OCTOBER 2015 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 30 ISSUE 10ENGINEERING ANDMANUFACTURINGProgrammable workforceENERGY ANDRENEWABLESAnaerobic digestion infocusBUSINESSGROWTH Educating apprenticesMODERNISINGBUSINESSMODERNISINGBUSINESS01_Layout 1 29/09/2015 09:48 Page 1The total business package for exporttraders and intermediaries.The world’s most powerful and configurableexport documentation package.The complete management and adminpackage for export sales and shipping.33 St Peter's Street, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 7DG(t) 020 8681 2321 (f) 020 8667 1816 (e) info@exportmaster.co.uk www.exportmaster.co.ukAs an exporter, you face many complex problems. But there’sa software system that takes care of these complications andeven remembers the special requirements of your mostdemanding customers. From estimates to invoicing, fromshipping costs to documentation, Exportmaster keeps itsimple. What’s more, it reminds you about what you need todo today and which activities are reaching their deadline.Don’t keep working in a tangle of complexities. Don’t dragdown your company’s performance. Let Exportmaster’sstraightforward approach unleash your export potential. For further details call us or post/fax the coupon below.It doesn’t have to beso complicated!To: Exportmaster Systems Ltd, 33 St Peter’s Street, Croydon, SurreyCR2 7DG. Please send me details of the Exportmaster packagesand dates of scheduled public demonstration sessions.NamePositionCompanyAddressTel:Fax:Email:ETUnit 26, 22 Carlton Road, South Croydon, CR2 0BS(t) 020 8681 2321 (f) 020 8667 1816 (e) info@exportmaster.co.ukwww.exportmaster.co.ukTo: Exportmaster Systems Ltd, Unit 26, 22 Carlton Road, South Croydon,CR2 0BS. Please send me details of the Exportmasterpackages anddates of scheduled public demonstration sessions.02_Layout 1 29/09/2015 09:49 Page 1As we enter party conference season, the government is once again busyvoting through laws that, it says, will make running your business a lot easier.The recent Trade Union Bill was voted through at the first time of asking, andwill undoubtedly make taking strike action a more fair and democratic process.However, it is the Enterprise Bill that is perhaps more interesting. Thegovernment recently published this Bill, and on closer inspection it includesimportant measures that should improve opportunities for SMEs to notonly survive - but thrive.The Bill promises to cut red tape (we’ve heard that one before!) andexpand tailored business advice from local authorities.The new Small Business Commissioner will help tackle the billions ofpounds owed to SMEs across the UK and drive a “culture change”throughout the business community, says the Bill, whilst resolving disputesquickly before they damage commercial relationships.Despite David Cameron’s recent embarrassment, with the Enterprise Billhe has a real chance to make a long and lasting difference to our region’sSMEs.But moving away from politics to something a little more substantial –our October issue of the Business Link Magazine. This month we’ll be looking at the latestdevelopments in factory automation, attempting to establish just how viable apprenticeships are– while also taking an in-depth look at quality assurance and materials handling. 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…The new SmallBusinessCommissioner will helptackle the billions ofpounds owed to SMEsacross the UK and drivea “culture change”throughout the businesscommunity03_Layout 1 29/09/2015 09:50 Page 16NewsCatch up with news from around theregion9Auto-enrolmentAre you one of the 1.8 million smallbusiness employers who should be gettingready for Auto-enrolment now?asks James Pinchbeck, Marketing PartnerStreets Chartered Accountants 10LettersReaders’ letters and replies11Commercial propertyGiven Leeds in the financial capital of theNorth, it’s little surprise the city is a hotbedof commercial property and at the forefrontof office letting in our region14Ports and logisticsHSE statistics indicate that the mostcommon causes of serious workplaceinjuries are slips and trips suffered duringthe handling of materials18Engineering and constructionThe latest innovations in automatedtechnology are helping businesses toreduce labour overheads and preventcostly wastage22Food, chemicals and process industriesIn our ever-expanding market economythere are no shortage of alternatives forcustomers to turn to, so