Workspace consultants and commercial office interior fit-out specialists Blueprint Interiors has completed the fit-out of an iconic high-profile 1950’s office building located on the A5 in Nuneaton.
Formerly the original HQ of HORIBA MIRA, the building underwent refurbishment and has been leased as a temporary solution to a Swedish automotive brand, who will eventually move to a brand-new purpose built complex within MIRA Technology Park, one of the UK’s leading locations for automotive research and development.
The overarching objective was to be sympathetic to the key features of a 1950’s building whilst also modernising the interior office space to ensure HORIBA MIRA was able to retain its tenant and continue occupancy within the technology park.
Delivering the design vision meant stripping out several areas where over the years lowered ceilings and office partitioning had been added. When the ceiling in the reception area was removed an amazing double height space was revealed. This feature is now a central focal point which ‘wows’ visitors and helps to convey a positive first impression.
Internally the style takes its lead influence from the building’s iconic original crittal windows.
The entire space has been transformed, including a wide variety of functional desk spaces, break out rooms and meeting rooms. Functional features such as toilets and showers have been refitted with modern energy efficient equipment.
Mark Rogers, Facilities & Maintenance Manager at HORIBA MIRA, said: “Blueprint Interiors has delivered a great result and we’re delighted with the transformation of the building. We now have the wide variety of workspaces that we required with the building modern, people-focused and climate-controlled with an exceptional main reception.”
Chloe Sproston, Creative Director from Blueprint Interiors, added: “The deadline, the budget and some of the 1950s features found during the strip out meant the project presented some unusual challenges, making it truly unique.
“It’s given both us and the client great satisfaction to know we’ve breathed new life into a special space that will continue to live for many more years to come. We are very pleased that the feedback about the transformation has been summed up by the client in just one word – amazing!”
Based in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire Blueprint Interiors has previously been involved in the commercial fit-out of the social hub within MIRA Technology Park and has recently completed projects for other high profile brands including The Melton Building Society, Gleeds, Roythornes Solicitors, Worldline and Futures Housing.
Geldards has advised Derbyshire-based Arctic Cabins on its transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
A family-run business established over twenty years ago by owner Gareth Parkinson and his Finnish wife Virpi, Arctic Cabins takes inspiration from the Scandinavian lifestyle which places sturdy wooden shelters, often with a central BBQ, in communities and national parks as refuges to be used by the community.
The trend for homeworking since the pandemic, coupled with a gardening boom, has seen the demand for practical home office solutions and additional living space skyrocket, and Arctic Cabins have experienced a huge surge in demand for their versatile wooden cabins as a result.
Manufactured in Derbyshire, the company relies on its skilled carpenters and craftspeople to produce a high quality range of cabins and BBQ huts and its product range has grown over the years, to include the Cabin Master brand which offers bespoke insulated garden rooms which are hand crafted to customers’ exact specifications.
Protecting the hard-won business legacy built up by a dedicated workforce over the decades, was a primary consideration for Gareth when planning for his exit from the business. Keen to secure the future of the business, protect staff jobs and retain highly skilled employees, a transition to an Employee Ownership Trust was the right solution for Arctic Cabins.
An Employee Ownership Trust hands ownership of the business to employees, rather than a sale on the open market, and trustees are appointed to ‘look after’ shares in the business on behalf of the employees.
The rise in popularity of Employee Ownership Trusts has grown enormously over the past two years, with business owners becoming alive to the benefits that EOTS can offer. They prove to be an effective model to realise a succession plan for business owners, which puts employees at the heart of the decision.
Geldards advised Arctic Cabins on the formation of an Employee Ownership Trust and the purchase by the EOT of the entire share capital.
Andrew Evans, partner at Geldards, said: “It was great to be instructed by Gareth and the team at Arctic Cabins as long time clients of the firm, and take them through the challenges of a transition to employee ownership. The positive feedback from the initial presentation to all the staff and the enthusiasm of the employee trustees emphasised the suitability of Arctic Cabins for employee ownership. I look forward to continuing to work with Arctic Cabins in the future.”
Acquisitive retail giant Frasers Group has reportedly appointed its founder Mike Ashley as a consultant.
