ENGINEERING The next generationSECURITYMake sure you're safeand soundOFFICESOLUTIONSThe perfect backdropfor successAUGUST 2013 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 28ISSUE 8CREATING A REACTIONEncouraging excellence in our region01:Layout 1 29/7/13 14:16 Page 1Our glass comes with a 10 year guaranteeSAMPLE PRICE LIST: • Steamed Up Windows from £30• Replacement Handles from £35• Replacement Hinges from £55• Replacement Locking Systems from £60• Anti-bump/anti-snap Security Locks from £69.95FREE survey call 0800 61 22 943www.windowgeeks.co.uk WE REPAIR AND REPLACE windows, doors and conservatories NO MINIMUM CHARGENO CALL OUT CHARGENO CREDIT CARD CHARGE(inc fitting & VAT)See clearer, feel warmer, get better protected Steamed-Up Windows - Broken Hinges - Handles - LocksWE REPLACE:PO BOX 102, Ossett, WF5 9WATel: 0845 6444 847or 0800 756 3132roberthowes@cleanuptime.co.ukwww.officecleanerswakefield.co.ukClean Up Time area local, family runcleaning companywith an enviablereputation forquality & long termassociations withour customers.0845 644484725% OFFFIRST 3MONTHSCLEANING• Industrial & Commercial Cleaning • Daily Office Cleaning • Builders Cleans02:Layout 1 29/7/13 10:42 Page 140Solar energyWith big changes in tariffs about to arrive onthe solar components from China, what effectwill this have on the region’s renewablesindustry?43FreewattCounty waste centres are generating theirown power as well as recycling thanks to a£300,000 project44Lincolnshire Environmental AwardsThe Lincolnshire Environmental Awardscelebrated the very best examples of greenthinking in the countyRegulars4From the Editor5News7Taxation Are your contractors really self-employed?asks Erica Manderfield, Tax Manager, StreetsChartered Accountants10Business sceneStreets’ Annual Charity Golf Day11LettersReader’s letters and replies48AutoLinkThe move towards autumn brings with itthat momentous if not hectic time at cardealerships of new car registrations – sowhat new arrivals can we expect totempt us to open our wallets this year?50EventsWe take a look at business eventshappening around Yorkshire andLincolnshire52Classified53Appointments54And finally…Features9Wilkin Chapman LLPLaw firms merge to create debt recoveryand insolvency powerhouse 12Commercial propertyCommercial property developers can onlyattract potential occupiers with buildingsthat help lower costs and improveenvironmental credentials16Office solutionsSometimes finding the right office spacealone is not enough. If you’re going toenjoy good morale, you need to thinkabout how they are run • Clean Up Time19TrainingOur region is known for its educationalfacilities, but we’re also feeding a wholenew generation of young people intent onentering a vast range of emerging andrecovering industries • IoSCM22EngineeringThe increase in automation has led to arequirement to improve the standardsacross engineering• ABB Consulting28ChemicalsYorkshire and Lincolnshire’s expertise inthe chemical industry is seeing the areareap the rewards of investment32HealthcareAt a time when companies are strugglingto provide salary increases, many arelooking at other incentives to attract andretain existing staff34SecurityWith security threats becoming moreprevalent in a post-recession era, it’s vitalto make it harder for criminals to causetrouble for your business as we find out• Static Security Services45ConferencingNetworking can work for all kinds ofbusinesses, but what does it really offeryou?• West Yorkshire PlayhouseEnvironmentalBusiness Link Environmental is yourultimate guide to the expanding world ofgreen business.38Environmental newsThe latest news from this fast-movingsectorContentsAugust 20131622283803:Layout 1 29/7/13 09:37 Page 1Say it very quietly, but there are definite signs out therethat the recovery could be beginning to gather pace.Recruitment companies are reporting extremely strongquarter results, as firms take on staff to deal withincreased orders.Now even the financial services sector has decided thetime is right to poke its had above the parapet. Thesector many think was responsible for the crash in thefirst place has been searching, much like the lion in the Wizard of Oz, for itscourage ever since. It may have found it.Indeed, a new study by PwC suggests that sustainable and well regulatedgrowth in the UK financial services sector could generate approximately 265,000additional jobs and GDP growth of 2-3% in the UK by 2020, and in our part ofthe world, this could lead to the creation of around 15,100 new private sectorroles across a range of sectors.These are positive figures, but I believe it will take a lot of convincing that aneconomy based around the financial service sector is the way forward after sucha long and deep depression.This month we focus on numerous sectors where Yorkshire and Lincolnshireare making a major contribution to the UK’s