KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWSThe business NEWSpaper for Kir k lees9, Febr uar y, 2010

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Themosttrustednewsbrandin thebusiness

JANE DAWSON BRAD DREWFashioning a dual career

Fu l l i n te r v i ew - Page 3F i rm’s star s ign ing

Repor t - Page 8

FTSE 100+31.41

5092.33An EXAMINER publication

Dealer intop gearA HUDDERSFIELDmotor dealership hashelped its parent firmboost sales. Family-runYorkshire-basedHarratts motor grouphas been confirmed asthe UK’s second largestseller of new Volvo carsafter increasing salesby 12% during 2009 –with help from its Volvodealership at LeedsRoad, Deighton.

GettinginventiveA BRIGHOUSE firm isamong innovativecompanies to beshortlisted for aregional award.Crompton MouldingsLtd, is one of 12companies competingfor the Innovator/10Awards.

Regional economy feels the blast of winterADVERSE weather contributed to aweakening of the Yorkshire economyat the start of 2010, according to a keysurvey.

The latest Purchase Managers Indexshowed jobs continued to be lost –albeit at a slower rate – during the firstweeks of the new year while increased

costs put the squeeze on profit mar-gins.

The headline business activityindex, which measures the combinedoutput of manufacturing and servicesectors, fell back markedly duringJanuary – posting a reading of 52.0from 55.8 in December, 2009.

The poll suggested that rates ofexpansion were undermined to someextent by the January snow, which ledto transport disruption, deliverydelays and cancelled bookings.

However, slower growth of newbusiness enabled firms to makeinroads into work outstanding at the

start of the year – meaning that back-logs have now fallen continuously fortwo years.

However, input costs rose during theperiod, with the rate of inflation at itshighest since September, 2008.Respondents also saw higher rawmaterial and supplier costs.

Firms box cleverto lift export salesA HUDDERSFIELD businessman ishelping firms export their way torecovery.

Gavin Wheeldon, Meltham-basedchief executive of translation servicescompany Applied Language Solu-tions, has joined forces with businessadvice firm Grant Thornton in York-shire to launch a new scheme for smalland medium-sized enterprises.

Export Box has been devised by MrWheeldon to help more firms takeadvantage of opportunities to sellproducts and services abroad.

Jonathan Riley, managing partner ofGrant Thornton in Yorkshire, said hehoped recent figures showing the UKis officially out of recession would giveSMEs the encouragement and confid-ence to consider exporting as a possib-ility for growth.

He said: “Export Box is an excitingnew concept which provides invaluablehelp and support to SMEs who areinterested in exporting but don’t knowwhere to begin.

“Statistics show that only 75,000businesses in Britain are exporting –and with the current weakness of thepound it is a great time for companiesto look at trading internationally as a

way of helping them through the reces-sion.

“Our research suggests that if exportgrowth were to increase from a steady1% to 2.5% a year, then exports willbecome a net contributor to the UKeconomy by 2013 – adding in theregion of £247bn to the economy overa five-year period.”

“Such an increase might soundambitious, but if there are ways inwhich SMEs which might not ordinar-ily look beyond the UK can be helpedto get a foothold in the export market,it could have a significant impact onthe speed at which we can put thedownturn behind us.

“The alternative is a long-term leg-acy of significant debt.”

At present, only 19% of SMEs tradeoutside the UK and only 4% of thosefeel they will continue to do so in thenext year. In Yorkshire, figures fromHM Revenue & Customs show thatexports fell by 14.8% during the firstquarter of 2009.

Export Box is run through theGoogle Export Adviser Site andprovides a collection of useful tools,best practices and insights to helpbusinesses make informed decisions

about exporting opportunities.The package includes an export

evaluation, a profitability assessment,guidance on translation requirementsand Google advertising.

Research by Sheffield Universityshows that the lack of businessesexporting is due to five real and per-ceived barriers – language, culture andtechnical barriers; cross-border logist-ics; cross-border payments; adminis-trative and regulatory barriers; searchand advertising.

Said Mr Wheeldon: “With fewercompanies exporting because of thesebarriers, a package like Export Box isvital in altering perceptions. Last timewe had a recession, we exportedourselves out of it. However, this doesnot seem to be the case this timearound, hence the thinking behindExport Box.”

And he added: “With the help of awell-respected Yorkshire-based part-ner such as Grant Thornton, which hasan in-depth knowledge of SMEs, wewill be able to reach more businessesand help them to explore the oppor-tunities to export.”

■ SQUARE DEAL: Gavin Wheeldon,of Applied Language Solutions

Yorkshire’s Legal Peoplewww.chadwicklawrence.co.uk01484 519 999Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS national Page 2

SHARE PRICES

Local shares

FTSE closed at

5092.3Up 31.4

TOURIST RATES

Tourists going abroad can expectthe following rates for sterling:Australia...................... 1.70 dollarsBangladesh................. 101.63 takaBrazil.............................. 2.62 realsCanada....................... 1.58 dollarsChina ............................. 9.49 yuanCzech Republic ...... 27.33 korunasDenmark....................... 8.07 kroneEuro............................... 1.09 euroHong Kong................ 11.47 dollarsHungary ................... 278.20 forintsIndia.......................... 64.12 rupeesJapan........................... 132.44 yenMexico ....................... 18.23 pesosNew Zealand .............. 2.10 dollarsNorway ......................... 8.87 kronePakistan.................. 124.40 rupeesPhilippines ................. 62.04 pesosSouth Africa.................. 11.23 randSouth Korea.............. 1587.00 wonSri Lanka ................ 168.47 rupeesSweden....................... 11.03 kronaSwitzerland.................. 1.59 francsTaiwan ...................... 43.74 dollarsTurkey....................... 2.25 new liraUSA ............................ 1.49 dollars

Carclo 150 +11/2Chapelthorpe 143/4Marshalls 873/4 +11/4National Grid 629 +21/2RensburgSheppards

575 -5

Weir Gp 745 -15

Buyers found for bakery chainBUYERS have been found for thevast majority of Yorkshire-basedbakery business Ainsleys.