Mike Ashley stepped down as a director of the Shirebrook-based business last year, and will now, according to The Sunday Times, advise the firm on supply chain and operations.
The Sunday Times notes that while Ashley will not be paid for his consultancy services, the agreement may raise concerns that he is acting as a shadow director. The company is understood to have taken legal advice.
Frasers Group has recently undertaken a flurry of investments, upping its stake in electrical retailer AO to over 22% and snapping up an almost 9% shareholding in Currys, alongside others.
Approval has been granted by Charnwood Borough Council for the creation of a new Space4 timber frame factory – believed to be the biggest in the UK – on the edge of Loughborough.
Following approval from Charnwood Borough Council on 22 June 2023, the state-of-the-art facility will bring up to 120 new jobs to Loughborough and the surrounding areas, whilst also utilising the latest automation technology as part of the manufacturing process. The factory will produce timber frame units for up to 7,000 homes a year and is set to be in full operation towards the end of 2025.
Gareth Wicks, Managing Director Designate at Space4, said: “We’re delighted to have received approval for our new Space4 facility and I want to thank Charnwood Borough Council for their support. Not only will the development deliver up to 120 new jobs, it will also further our goal to place sustainable practices at the very heart of our developments.
“We’re committed to creating vibrant, successful communities with the environment in mind. We’ll continue to work in partnership with the Council and other stakeholders to ensure our new Space4 factory delivers real benefits for local industry and the wider Loughborough community.”
The new Space4 facility will be placed on the Garendon Park Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE), a community of over 3,000 homes on the Garendon Park estate. Across the whole of the SUE, a cumulative figure of over £43m will be paid to support local infrastructure delivery and ensure economic development.
Dan Endersby, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes North Midlands, said: “Approval for the new Space4 facility at our Garendon Park development comes at a particularly exciting time as we welcome our first residents and continue to build our presence in Loughborough.
“Garendon Park will be one of Persimmon’s flagship communities, with over 3,000 homes, employment and leisure facilities, and a range of preserved historic monuments around the site.”
Car manufacturer KIA is set to drive into St Modwen Park Derby, with the City Council giving the nod to its plans for a nationwide training centre.
It means KIA’s existing training centre in Nottingham will be relocated.
Utilising a 39,590 sq ft unit, the new training facility would train members of staff employed in KIA’s UK dealerships and workshops, including a mix of apprentices and adult learners.
15-17 full time staff will be employed at the site including tutors, centre manager and administrators.
The facility will be operated by Skillsnet who manage a number of similar sites in the UK including the Ford academy.
The facility will contain eight training rooms provided at ground and first floor level, together with a theatre/presentation room. The ground floor will also contain a ‘mock-up showroom’ and a large workshop area with a number of workshop bays and test areas.
It is anticipated that the facility could accommodate up to 100 trainees per day.
Smiths Property Experts have acquired and taken over the sales operation of competitor NB Estate Agents in Loughborough.
The takeover is part of a wider plan that affords both Smiths and NB clients greater marketing reach, along with access to even more industry experience.
NB have a history of excellence in estate agency, as one of Loughborough’s leading independent firms, with offices located between the ring road and Church Gate.
Tom Smith, Managing Director of East Midlands-based Smiths Property Experts, said: “We are beyond excited to announce this news. As a long-operating competitor, I know only too well that the team have worked tirelessly at NB to establish a fine reputation driven in large part by sales manager, Anna Law.
“Anna is staying in seat and brings years of experience and a determination to succeed on behalf of her clients. Clients past and present, you have my word that we will continue to add to the foundations laid by Anna and the team moving forward.”
Anna Law said: “Having met Tom, Lucinda, and the team at Smiths, I am confident that we will strengthen relationships with our clients and become a force to be reckoned with in our market. For NB clients nothing will change; I am here to provide the support, service, and results that we are known for with an experienced and motivated team.”
Nottingham specialist pharmaceutical services company, Oncimmune Holdings, has revealed a new plan for delivery of refocused growth and changes to its board and executive leadership team.