it’s important thatno company suffers a loss of customerconfidence through poor qualityassurance26Business growthHailed as a means to end the nationalskills shortage, apprenticeships havebecome a political hot topic, we find outwhat all the governmental scrutinymeans30Taming the Dragon 3Lincolnshire’s entrepreneurs who arelooking for support from an investor havethe chance once more to pitch for financialbacking with Taming the Dragon 3, aDragon’s Den style investor event to behosted in Lincoln31Energy and renewables As the tipping point of fossil fuels edgesever closer in favour of renewablealternatives, the Lincolnshire and Yorkshireregion is making waves with anaerobicdigestion3122CONTENTSOCTOBER 2015www.blmforum.net36IT and communications Higher connectivity and broadbandmay be here, but companies withoutmobile-friendly websites could bethrowing customers away40AutoLinkMost Executives nowadays know thevalue of keeping your company aseco-friendly as possible, both in termsof savings and image. But why notpush the envelope even further – andconsider one of our favourite greencars45Conferencing The dreaded Christmas partyapproached, and for those who haven’talready gotten their event planned itcan be a daunting affair – yet there’sstill time. But the big question remains,is it really worth it?46EventsWe take a look at business eventshappening around Yorkshire andLincolnshire49Classified50And finally…04-05_Layout 1 02/10/2015 11:56 Page 1EditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsMichael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)Stuart Pearcey (s.pearcey@blmgroup.co.uk)Dominic Cuthbert (d.cuthbert@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, John DownesTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary Jorgensen, Mark CassonTel: (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 PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM - PAVEL L PHOTO AND VIDEO • SIJOHNSEN • MOLPIX • MAXPRO • GILES ROCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY1804-05_Layout 1 02/10/2015 11:56 Page 2Strong growth forEnjoy DigitalEnjoy Digital has seen revenue jump by over 40 per cent in the lastyear, and attributes the growth to strong demand for internationalcampaigns, and brands demanding more strategic counsel. The agency has grown its client roster with a number ofinternational brands including: Bank of Ireland, Hesco, Arrow ECS andBelbin. Revenue jumped from £1.3 million to £1.8 million and staffnumbers increased to 35. Commenting on the results, Jonathan Filewood, Managing Director(pictured middle) said: “We have continued to invest in recruitingand retaining the best talent. Our clients are demanding ever moresophisticated campaigns that take a strong creative idea and deliverit across diverse digital platforms and, often-internationalboundaries. “Leeds continues to be a great place to do business and isbuilding a strong reputation as an international digital hub. I wouldencourage the industry to work together to ensure we have theskills and talent to continue to grow.” 6Business Link www.blmforum.netNEWSYorkshire engineers develop first3D barcodeThe anti-counterfeit marker is virtually invisible to the naked eye and impossible to detect bytouch. It can be read using a laser scanner, allowing anything from phones to pills to be trackedand verified as authentic.The 3D barcode is made up of tiny indentations in the surface of the product, created by pinswhich are integrated into its mould. Using micro actuators, the pins can be set at differentheights, each step corresponding to either a letter (A-Z) or a number (0-9). The prototype –developed with funding from Innovate UK – works with a four pin array, enabling over 1.7million different configurations. Estimates for the total value of fakes sold worldwide each year reach as high as $1.8 trillion. Most anti-counterfeit devices are stuck onto the product orits packaging after manufacture, making them easy to copy. Because the 3D barcode is an integral part of the product itself it is very difficult to reproduce.The technology was devised by the Sofmat Ltd, and has been developed in collaboration with engineers from the University of Bradford.Generation consumerhas arrived‘Roll over millennials and pack your bags Gen X, there is a new kid intown: Generation Consumer has arrived!’ - this is one of the key findings ofa major research project into the online shopping preferences across the UKconducted by Tryzens, a leading provider of digital commerce and retailmanaged service solutions. UK Online Shopping Consumer Preferences is the first major project toexplore the choices, experiences, preferences and behaviours of 1,000 UKconsumers based on gender, age, income level and region. Andy Burton, CEO, Tryzens, said: “There is no doubt that retailers have tostart addressing a number of modern day challenges in this new B2Cenvironment not least ensuring that the complexity of an omni-channelstrategy is aligned first and foremost with a positive consumer experience;through to the advance of the ‘born online’ retailer, and the opportunity toinnovate through the latest predictive tools to target and influence theconsumer behaviour. What is clear from our research is that GenerationConsumer is here to stay and retailers should see that as a tremendousopportunity to engage them!” Property lawyers launch round-the-clock commercial quote appBeaumont Legal has launched an online commercial property quote calendar to allow businessesto gain legal fee estimates at any time of day or night – an option previously available only toresidential customers.As Yorkshire’s largest residential conveyancing firm, Beaumont Legal has nurtured a reputation asbeing at the forefront of technology and transparency in the industry and has used expertise inresidential conveyancing to expand the firm’s offering in commercial law. The new offering has been developed by the firm’s new recruit Andrew Darnton, who joinedhaving worked with national retailers, local business and private investors. Mr Danton worked closelywith Wakefield-based website and graphic design agency SR Creative, who were instrumental increating the simple, user-friendly layout of the online calculator. “The new calculator is ideal for SMEs who are looking to get an understanding of legal fees for theirbusiness without any obligation and I’m looking forward to building on it in the future,” Mr Darnton commented. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / SHUTTER_MPHOTO: TRACEY WELCH06-09_Layout 1 02/10/2015 11:55 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 7Launch of new fundingplatform for businesses inLeeds City RegionThe Leeds City Region EnterprisePartnership (LEP) is working inpartnership with Finpoint and PwC tolaunch the Finpoint funding platform,providing a new way for Leeds-basedSMEs to find the finance they need tobest grow their businesses. The Finpoint platform allowsbusinesses to prepare one anonymousfunding application that can be sharedwith over 70 lenders. Furthermore, theapplication process has no direct orhidden costs to the business. SMEs arelater notified of lender interest and giventhe option to choose the funder/s theywish to negotiate with. It complements the services already available through the LEP and itspartners to help stimulate and support business growth right across theCity Region. This includes the LEP’s own finance and skills products andnational services such as UKTI, Innovate UK and the Business GrowthService. Rob Norreys, LEP Director (pictured), said: “Leeds City Region boastsover 100,000 SMEs who are vital to our economy, but we know from ourrecent business survey that access to finance can be a major barrier togrowth for companies in the region.” Fraud cost UK firms almost£800 million in last six months,says reportThe value of reported fraud in the UK in the first half of the year was£798 million, nearly £80 million more than the amount reported in thesame period last year, according to BDO’s 2015 interim Fraudtrack report.The report revealed that the average cost per fraud was £3.27 million, a79 per cent increase on the same period 12 months ago. This outlines thatfraud is still a major issue for businesses, with many companies andindividuals still not doing enough to protect themselves.Nearly a third of the cases reported were committed by employees,costing UK organisations more than £46 million. Running across all sectorsfrom real estate to education and manufacturing, the most common typesof fraud include the straight diversion of cash into back accounts, changingsupplier details to friends of family member’s bank detail and directpayments to self/other bank accounts. Kayley Crossthwaite, Partner and Head of Fraud at BDO, said: “Peopleare still not being vigilant enough and need to step-back and think abouthow they personally or their