< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk G F TOMLINSON F rom its early beginnings in Derby in 1892 when horse and carts were still the primary vehicles to transport materials between sites, G F Tomlinson has grown to become a well- renowned main contractor, having delivered a multitude of notable and high-value projects across the Midlands and beyond. As the company looks back on more than a century of business success and transformation within the construction industry, it is also looking forward – to new and emerging opportunities with both public and private sector clients looking to increase their investment in carbon reduction, healthcare and education facilities, among others, as well as some of the challenges. Andy Sewards, chairman, says: “It is wonderful to be celebrating G F Tomlinson’s 130th anniversary this year. It is a huge milestone and a testament to the innovative, forward-thinking culture within the business and showcases the importance of valuing the people in our employment and industry as a whole. “A number of factors have contributed to the company’s success over the past 130 years – not least of all my father, our former chairman Barry Sewards, who joined the firm in 1958 and later retired in 2018 after 60 years of service, and 20 years as the company’s chairman. “As an historic main contractor in the Midlands, we believe the region has so much potential and many opportunities. Not least of all its outstanding universities, a strong manufacturing base, its central location within the country, providing great logistics routes, making it an ideal region for private investment. Also, the significant ‘Levelling Up’ and ‘Towns’ funding announced by Central Government for the region, presents some fantastic construction opportunities both directly and via enabling works, leaving us incredibly optimistic and excited about where this company can go from here.” Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year as it looks back on a long and fruitful history within the property and construction industry. G F Tomlinson celebrates 130 years in business Andy Sewards, chairman at G F Tomlinson 20-22.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:26 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link G F TOMLINSON The journey so far G F Tomlinson was formed by George Frank Tomlinson in 1892 in Derby – the company’s very first contract was to build a new brick culvert, dug out by hand, from the Coach and Horses Inn on Derby’s Mansfield Road to the junction of Nottingham Road and Stores Road. During that time the city of Derby was becoming a major centre for the railway network, with the late 19th Century seeing the dawn of a new age of transportation and G F Tomlinson became heavily involved in the construction of several major bridges in the region including in Swadlincote, Coalville and Chesterfield. G F Tomlinson was at the forefront of civil engineering straight from its early years – as horse and cart transportation slowly began to reside in the history books, in 1928 the company invested in importing a Caterpillar tractor from the United States which revolutionised site preparation works – and was one of only three in the UK at the time. By 1974, the company was responsible for some of the best-known buildings in the East Midlands, including BBC Radio Derby and British Midlands Airways headquarters. In 1980, G F Tomlinson Group Limited is formed as a holding company to manage the growth in divisional activity – followed by the formation of G F Tomlinson Building Limited as a separate company, and the re-registration of G F Tomlinson Group as a separate limited company in 1991. The firm secured its place on the Birmingham Construction Partnership framework in 2003, establishing it as a main player within the West Midlands from that point onwards, with turnover reaching £65 million per annum in that region for a seven-year period. In 2010, G F Tomlinson began its ongoing relationship with SCAPE by securing a place on the empa framework, followed by two more terms on the empaii framework and then the Scape Regional Construction framework. To date, the firm has completed 507 projects through this partnership with SCAPE, with a total value of £249 million. How the industry has changed During G F Tomlinson’s 130-year history, undoubtedly some of the biggest changes have occurred during the last 30 years thanks to the advances in technology. IT has had a tremendous impact on the industry over the last few decades, with emails becoming the main source of communication, the use of online information sharing portals to speed up decision making on site, and the use of BIM for design and 3D modelling purposes. Another significant change has been the move away from main contractors employing a large number of their own in-house site operatives and tradespeople, opting instead to use sub- contractors for specialised requirements during project works. It is now common for contractors to secure work by demonstrating their social value and carbon reduction credentials – something G F Tomlinson has always been innovative and tenacious about, as well as the need to provide clients with added value during project work, going above and beyond simply completing works on time and within budget. G F Tomlinson has been involved in 17 partnership frameworks over the last 30 years – after recognising early on that this was the main way forward in regard to procurement trends, particularly in the public sector. It was this drive that has given the company a sound platform to grow and consolidate the business year on year. G F Tomlinson’s greatest asset – its employees One of G F Tomlinson’s keys to success has been to uphold its values throughout 22 Á John Bishop, former senior estimator at G F Tomlinson who retired last month after 35 years Caterpillar tractor imported from the USA 20-22.