prosperity. Engineering, chemicalsand solar energy have all benefited from the huge expertise in our region’sleading companies and universities and we highlight the latest initiatives. Manynational companies are also taking note of the high standard of living and theimpressive workforce available and relocating to our area, so our special featureon office solutions is also a timely one.In the meantime - good reading, as alwaysW S FisherEditorEditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsSteve Williams (s.williams@blmgroup.co.uk)Mike Shields (m.shields@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)Patrick Hewitt (p.hewitt@blmgroup.co.uk)Accounts & 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 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?The 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.From theEDITOR…Yorkshire-Lincolnshire-Business-Link @blmforumblmforum.netCOVER PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/AGSANDREW04:Layout 1 29/7/13 14:05 Page 1Business Link 5www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSExpansion forLincolnshirecoach companyLincolnshire coach operator ACWilliams has announced a 50%expansion with the acquisition ofSouthern Holidays, building on arecord year which saw companyturnover soar by 40%. Together the merged companies will offer a fleet of nearly thirty vehicles, rangingfrom executive coaches through to double deckers and wheelchair minibuses. Theentire fleet will be maintained through A C Williams’ specialist workshop, and thecompany has invested £500,000 in equipment and vehicles this year. Executive chairman Glen Pratt says “The joining of these well-respected names willprovide our customers with a bigger choice from our fleet of vehicles. We want to becomeLincolnshire’s best and most trusted coach operator and this expansion makes us well placed forfuture growth.”Glen Pratt took over the A C Williams business just over twelve months ago. Directors Leighand Rebecca Robbins and all the employees of Southern Holidays will continue in the newlymerged group. On track to powertomorrow’s engineersHuddersfield University’s Computing andEngineering School has been successful in TheRailway Challenge. The Railway Challenge aims to bridge the gapsbetween theory, experience, industry and educationfor engineering undergraduates across Europe. Basedon the Formula Student competition, it sets similarlycompetitive and rigorous challenges to final yearundergraduate engineering students and industryapprentices – but on rails, designing a working locomotive.Huddersfield’s winning locomotive was judged to be the premierentry based on their combined sales,business and project management skills. Simon Iwnicki, Director of the Instituteof Railway Research at HuddersfieldUniversity has been involved in TheRailway Challenge since its inception andsees great value in this type ofcompetition. He says, “There’s no doubtin my mind the students enjoyed andbenefitted from the whole process. Notonly does it make their studies feel muchmore real, but it also helps buildteamwork skills – traditionally difficultto replicate in engineering courses.”Barnsley’s creative and digital sectorputs town on the mapBarnsley has gained European recognition for the way its creative and digitalsector is being helped to grow and support the borough’s economic growth.The URBACT City Action on Jobs report highlights how CDI companies arenurtured and supported in the South Yorkshire town. The report says that thethriving sector plays a vital role in helping other sectors such as manufacturing,trade and service industries to develop and create jobs. The EnterprisingBarnsley business support programme offers free business coaching andsupport to help many of these companies develop and grow.Tracey Johnson of Enterprising Barnsley says, “It’s great to see Barnsleyregistering on the European map and being held up as a good place to run acreative business. The borough has a lot to offer creative and digitalentrepreneurs. Our job is to encourage confidence and collaboration tostrengthen the creative and digital economy in Barnsley.”Future cemented forCarlton ManufacturingCarlton Manufacturing, developer andmanufacturer of sustainable construction materials,has slashed production times by 99% thanks to a£1.2million funding package from FinanceYorkshire.The initial investment from Finance Yorkshire’sSeedcorn Fund, in March 2012, allowed Carlton todevelop an initial range of baggedproducts and sell into theindependent builders’ merchantand timber merchantmarketplace. Further investment allowedCarlton to move to newlarger premises on DaveyRoad, Goldthorpe, and toradically change itsmanufacturing processwith the purchase ofEurope’s newestautomated bagging andpalletising equipment. Thefirst pallet of ready mixedconcrete, which took theteam ten hours tomanufacture last