It comes after the recent divestment of Oncimmune Limited to Freenome Holdings, Inc., which strengthened Oncimmune’s cash position and provides its ImmunoINSIGHTS services business with guaranteed minimum revenues for at least the next two years from Freenome, as well as allowing Oncimmune to restructure and partly repay its loan with IPF Partners.
It also follows losses widening to over £11m at Oncimmune, with administrative and research & development expenses jumping, in the firm’s 2022 financial year, despite a slight revenue rise.
Oncimmune’s Board believes the company is now poised to enhance shareholder value by: refocusing commercial efforts towards higher value customers and Oncimmune’s core services offering, continuing to penetrate key customers with whom Oncimmune has long term contractual relationships, partnering with key technology suppliers on cross-selling opportunities, launching new biomarker tools as well as novel service offerings for measurement of certain biomarkers, and carefully controlling and optimally utilising its operational cost base and central overheads.
As part of the refocussing of Oncimmune’s business, Dr Adam M Hill will be stepping down as CEO and as a director of the company.
Pending the appointment of a permanent successor, the Board has appointed Ron Kirschner, the company’s general counsel and company secretary, as acting CEO, and a director of the company.
The company is actively recruiting for additional resources in its leadership team.
Alistair Macdonald, Oncimmune’s chairman, said: “The Board would like to thank Adam for his foresight, perseverance and hard work, often in challenging conditions, over the last five years. I also welcome Ron to his new role.
“Since joining Oncimmune three years ago, Ron has been an instrumental part of the company’s operational and strategic leadership, providing close support to the Board throughout. The Board is grateful to Ron for stepping up to lead the company as it refocuses and as it builds a new senior executive team.
“Certain of the company’s shareholders have recently engaged the Board and executive team to contribute their views on the future strategy of the company, for which I am grateful. The Board believes that the plan we set out today is the one best designed to capitalise on the company’s resources and create value for all shareholders.
“I, and the rest of the Board, will continue to engage with our wider stakeholders to ensure that we remain attentive to all views as we deliver best-in-class service offerings to our customers.
“Whilst the current headwinds in our sector are expected to lead to a tough end to our financial year ending August 2023, the Board believes that the company now has a solid foundation in place from which to launch the new plan to deliver growth through FY2024 and beyond.”
Adam Hill, Oncimmune’s outgoing Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am delighted to have had the opportunity to lead Oncimmune for the last five years. As I transition to a new opportunity, I look forward to seeing the new team drive the next stage of the organisation’s journey.”
Teams from Rolls-Royce have visited the University of Derby’s Markeaton Street site to tour a specialist laboratory space used by the global leader in complex power and propulsion systems to develop and evaluate new technologies.
Representatives from the company viewed the new Rolls-Royce Technology Hub, where experts from the Rolls-Royce Central Technology Group have co-located with the University of Derby’s community of staff and students.
The facility is home to two key Rolls-Royce teams drawn from Central Technology and Repair Technology, each of which has a worldwide brief. The role of the Central Technology Department is to identify technologies which could be of use to any division of Rolls-Royce.
An exciting array of futuristic technologies are being developed and evaluated in the facility, some of which are the first of their kind in the world. They include robotics, metrology systems, electronics and sensor development, machine vision, spectrometry, and Internet of Things. The development of several tools in the lab has been co-funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, under the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, REINSTATE.
The event coincided with the University’s Engineering Degree Show, giving visitors the opportunity to see work produced by Rolls-Royce apprentices and other students at the University.
Rolls-Royce and the University already work together on several world-class projects including the Nuclear Skills Academy at Infinity Park.
Dr Louise Richards, Deputy Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at the University, said: “Our partnership with Rolls-Royce provides a range of mutual benefits. Rolls-Royce’s ground-breaking work in the Technology Hub provides opportunities for University staff and students to engage with and learn from innovation and research.
“We are also exploring ways to build on the success of our apprenticeships partnership to provide practical placement opportunities for our on-campus students.”
Mike Wingfield, Technology Hub Lead at Rolls-Royce, said: “Having access to the facilities at Markeaton Street has been a game-changer for us; it has enabled us to develop technologies we’d previously not been able to progress.
“We enjoy engaging with the staff and students at the University and hope to further involve many more students in our technology projects going forward. The ability to have this involvement with the University while still being local to two of our major sites is very valuable.”
