NOVEMBER 2020£3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 35 ISSUE 11 MATERIALS HANDLING Keeping goods moving MANUFACTURING SPOTLIGHT The five steps to success MOVEMBER Remember, Remember Movember SUPPORTING BUSINESSES SUPPORTING BUSINESSES 01.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:20 Page 1We unlock innovation PAPI provides grants of up to £20k for equipment that helps create innovative new products or services. Support, including workshops, is open to SMEs in York, North Yorkshire, and East Riding. Funded by In partnership with Delivered by www.papi.org.uk Follow us on European Union European Regional Development Fund Whatever your job, we have the solution… TRADE & PUBLIC WELCOME Warren Rd, Scunthorpe, DN15 6XH tel: 01724 860325 Garden & Landscaping Timber & Sheet Materials Doors, Joinery & Flooring Building Materials & Drainage Plumbing & Heating Kitchens & Bathrooms Tools, Fixings & Finishings Plasterboard & Insulation Whatever your job, we are here to support you. Mon-Thurs 7am-5pm Friday 7am-4pm Saturday 8am-12pm Sunday Closed ORDER ONLINE 24/7 howarth-timber.co.uk 02.qxp_Layout 1 13/11/2020 11:02 Page 1As we were finishing up with our November issue, Boris Johnson announced that the nation would once again be going into lockdown. In this case, let’s hope the sequel is better than the original. Although there’s public health to consider, the move will deal a body blow to business when many have already been struggling – especially in the retail and hospitality sectors. Fortunately, the furlough scheme has been extended to take some of the strain. It’s therefore critical for businesses to reduce overheads and ensure their operations are as efficient and streamlined as possible. For manufacturers, we explore the Japanese organisational framework of 5S as a pathway to lean manufacturing in this month’s spotlight. For bosses looking to tool up staff, or for workers looking to bolster their own skills bank, our education and training feature looks at how the sector is evolving during the outbreak. Business services, meanwhile, explores the indispensable assets a business depends on now more than ever. Of course, November is men’s health awareness month, and our charity feature explores the heroic efforts of the Movember Foundation and how businesses can get in on the action. 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 05/11/2020 11:21 Page 1CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2020 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 12 Commercial property Demand for logistics and distribution space is hitting record levels this year. 16 Manufacturing spotlight We explore the benefits of the 5S organisation framework to help achieve lean manufacturing. 20 Materials handling Whether one is considering trolleys, conveyors or forklifts, materials handling equipment – and the wider facilities themselves – are continuously evolving to allow greater levels of efficiency and flexibility all while promising to save costs in the long term. 24 Water and waste management Food and water are too of the biggest commercial waste streams. Although there are steps companies can take to mitigate waste in-house, they must also ensure their waste is treated in a responsible and environmentally-friendly manner. 28 Movember Businesses across our region have a key role to play in helping to raise funds and awareness for men’s health and for human health at large. Movember makes men’s health both fun and accessible, allowing everyone to get involved, right from the sales floor to the boardroom. 32 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 in the wake of the pandemic, the way training is undertaken has evolved. Business Link explores. 36 Business services Businesses rely on a dedicated army of suppliers and service providers to continuing trading and put growth plans into action. 40 Corporate hospitality While it may be assumed wining and dining has been paused in the pandemic, businesses are pivoting to offer online experiences for clients and prospects. 42 AutoLink We take a look at some of the latest luxury motors on the market. 