year, nowtakes just over seven minutesto produce. Chris Blaxall, Financial Director ofCarlton Manufacturing, says, “Theinvestment was fundamental to us beingable to grow in line with customer demand. We arehoping that with the long-term investment, we areable to double the capacity again next year.”Nationalpropertyconsultancy CarterJonas has completed amerger with PeterGreenwood & Co LLP, thechartered surveyors inBoroughbridge. Established in1988, the firm is predominantly arural practice and manages inexcess of 85,000 acres inYorkshire and Scotland. CarterJonas has a network of 24offices across the country,including York, Harrogate, andLeeds. Peter Greenwood &Co will now trade asCarter Jonas LLP inBoroughbridge.TheWaterside ShoppingCentre in Lincoln hasappointed local construction firmSimons Group to oversee a multi-million pound reconfiguration. Capital &Regional, owners of the centre, havecontracted Simons Group to take chargeof the development which will see thearena transformed into two double heightretail units which will house fashiongiants H&M and Next. The frontsection of the mall will also betransformed, giving a clearline of sight from theHigh Street.05-08:Layout 1 29/7/13 09:43 Page 1LATEST NEWS6Business Link www.blmforum.netCostco LeedsLeathley RoadHunsletLeedsLS10 1BGT: 0113 204 2920E: marketing106@costco.co.ukCentral Membership: 01923 830 477www.costco.co.ukJOIN COSTCOTODAY!Costco Wholesale is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices.We provide a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of speciality departments and exclusive member services, all designed to make your shopping experience a pleasurable one.We are confident in the quality and value of our products, and we stand behind them with our guarantee of satisfaction.Trade Membership*The annual membership fee for Standard Trade Membership is £20 (plus VAT), which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner. Individual Membership*The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership is £25 (plus VAT), which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or domestic partner. Join in the warehouse or online:www.costco.co.uk/membershipFor further information, please contact our Membership Team at Costco Leeds on0113 204 2920*Membership Criteria applies. Accepted methods of payment: cash, debit card, cheque or American Express. Membership must be obtained before purchases can be made.QUOTE “BUSINESS LINK MAGAZINE” WHEN JOINING AND RECEIVE A FREE GIFT!COSTCO LEEDS ONLY.VALID UNTIL 31./12/14Systematic PrintManagement launchbrand new lookSystematic Print Management haslaunched its new branding, a refreshedlogo alongside a revitalised webpresence, marketing materials andstationery.This extensive brand review is theculmination of six months’ work by theCaistor company, and its unveilingcoincides with Systematic’s involvementin the prestigious Coronation Festival atBuckingham Palace.The Festival showcased the broadrange of fine brands that have earnedthe recognition of a Royal Warrant. Thisincludes print services, the basis ofSystematic’s Royal Warrant since 2008.Members of the Systematic Team wereat the Festival, and saw the impressivevisuals associated with their newbranding on large screens at theFestival and across a number of itemsthat Systematic have sponsored.Chris Robey, Managing Director, says,“I am very grateful to our team, whohave approached the brand review withthe rigour and creativity that Systematiccustomers have come to expect.”Duke of York new Patron of University ofHuddersfieldHis Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG, has agreed to become Patron of theUniversity of Huddersfield. The University and His Royal Highness share a commitmentto boost the UK economy via entrepreneurship and enterprise.The Duke of York has been a regular visitor to the University and in May 2013 he wason campus to officially open its new £12 million 3M Buckley Innovation Centre and tobestow the first Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Awards.Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan says, “We share the same ambition to develop,support and encourage creativity and innovation. His Royal Highness’s commitment tothe agenda of developing an entrepreneurial spirit among young people is widelyrecognised and admired.