The University’s site at Markeaton Street provides a base for academics, students and apprentices on its engineering, computing, and mathematics courses as well as the creative arts. The site features state-of-the-art STEM research and innovation facilities including hi-tech electronics laboratories and engineering workshops.
Midlands businesses are being forced to put the brakes on growth plans, as nearly nine in ten companies (88%) admit difficulty in accessing capital is impacting their business.
According to BDO LLP’s bi-monthly Economic Economy surveyof 500 mid-market businesses, over a quarter (27%) of regional companies are struggling to finance expansion plans, with nearly a quarter (23%) finding it difficult to invest in the technology or software they need to improve the business. More than a fifth (22%) admit that a shortage of funding means they’re facing the prospect of having to make redundancies or scale back the business.
The survey by the accountancy and business advisory firm, also highlighted the ongoing challenges facing Midlands businesses. Over the next six months, record levels of inflation will continue to blight regional companies, with over a third (35%) saying higher overheads and increased operating costs are their number one concern.
As businesses in the region contend with a growing list of problems, the task of covering higher operational costs is one of the top business priorities for more than a quarter of regional companies (28%), with a further 28% also looking to offshore as much of their supply chain as possible, in a bid to tackle the disruptions being faced. In addition, nearly a quarter (22%) intend to restructure their workforce, including making redundancies, as Midlands companies look to take action over the next six months.
Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner at BDO in the Midlands, said: “As a result of the tough economic conditions that continue to hamper regional businesses, companies are facing a real need to raise funds within the next two years, in order to kick-start their growth plans.
“Against a challenging backdrop, Midlands businesses are having to explore every option when it comes to raising additional finance, with many struggling to access the capital they need. For nearly a third, the equity capital markets are the most appealing source of funding, with revenue-based finance and Government support schemes also high up on the list.”
Mid-sized companies, which employ eight million people and provide around a quarter of UK jobs according to further research, are now calling on the Government to support them with rising costs and improve access to capital to make the UK a more appealing place to do business.
Bellingall added: “So far, mid-market businesses in the Midlands have shown real grit and determination to fend off the challenges that continue to rain down on them.
“However, many are reaching tipping point. The need for greater capital is critical for a significant proportion of businesses, not just to finance growth plans, but also to address key issues such as investing in staff retention, repaying debts, improving salaries and, importantly, recruiting new employees with the right skills and experience.
“Midlands businesses cannot tackle these challenges in isolation. Business leaders in the region believe more can done be to address their concerns, to help to drive growth, and to ensure the UK remains an attractive place to do business.”
Nottingham-based AI startup Blueskeye AI, which is developing software to help pregnant women monitor and improve their mental health, has won a national technology award for its work.
The company was named “Emerging Tech of the Year,” by UK tech network, Digital Leaders. BlueSkeye was chosen from a shortlisted field of ten competitors for the award at a ceremony at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on Thursday evening, 22 June.
The Award recognises the development of an innovative technology, design or process that has produced a major improvement in business performance and impacted the market.
BlueSkeye, a spin out from the University of Nottingham, uses AI to analyse minute changes to people’s face and voice over time which can reveal the early tell tale signs of depression. The technology has developed from 18 years of research by founding CEO professor Michel Valstar. The technology has been used by 200,000 mums so far and the company is working with Nottinghamshire NHS Trusts to undertake clinical trials.
Collecting the award for BlueSkeye AI, professor Valstar said: “We’re absolutely thrilled and delighted for BlueSkeye to be recognised for its innovative use of machine learning to help clinicians, patients and their friends and families assess, treat and monitor mental health.
“UK Mental Health is in crisis, around 1 in 5 women experience a perinatal mental health problem and our technology addresses this significant need. We are developing software to the highest, clinical, standards to support clinicians, mums and mums to be.
“Winning shows how far we’ve come since our foundation in 2019. It’s a testament to the hard work and talent of our whole team and a validation of the work we’re doing.”
The Digital Leaders Awards, now in their eleventh year, are designed to celebrate the 100 leading individuals and companies who are working to secure the UK’s digital transformation.