business is susceptible to fraud.”BUSINESSLINKMULTI-PLATFORM MARKETINGIN PRINTBusiness Link is theregion’s leadingbusinesspublication,reaching decisionmakersthroughout the region.Often imitated but never equalled.ON LINEWith over 200,000visitors per monthvisiting our website,Business Link gets youradvertising message infront of the peoplethat count.FACE TO FACEBusiness Link hostsmany corporateevents bringingtogether theregion’s topbusinesses todiscuss hot topicsand provide valuablenetwork opportunities.GAIN AN UNRIVALLED ADVANTAGEThe region’s leading companies and mostprestigious brands promote themselvesthrough Business Link.You can too, just call Angela Cooper orSam Trott on 01472 310310 foran informal chat.www.blmforum.netLinkingbusinesstogether06-09_Layout 1 02/10/2015 11:55 Page 28Business Link www.blmforum.netNEWSWordsandSpacesLtdtel:01724 352156 mob:07736 952885 fax: 0871 989 5784 email: stuart@wordsman.co.uk twitter:@stuartpearcey Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 2QEI’ll write blogs, websites, ads, articles, leaflets, news releases and newspapers; I’ll design print and buy it. I’m Stuart Pearcey. How can Imake your life better today?www.wordsman.co.ukWhere goodcopywritingmeans businessBalcan Engineering helpsDubai company to start upA machine designedand built in Horncastle,Lincolnshire is playing amajor part in a newbusiness venturelaunching in Dubai.Balcan Engineering, aleading designer andmanufacturer of bulband lamp recyclingsystems, has supplied aBalcan MP4000 to start-up business, Lamps4U inDubai. Formed earlier thisyear, Lamps4U is a lightfixtures, bulbs and LEDmanufacturer / distributor, which is expanding its services to covercollection, disposal and recycling of spent lamps.Balcan’s specially designed machine, which is leaving the UK this month,will be operational in October allowing Lamps4U to fulfil contracts securedwith major hotels, commercial and industrial organisations and the UnitedArab Emirates’ Government.Thanks to its two loading areas for linear and whole or crushed lamps, theMP4000 can handle up to 1,500 linear tubes an hour. Lamps and bulbs canalso be processed at the same time, making it an incredibly efficient machine.Research identifies linkbetween efficiency andtechnological investment Research conducted byPowering Productivity has revealedthat workplace inefficiency is,perhaps unsurprisingly, a coremanagement issue and identifiedthe link between efficiency andtechnological investment. The Powering Productivityresearch surveyed over 500business leaders and key decisionmakers from across the UK, US,Netherlands, Germany and theNordic countries. The aim was to explore the attitudes, challengesand opportunities that businesses face when improving theirproductivity. The findings show that the biggest course of wasted timethroughout the workday is inefficient processes. Indeed, nearly half ofall the business surveyed listed inefficiency in processes as their topconcern. In an increasingly digital workplace, it’s telling that 43 percent described excessive paperwork as the primary cause ofinefficiency. Likewise, poor communication and time spent travellingwere both factors that had drastic knock on effects in terms ofproductivity and efficiency. Although, as previously stated, inefficiency is a core concern at amanagerial level, the study found that the groups most likely to sufferas a result of inefficiency in the workplace were the employsthemselves and customers. 06-09_Layout 1 02/10/2015 11:55 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 9AUTO-ENROLMENTAre you one of the 1.8million small businessemployers who shouldbe getting ready forAuto-enrolment now?asks James Pinchbeck, Marketing PartnerStreets Chartered Accountants The Pensions Regulator has issued awarning notice to hundreds ofthousands of small business employersto remind them of their duties andresponsibilities around establishing anAuto-enrolment scheme for theirworkforce, with around 50% of theseemployers having 1 to 2 workers.The notice issued over the summerhighlights that almost two thirds ofsmall business employers are stillunaware of their staging dates andwhen they need to comply with Auto-enrolment lawsSo if you are one of those small businesses that has so farignored the need to look at implementing Auto-enrolment, nowmust be the time to act. To make life simple, there are in essence seven main areas thatthose implementing Auto-enrolment