46 Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 50 And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net CONNECT WITH US 16 28 32 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:22 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 Sam Trott (s.trott@blmgroup.co.uk) 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 : SHUTTERSTOCK - DMITRI MA • SERGEY NIVENS • HALFPOINT • MOROCKO • POPTIKA www.blmforum.net 24 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:22 Page 2Partnerships submits £75m bid to advance net zero industrial cluster The Zero Carbon Humber (ZCH) Partnership has submitted a £75 million bid to advance the UK’s first net zero industrial cluster. The partnership brings together international energy companies, heavy industry, leading infrastructure and logistics operators, global engineering firms and academic institutions in a plan to create the world’s first net zero industrial cluster by 2040 through low carbon hydrogen, carbon capture and negative emissions, known as carbon removal technology. The scheme is enabled by shared infrastructure that includes a pipeline network to carry hydrogen to industrial customers and carbon dioxide from power generation and industrial emitters to permanent storage in an offshore aquifer below the seabed in the UK’s Southern North Sea. Zero Carbon Humber could reduce the UK’s annual emissions by 15% and save industry around £27.5 billion in carbon taxes by 2040. It will also help to secure the future for the Humber’s traditional heavy industry and related supply chains by enabling decarbonisation and creating opportunities for growth in new technologies. 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Ringrose Law partner name category finalist at Personal Injury Awards Richard Teare, solicitor and Partner at Ringrose Law, has been shortlisted for the ‘Claimant Lawyer of the Year Award’ at the 2020 Personal Injury Awards. Now in its 13th year, the national awards celebrate the excellence of individuals, teams and organisations specialising in the personal injury sector. For over 15 years, Mr Teare has helped accident victims and families recover compensation for clinical negligence and personal injuries. He specialises in complex high value claims but is a strong advocate for the under-dog and has also acted successfully in lower value claims of importance to the individual. “We’re extremely proud of Richard to have been shortlisted in these national awards, indicating the quality of his work and placing him firmly among the best in the sector nationwide,” said John Knight, Senior Director and Head of the Personal Injury team at Ringrose Law. “This award is a true reflection of the hard work and dedication Richard devotes to helping his clients.” Sumo completes acquisition of US video games developer Sumo Group, the Sheffield-headquartered video games developer, has completed its acquisition of Lake Street Labs Buyer Corp, the owner of Pipeworks. Announced back in September, the deal saw listed Sumo acquire Pipeworks, a US company that provides development, co-development, and live operations to premier video game publishers and other partners, for up to £77.5 million. The deal completed after all pre-acquisition conditions were met or waived, and following the admission of new ordinary shares in Sumo Group. It provides Sumo with significant presence on the West Coast of the US, enabling better access and support to existing and potential new clients based in North America. It also brings Sumo’s headcount to almost 1,000 with the addition of Pipework’s 134-strong team. The initial £46.4 million consideration is being satisfied with £27.3 million from the Group’s existing cash resources and £19 million through the issue of new equity in Sumo Group. © Shutterstock/Oleg Krugliak Richard Teare 06-10.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:25 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS Walmart sells Asda to consortium in £6.8bn deal Walmart has sold Asda to a consortium made up of the billionaire brothers that own Euro Garages and private equity firm TDR Capital in a deal valuing the Leeds-headquartered supermarket at £6.8 billion. Now that the deal has been formally agreed, Euro Garages owners Mohsin and Zuber Issa, and investment funds managed by PE firm TDR Capital, will acquire the chain from Walmart for an enterprise value of £6.8 billion, on a debt-free and cash-free basis. The new ownership structure will see the consortium acquire majority ownership in the supermarket with Walmart retaining an equity investment in the business. Moreover, it will have ongoing commercial relationship and a seat on the board. Asda will remain headquartered in Leeds and will continue to be led by Chief Executive Roger Burnley. They have committed to invest more than £1 billion in the next three years into Asda to further strengthen the business and its supply chain. © Shutterstock/NESPIX Merger deal and Nasdaq listing for Leeds pharma firm 4D pharma, the listed Leeds-headquartered pharmaceutical company, has merged with Longevity, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), in a deal worth up to $37.6 million. As a result of the merger, 4D pharma plans to launch a new NASDAQ-listed American Depositary Share (ADS) programme and will immediately be admitted to trading on NASDAQ upon completion. 