A team of restructuring and cor-porate finance specialists at GrantThornton’s Leeds office havebrokered deals to save most of the285 jobs at the firm.

The deal means Leeds-basedCountrystyle Foods has bought theAinsleys bakery business andname while 20 of the firm’s 29 lease-hold retail outlets have been sold –split evenly between Cooplands ofScarborough and Cooplands ofDoncaster. The firm’s sandwich vanbusiness has been sold to A W FoodServices Ltd.

Joe McLean, partner at GrantThornton in Leeds, who has beenleading the search for a buyer forAinsleys since the firm went intoadministration in November, said:“We are are really pleased to havefound buyers for the majority of thevarious businesses within the Ains-leys portfolio.

“Negotiations are still ongoing inrespect of the remaining nine storesand we hope to be able to announcea positive resolution shortly.

Anthony Bar ret t , of GrantThornton’s Leeds-based corporatefinance team, led the transactionwith legal advice from Sally William-son of DLA Piper.

Developer upbeatdespite profits fall

Takeover is on the menuTHE owner of restaurant chains LaTasca and Ha Ha Bar & Grill is beingcircled by private equity-backed firmskeen to snap up the group, it isclaimed.

Bay Restaurants is understood to becompleting a shake-up that will see theSlug and Lettuce chain transfer to itssister group Town & City Pub Com-pany – a move expected to put thegroup in the frame for takeover.

There have already been severalapproaches from interested suitors,according to newspaper reports.

The overhaul is said to follow thedecision of its chief executive PaulSymonds to leave.

He is believed to be looking atacquisitions in the leisure sector and isreportedly in talks with a number ofprivate equity firms.

It is thought he may look at launch-ing a buy-out bid for Bay Restaurants.Other possible interested partiesincluding Cafe Rouge and Strada res-taurant firm Tragus.

Experts have reportedly put a pricetag of at least £100m on the firm.

B ay r e c e n t l y c o m p l e t e d adebt-for-equity swap that helpedsecure its financial future until 2012.

But this saw the group fall under thecontrol of failed Icelandic bankKaupthing, now in administration.

DismaldividendsDIVIDEND payouts forinvestors in UKcompanies fell by £10bnlast year and willcontinue to disappoint in2010, said a report.

UK firms paid out£56.9bn in dividends in2009 – 15% less than in2008 – with investors inthe banking sector theworst hit as the financialcrisis wrought havoc,said Capita Registrars.

Bank shareholdersalone saw their pay outscut by £6bn.

VodafonecontractMOBILE phone giantVodafone has unveiled afour-year contract toprovide services to morethan 16,000 staff attechnology giant Oracle.

Vodafone GlobalEnterprise, thecompany’s divisiondevoted to thecommunication needs ofmajor corporatecustomers, will supplymobile servicesmanagement and mobilevoice and data servicesin Europe, Middle Eastand Africa.

The deal is expected toprovide Oracle with thepotential for significantsavings, as well asgreater cost efficiencies.

Oracle vice-presidentCarol Kelly said: “As wellas greater convenience,we expect that thispartnership will deliverenhanced services to ouremployees.”

NORTH AMERICANAmerican Express £24.04 -0.13Gannett 882.56 +18.52Hess Corp £37.06 +0.03Microsoft 1791.94 +2.55Motors Liquidation 47.90Wal-Mart Stores £34.06 -0.08

AEROSPACE & DEFENCEBAE Systems 3441/4 -15/8Rolls-Royce Gp 4813/4 +23/8Smiths Grp 1002 -5VT Group 5191/2 +41/2

AIMBrady Plc 65Dawson Intl 23/8 +1/4

AUTOMOBILES & PARTSG K N 1063/8 -21/4

BANKSBarclays 268 -1HSBC 6483/8 +3/8Lloyds Banking Gp 471/4 -11/8Ryl Scotland 321/8 -1/8Stan Chart 1403 -31/2

BEVERAGESDiageo 1010 +10SABMiller 1699 +49

CHEMICALSCroda 790 -6Delta 145Elementis 98 53 -1Johnsn Mat 1500 +2

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALSBalfour Beatty 2617/8 -5/8Costain 221/2

ELECTRICITYDrax Grp 4073/4 +1/4

Intl Power 3205/8 +63/4Scottish & SthrnEnergy

1165 +11

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTChloride 1777/8 -43/4Invensys 2973/4 +13/4Laird 1241/4 +11/4

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTSAlliance Trust 3061/4 -3/4

FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICESBT Grp 131 +11/2C & W 1391/4 +1Colt Telecom 1223/4 +21/2KCOM 523/4 -13/4

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERSMorrison W 2933/4 +15/8Sainsbury 3205/8 +11/2Tesco 4141/4 +31/2

FOOD PRODUCERSAB Food 8761/2 +2Cadbury 8381/2 +51/2Nth Foods 581/4 -1/2Tate Lyle 4051/8 -11/4Unilever 1844 +26Uniq 251/4 +3/4

GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIESCentrica 2661/2 +25/8National Grid 629 +21/2Pennon Grp 5131/2 +11/2Severn 1127 +5United Utils 5291/2 +3

GENERAL FINANCIAL3i Group 2563/4 -11/4ICAP 3033/4 +93/4London StockExch 640 +91/2Man Group 2147/8 -21/8

Provident Financial 930 +201/2Schroders 1130 +7Schroders NV 939 +91/2

GENERAL INDUSTRIALSAvon Rbbr 95Cooksn Grp 4235/8 +33/8REXAM 2871/8 -3/8

GENERAL RETAILERSAshley L 123/4 -1DSG International 30 -1/2Home Retail 2561/2 +11/4Inchcape 25 -1/2Kingfisher 1981/2 -21/8M & S 3305/8 -23/4Mothercare 642 +31/2Next 1882 -29WH Smith 4881/4 +11/8

HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICESSmith Nph 6321/2 +8

HOUSEHOLD GOODSAga Rangemaster 137 -3Barrat Dev 1123/4 -1Persimmon 4091/4 -93/4Reckitt Benckiser £311/2 +1/4Taylor Wimpey 37 -3/4

