark-based specialist engine-repair andmotor servicing business.The business, which is based on the Newark IndustrialCentre, has been purchased for an undisclosed amount bySteve Gray, who has taken the role of managing director. Thenew management team is planning to expand all areas of thebusiness, but particularly the segment which focuses oncommercial, fleet and agricultural vehicles, as well as the workit does with vintage cars. The company receives vintageengines from all over the world as it has the capability tomanufacture replacement parts which are no longer available.Steve worked with HSBC’s Mid-Lincolnshire and the FensCommercial team to complete the deal, with CommercialManager Philip Carr spearheading the relationship on behalfof the bank. Accountants Duncan & Toplis advised on thedeal.05-07:Layout 1 2/7/12 09:01 Page 38www.blmforum.netSUTCLIFFE INSURANCE BROKERSSutcliffe Insurance Brokers, formerlyknown as Sutcliffe Solloway & Co Ltd(also trading as Weller Russell & Laws)has undergone a rebrand. Dating backto 1977, with its origins in the marinecargo and transport sector, the present-day company has developed into amodern, forward-thinking and respectedCommercial Insurance Broker. With offices in Grimsby, Boston andPeterborough, Sutcliffe InsuranceBrokers work within the localcommunity, serving a wide variety ofbusinesses, from industrial and farmingto construction and leisure. Benefiting from a wealth ofknowledge and experience, thecompany and its specialist teams incommercial and personal linesinsurance can offer you a trustedand tailored service. You will bedealing directly with a dedicatedhandler which takes the stress andhassle away from arranging yourinsurances and avoids you having todeal with call centres. In addition, Sutcliffe SollowayFinancial Planning Ltd offer bespokefinancial planning (protection,retirement, savings and investments) forboth commercial and private clients. Along with the rebrand and a morecustomer-focused standpoint, SutcliffeInsurance Brokers are launching their‘Executive’ brand, a range of HomeInsurance products that meet the needsof high net worth clients. The company’s ethos can besummed up in five concise phrases;tailored, straight forward, trusted,experienced and assured. Why not give Sutcliffe InsuranceBrokers a try? Call today on your localoffice number or log on to the newwebsite at www.sutcliffe-insurance.co.ukA new dawn for SutcliffeInsurance Brokersfrom 1 August 2012Laceby Business ParkGrimsby RoadLacebyGrimsbyDN37 7DPT: 01472 872872E: grimsby@sutcliffe-insurance.co.uk www.sutcliffe-insurance.co.uk 4 Red Lion StreetBostonLincolnshirePE21 6NYT: 01205 311344E: boston@sutcliffe-insurance.co.uk The Manorcrown Business CentreUnit 3, Suite 1, Blenheim CourtPeppercorn ClosePeterboroughPE1 2DUT: 01733 346033 E: peterborough@sutcliffe-insurance.co.uk understanding youSutcliffe Insurance Brokers is a trading name of Sutcliffe Solloway & Co Ltd. Sutcliffe Solloway & Co Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Investment advice is provided by Sutcliffe Solloway Financial Planning Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).08:Layout 1 2/7/12 09:02 Page 1TAXATIONwww.blmforum.net9You can now read Business Linkon thego!Digital Editions now available on iPad & iPhoneWWW.BLMFORUM.NETIdeal for those who spendtime away fromtheir officeTax anddivorceexplained by Clare Slattery, Personal TaxConsultant, Streets Chartered AccountantsDivorce can be an extremelystressful time but, as transfersbetween spouses or civilpartners aren’t charged to tax,you don’t have to worry aboutthat, right? Sadly...While living together as amarried couple or civil partners,transfers are made at nogain/no loss – effectively youtake on the original cost. Onceseparated, if it’s likely to bepermanent, the rules change.For the rest of the tax year to5th April, the no gain/no loss rules apply – not much help if youseparate late in the year. After 5th April, the ‘connected party’rules apply, where transfers are at market value and charged totax accordingly. This continues until the decree absolute ismade. The timing of transfers could therefore have a significantimpact.It’s likely any family business, company shares or otherbusiness assets will be jointly owned. Transfers must bestructured so the business isn’t affected too much and profitscan be extracted tax efficiently. In general tax law, a few reliefsreduce tax on many business assets. If the asset is gifted, thegain may be held over, and the recipient takes on the originalcost. Some relief is also available if it is transferred at anundervalue. This relief also applies for agricultural land, used in abusiness or not.Although not an actual “gift”, the relief is extended if the assetis transferred as part of a divorce settlement, unless there is a“gratuitous element” – an amount in excess of what would begranted in a contested court case. If this doesn’t apply, the taxrate on any gain could be reduced to 10% if there is awithdrawal from the business and Entrepreneurs’ Relief isavailable. Also, if not deemed a gift, rollover relief could deferany gain for up to ten years if any proceeds are reinvested inanother business asset.It may be the last thing on your mind, but consulting your taxadvisor as soon as you decide to separate may save you, as acouple, a significant amount of tax at a time when funds may beat their most strained.Clare Slattery is a Personal Tax Consultant, with StreetsChartered Accountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm.Telephone 0845 880 0320, email info@streetsweb.co.uk orvisit www.streetsweb.co.uk.09:Layout 1 2/7/12 09:03 Page 1Next >