4D pharma will become dual-listed and ordinary shares will continue to be traded on AIM. The company will benefit from the $14.6 million cash held by Longevity. This extends 4D pharma’s current operational runway into Q3 2021. In addition, 4D pharma may also benefit from the proceeds of warrants to purchase Longevity shares worth up to $23 million. It is currently planned for the merger to be completed and effective in early 2021, and 4D pharma ADSs will begin trading on NASDAQ immediately following completion. This is subject to approval of 4D pharma and Longevity shareholders, and the SEC review process. © Shutterstock/ANDRANIK HAKOBYAN Softcat breaks £1bn turnover barrier Softcat, a listed provider of IT infrastructure products and services, has broken the £1 billion turnover barrier for the first time. The firm, which has an office in Leeds, reported revenue of £1.07 billion for the twelve months to 31 July 2020 – up 8.6% from £991.8 million for the previous year. Gross profit rose 11.6% from £211.1 million to £235.7 million, while operating profit was up 10.9% to £93.7 million. The company said that the results “combine broad-based resilient growth in revenues and profits together with sustained cash generation and continuation of a progressive dividend policy”. Moreover, in a trading update, Softcat said that its strong performance came in spirt of the COVID-19 pandemic. The year saw an increase in both customer base and average gross profit per customer. IT also saw Softcat expand, with headcount up 15% as the firm continues to invest in all areas of its business. © Shutterstock/Edinburghcitymom 06-10.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:25 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 06-10.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:25 Page 3£250k for Hull- based BIM specialist aiming to revolutionise industry A Hull-based company has raised £250,000 to bring its smart building software to market which, it says, could revolutionise the industry. Ian Yeo and Scott Pilgrim launched Bimsense four years ago after becoming frustrated by the traditional approach to building design, construction and management. The consultancy has advised on major developments throughout the UK and internationally and has now developed its own operations and maintenance software, Operance. The funding from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, will allow it to commercialise the system and create 10 new jobs over the next two years. Bimsense specialises in building information modelling (BIM), which allows construction projects to be created digitally before they are built to address issues normally identified on site or after completion. This helps save time and money, improve quality and reduce potential safety risks. The data it provides also enables building owners to operate and maintain the building efficiently over the long term. “We’re delighted and excited to secure this investment to deliver our long-term ambition of digitising and ‘humanising’ building information to help create safer, healthier places for people to live, work and spend their leisure time,” said Mr Yeo, CEO of Bimsense. “We know the devastating effects that poor, mismanaged information and ill-informed decisions can have on people’s lives. This funding helps us to tackle these issues, by enabling project teams to develop better quality information for end-users to access in a really easy, user-friendly way.” Maurice Disai, Investment Associate of Mercia, said: “The proof of concept version of this software has already generated a great deal of interest within the industry by showing the cost and performance benefits of using a digital building information platform. The funding will allow Bimsense to further enhance the product and bring it to market.” www.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS © Shutterstock/Duncan Cuthbertson (L-R) Ian Yeo, CEO, Bimsense; Scott Pilgrim, Chief Product Officer, Bimsense; Nigel Hedly, Chairman, Bimsense; Tim Mutlow, Chief Technical Officer, Bimsense; Maurice Disasi, Mercia (credit: Shaun Flannery) London agency moves HQ to Leeds London-based digital agency, dxw, has moved its national headquarters to Leeds two years after opening a satellite office in the city. dxw opened the satellite office in Leeds during the summer of 2018 with support from the LEP. They have now made decision to transfer their main office from London and run their operations from Leeds. The company benefited from support through Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s (the LEP) #welcome fund. Aimed at tech businesses that want to set up a new presence in the region it offers funding of £10,000-£50,000 to support relocation or expansion projects. “We have been so impressed with the collaborative digital community, access to talent and the supportive business environment in Leeds City Region, we have made the decision to move our HQ out of London and into Leeds,” said dxw MD David Mann. 06-10.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:26 Page 4Next >