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:26 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk G F TOMLINSON its 130-year history – and this includes championing its employees as one of its greatest assets. The company now employs more than 140 staff members across its Derby and Birmingham offices, and last month saw the retirement of one of its longest- serving employees, senior estimator John Bishop after 35 years with the company. Many others have also been with the company for a number of years, including senior contracts manager Paul Thornewill who has 35 years of service and contracts manager Chris Cooper who has 30 years. G F Tomlinson is continually looking to recruit and expand its team, too, having recently appointed three new team members – bid and marketing co- ordinator Jackie Elson and bid managers Chris MacDonald and Matt Davey. The company prioritises nurturing young talent within its business and the Midlands region – at any one time, G F Tomlinson employs 25 apprentices within its team who benefit from both the support of the company and flexibility in managing their studies at the same time as gaining experience in their roles. G F Tomlinson regularly attends careers and mock interview events at schools and colleges around the region – helping to encourage and inform school pupils and college students about the opportunities available to everyone within the construction industry, as well as the advantages of undertaking an apprenticeship as a route towards a successful career. The firm is also a founding member of the Cornerstone Employers Group – an initiative by The Careers & Enterprise Company in collaboration with D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, to encourage businesses to work more closely with schools and other education providers. Looking ahead Looking ahead to the future, Andy Sewards comments: “As any other sector, the construction industry continues to evolve and new challenges and opportunities arise. We know that the need for a continued recruitment drive and investment in education and training is paramount, and so we remain committed to providing opportunities for young people to gain hands-on experience with us. “Of course, the potential decrease in government spending to manage the Covid impact of the economy, as well as other global factors including world energy and fuel prices will have an effect, too. But there are also plenty of opportunities – the Green Agenda will continue in both the public and private sectors that are targeting carbon reduction, as well continued investment in healthcare and education facilities, the demand for logistic warehouse distribution spaces and the development of hydrogen energy. “At G F Tomlinson we are immensely proud of what we have achieved so far – thanks to our innovation we have remained ahead of the curve in so many aspects of the industry and look forward to what the next chapter of this company brings.” For more information on G F Tomlinson visit www.gftomlinson.co.uk G F Tomlinson and local students celebrate the opening of the Environmental Learning Hub at Turner Farm, Derbyshire 20-22.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:26 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link FACTORY AUTOMATION © stock.adobe.com/moodboard T he manufacturing sector is in a state of constant flux. Never stalling or stopping, it continually evolves to meet changes in consumer demand, new laws and regulations and, more so over the last decade, responding to environmental pressures. COVID aside, the latter is perhaps the single greatest challenge currently facing the sector. Pressure from advocacy and campaign groups, greater regulatory scrutiny, and a public shift towards greener, more sustainable manufacturing has had a dramatic impact on the industry. Companies can now no longer afford to ignore the environmental agenda but should instead meet the challenge head on the same as they do with labour shortages and the widespread move towards smarter, automated factories. It should go without saying that replacing old and outdated machinery will not only boost a company’s efficiency and output but will also reduce carbon emissions, but too many producers still rely on old machinery rather than investing in new or refurbished replacements. It’s a false economy and counterintuitive besides, yet worryingly commonplace. A McKinsey report found that the average food processing plant, for instance, is more than two decades old. With the continuing market proliferation of smart technologies (more on that later), companies risk making themselves obsolete. Investing in machinery and equipment that can deliver cost savings will, of course, be a motivation alongside efficiency gains, but part of the criteria also needs to be environmental impact. As well as the specific machinery that’s used, there’s also the way in which they’re used that needs to be considered. A good analogy here is a car: you’re going to get more miles out of a tank of petrol or charged battery if your car is regularly and thoroughly The future is now From introducing collaborative robots to the factory floor to address labour shortages, to reducing emissions during production with ever more innovative solutions, factory automation is on the up and up. 24 Á 23-25.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:28 Page 1 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FACTORY AUTOMATION serviced and maintained, if you drive at consistent speeds and plan ahead for breaking and cornering. The same is true of production and processing where regular inspection and maintenance can sustain efficiency and identify causes for concern before they result in extended disruptions. This will also ensure that machines are running at optimum levels and, thus, at their most environmentally friendly. Reducing energy consumption during processing can also be accomplished by addressing and altering the cooking techniques themselves. Research carried out by the University of Lincoln, UK in collaboration with industry partner OAL, found that using novel approaches to a process called Steam Infusion can reduce energy consumption by seventeen per cent, cutting close to nine tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per production line each year. Steam Infusion technology is unique in that it reduces carbon emissions directly at the site of manufacturing, which can support businesses’ plans to incrementally cut emissions throughout their facilities, while the technology enables alignment to UN Sustainable Development Goals. As well as the ongoing issues that producers and processors have been facing for many years now – including staff shortages and the continuing skills gap – more challenges have arisen over the last twenty-one months. Namely, social distancing measures and self- isolation. The impact COVID has wrought on the industry cannot be overstated. Despite a relative return to normal, coronavirus remains a very real concern for many companies, especially with spiking rates in China and the possibility the same could once again happen here (if not with COVID then with some other, future, pandemic). Companies are now aware of just how 23-25.