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCharter 6681/2 -11I M I 532Man Brnze 871/4

INDUSTRIAL METALSFerrexpo 1981/4 +11/8

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATIONBBA Aviation 1623/4 -31/2Forth Ports 1051 -2

LIFE INSURANCEAviva 3553/4 -93/8

Lgl & Gen 71 -25/8Old Mutual 973/8Prudential 5601/2 -14Resolution 77 -11/2Standard Life 1931/8 -11/8

MEDIABSkyB 5241/2Chrysalis 1031/4 -21/4D Mail Tst 446 -27/8ITV 511/4 -11/4Johnston Press 243/4 -11/2Pearson 8631/2 +81/2Reed Elsevier 4865/8 +41/8STV Group 471/2Trinity Mirror 1377/8 -77/8Utd Business 413 -11/2UTV 100 -21/2WPP 5721/2 -11/2Yell Group 411/2 -1

MININGAnglo American £231/4 +1/2Antofagasta 831 +41/2BHP Billiton 1857 +321/2Eurasian NaturalRes

907 +211/2

Fresnillo 705 +351/2Kazakhmys 1240 +33Lonmin 1783 +47Rio Tinto £305/8 +1/4VEDANTARESOURCES

£231/4 +1/8

Xstrata 9833/4 +333/4

MOBILE TELECOM SERVICESInmarsat 7181/2 +11Vodafone Group 1391/4

NONLIFE INSURANCEAdmiral Grp 1125 -4RSA Insurance Gp 1261/8 +3/8

OIL & GAS PRODUCERSBG 10941/2 -171/2BP 563 +3Cairn Energy 3181/4 -31/4Norsk Hdro 4355/8 -53/4Royal Dutch Shell A 1743 +201/2Royal Dutch Shell B 1680 +241/2Total £353/4 +5/8Tullow Oil 1158 +1

OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICESPetrofac 9561/2 -5Wood Group 3351/4 -17/8

PERSONAL GOODSBurberry 5901/2PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Astrazeneca £273/4 +1/2Axis-Shield 408 +8

GlaxoSmithK 13Shire 1236 +2

REAL ESTATEBrit Land 4381/8 -71/2DTZ Hldgs 84 +11/4Hamrsn 3835/8 +2Land Secs 622 -9SEGRO 3003/4 -41/4

SOFTWARE ETC SERVICESAutonomy Corp 1605 -15Dimension Data 80Logica 1165/8 -23/8Misys 2025/8 -53/8Sage Group 223 -1/8

SUPPORT SERVICESAMEC 7531/2 +5Bunzl 6271/2 +21/2Capita 702 -1Davis ServiceGroup

3931/2 -33/8

De La Rue 945 -81/2Electrocomp 181 -5/8Experian 603 +9G4S 2551/2 +31/4Hays 1063/4 +1/4Homeserve 1656 +18Menzies J 3051/2 -71/2Rentokil 1131/4 -11/2Smiths News 1171/2 +1/2Wolseley 1352 +2

IT HARDWAREARM Hldgs 202 -3Psion 943/4 +13/4Spirent Comms 1091/2

TOBACCOBr Am Tob £21 +1/2Imperial Tobacco £205/8 +3/8

LEISURE & HOTELS

Arriva 4903/4 -1/4Brit Airways 199 -7Carnival £223/8 +3/8Compass Grp 4463/4 -31/4easyJet 4003/4 -3/4Enterprise Inns 1081/2 -31/4FirstGroup 3491/8 -11/8Go-Ahead 1310 -26Greene King 4191/4 -13/4Intercontl Htls 893 +6Ladbrokes 1521/2 +3/4Mitchells & Butlers 2667/8 -13/8Natl Express 198 -31/2PartyGaming 2717/8 +1/8Rank Org 893/4 +1/4Stagecoach Group 172 -7/8TUI Travel 2577/8 +35/8Whitbread 1357 -12

INDEXFTSE 100 5092.33 +31.41

INDEXFTSE 250 9010.37 -25.54

REGIONAL developer St Modwenreported “important signs of improve-ment” in the property market – despitewider annual losses.

The firm, which specialises in towncentre regeneration and bringingformer industrial sites back into use,posted pre-tax losses of £119.4m for theyear to November 30 against a deficitof £73.1m the previous year.

But St Modwen said that prices hadstabilised after a 20% decline in assetsover the year – and predicted a returnto profit growth despite uncertain mar-ket prospects and “fragile” businessconfidence.

St Modwen is working on towncentre regeneration schemes in Farn-borough, Skelmersdale in Lancashire,and Wembley, north London,.

It is also involved in large-scale

renewal projects such as the formerLlanwern steelworks in South Wales.

Shares in the Birmingham-basedfirm rose after it also grew rentalincome in “very challenging” condi-tions, with asset sell-offs and tenantfailures more than offset by new let-tings and income from newly-com-pleted developments.

Most of the firm’s losses were takenin the first half when the recession wasat its worst, but the performance of thebusiness has “significantly improved”

since then.The group raised £101.6m to cut

debts and has scaled back developmentactivity to weather the downturn. It hasalso cut costs through a pay freeze andby closing its final salary pensionscheme.

But St Modwen also had an “excel-lent year” for acquisitions, despite thefinancial pressure on the business, tak-ing advantage of depressed prices tospend £13m on 705 acres of develop-able land for its land bank.

The group bought sites in Doncasterand Sunderland as well as a portfolio of566 sites from oil firm BP, mainly inSouth Wales.

St Modwen also signed developmentagreements with local authorities forschemes in Taunton, Exeter andWeston Super Mare.

Numis analyst Chris Millingtonsaid: “Whilst the group is yet to benefitfrom the uplift in commercial propertyvalues seen elsewhere, with yields on itsportfolio approaching 10% and therent roll actually increasing over 2009,we feel this is a matter of time.

