< PreviousGovernment chooses automation and robotics in Lincolnshire’s food sector as new investment opportunity Automation and robotics in the food sector in Greater Lincolnshire has been chosen as one of the Government’s 19 new investment opportunities across the UK. This means the area will now work with the Department for International Trade (DIT) to attract overseas investment into agrifood automation and robotics projects and businesses in Greater Lincolnshire. The High Potential Opportunities (HPO) scheme aims to increase inward investment into the UK and help the country build back better. DIT’s global network based in 177 cities around the world will now provide support to the agrifood automation and robotics cluster by showcasing opportunities internationally and contacting investors to promote the opportunities. From November, partners from DIT, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Lincolnshire County Council, district councils, universities and industry will meet to start work on Greater Lincolnshire’s HPO in food processing, automation and robotics. 10 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Gov announces new rules governing pre-pack administration sales The government has announced that it will introduce new laws requiring pre-pack administration sales to be independently scrutinised. According to the government, the new laws will improve confidence and transparency in pre-pack administration sales, giving the general public and creditors reassurance that their interests are being protected alongside that of the distressed business. “Having agreed that it should be mandatory for sales to connected party purchasers in pre-packs to be referred for an independent opinion, we broadly welcome the Government’s announcement,” said Eleanor Temple, chair of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 in Yorkshire and a barrister at Kings Chambers in Leeds. “In particular, the Government’s decision not to ban sales to connected parties in pre-packs is the right one. Pre-pack administration sales involving connected parties are an important rescue tool as they are often the best way of preserving a business and maximising returns to creditors.” BUSINESS LINCOLNSHIRE #GoDigital20: Get Future Ready, Survive and Thrive Discover the many ways technology can help your business to get back on track after COVID-19 with #GoDigital20. Business Lincolnshire’s annual digital conference is back, and this year, it’s virtual! Attendees will be treated to expert talks, specialist-led workshops, thought-provoking panel discussions and more to help their business not only survive the pandemic, but thrive. Topics to be explored include everything from digital tools to help you work smarter, to selling online and using customer data to drive sales. A number of prominent Lincolnshire digital leaders including Deborah Goodall (Aer8 Marketing), Daniel Westlake (Cursor) and Prabhat Shah (Online Seller UK) will be there to share their wisdom, and to help delegates understand what a gamechanger digital can be for their business – whatever their sector. As well as giving businesses the digital know-how to future- proof their business and adapt to this new world, there will also be an SME funding expo, showcasing the funding and support schemes available to Greater Lincolnshire SMEs. There will also be a chance to network with like-minded businesses, giving you the opportunity to build valuable new connections and expand your network. Even better, the conference is fully-funded, meaning all of this is available at no cost to you! To find out more or to save your spot, visit: www.businesslincolnshire.com. © Shutterstock/everything possible 06-10.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:26 Page 5Subscribe now and receive Business Link every month, delivered to your door Delivery Details Name: ............................................................................................ Position: ......................................................................................... Company: ...................................................................................... Address:......................................................................................... ........................................................................................................ Postcode:....................................................................................... Tel:.................................................................................................. Email: ............................................................................................. Payment Details ONLINE www.blmforum.net/subscribe MAIL Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN31 2QE EMAIL subscribe@blmgroup.co.uk 1 Years Subscription £31.50 2 Years Subscription £54.60 3 Years Subscription £63.00 1 2 3 Subscription Options VISA MASTERCARD CHEQUE It’s the best value around EXPIRY DATE CARD NUMBER SECURITY CODE (CVC NUMBER) LAST 3 DIGITS TERMS & CONDITIONS: Your subscription will start with the next available issue. Minimum term of 12 months / 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years Please charge my: Subscribe NOW 11.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:35 Page 112 Business Link www.blmforum.net PROPERTY © Shutterstock /Mr . Kosal Record demand Demand for logistics and distribution space is hitting record levels this year. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:38 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 PROPERTY 15 Á N ew figures show that demand for logistics and distribution space in the UK hit record levels in the third quarter of 2020, with retailers and 3PLs expanding supply chains in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The research from Cushman & Wakefield highlights that sixteen million square foot of space was transacted in the quarter, almost double the ten-year average for Q3 (eight million square foot). The figures showcase the acceleration in demand for logistics and distribution space to keep up with the e- commerce boom, which has come as shoppers have looked to more home delivery options in light of the pandemic, with e-commerce accounting for forty per cent of take-up so far in 2020. Representing an all-time high for the sector, e-commerce growth is expected to continue alongside need for warehouse space, with a recent survey of consumers in Britain uncovering that thirty-eight per cent of respondents were planning to buy more online after COVID-19. Analysis from Knight Frank indicates that for every billion pound of online sales approximately 1.36 million square foot of warehouse space is required, and with UK online