Issue 7 Dec 2013/ Jan 2014 - East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

Hyndburn Page 20
District eye
Is Help to Buy helping? Page 19
Yes-No-Maybe
What’s stopping
businesses growing? Page 14
LIFE
business
The magazine of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
Issue 7 Dec 2013/ Jan 2014
Are you making
do with a phone
system that’s five
or more years old?
Debating Chamber
Lighting up
Gareth
Frankland
Isn’t it time that your mobile
phones were VoIP extensions?
• Free calls to and from office
• Free calls from mobile to mobile
• Puts out your office caller ID
•M
eans that even mobile calls are recorded
and logged (subject to call recording)
Isn’t it time that your PCs
were integrated?
• Screen-pops on inbound calls
• Power-dialling from your PC
• Skills-based routing
01254 272000
www.abbeytele.com
ADVERTISEMENT
LIFE
The magazine of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
Issue 7 Dec 2013/ Jan 2014
business
WECOME AND CONTENTS
Be louder and prouder
We have had excellent
feedback from our President’s
dinner this year so may I
take this opportunity to thank
everyone who came along or
supported us in any way.
The evening got off to a
rousing start with an energetic
speech from Justin Urquhart
Stewart, who treated us
to an amusing and very
knowledgeable overview of
the global economy.
Justin is a widely respected commentator
on radio, TV and in the press and he writes
about his visit to East Lancashire in his weekly
commentary, dismissing the commonly held
media view that northern industrial communities
are failing and instead commenting that our
business community is buzzing and talking about
growth and recruitment.
Ask any East Lancastrian business owner what
we do well and they will
probably not want to blow
their own trumpet. In truth, we
should be loud and proud about
the fact that we produce some
of the most innovative products
and services in the UK. Our
export sales are growing and
with them, our reputation for
creativity, manufacture and
customer service.
Justin comments in his weekly
round-up that the Empire
State building “towers high
built on Accrington brick”. I would suggest that
East Lancashire products and services are the
foundation upon which many corners of the
world are now building.
Wendy Bowers
President & BCC Board Member
[email protected]
In association with
/3
CONTENTS
Round-up
My Business Life
The Debating Chamber
Sector Spotlight
Yes / No / Maybe
District Eye
International Trade
Inside the Chamber
Chamber Life
4
10
14
16
19
20
22
24
26
Business Life is published by Northpoint
Publishing in association with East Lancashire
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Editorial contacts: Darren Grantham d.grantham@
chamberelancs.co.uk / Roger Edworthy
[email protected] 01254 356400
Advertising contacts: Stephen Bolton stephen@
northpointpublishing.co.uk / Valerie Lomas
[email protected] 01254 297870
Artwork by Jennifer Roocroft at Fettle PR
Printed by Peter Scott Printers
Accentuate the positive
ENTER
NOW!
Closing date: January 17, 2014
Event: Thursday March 13 2014, Winter Gardens, Blackpool
www.redroseawards.co.uk
This edition of Business
Life captures the mood of
commerce and industry
across the UK, which is one
of rising confidence across
all sectors. There are record
levels of employment. Here
in East Lancashire our
manufacturing base has
given us more grounds for
optimism than for some time,
but it’s pleasing to see the
rest of the UK on the mend.
This improving economic performance is all the
more remarkable in that East Lancashire is a
trading area, and yet one of our largest trading
partners, the Eurozone, is still stagnant. The good
news is that our credibility worldwide means that
we are still able to grow.
@redroseawards #RRA14
Supported by
Business & Enterprise Trust
Increasingly though the challenge is to ensure that
growth, which will be further enhanced locally by
the likes of the Festival of Business in Merseyside/
the NW in 2014 and the development of the
Enterprise Zone, can be sustained.
There is currently a consultation underway
through Lancashire County Council and
Blackburn with Darwen on Highways and
Transport which will help prioritise and bring
forward the road and rail schemes that are
needed to let people and
goods move more freely. The
education system is gradually
becoming more business
compatible, but much more
needs to be done if the 20 per
cent-plus of young people
out of work are to get into
a position to be of value to
industry. There’s a shortage of
light industrial premises, but
local plans are being prepared
to liberate some land.
The Chamber held a Manufacturers’ Energy
Conference that concluded “with Nuclear, Wind
and Shale, all being in Lancashire along with
the leading Academics and the power of our
engineering, Lancashire is in a great place.”
Above all though, there has never been a
better time for industry to drive growth and to
command support from Government, business
support organisations, the education system,
and Higher Education and R&D institutions.
Photography of The Debating Chamber by Clive
Lawrence
Views expressed by contributors are not
necessarily shared by East Lancashire Chamber.
Northpoint Publishing:
East Park Lodge, East Park Road,
Blackburn BB1 8DW 01254 297870
East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce:
Red Rose Court, Clayton Business Park,
Accrington BB5 5JR 01254 356400
CHAMBER CONTACTS
Wendy Bowers President
[email protected]
Michael Damms Chief Executive
[email protected]
Mandy Lockett International Trade Director
[email protected]
Stef Heywood International Trade Manager
[email protected]
Christine Lambe Training Director
[email protected]
Roger Edworthy
Internet Services & Facilities Manager
[email protected]
Louise Gaskell
Finance Manager & Company Secretary
[email protected]
All-in-all it’s good to be back in fashion.
Mike Damms
Chief Executive
[email protected]
LIFE
business
4\ ROUND-UP
/5
CHAMBER MEMBERS AWARDED
FOR EXCELLENCE AT LANCASHIRE
TOURISM AWARDS
Eaves Hall in Clitheroe won the Wedding Venue Award and Canal Boat Cruises, based in
Hoghton, took the Self-Catering Award at the recent Lancashire Tourism Awards held at
Blackburn Cathedral. Ruth Connor, chief executive of awards hosts Marketing Lancashire,
said: “All our finalists are deserving of recognition but our winners have demonstrated that
they are the ‘best of the best’ of Lancashire’s tourism businesses and I congratulate them.
She added: “Tourism is of vital importance to the economic good health of Lancashire and
our finalists and winners are at the forefront of a drive to improve the industry’s current £3.4bn
contribution to the visitor economy, which Marketing Lancashire will proudly continue to
lead and develop, through creative partnerships and strategic and ambitious marketing.”
The event was produced and managed by Fettle Events, Blackburn, and was the first event of
its kind ever held at Blackburn Cathedral. Guests also enjoyed live music entertainment from
Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band, and the Lancashire Jazz Youth Orchestra.
More businesses
are turning
to Superfast
Broadband
Scores of small and medium sized Lancashire
firms are now starting to reap the benefits of
Superfast Broadband. These include Interezia,
Marketing Lancashire, Boys and The via
Partnership.
One of the most innovative aspects of
Superfast Lancashire is its accompanying
business support programme that is based at
the Lancashire Business Park. The Business
Support programme is designed to help show
Lancashire’s SMEs (businesses with up to 250
employees) how to get the best from superfast
broadband. It’s all about helping businesses to
use fibre broadband to develop, grow or improve
their effectiveness.
The programme is run as a combination of one
to one consultation, professional workshops
and business master classes, and features
experts from a variety of fields. Eligible
businesses will get access to a variety of
valuable resources, an insight into how similar
businesses are making superfast broadband
really work for them, and all manner of advice
and support. It is all free of charge.
Army joining forces with employers
The Territorial Army, now referred to as the
Army Reserve, will increase to a total of 30 000
personnel over the next five years and play a
key role in UK Defence.
This move will impact on businesses across East
Lancashire and Business Life spoke with Brigadier
Nick Fitzgerald, head of the Army Reserve for the
North West, to understand their position.
The Brigadier said: “The Armed Forces have
entered a historic period of change. In an era of
global uncertainty and economic austerity we
have been tasked with redefining our capability
whilst at the same time rebalancing our forces
for the future operational environment beyond
Afghanistan.”
He added: “A central element of that rebalancing
is the development of the Reserve and it is
more than simply ‘growing the Reserve’. This
is a profound change, the creation of an Army
in which the Regular and the Reserve combine
to create a single, capable, adaptable and
integrated military force underpinned by a £1.8bn
investment in the Reserve alone.
“It is essential that as we go through this
we engage with the employer community
to understand how we can better support
employers to support the nations Reservists.”
The Brigadier said the Army Reserve is
committed to:
•Providing new financial awards to micro, small
and medium-sized enterprises when their
reservists are mobilised
•Continuing to deliver compensation to employers
during a period of mobilisation whilst working to
simplify and streamline the processes that give
employers access to this package
•Developing an open and predictable
relationship with employers by ensuring that
employers are informed of their employees
reserve status and long term forecast of their
training programme and mobilisation liability
•Extending and explaining civilian accreditation
of skills, training and experience provided by
the military
•Introducing a new scheme to recognise
supportive employers underpinned by the
Corporate Covenant and to communicate with
employers better.
Brigadier Nick added: “Over the next few months
I and the newly established Regional Employer
Engagement Team will seek to hold a series of
events to identify, discuss and work at resolving
Brigadier Nick Fitzgerald
issue that face us - employer and the services in delivering the new proposition.
“These reservists are exceptional people who
carry an extraordinary burden, and between us
– the reservist, the army and the employer – we
can better support and enable them to serve
their country in confidence, with dignity and to
mutual benefit.”
Superfast Lancashire will bring high-speed
broadband available to 97 per cent of Lancashire
homes and businesses by the end of 2015 and
is a partnership between Lancashire County
Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council,
Blackpool Council and BT. The partnership will
have a radical and positive impact across the
whole of the county and represents the biggest
single investment in rural broadband anywhere
in the world.
