SEPTEMBER 2021 £3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 36 ISSUE 9 OFFICE SOLUTIONS Focusing on flexibility EDUCATION AND TRAINING Upskill and advance FOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRY The nation’s food heartland ENTERING A NEW ERA ENTERING A NEW ERA 01.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 12:40 Page 1www.geodis.com GEODIS Unit 5, Bridge View Henry Boot Way Hull HU4 7DW Tel: 01482 598550 humber.ff.uk@geodis.com Road Transport Customs Ocean Freight Insurance Airfreight Special Cargo 02.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 12:41 Page 1It’s official, the government’s furlough scheme has come to an end. Despite extensions on the original end date, many businesses that were relying on the scheme will now be struggling to secure new sources of funding to ease the financial burden accrued over COVID. It will be a challenging time right across the industrial spectrum as the economy reorientates itself. Sadly, this isn’t a ‘keep calm and carry on’ situation, but rather one company bosses will have to seize by the horns. Fortunately, our September issue has an assortment of helpful features designed to support and inspire business owners and senior leadership – be that upskilling existing staff rather than recruitment, or looking to alternative finance providers to maintain cashflow. My main message to bosses is that you are not alone – talk to your accountant, your business manager, and approach the future one carefully considered step at a time. And, of course, Business Link has your back through thick and thin. 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 02/09/2021 13:23 Page 1CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2021 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 10 Business Lincolnshire Q&A This month, Growth Hub Project Officer Holly Wells explains the many ways a Growth Hub adviser can grow your business. 12 Commercial property This month, we’re shining a light on some major industrial and logistics deals that have taken place recently across our region. 16 Food and drink industry spotlight There’s no two ways about it – the food industry is rapidly evolving. Driven by major changes in consumer shopping habits, environmental pressures and, of course, COVID-19, food and drink factories are almost unrecognisable from those around the turn of the millennium. 20 Finance With the furlough scheme at an end, business will be looking to secure finance to fill shortfalls and take measures such as redundancies to help improve cashflow. • Barnstone Accountancy & Management Q&A 26 Office solutions As more businesses adopt hybrid working, offices are set for a redesign. 30 Recycling and waste management As businesses aim to boost their green credentials, they should take a fresh look at how their waste is managed. 33 South Yorkshire We explore the importance of South Yorkshire to our region’s continued posterity – from investment to logistics. 36 Education and training With a shrinking talent pool across almost all industries, training and education has never been more important for filling the skills shortage. But since the pandemic, the way training is undertaken has evolved. • Queen Ethelburga’s Collgeiate Q&A 42 Corporate hospitality With businesses resuming events, ready to treat and thank clients and employees, it’s time to get a little more creative, to really reap the rewards from these occasions and make them stand out in the crowd. 44 AutoLink So often do we say that the two shouldn’t be mixed, and yet there are exceptions to every rule. We take a look at some stunning motors, any of which are sure to turn heads. 48 PPMA Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 28th-30th September 2021, The PPMA Show is the UK’s leading production line event for processing and packaging machinery. 50 Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 54 And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net CONNECT WITH US 26 30 36 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:24 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 : BENTLEY • SHUTTERSTOCK - YEINISM • ANEL ALIJAGIC • THIRAWATANA PHAISALRATANA • PIRANHI www.blmforum.net 20 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:25 Page 2Streets leaps into top ten digital firms following partnership with Distract Streets Chartered Accountants and marketing experts Distract are celebrating after bursting into the top ten UK accountancy firms for marketing, brand and digital intelligence. Working together since 2019, Streets and Distract have collaborated on a host of digital projects, including the launch of an innovative business podcast – the Streets Sessions, rebranding of messaging and use of video to promote the firm’s services as well as personal branding for partners and staff and digital event hosting to provide clear messaging. Streets Marketing Partner, James Pinchbeck, says: “It is a real achievement given the size of our team and the strong competition faced from amongst those in the top 10 which includes the Big Four firms and in total 6 out of the largest firms in the country. Streets as a firm of chartered accountants is currently ranked 36th in the top 50 UK accountancy practices. “Working with Distract as a marketing and digital partner has meant we have been able to kickstart projects that have shown just how innovative, creative and forward-thinking we can be as a mid-tier and multi-regional firm.” Peter Watson, Managing Director of Distract, says: “We have been working in partnership with Streets and are constantly adapting and making ideas happen. The launch of their podcast has been invaluable during the pandemic. “Originally a video project to discuss business issues, this has switched to almost an update and advisory service for many, covering subjects as diverse as HR, insolvency, government support, thought leadership, tax advice and much more. “Streets have traditionally been a very events-focused firm, so to replace their events and attract more attendees to digital versions of those due to coronavirus restrictions is a real achievement. “We’ve been able to not only deliver their Academies, FDs, Tax and Budget events online but have also hosted an international conference of peers across Europe and beyond.” 