need to consider:1 Ascertain the date you need to stage and comply with Auto-enrolment. If you are not sure you can check on line by visitingwww.thepensionregulator.co.uk 2 Nominate a contact within your organisation who will act as apoint of contact or communication with the Regulator and advisethem of the same. For many small businesses this will probablybe the owner or manager.3 The workforce - identify those workers to be enrolled and theprocess of communicating Auto-enrolment to them.4 Record keeping and payroll processing - assessing whetheryour payroll process and software are robust enough to deal withAuto-enrolment. Perhaps, given the increasing level of payrollcompliance, you may need to purchase new payroll software oreven outsource payroll to a payroll bureau.5 Choosing a pension scheme - whether you have a pensionscheme in place or not, you need to ensure you have one thatsatisfies the requirements of Auto-enrolment. 6 Assess the financials, including cash flow and the impact ofAuto-enrolment on this. Ensure you update them and revisebudgets and forecasts accordingly.7 Based on these points, plan the steps and actions you willtake to meet your staging date deadline. Experience shows thatthe journey from starting work on your introduction for Auto-enrolment can typically take up to 12 months, even for the mostefficient, well resourced and good intentioned employer.Whether the steps outlined above fill you with dread or not,there is a plethora of advice and support out there, not least on thePensions Regulator’s website www.thepensionregulator.gov.uk. At Streets, as part of our support for clients facing thechallenges of dealing with Auto-enrolment, we have produced aneasy to read guide on Auto-enrolment, which can be downloadedby visiting our website www.streetweb.co.uk or be emailingautoenrolment@streetsweb.co.ukJames Pinchbeck, is Marketing Partner with Streets CharteredAccountants a top 40 UK accountancy practice. Telephone 0845 8800320,email info@streetsweb.co.uk or visit www.streetsweb.co.ukFamily catering butchersecures Co-op listingacross Yorkshire A selection of meatfrom family run, cateringbutchers, Yorkshire DalesMeat Company, has goneon sale in 26 Co-operativefood stores acrossYorkshire. In a deal struck by localsourcing specialists,Enterprise Foods, theproducts from the awardwinning butchers include: Yorkshire Dales Meat Company handmadebeef burgers, rib-eye steak & butter, and sirloin steak & butter. James Knox, Managing Director at Yorkshire Dales Meat Company(pictured) said: “Listings with the Co-operative Group is fantastic newsfor the business and for the profile of our ever-growing brand andproduct offering. It’s clear that the Co-operative is very much in tunewith the current consumer trend towards food provenance and buyingquality produce.”The listing will also provide a great boost to Yorkshire CancerResearch, to which Yorkshire Dales Meat Company will donate 10p perpack on handmade beef burgers sold up until 27th September2015. Going on sale in 26 Co-operative stores, sales could raise an extra£300 for the charity, which helps the people of Yorkshire avoid, surviveand cope with cancer.Eddisons advices on noisecontrol specialist relocation Property consultancy Eddisons has advised on specialist acousticengineering business Wakefield Acoustics’ relocation to a larger,custom-designed factory in Heckmondwike. The Cleckheaton-based company, which designs, manufactures andinstalls bespoke industrial noise control systems, has moved to a 41,500square foot unit at Flush Mills in Heckmondwike, in a deal in which theagency team at Eddisons acted on behalf of the property’s owner,Wharfedale Finance. Eddisons’ Associate Director Shazad Mahmood said: “WharfedaleFinance has shown a real willingness to be flexible and has investedheavily to create an ideal environment for Wakefield Acoustics, whichwill accommodate the future growth of the business. This has beenrewarded by securing a long-term lease on favourable terms. We areseeing increasing demand for quality industrial premises, such as this,amongst both occupiers and investors.” The relocation follows an extensive £750,000 refurbishment byWharfedale Finance, to create a modern, high-tech manufacturing unit innew, tailored premises. The new site provides the firm with a substantialincrease in capacity, as well as new offices and conference facilities. 06-09_Layout 1 02/10/2015 11:55 Page 4Next >