“When this potential is consideredalongside the around 20,000 plots ofresidential land we feel that St Modwenoffers the investor a unique mix ofresidential and commercial exposure.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS profile Page 3

JaneDawsonRole: Managing dir-ectorAge: 45Family: Married withtwo daughtersFirst job: Exportsales assistantBest thing aboutjob: Working withpeople and seeingthem take theiropportunities to fulfiltheir potentialWorst thingabout job: Paper-workBusiness tip: Behonest and tell it likeit is!

WakefieldAcousticsWork: Industrial andenvironmental noisecontrol solutionsSite: CleckheatonPhone: 01274872277Email: noise@wakefieldaccoustics.co.uk

DualcareersuitsJane

JANE Dawson’s businessinterests could hardly bemore of a contrast.

As well as engineering asuccessful career inmanufacturing, she hasalso fashioned an onlineretail operation providingclothing for busybusinesswomen.

As managing director ofCleckheaton-basedWakefield Acoustics, sheoversees a thrivingcompany with 30employees providing noisereduction equipment toblue-chip customers suchas Cadbury, Nestle andPilkington Glass.

As a director of BusinessWardrobe – with businesspartners Claire Crabtreeand Paul Hebden – she isenjoying the challenge ofbringing high qualitywomen’s business wear tothe boardrooms via onlineretailing.

“As most working womenknow, juggling career, worklife and family puts time atan absolute premium andanything which saves timeis a real help,” says Jane.

“In my own career, asmart professionalappearance at work hasalways been a requirement,but this never seems to bematched by a clothing outletwhich pulled togetherquality, stylish designs ataffordable prices with easyavailability.”

Jane and her businesspartners identified a gap inthe market to cater forwomen who simply don’thave the time to shop forwork clothes, but who wantto look good at work.

Jane says: “A detailedresearch programmeconfirmed to us that manybusiness women shared thesame problem – so after 12months of intensivebusiness planning,Business Wardrobe waslaunched in April, 2009. Theaim was to provide aone-stop online shop forquality contemporarybusiness clothes available24/7. Having now beentrading for nine months, thebusiness is growing rapidlyand we seem to havetapped into a substantialmarket.”

Within a short space oftime, Business Wardrobehas built up an impressivedesigner list, which includesFrench Connection, BettyJackson, James Lakelandand Helene Berman. It isnow in talks with otherdesign brands in a bid toadd to the stable of labels.

Online sales were“phenomenal” during the

recent snows, says Jane,adding: “We believe onlineis the future for retailing.That is why we arespending a lot of timeinvesting in honing andcontinually developing thewebsite to make it aconvenient, hassle-free,informative and enjoyableshopping experience. It hasbeen a steep learning curvefor all of us, verychallenging but veryenjoyable at the same time.”

Jane is also enjoying lifeat Wakefield Acoustics.Having acquired thecompany in 2005, thebusiness has grown year onyear. It currently has sixmonths of solid orders onthe books and expects toreplicate last year’s 30%rise in turnover during 2010.

Says Jane: “Despite therecession, we havemaintained strong ordernumbers and have neededto keep overtime operating,which has been good forthe workforce.

“Twelve months ago, thetelevision news every nightwould be full of stories ofdoom and gloom andgraphs pointing downwardsshowing a deeper anddeeper recession.

“Clearly, people worryabout what it will mean forthem and the uncertaintycan unnerve people.

“As a management tea,we took a very positivestance that WakefieldAcoustics was not going to

have a recession and whilethat was clearly somethingwe were not in control of,we wanted to create amindset of ‘we can getthrough this’.

“The past 12 monthshave been the hardestduring my time with thebusiness and the wholeteam has had to work veryhard at doing ordinarythings – going out to seemore clients, generatingnew business, marketingthe company and itsproducts and delivering toour customers what theyrequire and when theyrequire it – just doing itbetter and better.”

“When companies spendmoney on noise reductionsystems it is all aboutmeeting health and safetyregulations andenvironmental noiserequirements. The decisionto invest is usually a fairlymajor one and in times ofeconomic uncertainty manycompanies have beendeferring investmentdecisions and holding on totheir cash. So thechallenges have been prettytough and 2009 wascertainly not an easy year –but we have a great teamwho have worked reallyhard to continue to achievesuccess.”

For the future, Jane saysWakefield Acoustics willcontinue to expand and hasbeen actively pursuing“bolt-on” acquisitions. It isalso honing and developing

the skills of its staff.“We have people on

training all over the businessas we believe it is reallyimportant to give our staffthe opportunities toprogress. That’s the bestway of keeping talentedpeople here and continuingto drive the businessforward..”

Further legislation onindustrial and environmentalnoise control legislation willalso provide opportunitiesfor the firm.

“We export half ofwhat we make throughour UK customers andwe do a little directexporting ourselves,”says Jane. “Our nameis known overseas in anumber of markets.

“A lot of the work wedo is in powergeneration, oil and gasand waste watertreatment in emergingmarkets such as India,China, South Americaand the Middle East.

“We want our brandto become the supplierof choice in all thosemarkets as well as theUK.”

Jane entered theworld of work armedwith a degree inbusiness studies andmodern languages andwent to work in salesfor Ring Lighting inLeeds. Sheprogressed to becomeexport sales manager

for South America beforejoining Brook Crompton atDoncaster and gaining anMBA at HuddersfieldUniversity.

Jane worked for BrookCrompton for 10 years –working on a number of largecorporate projects. Shemoved to director level andlearned the different skills ofrunning a smaller business atcentrifugal pumps firmHolden and Brook inManchester before decidingto acquire her own business.

KIRKLEES BUSINESSlocal Page 4

TourismhotspotsTOURIST bus ines se s inKirklees could benefit fromgrants being made availablethrough regional developmentagency Yorkshire Forward.

People trying to start, grow orimprove a tourism business inrural parts of the region couldbe eligible for grants which arebeing rolled out as part of theRural Deve lopment Pro-gramme for England.

The move follows researchcommissioned by YorkshireForward which identified theneed to improve the quality ofaccommodation offering insome parts of rural Yorkshire.

Grants from £25,000 andequivalent to 50% of total pro-ject costs are available foraccommodation meeting thecriteria.

Serviced accommodation isthe key priority – includingrural pubs wishing to developnew high quality bedrooms orupgrade existing accommoda-tion.