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Siemens Gamesa to double size of Hull offshore wind turbine blade factory Siemens Gamesa will invest £186 million to upgrade and expand its offshore wind turbine blade factory in Hull. The UK Government announced that Siemens Gamesa will receive grant funding from the Government’s £160 million Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme to develop manufacturing facilities in the Humber region, supplying essential components to offshore wind farms across the UK – as well as for export around the world. Siemens Gamesa also confirms that plans for the factory expansion filed earlier in 2021 will proceed. The expansion will enable manufacturing of next-generation offshore wind turbine blades. An additional 41,600 square meters will more than double the size of plant, with construction planned to be completed in 2023. It will remain the largest offshore wind manufacturing facility in the UK, growing to 77,600 square meters. James Pinchbeck with Peter Watson 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:27 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS Scottish forging and forming research centre opening Sheffield office The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, is opening an office in Sheffield. The office will provide providing local forging and forming houses with easy access to support from the research centre located near Glasgow Airport in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland in Renfrewshire. Supported by Sheffield City Council and operating out of an office on the Olympic Legacy Park, the AFRC’s new base is complementing the existing High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult centres in the region – the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the Nuclear AMRC. Effectively bringing the research lab directly to the manufacturers, the new office will help South Yorkshire companies tap into the leading metallurgy capabilities, numerical and analytical process modelling tools and some of the most advanced industry-scale forging and forming equipment in the world, over 260 miles away in Scotland. © Shutterstock/Avatar_023 Augean acquired in £314m deal Augean, the Wetherby-based hazardous waste treatment and disposal company, is being acquired by Morgan Stanley’s Antwerp Management in a £314.9 million deal. Jim Meredith, Executive Chairman of Augean, said: “We believe that the acquisition provides attractive value to Augean Shareholders whilst enabling them to retain potential upside to the ongoing Tax Claims. As MSIP (Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners) intends to maintain the same strategy and footprint, we also believe that the acquisition is a good outcome for all Augean stakeholders, including our employees, our customers and the wider UK economy.” Alberto Donzelli, Managing Director and Co-Head of European Investing for MSIP, said: “Augean is a UK-based hazardous waste management operator with an excellent reputation amongst its customer base. We look forward to working with management, and contributing MSIP’s expertise, to support the company.” Anaerobic digestion Centre of Excellence to be established in York The University of York and Yorkshire Water are working together to establish a Centre of Excellence for anaerobic digestion (AD) research at the University and Yorkshire Water’s Naburn site as part of a £1.2 million project. The organisations first collaborated in 2016 and delivered the globally unique System-60 AD research facility in the Department of Biology at the University of York. Over the next four years the additional funding will advance the ground-breaking research with the creation of a Centre of Excellence for AD research. Yorkshire Water has committed £600,000 to the project, which will transform AD performance, delivering environmental and financial benefits, for Yorkshire Water and its customers. The work conducted will strengthen the University’s bio/circular economy research portfolio, contributing to the regional aspiration to become carbon neutral. © Shutterstock/Natee Meepian Courtesy of University of Strathclyde 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:27 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 02/09/2021 13:27 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS £14.5m funding programme extended to boost Yorkshire & Humber SME innovation The University of Hull’s £14.5 million SparkFund has extended its grants programme to help more SMEs across Yorkshire and the Humber succeed and thrive. Despite the challenges posed by COVID, SparkFund’s success story continues with more grants and additional time available to support small and medium-sized businesses in the Humber, North Yorkshire and York areas. Now running until June 2023, the extension comes as SMEs across the region require further flexibility and time to bring their ideas to life, as they realise fresh opportunities and regain resource post-COVID-19. Delivered by the University of Hull, SparkFund has transformed businesses across the region with over 2,500+ hours of support; helping firms cut costs by £2.3 million, develop 87 new products and reduce carbon emissions by 305 tonnes. SparkFund has worked with SMEs to bring 231 projects to life with a funded value of £4.1 million, representing a significant boost to the region’s economy. Since launching in May 2017, the scheme has delivered an impressive 145 new-to-firm innovations, helped 130 SMEs enter new markets, created 170 new jobs and supported an estimated increase in profitability of £10.4 million. Dr David Richards, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) at the University of Hull, said: “SparkFund is one of a number of innovation support programmes at the University to simplify innovation; providing invaluable academic and business support, access to funding streams and connecting them with the right partners to deliver their ambitions.” SparkFund was first launched after the University of Hull secured £8.4 million of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Originally due to end in March 2020, SparkFund will now continue to deliver projects until June 2023. David Richards Selby food maker eyes global growth following funding package Selby-based The Brecks Company has secured a seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK, as it seeks to grow its plant-based food offering around the world. Established in 1992, Brecks initially made its name producing cereal ingredients and have built upon this to become a European market leader in plant-based foods. It now supplies plant-based ingredients, alongside vegetarian and vegan products to customers in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia, including through their recent investment in Plant & Bean, a dedicated plant-based based meat company. The funding from HSBC UK will support the company’s growth as it further establishes itself on the global stage. The business is developing an additional site in Lincolnshire and growth is opening- up job opportunities across the UK. Brecks will be seeking to use this funding to grow its customer base and meet increased levels of demand in 2021. Pneumatic Conveying Short courses for the bulk solids handling industry During the coming months, emphasis is given to the subject of pneumatic conveying through courses delivered by experts at the Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology, at the University of Greenwich, offering delegates the opportunity to meet, network and use/see demonstrations of equipment in the on-site pilot plant. Rotary Valves; Design, Selection and Operational Issues: an exploration of the different valves and features available; 29 – 30 September (on-line) Pneumatic Conveying System Design: in depth exploration of detailed calculations for design of pneumatic pipelines and specifying plant (Advanced course); 27 – 28 October (on campus) Pneumatic Conveying of Bulk Materials: including optional practical session on Day 3 - components of pneumatic conveying systems, system selection and design techniques; 9 – 11 November (on campus) Commissioning and Troubleshooting ‘Hand’s-on’ Pneumatic Conveying Systems: a look at the practical challenges of starting up systems on site and making sure they work as the designer intended; 8 – 9 December (on campus) For more information, visit www.bulksolids.com. 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:28 Page 4Next >