sales forecast to rise by up to £67 billion over the next five years, e- commerce could drive further requirements of ninety-two million square foot. Meanwhile, meal kit operators, parcel delivery and fulfilment companies are also expanding. Cushman & Wakefield’s research also indicates that, in reflection of the ongoing pandemic response, short term requirements have evolved into long term commitments during Q3, for instance for PPE storage. In addition, the data shows that take-up for the first nine months of 2020 reached 35.5 million (excluding 3.7 million square foot of short-term deals). This means take-up has already overtaken the full-year take-up of 33.2 million square foot for 2019, with 2020 on course to set a record. Take-up in Yorkshire in Q3 reached 800,836 square foot taking total take-up for the first three quarters of 2020 to 4.97 million square foot. Dave Robinson, Partner, Logistics & Industrial at Cushman & Wakefield in Leeds, said: “Take-up in Yorkshire for the first three quarters of the year reached almost 5 million square foot which is already the highest take-up year on record and well above the long-term average. Whilst take-up demand has been driven by e-commerce, with Amazon continuing to take significant space, there is a healthy mix of occupier types. We see continued demand and with limited new product coming to the market, we expect to see a supply demand imbalance for the foreseeable future. As well as standing stock there is also a lack of deliverable sites coming forward and we expect to see occupiers struggle to satisfy demand in several locations.” As we move into Q4, October marked continued demand and positive steps for the logistics and distribution property sector in Yorkshire. Bringing fresh space to the region, last month saw significant progress made at Panattoni’s Wakefield515 site, the largest speculative development in the north for 10 years. The steel framework is now fully formed and cladding is being added at the 515,820 square foot warehouse, which is located at the M62 and A1(M) junction. Up to 500 full-time jobs and £5.5 million are expected to be brought into the local economy as an immediate result of Wakefield515’s construction. The warehouse is due to be completed by the end of Q2 2021, is designed to offer maximum flexibility for logistics and distribution businesses, and will be built to a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ and EPC rating of ‘A’. Work is also now underway on the next phases of Harworth Group’s Gateway 36 development. Following the scheme’s first phase, which has delivered over 250 new jobs, Barnsley Council has granted Harworth Group consent for 1.1 million square foot for its next two phases which could deliver a further 2,500 jobs. Gateway 36’s next two phases include proposed units suitable for light and general industrial use, as well as storage and distribution. Meanwhile, full planning permission has been granted for a major warehouse and distribution centre at Melton West business park. The 123,000 square foot facility is owned by developer Wykeland Group. Wykeland Managing Director, Dominic Gibbons, said: “This approval paves the way for a very significant inward investment, by a global logistics operation, which will bring hundreds of new jobs to the area. […] 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:38 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 05/11/2020 11:38 Page 3www .shutter stoc k.com/Y entafer n www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 PROPERTY We plan to appoint contractors to begin work on site before Christmas with the construction of a new roundabout on Brickyard Lane, to facilitate access to and from the A63. This will be followed by the start of work on the warehouse and distribution centre and ancillary facilities early in the new year and we envisage the facility will be operational by next summer.” The region also continues to attract new companies. For example, October saw haulage company, Surefreight Global Forwarding, expand its growing network with the opening of a new depot in West Yorkshire, at 40 Wharfedale Road on Euroway Trading Estate in Bradford. Surefreight Global Forwarding has taken a 16,879 square foot modern industrial warehouse on a four-year lease term. The building incorporates a storage mezzanine and welfare facilities, and the new depot will be the first to open in Yorkshire. In addition, a distributor of floorcoverings and matting products has opened a new distribution centre in Yorkshire. Likewise plc has signed a 10-year lease on more than 80,000 square foot of space at Leeds 27 Industrial Estate, located less than a mile from Junction 27 of the M62 and M621. Furthermore freight forwarding and logistics firm DTD Logistics Solutions has taken a 37,555 square foot industrial warehouse within the M26 corridor in Castleford, West Yorkshire on a new 10 year lease term, Leeds 27 Industrial Estate Panattoni's Wakefield 515 site and haulage company Slam Transport has launched a new base in Yorkshire after acquiring a 6.55 acre site at Wilberfoss near York. The site offers an 18,000 square foot industrial unit, complete with vehicle inspection pits, a spray booth, a five-tonne travelling crane, 10 roller shutter doors and office space. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:38 Page 416 Business Link www.blmforum.net MANUFACTURING SPOTLIGHT Japan’s post-war ‘economic miracle’ ushered in a period of record fiscal growth that lasted until the early nineties. During this era, the nation became a leader in the financial services and technology industries, defining the model of modern businesses with the idea of the so-called ‘salary man’ still prevalent in Japan to this day. For decades, Japanese businesses set the high-bench mark for corporate efficiency and productivity with concepts that have been adopted and implemented into companies in the UK. Although many of these have fallen out of fashion in more recent years – often relegated to motivational posters on the boardroom or meeting room wall – there’s still plenty that can be learned from these business concepts for companies looking to usher in productivity and efficiency gains in their workplaces. One such concept is 5S. This organisational framework emphasises the use of a specific mindset and offers tools to create efficiency and value. It involves observing, analysing, collaborating and searching for waste and inefficiencies in order to create a leaner, more efficient operation. It’s named after five Japanese terms used to describe the steps involved – Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke. In English, these translate into: Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain. A