JULY 2015 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 30 ISSUE 7INWARDINVESTMENTGoing for growth on agrand scalePORTS ANDLOGISTICSAt the heart ofbusinessMADE IN HULL Showcasing theregion's top talentsSUCCESS IN THESPOTLIGHT SUCCESS IN THESPOTLIGHT 01_Layout 1 30/06/2015 09:16 Page 1SKIP HIRE IN HULL& EAST YORKSHIREOur range offers flexibility,convenience and valueSpecialists in demolition and removalof asbestos and hazardous materials.Demolition and removals of air raidshelters.Call our helpline on01482 327217Email: john@samallon.co.ukSTANDARD SKIPSAlso available in 20 or 40 cubic yardsMATERIALSCONSTRUCTION & RECYCLINGSupplying small loads to the family house hold.Saving you money and helping out environment.We offer a range of recycled products,anything from:BRICKS - BASE MATERIALS -AGGREGATESFor further information please call01482 320051Email: marina@samallon.co.ukBASE MATERIALSDEMOLITIONAGGREGATES8, 10,12 OR 14CUBICYARDSESTABLISHED FAMILY BUSINESSFOR OVER 90 YEARSSAM ALLONSAM ALLONwww.samallon.co.ukProspect Street, HullDemolition Site in HullESTABLISHED FAMILY BUSINESSFOR OVER 90 YEARSFirst Class Service– That’s a PromiseWe’re one of the region’s leading experts in the repair and sales ofelectric motors, geared motors, pumps, fans and associated equipment.We offer: l24/7 breakdown servicelBrook Crompton motors available from our stocks in Hull and YorkThe assurance of being IECEx Approved- the licence issued by SGSBaseefa with certification showing compliance with the requirementsof the Standard IEC 60079-19:2010 to repair Hazardous Area motorsExcellent environmental credentials - ask about energy efficientmachinesWork undertaken is guaranteed for one yearDeliveries and collections for our services are free of charge.Contact us on01482 223937info@kirkby-lindsey.co.uk www.kirkby-lindsey.co.uk02_Layout 1 30/06/2015 09:22 Page 1This month has been a busy but ultimately incredibly rewarding one, aswe’ve been able to see the region at its most innovative.I was pleased to be invited to join the judging panel of Made In Hull for thesecond year running. The event is a fantastic way to showcase the region’smost successful and innovative companies, and while there has to be winners,all the entrants deserve massive plaudits for the exceptional work they do andthe huge success they’ve enjoyed on a national and international scale. As weall know exports are vital to the wellbeing of our region, and so it wasencouraging to see so many nominees excelling in this sphere.This side of the Bridge, meanwhile, we again enjoyed one of thehighlights of Business Link’s year – the Lincolnshire Show! We’ve had apresence at the Show for many years but we’re always overwhelmed by thehuge number of readers and advertisers who visit our marquee and tell ushow much they value the magazine. As ever, a huge thank you to everyonewho came to see us!We also like to make time to explore the rest of the site and, like Made InHull, it serves as a wonderful showcase for so many of the region’s mostinnovative businesses. That’s not just in the agricultural sector, either –companies from all sectors find it a brilliant place to make valuable contacts.Events such as these play a vital role in illustrating to the rest of the UK,and the rest of the world, that our part of the world is a major player. That’smore important than ever now we hear that the promised and badly needed upgrades to theMidland Main Line and Transpennine rail routes – two vitally important lines for local peopleand businesses – have been put on the back burner. It perhaps shouldn’t be a surprise to seethat rail improvements in the South of England, however, have been given top priority and arestill going ahead, and this seems to add weight to the argument that the Northern Powerhouseidea, which was so prominent in the election campaign, was little more than a way to win votes.The challenge for our region, therefore, is to make sure we convince everyone that, slowtrains or no, this is somewhere they need to be. The innovative companies we’ve seen thismonth will be vital in that regard.In the meantime – good reading, as always.W S FisherEditorThe magazine that caresWE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than we found itBusiness Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishingbusiness 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 themuch 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 andensuring our trading partners do likewise.From theEDITOR…As we all knowexports are vital tothe wellbeing of ourregion, and so itwas encouraging tosee so manynominees excellingin this sphere03_Layout 1 29/06/2015 13:56 Page 17Commercial propertyInvestment in the Yorkshire andLincolnshire commercial property sector isriding high after a traumatic five years9LettersReaders’ letters and replies10Ports and logistics• News• Despite new developments, demand forquality warehouse space in the regioncontinues to outstrip supply15Business sceneAnnual ball raised £24,000 for Hodgkin’sLymphoma and the Bluebell WoodChildren’s Hospice16Engineering and construction• News• Manufacturers have had a tough time butthose that have survived have honed theircompetitiveness by modernising andstreamlining their operations20Food, chemicals and process industries• News• Yorkshire and Lincolnshire’s food andbeverage industry is vital to the region’sprosperity. This month Business Linkexamines why many companies arereviewing their packaging offerings24Energy and renewables• All the news from one of the region’sfastest growing industries26Flixborough Eco Technologies It’s been a busy but fantastically rewardingfew months for Flixborough EcoTechnologies – still a young company, butgrowing