Businesses can check to see iftheir location fits the criteria atwww.yorkshire-forward.com

RISKYBUSINESSMark Dalton

Mark Dalton is associatedirector at Wilby Ltd

Exporters getadditional help

YORKSHIRE exporters are set toget extra help after figuresshowed a big rise in overseassales.NatWest and Royal Bank ofScotland have launched anExporters Package to support theupturn in UK businesses lookingto sell their goods and servicesabroad.Figures from Revenue & Customsshowed that the value of exportsby companies in Yorkshire andHumberside increased by £119mor 4% between the second andthird quarter of last year.That compares with a £723m or1% rise in the value of exportsUK-wde in the same period.The average value of goods soldabroad per exporter in Yorkshireand the Humber increased by 9%,rising to about £807,000.Nationally, the increase was 6%,rising to £1.132m.The banks’ Exporters Packageoffers UK businesses a freeexporter review, helping them toidentify new opportunities forgrowth yet maintain a healthycash position.It covers issues such as analysisof their existing export marketsand potential new markets;review of the company’s creditand risk management processes;buyer credit and collectionassessment; and current fundingstructure analysis andrecommendations.Tony Kelly, managing director forRBS and NatWest Business andCommercial Banking in thenorth-east, said: “Exporting canseem a complex activity with alengthy order to cash cycle.“We’re here to help simplify theprocess and offer all the supportwe can.“In addition to having a strongproduct that appeals to overseasmarkets, you need to be able toassess your prospectivecustomer’s credit standing aswell as cross-border collectionrisks.“You also need to have a strongunderstanding of the specificrisks you face in exporting.“That is why we have developed adedicated suite of materials andservices that provides exportersin Yorkshire and the Humber withall the information they need tobe successful.”Government figures show thereare 48,500 companies in the UKexporting – of which more than3,500 or 7.27% are based inYorkshire and the Humber.Research by NatWest and RBSreveals that the top country forUK exports is USA – accountingfor 15% of all UK exports or£8.34bn.This is followed by Germany at11% or £6.29bn and France at 8%or £4.37bn.

Roaring tradefor HarrattsA HUDDERSFIELD motor dealer-ship has helped its parent firm boostsales.

The family-run Yorkshire-based Har-ratts motor group has been confirmedas the UK’s second largest seller of newVolvo cars after increasing sales by 12%during 2009.

Despite tough trading in a carindustry which contracted by 6%, Har-ratts more than doubled the Volvonational average sales increase of 5%.

Harratts, which has 11 dealerships inYorkshire, consolidated its position assecond biggest Volvo seller by volume –increasing its 2008 figure of 1,871 carsales to an impressive 2,123.

Its four Volvo dealerships in Hud-dersfield, Leeds, Sheffield and Wake-field all operated well above the industryaverage.

Harratts began selling Volvo fromjust one dealership in Wakefield in1985.

Managing director Shaun Harrattsaid: “We are thrilled by these latestresults in a very difficult UK market-

place and especially pleased that wehave maintained our position as thesecond biggest Volvo vendor in the UKby volume.

“In spite of a very difficult year for thecar industry, we have not only defied thegloom but surpassed Volvo’s averagesales increase for the UK by a consider-able margin.

“This is testament to the fantasticteam we have at Harratts and I wouldlike to thank them for their hard workand dedication over the past year.”

Nick Connor, sales director at VolvoCar UK, said: “We are thrilled thatHarratts sales figures for the past yearhave been so positive.

“With an increase of 12%, they havebucked the industry average and morethan consolidated their position as thesecond biggest Volvo vendor in theUK.

“Our overall UK figures have beenvery pleasing this past year and we aredelighted that we have seen a 5%increase in sales when so many carmanufacturers are struggling.”

■ THRILLED: Shaun Harratt,of Harratts, said the firm had“defied the gloom”

Killer questionsYOU have probably heard

the advertisements onlocal radio and televisionrecently relating the num-bers of plumbers, electri-cians, builders and joinerswho are dying from asbestosrelated diseases as a resultof exposure to asbestoswhile in their work.

Current figures suggest about4,000 people are dying each yearfrom exposure to asbestos. Themessage is clear: asbestos killsand exposure must be prevented.Unfortunately, many companiesappear to still be ignoring thedanger and exposing theiremployees – and even the public –to asbestos.

In early January, the Healthand Safety Executive announcedit had initiated proceedingsagainst a major high streetretailer and four of its contract-ors for asbestos-related breachesduring refurbishment work atstores in the south of England. Itis alleged that the companiesfailed to ensure that staff andmembers of the public were notexposed to risks from asbestos.

The retailer and two of thecontractors were alleged to havecontravened section 2(1) and sec-tion 3(1) of the Health and Safetyat Work Act. Section 2(1) relatesto the health, safety and welfareof employees, while Section 3(1)relates to non-employees – in this

case customers.The other two contractors were

alleged to have contravened theControl of Asbestos Regulationsrelating to the requirement toprevent employees being exposedto asbestos and to prevent andcontrol the spread of asbestos inany place where work is carriedout.

As well as ensuring people arenot exposed to asbestos, theabove examples also show caremust be taken when selectingcontractors. If the contractors arenot working with due care andcause the release of asbestosfibres, the host company can alsobe held liable.

Under the Control of AsbestosRegulations 2006, the “dutyholder” must:

● Take reasonable steps to findout if there are materials contain-ing asbestos in non-domesticpremises, and if so, its amount,where it is and what condition it isin

● Presume materials containasbestos unless there is strongevidence that they do not

● Make and keep up-to-date arecord of the location and condi-tion of the asbestos containingmaterials - or materials which arepresumed to contain asbestos

● Assess the risk of anyonebeing exposed to fibres from thematerials identified

● Prepare a plan that sets outin detail how the risks from thesematerials will be managed

● Take the necessary steps toput the plan into action

● Periodically review andmonitor the plan and thearrangements to act on it so thatthe plan remains relevant andup-to-date

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS local Page 5

Diploma finds anew champion

Correction, not a rout!AGAINST a background of a return

to strong growth accompanied bya very solid fourth-quarter corporateearnings season in America and withearly European corporate profitreports reflecting positive trends, itseems strange that global equity mar-kets should choose this moment to gointo reverse.