Providing an ideal opportunity to shout about your business’s achievements, enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 NOW – ahead of nominations closing on Thursday 31 August.
The prestigious event, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.
The annual awards attract leaders from throughout the East Midlands and are the perfect way for businesses to promote themselves and those they work with. Indeed winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly.
Award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September,at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of time to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
After winning the most active agent award at last year’s event, Amy Bidell, director at Mather Jamie, said: “Apparently this category had so many entries that whittling it down to the three finalists was really hard to do, but we were told that we were chosen as the outright winner because of the our impressive track record of supporting clients to maximise the value of their property assets for the longest timeframe.
Victoria Golborn, Mather Jamie, Amy Bidell, Mather Jamie, Sue Alland, Mather Jamie, and Rob Day, Blueprint Interiors
“Judges were also impressed by our commitment to the community, particularly our fundraising efforts during our 30th anniversary year when over £55,000 was raised for local charities.”
She added: “It would not be right to accept this award without giving credit to everyone in our commercial, development and agricultural teams who have worked so hard to make this award win possible by providing a high level of strategic land development advice as well as rural and commercial agency and property management services.”
To nominate your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, please click on a category link below or visit this page:
Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours.
The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm.
Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:To be held at:
Lincolnshire businesses are to welcome in seventy teachers to share experience of business and industry and improve young people’s career opportunities.
Branston, Catch UK, CITB, CorrBoard, eComOne, Inzpire Ltd, Orsted, Plum Products, Ruddocks, Seafox Management Consultants, Serco, SRC UK, and Tong Engineering will host visits by 26 teachers, with the objective of bringing skills and workplace experience into the classroom and enrich the curriculum.
It’s part of the Teacher Encounters programme delivered by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Careers & Enterprise Company, offering half-day experiences to help teachers to develop a stronger knowledge of their subject area through real world industry experience.
The scheme is part of a new national pilot programme bringing together 1,000 teachers and 200 businesses across England, allowing them to enrich teaching practice and share knowledge about skills gaps and labour market information with students and parents.
Lee Douglas, Strategic Hub Lead of the Careers Hub at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “We have delivered the Teacher Encounters project in collaboration with award-winning businesses, world leaders in their sectors which are operating at the cutting edge of innovation and technology.
“It is crucial that teachers can have meaningful experiences with employers in Greater Lincolnshire. These experiences are designed to inspire teachers, enabling them to make vital links to their curriculum area of expertise and pass vital careers related information to their students.”
Oli de Botton, Chief Executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “Teachers are powerful sources of careers inspiration for young people – through the conversations they have and the curriculum they teach.
“One of the ways we can support them is by bridging the worlds of business and education and giving teachers meaningful encounters with employers.
“Done well, these encounters can inspire teachers, students and employers. Teachers can see at first hand how local businesses work, including the routes in like apprenticeships. Students can benefit when teachers bring this insight into their lessons, linking learning to workplace skills. And employers can learn more about the workforce of the future.
“This pilot is an opportunity to bring careers education further into the mainstream of school and college life and build on the enthusiasm we know is there from business to better support schools and from teachers to support their students to take their best next step.”
Work is well underway to regenerate the Grade II listed Old Black Lion as a public house, community asset and new home to the Churches Conversation Trust.
Over the next six months The Churches Conservation Trust will be working with Midland Conservation Limited and the Friends of St Peter’s Church, in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council, to transform this former derelict pub into a vibrant hospitality venue and community hub for residents in Marefair, and across the town.
Two months into the extensive construction programme, progress can be seen on the Northampton ironstone walls where modern masonry paint and cement mortar has been removed and replaced with lime mortar and, in places where the stone had deteriorated, new stone. The windows have also been repaired. These works require highly skilled stonemasons and joiners.
Enabling and demolition works took place last summer and now the main conservation repair works have begun; a third contract for fitting out the pub and offices will follow.
Cllr Daniel Lister, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Member for economic development, town centre regeneration and growth, said: “It was fantastic to visit the Old Black Lion pub on Tuesday to see first-hand the progress that has been made already to sympathetically bring this derelict former pub back into use for our local community.