“Now that The Duke of York has become a Patron of the University of Huddersfield,this will enable us to develop new joint projects designed to encourage enterprise and economic regeneration.”05-08:Layout 1 29/7/13 09:43 Page 2Business Link 7www.blmforum.netPort businesses bid to raiseHumber profile Humberbusinesses areplanning tobuild on thesuccess of atrade missionto one of theworld’sbiggest ports. Organisedby Hull CityCouncil andHumberPort,the delegationvisited the Port of Rotterdam to develop short sea shipping trade andpromote the Humber’s profile as the UK’s Energy Estuary. Cultural linkswere also strengthened aligned to the recently launched Hull City Planand City of Culture bid.Lord Haskins, chair of the Humber LEP, says, “The expansion of thePort of Rotterdam and potential offshore renewables business representsa huge opportunity for the Humber. Cargo into the Humber fromRotterdam fluctuates in volume and it is up to businesses and the publicsector to work together to fight for growth between the two ports. It isvitally important that we promote the Humber collectively and ensure theright people are aware of what we have to offer.”Finch Insurance Brokers has launched a new office in Sheffield as partof ambitious expansion plans. Finch Group, which is already wellestablished in Manchester and Halifax, have opened a base at SheffieldBusiness Park. The new office is the first stage of an aggressive growthstrategy launched following the appointment of new group managingdirector Mike Latham. Responsibility for the development of the newoffice rests with Chris Finch who has more than thirty years insurancebroking experience.Pressing ahead on UK job SheffieldForgemasters hasproduced twohuge steelcomponents forone of the world’slargest screwpresses. The huge315 tonne and 285tonne castings willform the carcass ofan enormous 70-tonne press forItalian engineeringcompany Bifrangi UK’s Lincoln site.Bifrangi, which supplies forged parts to the power generation industryincluding engine crankshafts, is to install the screw press at its MonksRoad site as part of a £50 million upgrade of its facilities. The multi-million pound castings required Forgemasters to make pours of 600tonnes of molten steel.Forgemasters International won the contract from German companySchuler Pressen against stiff global competition.Mick Holloway, senior sales manager castings at SFIL, says, “We areone of a select few foundries in the world capable of producingsomething on the scale of this press. Contractual delivery is September2013 and the good news is that we are ahead of schedule on this job.LATEST NEWSLegacy Fund secures improvedfacilities for Immingham schoolStudents at OasisAcademyImmingham havebecome the firstmajor benefactors ofABP’s Immingham100 Legacy Fund.Local youngsters arenow able to accessstate-of-the-arttechnology andlibrary facilities onsite at a recentlyopened LearningResource Centre.The Academy’s new centre was opened recently by Principal KevinRowlands, John Fitzgerald, ABP Port Director Grimsby & Immingham andMike Cusick, Managing Director of Oxbow Coal Ltd,.Oxbow donated more than £10,000 to the Legacy Fund, which was thenhanded to Oasis Academy for investment in the Learning Resource Centre.This investment marked the single largest contribution made by theLegacy Fund so far.The new Learning Resource Centre is open throughout the school dayand also opens for breakfast on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Kevin Rowlands says, “I was determined that this generous donationwould be used to develop and improve literacy in Immingham and thiscentre is already doing just that.”05-08:Layout 1 29/7/13 09:43 Page 3TAXATION8Business Link www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSAre yourcontractorsreally self-employed?asks Erica Manderfield, Tax Manager, StreetsChartered AccountantsIf you use self-employedcontractors in your business, it’sessential to ensure that theseindividuals could not be classed asemployees by HMRC. Along withpool cars and car fuel benefits,enquiries into the status of anindividual worker are a favouritetarget for the tax inspector whencarrying out checks into a business.There are many factors that aretaken into account when decidingon the employment status of anindividual. Does the individual have to do the work themselves,or can they send a substitute? If so, do they need your prioragreement? How much control is exercised over how, when andwhere the work is carried out? Is payment by reference to thenumber of hours worked, or by the work carried out? Are thenormal perks of employment provided?There is no scientific method of determining the status of anindividual, so it’s a case of looking at all the relevant factors andconsidering the overall picture. The subjective nature of thesetests is partly the reason this is a favourite topic for inspectors.There is also the added incentive that any settlement can be veryexpensive for businesses once earlier years, interest andpenalties are added.If you do use any self-employed individuals in your business,we would strongly recommend appropriate contracts are put intoplace, which clearly define the responsibilities of the partiesinvolved. The existence of a contract can be a great help whendealing with enquires from the tax office and may mean thedifference between a long drawn out enquiry and a promptclosure notice.To be able to rely upon the