fast28Business growth • News• Productivity – a workforce ormanagement problem, or both?asks James Pinchbeck, Marketing PartnerStreets Chartered Accountants• More than sixty Hull-basedmanufacturers have shown that the citydeserves to be part of fulfilling theGovernment’s aspiration to create a‘northern powerhouse’32QR code directoryQR codes are a quick and effective way toengage with your customers3016CONTENTSJULY 2015www.blmforum.net34Business services• News• When companies and educationalestablishments work in tandem to push theboundaries of knowledge, they become apowerful engine for innovation andeconomic growth38Inward investmentOur region is enjoying huge inwardinvestment – thanks to the enthusiasm andenergy of its ambassadors, and its flexibleworkforce42RetirementThe options for support during yourretirement can be bewildering – so it’s wellworth considering it sooner rather thanlater44AutoLinkWith registration changes just around thecorner the motor trade will be going all outonce again to woo buyers46EventsWe take a look at business eventshappening around Yorkshire andLincolnshire49Classified50And finally…04-05_Layout 1 30/06/2015 09:24 Page 1EditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsSteve Williams (s.williams@blmgroup.co.uk)Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)Stuart Pearcey (s.pearcey@blmgroup.co.uk)Editorial contactnewsdesk@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317Sales DirectorAngela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk)AdvertisingTel: (01472) 310310Accounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharman, Dawn Cook, John DownesTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary Jorgensen, Mark Casson, Rachel 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 be reproduced,transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without expresspermission of the copyright holder, for which application should beaddressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care istaken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents acceptliability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies,negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to thispublication. The views expressed in this publication are notnecessarily the views of those held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines,you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes ofpaper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year.Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you removeall plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. If you are unable toparticipate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass yourmagazine onto a local hospital or charity?Yorkshire-Lincolnshire-Business-Link @blmforumblmforum.netCOVER PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM - PHIL MACD PHOTOGRAPHY • ANSELL • SHEFFIELD FORGEMASTERS INTERNATIONAL • CHRISVANLENNEPPHOTO • SIEMENS24PHOTO: DONG04-05_Layout 1 30/06/2015 09:24 Page 2ArmstronghouseOffering a prime position in Grimsby, Armstrong House onArmstrong Street is ideally located. Close to the ports ofGrimsby 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 officesare 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 contractmean confidence when it comes to affordability and with a rangeof office sizes there are opportunities for all types of business. Ifyou require virtual office services, prices start from just £15 permonth. For more information, or to discuss your office requirements,give Scotts Property a call today on 01472 267000 and askabout Armstrong House.Ground floor offices to letPrime location in GrimsbySuperb Location -- Close to the ports of Grimsby &Immingham- Great motorwaylinks- Close to the town centreSecure off street parkingHigh speed internet availabilityEasy in/out termsA range of affordable office sizes333335 Town Hall Street, Grimsby DN31 1HNed@scotts-property.co.uk www.scotts-property.co.ukwww.shutterstock.com/terekhov igorwww.shutterstock.com/Yentafern06-08_Layout 1 29/06/2015 13:59 Page 1www.shutterstock.com/YentafernBusiness Link 7www.blmforum.netCOMMERCIAL PROPERTY37% of all investment recorded. Thiswas eight times more than Q3 whenoffice investment was £26.4 million.Total office investment for the year wasup 169% on the total office investmentfor 2013.The most significant deal impactingon the office sector was the half sharepurchase of Wellington Street, Leedsfor £92.5 million by CPPIB and HermesReal Estate. This is a majordevelopment in Leeds combining 1.5million sq ft of mixed use space.Meanwhile, in Lincolnshire HodgsonElkington have sold the mixed usedinvestment at Hamilton House, 280-281In Yorkshire alone, investmenttotalled £571 million in the final quarterof 2014 – a 61% increase on theprevious quarter and the highestquarterly performance on record -according to new research published byLambert Smith Hampton.This performance propelledinvestment for the year as a whole to£1,580 million which is up 72% on thetotal volume of deals for 2013. It is alsothe highest annual total investment forYorkshire since before 2007.The demand for offices in the regionwas a key driver of activity in the finalquarter of the year, with investment atHigh Street, Lincoln. The property,occupied by Lola Lo’s Night Club andEqvvs Menswear, has been sold onbehalf of overseas owners, DeDrechtdijk B V. Hodgson Elkington havesold the property investment to a localinvestor.Tim Shaw, who acted on behalf of DeDrechtdijk B V in the sale, says, “Wehave managed this recognisablebuilding on Lincoln High Street formany years and our client decided todispose of his UK holdings late lastyear. There was significant interest inthe property, and we received multipleoffers. We are pleased that theinvestment was sold to local owners8 ÁInvestment in the Yorkshire and Lincolnshirecommercial property sector is riding high after atraumatic five years.