“The building is a real focal point for the local area and once complete, this asset will form part of the wider gateway into the town, complementing the Marefair Heritage Park and deliver a hub for residents at the heart of the community.”
Hannah Parham, Regeneration Project Manager, the Churches Conservation Trust, said: “The aim of the project is to restore the Old Black Lion as a pub, open for business and once again serving the local community. The refurbished pub will provide hospitality for visitors and volunteers at St Peter’s Church, supporting the work of the Friends of St Peter’s Church and encouraging beneficial uses of the church for concerts, performances and events.”
This work will be complemented by the Marefair Heritage Park once the redevelopment is complete, to fully celebrate and capitalise on the heritage of the area and the Northampton Castle site.
The project will cost £3.5m, of which £3m is capital expenditure. CCT was awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund Enterprise Grant of £1,841,800 in 2016; in November 2022, this was augmented by £794,405, to reflect rising costs. Funding has also been granted by HM Treasury’s Towns Fund, West Northamptonshire Council, the Architectural Heritage Fund and West Northamptonshire Development Corporation.
The project has received £315,000 of Towns Fund support, and the delivery is supported by the Northampton Forward Board and forms part of the Marefair ‘Heritage Gateway’. West Northamptonshire Council has provided £370,000 in match funding and S106 contributions.
The refurbishment should be completed by Spring 2024, with the publican opening the pub shortly afterwards.
Bolsover District Council is set to spend £9m on redeveloping Woburn House and the nearby bungalows in Blackwell after planning permission was approved.
The plans will see the assisted living facility, bungalows and community centre on Woburn Close demolished and replaced with 15 bungalows, eight houses, a 20-flat independent living building and a brand new community facility.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Sandra Peake, said: “This is a significant investment and re-iterates our commitment to looking after older and vulnerable people, whilst also providing a much-needed community facility. It will be of huge benefit to local residents in the area as there will be a mixture of properties to meet a local demand.
“A significant element of the scheme is the new community centre that will provide local residents with a modern facility where local events and celebrations can be held and give community groups with a place to meet.”
The scheme is part of Bolsover District Council’s £36m Bolsover Homes project which is aimed at building new council houses for affordable rents across Bolsover District.
The scheme uses Bolsover District Council land by replacing end of life, unfit for purpose dwellings, with new homes that exceed today’s living standard whilst benefiting the District’s economy through training, skills development, and local supply chain.
Councillor Peake added: “All the new properties will be modern, energy efficient and adaptable for people with disabilities. It’s important that we keep building bungalows and accommodation for our ever-growing older population and that we keep building social properties for the benefit of our residents.”
It is anticipated that phase one of the redevelopment will start soon which will involve disconnecting the services such as the gas and water, with work due to start on site fully in spring 2024.
Eurocell, the manufacturer, distributor, and recycler of PVC-U building products, has welcomed Polyframe as one of their fabricator partners.
Based in Norwich and Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, Polyframe has been supplying fabricated fenestration systems for over 30 years and has chosen to join with Eurocell to ensure long-term security and reliability in supply and service.
As a Eurocell customer, Polyframe will benefit from Eurocell’s ‘Grow With Us’ ethos, receiving technical support and expertise from dedicated teams, continual focus on investment in new machinery, services and products, as well as business development support to propel growth.
In addition to their existing offering, Polyframe, will now be able to offer a wider range of PVC-U with the Eurocell Logik System.
Eurocell’s PVC-U profiles contain high levels of recycled content; partners can benefit from the carbon savings this provides and are able to communicate these to customers – as part of their commitment towards a more sustainable future.
Phil Walker, Polyframe Managing Director, said: “Eurocell is a well-respected and long-standing business with similar vision and values around service and support to that of Polyframe. We are delighted to be partnering with them to provide our combined benefits to our customers.
“Eurocell has a detailed understanding of the Future Homes Standard and other potential legislation changes, and we are well placed to work with Eurocell long into the future to provide our customers with sustainable and innovative systems.
“I can assure customers that Polyframe will offer the same high levels of product quality, consistency of supply and levels of service with the new Eurocell options – all delivered in an industry-leading time of five days.”