contracts in defending againstHMRC attack, it’s vital any contracts in place reflect actualworking practices. We would also suggest all contracts arereviewed and re-issued annually with any changes to the workingpractice reflected.Erica Manderfield is a Tax Manager with Streets CharteredAccountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm. Telephone0845 8800320, email info@streetsweb.co.uk or visitwww.streetsweb.co.ukRiver Terminal ushers in new erafor Port of GrimsbyThe newly opened Grimsby River Terminal has welcomed its firstvessel, securing the port’s position as the UK’s leading automotivehandling facility.The MV Ems Highway discharged more than eight hundredVolkswagen, Audi and Skoda vehicles onto the Terminal’s seventhousand tonne concrete pontoon, ready for distribution to customersacross the UK. Until now, specialist car-carrying ships used Grimsby’s AlexandraDock, which is accessed through the Port’s original Royal Lock, built in1852. However the existing lock limits ship size to a maximum of eighthundred cars. The £26 million GRT, which is the first construction to bebuilt outside the lock gates since Royal Lock opened, will offer access fortwo vessels carrying up to three thousand vehicles, significantlyincreasing the Port’s capacity and making it attractive to more carriers. Itwill link directly into the Port’s extensive car storage facilities.PHOTO BY ABP/DAVID LEE PHOTOGRAPHYHull-based commercial law firm Rollits LLP has secured membershipto the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme – the mark ofexcellence for the home buying process. Rollits underwent rigorousassessment by the Law Society in order to secure CQS status, whichmarks the firm out as meeting high standards in the residentialconveyancing process.New Bradford film school gets redcarpet launchIndustry chiefs fromthe film world were inBradford for the redcarpet launch of thenew Bradford-WhistlingWoods InternationalFilm School.Meghna Ghai-Puri,president of WhistlingWoods International,jetted in from Mumbaifor the launch and wasjoined by film producerSteve Abbott, chair of the Bradford City of Film Board.The film school is an partnership between Bradford College andWhistling Woods International. Opening in September, it offers buddingfilm-makers opportunities to experience the world of Bollywood.Meghna Ghai-Puri says, “We believe with Whistling WoodsInternational and Bradford College we can provide a platform forstudents to join the global film industry. We have found the perfectpartner in Bradford College.”Film school director Trevor Griffiths adds, “Our ambition is for the filmschool to be open to people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the wonderfulfacilities we are putting in place. When you think Bradford, think film!”05-08:Layout 1 29/7/13 09:43 Page 4Business Link 9www.blmforum.netWILKIN CHAPMAN LLPLaw firms merge tocreate debt recoveryand insolvencypowerhouse Wilkin Chapman LLP has merged with Carrick ReadSolicitors. The merger sees Carrick Read becoming apart of Wilkin Chapman LLP’s nationally recogniseddebt recovery and insolvency department, creating apowerhouse in this specialised area of the law.The addition of Carrick Read’s insolvency practice brings evenmore expertise and kudos to the department, particularly as it isone of the few firms in the country which has an authorisedinsolvency practitioner as one of its partners.Chris Grocock, partner and head of debt recovery andinsolvency at Wilkin Chapman LLP, says, “The merger isexcellent news – not just for the firm but for our clients. TheCarrick Read team are nationally recognised as specialistinsolvency solicitors and their expertise will complement thespecialist knowledge of our own debt recovery team, providinga complete debt recovery and insolvency service for individualsand businesses alike.”The partners and staff of Carrick Read have moved into WilkinChapman’s Beverley offices, providing an East Yorkshire base forthe firm’s debt recovery and insolvency services. Here, they havejoined colleagues with specialisations in family law andmediation, commercial property, wills, trusts and probate,agricultural law, personal injury, litigation and domestic property.Chris Garwood of Carrick Read says, “Our clients can restassured that they will still receive the highest levels of service andnow will also have access to a wider range of legal services.”For more information, visit www.wilkinchapman.co.uk.Adam Marham, partner at Carrick Read, Chris Grocock, partner and head of debtrecovery and insolvency at Wilkin Chapman LLP, Mark Carlton, senior partner atWilkin Chapman LLP and Christopher Garwood, partner at Carrick ReadDon’t forgetyou can now read Business Linkon thego!Digital Editions now available on iPad & iPhoneWWW.BLMFORUM.NETIdeal for those who spendtime away fromtheir office09:Layout 1 29/7/13 09:45 Page 1Next >