Chamber hosts manufacturing conference
East Lancashire Chamber hosted an energy conference at Brockholes
in November, with specialist speakers from producers, distributors,
academia, and energy efficiency experts as well as manufacturers
themselves.
Energy security, supply and price are critical to the success of Lancashire’s
businesses, whether as consumers or suppliers. As a leading international
manufacturing area, we already have technologies and skills in nuclear,
renewables and traditional generation. There is now the contentious issue of
Shale Oil to consider.
The recently formed Lancashire Manufacturing Group has identified
energy as the most immediate priority for the manufacturing sector’s
wellbeing and competitiveness.
The programme included sessions on national and international energy
policy, challenges and planning, energy distribution and efficiency, energy
production and supply chains.
The aim of the conference was to enable the sector to add its powerful
voice, knowledgeably, to the formulation of national energy policy and local
economic development.
Without having an informed position on energy there is a real danger that,
among the many clamorous (and often not particularly informed) lobbyists
and self-interest groups, manufacturers will be side-lined. It will also help
identify supply chain opportunities and give advice on how to reduce
energy use.
By Mike Damms, chief executive, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
LIFE
business
6\ ROUND-UP
/7
Bell celebrates silver with diamond
Nelson-based articulated trailer rental and
sales firm, Bell Trailers, is currently celebrating
its 25th year in business and has joined East
Lancashire Chamber as a Diamond Ambassador.
Founded in 1988 by Michael Bell, the company
was initially based out of a portable cabin on
Kirby Road, Lomeshaye Industrial Estate.
Having gone from strength to strength over the last
quarter of a century, the firm now has a six acre
site on Churchill Way at Lomeshaye, with purposebuilt offices, a four-bay workshop,a specialist tyre
depot and a VOSA MOT testing station.
Bell Trailers now boasts a fleet of 1,500 trailers
and has 20 employees, including its own team of
mobile service engineers.
Bell Trailers works nationally, with rental
customers including firms such as Norbert
Dentressangle, Potter Logistics, H&M
Distribution and Matthew Kibble Transport.
When first founded, the business focussed
on trailer sales before moving in to the
rental market. In 1996 Tom Abernethy joined
as a director, bringing with him a wealth of
experience. Trailer rentals now make up 80 per
Directors Tom Abernethy and Michael Bell with Bell Trailers’ Commemorative 25th Anniversary trailer
cent of the company’s business.
Managing director, Michael Bell, believes that
dedicated customer service and responsiveness
to customer needs is a key factor in their
success and longevity.
Michael said: “The last 25 years have seen a
lot of hard work and dedication from all involved
and I am incredibly proud of what we have
achieved to date. We have evolved with the
times to become one of the largest privately
owned companies of our kind in the UK, or
commitment to our customers remains at the
heart of everything we do.”
East Lancashire law firm ISSL launches after-care
breaks £5m mark
department
An East Lancashire law firm has achieved a record turnover result 12
months since two of the region’s largest law firms merged.
ISSL, based in Rawtenstall, Rossendale, has built a reputation for website
design and build with over 300 customers.
Woodcocks joined forces with East Lancashire solicitors Haworth and
Nuttall in late 2012 to create new firm Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall.
Now the company is launching a new service – website after care.
The expanded firm has achieved sales of £5m in its first 12 months and has
seen its head count pass the 100-employee mark.
Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall now has seven North West offices in
Accrington, Bacup, Bury, Blackburn, Haslingden, Great Harwood and
Rawtenstall, and senior figures at the firm are looking to create new jobs
across the offices in the coming year.
Business chief celebrates
‘exciting partnership’
Clear roads ahead
Business leader Mike Damms joined dozens of
East Lancashire firms in marking a prestigious
partnership between fast-rising Holker Network
Solutions, Colne and global giants Ricoh, the
world number one in print management.
Last year the Met Office reported temperatures
as low as -15.6ºC in Lincolnshire as well as 16cm
of snow fall in North Yorkshire and Herefordshire
underlining the unpredictability and hostility of
the British winter weather.
Mike, who is chief executive of the East
Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, was main
guest at a special launch evening held at Holker
Network Solution headquarters.
Nick Leadley, one of the directors of the
Hoddlesden based business, volunteered their
specialist Multihog vehicle with an operator, free
of charge, to plough and grit the rural Lancashire
village as it was unsafe for the conventional
Council gritters to access the narrow lanes.
“It is always encouraging to hear of businesses
from our region expanding into new areas
and for Holker Network Solutions, one of our
most vibrant young companies, to achieve this
exciting partnership with a world-renowned
brand is clearly a major step forward,” he said.
The launch saw Ricoh display its latest range
of multi-function devices, scanners and
printers – including world’s first short-throw noinstallation-required projector.
“We were delighted with the turn-out, the great
reaction of all guests and the clear potential for
business generated by the event,” said Russell
Pirie, new business dealer sales manager for
Ricoh UK. “Our partnership with Holker Network
Solutions brings the most up-to-the-minute office
Checking out the new machines, left to right, Matthew
Metcalfe, Russell Pirie and Mike Damms
technology right here to the East Lancashire
business community.”
Matthew Metcalfe, managing director at Holker
Network Solutions, said: “Ricoh is a massive
global technology company and the partnership
presents a great opportunity for us. We have
invested in the setting up of a dedicated
print division, with fully-trained engineers
and experienced management, and are very
confident that we can give local businesses not
only the best products but also the highest levels
of service and support.”
With winter on the way Lancashire firm
Multihog’s machines help to clear paths, roads
and runways across the UK.
Coun Dave Harling, executive member for
regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Borough
Council, said: “The weather causes real issues
for local residents in this area and now thanks to
Nick, it is now safer for people to get to and from
their homes and the school.”
Lisa Thomson, Sales Director at ISSL said: “We should have done this
years ago! Websites are vulnerable to constant updates in technology
and changes in legislation. Keeping a website compliant and working
at optimum efficiency is an on-going challenge no matter its size and
complexity.
“When the website leaves the ‘showroom’ it requires care and support
through maintenance and we now have a specialist department to offer this.”
David McCann, senior partner at Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall, said:
“The integration of the firms has been a huge success. We knew from the
outset both firms shared similar values and various teams have blended
together seamlessly.
“The opportunity has always been about creating a firm that can offer
greater reach and range of services to existing clients of both firms. We
have achieved this while attracting new clients.”
Over recent years the legal industry has undergone a raft of changes
including the introduction the Legal Services Act which allows non law firms
to provide legal services and law firms to receive external investment.
Likewise, there are huge changes in the way legal cases are funded with
cuts in Legal Aid.
David McCann added: “Make no mistake, the legal sector is in for some
major changes and many traditional firms will struggle. However, the
demand for high quality, value for money legal advice has never been
higher and this is a space we believe we can excel in.
“Given our location and expertise we also feel we can provide a suitable
alternative to larger, more expensive city centre firms.“
Woodcocks was founded in 1791 and Haworth and Nuttall in 1877.
Lisa Spann (left), business development director at ISSL with Emily Jo Sutcliffe,
web designer and manager of the new After Care Department.
LIFE
business
8\ ROUND-UP
/9
Auto-enrolment
Speakman honoured for
apprenticeships achievement – can you afford
Speakman Contractors is celebrating after
being named as one of the North West’s best
apprenticeship employers in the regional final of
the National Apprenticeship Awards 2013.
The business won the Medium Employer of
the Year award and went forward to the final
national judging stage.
The National Apprenticeship Awards celebrate
the achievements of the country’s most
outstanding apprenticeship employers and their
apprentices and Speakman Contractors beat off
tough competition from many employers across
the region to secure the award title.
Director Christopher Speakman said: “We’re
delighted to have won this prestigious award.
Both my brother Andrew and I completed
modern apprenticeships before setting up this
business and therefore knew first-hand how
important apprenticeships are, not only to the
individual in terms of their career development,
but employers too.
“We believe that our apprenticeship model is
exceptional. We have made a considerable
investment over the years to ensure it provides
our staff with the skill sets to help them achieve
their goals.
“One of the standout areas for us is that we
have made a conscious decision to retain our
apprentices for the first year and train them inhouse across all our trades including electrical,
plumbing, heating and joinery. This not only gives
them invaluable experience and a head start but
ensures they have made the right career choice
before starting college.”
Speakman Contractors provide clients across
the North West with building services from
planned and reactive facilities maintenance,
through to design and installation. Both Andrew
and Christopher Speakman are members of
the Burnley College Advisory Board, which
helps to steer the way its courses are delivered
and ensures that the content is relevant to the
industry and up to date.
not to comply?
Businesswise Solutions has teamed Financial
Affairs and Lancashire Business View to launch
the first Insurance Buying Group of its kind in
the UK.
The Government has recently introduced
legislation that will legally enforce every
employer in the country to offer a workplace
pension scheme to their employees and make
contributions toward them.
By harnessing the collaborative purchasing
power of companies across the region, the
Insurance Wise group guarantees a minimum 5
per cent saving on business insurance spend for
every joining member.
This is the biggest development in the pension
world for the last century. The scheme started
in October 2012 for the largest of employers
while many SME’s duties will commence
throughout 2014.
Peter Catlow, the Businesswise Solutions
director leading the proposal, said: “This is an
opportunity for businesses across the region
to work together to enjoy big savings on their
insurance spend.