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:28 Page 2www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link FACTORY AUTOMATION prepared they need to be, so that the next pandemic doesn’t leave them with the constant fear that production can be impacted, or halted entirely, due to an on-site outbreak or a high number of staff self-isolating. These issues are being mitigated and managed with the use of collaborative robots. These robots – often termed ‘cobots’ – are cost-effective, safe and flexible to deploy, making them an increasing popular option in factories. Added to this is the fact that, as the name suggests, they are collaborative, designed to share a workspace with humans. They can allow even small and mid-sized companies to automate where before it would have been prohibitive or even impossible before. Although cobots have far-reaching applications and capabilities across the entire industrial spectrum, where the manufacturing industry is concerned, they are ideally suited to work alongside humans in delicate processes such as pick and place – though a risk assessment will need to be undertaken first. With all that in mind, many have touted cobots as the future factories. Looking at the data, it’s hard to disagree. Research from Interact Analysis found that in 2018, global revenues from cobot production exceeded $550 million – an almost sixty per cent increase over 2017. The market researcher forecasts that revenues for cobots will reach $5.6 billion in 2027, accounting for almost one-third of the total robotics market. There’s no single solution to meeting the ongoing challenges facing the manufacturing industry. However, automation and smart technologies can not only boost efficiency and output but can also help to reduce carbon emissions. Now, more than ever, automating is affordable and within reach for smaller firms. The future is indeed now. © stock.adobe.com/ipopba 23-25.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:28 Page 3 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk PUBLIC RELATIONS W hen I initially wrote this (March 23rd) it was being reported by various media outlets that P&O has said 800 redundant staff will be offered £36.5m in total – with around 40 getting more than £100,000 each. It was also being denied that they broke the law when it sacked the workers without warning last week. Many had questioned whether the move was legal – but P&O said those affected were employed outside the UK. Oh, that’s OK then, sod ‘em! Today as I write (24th), the winds have changed aboard the bad ship P&O with an admittal from P&O boss Peter Hebblethwaite that the decision to sack the workers last week without consulting the unions broke the law. SHOCK HORROR. “We chose not to action, on one of the “most shameful acts in the history of British industrial relations.” Speaking of relations, let’s consider the Public Relations impact here. The bit I most certainly AM an expert in. Never mind the way it was handled, I’ll come to that, just consider this, if business was not viable before, how many customers would now actually WANT to travel with this bunch if they had a choice? Not many. So a challenging market is now shrinking further and further, all down to how this utter ship-show was handled. They have P&O, PR & HR - what an utter ship-show! Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and the PR and Communications Ambassador for the IoD in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, discusses what PR lessons can be learned from the P&O fiasco. consult and we are, and will, compensate everybody in full for that,” he said. Calmer seas ahead? Doubtful. I appreciate that a lot may change before this column comes out but the advice will remain sound. Now, I’m not an HR expert, but let’s just recap how this utter farce has played out. It is actually painfully easy to summarise. P&O sacked around 800 staff last week (Thursday 17th March) by video call. Talk about finding “efficiencies,” or as Winnie The Pooh might suggest rather aptly, a “fish in the sea.” P&O said it was a “tough” decision but it would “not be a viable business” without the changes. However, the government described the workers’ treatment as “wholly unacceptable,” whilst the RMT union is threatening legal 26-27.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:28 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link PUBLIC RELATIONS apparently made huge savings by switching to agency staff, however, let’s consider the huge COST they have incurred in brand damage – #boycottpando reached thousands of shares in days. Let’s look at this pathetic approach to PR, straight out of “My First Book of Bungling” published by Lazybird. First, the video message – this never plays out well. Remember Better.com, well this was worse! It wasn’t even live, total cowardice. Then the physical aspect, rumours of staff seen in handcuffs being forced from their posts. Now add a dash of stranded customers, a soupcon of cheap labour and bring to the boil with a defiant message about viability and employees not being UK-based so there. It boggles the mind. When politicians and unions are in agreement, you know you’ve dug yourself into a very large hole. This fiasco is going to rumble on from a PR and HR perspective. It will become a textbook example of what NOT to do. Will it blow over? Right now, there’s no port that will provide sanctuary in this storm – they are holed below the waterline and sinking fast. A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. 26-27.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:28 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FAMILY BUSINESS F amily businesses are at the core of the UK’s economy; they make up 90% of all businesses and are responsible for over a third of the UK’s GDP. The importance of family businesses for the UK’s economy is unquestionable, and there is no doubt a family business is a valuable resource, but a very challenging type of business too. This type of business clearly comes with a series of benefits and advantages. Unfortunately, every advantage comes with its counterpart of disadvantages that could potentially jeopardise the business. First and foremost, a family run business gives you the opportunity to spend more time with family and loved ones and as family members are generally brought up together, raised in the same environment and with the same up bringing, this means they will most likely share the same values in addition to the same family pride and commitment to the business that often translates to great work ethics. Family members are usually emotionally attached to the business and will do all that is in their power to help out. However, as much as spending more time with your loved ones sounds like a good idea and working with them sounds like a dream come true, there might be times when working with family can become a big problem. Because you are family and because you are 30 Á Family businesses are the backbone of UK’s economy and represent an incredibly valuable resource for the country’s GDP. However, due to the delicate and intimate nature of the relationships behind them, family businesses are not an easy endeavour to embark on. Keeping it in the family 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:30 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link FAMILY BUSINESS © stock.adobe.com/Halfpoint 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2022 11:30 Page 2Next >