Andy McDonnell, commercial MD at Eurocell, said: “We are pleased to be starting this new partnership with Polyframe, a well-trusted leading fabricator in the fenestration industry that champions our values and dedication to high-quality product and service.
“Our best-in-class support means Polyframe will have the tools required for sustainable growth as part of our ‘Grow With Us’ ethos, and we can guarantee a smooth transition with minimal disruption so Polyframe can continue doing what they do best for their customers.
“Our recent investments in infrastructure and enhanced partnership approach mean we are well placed to continue to deliver value and quality to all of our customers whilst continuing to grow.”
Lockwood is a huge, family-owned company based here in the East Midlands, offering haulage, warehousing and co-packing services.
They have a large, modern fleet ranging from 7.5 – 44 tonne vehicles along with warehousing capacity for hundreds of thousands of pallets.
To promote the co-packing part of their business, Lockwood were looking for a professional video and they hired our local recommended production company, Glowfrog (www.glowfrogvideo.com).
A full explainer video has now been created to demonstrate Lockwood’s cost-effective, innovative & timely solutions to your contract packing needs.
With Lockwood being such a big local company, it is clear to see that professional video production is a key, important part of marketing strategy.
Mark Graham, Group Service Director at Lockwood, said: “We required a new high quality video to promote our co-packing services and, having found Glowfrog online, they clearly appeared to be the best choice of video production company locally.
“We found that they are great people to work with, providing detailed customer support throughout the process from start to finish. Glowfrog Video Production also provided us with a bonus shorter video for our social media channels, at no extra cost – we are really happy with their services.”
If you’re looking for a highly recommended and local video production company for your video marketing, visit www.glowfrogvideo.com.
Midlands SMEs are ready to ramp-up investment, with fresh spending on assets, Paragon Bank research has found.
Published alongside An SME Led Recovery, a survey of SMEs from across the UK identified growing expectations for cashflow to improve – leading to increased investment by businesses in their operations.
The first in a series of quarterly research reports that will track the sector, An SME Led Recovery details the performance, plans and ambitions of SMEs, highlighting the central role they play in the regional economy. As part of the research, specific data on the Midlands was collected – providing insight into the position of SMEs across the region.
Cashflow and turnover set to improve
Conducted for Paragon by Opinium, the research found that 60% of Midlands SMEs predict that their cashflow will improve over the next three months and 58% are expecting an increase over the next year. Only 36% had seen their cashflow increase over the previous three months.
Similarly, turnover is also set to improve – 55% of Midlands businesses reported increased turnover during the first quarter of the year, with 44% expecting turnover to further improve during the second quarter compared to 24% that forecast a fall.
Investment on the increase
Over a third of Midlands SMEs (41%) will use the increased cashflow to increase investment in their businesses, with 49% planning to maintain current investment levels and only 6% expected to reduce spending.
Equipment and machinery lead the planned investment of SMEs, with 46% and 39% of all SMEs in the region planning to invest in each respectively.
The renewed investment will also see 23% of Midlands SMEs investing in electric vehicles over the next six months – higher than the proportion set to in invest in traditional fuel vehicles, alongside a small reduction in those firms investing in HGVs.
Confidence strong in business prospects
Midlands SMEs have expressed confidence in the prospects for their own businesses and the sector in which they operate but were less confident about the macro environment. Over half said they were confident in their own business (64%) and their sector (55%) in the next three months – compared to only 28% who expressed confidence in the wider UK economy.
SMEs seek finance
The research also found that 44% of Midlands SMEs sought additional financing over the last three months, with 56% of those businesses seeking over £100,000.
While 5% of this group received no additional financing, 24% received all the financing they sought and a further 15% secured a partial amount.
Commenting on the research findings for the Midlands, Peter Pike, Paragon’s regional director for the region, said: “With plans for increased investment and expectations for improved turnover and cashflow, Midlands SMEs are ready to deliver economic growth in the region and beyond. As our new research shows, they are confident and seeking investment – and after the challenges that have faced over recent years, this is a clear indication of the strength of our SME sector.”
Legal and professional services group Gateley has announced its latest round of promotions, which includes six people from its Nottingham office.