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PHOTOGRAPHEE.EUInvestment returnsto the marketInvestment returnsto the market06-08_Layout 1 29/06/2015 13:59 Page 28Business Link www.blmforum.netCOMMERCIAL PROPERTYthe year as a whole – the secondhighest figure on record. This is theprimarily the result of the resurgence ofUK institutional investors – whichincreased inflows by almost 30% in2014 – buoyed by improving economicsentiment beyond the capital.Overseas investors continue to be thelargest buyers of UK commercialproperty, with investment from the USmore than doubling year on year andinterest from the Far East alsoincreasing significantly. Abid Jaffry, Director and RegionalHead of Capital Markets at LSH, says,“The commercial property investmentmarket enjoyed an outstanding year in2014 with the highest total investmentin Yorkshire since pre 2007. We expectthe momentum to continue into 2015 asmore investors focus on the regionsalthough this may be focused on goodquality secondary assets.“While the headline numbers mayinvite comparisons with the last boom,with an interest in the property. Therewill be no change to the occupiers ofthe building, it was an opportunity forthe purchaser to secure this property onLincoln High Street.“The sale, close to the asking price,indicates that the commercial propertyinvestment market is strong and we arecurrently dealing with a number ofproperty investment opportunitieswhich show that the Lincoln investmentmarket is buoyant.” In terms of the industrial sector,major deals include in the area include:The forward funding of the Next unit atG Park by Legal and General Propertyfor £65 million and The Range atNimbus Park which was bought byTritax for 48.5 million, both inDoncaster.In addition, the latest edition ofLambert Smith Hampton’s UKInvestment Transactions report revealsthat investment in the UK regionsincreased by 41% to £21.1 billion forthere is an important difference thistime: investors are now considerablyless reliant on debt finance. As a result,our forecasts point to transactionvolumes returning closer to trend levelsin 2015.“Against the general trend of asoftening in investment volumes,expect the so-called ‘alternative sectors’- such as healthcare, studentaccommodation and the private rentedsector - to be major growth areas.Investors will also move up the riskcurve to make the most of secondaryopportunities, and those with in-depthmarket knowledge are going to be inthe strongest position to capitalise.“Values should continue to rise overthe next twelve months for good qualitysecondary assets – but at a muchslower pace than that seen recently.Moving forward, the main driver ofreturns will be income generated by thecontinued rental growth prospects inthe occupier markets.”PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/HACOHOB06-08_Layout 1 29/06/2015 13:59 Page 3Business Link 9www.blmforum.netSomething to say? Write to: Business Link Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby,North East Lincolnshire DN31 2QE or email: letters@blmgroup.co.ukReaders’LETTERSReaders’LETTERSWhat no air show ?Dear Sir,What a shame that the Waddington AirShow won’t be held this year - judging by theorders that were placed at the recent show atParis we’ve missed a trick here as it’s an idealopportunity to show the world what we’remade of. Mind you, in Paris even the politicians seemkeen to support the shows and make surethey are there to talk up the export prospects.Our politicians shy away from such shows asthey seem to prefer to distance themselvesfrom anything to do with the arms industry! S KillingtonLincolnDidn’t see that coming…Dear Sir,So, the first thing the government announces post-election isthe selling off of RBS at a huge loss! Given the potential loss onthe sale of these shares why on earth would the chancellor wantto sell at this time? My guess is because they’re worried abouthow they are going to defend banker’s bonuses in a year or so’stime. We are told the RBS belongs in the private sector and as such, itwill be freer to lend and freer to operate but if the bank couldn’t bebrought to lend to businesses at a time when we needed it most -despite the government or taxpayer owning 80% of it - how islending to businesses likely to change when it becomes privatelyowned again? Selling off the stake should be put to a referendumnot simply left to the whims of those in Westminster.P StewartHullUS manufacturing hit hardDear Sir,It is encouraging to read in your magazine that manufacturing here isholding up as our cousins over the Atlantic don’t seem to be fairing quite sowell. I understand manufacturing there has fallen to its weakest level inmore than two years and, as you quite rightly point out, with so many jobslinked to the manufacturing sector, this certainly doesn’t bode well for thecountry. One wonders whether the ripple effect will hit us here in the UK. T StoneYorkEd: The New York Fed’s Empire State general business conditions indexshows a fall from 3.09 in May to -1.98 in June and that’s far worse than therise economists had predicted, so let’s hope not. Lincolnshire’s agri-foodindustryDear Sir,Good to see your magazine supporting theLincolnshire Show again this year and a verybig thank you for your hospitality.Odd that other business magazines aren’tseen at the show given the importance of thecounty’s agri-food industry to the region’seconomic prosperity. Clearly your companyhas the foresight that others lack?P HurstEmail09_Layout 1 29/06/2015 14:00 Page 1Next >