Mark Ashton of Ashton Hoyle IFA said: “The
Pensions Regulator is taking automatic
enrolment very seriously and will not sympathise
with those that show ignorance to the legislation
– several notices are being sent out months
before the duties apply – better known as the
staging date.”
“We have committed to a minimum 5 per cent
saving on all current rates for members, but the
more companies who join the group, the better
our purchasing power, so the savings really
could be quite substantial.
Fines will be issued on a daily basis, on top of an
on-spot fine, to those that have not complied by
their staging date. For a business that employs
just five members of staff, their daily fine will
accumulate to £500, as well as a £400 fixed penalty.
That is a staggering £15,000 per month. With
expertise in pensions and a dedicated automatic
enrolment department, Ashton Hoyle can ensure
that these fines are avoided, compliance is
met, costs are kept to a minimum, your workers
receive the best deal and your business’
reputation will remain undamaged. You are
advised to act instantaneously upon receiving
your notice; the preparations that need to be
completed for auto-enrolment will take between
twelve and eighteen months.
Speakman apprenticeship team with Christopher and Andrew Speakman
Staying creative after 30 years
2013 marks a special year for Creativeworld, as the company celebrates 30 successful years in the
design and marketing industry.
Over the past three decades they have gone through some exciting times, none more so than the
present, and they have witnessed major changes within the industry.
The company was started by current managing director Clive Wood with a team of only two,
before moving to its first official premises in Accrington six months later. Originally christened CW
Advertising Agency, the company started out primarily in the printing and advertising sectors working
closely with local companies like Stuart Frazer, FD Sims and Broughtons.
Now 30 years on, and many late nights in the office later, they find ourselves with a new name, a new
state-of-the-art home in Altham, employing an expert team of over twenty five highly talented individuals.
Clive said: “I’ve seen the design and marketing industry change dramatically over the last 30 years;
the emergence of the online market especially has altered the way we operate and develop as a
business, with social media and online advertising now becoming a necessity to our clients.
“We have enjoyed many ups and downs over the years, but the fact we have continued to deliver
work of the highest quality year on year shows there is an even brighter future ahead of us, so here’s
to the next 30 years. Bring it on I say!”
Keep it local, buy it local
Mark added: “If you decide not to take advice well
in advance, there is a high possibility that we will
be unable to assist you to comply as the demand
for advice and guidance will dramatically increase
as staging dates approach. This will leave you
exposed to complete the following preparations or
alternatively, pay the price!”
Businesses that hold a total of 59-499 staff will
have a staging date during 2014 and each of
these employers should have already started
their preparations. As this covers a huge number
of businesses, pension providers are limiting
their applicants; they are choosing to offer
schemes to the most profitable of companies and
those with the smallest burden of administration.
Providers may turn away from those that have
not implemented a scheme six months before
their staging date, hence preparations must
begin now.
“Our message to all business owners would be
to engage with Auto Enrolment obligations at
the earliest opportunity. In business as in our
personal lives, ’forewarned is forearmed‘ and
ignorance in this case will result in a painful
outcome,” Mark added.
Businesswise Solutions, a cost reduction and
purchase management specialist, is working in
partnership with independent insurance brokers,
Financial Affairs who have over 40 years’
experience in the insurance market.
Peter said: “We are offering an extensive list of
benefits for all joining members, including long
term rate agreements, enhanced credit terms,
free advice from HSE executives and HR support.
We will also provide trade specific cover
enhancements and policy wording in order to
meet individual needs.”
The Insurance Wise Buying Group follows the
launch of the company’s successful Energy
Buying Group model earlier this year, tackling the
rising costs of gas and electricity head on.
Peter said: “The concept makes perfect sense
to us as a business; as we can significantly
reduce costs if buying as a group, and the more
members who sign up to the offer, the better the
cost savings we can achieve.”
Lancashire Business View publisher Richard
Slater added: “The uptake on our energy buying
programme showed that there is a real hunger in
the county to cut the cost of essential spend by
pooling our buying power.”
MEMBER NEWS IN BRIEF
Eric Twigg Foods, the family run business which
supplies products to the catering industry, has
installed a brand new IT system at its head
offices in Rotherham to improve the efficiency of
its business processes and security. The system
was designed and installed by Chorley-based
Secure Assure, the IT support and security
services company.
Taylor Patterson continues to grow with
three new appointments. Craig Hugo joins the
employee benefits team, while Beverley Reardon
and Graeme Marshall join the financial planning
department.
The Wellbeing Farm Cookery School in Bolton
has won the award for ‘Best Use of Local
Produce’ at the national 2013 British Cookery
School Awards. The Wellbeing Farm also
landed a Gold Green Tourism Award recently.
Victoria Ellis is the new East Lancashire
recruitment specialist for fast growing
Barrowford business Ashberry Recruitment.
A quick search on Google for ‘Sustainable Recruitment’
throws up an impressive 12,000 results. It sounds like
a policy that all Company’s would like to work to,
especially with the growing shortage of talent, but
there seem very few examples of it in practice. In fact,
there weren’t any, so recently we developed our own:
Whilst there is no one single definition of Sustainable
Procurement, typical explanations involve ‘using best
practice to strike a whole life balance between price,
quality, environmental, economic and social factors’
To take this one step further, maybe a Sustainable
Recruitment policy would be one where an employer
aims to recruit and retain staff based on the whole life
costs of recruitment, retention and development, whilst
taking into account the wider environmental, economic
and social implications of managing a labour force.
Which leads us on to the next question – what
environmental, economic and social factors should an
employer consider?
How about:
• Send news to Darren Grantham [email protected]
A long-serving employee at a leading Colne
business has retired after 51 years at the
company. John Bradbury, 66, has hung up his
overalls after half a century working at
Foulds Lifts.
Sustainable Recruitment
as part of the Supply Chain
Class of Your Own based in Sabden have
welcomed the government’s chief construction
advisor’s support to an innovative and practical
new qualification which aims to inspire the
next generation of architects, engineers and
construction professionals.
Cummins Mellor operations director Michelle
Mellor took to the saddle once again and cycled
snow roads to raise money for their chosen
cancer charity, Rosemere Cancer Foundation
based in Lancashire.
Kirk Environmental, part of Kirk Group, is set
to begin construction for a new Anaerobic
Digestion Plant at Glendullan Distillery in
Banffshire.
Peter Dickinson, one of the area’s high
growth coaches, has been working with a
Growth-Accelerator client, Alpha Rework and
Warehousing in Bacup, who are developing a
business incubator for web entrepreneurs
HSE has reviewed and updated the Workplace
Regulations Approved Code of Practice (ACOP)
to make it easier for employers, building
owners, landlords and managing agents to
understand and meet their legal obligations and
so reduce the risks of over compliance.
• Supporting the local economy by employing local talent
wherever possible
• Engaging with Educational Establishments and Training
Providers to ensure that the local workforce have the
necessary skills for the job
• Working with employees on an on-going basis to
encourage participation in Community initiatives
• Working with local Recruiters, who respect these
policies and who will also work towards these goals
In some ways this sounds like just another CSR initiative.
but it does have sound economic grounds – building
long term value by investing in the local workforce
through a committed and trusted Recruitment Partner.
To be an integral part of the Supply Chain a recruiter
needs to be able to demonstrate knowledge, customer
service, professionalism, robust processes and above all
success. To be successful in todays competitive labour
market, means working ever more closely with potential
candidates and the wider community, as this is where
the workforce of the future is likely to come from.
Can it work? Who knows?
But I do know of one Recruiter already trying to live by
these principles…
Contact us today to discover how we can help resolve
your staffing issues, from recruitment, to training to
employee relations. Call us on 01282 430138 or email
us [email protected]
Or to learn more visit our website www.nevillegee.co.uk
or follow us on twitter: @geejobs
Tim Oldfield is a director
of Neville Gee Ltd, who are
Diamond Ambassadors and
East Lancashire’s longest
established independent
recruitment company
LIFE
business
10\ MY BUSINESS LIFE:
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GARETH FRANKLAND – ACDC
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“The staff have really taken ownership in what
has been the development of a world-class
manufacturing facility.”
Growing the business organically is important
to the company, not just in terms of profit, but in
ensuring acdc is of a size that allows it to be a
heavyweight in its sector.
Gareth says: “It is not just a pipedream. We can
genuinely see how we can get there. We have a
clear plan.
The future is looking bright for a business based
in East Lancashire that continues to light up the
world.
Speaking to Gareth Frankland, the livewire
chief executive of Barrowford-based acdc is
an illuminating experience. His company is a
global player in its sector, with offices in London
and Dubai and markets in 60 countries. And it’s
showing no sign of slowing down.
The firm moved into new offices earlier this year
and has just had a visit from the Duke of Kent,
who officially opened its new manufacturing line
in its second site in the village.
Gareth, 38, became chief executive four years
ago, led a management buyout last year and has
created a new management team that has its
focus firmly on growth.
The company is an international lighting force
with a portfolio of technology-leading LED
products. It’s working on multi-million pound
contracts in the Gulf and Gareth believes it is
only at the beginning of its journey.
The vision is to treble the size of the company
in the next three years – with turnover of
£22-25million already in its sights.
“The market is growing and we are wellpositioned with great new products and an
effective sales team.
“We’re also challenging our supply chain –
making sure it can keep up. We use a lot of local
suppliers as well as international ones.
“They have got the opportunity to treble in size.
Are they capable and interested in doing that? If
not, that can be a problem.”