Alexander Parkes – a real estate lawyer, has been promoted to partner, continuing his work within the real estate team, while Helen Webster has been promoted to legal director in the employment team.
Natasha Walker from Adamson Jones, Gateley’s dedicated patent and trademark practice, has been promoted to senior associate.
Additionally, three of the Nottingham team have been promoted to associate, with Natasha Cole promoted in the employment team, Andrew Dennis in the private client team and Anna Thomas from residential development.
Andrew Macmillan, partner and head of Gateley’s Nottingham office, said: “Congratulations to all those who have received a promotion this year. Our clients expect the best level of service from Gateley and those who have received promotions have all continuously demonstrated a desire to go above and beyond to fulfil the needs of the businesses we support.
“At Gateley we are committed to the development of our emerging talent and it gives me an enormous sense of pride to see those promoted continue to thrive here in Nottingham.”
A total of 61 promotions were announced across Gateley including six new partners and one Of Counsel, two technical directors, one land consultant, one principal surveyor, nine legal directors, 16 senior associates and 25 new associates are also included in the latest promotions list. In addition to Nottingham, the promotions span Gateley’s offices in Birmingham, Belfast, Dubai, Guildford, Leeds, London, Manchester and Reading.
Business Link’s East Midlands Bricks Awards is set to be bigger and better than ever this year, and with nominations flooding in, there’s also a grand prize worth £20,000 up for grabs.
Celebrating the region’s property and construction industry, the prestigious event recognises development projects and people in commercial and public building – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools – and the Overall Winner at the event will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
A highlight in the business calendar, winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September,at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground– an evening that will also provide plenty of opportunities to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Nominations for the event are open, and now is the perfect time to make your submissions, ahead of the deadline (Thursday 31 August).
To nominate your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, please click on a category link below or visit this page:
Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours.
The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm.
Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:To be held at:
Packaging manufacturer Robinson has revealed a restructuring program as profits for the start of 2023 sit “substantially below” those seen in the first five months of 2022.
The firm says it comes despite substantial sales price increases with customers, with Robinson having been unable to cover the full inflation in costs in the period, due to a reduction in sales volume.The business has consequently implemented a restructuring program which will result in exceptional costs of £0.4m and annual savings of £0.7m, of which £0.4m will benefit 2023.
Sales in the first five months of the year were 2% below the comparative period in 2022. While after adjusting for price changes and foreign exchange, sales volumes are 11% lower, of which 4% is due to a major UK customer experiencing a supply chain issue. The company said that whilst it is unlikely to recover the lost sales in 2023, it expects to return to the normal run-rate on these products.
The Chesterfield-based firm noted that it is also seeing reduced demand due to inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
The group however expects to deliver full year adjusted operating profit in line with current expectations and ahead of 2022.
Looking ahead, in a statement to London Stock Exchange, Robinson said: “We expect the substantial macroeconomic uncertainty and volatility experienced since the beginning of 2021 to continue throughout 2023.
“We are seeing more new business activity with our existing and potential customers, which provides opportunities for additional sales in 2023 and beyond. In particular, the previously announced new contract in Denmark requires substantial investment in the current year but will begin to benefit sales and profit from 2024. We have a portfolio of opportunities, close to completion, which if converted would comprise more than 10% of annual sales.
“Given the ongoing pressure on volumes, input prices and margins, the Board will continue to prioritise the management of costs and cashflow.
“Despite the ongoing uncertainty, with the current restructuring programme, we expect adjusted operating profit in the 2023 financial year to be ahead of 2022 and in line with current expectations. We remain committed in the medium-term to delivering above-market profitable growth and our target of 6-8% adjusted operating margin.”
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.
To be held at:
Mark Graham, Group Service Director at Lockwood, said: “We required a new high quality video to promote our co-packing services and, having found Glowfrog online, they clearly appeared to be the best choice of video production company locally.
“We found that they are great people to work with, providing detailed customer support throughout the process from start to finish. Glowfrog Video Production also provided us with a bonus shorter video for our social media channels, at no extra cost – we are really happy with their services.”
If you’re looking for a highly recommended and local video production company for your video marketing, visit www.glowfrogvideo.com.
