< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net BUSINESS LINCOLNSHIRE Q&A What are the most important things businesses need to be aware of between now and the end of the transition period? First of all, the transition period is not being extended, so the clock is ticking away. Secondly, we’re still waiting to find out if we have a free trade agreement with the EU, so keep an eye on the national news for updates. But despite these uncertainties, there is still plenty businesses can be doing to prepare themselves for the 31st December. Which businesses will be the most affected by the end of the transition period? Although we won’t know the exact details until the free trade agreement is settled, the ones who will be most impacted will be those who fail to prepare. There’s no time to bury your head in the sand and hope it will go away – you need to organise your business and soon. Importers and exporters will also be heavily affected, particularly those who don’t factor in any increased costs caused by import duties and haven’t had a sensible commercial conversation with their customers or suppliers. What do businesses need to do to prepare? There are several areas to consider. The first is a workforce audit, which businesses need to conduct with their suppliers as well as their own workforce. You need to check that any EU nationals have obtained settled status, so they are not subject to the new immigration rules come January. The second is importing and exporting. Businesses need to acquire an EORI number to continue trading with the EU, as well as begin completing custom declaration forms for EU transactions from next year. Thirdly, businesses who do import and export should try and schedule deliveries to avoid having any goods on the water on the 31st December, to prevent delays and hold-ups caused by the changing rules. Also, make sure you have a clear line of communication with your freight- forwarders, as they’ll be important players regarding the new customs declarations. Financially, businesses will need to recalculate their margins to take into consideration the new duties, as well as prepare for potential fluctuations in currencies. On the legal side, businesses may need to reword their agreements, along with checking if their trademarks are still valid when the community- wide trademark no longer is. GDPR will be more important than ever, as will trading standards – you need to find out if your products are approved outside the UK once the transition period is over. Do you think COVID-19 has negatively impacted businesses’ preparations for the end of the transition period? I’m afraid so. Since March, businesses have been in survival mode, and many have assumed that the transition period has been extended as a result of the virus. This means a large number of businesses have failed to grasp the urgency of the situation and are now Q&A Mike Stokes, Export Adviser, Business Lincolnshire Business Lincolnshire’s Export Adviser Mike Stokes is helping SMEs prepare for the end of the transition period. Business Link finds out how. Mike Stokes 10-11.qxp_Layout 1 04/08/2020 17:14 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 BUSINESS LINCOLNSHIRE Q&A having to catch-up. However, having to cope with COVID-19 has certainly made businesses more resilient, which will stand them in good stead in the coming months – if you can cope with COVID, you can cope with anything! How can you help businesses to prepare for 31st December? There’s a lot to sort out in a short space of time, but help is at hand. I’m conducting diagnostic questionnaires by phone with Greater Lincolnshire SMEs, to help them identify the areas they need to focus on. These diagnostics take no longer than 45 minutes, and within 24 hours they’ll receive a customised action plan filled with things to do, things to consider and things to find out. I’ll also point them in the direction of useful contacts, as well as provide dates for when the actions should be completed. The process is straightforward, but should they get stuck with their action plans, I’m available to answer their questions. My support is fully-funded, meaning there’s absolutely no cost to businesses, but we need to focus and work on solving these issues while there is still time. To find out more, visit www.businesslincolnshire.com. © Shutterstock /Jat306 10-11.qxp_Layout 1 04/08/2020 17:14 Page 212 Business Link www.blmforum.net PROPERTY Meeting demand B ack in April, a new headline rent for warehouses in the Leeds City Region was set with the letting of a 31,50 square foot speculative mid box warehouse at Pullan’s Unit 3 Whitehall Point in Leeds. Specifically, Ferraris Piston Service took the property on a ten-year lease to facilitate its expansion, with the property being marketed at a headline rent of £6.50 per square foot. The warehouse unit is part of a new scheme development of some 65,000 square foot, helping to meet the dearth of such units across the region. “Warehouses of this size are few and far between across the region, and as such we are witnessing pent up demand for good quality, new build units of this nature,” said Sophie Angus, Associate Director at CBRE Leeds. “Unit 3 was let shortly after practical completion and to achieve a new headline rent based on £6.50 per square foot shows the continued strength of the Leeds market.” It’s interesting to note that one of the biggest, most high- profile warehouse/distribution/logistics property deals this year coincided with the beginning of lockdown and the UK’s 15 Á demand With the coronavirus crisis having placed increased demand on logistics and warehousing, the pandemic has laid bare the lack of high- quality space available across our region. We look at some of the latest developments that have recently completed to help meet demand and ensure our region continues to be the nation’s logistics epicentre. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 04/08/2020 17:15 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 PROPERTY © Shutterstock / By marcinjozwiak 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 04/08/2020 17:16 Page 2Armstrong house 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, give Scotts Property a call today on 01472 267000 and ask about Armstrong House. Last remaining office suites Prime location in Grimsby 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 Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 • Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk www .shutter stoc k.com/ter ekho v igor www .shutter stoc k.com/Y entafer n 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 04/08/2020 17:16 Page 3www .shutter stoc k.com/Y entafer n www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 PROPERTY © Shutterstock /Don Pablo COVID downturn. As was evidenced throughout the months that followed, the lockdown led to a massive spike in online shopping and delivery services, necessitating an upscale in logistics facilities and storage space, especially where mid and big box facilities are concerned. CBRE has recently reported that the UK logistics market has recorded the highest quarterly take-up figures on record in Q2 2020, but, at a regional level, the real estate company’s Leeds- based team has highlighted an acute shortage of prime, high quality specification mid-box opportunities. “The need for well specified industrial space in good locations across West Yorkshire continues to grow. The location of this asset, which is set close to already popular industrial parks with excellent motorway connectivity, makes this an extremely attractive investment opportunity,” said Matthew Ewin, a Leeds-based associate in the national industrial and logistics team at Savills. “Since the outbreak of COVID-19, demand for ‘big box’ accommodation has continued at consistent levels across the region. Significant medium and long- term requirements have been circulated on behalf of occupiers with good levels of activity from the online retail and food sector. Currently within West Yorkshire there are no 200,000 square foot to 300,000 square foot units immediately available…” Recently, a prime industrial unit has been launched to market in the established 62 Leeds logistics hub, helping to address the imbalance of regional shortages of new-build space versus strong occupier demand. Impex Parts has appointed the Industrial agency teams at CBRE and Carter Towler to launch to market the 42,293 square foot Unit 2 which is a prime, detached warehouse/distribution unit ready for immediate occupation. 62 Leeds is located off Gelderd Road just off J27 of the M62, and the acclaimed development is already home to occupiers including Lidl, Johnsons Dry Cleaners, Turners Accident Repair Centres and Unitrunk. The Yorkshire mid-box market continues to perform exceptionally well despite the pandemic and the region is still experiencing robust levels of take up. The newly launched Unit 2 is anticipated to attract strong interest due to its strategic positioning and immediate availability. “Our recent research concluded that the UK logistics sector has experienced the highest quarterly take-up figures on record and we are certainly seeing continued strong occupier interest across the Yorkshire region, particularly in the mid-box category,” said Sophie Angus, Associate Director at CBRE Leeds. “We have seen little impact of the pandemic on deals agreed since lockdown and the mid-box market continues to be in good health. Unit 2 represents an excellent opportunity for an occupier seeking immediately available, high quality warehouse space and we anticipate strong interest as a result.” 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 04/08/2020 17:16 Page 416 Business Link www.blmforum.net PRINT AND PACKAGING SPOTLIGHT On demand As print and packaging technologies evolve, producers must be cognizant of cybersecurity issues and their environmental footprint. Business Link explores. 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 04/08/2020 17:19 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 PRINT AND PACKAGING SPOTLIGHT © Shutterstock /silvano audisio T hanks to advances in the Internet of Things (IoT) – wherein physical objects are collated together in an interconnected network – printing technology has taken a major leap forward. But by being networked in this way, printers can put businesses at risk of cyberattacks and have-a-go hackers. Hacks on smart printers exploit flaws in the device’s firmware allowing hackers to continuously force data to be written to their chips. This is a process which, if carried out enough times, can fry the chip, meaning that businesses not only have to contend with compromised security but front the cash for new hardware. This can occur because of issues with firmware, but printer hacks will likely only grow as IoT becomes even more widespread across the printing industry unless businesses put security measures into place. This is by no means a simple fix as protecting printers networked on IoT is a challenge because of their complexity. That shouldn’t serve to deter businesses, because printers are a gateway into a goldmine of information. Printers contain if not a lifetime memory, then certainly a memory of recent documents that have been sent to it. Think of everything you’ve printed over the last few months. It’s likely this contained highly sensitive financial information and confidential information about employees and clients. So this could present a massive breach in confidentiality and damage not just for the business being attacked, but that of its clients and customers. Quocirca, a global market insight and research firm, says that print manufacturers need to expand their security assessment and monitoring services, along with partnering with traditional IT security vendors, especially in the area of threat intelligence. The importance and pervasiveness of these security issues prove that the print industry is still very much alive, with printers remaining an importance fixture across a myriad of different industries. Though there has been a definite push towards paperless offices over the last ten years, print has an important role to play for the foreseeable future, and that’s to say nothing of the printing required for packaged goods. An average office worker in the UK uses around 10,000 sheets of copy paper every year. So imagine how much an entire office is responsible for. According to renewable energy company, Good Energy, producing 100,000 sheets of paper produces a carbon footprint of 6,000 kilograms, but going paperless might not be as simple a solution to reducing this 18 Á 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 04/08/2020 17:19 Page 218 Business Link www.blmforum.net PRINT AND PACKAGING SPOTLIGHT footprint as one might assume, with all digital activity – from sending an email to browsing online – coming with its own carbon footprint. The answer instead might lie in recyclable and sustainable print and packaging material. Simple solutions for offices include looking for papers that include pre-consumer recycled content and those responsibly sourced from sustainable tree plantations and well managed forests. Forest Stewardship Council approved papers may be made entirely from virgin wood – wood that is admittedly responsibly-sourced – but it’s still better to opt for a paper that contains recycled materials where possible. Recycled paper used