He adds: “We’ve put a lot of structure in for
growth and that can be quite challenging
“The good thing is that in the last two quarters
of this year we can’t stop people wanting stuff,
which is fantastic. Our sales team is working
really hard. What’s on the horizon is really
positive and we currently have around 50 per
cent of our work overseas.
“We have been growing throughout the
recession, something like 20-30 per cent year
on year. That’s because LED is a very strong
market and it is expanding rapidly. It is industrychanging technology and we are at the forefront
of that.
“However, there is also a feeling that the
construction industry is starting to move forward
now, which has to be another positive in terms of
the growth we are looking for.
“There is more of a feelgood factor around. I
won’t say it’s easy, but we are seeing projects that
we have been working on and have been in the
pipeline for a long time – two to three years – now
moving forward. The funding is now in place.”
Looking overseas he adds: “Saudi is massive for
us, we are about to have a really big two years in
Saudi. They are building cities from the ground
out there.
“We’re working on hotels for clients around
Mecca and contracts in the King Abdullah
financial district in Riyadh.
“Then there is our £4.5m Oman airport contract –
which will play a huge part for us next year. It is
fair to say the pipeline is very strong.”
The acdc staff is now up to 120 and continuing to
grow. As well as the two sites in Barrowford the
company has a warehouse operation in Colne
and operations in London and Dubai.
Gareth says: “We’ve got the structure in the
business now that we need for the next three
years. Key management positions are occupied
and we’ve got the right team in place.
“We’ve brought people into senior roles and
bedding them in takes time; it is surprising how
long it can take.”
The Royal visit to its manufacturing operation
came out of acdc’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise
in International Trade.
Gareth says: “It is great that he visited
our manufacturing site. It is recognition of
the massive changes and challenges our
manufacturing operation has taken on in the past
12 months.
Gareth adds: “LED still has a long way to run. In
terms of application it is in its early teens as a
technology.
“In terms of what’s next for us, we are very much
focused on delivering what we are promising.
We are very confident we can achieve what we
have set out to do.
“The important thing is to bring people along as
part of the business. People are this business;
we put a large amount of time and effort
developing people.
“This is a fun place to work and that’s very much
part of the culture and massively important to me
personally. You have to have fun.”
Me and my Chamber
“We have been long-term members. At the
moment we are looking to break into Russia
and the chamber has been a major help.
We had been struggling to contact people and
get people to respond. Through the chamber
that has changed. Once it got involved we got
instant responses and meetings.
It has a great intelligence network that
we can tap into and it adds value and
recognition that we are a serious business. It
gives us credibility when looking overseas.
We have gone through a lot of growing pains
in the last five to 10 years and we now export
to 60 different international markets. The
chamber has helped that happen.”
The Duke of Kent on a recent royal visit to acdc
LIFE
business
DIAMOND AMBASSADOR PROFILES
Adrac provide marketing services focused on return
on investment. Specialising in online marketing, our
services include Pay Per Click Advertising, Search Engine
Optimisation and Website Optimisation.
The Cardboard Box Company Ltd is recognised within
the industry as being a progressive forward thinking
company with one of the most modern corrugated carton
manufacturing plants in the country. Headquartered in Church Lancashire the company is ranked in
the top ten agencies operating in the UK for both Pay Per Click
and Search Engine Optmisation making Adrac the combined top
UK based agency for the delivery of online marketing solutions!
We are BRC Accredited, Grade A Low Risk, and also FSC certified.
In house design and graphic teams can create sample packaging
with fast turnaround for concept testing before volume
production. We are a fast paced company always pushing for
new technology to provide the highest quality service to our
customers. We invest to grow as a business whilst also increasing
the quality of our product. We are proud of our ability to meet
and exceed customer requirements.
Our measure is conversions driven from online activity, as this is
what we are directly able to influence. Our staff are passionate
about conversions and complimentary technologies that
improve our ability to track performance, recommendations
on new product lines based on search trends and competitor
analysis, price comparisons or new order processes, website
improvements they won’t be shy.
For more information, please call 0845 020 4337
www.adrac.co.uk
For more information, please call 01254 232223
www.thecardboardbox.co.uk
Napthens provides a wide range of legal services to meet the
needs of both businesses and individuals.
Nelson and Colne College has been judged ‘Outstanding’
in two full inspections since 2005 and we were awarded
prestigious Beacon College status in 2006 – an award offered
to the best colleges in the country. We are also recognised
for excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics, having been awarded STEM Assured® status
by the New Engineering Foundation (NEF).
From offices across Lancashire, including our East Lancashire
base in Blackburn, we act for businesses across a range of
industries, dealing with clients locally, regionally and nationally.
With over 200 staff structured into specialist teams, Napthens
provides real strength in depth across services – ensuring all
clients receive a personalised, tailored advice.
Whether you require strategic advice to help grow your business;
day to day operational support; or advice on planning for exit,
you’ll find our advisers are real specialists in their field.
Services include: Corporate and commercial • Commercial and
residential property • Construction & engineering • Debt
recovery • Dispute resolution and litigation • HR & employment
• Intellectual property • Licensing
Services for individuals including estate planning and wealth
management, family & divorce
For more information, please call 01254 667733
www.napthens.co.uk
We are proud of our long-standing reputation for providing
outstanding education. Whole generations of families have
benefited from the education they received with us and other
colleges and training providers frequently look to us to share our
best practice.
Many of our teachers are examiners and Ofsted Inspectors;
and we also work closely with businesses in East Lancashire to
ensure that our educational provision matches the workforce
requirements of the local area, ensuring that our young people
leave us with real skills for real life.
For more information, please call 01282 440200
www.nelson.ac.uk
The Chamber is proud to mark the first anniversary
of its Diamond Ambassador membership group.
We launched the programme to mark Queen
Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. Since then we have
successfully created a group of 60 East Lancashire
businesses who work closely with the Chamber
to support a range of topics and opinions that
span all sectors. We cap the number of Diamond
Ambassadors to just three per sector.
Diamond Ambassadors benefit from regular business
leaders lunches providing CEO level networking and
access to keynote speakers plus a range of other select
benefits. If you feel that your business would benefit from
becoming a Diamond Ambassador, please call Darren
Grantham on 01254 356433 or email d.grantham@
chamberelancs.co.uk.
Lancashire Constabulary Eastern Division is geographically
one of the largest Divisions in Lancashire, covering
approximately 100,000 acres, with a population of over
272,926 residents in both rural and urban areas. There are
a broad range of people in terms of their age, race, culture
and expectations and they also possess a variety of cultural
backgrounds and many different religions including
Christianity, Muslim, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Sikhism.
Moorhouse’s Brewery (Burnley) Limited was founded in 1865
and is now the North West’s largest dedicated Cask Ale Brewery,
our master brewers have won more awards for quality beers
than any other brewer in the UK, of a comparable size and
continue to collect awards for innovation as well as quality.
Eastern Division contains the Unitary Authority area of Blackburn
with Darwen and the Boroughs of Hyndburn (Accrington,
Baxenden, Church, Clayton le Moors, Great Harwood, Huncoat,
Oswaldtwistle and Rishton) and the Ribble Valley. The Division is
culturally diverse with the vibrant town of Blackburn contrasting
with the rural beauty of the Ribble Valley.
The whole team at Moorhouse’s are passionate about the great
British heritage drink, beer, the finest quality raw ingredients used,
the quality control aspect of brewing, the finished product created,
the customer we sell to and the consumer who we do all this for.
There are many challenges to reducing crime and keeping people
safe, but all officers at Eastern strive to serve the public to the
best of their abilities.
Being situated under the shadow of Pendle Hill, the home of the
Pendle Witches, we create the “perfect spell” using malt and hops
for all discerning drinkers to enjoy.
For more information, please call 0845 125 3545
www.lancashire.police.uk
For more information, please call 01282 422864
www.moorhouses.co.uk
Northcote is an award-winning restaurant with rooms
offering total luxury and comfort in the Ribble Valley.
Run jointly by Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft since 1983,
Northcote is situated on the edge of the Ribble Valley.
The New Northcote Cookery School is ideal for corporate
entertaining. Share our obsession, learn and love to cook, whilst
challenging yourself and developing new skills and techniques.
Unique and exclusive, entertain your clients in the NEW Chef ’s
Table. This is truly an interactive experience. The chefs and Front
of House Team will guide you through each course, sharing their
knowledge. Perfectly positioned with uninterrupted views of the
pass you will witness the vibrancy, the theatre, drama and skills
required to create your menu. Moorhouse’s Brands can now be enjoyed throughout the country
and further afield where we enjoy a buoyant export market for
our bottled range.
We are only as good as the last pint of beer our consumer drinks
so we get it right every time.
Superfast Lancashire will bring high-speed broadband
available to 97% of Lancashire homes and businesses by the
end of 2015 and is a partnership between Lancashire County
Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackpool Council
and BT. The partnership will have a radical and positive
impact across the whole of the county and represents the
biggest single investment in rural broadband anywhere in
the world. And it’s coming to you!
One of the most innovative aspects of Superfast Lancashire is its
accompanying Business Support programme that’s based at the
Lancashire Business Park. The Business Support programme is
designed to help show Lancashire’s SMEs how to get the best
from superfast broadband. It’s all about helping businesses
to use fibre broadband to develop, grow or improve their
effectiveness.
All of it free of charge.