The explanation for this perverse beha-viour is simple. Rather than simply enjoyingthe sharp reversal in fortunes that hascharacterised the previous nine months,investors are now being forced to lookforwards to the second half of 2010 andbeyond. Many increasingly fear that theymay have confused volatility (as economiesand markets have snapped-back from overlydepressed levels) with sustainablemomentum.

These nagging doubts spring from theundeniable fact that in the developed worldthe consumer is in no position to drivegrowth forward. Unemployment levels areset to rise further, tax rises look inevitableand the financial system undergoing run-ning-repairs has neither the appetite or theability to revive their animal spirits. Untilthis last situation is corrected – which takestime - we are unusually reliant upon ourgovernments and demand derived fromoverseas developing economies to under-write growth.

This being the case, there is understand-ably heightened sensitivity to signs thatauthorities in the developed world are nowbeginning the process of withdrawingextraordinary support measures, whilst atthe same time the key growth engine indeveloping markets (China) is moving to

moderate its own stimulus. The “icing on thecake” for those of a cautious disposition isthe sight of the EuroZone dealing with thestresses of applying a single currency regimeto many different economies. For equityinvestors who are relieved to have regainedmuch lost ground, the logic for taking somechips off the table becomes clear.

However, there are strong reasons forbelieving that this correction will not turninto a rout. The most important of these isthe health of the non-financial corporatesector, where profit margins are close to thelevels achieved at their peak in 2008. Withbalance sheets also in a healthy state, com-panies are well placed to withstand unexpec-ted adverse developments and the likelihoodis that, absent external shocks, more favour-able employment and investment trends willsoon become evident. In addition, govern-ment support remains strong.

Whilst some stimulus measures are set tobe withdrawn, these are only the extraordin-ary “printing press” measures (known in theUK press as “QE”) adopted to counteract adysfunctional credit market. Conventionalmonetary policy remains very stimulative,which manifests itself in the unappetisingly

Simon Kaye is divisional director at Rensburg SheppardsInvestment Management

CITYTALKSimon Kaye

Reward forinnovationA BRIGHOUSE firmis among innovativecompanies to beshortlisted for aregional award.

CromptonMouldings Ltd,which makes plasticproducts includinggrit boxes andstreet bins, is one of12 companiescompeting for theInnovator/10Awards, supported by regionaldevelopment agency Yorkshire Forward,Business Link Yorkshire and YorkshireInnovation.

The firm, based at Wakefield Road, isrecognised for creating LayeredEngineering Active Polymer – a novelpatented process designed to manufacturelarge, high specification panels usingrecycled materials.

The system has significant energysavings over conventional processingmethods and has been designed toprovide a wide range of sizes of panels formany different purposes.

Other finalists include companiesproducing printable electronic switchesand sensors, developing resins for use inbuilding immunity to disease, devisingcomputer hardware and software for palletdistributors and finding ways to reduceenergy consumption.

Four awards are available – eachcarrying a £3,000 cash prize. They aim torecognise firms and individuals inYorkshire who have embraced innovationand developed alone or in partnership,new ideas, products, technologies or waysof working in order to improve theirbusiness.

A panel of expert judges will visit theentrants before the winners are unveiledon Wednesday, March 3, at a black tieevent at Leeds City Museum.

Julie Kenny, Yorkshire Forward boardmember who chairs the shortlisting panel,said: “The overall standard of entries thisyear has been exceptionally high and wereally had our work cut out narrowingdown such a large number of high qualityentries to just 12.

“By recognising those companies in theregion who excel through innovation, thebar is continually being raised. But I amconfident that the skilled workers atbusinesses in Yorkshire and Humber willcontinue to meet and exceed theincreasingly high standard they setthemselves.”

low interest rates available to depositors attheir high-street banks.

The positive side of this is that many ofthese funds are hunting for higher returnsand are prepared to accept modestly higherrisk to achieve them. Hence creditworthyborrowers in the corporate sector are findingit easy to access funds in the corporate bondmarkets.

In short, the machine of capitalism may ber u n n i n g a t areduced rate ofrevolutions, but it isonce again creatingwealth, not des-troying it. With thisperspective, theissues in the Euro-Zone debt marketsdo highlight oneimportant point,which is that theprinciple “risks” toa n u l t i m a t e l ybenign outcome arenow political, notsystematic.

THE boss of a Brighouse engin-eering firm is championing apioneering qualification givingyoung people hands-on educa-tion in manufacturing.

Simon Moorhouse, managingdirector of Brighouse-basedDenford Ltd, has joined anational network of employerchampions who work to encour-age colleagues in the industry toget involved with the Diplomafor Manufacturing and ProductDesign.

The MPD was introduced for14 to 19-year-olds in schools andcolleges around England lastSeptember.

Mr Moorhouse has spent thepast 10 years as managing dir-ector of Denford, which makesand exports computer-aideddesign and manufacturingmachines for education andtraining markets worldwide.

He said his 30 years’ experi-ence working in manufacturingand engineering at home andoverseas – including managingcompanies in Europe and the FarEast – had given him an insightinto how far manufacturing hasslipped off the radar as a poten-tial career option for youngpeople in the UK.

He said: “In countries such asChina, Pakistan and India, theystill value engineering and manu-facturing as a career – it’s seen ashigh tech and a fantastic oppor-tunity.

“Our message is to promotethe diploma for MPD as a way ofencouraging interest in manufac-turing among young peopleagain.

“It is in all our interests asemployers to get the best stu-dents into manufacturing and toinspire young people to under-

stand that it’s a sophisticated,high-tech, diverse industry withgreat career prospects. There area lot of companies crying outskilled people, so let’s invest todevelop the next generation.”

Mr Moorhouse said the UKwas still able to compete on theworld stage for excellence inmanufacturing and engineering,but there was a lack of under-standing about the industry andits strengths.