to have a reputation for poor quality with a grainy look and feel, but now they’re indistinguishable. The cheapest options available aren’t likely to be among the best for the environment, but by the same rationale, the most expensive options can be misleading, so it’s always worth doing a bit of homework. Research can be carried out quickly and efficiently online, but most of the relevant information should be available on pack. Printing is ultimately more than the sum of its parts and requires a lot of different resources, all of which should be factored into any decision making when business consider their carbon footprints. It’s more than the paper itself that impacts the environment, with the ink, coatings and chemicals that are used in the manufacture of certain papers and what is eventually printed on them. Eco- friendly printers often use vegetable- based ink such as those made from soybeans rather than the petroleum- based inks used in a lot of modern printers. Vegetable inks are gentler on the environment but that doesn’t come with the cost of compromised print quality. During the recycling process, the nature of these inks means that even bright images can be more easily removed from paper than traditional inks. The way in which printers are powered is also an important factor. Commercial printers used in an office setting will draw between 30 and 50 watts of energy on standby – that’s as much as an average domestic inkjet while printing. While in use, these commercial printers can use as much as between 300 and 500 watts of power. That may significantly increase for laser printers, depending on their design. But by powering, even in part, an office with renewable energy such as wind and solar, a company can continue to print at the same level whilst lessening the carbon footprint of the process. Of course, reduction is also an important environmental strategy to bear in mind and it’s worth thinking about that sage advice of thinking whether you really need to print any given document or e-mail. In the packaging industry, environmental issues are much more complex. Take, for example, pouch packages which are commonly found containing pet food, baby food and microwavable meals, among others. They aren’t easily recycled, but because of their light weight, durable and flexible nature, they offer a more environmentally-friendly option than many of their rigid counterparts on shelves, such as plastic tubs and tins. As the industry advances, and the environmental agenda continues to gain traction, advances and innovations in the recyclability of these packaging materials will continue. For recyclable packaging that doesn’t compromise product safety and ensuring that manufacturers stay in line with ever stringent labelling law and safety requirements, there’s paper and paper board. In 2018, this segment held a 55.1 per cent share of the sustainable packaging market and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular option, thanks to its relatively low cost, ease of recycling in © Shutterstock /A_stockphoto 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 04/08/2020 17:19 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 PRINT AND PACKAGING SPOTLIGHT domestic and commercial settings, its versatility, ease of transportation and compatibility with printers. Yet in highly competitive markets – such as food-to-go – products have mere seconds to resonate with busy consumers and that often means showing off the product they’ll be purchasing. A transparent plastic film is part and parcel of a boxed wrap or sandwich, yet this means that these packages are always mixed material and thus difficult to recycle. Rather than removing this important selling feature, manufacturers and supermarkets are instead creating packages where the cardboard can be more easily separated from the film. A simple solution such as a peelable tab can allow consumers to separate both components with relative ease, the better for both parts to be recycled. Whether it’s for sending out correspondence or producing labelling on food packaging, the printing industry remains an important and profitable market. The rise in ever-smarter printing solutions means that companies can’t afford to ignore digital security and must safeguard themselves against cybersecurity threats. At the same time, the environmental impact and the materials involved in the printing process cannot be ignored. With sustainable paper, inks and coatings available alongside renewable energy and ever more energy efficient hardware, companies can create a more efficient, streamline and environmentally-friendly print process. While adoption of more sustainable and easier to recycle materials can help to shrink a packaging company’s carbon footprint. © Shutterstock /photocritical Bespoke hygiene solutions for returning workers In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, cleaning and hygiene have never been more important. Fortunately for companies returning to the workplace, Chemex is here to help. Chemex work with a wide range of industries including food, infection control, emergency medicine, leisure and facilities management, transport & engineering. It believes in building partnerships with its customers and, by taking the time to understand what is important to them and their business, it can then design a bespoke package to suit them. The company has a unique approach to giving complete peace of mind that includes effective staff training which complements our market-leading products and systems. Bespoke cleaning and hygiene control programmes are set up and your staff is trained to follow them correctly and safely. This ensures the effective use of products to maintain a clean, safe environment. Most of its products are supplied as High Performance, Super Concentrates. Chemex supplies free of charge, high-tech dosing equipment to automatically dilute the concentrate on our customers’ premises. That means it isn’t transporting water – saving millions of truck journey miles a year. It also means plastic trigger bottles are refilled and re-used rather than going to landfill. We pass that saving on to our customers. As more and more companies are opening up again following lockdown, Chemex has everything you need to do so safely. From offering friendly help and advice, to complete hygiene control packages, the company has it all. Solutions include wall-mounted touch-less sanitiser dispensers with backboards, and free-standing hand sanitiser stations. To find out more, visit www.chemexuk.com, or email Chemex Lincoln & Boston franchise owner Peter Cussans peter.cussans@chemexuk.com. 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 04/08/2020 17:19 Page 4Next >