For more information, please call 01254 240555
www.northcote.com
For more information, please contact
[email protected]
www.superfastlancashire.com
14\ THE DEBATING CHAMBER:
BUSINESS GROWTH
Chris Scott, Taylors Solicitors
half a million and up to about £30-35m. I am
lending £14m more than at the beginning of the
year. At the same time I have got £32m more in
savings than I had at the beginning of the year.
The problem is the confidence of businesses to
invest and make purchases to grow, rather than
the bank holding businesses back.
/15
Mark Stokes, Red Plane
out of people these days. For the SME trying to
get finance the banks are far more conservative
now. Unless you’ve got very strong cash
generation through your books, it’s very difficult
to access finance.
Andrew White: The lending criteria haven’t
“The problem is the confidence of businesses to invest and
make purchases to grow, rather than the bank holding
businesses back.”
As Britain slowly emerges from recession we ask our panel of experts what the major obstacles to business growth are for
companies in East Lancashire?
What factors are currently limiting business
growth?
Christine Lambe: One of the biggest issues is
having the right calibre of staff, with the right
skills, in the right position, at the right time. Your
people are your most important asset. Investing
That is drifting through to business; there is more
confidence. I visited a client in construction
yesterday who said we were powering out of
recession.
year. We’ve had precious little outside support
from any government enterprise. Access to it is
very difficult, trying to get out and find the right
people to talk to is a serious challenge.
Chris Scott: There are mixed messages out there.
Generally the perception is there’s no money
Mark Stokes: I’ve been a freelance consultant
for three years and a business with multiple
clients, around six to 12 months. My first
challenge has been the transition, getting the
business going. I’ve had to build it very slowly.
Another challenge is the management of
information in a small business. You start to miss
things, you forget meetings or you forget tasks
that need to be done, because you just can’t
manage the information. It’s having access to IT
systems and knowing how to use them.
“Your people are your most important asset. Investing in
them is absolutely crucial to growth.”
in them is absolutely crucial to growth. Other
issues are maintaining a competitive edge
and making sure you have the right product
for the right marketplace, along with help with
funding. The government needs to ensure there
is the appropriate funding in place for small
businesses.
Tony Reynolds: There are a lot of businesses in a
position to grow with access to finance and they
probably have ideas and potential but they’re still
just sitting and waiting.
Andrew White: Confidence has been a big factor
in limiting companies’ ambitions. People have
grown bored of austerity and all of a sudden
they’ve realised things aren’t as bad as they have
been. They feel a bit more confident about going
out to spend and we’ve seen that in the recovery.
to spend. People are very conservative and
want to make sure they’ve money for that rainy
day. On the upside, niche businesses,certainly
if they’re focused on export, are doing better.
In manufacturing, engineering and textiles,
work is coming back from China. The feedback
from construction is we’re slowly coming out of
recession. Next year it will take off.
Nigel Eastwood: In the last couple of years
we have grown in a recession, because we’re
a niche business. We’re an internet service
provider operating at the value end of the
market. The challenges have been occupancy
and recruitment, getting the right people at the
right time. Another challenge as we grow is
professional development, getting access to
good training locally. I need to train my staff to
retain them. We’re growing 70 per cent year-on-
Tony Reynolds: It’s an emotional thing as much
as anything else. A lot of businesses have had a
selection of bad experiences going to the bank
over a period of time. It’s holding them back from
going again.
Chris Scott: The old-fashioned relationship you
had with your bank meant they were lending to
a person and had confidence in that person. The
numbers had to stack up but they were investing
in that individual.
Nigel Eastwood: I’ve sat in the past three years
with banks and they have all said the same
things, ’We’re open for business‘ and ’we’re
being far more objective in the way we approach
our lending.‘ Ultimately nothing has changed.
Cash for our business isn’t too difficult but I
fear for those that don’t have ready access to
quasi-private equity that I’ve got now. It’s very
difficult. The banking covenants scare the hell
changed. You want to see credible, experienced
management that you think can run that
business. You want cash flow and you want to
be repaid. You want to have confidence that the
business is generating cash and there needs
to be a balance between what you have in the
business as the bank and what the owners of the
business have at stake.
Have the number of requests for loans changed
over recent years?
Andrew White: It’s significantly lower than it was
in 2007. It appears to be increasing, so in the last
six months I’d say that there’s been an upturn. I’d
like to see many, many more. I’d like to be being
asked much, much more.
Mark Stokes: Getting that good relationship with
the bank initially is the problem. If people come
and look at me I’m a small and a new business. I
Nigel Eastwood, New Call Telecom
don’t have the history, I don’t have the turnover.
You are fighting so hard to get that initial growth
and this is why people still have to rely on angel
investors.
Nigel Eastwood: When you look outside the angel
investor network, the next logical place, before
you go to the bank, is private equity. Access to
that initial seed capital is extremely difficult.
Tony Reynolds: I’m increasingly seeing start-ups
going to new and different, alternative funding
sources. It is a generational thing, they are
looking away from the banks and looking to
communities.
What would unlock the opportunity for faster
business growth?
Christine Lambe: Buy British.
Tony Reynolds: Technology. Improve the
infrastructure, make sure there’s access
everywhere; that and sales.
Mark Stokes: Developing my market place.
Andrew White: Export and sales skills.
Chris Scott: Training, right across the board.
Being alive to IT opportunities and how that
improves productivity.
Nigel Eastwood: Emerging markets. We’re about
to launch in India. The Philippines, Malaysia,
South America and Latin America are areas that
we’re going to focus on over the next five years.
The biggest thing we’ve done this year is sales
training for eight weeks through our entire firm
and it’s been revolutionary.
Is getting finance still an obstacle to growing or
have banks started to make lending easier?
Andrew White: The temptation is to group all
banks together. HSBC is in a very different
position in terms of its capital and liquidity to
the state-owned banks or even some of the
smaller banks which seem, sadly, near collapse.
There has been a temptation from businesses
to approach their bank, get an answer they
haven’t wanted and to give up at that stage.
I’m now lending five per cent more than at the
beginning of the year. I’m talking about lending
to businesses primarily with turnover between
Andrew White, HSBC
Tony Reynolds, Cassons Chartered Accountants
Christine Lambe, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
LIFE
business
16\ SECTOR SPOTLIGHT:
GREEN TECHNOLOGIES
in association with
/17
Tech firms don’t let green grass grow underfoot
Two Burnley-based green tech companies are
generating powerful growth that bodes well for
the industry’s future in East Lancashire.
The Low Carbon Energy Company, a specialist
installer of energy saving technology, will
see turnover rise to some £2 m this year – an
increase of 60 per cent on last year’s figure.
Meanwhile, renewable energy business Solarlec
PV Solutions is on course to turn over more than
£12m in 2013 – an increase of over 50 per cent on
the previous period.
is equally positive about the future of the green
tech industry in East Lancashire.
“We recently completed the design and build of
two energy efficient homes in Windermere, and
in the last six months installed 1MW of solar PV
on commercial property in the North West and
North Wales,” said Ged.
“Our approach is a holistic one where we look
at our clients’ current position and assist them
in planning and implementing energy saving
changes in their home or business.”
The Low Carbon Energy Company is currently
working with Themis at Burnley College to
deliver the first NVQ level 3 in renewable
technologies in the UK, a project that has taken
five years to develop.
Founded in 2009, Solarlec has become one of the
leading installers of domestic PV systems in the
UK and currently employs more than 120 people.
“October saw our best ever sales month, with
revenue in excess of £1.5m,” said Solarlec
director Nicholas Keighley.
“Up until this year we were mainly an installer
of domestic PV systems, but in 2013 we moved
into the commercial market and in February were
made an approved partner for the Siemens/
Carbon Trust energy efficiency finance scheme.”
In addition, Solarlec has entered the commercial
biomass sector and is on target in install £2m
of biomass boilers in 2013. At The Low Carbon
Energy Company, operations director Ged Ennis
TEAM UP TO GREEN UP
Potentially massive investment is available
to build East Lancashire’s green tech sector –
provided the region’s key stakeholders work
together more closely.
This is the view of Joe Howe, professor of
sustainable development and director of the
Centre for Energy and Power Management
at UCLan.
“The period between now and 2020 will be a
time of enormous opportunities for green tech
Joe Howe businesses to develop products and services,
as well as for manufacturers to use low carbon
technology in their processes,” said Joe.
“However, there is a pressing need for businesses, universities, colleges
and local authorities to really build on collaboration and partnering if we
are to fully realise all the benefits associated with green tech. My concern
is that, although this is happening to some extent, we need to be working
together more effectively. ”
Joe believes East Lancashire must take advantage of the UK government’s
low carbon agenda, incorporated in the Energy Bill which is currently
before parliament.
“The bill, which is expected to enter the statute books in coming months,
represents the next stage in the government’s commitment to creating a
low carbon economy and contains significant incentives for businesses to
drive sustainable practices,” said Joe.
Just as importantly, European Structural Funding for 2014 to 2020 will
mean huge investment opportunities because one of the core themes is
carbon reduction.
“East Lancashire in particular has a very strong advanced manufacturing
supply chain and SMEs currently operating within this structure stand to
benefit hugely,” said Joe.
“East Lancashire also has the additional benefit of the enterprise zone
at Samlesbury, which is expected to generate a range of advanced
manufacturing opportunities, not least in the green tech industry.”
Solarlec directors Ged Rowbottom, Simon Bland and Nick Keighley
Securing skills
Texecom is Europe’s largest independent
security alarm manufacturer currently exporting
award-winning products to over 90 countries all
over the world.