“Many UK companies remainhighly successful and are here forthe long term,” he said. “Theycontinue to offer great careerprospects for bright youngpeople.”

The Diploma in MPD hasbeen developed to sit alongsidetraditional academic qualifica-tions, with students dividingtheir time between classroom,college and the workplace.

■ MESSAGE: SimonMoorhouse, managing directorof Denford Ltd

Demand soars forrental premises

Holme Valley schemeon awards shortlist

■ PRIZED POSSESSION: Rowan Court, a close-care residential development designed byBrockholes-based Conroy Brook, has been shortlisted in a national awards

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 6

A PROPERTY developer based in theHolme Valley has been shortlisted for amajor design award.

Conroy Brook, based at Brockholes, isone of the top three contenders for thePinders National Healthcare DesignAwards.

The nomination is for its Rowan Courtdevelopment – a close-care unit built inHolmfirth for the Mirfield-based Holly-bank Trust.

The awards were set up in 1999 to pro-mote and recognise the best UK develop-ments in all types of care-related property.

It is the second time that Conroy Brookhas been nominated. In 2005, the companywon an award for its White Rose NursingHome in Holmfirth. The complex is oper-ated by Meridian Healthcare Ltd.

This time, Conroy Brook is in the topthree in the independent living category forRowan Court – a £4m, 15-bed residentialclose-care unit for young people with disab-ilities.

John Hall, chairman of trustees at Holly-bank, said: “We are delighted that our newbuilding has been deemed worthy of a placein the final of the awards.

“As a brand new purpose-built facility, itenables us to provide a wonderful, caringenvironment for the young people who livethere.”

Richard Conroy, chief executive of Con-roy Brook, said: “Rowan Court is awell-designed, efficient, modern, close-carehome for a very deserving cause, so we arevery pleased that the quality that we put inall our developments has been recognised bythe judges.”

Conroy Brook joined forces withaward-winning architects Chris Carr Asso-ciates to design Rowan Court – athree-storey building with one five-bedroomapartment on each floor.

They worked in close conjunction withHollybank to meet the trust’s specificrequirements for a modern, purpose built‘state of the art’ close care facility, whichwould meet and exceed all current legisla-tion regarding the young people’s needs.

Judges will visit the development beforethe winners of the Pinders National Health-care Design Awards are announced at aceremony on March 25 at Lord’s CricketGround in London.

THE amount of business property availableto tenants in Yorkshire declined for the firsttime in two years, says a survey by theRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

However, its UK Commercial PropertySurvey showed surveyors across theregion still have a “wide portfolio” of office,industry and retail property available.

Some 63% of surveyors have vacantoffice space – down from 67% in the lastquarter. Some 38% of surveyors have avail-able retail space – down from 67%, And43% have vacant industry space comparedwith 72% in the last quarter.

Demand for commercial property in York-shire increased in the fourth quarter of2009 – with office space, retail outlets andindustrial property all proving particularlypopular.

Some 36% more chartered surveyors

reported a rise in demand for office space,while 27% saw an increase in demand forretail space and 43% saw demand forindustry property rise.

However, the lack of new developmentsbeing built in the region has resulted insurveyors reporting a slight decrease inconfidence for sales and lettings of spaceto occupiers for the coming quarter.

Richard Corby, regional spokesman forthe RICS, said: “The slight decline in avail-able commercial property space is cer-tainly down to a lack of developmentstarts.

“But, the fact that Yorkshire and Humbercurrently boasts a healthy supply of com-mercial property means that occupiers stillhave a wide range of potential buildingsand units to choose from.”

DTZ spurs them onPROPERTY agency DTZ has added twomajor names to its portfolio of tenants at aWest Yorkshire industrial estate.

Acting on behalf of Standard Life Invest-ments, DTZ has concluded deals to bringinternational distribution company Caterpil-lar Logistics and lighting manufacturer andsupplier Powerlite Lighting Solutions Ltd toGildersome Spur, near Leeds.

Caterpillar Logistics has moved from Nor-manton to unit J at Gildersome Spur. Thepremises comprises 42,600sq ft on a five-year

lease with an option to break after the thirdyear.

Powerlite Lighting Solutions Ltd hasmoved from Beeston Royds Industrial Estateand has two units together comprising21,200sq ft on a seven-year lease.

Paul Mack, industrial associate director atDTZ, said: “DTZ has advised on eight let-tings totalling over 190,000sq ft in the pasttwo years. We are delighted to have landed thetwo deals with two extra units currently insolicitors hands.”

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS property Page 7

Agency seesbetter signs

A YORKSHIRE estate agency hasreported a “glimmer of confidence”in the regional property market.

Latest figures from Carter Jonaes,which has offices at Slaithwaite andin Leeds, York and Harrogate,showed the agency has received 31instructions so far this year totallingnearly £28m of property.

In Huddersfield alone, more than£5.5m of property has come to mar-ket since the New Year.

Yorkshire properties on CarterJonas’s website received more than28,000 visits throughout Januaryand agents at each of the offices arenoticing a renewed enthusiasm forthe market – albeit with a caution-ary approach.

James England, head residentialat Carter Jonas’ Huddersfield office,said: “At the end of 2009 we pre-dicted an early upturn in activitywith buyers returning to the marketwith a greater level of confidence.

“However, we were expecting

much fewer instructions after thedeluge of snow in early January sothese figures are particularly pleas-ing.”

He said: “Whereas in the pastwe’ve seen a real seasonality to buy-ing trends, in the current marketpeople are simply buying and sellingwhen the time is right for them.

“We used to say that peoplewaited for the daffodils before put-ting their houses on the market –that old adage is def inite lysomething of the past.”

Mr England said the rise in activ-ity could be attributed to a numberof factors – from property ownersbecoming impatient with the marketto those pre-empting a lull in activ-ity with the forthcoming election.”

Said Mr England: “Our advice tothose intending to buy or sell aproperty in 2010 is get on and do itwhilst the going is good.”

■ :

Training days pay offTEN employees at estate agency Bramleyshave achieved NVQ qualifications in resid-ential property services.

The employees undertook six to ninemonths of study, during which they wereasked to show their skills and documentand provide evidence of their work.