simple example of these five terms in action involves removing items that are no longer needed (sort); organising the items to optimise efficiency and flow (straighten); cleaning the area in order to more easily identify problems (shine); implementing colour coding and labels to stay consistent with other areas (standardise); and developing behaviours to keep the workplace organised in the long-term (sustain). Readers might have seen this concept with the additions of safety and security, sometimes referred to as 6S, but this shouldn’t be confused with Six Sigma, which is often stylised as 6S. However, this statistical-based data- driven approach and continuous improvement methodology for We explore the benefits of the 5S organisation framework to help achieve lean manufacturing. The five steps to success 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:42 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 MANUFACTURING SPOTLIGHT © Shutterstock /PopT ika eliminating effects in a product or service was developed in the US in the early eighties. It’s important to understand that whatever business improvement strategy a company is looking to implement is doomed from the start if they don’t have a clearly defined idea of where they want to end up. It would be like manufacturing a product without any idea about how that product was going to be used, by whom and where. As in all cases, having a clearly defined business strategy in place is critical. That might simply be greater operation efficiency; cleaner, more organised facilities, or an emphasis on lowering cost. While smaller businesses can implement a 5S strategy across their entire operations in one go, it’s unwise for larger – or even medium- sized – business to do so, and should instead prioritise one area at a time. It should go without saying that everyone needs to be on the same page in understanding the business strategy and the company’s aim so that everyone is working towards that same goal rather than against it. Staff should also be trained in the ins and outs of 5S, exactly how they can use it to improve operation efficiency, reduce wastage and lower costs, and how to implement it. Though articles such as these are a great introduction, they’re no replacement for training courses and expert advice. Implementing 5S or any other business improvement strategy isn’t something a company should rush into without first understanding their business aims, making sure their staff and senior team are all working towards the same shared aim, and then training everyone appropriately in order to implement those aims. By its very definition, manufacturing is all about productivity and efficiency. These aren’t static but are in constant flux and that’s exactly the attitudes that companies must take. Improvement must never be static but constantly evolved and with this framework, companies can do just that. 18 Á 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:42 Page 218 Business Link www.blmforum.net MANUFACTURING SPOTLIGHT Sort Companies should begin by removing all items from the work area and inspect and identify those that are critical to the success of the function performed at the workstation. From here, companies are advised to remove any duplicates, unnecessary equipment, infrequently used items and rubbish. Businesses should also categorise the non-essential items into two categories – either as waste or as valuable but not critical. The latter should be stored outside the workstation area which should save time, space and labour costs whilst boosting productivity. Set in order Having separated the waste and non-essentials, the equipment critical to a company’s operation now needs to be organised. It’s advised that positions are assigned for all equipment, work in progress and raw materials, keeping in mind ease of reach, proximity to work surface and identification. The idea is to maximise the efficiency of the workstation layout by putting the most frequently used tools within closest reach and thereby minimising wasted time from excess motion and searching. It might seem obvious, but it’s commonplace in manufacturing facilities and, as they say, wasted time is worse than wasted money. Shine Essentially, this stage means companies should keep everything clean, every day. As well as ensuring that the floors, walls and equipment are cleaned daily, companies should also ensure that all items are returned to their designated places. The important thing to remember here is to make this thorough routine part of the daily tasks instead of putting it off. Standardise This is an area which manufacturers might already have implemented, especially in the food industry where different coloured cleaning products are being used for health and safety reasons. Following on from the previous stage, this one sees companies ensuring that the conditions of their work area do not return to how they were before implementing 5S. In order to do so, staff should understand their responsibilities and be empowered to perform all their tasks daily. Sustain Naturally, the last stage sees companies making a habit of properly maintaining correct procedures to avoid slipping back into how their operations were beforehand. Key to the success of this concept is understanding that it’s not a one-time deal, but rather a continuous process. Implementing 5S We take a closer look at implementing 5S, from sort to sustain. © Shutterstock /mrfiza 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:42 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 Units 4b & 4c, Harpings Road, National Avenue, Kingston-upon-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire HU5 4JF Tel: +44 (0)1482 440222 Email: esales@eyh.co.uk Web: www.ehy.co.uk eyh .co.uk EAST YORKSHIRE HYDRAULICS Hydraulic engineering - design, build, installation and service. • Complete hydraulic systems • Installation and commissioning • Hydro-pneumatic accumulators • Hydraulic equipment • Cylinders Single Source Hydraulic Solutions Design, build, installation and service of hydraulic systems, cylinders, accumulators and equipment. Kingston Engineering Co. (Hull) Ltd Pennington Street, Hull, East Yorkshire. HUB 7LD. UK Tel: +44 (0)1482 325676 Email: sales@kingston-engineering.co.uk Website: www.kingston-engineering.co.uk Specialised precision machined components Corrosion prevention Component reclamation and enhancement Production machinery maintenance and repair Ex-stock power nuts and screws Specialised power screw products Leading Specialist Manufacturer and Producers of Bespoke Power Screws Over One Hundred Years Of Engineering Excellence 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 05/11/2020 11:42 Page 4Next >