Viktoria Hutchinson joined the export sales
department at Texecom as export sales manager
and recalls her thoughts after spending four days
on one of the Chamber’s export training courses
after Texecom felt it was important for Viktoria to
hone her negotiation skills and learn more about
payment and shipping terms.
Viktoria, who took the course for her Export
Sales Certificate, said: “The course itself was
very easily accessible and tightly packed with
useful information, and the group was small,
which made it easy for everyone to participate
and share their experiences.
of ideas of how to apply into practice newly
acquired knowledge and the confidence to win
new business.”
“It culminated with a lengthy negotiation with
an experienced buyer, who provided all of the
participants with the kind of feedback that you
rarely, if ever receive after a real negotiation.
“I left the Chamber of Commerce with a large
folder jam-packed with invaluable reference
information that I still use a year on, and plenty
Viktoria
Joe believes skills and training is another challenge that must be overcome
if the area’s green tech industry is to truly prosper.
“We must ensure we have the appropriate skills – for example in
engineering – to develop, deliver and market green tech products,” he said.
“UCLan’s Burnley campus is playing a key role in this respect and Burnley
College’s Green Tech Centre is especially welcome because it will help
provide the technical skills required by green tech manufacturers and
service providers.”
Access to funding is a further hurdle in the quest for green tech success,
in particular for large manufacturers looking to switch from existing
processes low carbon systems.
Looking ahead, Joe believes the future is encouraging for the green tech
industry. “There’s every reason to believe East Lancashire’s low carbon
technology sector can develop and grow as a result of the numerous
opportunities that will be available in coming years – but, at the risk of
sounding repetitive, we really must collaborate better to maximise the very
substantial benefits,” he said.
LIFE
business
The Nelson-based business was recently
awarded the largest anaerobic digestion (AD)
bolted tank order in the UK – a £4m programme
for utility giant Severn Trent.
In addition, Kirk Environmental – part of Kirk
Group – has also constructed the largest AD
tank in its history. The 10,000m³ unit in Malaysia
also underscores the company’s exporting
credentials, which include a first project in
Honduras, Central America.
to look into more sustainable options than
traditional ones such as wind.”
Loredana added: “Although the emergence of
green tech companies shows that people are
looking at the bigger picture, the sector’s dearth
of expertise in some areas means managing
expansion poses its own challenges. If this
growth can be effectively managed, the future
looks good.”
Kirk’s product portfolio comprises glassfused-to-steel tanks, epoxy coated steel tanks,
concrete tanks, biogas storage and steel
fabrication.
“Our particular sector is flourishing, despite
uncertainty from the government over payments
for investors,” said marketing and sales
manager, Loredana Emmerson. “The recent
disclosure of power shortages by one of the
major suppliers should encourage ministers
A wide range of options are available to East
Lancashire businesses looking to reduce their
carbon emissions and cut overhead costs.
A constantly expanding range of green
technologies available in the region includes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems Air and ground source heat pumps
Biomass boilers and gas condensing boilers
Rainwater harvesting Combined heat and power (CHP) systems LED lighting Wind turbines
Energy efficiency and monitoring systems
Heat recovery and air transfer
“There are a number of factors that businesses
must understand, and quickly,” said Ged Ennis of
the Low Carbon Energy Company. “Energy prices
are rising and will continue to rise; energy supply
is not currently able to keep up; and businesses
that take action now will win in the long run.”
Kirk Group - Cannock AD Plant, UK’s largest
Ged added: “Self-generation of electricity will
be a key to reducing costs for East Lancashire
businesses.”
Chase Templeton’s one of the UK’s largest health insurance providers have moved there
Blackburn based office to Arkwright Court on Blackburn Interchange. Lomas Office was
once again entrusted with the design and installation of the office furniture. Lomas took
the basic outline plans and transformed them into an a 2D design layout. Working with
their new in house designer Lomas gave Warren Dickson from Chase Templeton a birds
eye view of how the new 2 storey office would look. Warren said ‘Really happy with the
service, design and product recommendations Lomas Office gave us, I have already
recommended them to friends and will have no hesitation doing so in the future.’
www.lomasoffice.co.uk
In our regular dip into the big issues facing business in East Lancashire, we ask experts:
GALLERY: THE CHAMBER’S CURRY CLUB
Is the Government’s Help to Buy Scheme boosting the
construction sector?
Peter Boys, Boys Holdings
We have seen it in our house-building side
and our construction side where we’re
contractors for other developers; a lot of
interest and sales have been generated
as a consequence of the Help to Buy
scheme. We’ve been doing a scheme for
108 dwellings in Padiham - the first ten
sales are all Help to Buy. And our own
development, Springside in Rawtenstall,
has seen an increase in interest and a
significant number of the enquiries again
are Help to Buy.
It is kick-starting the market. I think it has
brought people to the market who would
have otherwise not have thought they
could afford to buy a new property. The
biggest worry we had was that it was
probably a little complicated for the buyer;
but it is functioning.
There have been a number of government
initiatives to get the market moving but some
of them were more applicable to larger
house builders. I think this one has really
appealed to the house buyer rather than the
developer. None of the other government
schemes have done what is necessary, but
Help to Buy has ticked the box where we are
concerned as a smaller developer.
Chris Scott, Taylors Solicitors
Guy Shorrock, Aldrock Surveyors
I don’t think it’s addressing the housing
shortage, so it’s not getting houses built.
Secondly it is driving up house prices:
Redrow recently recorded an 11 per cent
increase. In the Southeast gazumping is
back. They’re not good signs in the market
place. I feel all this is doing is driving up
house prices; inflating the market.
It’s a really good idea on one side, but there
are potential problems.
First-time buyers will be helped so long as
house prices stay within a certain bracket.
Once you get beyond that it is beyond their
means, so by driving up the market price
properties that were previously affordable
are now unaffordable, so it’s self defeating.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
(RICS)has said that a generation won’t get
on the housing ladder. It is because there
are so few new houses being built that the
price is being driven up across the board.
What they should have focused on was
getting more land released and making
the planning process quicker. They say
they’re doing it but I don’t think it’s actually
happening.
We are worryingly going back to the criteria
that caused the collapse in 2008 – high
loan-to-value and high loan-to-income
ratios, and this is all happening in a volatile
employment market and a very uncertain
economic climate.
LIFE
business
MAYBE
Liquid and biogas storage specialist Kirk
Environmental is demonstrating impressive
development in domestic and global markets.
Going green in
the workplace
/19
NO
Nelson firm stores up
sustainable success
YES / NO / MAYBE
YES
18\ SECTOR SPOTLIGHT
It’s good because it gives house-builders
another selling opportunity to people
who currently couldn’t afford to put the
necessary deposit down; it’s a really good
scheme for people who can afford a much
larger mortgage but can’t afford the deposit.
There are lots of people sitting in £100,000
terraced houses who want to move up to a
£200,000 property and it’s fantastic for them
because deposits are the only thing holding
them back.
The downside is it risks repeating what we
saw five years ago, giving away mortgages.
Those people who aren’t sensible about it
will find themselves not being able to afford
the repayments.
I’d recommend it to any house builder, just
because it opens up that extra door. I’ve
advised some of my developer clients to
get involved and have done the research
around it for them; so yes, people are
gearing up for it, and it should help
construction.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for the buyer
and the builder if it’s done correctly and
they don’t create a bubble as happened
back when they were giving 100 per cent
mortgages. We have to hope they do follow
the stringent rules and the affordability
calculations and don’t just give it away.
Be part of our Business Life!
Advertise from £185 and reach
6,000 potential buyers!
For advertising and sponsorship contact Valerie Lomas: [email protected] or
01254 297871
LIFE
business
20\ DISTRICT EYE: HYNDBURN
/21
Boxing clever
Online retailer Cleverboxes has more than
quadrupled turnover from £4.3m to £18m in the
last four years after investing heavily in leadingedge digital technology.
The Altham-based business operates in
numerous marketplaces including Tesco,
Amazon, eBay, Play.com, FNAC and Flubit, as
well as through its own web-based channels.
It supplies technology, consumer electronics and
home furnishing products, as well as garden and
power tools, to a global market.
“Our integrated software and managed service
solution allows niche manufacturers and
wholesalers to sell their products in numerous
multichannel marketplaces with front-end customer
services delivered by Cleverboxes,” explained
owner and managing director Vernon Yerkess.
Hyndburn forges ahead
Economic growth is a top priority in Hyndburn
and the borough council is taking a hands-on
approach to working with local businesses to
drive job and wealth creation.
Strategically located at the axis of the M65 and
M66 corridors, the borough benefits from access
to a wide range of markets and suppliers as
well as a large labour pool, with some 480,000
households within a 30 minute commute.
“We’re currently working with developers
on three major sites located along the M65
David Welsby
corridor,” said council chief executive David
Welsby. “The infrastructure here is fantastic and the potential of these
sites to provide employment opportunities is second to none.
“We have some great success stories among firms based in the borough
and a number are looking to expand while staying in the area and holding
on to their staff and suppliers. The new sites will be able to accommodate
this expansion and also help us to attract new businesses.”
Willowbrook aims for quality-based growth
Hyndburn’s business base has a marked manufacturing bias, with a diverse
range of players including What More Plastics and Senator International
that have seen substantial growth in recent years – especially in thriving
export markets.
A business launched from the front room of
its founder has become one of Lancashire’s
fastest growing and most innovative home care
providers.
“We also have the likes of British Telecom and Micro P that are blue chip
companies in the telecoms and new technology sectors,” said David.