They also had to complete project as wellas sit a series of key skill tests.

Seven of them also sat a four-unit tech-nical award exam, which they passed –enabling them to be accredited as mem-bers of the National Association of EstateAgents.

The course covered such topics ashealth and safety, general law, law relatingto residential property sales, practice relat-ing to residential property sales, propertyappraisals and basic construction.

Paul Keighley, residential partner atBramleys, said: “Legislation constantlychanges and it is important for us as acompany to ensure that our staff aretrained to the highest possible standards.

“There was a huge amount of workinvolved for all the staff concerned and weare immensely proud of their 100% successrate.”

Amanda Rudd, sales and marketing man-ager, said: “When this was first introducedto us we knew it could only be of benefit andwas undertaken enthusiastically. “

James Parkinson, senior valuer at theHuddersfield office, added: “I found thecourse both challenging and rewardingand immensely enjoyed increasing myknowledge of the property market.”

Three new namesTHREE new names haveopened for business at a WestYorkshire shopping centre.

Santander, Browns Café andHome Bargains have takenspace at the 5Rise ShoppingCentre in Bingley, whichopened in December.

Banking group Santanderhas opened a 1,235sq ft branchwhile Browns Café has taken a

810sq ft spot next to Boots andthe main pedestrian walkway.The company already has anoutlet in Halifax town centre.

Existing retailers includeCo-operative Food Store,which has a £1m store at 5Rise.The shopping centre, acquiredby 4Urban in 2007, has 18 shopunits in total comprising60,000sq ft of retail space.

■ UPTURN: James England, headof residential for Carter Jonas inHuddersfield

■ HOMEWORK:Successfulcandidates (fromleft) Sarah Burley,sales negotiator;James Parkinson,residential valuer;and AmandaRudd , sales andmarketingmanager, at theHuddersfieldoffice of estateagency Bramleys.The three areamong 10employees at thefirm to completetheir NVQqualifications inresidentialpropertyservices

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FOR SALECaldervaleWorksRiver Street, Brighouse12,530m2 (27,233 sq ft)1Secure surfaced private yard extending to 0.6 Acres1Locatedwithin 1mile of J25,M621Allmains services provisionOffers over £800,000 (Deadline 25.02.10)

TO LET/FOR SALEPennine Business ParkBradley, Huddersfield1High specification offices1 372&557m2 (4,000&6,000 sq ft)1 Ease of access to J25 of theM62Rental/Price: On application. Joint Agents: Eddisons

TO LETParkWorksAinleys Industrial Estate, Elland1720.4m2 (7,754 sq ft)1Established location/Within onemile of J24M6217meaves1Good loading&parking facilitiesRental: On application

Instructed by CMBrook and P Sargent,Joint Administrators of Esograt Ltd.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Movers and shakers Page 8

Firm backssuper Drew

CHARTERED accountancy firmRogers & Co is adding up tobecome a major name in the worldof rugby league.

The Holmfirth firm has signd upHuddersfield Giants star BradDrew as a client – bringing to 15the number of Super League play-ers signed up for the firm’s taxservices.

Other recent signings includeGiants player David Faiumu.

Australian Brad Drew is pic-tured with Karen Ashton, clientservices manager at Rogers & Co.

Partner Ashley Barrowcloughsaid rugby players from SuperLeague clubs on both sides of thePennines had come to Rogers &Co by word of mouth.

As well as acting for severalBritish players, the firm is alsoacting for a number of Australianand New Zealand players.

Rogers & Co, based at VictoriaCourt is a member of the ValueAdded Network and handles arange of accountancy matters,including tax, audit, bookkeepingand payroll services on behalf of awide variety of clients.

Terry Scuoler

EEFMANUFACTURING employers group the EEFhas appointed former Army officer TerryScuoler as its new chief executive.

Mr Scuoler, who is managing director ofOldham-based Ferranti Technologies Ltd, willtake up the post in March.

He served as an infantry officer for five yearsbefore starting his commercial career inpublishing and the construction industry. Later,he joined Royal Ordnance – now part of BAESystems – as European marketing manager.

In 1999, he became managing director ofFerranti, which supplies specialised equipmentto the aerospace and defence markets.

In his new role, Mr Scuoter will beresponsible for enhancing EEF’s representationrole as the voice of manufacturing at a crucialtime for the sector and the UK economy. He willalso lead the further development of itsbusiness services in employment law,occupational health & safety and environmentalservices.

Graham Cox

ChadwickLawrenceLAW firm Chadwick Lawrence has welcomedGraham Cox as its latest addition to the team.

Mr Cox, who has more than 40 yearsexperience as a conveyancer, joins the law firmto help deal with increasing demand as the UK’sproperty industry begins to move once again.

He will work from the Huddersfield office atRailway Street alongside Sarah Haller, managerof the conveyancing department, to provideservices to hundreds of people who will useChadwick Lawrence to move house this year.

Mr Cox, pictured (above) with Ms Haller, iswell-known in West Yorkshire, but particularly inthe Bradford and Halifax areas after spending20 years at Reads, of Bradford, and 10 years atLast Cawthra Feather.

Ms Haller, a partner at the firm, said: “Grahamis an excellent addition to the team. Hisextensive experience is proving invaluable andclients can be assured that they are in very safehands.”

Said Mr Cox: “I’m enjoying my new role atChadwick Lawrence. It’s a forward looking firmwith a refreshing attitude to work.”

Paul’s dinner dateFORMER Arsenal and Englandmidfielder Paul Merson (right)is coming to Huddersfield’sGalpharm Stadium.

The 41-year-old, who alsohelped Middlesbrough achievepromotion to the PremierLeague and had spells withAston Villa and Portsmouthbefore managing Walsall, is themain speaker at the annualHuddersfield Town Sporting

Dinner, which takes place onMonday, March 8, at the sta-dium’s English PartnershipSuite.

Paul , who is now focusing ona career in the media, will bejoined by comedian Gary Mar-shall – making his secondappeariance at the dinner fol-lowing his 2008 debut – and MCMalcolm Lord.

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