“Companies operating in these areas have enjoyed substantial expansion over
the past five years and we expect this to continue for the foreseeable future.”
David believes the outlook for Hyndburn is positive. “Many of our
manufacturing companies are reporting strong growth and developers are
working hard to bring forward new sites,” he said. “If anyone out there is
looking to relocate their business or thinking about starting out, then they
should get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk about how we can help.”
College is committed to supporting local firms
Accrington and Rossendale College
is strategically positioned to meet
the needs of both local employees
and employers.
The college places a heavy
emphasis on delivering tailored
provision through bespoke packages
for individual businesses.
Founded in 2002, the firm has driven its expansion
programme by building a bespoke cloud based
partner integration system. It recently demerged
its B2B operation, leaving Cleverboxes to focus
purely on the consumer market.
business development directorate
with the sole purpose of unearthing
what our local businesses require.
This has been hugely successful
and I feel it’s the way forward for all
education providers.”
Established in 2000 by Accrington entrepreneur
Elaine Brady, Hyndburn-based Willowbrook
currently employs 150 staff working from offices
in Oswaldtwistle and the Fylde Coast.
The company provides quality home care
services to adults with a range of medical issues
in Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Ribble Valley,
Hyndburn and Fylde.
Elaine’s entrepreneurial approach to delivering
cost-effective social care services was
recognised in 2011 when she was judged
Lancashire Businesswoman of the Year at the
Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs) and also
won the industry’s National Care Manager of the
Year Award.
“We have recognised the value of a partnership
approach to home care and introduced new
services that ensure clients have access to more
holistic services, such as our new foot care
service and client day café,” said Elaine.
Willowbrook is currently involved in the
consultation process for the county council’s
new framework of home care service providers.
“Our immediate ambition is to succeed in the
tender process,” added business development
manager Pamela Hill. “This will enable us to
continue providing high quality care delivered
by qualified staff who receive the pay and
recognition that reflects the value of the work
they do.”
“For larger, more established companies we have
a huge range of work-based qualifications. We
also have an extensive apprenticeship provision
that is second to none and can be delivered to suit
employers’ specific needs.”
“We have integrated with a number of platforms
and marketplaces such as Tesco and Amazon
and now plan to integrate with new traditional
bricks and mortar establishments to give them a
‘clicks and mortar’ platform.”
Engineering firm
has a proud past
and bright future
Founded in 1889, TClarke is one of the leading
and longest established mechanical and
electrical contractors in the country.
Formerly known as D&S Engineering Facilities,
the business merged with the TClarke group of
companies in 2010 to become part of a plc with a
combined turnover of £180m.
Accrington-based TClarke North West is strongly
positioned in the construction industry, with a
skilled and motivated workforce.
“As a business we are unique in what we can
offer our clients,” said Ryan Pearce, facilities
management team leader at TClarke North
West. “We feel this has helped us ride out
the recession because we have reacted and
adapted where the market has required us to.
The college has a strong track
record of assisting companies of all
sizes, from start-ups through SMEs
to large corporates.
“Time and again we hear the local
community is not trained to meet
the needs of employers, creating a
Tamsin Deasey “For newer businesses, we are the
skills gap in Pennine Lancashire,”
only college in Lancashire to deliver
said director of business and partnerships Tamsin
the accredited ‘Adult Enterprise’ qualification,
Deasey.
which supports new employers to learn about
important business techniques from managing
“We take this very seriously and work hard to
close these gaps. In 2012 we created a specialised your finances to trading online,” added Tamsin.
“As we are a relatively small business our
management team is very hands on, ensuring
speed of responsive and agility to meet customer
demands in this very competitive marketplace,”
added Vernon.
”One of our key objectives is to establish
a greater market presence in facilities
management and maintenance.”
Elaine Brady
With a turnover of more than £33m in 2012,
TClarke North West has a workforce of over 150.
LIFE
business
22\ INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Top Tips: Translations Traveller‘s Tales: Libya
Clive Lawes, managing director, iKonmac
1Where possible
send a word file
for translation
as well as a pdf
this could save
time and money.
2
/23
Securing skills
Texecom is Europe’s largest independent
security alarm manufacturer currently exporting
award-winning products to over 90 countries all
over the world.
Viktoria Hutchinson joined the export sales
department at Texecom as export sales manager
and recalls her thoughts after spending four days
on one of the Chamber’s export training courses
after Texecom felt it was important for Viktoria to
hone her negotiation skills and learn more about
payment and shipping terms.
e specific as to
B
which country
or region the
translation is
required. If not
this can be a costly mistake.
Viktoria, who took the course for her Export
Sales Certificate, said: “The course itself was
very easily accessible and tightly packed with
3If the document is desktop published after translation ensure the
useful information, and the group was small,
which made it easy for everyone to participate
and share their experiences.
“It culminated with a lengthy negotiation with
an experienced buyer, who provided all of the
participants with the kind of feedback that you
rarely, if ever receive after a real negotiation.
“I left the Chamber of Commerce with a large
folder jam-packed with invaluable reference
information that I still use a year on, and plenty
of ideas of how to apply into practice newly
acquired knowledge and the confidence to win
new business.”
translation is re-checked before publication.
4
F or multi-language translations use one multi-lingual translation
company as this will ensure each translated document has the same
quality.
5Use a professional translation company where translated documents
are for external use as the risk to your image is too great.
6 Tight deadlines to translate large documents can incur higher costs.
7Always ensure that the translator is a native speaker in the target
language of the document otherwise the translation won’t read well.
meaning gets lost.
10It is more cost effective to translate a document than hire a
professional interpreter.
11When a foreign client insists on writing in English and the meaning is
unclear respond with a bi-lingual email.
By Janet Perkins, managing director, TW Languages
NEWS SHORTS
EUR1’s can now be issued for Colombia, Cost Rica, El Salvador, Honduras,
Nicaragua and Panama. Free Trade Agreements are designed to
create opportunities by opening new markets for goods and services,
increasing investment opportunities, making trade cheaper by eliminating
substantially all customs duties, making trade faster by facilitating goods’
transit through customs and setting common rules. FTA’s currently being
negotiated include Canada, India, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and
USA. For a world map of current, pending and potential countries, contact
Marie White on 01254 356448 or [email protected]
Receive £3,000 match funding for marketing, travel, training, translations,
specialist consulting services and much more. This is available for
eligible companies looking to start or grow their exports. For a sign-up
fee of £250 you can tap in to both the Chamber’s and Government’s vast
resource of specialist advisors. To find out if you’re eligible contact Mike
Beckett on 01254 356447 or [email protected]
Have you just started-up a business and looking to expand internationally?
The Lancashire LEAP programme can offer young new businesses the
chance to open up new markets for their products or services. Knowledge
of export pricing, safe quotations, negotiating, payment methods, market
trading, agreement, incoterms are vital and various seminars are being
held throughout Lancashire. To book a place contact Stef Heywood on
01254 356454 or [email protected]
Selling your products abroad can sometimes be
difficult!
Clive Lawes of iKonmac recalls one trip to Libya
when Gaddafi still ruled. He had to install six
machines he had sold through an OEM to Libya.
Unfortunately no one from either his company or
the OEM would go to commission them. As Clive
said: “These days you cannot force anyone to go who doesn’t want to.”
Clive recalls: “As Gaddafi insisted that only Arabic could be used on
visas; it meant no one in Lyon airport could confirm my visa because
no one could read Arabic. I found an interpreter, an Algerian who I
suspected couldn’t read pure Arabic, who bluffed me through the
check in.”
Landing at Tripoli airport, he was met by Ahmed, his customer’s
manager, who apologised because only one hotel had one room that
could take him as Gaddafi had invited all his family for the weekend
and all the hotels were ‘fully booked’. “The Hotel knew why none of
the Gadhafi’s would stay there and I was there for a week.”
Within two days five of the six machines were installed and working
fine. Unfortunately, number six had a PCB failure which meant
ordering parts to be sent. By now it was Wednesday and Clive was
due to fly out the following Saturday. Ahmed ‘asked’ Clive to stay as
his guest until all machines were working. Somehow Ahmed had
managed to obtain Clive’s passport and flight ticket and kindly offered
to arrange another flight when all was working well!
International Trade activities provide and secure
many jobs in our economy. Exporting companies
face tremendous challenges and must compete
in increasingly competitive global markets to
help their businesses grow and keep the UK
economy strong. Importing companies help
secure overseas supplies often for products that
are not made or grown in the UK.
The Chamber’s International Trade Club Awards,
due to be presented at a gala lunch in early
December, recognise and promote the quality,
diversity and ingenuity of successful, local
companies engaged in international trade. The
International Trade Club is extremely proud to
be able to salute some of East Lancashire’s most
talented business people through these Awards.
Winning awards is an opportunity for outstanding
businesses to come to the attention of the wider
community and to new potential customers.
Previous winners include: The Paper Cup
Company, Acorn Digital Inks and Performance
Fluids International. This year’s winners will be
featured in the next edition of Business Life.
8 H aving a document translated and proofread will have better results
than just being translated.
9When writing text for translation avoid colloquial expressions as the
International
Trade Awards
2013
Viktoria Hutchinson
Export Life
by Mandy Lockett, international trade director
[email protected]
In those relatively recent days when East Lancashire was the world’s leading textile and textile
machinery manufacturer a few large manufacturers dominated the economy.
A fairly small number of export specialists, usually sales directors, were sufficient. Because the
numbers were small, they generally knew everyone involved locally (and going back a little further the
mill owners were often related). They were also generally ageing as direct experience was essential.
Over the last 20 years, however, the significant shift has been a decline in the number of large
companies involved primarily in textiles and its derivatives and a dramatic expansion in SMEs
with an equally spectacular range of products. Accordingly there has been a real risk that there
would not have been enough international trade professionals to go around, let alone anyone with
knowledge of the new industries.
Getting the sale, securely and at the right price, is of course key to any company’s success. It
counts for nought how good your product or name, or your staff’s dedication and charm, if your
sales team mess up at the point of sale.
Clive adds: “That night in the small hours in my room I smelt cigarette
smoke. I opened the blinds to the balcony and there was a not-so
secret police man standing outside. He apologised then climbed off
the balcony by the drain pipe to the floor below.”
East Lancashire’s Chamber anticipated this by developing a particular programme, unsubtly called
‘Export Sales Training’. While academia and qualification bodies spoke of the need for a year-long
programme, industry wanted a more explosive response which would be practical, operation based,
and not take their staff member out of the business. Our course has proven that delegates can be
educated on the technicalities, cultural aspects and sales techniques of international trade, and then
rigorously tested for sales capability and character in just four days. The real proof is that many of the
course’s ‘graduates’ have quickly come back with successful orders – many for the first time.
He made his break when his hosts were at prayers and Clive grabbed
his passport and ticket from Ahmed’s office. The next day he slipped
out of the hotel, found a taxi and fled to the airport. At 9am he was
taking off for home.
The good news is that we have trained many hundreds in East Lancashire and thousands
nationally. As the UK presses to close its balance of trade gap, hopefully more Brits will
sell more products in to more markets – and East Lancashire is well prepared to be in
the vanguard.
LIFE
business
24\ INSIDE THE CHAMBER
/25
East Lancashire businesses celebrate in style
Wendy Bowers, Casey Dean, Angelo Kornecki, Jean McLaughlin, Mike Damms, Andy McLaughlin
Manisha Modaisia, Forbes;
Amelia Worrall, Aware Communications
Chamber member takes the floor.
Hands up if you’re having a good time.
Paul Guard leads the now World Famous Chamber Choir
Over 200 Chamber members joined their President Wendy Bowers at the
Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel for an evening that celebrated the work of
the Chamber and its member businesses over the year.
broadcaster and he took the audience through a hilarious review of the
state of the world economy. Justin was sponsored by Andy McClaughlin of
Astute Wealth Management.
MC Paul Guard provided an enjoyable mix of music and entertainment
ensuring everyone had a great time until the early hours.
The speech by Wendy Bowers focussed on the positive work being done
by the East Lancashire business community and the benefits of businesses
working together and the support provided by the Chamber to achieve growth.
Guest Speaker was Justin Urquhart Stewart, best known as a business
Justin Urquhart Stewart rallies East
Lancashire business
Justin Urquhart Stewart entertained an
audience of over 250 guests at East Lancashire
Chamber of Commerce’s President’s Dinner in
November.
He said confidence was key to making the
economy grow. We shouldn’t knock UK PLC as it
remains the world’s 8th largest manufacturer and
10th largest exporter. He added that as he visited
businesses around the country confidence
remained positive. However more could be done
to get things moving, to repair the banks, to
encourage people to spend.
He advocated that people should apply their
business sense to their personal finance –
apply a business plan to your family and look to
manage your family finances across generations.
On the world stage he said that the global
economy was growing by 3 per cent and that
despite their differences the Chinese needed the
Justin Urquhart Stewart
US as much as the US needed China.
Throughout a speech where he quoted very
few figures but entertained by rattling through
what could be done to grow the economy
he highlighted how small to medium sized
enterprises (SMEs) are the life blood of the UK
economy.
He added: “People, despite the fears from the
banks and the nerves of the media, seem to
be far more willing than ever before to risk
everything to have a go at running their own
business.”
In 2012, 484,224 new businesses were registered
in the UK, up from 440,600 in the previous year
and almost a world away from an average of
around 150,000 to 180,000 back in the 70’s and
80’s. Yes many new businesses may fail but this
has to be one of the most supportive pieces of
economic and business news we have seen
lately, he said.
He closed with a rallying cry for business to
ignore the politicians, ignore the media and plan
your business and move it forward!
Energy debate should
focus on long-term
security says BCC
Concerns over short-term energy prices are “missing the point” according
to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
Responding to the report published by the National Audit Office,
Infrastructure Investment: the impact on consumer bills, Adam Marshall,
director of policy, said: “The current debate over short-term energy prices
is missing the point.
“Politicians should be worried first and foremost about energy security because if we can’t keep the lights on, businesses can’t grow and nor can
the economy as a whole.
“Companies are concerned about the rising cost of energy. Some,
particularly SMEs, are demanding far more information and transparency
around the rising energy costs they face, and are sceptical about claims
made by their suppliers. All businesses, however, are concerned with
whether the UK can generate and distribute the power needed for economic
success.
“Westminster politicians are thinking short-term, but Britain’s energy
issues are long-term. Energy supply is a question of national prosperity and
security, not cheap retail politicking.”
Strong job figures point
to continued economic
growth
The resilience of the UK labour market has
been proved again with the release of labour
market figures says the British Chambers of
Commerce (BCC).
David Kern, chief economist at the BCC, was
commenting on statistics published by the
Office of National Statitics (ONS).
They showed:
In the three months to September 2013, the
•
unemployment rate was 7.6 per cent
David Kern
• In the three months to September 2013,
unemployment fell by 48,000 and employment
increased by 177,000
Youth unemployment (16-24) fell 9,000 in the three months to September,
•
but was still high at 965,000, and the jobless rate was 21 per cent
The claimant count fell 41,700 between September and October 2013
•
David said: “This is another set of positive figures, confirming the flexibility
and resilience of the UK labour market, and point to continued economic
growth over the next year.
“The fall in the jobless rate is clearly more rapid than the Monetary Policy
Committee initially predicted in August, but this should not be seen as
a failure of the forward guidance policy. Following the surprise fall in
inflation, there is also scope for interest rates to remain at their current low
levels for an extended period.
“Youth and long-term unemployment remain areas of concern that must
be addressed, but it is good to see that the figures are now moving in the
right direction. The government must build on the progress made so far and
support job creation, focusing in particular on more support for exporters
and improving access to finance for growing businesses.”
LIFE
business
26\ CHAMBER LIFE
GALLERY: BACK TO SCHOOL
DIARY DATES 2014
COMMERCIAL EVENTS
Chamber members went ‘back to school’ at our
networking event at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar
School’s (QEGS) and tucked into a school dinner
for the first time in many years.
15 January: Unique – Lunch & Learn
12 February: The Rush Hour Club
(replaces Networking
Works)
QEGS foundation director, Joanna Lavelle, gave
a brief overview of the school’s history, the plans
for the future and opportunities for QEGS and local
businesses to work together.
For further details or to book, visit
www.chamberelancs.co.uk/events or
contact [email protected]
Ian Brown of Graham and Brown talked about
the value a well-constructed Corporate Social
Responsibility plan can have to your business.
Ian has over 20 years’ experience in the area of
CSR and was a national finalist in the Institute of
Directors awards for his work in this area.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE EVENTS
21 January: Importing Basics
23 January: Exporting Basics
28 January: Incoterms
13 February: Online Export
Documentation
27 February: International Trade Club
Breakfast Meeting
13 March: Manufacturing
Conference
For further details or to book, visit
www.chamberelancs.co.uk/events or
contact [email protected]
Angela Starkie, Starkie Management Solutions;
Fiona Leaver, HR Department; Andrea Stamp, Forbes
Berni Roscoe and Kelly Anderton, AccRoss
Caroline James, Trevor Dawson; Liam Mcardle
Ian Brown, Dr Carston Burbank, Philip Johnson
NEW MEMBERS
• Lancashire Adult Learning, Chorley
• Bellwoven Packaging, Colne
• Pendle Signs & Plastics, Nelson
• PDS (CNC) Engineering, Nelson
• Peter Reed International, Nelson
• Shooters Media, Bacup
• Vedas Services , Burnley
• North West Health & Safety, Burnley
• 1st Choice Alarms, Accrington
• Horner Shearing, Clitheroe
• Blackburn Youth Zone, Blackburn
• Lane Ends Dental Practice, Preston
• Carers Contact BPRCVS, Burnley
• Sen Magazine, Clitheroe
• Chillipunk, Blackburn
• Greenbrook Media, Burnley
• A59 Business, Clitheroe
• The HR Dept, Burnley
• AIP Surveyors, Burnley
• Polycutting, Accrington
• Arran R Tomlinson Photography, Blackburn
• Willys Plastering, Blackburn
• Taking The Lead, Rochdale
• My Green Spaces, Burnley
• Groundcare Engineering Limited, Accrington
• UK International Lawyers, Manchester
• Ferguson Auto Electrical, Blackburn
• CCM Home Improvements, Burnley
• AA Electrical Services, Colne
• Pryme Design, Nelson
• Affilus , Accrington
• Donnas Dogs, Bury
• Top Mark Branding, Rossendale
LIFE
business
WE HAVE GRANTS
FROM £5K TO £50K FOR
YOUNG LANCASHIRE
BUSINESSES, BACKED BY
EXPERT SUPPORT.
LIGHT THE FUSE
FOR YOUR
BUSINESS.
Apply at: www.fusefund.co.uk
Contact an expert on 0800 612 2029
or email [email protected]
Supported by the Regional Growth Fund